Flashpoint Changes Everything

DC Comics is relaunching their universe with 52 new #1 issues in September after Flashpoint concludes. New books, reboots and the creative teams. I have a feeling that Superman and Lois Lane will not be married with this relaunch, much like what Marvel did with Spider-Man and Mary Jane. Haven't picked up Spider-Man since then. Costumes have been completely changed (Wonder Girl of the Teen Titans) or altered (Superman has no red trunks and boots are different).

Of the 52 books, there is no mention of the The Justice Society or others from that series, with the exception of Mr. Terrific getting a series. The Wildstorm Universe of characters merged into the DC Universe with 3 books - Grifter, Stormwatch and Voodoo. Some of these were my favorites back in the 80's. DC's website has a complete run down of all 52 books.

I'm not sure how I'm liking this idea. They missed the bus years ago when they did Crisis on Infinite Earths. They've tried to correct it through the years, which made things even worse. Marvel also tried a similar thing with Heroes Reborn. Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, The Avengers and Fantastic Four rebooted their history in an alternate universe. Reception on that wasn't too well received, even with creators like Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld on the project.

Buttons.

Last Thursday GR2 hosted a button making event with Christen Carter from Busy Beaver Button Co. You could draw your own, use pictures or collage from clippings to make your button. I made these three 2.25" buttons. Top one was my first and the gold one with the fish was that last.

Wasn't too sure what to draw for my first button, so I drew my bunny character. Think it would have come out better if I drew it in pencil first. Not good in using a pen/marker to draw with. My second one came out a little better... volcano erupting on an island. I thought this one out a little more when I drew it. The third one came out the best and my favorite. Found this piece of gold paper and was instantly inspired. This time I found a pencil to sketch out my piece first.

I hope GR2 does this event again. It was super fun to create these.

Getting Back On Track...

Can't believe I haven't been on here in almost a year. It's time to get back on track with this blog, now that I have been able to put a few things back in order.

Being a graphic designer in the print publishing industry during these times has been rough, with publications being canceled or shifted and advertising down. It's gotten a little bit better through adapting and a lot of hard work. Just wish I could get some lost hours back...

Got bit by the Facebook games... Not good. Farmville, Frontierville, CafeWorld and Cityville are the ones I have been playing the most. These took up a lot of my creative time. Even the games I bought for my system consoles have been stacking up. Some I have yet to play... COD:MW, Halo: Reach and Fable 3.

I've been attending a lot of art shows and meeting artists there. Think that has helped motivate me to get things back on track. Inspiration might just be the key. Recently GR2 held Drawing Club and that that was the first time, in a long while, I had gotten creative with a pencil that wasn't a doodle on a notepad.

Hoping I keep this up again... SDCC and AX is coming up soon too.

Avengers Teaser Trailer

Wish I could have made it to this panel at Comic-Con. It has been quite a few years since I have made it to any of the panels there. I am mainly running down the aisles of Hall H for exclusives or signings. But here is the teaser trailer they previewed at Comic-Con for the upcoming Avengers movie. Doesn't show anything but a logo and Samuel L. Jackson voice over, but at least it is something.



Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Nick Fury all in one movie. Got a long wait for this movie, since it won't be out for a couple of years. Heard they are already casting for the Wasp and Ant Man for Avengers 2.

DC Universe Online

While I was going through the DC Comics booth at SDCC last weekend, this trailer really caught my attention. It was for the DC Universe Online video game.



I like this trailer for the game, but I'm not sure if I will buy it.

It's only for PC and PS3, neither one I have. Still not buying a PS3 just to play this or a few other titles. The demos of the game I have seen are okay and then there is the additional online fees. I'm more of a Marvel Comics fan than DC Comics anyways. But who knows... Maybe after the game gets released in November, I might have a PS3 and get it.

Back To The Blog.

Finally been able to get back to this blog. Work has been getting a bit crazy with some of titles getting canceled or absorbed into an existing book, new work projects evolving into rushed deadlines, coworkers on vacation or sick and AX/SDCC happening in the same month. Just got so tired from working and planning my trip to San Diego to keep up the blog. Not even going to mention my addiction... or may be I will later...

