tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88157103322050745512024-03-18T21:58:41.141-07:00Someone Old, Someone NewMangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-41770218004710558562015-05-31T00:49:00.003-07:002015-05-31T00:49:58.925-07:00Billy the Cat & Judge Hershey by Colin MacNeil<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi475PZ-sfcvjfcC-qHeihRJOn_otrxUXJ0og57Yuq_-LYOqtW2IExjdXzcStQ8W0cBhoKYUL3G1YTKZesneRROPbjLH2QhXq9K9_xwssQIMXOKIqzgbUrM7H5G1yCmu5TZ4dyzUIxIbWT/s1600/SAM_0786+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi475PZ-sfcvjfcC-qHeihRJOn_otrxUXJ0og57Yuq_-LYOqtW2IExjdXzcStQ8W0cBhoKYUL3G1YTKZesneRROPbjLH2QhXq9K9_xwssQIMXOKIqzgbUrM7H5G1yCmu5TZ4dyzUIxIbWT/s320/SAM_0786+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><br />
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VERY happy to see Colin here!<br />
Four years ago, when i first had the notion of this here project, i straight away came up with a wish list of artists i'd love to see take part, with Colin being high up on that list. So i contacted the fella and asked if he'd be up for it and, happily, he said yes just as soon as he had a gap in his schedule and who did i have in mind for the characters?<br />
Even back then four years ago, i figured there'd be a real shortage of female characters in this collection, so i asked him for Hershey for the modern one as i love his take on her:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQCeiYk24wN5jETfVwxWyyA953na6kbsPML8VhCpoVQXtKh1u_WHFvYy63YmQFsp6H-vFxMbN-d-Pb3ZOJsigM543bwEwcvzLDJloAWn5szDbBOqCDivG8zSqAl2Yv0G_ks3n1pDV-ohD/s1600/0000her.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQCeiYk24wN5jETfVwxWyyA953na6kbsPML8VhCpoVQXtKh1u_WHFvYy63YmQFsp6H-vFxMbN-d-Pb3ZOJsigM543bwEwcvzLDJloAWn5szDbBOqCDivG8zSqAl2Yv0G_ks3n1pDV-ohD/s320/0000her.jpg" /></a><br />
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And for the classic character, i went with Billy the Cat as (A) i loved the character as a nipper, (B) i thought Colin's style would work well with him (this pic courtesy of the Beano annual 1972, an annual i still have mainly becuase of Billy):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzjdnu-FeTwe0D6040IYsN4p6XumK1NknwKxnPeVjt-06t5lbc0ptidqrOv89oetVxvux-cd5ti23yjWLez3DsUMsFU9b1vzBt8pGmRxlDyyaerlY4K-XsOfyghmOR-P-7iIETHfFuyzv/s1600/SAM_0790+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzjdnu-FeTwe0D6040IYsN4p6XumK1NknwKxnPeVjt-06t5lbc0ptidqrOv89oetVxvux-cd5ti23yjWLez3DsUMsFU9b1vzBt8pGmRxlDyyaerlY4K-XsOfyghmOR-P-7iIETHfFuyzv/s320/SAM_0790+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><br />
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Colin jumped on the idea of drawing Billy as he too had been a fan when small, but hadn't thought of him in years so relished the idea, but i'd have to wait until he had a gap in his schedule.<br />
That was four years ago and its been a sort of twice-yearly tradition to contact Colin to see if he was still up for it. He was each time but was still busy each time - and there's nothing wrong with that, the guys a stellar talent and deserves to be in demand - and would i mind still waiting?<br />
Of course i was, and that's how its been until about two weeks ago when Colin contacts me to say he had a gap in his schedule, did i still want it, and still with those characters?<br />
Of course it was a yes so the project was a go!<br />
Colin said he'd have a think about the composition (remember, apart from the two characters, its totally up to the artist as to what they'd be doing) and a few days later, this prelim came through:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4YY3dHQuqsgza-sC-6ZyKBO1ZiDS2pjtHPjWb-5wfsuGu6a9bjKpy_rb_cZx7y2QVNlfeD1hypEvsI8dteXFNBId2D_lSqzXHss2Pl0ALDoHxWSMCYLl005oAtgFKQIsB96CKh4AyDoU/s1600/CM-Hershey+Billy+Cat+-+rough.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4YY3dHQuqsgza-sC-6ZyKBO1ZiDS2pjtHPjWb-5wfsuGu6a9bjKpy_rb_cZx7y2QVNlfeD1hypEvsI8dteXFNBId2D_lSqzXHss2Pl0ALDoHxWSMCYLl005oAtgFKQIsB96CKh4AyDoU/s320/CM-Hershey+Billy+Cat+-+rough.jpg" /></a><br />
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Along with the prelim, Colin also gave his very eloquent reasoning for it:<br />
"It was really quite tough to come up with a idea for this. ... well, an idea that actually meant something other than just a pic of the two of them together.<br />
I got to thinking about Hershey and how idealistic she was earlier in her career, in regard to the law, justice, integrity. She's had to make some really tough choices over the years, some of which her younger idealistic self would hate herself for.<br />
I also got to thinking about Billy the Cat and his ideals of law, justice and integrity. He was from a much simpler time where the baddies were easier to spot. He was from a time when the law and those who uphold the law meant something, something for good. In Hershey's world "good" and "bad" are much more ambiguous. Much harder to tell apart. <br />
Yeah, Billy is a vigilante, especially from say Dredd's perspective, but I reckon he could represent a younger Hershey's idealist heart. Catching the "bad guy", upholding the law, doing good, that sort of thing. In a sense a Peter Pan in Hershey's psyche.<br />
So,... We have a meeting of Hershey and Billy, sitting on a roof looking out over MC1 at the Grand Hall of Justice. The roof they sit on is from Billy's time, an old fashioned slate roof. Billy points toward the Hall of Justice, the city, a marvel of the future from his perspective. Hershey sits there, like Wendy next to Peter, looking at Billy.<br />
She smiles as looks at the idealistic child that she used to be and remembers what it is to hope for a better world. ..... Or something like that. :)"<br />
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A brilliant idea, one much beteer than anything i could've thought of, so it was a nod for that too and off Colin wnet with his inks.<br />
And it arrived safe and sound yesterday i'm VERY happy to say!<br />
