Toy and Action Figure Museum

Why am I looking so astonished, or perhaps incredulous or probably just stupified?   Why you ask?
It’s because I’m blown away by the tons of toys and action figures at the Toy and Action Figure Museum.

Here it is, located on the brick streets of downtown Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.  Check out the attention to detail on the robotic figure: He’s battle damaged!

BSEvery nook and cranny is packed with almost every action figure you can imagine.

I was lucky enough to run into the Toyman of Pauls Valley, Kevin Stark.   Kevin donated his toy collection to form this museum.  He gave me a tour of his museum, and his studio, Stark Art.  Kevin is an accomplished toy designer, cartoonist and painter.  His favorite action figure:  The Composite Superman!

Thanks Kevin for the tours.

 

 

Character Design

The “Manic Pixie”  character is being created for famous Tulsa Illustrator,  Rosemary Daugherty.  Rosemary owns  Manic Pixie Studios, located in Tulsa’s uber cool Pearl District.  Here are the comps and final pencils, produced with creative input from Rosey, herself!  Check out Rosemary’s creative illustrations at Rosemarydaugherty.com.

Uncanny Man-frog

I’m starting to work on and off on the Uncanny Man-frog again. He was my first published comic book hero, way back when I was like 24.  I’ve re-magined him.   Showed the new design to a friend of mine.  He thinks the new Man-frog is SWELL!    No actually he thinks it stinks!     What do you think?  I mean, compared with the original.

Miracle Squad: The Miracle Squad graphic novel is now available.

I got my long anticipated author’s copies from my Publisher, Pulp 2.0 Press.   It feels good to be back in print again!  If you’re interested, you can get a copy from Amazon.com.

Miracle Squad: Cover art

Here’s the final cover art for the first Miracle Squad graphic novel.   Pulp 2.0 press is publishing it this spring.   The logo and type haven’t been added of course.     I’m looking forward to getting my hands on a copy.  There will also be a digital version available.   It will be my first digital book!   The first Miracle Squad Graphic Novel will contain the first four issues we did for Fantagraphics plus a short story,  and loads of extra behind the scenes notes from John (Wooley)  and developmental  sketches and such from me.

Comics Writer: Bill Spangler

Bill Spangler and I used to work together on Larry Niven‘s Gil the Arm comic book  adaptations.   But that’s not what this post is about.   Actually I wanted to call attention to a review Bill wrote on Magnus Robot Fighter that is very comprehensive and includes the  Valiant Comics run published back in the nineties.  Check it out to complete your education of Magnus!   http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/spangler_09_10/

Miracle Squad Interview!

Back Issue Magazine #47 has an interview with John Wooley and I about  The Miracle Squad.    I’ts just now hitting the stands.   You can check it out at here at TwoMorrows Publishing. They also will sell you a digital copy of the magazine you can download immediately.

Here’s one page out of an extensive article.  And while I’m talking about  The Miracle Squad, I don’t want to fail to mention it will be rereleased soon in two thick graphic novels from our new publisher Pulp 2.0

But the best reason for getting your mitts on a copy of Back Issue #47 is to read the last interview with Dave Stevens!  Dave is the creator of the Rocketeer.  He was a great illustrator and nice guy.  He passed away about 3 years ago way too early at 52.    I was once referred to in the fan press  as ” the poor man’s Dave Stevens” , probably as a put down , but I always took it as a compliment.  I knew him briefly and he was always gave me encouragement and advice to help me get started in my career.  His best advice was;  it is better to take your time and do a handful of really good illustrations, then it is to do lots of mediocre ones.  Read our article and learn how there might have been a Rocketeer/ Miracle Squad crossover.     Yeah, it COULD have happened!

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Classic Comic Covers Recreated

 

Silver Surfer

Behold…. The Silver Surfer!   One of the coolest things about being a cartoonist is having friends that are also cartoonists!   Such as my pal Bruce McCorkindale.   Bruce is not only the inker on one of the hottest selling comics going,  Godzilla, but also the mastermind behind these classic comic cover recreations!   These unique pieces of art are so cool I ended up buying two……

Everyone who knows me, knows I’m a huge Batman fan, so I had to have this one.

 

 

Now everyone that visits me will know, ’cause it’s hanging on the living room wall!

When he can find them, Bruce works off of photocopies of the penciler’s work.   So for instance, on a Fantastic Four cover, it’s Kirby/McCorkindale instead of Kirby/Sinnott

Bruce even adds the printers marks, such as the registration marks and notes along the edge.  I prefer to crop them out with the matt boards.

 

 

 

 

Bruce McCorkindale

 

 

 

If you’re interested in having Bruce recreate one or two of your favorite old comic covers , let me know.  I think his rules are it has to be one from the 1970′s or older and the illustrator has to be deceased.

 

Miracle Squad

The THIRD layout.  This time Bill Cunningham, my publisher at Pulp Press 2.0 liked it and gave it the greenlight.   He should have liked it , I worked it up from his layout!

Here are the final pencils, which I have dropped off at Butch Burcham’s studio for his great inks.   Butch was the original inker on the Squad, and it’s great to have him inking my stuff again.

Miracle Squad!!!!!

In a Dallas coffee shop working on the layouts to the Miracle Squad graphic novel.   It’s published by Pulp 2.o Press, and will be coming out next year.  I’m really stoked about it.  It will be my first digital comic, but will also be published the traditional way too.     The first graphic novel will collect the first four Miracle Squads plus tons of other goodies, such as John’s original short story that inspired the comic, and a lot of my character sketches and developmental stuff.     Which  option do you guys like?