At least I'll be getting a few more hours to replace the ones I lost for the next couple of months. Helping out our Colorado office with their magazine until they can find a replacement for their artist. That will help me with some extra cash for my next major vacation/convention in January 2011 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Even though AX and SDCC are already over, I may post something about it here. Got some SDCC pics on my Facebook page though. I've really got to get back to working on some stuff too. Gotten a bit lazy and that's not good.

Mortal Kombat reboot?

Just saw this on CBR and Kotaku. Not sure what this is, but it looks to be either a re-imagining of the Mortal Kombat movie franchise or a trailer for a video game. I'm thinking it's for the movie. IMDB has it listed for a 2013 release, which is still a long ways off. Doesn't even list it as being in production yet.

It is very different from the 2 previous movies... very dark and set much more in a real world environment. Characters in the clip shown are: Jacks Briggs, Sonya Blade, Scorpion, Reptile, Baraka, Johnny Cage and Sub Zero.

I only recognize Michael Jai White (Spawn) as Jacks and Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine in Star Trek: Voyager) as Sonya. The other actors don't look familiar to me. This could be just a demo reel and the actors, characters and storyline could change drastically in the end.

Return of Vader

Earlier this week, some of the customized Darth Vader helmets from The Vader Project started to appear around L.A. Three at the Golden Apple comic shop, two more at Munkey King (both on Melrose) and about eight at Royal/T Cafe during the Culver City Artwalk.

These were some of the first signs that The Vader Project is returning to L.A. for one final time. For about one week only they will all be on display, just before they go up for auction on July 10 at Freeman's Auction House in Philadelphia, PA. All 100 customized Darth Vader helmets will be on display at 6812 Melrose Avenue., Los Angeles, CA 90036. Open daily from Noon-6pm, June 12-20. There will be an Opening Night Party on Friday, June 11 from 6-10pm. Then on Saturday, June 12 at 2pm a catalog signing with over 20 of the participating artists.

The auction catalog just came out over the weekend. I got mine from the JapanLA Pop Up Shop, in Hollywood, on Sunday. They had a signing with 3 of the artists that contributed their talents to this project: Mr. Toast (Dan Goodsell), Buffmonster and Gary Baseman. Cost for the book was $40. Over 200 pages with all 100 helmets beautifully photographed, a brief history of the project and small artist bios.

I got the chance to see this when the Star Wars Celebration was in L.A. back in 2007 and there over 50 helmets at that time. It's amazing to see them in person because you can see all the details. I am definitely going to make out there Saturday to get my catalog signed and to see the other 50 I missed.

More info. on this and the auction can be found at www.thevaderproject.com.

Dehara - Jizo Exihibit at GR2

What is a Jizo? It is the Buddhist divinity who protects the departed souls of deceased children, babies and unborn fetuses. Its likeness can be found in cemeteries and on roadsides in Japan. These are the inspiration for Dehara's latest show. He calls them "Japanese stone angels."

There were over 20 custom painted Jizo and over 20 custom figures, J.J. sets, Jizo in regular grey color and special colorways stickers, books, keychains and other boxed figures. Each Jizo comes with matching rice ball accessory. His custom Jizo range from the cute (ONIGIRI) to the slightly bizarre (JUICY HOLE). The figures were absolutely amazing. I really liked the dog, HACHI. and the Jizo with J.J. sets. With so many figures to choose from I finally decided on the MENTA-kun Jizo. It was either that or KILLER CABBAGE. I also thought about getting one of the Jizo colorways, but the white one wasn't GID.

I got to meet Dehara for the first time. He is really nice. He was kind enough to do a Menta and Jizo sketch in my book. Even gave me some insight on how he came up with the Menta and the giant rock he painted on in Japan. These are the times when I wish I could speak a little more Japanese than I do now. David, Sun-Min and Mina stopped in to take peek at the show. Hung out a little bit with SuperBen too.

The exhibit runs through July 7 at GR2, so there is still quite a bit of time to take a look at some truly amazing pieces.