Love everything about it, love how Colin has nailed Billy, even down to the rope thingy for a tail:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumYvtxsVlrGPxgJGIRHVq47NWrTlj3tfMhlrdZNdEHxQcvSHV2FnFs4n332OpCAzzTAfDY4aR255kxiRa1-_ik-hXwGkWuoewcmCogD98taiYthp5BP0NT5NUEE9srdMz3qfadkRWdVdy/s1600/SAM_0788+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumYvtxsVlrGPxgJGIRHVq47NWrTlj3tfMhlrdZNdEHxQcvSHV2FnFs4n332OpCAzzTAfDY4aR255kxiRa1-_ik-hXwGkWuoewcmCogD98taiYthp5BP0NT5NUEE9srdMz3qfadkRWdVdy/s320/SAM_0788+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkPCr13AjLm9yvoo_VgcMHLdvz4kKpqgypocgRyuodJ_dAp9TP4mhtw0J5bF2idldoYZuDTlhiT5JQ1cU6_DWl_TIeOBBreJzIeIeCKRpq6Hcsj4KCkML7rXGL2bKKaNA4j1nmUmjwask/s1600/SAM_0791+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkPCr13AjLm9yvoo_VgcMHLdvz4kKpqgypocgRyuodJ_dAp9TP4mhtw0J5bF2idldoYZuDTlhiT5JQ1cU6_DWl_TIeOBBreJzIeIeCKRpq6Hcsj4KCkML7rXGL2bKKaNA4j1nmUmjwask/s320/SAM_0791+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><br />
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Hershey's wistful look:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZk5qIPhyphenhyphenUwS0ABTYwxNPVPk0a_q2ySdDEdPMfuLzd3rUSndCEXGesCjJbgY_FGYET7KRlj9hai3Hx4y4AtIbDsTFWo85UJUFw_liDqJdFcOA6xfZfQSm93g0ok_l1wdCR4jQICoZ-BFj5/s1600/SAM_0787+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZk5qIPhyphenhyphenUwS0ABTYwxNPVPk0a_q2ySdDEdPMfuLzd3rUSndCEXGesCjJbgY_FGYET7KRlj9hai3Hx4y4AtIbDsTFWo85UJUFw_liDqJdFcOA6xfZfQSm93g0ok_l1wdCR4jQICoZ-BFj5/s320/SAM_0787+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><br />
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and a Northern slate roof amongst all the Hi-Tech of Mega City 1:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBqMeb4o-G3E2uOr5jDhIzLLRQHaj7HJEtNNKwRFmgp8YR63dd8OSs1-_V78LfNFKnU-zColIK4eaP5szaynAiOqGTAM5_NgB1FeZvRLEYp9_JHuQqnwjVwxy8ioz_ash4Xb9Q6HJnOFN/s1600/SAM_0789+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBqMeb4o-G3E2uOr5jDhIzLLRQHaj7HJEtNNKwRFmgp8YR63dd8OSs1-_V78LfNFKnU-zColIK4eaP5szaynAiOqGTAM5_NgB1FeZvRLEYp9_JHuQqnwjVwxy8ioz_ash4Xb9Q6HJnOFN/s320/SAM_0789+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><br />
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Love it all. And didn't mind the wait at all!Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-39709099035023957312015-05-27T06:48:00.001-07:002015-05-27T06:48:24.391-07:00Incoming!Real sneaky peek of the prelim for the next "Someone Old, Someone New" piece, which should be here this time next week - can't wait!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUHW6wmDeY37Bn0XD52F0ZoOupkgP_DBISZ79awZ8rXkGPsIELKnzWpoOa8tM7XxxOsbAuCnchEWKc9etHcFzObGGvMmfoabvVZiEu_POEa5KvYeveJa5eGfB0Bs_ZE4NJcKf431Rcp2j/s1600/00000SW.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUHW6wmDeY37Bn0XD52F0ZoOupkgP_DBISZ79awZ8rXkGPsIELKnzWpoOa8tM7XxxOsbAuCnchEWKc9etHcFzObGGvMmfoabvVZiEu_POEa5KvYeveJa5eGfB0Bs_ZE4NJcKf431Rcp2j/s320/00000SW.jpg" /></a><br />
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Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-25878203321570642952015-02-17T01:21:00.002-08:002015-02-17T01:21:18.605-08:00Laser Eraser meets Judge Anderson by Chris Wildgoose<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQiWjrFMwxnF1t7Vpn7zy_HzlErZzMbdcIB-oQD-BN3YKuy3S1vjZMrbddljqvwqFPvnvKqd1JVGwwRCFFF6sKw81WmLNUnefNgxgdAmJ1yUmLM_uOa_9cmnr6DrJtjLlKm1kR2I0mHVa/s1600/0000newbunch2t+(2)lea.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQiWjrFMwxnF1t7Vpn7zy_HzlErZzMbdcIB-oQD-BN3YKuy3S1vjZMrbddljqvwqFPvnvKqd1JVGwwRCFFF6sKw81WmLNUnefNgxgdAmJ1yUmLM_uOa_9cmnr6DrJtjLlKm1kR2I0mHVa/s320/0000newbunch2t+(2)lea.jpg" /></a><br />
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I've been a fan of Chris' work since i bought the stunning "Porcelain" graphic novel, a terrific tale and i'm SO looking forward its sequel. The new ongoing "Butterfly Gate" is very much recommended too:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRw5Orar85RRyHZ3ZpDNYe-dD1Mn0_NZci9C0A26O4SacRsAhNVt9aKZQMlT31_ajOxIQFTkeuQr6rDW6_FLAyjDpoLIzOS14mUFeEWeZr412j0xkbe7kzMIS7qXreJG6rXY96flZGwW2/s1600/ButterflyGatePorcelainCovers.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRw5Orar85RRyHZ3ZpDNYe-dD1Mn0_NZci9C0A26O4SacRsAhNVt9aKZQMlT31_ajOxIQFTkeuQr6rDW6_FLAyjDpoLIzOS14mUFeEWeZr412j0xkbe7kzMIS7qXreJG6rXY96flZGwW2/s320/ButterflyGatePorcelainCovers.jpg" /></a><br />
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As well as being a terrific artist and excellent draughtsman, i'm also always taken at how brilliant Chris is at drawing women, not having to go the cliche, pouting, baps out route to make a character distinctive:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7ypxT6zZrQQXw8kOUbQ9tRQMxJmOxcF5mT6H01lzE1NDt-cm3_MAehLpoaRKj7PxEJO3MrmyCynR3dztT-fQh0RNf6ZI7sqqIq9-9jZi7p2Qhnx5C1bAl_SiLS-pfBCiNj-7khSKzaQM/s1600/bonechina_page05.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7ypxT6zZrQQXw8kOUbQ9tRQMxJmOxcF5mT6H01lzE1NDt-cm3_MAehLpoaRKj7PxEJO3MrmyCynR3dztT-fQh0RNf6ZI7sqqIq9-9jZi7p2Qhnx5C1bAl_SiLS-pfBCiNj-7khSKzaQM/s320/bonechina_page05.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayQjUt6jRqWTKiQ6IT4JBWNbOiWepmXYbi7ymx6ZGjsO_jhz2XZyVgHFNOejVRJrJgAkf8-SUkxgECuwvYS2Ev-azbYse3YI3Nn4ZZpUGmDD_zKbzS380_w2QhOKgW5Ol_tWm8HlqiAWh/s1600/porcelain-2-540x753.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayQjUt6jRqWTKiQ6IT4JBWNbOiWepmXYbi7ymx6ZGjsO_jhz2XZyVgHFNOejVRJrJgAkf8-SUkxgECuwvYS2Ev-azbYse3YI3Nn4ZZpUGmDD_zKbzS380_w2QhOKgW5Ol_tWm8HlqiAWh/s320/porcelain-2-540x753.jpg" /></a><br />
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I'd already had the fella pegged for contributing to this here project and thought he'd be a natural for a two female matching, something i've thought is needed after all the macho-ness as what we've seen so far.<br />
But what females?<br />
Well, i've gone with Anderson for the modern as she's still pretty regularly in print<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjErT69wgyCrGL6jLxrDj5_hskrDHRop-u5KGLLD91zT5uSlXzqchHQUnZ1H9smxLoVHkK0VM9tC7vtkb2bgxTa5OkJBdrlfLH0zJyK2qQ1qwxpZDCWHGIgOBG9l9aItjaVzuAy71utY7j/s1600/bolland__s_judge_anderson_by_sky_boy-d3grbfz+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjErT69wgyCrGL6jLxrDj5_hskrDHRop-u5KGLLD91zT5uSlXzqchHQUnZ1H9smxLoVHkK0VM9tC7vtkb2bgxTa5OkJBdrlfLH0zJyK2qQ1qwxpZDCWHGIgOBG9l9aItjaVzuAy71utY7j/s320/bolland__s_judge_anderson_by_sky_boy-d3grbfz+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
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And, looking for a strong, independant female to match her, i've gone for Mysta Mistralis, the Laser Eraser who, along with partner Axel Pressbutton, have been crimingly over-looked when talking reprints, graphic novels and merchandise. Lets have some now!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvAxXsbOXLtupMvM_74ZMOkNOJn5Y1zoWmtlYGUbUpfxBgQKqZsdoS6Nndu9jTnfg7abmyu9EPa24nGWy-LJRWexXoRewV_uLl9OQz_ep6yn5pLDPKtPawkmiWYQTP0WCeCb-TL6o14N3/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvAxXsbOXLtupMvM_74ZMOkNOJn5Y1zoWmtlYGUbUpfxBgQKqZsdoS6Nndu9jTnfg7abmyu9EPa24nGWy-LJRWexXoRewV_uLl9OQz_ep6yn5pLDPKtPawkmiWYQTP0WCeCb-TL6o14N3/s320/download.jpg" /></a><br />
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As usual with these projects, the thrill of it is seeing the completed piece and that was true here as Chris never sent me any premlims or thumbnails. <br />
Stunned and amazed by what i was presented with a couple of days ago - he's nailed both characters perfectly (even down to the padding of Mysta's clothing), in a brilliant moment and, as my wife said when i showed her it, "that's how you draw women".Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-25957207531656627742015-01-16T13:11:00.000-08:002015-01-16T13:11:14.873-08:00Balls rollingSo to speak.<br />
Yep, a bunch of the proverbials are rolling as i type and hopefully there'll be new treats to share with you before long, both here and over on my "Batman 186" project (link to it is on the sidebar to the right) and i'm really looking forward to that.<br />
As a taster, a wee glimpse from a prelim of one of the new pieces and, as i'm sure you can tell from the ear, its for Batman 186<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiMZG2Ay-naaBzs8XXY73orGzAB4pVGym6-j97EXvPRec2FrGFUMKryKn8MNArm4aVLcWl_9eJKCIeLiR5FfxAo2a7iyJeos1sawKI5eL3_lBtMFUnIKDCZxq5oYU3Z6JMk7OhJn99-Qm/s1600/image+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiMZG2Ay-naaBzs8XXY73orGzAB4pVGym6-j97EXvPRec2FrGFUMKryKn8MNArm4aVLcWl_9eJKCIeLiR5FfxAo2a7iyJeos1sawKI5eL3_lBtMFUnIKDCZxq5oYU3Z6JMk7OhJn99-Qm/s320/image+(2).jpg" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-16967608127723761382013-04-20T03:55:00.001-07:002013-05-28T00:08:25.085-07:00Shakara vs Biogs by Conor Boyle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94eSB6qJNLGX4eVURGioWJfWPxUTFi41Fqnm8ISruXmook-Fl4N-qvKn4PxSr1lZjeg9dIcEEO-kcHonlpZn8SDY8jZ966bKtzxBLlytDmBsxOjiiM_eej_-ksJ09niD9-CYWkUgqKkBv/s1600/shakara+biogs+preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94eSB6qJNLGX4eVURGioWJfWPxUTFi41Fqnm8ISruXmook-Fl4N-qvKn4PxSr1lZjeg9dIcEEO-kcHonlpZn8SDY8jZ966bKtzxBLlytDmBsxOjiiM_eej_-ksJ09niD9-CYWkUgqKkBv/s320/shakara+biogs+preview.jpg" /></a><br />
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Right from the start of this project, i wanted Shakara to be one of the "new" characters. Okay, that was quite a while back now and there's been no tale of the fella for a long while, but i still wanted him in there. And, being an adversary of all manner of alien races, there was only one type that i wanted for the "old" - the Biogs from way back in Prog 1 of 2000AD and the relaunch of Dan Dare.<br />
I've waffled on long-time over on my "AIEEEE!" Blog about my love for Massimo's incredible creations, so i won't repeat myself here.<br />
Top choice for the project was Shakara's co-creator himself, Henry Flint. But Henry doesn't take on commissions, so i thought the scene would remain an idea and no more.<br />
But then i met Conor Boyle at a Demoncon in Maidstone (scroll down the page here for more of what Conor produced for me that day) and i was blown away by his talent and his incredible fine detail work. And that was just for his sketches.<br />
When i saw what he did for comics and commissions, i knew i'd found a perfect artist for the job.<br />
Happily, Conor was up for the gig, once he'd got some other pieces done and it wasn't long before we were discussing first basic composistions, of which there were four:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalKYsnIxWmK0Pf432tVeln848u9kAQWPdK_nxz63wZowJoyJLS7_Cw5N_Xf17TFogq5k3-ouEPa_UtiyCvnLi2LFvqg7evI2HeVpBjwjN0qVK5fFquViUjII_1tTrR3u5L6_vJk-9peNj/s1600/SvB-options+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalKYsnIxWmK0Pf432tVeln848u9kAQWPdK_nxz63wZowJoyJLS7_Cw5N_Xf17TFogq5k3-ouEPa_UtiyCvnLi2LFvqg7evI2HeVpBjwjN0qVK5fFquViUjII_1tTrR3u5L6_vJk-9peNj/s320/SvB-options+(2).jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
and then slight tweaks here and there until he arrived at what you see here today. I'm SO pleased with this its untrue - he's nailed Shakara perfectly and he's done something that i didn't ask him to do, which is something i loved that the Biogs did in the Dan Dare strip sometimes -frown over those massive eyes they have, giving them a real sinister appearance. Top Bloke that Conor - friendly, polite and very, very talented.<br />
Ta ever so Conor!<br />
<br />
Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-78721571597781531092012-08-13T05:59:00.002-07:002012-08-13T05:59:35.523-07:00Old One Eye vs Gorehead by James McKayWas SO thrilled to hear that Flesh was coming back. Not only coming back, but it'd be a direct sequel to my 2nd favourite strip when 2000AD first started.
It'll have Trans Time!
It'll have cowboys!
It'll have outlandish dinosaur gore!
And, hopefully, great looking dinosaurs too.
Happily, James really delivered on that front and, as soon as i read the first episode, i got in touch with the fella to see if he'd take part in this here project.
Straight away i knew what i wanted:
The now totally inaccurate, standing bolt upright, portly, big-headed Old One Eye:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri60GBKPbGbywMp2mdkld9hnpE36pXgV6pxUokGQSJus_Jnnhz_vtqQuPebXq6M4ZGtyYVZUBwkC6ojsEXFFf3ZHCNbwo-oz9tLAQbOIK1Q6TPVV0G-biB-qVfErMhFk-T4UTERtYo7zM/s1600/SDC11201+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri60GBKPbGbywMp2mdkld9hnpE36pXgV6pxUokGQSJus_Jnnhz_vtqQuPebXq6M4ZGtyYVZUBwkC6ojsEXFFf3ZHCNbwo-oz9tLAQbOIK1Q6TPVV0G-biB-qVfErMhFk-T4UTERtYo7zM/s320/SDC11201+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
Going up against the totally accurate, brilliantly realised Gorehead:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeQZvjqQ6w9Vx4x4_hSzTTMTfFw7X6FhvyZ-lENMGw7JzimJHfBs1-pAXZik8mRnz-kuxY3wBPaEuLPVcBTbSKvQ8ng9m4K5Y-uQ5bSBwgSGfXoQW-x5lj3ATIzSiYzeUvtWZ_cmmztaO/s1600/SDC11202+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="291" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeQZvjqQ6w9Vx4x4_hSzTTMTfFw7X6FhvyZ-lENMGw7JzimJHfBs1-pAXZik8mRnz-kuxY3wBPaEuLPVcBTbSKvQ8ng9m4K5Y-uQ5bSBwgSGfXoQW-x5lj3ATIzSiYzeUvtWZ_cmmztaO/s320/SDC11202+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
James was up for it alright, but work pressures has meant its taken until now to see just what would happen when the two meet.
Fantastic isn't it?
But, who's going to win?
Ta ever so James for doing this!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxObcBFtSLuuG-3trAvP9CbGMFGWuNWJ26Y6uyazC8FhinXrlQwFB9GB2t9t_X_UVdnLauxKsdR9epJkbvAv0s910LirCsxJEjFIK12DbBI3ptPaOclL6hBBA8HYdrhNUQQlins7Ayi6e/s1600/gorehead+and+old+one+eye+001+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxObcBFtSLuuG-3trAvP9CbGMFGWuNWJ26Y6uyazC8FhinXrlQwFB9GB2t9t_X_UVdnLauxKsdR9epJkbvAv0s910LirCsxJEjFIK12DbBI3ptPaOclL6hBBA8HYdrhNUQQlins7Ayi6e/s320/gorehead+and+old+one+eye+001+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
Flesh © 2012 Rebellion A/S. All rights reserved. www.2000ADonline.comMangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-67414096686426356662012-07-24T03:44:00.000-07:002012-07-24T03:44:06.295-07:00A spin-off project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0BNlsWHPvedADEl6nV_ajAPITx0bL-soNVIJ1Xi42Rnt8DGptS7J6AzX956t8p3mbgQ6Qlv3Fcgzo_ZM5jQemEQclS8580coDIv8Ak_Zjqlu06IR4bS4errMU2XMMkN0RuGWvfVNnnZZ/s1600/B186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0BNlsWHPvedADEl6nV_ajAPITx0bL-soNVIJ1Xi42Rnt8DGptS7J6AzX956t8p3mbgQ6Qlv3Fcgzo_ZM5jQemEQclS8580coDIv8Ak_Zjqlu06IR4bS4errMU2XMMkN0RuGWvfVNnnZZ/s320/B186.jpg" /></a></div>
An idea i had long before this project was to do with this Bat-cover.
Its my Number 1 image from my childhood Bat-reading, an image that's stayed with me all these years and, even now, looking at it i get a deep down, emotional reaction to it.
So, i thought it'd be nice to ask artists to have a go at their own version of it.
As long as the three characters were there and were doing what they're doing, how they went about it and what it'd look like is totally up to them.
Very pleased to say that i've my first two now.
If you care to pop over to my Bat-Blog, you'll see them in all their glory:
http://outofthebatcave.blogspot.co.uk/Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-66925715275593338642012-04-23T04:38:00.001-07:002012-04-23T04:38:08.772-07:00Black Max by Lawrence CambellAlso at Demoncon was Lawrence Cambell - charming, brilliant artist doing head sketches for free.
So out comes my Max reference pic.
I left it with Lawrence and came back later.
I'd mentioned that Max is based on Boris Karloff and Lawrence had Googled his image on his iPhone and was using that classic, iconic shot from "The Mummy", which i think you can really see here.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBRF_NnrvEkbjwwQs4QI3rncDkc-YVSP5kcifB9sZkH4sUwC2968EhsCVhQNO9ehGURoFntFDl9PmTZEJZ2Yx_5x4sAjtLGDOtvmJ_4a-QQAtXc009TDcbsYjsalW540WUNyz0lbrxoZO/s1600/SDC10309+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBRF_NnrvEkbjwwQs4QI3rncDkc-YVSP5kcifB9sZkH4sUwC2968EhsCVhQNO9ehGURoFntFDl9PmTZEJZ2Yx_5x4sAjtLGDOtvmJ_4a-QQAtXc009TDcbsYjsalW540WUNyz0lbrxoZO/s320/SDC10309+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-74423342679844954582012-04-23T04:34:00.000-07:002012-04-23T04:34:19.422-07:00Giant Bat by Conor BoyleWas at Maidtone's Demoncon comic convention yesterday and i met the VERY talented and hopefully to be a star soon, Conor Boyle.
Great guy, great artist and didn't mind me at all thrusting a reference pic of Black Max's beastie to have a go at.
He's nailed that long cat/bear face hasn't he?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmD4WcqLRfDshipIeYlaymK61RamkRHUbfbDjv4w6RvyGNbIBNYXP_TvJlpzvRs6U90plXGD2bdO-czqv6SpX8F4u3C6mOE1_sUqB_ulYTuXmtyI_maV8CDDwKkN7WcYEGP9Icgb9BR6V/s1600/SDC10308+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmD4WcqLRfDshipIeYlaymK61RamkRHUbfbDjv4w6RvyGNbIBNYXP_TvJlpzvRs6U90plXGD2bdO-czqv6SpX8F4u3C6mOE1_sUqB_ulYTuXmtyI_maV8CDDwKkN7WcYEGP9Icgb9BR6V/s320/SDC10308+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-84903283930226367042012-02-06T01:26:00.000-08:002012-02-06T01:40:55.305-08:00Gnasher vs Johnny Alpha<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rEFUzVj_efAm3mc3EeI7vIk0i-xF3OCQ5kkTfIjMCVC7fR900kN_ctt-vWu-NULYvjSUZ-f1JGWf8WGz0GtRBdOnRnc2GZE7v5sZTs2Zp1IetxtJgQNZgguNod63yX476Usk4v9MfC2Y/s1600/SDogz%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rEFUzVj_efAm3mc3EeI7vIk0i-xF3OCQ5kkTfIjMCVC7fR900kN_ctt-vWu-NULYvjSUZ-f1JGWf8WGz0GtRBdOnRnc2GZE7v5sZTs2Zp1IetxtJgQNZgguNod63yX476Usk4v9MfC2Y/s320/SDogz%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705955145340799650" /></a><br />Very pleased to see Boo here as he has a unique style, highly reminiscent of Artists gone by, who's quirky style made them so distinctive and instantly reconisible.<br />Like Carl, this one is a little bit different from the initial idea.<br />Boo is very well known these days for his work on "Judge Anderson", so i thought she'd be the logical choice for the Modern character.<br />But Boo said that he gets to draw Anderson all day and fancied doing something he'd never likely get the chance to do otherwise - a Strontium Dog and Dennis the Menace's dog.<br />As he says, he's gone off brief a little as Gnasher, as the Old character, is still in print, but he's gone down the route of Gnasher being an old character who he used to read 35 years ago.<br />Well, that's fine by me Boo - and ta very much!<br />BTW - i won't name the Old character that was going to be used as i still wnat to see him here and i don't want to ruin the surprise as i've thought of another Artist who's style would suit him as much as Boo's.<br />Stay posted (hopefully).Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-69017798709057021722012-01-08T02:25:00.001-08:002012-01-08T02:43:56.161-08:00The Three Bears vs Thrud The Barbarian<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-uZ7N0rsUyxaxPOOysUvv7IPaK9umVAcpU4-Rnga5sWig1KQdnLqsll-u4ECwr48JJOBzPhO9dHbcGMS1kSVTgwrntXKMbQphRn1Wz6GhYzx1_WgErNoswBZ6D8WlbeU7CGkESEidFb_/s1600/eric1%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-uZ7N0rsUyxaxPOOysUvv7IPaK9umVAcpU4-Rnga5sWig1KQdnLqsll-u4ECwr48JJOBzPhO9dHbcGMS1kSVTgwrntXKMbQphRn1Wz6GhYzx1_WgErNoswBZ6D8WlbeU7CGkESEidFb_/s320/eric1%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695209542224615250" /></a><br />Very, very pleased to see Carl Critchlow here, as i'm a huge fan of his work, be it his fully painted style that he's used for countless CCG pieces, his early work on 2000AD or his later work on that title and his brilliant "Thrud", where he'd changed his style to go for very fine linework that was then coloured in.<br />I've got quite a few pieces of his original art and its them that made me think Carl would be a natch for this project, not only 'cause he's terrific but, as you see here:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wOY_k7FjzREii0nyg5Xi7-x-jCB0526GdXsHxmzf5kqOJ7gSVIXlRqOzCZMftdjc3AZBdYzGyUiVR5oqQLiHBirOgsgoTVWhpZr4vP6k7g7oiBsTmd4X49-xcqTRa1q-Hb8weQO1DPy9/s1600/0cc1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wOY_k7FjzREii0nyg5Xi7-x-jCB0526GdXsHxmzf5kqOJ7gSVIXlRqOzCZMftdjc3AZBdYzGyUiVR5oqQLiHBirOgsgoTVWhpZr4vP6k7g7oiBsTmd4X49-xcqTRa1q-Hb8weQO1DPy9/s320/0cc1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695209538531406882" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtDlicspI6SMOtIuiL3nlMET3raHa7S13M2Mc2hHCZiTJvkB0i1zoTEPYpk93l1YdUNmpIY9fnQADZbAwpJqkTlLraszlV0Rr20QcOUK0HtKmbnzSkUIfjYA06zWNlTXeSul1SPak0sjc/s1600/0cc2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtDlicspI6SMOtIuiL3nlMET3raHa7S13M2Mc2hHCZiTJvkB0i1zoTEPYpk93l1YdUNmpIY9fnQADZbAwpJqkTlLraszlV0Rr20QcOUK0HtKmbnzSkUIfjYA06zWNlTXeSul1SPak0sjc/s320/0cc2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695209529643970018" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJdzy6-DudRaZYTIrAokUiaCO2-rjYVRh83rWAU-sENuee46nftEf4A2Y58FcmeqT0WIKQn2W8PEd7g10e_Sjz3gR6F0yK_Al1X5A47RURaUdy6iIv5gmxSsF3d5kNlPMQamvnftqyNc1/s1600/0cc3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJdzy6-DudRaZYTIrAokUiaCO2-rjYVRh83rWAU-sENuee46nftEf4A2Y58FcmeqT0WIKQn2W8PEd7g10e_Sjz3gR6F0yK_Al1X5A47RURaUdy6iIv5gmxSsF3d5kNlPMQamvnftqyNc1/s320/0cc3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695209526859566802" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHUeFxNi5H2YoZ1jWbiwfDMiSXeVjlo_vvhb0Ol40Nax7BNrYyOP9bClj9PnWzD_3rl_MtlHv3vOXjpWsPLlli7mirNub9kdnKcCMcZVta49OZLj6nK8Xt0m0Hpca_e4LVMU9O34XIdie/s1600/0cc4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHUeFxNi5H2YoZ1jWbiwfDMiSXeVjlo_vvhb0Ol40Nax7BNrYyOP9bClj9PnWzD_3rl_MtlHv3vOXjpWsPLlli7mirNub9kdnKcCMcZVta49OZLj6nK8Xt0m0Hpca_e4LVMU9O34XIdie/s320/0cc4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695209522718158530" /></a><br />his B/W originals are brilliant by themselves and really evoke the spirit of 70's British comics.<br />So, got in touch with Carl and he said sure but i'd have to wait a while.<br />That was fine by me and i didn't mind the wait, especially as i didn't know who i'd be getting.<br />Straight up, i asked Carl if he would do for the modern character his Thrud, which seemed logical, and asked for a certain 70's person for the old one - who i won't name as hopefully he'll still be appearing on this here Site.<br />Carl said sure to Thrud, but would i mind if he chose the other side of the coin as he had something in mind?<br />Didn't mind that at all - half the fun of this project is the surprise of seeing what folk would come up with.<br />So, last week Carl sent me an email with an attached JPEG, asking if it was okay.<br />And that's a real thrill to sit there for a few seconds, waiting for the image to pop up.<br />And what a thrill to see these three appear!<br />I absolutley LOVED the Three Bears when i were a nipper and i can't tell you how chuffed i am to have an original of them done by one of my favourite artists, along with a brillaintly awful pun.<br />Carl, you're a gent sir.<br />BTW, if you're a stranger to Thrud, you really shouldn't be and i urge you to track down copies of his title.<br />Or pop along to Carl's site:<br /><br />http://www.carlcritchlow.com/Thrud1.htmlMangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-61886524497002489682012-01-04T05:28:00.001-08:002012-01-04T05:29:00.782-08:00Great news chums!In the next few days, a brand new commission will be here for you.<br />Stay tuned!Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-70958551294270971342011-10-26T13:42:00.000-07:002011-10-26T13:48:57.045-07:00How could i forget?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2yulQg3w3yihp9peWMHQ_SVDC3zNQ9GWxlUogd4J_piKiK_CvwZesRyFs74U01XthR0pg1sWzcaTkRNb5RV09tQ95qHp6Q9VFA7B4wY36MhS2Ee6aym9oTp7sEwmI_p7DHI0U6PwkT7_/s1600/meg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2yulQg3w3yihp9peWMHQ_SVDC3zNQ9GWxlUogd4J_piKiK_CvwZesRyFs74U01XthR0pg1sWzcaTkRNb5RV09tQ95qHp6Q9VFA7B4wY36MhS2Ee6aym9oTp7sEwmI_p7DHI0U6PwkT7_/s320/meg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667905683207184690" /></a><br />Was having a sort out, filing my Thrill Power away into boxes, when i stumbled over this excellent cover from the Megazine of 2002.<br />Stunned that i'd forgotten such an image that parallels what i'm up to now, especially as it includes two of my all-time favourites in Artie Gruber and a Biog, and amazed that its Dredd vs characters from the 70's, the very theme for the opening image in this project of mine - and both drawn by the mighty Cliff Robinson.<br />Spooky.Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-52494365193263683112011-10-13T12:10:00.000-07:002011-10-13T12:16:37.808-07:00Artie Gruber by Rufus Dayglo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDGskwJOlWsKo30f1AkrYTB8BYdjWksLRx_TkfMbZt7mYrfnQbyzqCQ8LEovsZqMscU1uFaZcF_8p5CViSBYMiNH2fIEp-57NaN3zKLgVeJJdFHAdD8w25YwyXoCYuUrQNYMigoVK1a2t/s1600/PA021370.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDGskwJOlWsKo30f1AkrYTB8BYdjWksLRx_TkfMbZt7mYrfnQbyzqCQ8LEovsZqMscU1uFaZcF_8p5CViSBYMiNH2fIEp-57NaN3zKLgVeJJdFHAdD8w25YwyXoCYuUrQNYMigoVK1a2t/s320/PA021370.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663057794970346322" /></a><br />While i tread water waiting for a new piece, lets look back, back, back to those early days when the basic idea was to just get folks' takes on my favourite characters from the past.<br />And there sure wasn't many more favourite back in '78 than Artie Gruber - hell, i even melted my Action Man over the gas ring to get my own one.<br />So, who better at a Dreddcon to do me an Artie (so to speak) than reknowned 70's comics fan and all round Top Bloke, Rufus.<br />He did this in minutes, totally without reference material or any warning whatsoever.<br />Lovely stuff.Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-2880910140434519462011-09-29T12:57:00.000-07:002011-09-29T13:02:39.502-07:00Black Max - Dean Ormston<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_Vj98RAFhKHllxfCaM40Bu_P1EtX1GFsaxShRXn7zfK5u8GKrpq4O7DhBHX8RLsLxrA3YgXd4EXnNE76OClX1pSRYDWxkeSpP8dxikRj7-r-Zb9ot_vgZMHAl_knWikwL2sXcN8VUkc8/s1600/black+max538%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_Vj98RAFhKHllxfCaM40Bu_P1EtX1GFsaxShRXn7zfK5u8GKrpq4O7DhBHX8RLsLxrA3YgXd4EXnNE76OClX1pSRYDWxkeSpP8dxikRj7-r-Zb9ot_vgZMHAl_knWikwL2sXcN8VUkc8/s320/black+max538%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657874466552341938" /></a><br />Alrighty. At the risk of this here Blog turning into a Black Max tribute site, here's Dean's take on the fella.<br />Dean has produced a collection of his works and, at a small extra cost, will do you a sketch of your chosing on a blank page in there.<br />Him being a master of the macabre and downright disturbing, i had to go with Max didn't i?<br />No idea how old Dean is but he didn't need any reference pics i offered, so guessing he's about my age.Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-51551974688689734742011-09-01T04:26:00.000-07:002011-09-01T04:38:59.720-07:00Giant Bat vs Demon Jenny - Dom Reardon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrkplwmoG6j_yNxOKq8FNjGJnr7CxTX7jgzGI-TphsEEqqTLyigbw-ZcpwTpU-gJNMzydfiqw7zBLV2oDBfpVT_aLKvenO-CeNYxM945jQe7sXnU-MvtgFMP2SCzH8bZkqo6rXuQHtXhw/s1600/P9010731.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrkplwmoG6j_yNxOKq8FNjGJnr7CxTX7jgzGI-TphsEEqqTLyigbw-ZcpwTpU-gJNMzydfiqw7zBLV2oDBfpVT_aLKvenO-CeNYxM945jQe7sXnU-MvtgFMP2SCzH8bZkqo6rXuQHtXhw/s320/P9010731.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647354254058331538" /></a>
<br />With his brilliant B&W work, Dom was always on my list for this project and i couldn't wait to see what he'd come up with.
<br />For the modern character, there could only be one for me - Demon Jenny from Caballistics Inc, with that fantastic, distinctive look she has.
<br />Trouble was, who from the past could be a match for a demon?
<br />I did consider Cursitor Doom, figuring he could try to match her with his magic. But, nah, she'd wipe the floor with him.
<br />So then thought someone with brute force on their side might be more of a match.
<br />Did consider Mytek The Mighty - but having her facing off against a giant robot ape might look silly.
<br />In the end i thought one of Black Max's giant bats would be more in keeping with the horror element of Jenny.
<br />So that's what i asked Dom for.
<br />And that's all - just the two characters and not what they'd be doing.
<br />Thing is, i'd imagined Jenny to be up in the air, about to do battle with the bat.
<br />So it was quite a surprise to see Dom had done just that.
<br />Cheers Dom!Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-14355251710148275142011-08-31T09:25:00.000-07:002011-08-31T09:28:01.078-07:00Modesty Blaise by Dylan Teague<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVWotZQBjCKZKrzzZHfJznQq97sOwFWm4ZjrnQvTzjihCTKbGsIcVXoGx04BU0c-3YXuk2TbwSoMNd557TEGwyWRBLLEtQYAzAmjo2gFEASIjn0H9M2RSEbnSOkQlKHsESTTT3mLRiepx/s1600/P3070626.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVWotZQBjCKZKrzzZHfJznQq97sOwFWm4ZjrnQvTzjihCTKbGsIcVXoGx04BU0c-3YXuk2TbwSoMNd557TEGwyWRBLLEtQYAzAmjo2gFEASIjn0H9M2RSEbnSOkQlKHsESTTT3mLRiepx/s320/P3070626.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647057685988060066" /></a>
<br />Not a boys comic character true, but while we wait for the next installment, i thought i'd show you Dylan's take on the fabulous Ms BlaiseMangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-35347170090464708642011-08-30T08:20:00.000-07:002011-08-30T08:23:18.544-07:00An addition soon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWmO-55_sIP7juIhexhJmoHQPfSDfPSKNswZeRAfqR_xrg5Ggo8xSEwjAb63Ims9m6X3c3pIZLA56DVFHJBfSLSbZEhSlNFzXESOM9J8wRLtMiI-HbetdU7_03MY799z9zeFu2xI-oBNU/s1600/q.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWmO-55_sIP7juIhexhJmoHQPfSDfPSKNswZeRAfqR_xrg5Ggo8xSEwjAb63Ims9m6X3c3pIZLA56DVFHJBfSLSbZEhSlNFzXESOM9J8wRLtMiI-HbetdU7_03MY799z9zeFu2xI-oBNU/s320/q.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646669758449124946" /></a>
<br />Sorry folks for no new posts just lately, but that'll be rectified soon with yet another ? vs ?.
<br />Stay tuned.
<br />A No-Prize and my total respect if anyone can guess just ONE of the two featured.Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-63149657123024839692011-08-02T06:34:00.000-07:002011-08-02T06:43:18.351-07:00Thrud vs Lobster Random - Carl Critchlow<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusW7T6pSvcHABbOJF08FKAY4XvxweMIPPef3tB0nk1EZ6OM2ZOu7XIlPxj1kM0aoQHtl7g0WYiXPJjDUIMwy9_Cia0gWWH3X8p8q3HjTzwDfTM2xyYrXL4vo6w3eHjKCRR3oZXRhnoKnY/s1600/sk3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusW7T6pSvcHABbOJF08FKAY4XvxweMIPPef3tB0nk1EZ6OM2ZOu7XIlPxj1kM0aoQHtl7g0WYiXPJjDUIMwy9_Cia0gWWH3X8p8q3HjTzwDfTM2xyYrXL4vo6w3eHjKCRR3oZXRhnoKnY/s320/sk3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636253352638440850" /></a><br />Not within the remit of this theme, both being modern characters, although dunno whether we'll see Lob again soon and Thrud isn't a true regular monthly title.<br />But i thought i'd show this as, thinking about it, its the very first instance of the thought process that eventually led to "SOSN" - having two disparete characters meeting up, done by a certain artist.<br />And the reasoning behind it was simple, i was after a sketch by Carl and thought it'd be neat to have two of his characters meeting to see what they'd look like and what they'd be doing.<br />Which is exactly what i'm doing these years later with other artists.<br />But, hopefully, Carl will be back making a re-apperance soon.Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-11973362497632955172011-07-30T03:24:00.000-07:002011-07-30T03:40:44.109-07:00Robot Archie vs Judge Anderson - Dave Taylor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxKDmD2ro75D_yjGstqMQZmTdRDRmSIdDIELAx770NVKRo3fYRod74_xfN1SJvceXpUKTvJNR8PgpoF32lK_VPsiENGaaGDVrH8nDQ9ict-Vqt6W_zlLce3Spi1f8FoqMDZ_Au1cv4qG_/s1600/0dt1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxKDmD2ro75D_yjGstqMQZmTdRDRmSIdDIELAx770NVKRo3fYRod74_xfN1SJvceXpUKTvJNR8PgpoF32lK_VPsiENGaaGDVrH8nDQ9ict-Vqt6W_zlLce3Spi1f8FoqMDZ_Au1cv4qG_/s320/0dt1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635093451823126498" /></a><br />Right from the off, i had Dave down for Robot Archie as he's proven himself again and again to be a master of robot design, so wanted to see what his version of the fella would be like.<br />When coming up with these projects, i usually have either the old or new character in mind for a certain artist and then have to come up with t'other for them.<br />But, just as with Leigh Gallagher, i knew right from the off who i'd like both to be and, in Dave's case, the other had to be Anderson, after the stunning work he'd produced for her strip in the Megazine.<br />After Dave had okayed the premise it again was a case of letting the artist decide what the characters would be doing.<br />Now, of all the scenareos i could've come up with, a date wasn't exactly high up on my list for them to be doing.<br />So was in equal parts stunned, amazed and thrilled to recieve this.<br />Barking isn't it?<br />Barking and brilliant - its detailed here but in the flesh its even better and i keep going back to it to study it more.<br />Dave's known for his incredibly fine line work but here it's so fine its untrue - Anderson's jawline is so, so delicate.<br />Love it! Love the concept of them going out for the evening, love what's going on behind them (even though i've not a clue what that might be), love the lil' fella running out of his lil' door, love Batman making a guest apperance (Dave took a break from his Bat-title to do this), and love that i get a Mega City One establishment named after me.<br />Ace work Dave and thanks ever so.Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-33007774350175633372011-07-28T13:24:00.000-07:002011-07-28T13:32:29.669-07:00Black Max - Leigh Gallagher<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4GI8UgVjqWKwwyzJcxizZyd-s2W0T5JyJh8awUGGspuChjIPXnqmhUH1UuYhqwUkHturE4nRqWZlkCxEAwLik0TVq7CmnZkwd5o5AiylUlAYW0WtyNlJhFDvGQD8397R3Wuf-aaFKgbF/s1600/0lg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4GI8UgVjqWKwwyzJcxizZyd-s2W0T5JyJh8awUGGspuChjIPXnqmhUH1UuYhqwUkHturE4nRqWZlkCxEAwLik0TVq7CmnZkwd5o5AiylUlAYW0WtyNlJhFDvGQD8397R3Wuf-aaFKgbF/s320/0lg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634503602458336770" /></a><br />With an all new "? meets ?" coming along soon, lets have another "shove a ref pic under a startled artists nose" production.<br />In this case, Leigh Gallagher, who'd already done me the excellent Janus Stark vs Defoe commission previously.<br />He was attending the London Expo a while back and i had to use the chance to try and get his take on Max, with his stunning B&W Defoe art showing that whatever he did would be special.<br />And didn't he do well?<br />Despite not knowing who the fella was, and only having this provided pic:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TO4WuTnUriBWQMGQWphftt3WjD3PCaeHiPVLva4T_edJcdfUFpIQ8lZ9hGhZha5MeQeiE4S33DN2-aSWJyhJ5as0OTTaUAqxbZmtAPvG44YrSsWyLoV57FTZiOpaLJSTHBqqDyTguDJx/s1600/cr-blackmax2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TO4WuTnUriBWQMGQWphftt3WjD3PCaeHiPVLva4T_edJcdfUFpIQ8lZ9hGhZha5MeQeiE4S33DN2-aSWJyhJ5as0OTTaUAqxbZmtAPvG44YrSsWyLoV57FTZiOpaLJSTHBqqDyTguDJx/s320/cr-blackmax2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634503593818774050" /></a><br />and not much time at all, he still delivered the goods big time.<br />Cheers Leigh.Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-20303761629133956532011-07-24T01:13:00.000-07:002011-07-24T01:21:15.118-07:00Adam Eterno vs Slaine - Glenn Fabry<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5KgAOFPFCo-0poNKqlFjwBznoEi5HHk0qBlwl8kfic5W_206_oXQS4CGNrs-OcsMP_zax7J5B53TYcq0J9m4xu5yIpe0caeTJ8mUO0s-Swhme_Ie-5Au1j5B11wKddLacvKHrslRcrpv/s1600/0adslb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5KgAOFPFCo-0poNKqlFjwBznoEi5HHk0qBlwl8kfic5W_206_oXQS4CGNrs-OcsMP_zax7J5B53TYcq0J9m4xu5yIpe0caeTJ8mUO0s-Swhme_Ie-5Au1j5B11wKddLacvKHrslRcrpv/s320/0adslb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632830727514477410" /></a><br />Had a lovely day yesterday at a real small SF event down in Worthing. The two big guests were legends Pat Mills and Glenn Fabry and we had a fantastic laid-back time nattering for hours to both.<br />Being a massive fan of Glenn's Slaine, especially his magnificent early B&W work on the strip, i had to use the chance to garner another meeting for this project.<br />And who better for Slaine to meet than this earlier "time travelling hero who pops up just at the right time to solve a peoples woes", Adam Eterno.<br />Glenn had only the vaguest memory of the fella but still, with only this one reference shot to go on, came up with this stunning take.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9Pi4AAIetm7y0VE4fF8GxC4ToLcde_Mq-MMJMbDqVtG3trh1pLs-MQv48shyphenhyphensp7wiCXu-ta_lVL2T0OLCYtUUj3xKUxwo2ZysnJPCA-5cNP1pZ5rkYEqgAvsqaFS-9QF4Vzo7suMZrL1/s1600/aeL01_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 158px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9Pi4AAIetm7y0VE4fF8GxC4ToLcde_Mq-MMJMbDqVtG3trh1pLs-MQv48shyphenhyphensp7wiCXu-ta_lVL2T0OLCYtUUj3xKUxwo2ZysnJPCA-5cNP1pZ5rkYEqgAvsqaFS-9QF4Vzo7suMZrL1/s320/aeL01_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632830721662927074" /></a><br />He's nailed him hasn't he? The nose is just right, the big jaw spot on. LOVE IT.Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-24786177178805764612011-07-16T05:02:00.000-07:002011-07-16T05:15:06.321-07:00Black Max commission - Dom Reardon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojykhBKtovob_uedzH4YgYtY7e-pvIy4tG4QYd3qMbeRFLLkj8Y2QepwVdSwy9M6lxwe-_ahIbWIMMbOxHl_WfaCumx-0zy5KK2XTUO2jEjJ2vx3ddU97JwGkP4Z3Tp0zRO6t0iy-GMxw/s1600/P3100505.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojykhBKtovob_uedzH4YgYtY7e-pvIy4tG4QYd3qMbeRFLLkj8Y2QepwVdSwy9M6lxwe-_ahIbWIMMbOxHl_WfaCumx-0zy5KK2XTUO2jEjJ2vx3ddU97JwGkP4Z3Tp0zRO6t0iy-GMxw/s320/P3100505.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629922221614924754" /></a><br />As i say, figured there's two ways to go with Max - traditional war comic style or to play up the horror element.<br />Going the spooky route, i have a top three wish list of Dom Reardon, Frazer Irving and Leigh Gallagher, because of the stunning, moody B&W work they've produced over the years.<br />So i was thrilled that Dom was up for it. He didn't know the character and needed reference pics and, again, i asked if i could have a full length shot with maybe a Bat in the background?<br />Dom said yup and that he also planned on putting a plane in there and could i supply some frames from the strip for reference.<br />Happy to do that and happier still to get this prelim before long:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40nqb6UV1UuH3kI2iKpwO0CB8nW-jLVFjRlBh42XTnxUjen2VckBTOM5_9a5N0EgEPANon1i-heSWKXmoW68e0seu54LxxR1g5MupsjuchxzJFrsYn6mFJ1Nh-pfJpNfhLd5MbArBC1Jw/s1600/Eric%2527s-Sketch.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40nqb6UV1UuH3kI2iKpwO0CB8nW-jLVFjRlBh42XTnxUjen2VckBTOM5_9a5N0EgEPANon1i-heSWKXmoW68e0seu54LxxR1g5MupsjuchxzJFrsYn6mFJ1Nh-pfJpNfhLd5MbArBC1Jw/s320/Eric%2527s-Sketch.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629922223049122242" /></a><br />Of course it was ok so i asked to carry on and the finished piece is up top.<br />I wanted a dark, moody, supernatural take on the fella and Dom didn't disapoint.<br />Cheers Dom!Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-53425218199166322522011-07-14T22:36:00.000-07:002011-07-14T22:45:53.271-07:00The Spider - Paul Grist<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi-xUxrHetonZjXV965hjptqGjF7S_ylZftSbK9Xmj10t3T75ADTMxAGNLKS6Gw5eYkxkkyIeOyRwC2lyKMWAvHEPTYotv1YDQvl5c1I6PLiV-X4jbhbMAAKj1gxSIhQ8fOp7b5803TTm/s1600/0sop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi-xUxrHetonZjXV965hjptqGjF7S_ylZftSbK9Xmj10t3T75ADTMxAGNLKS6Gw5eYkxkkyIeOyRwC2lyKMWAvHEPTYotv1YDQvl5c1I6PLiV-X4jbhbMAAKj1gxSIhQ8fOp7b5803TTm/s320/0sop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629450204252287554" /></a><br />At the risk of this site looking like a Spider/Black Max fan page, here's Paul's take on an older version of the fella.<br />It's of course as he's seen in Paul's excellent "Jack Staff", where he's a FAR more believable and in keeping elderly version than the one seen a few years back in "Albion".<br />If you've not read "Jack Staff" (where you also get Paul's takes on the likes of Steel Claw, Tim Kelly, Adam Eterno etc) i recommend any of the graphic novel collections.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEQQFfIsAIWS5LcktHzuWWVHBb1HsyEaR4c9AinaF6pr4D17rqN70EujufxQK-kDFfjt7qax8wXGJEA6984JCk2BjM4APRhkqN7BqQvigwe2KfUc0gbETPXJA2TB1P8FclCfHKo6ruYbw/s1600/0jssp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEQQFfIsAIWS5LcktHzuWWVHBb1HsyEaR4c9AinaF6pr4D17rqN70EujufxQK-kDFfjt7qax8wXGJEA6984JCk2BjM4APRhkqN7BqQvigwe2KfUc0gbETPXJA2TB1P8FclCfHKo6ruYbw/s320/0jssp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629451131807916962" /></a>Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815710332205074551.post-80575639564187176882011-07-12T04:58:00.000-07:002011-07-12T05:11:03.514-07:00Black Max Commission - Chris Weston<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCu4EwdaZfYwiTkkSqJGHQW6sf3wlQqenaBIAge6o46-NXPEdJPFbZPeXS3BWBHVQMdwmoNk53LfPizxxtpATIwVqRKKFGtAxwcC9zTgVcIGMuM4oPdVYzO881xtbJEy91SgWtla7QtJB8/s1600/Black_Max_final%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCu4EwdaZfYwiTkkSqJGHQW6sf3wlQqenaBIAge6o46-NXPEdJPFbZPeXS3BWBHVQMdwmoNk53LfPizxxtpATIwVqRKKFGtAxwcC9zTgVcIGMuM4oPdVYzO881xtbJEy91SgWtla7QtJB8/s320/Black_Max_final%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628436731156234642" /></a><br />I'd been having a hankering for quite a while to commission my own piece of Black Max art, mainly because it doesn't look like any of the original Font pages will ever see the light of day.<br />Straight from the off, i thought i could go two ways with one - the moody, gothic horror way, or the more factual traditional war route.<br />I went with the latter first as (A) i'd just been chuffed to bits with Chris' Spider he did, (B) Chris had been posting on his Blog what a fan he was of the character, (C) Chris had already proven himself superb at WW1 hardware and aerial scenes with his excellent work on "Enemy Ace".<br />So, i was put on his commission list and it wasn't too long before he was asking what i was after.<br />All i said was a full shot of Max, with maybe a Giant Bat in the background.<br />Before long, Chris asked me if this prelim was ok:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFeIB_P-ekWcaI-ADSGStmpFwF5AT__G6rxDh94qagItm_M0R4ORS3SLE4lGtC26bNZsrA4afEBngQghMy7BHb1nZMiTXlo2v1SKC8NR_aECy6KWm5RZL0zdS_xI4MUntSJIN4YgLASes/s1600/P3070621.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFeIB_P-ekWcaI-ADSGStmpFwF5AT__G6rxDh94qagItm_M0R4ORS3SLE4lGtC26bNZsrA4afEBngQghMy7BHb1nZMiTXlo2v1SKC8NR_aECy6KWm5RZL0zdS_xI4MUntSJIN4YgLASes/s320/P3070621.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628436727025559954" /></a><br />Yep, you heard right: A. PRELIM.<br />I've seen tons of prelims before but this just blew me away - it ain't a prelim, its a fully finished piece!<br />Of course it was ok - every detail was absolutely spot-on, even down to the Bats todgers.<br />And i especially loved the castle and the detail on it.<br />Chris said if it was okay, he'd finish it off.<br />Saying of course yes, i couldn't really see how he could better it but, of course, if you compare the two, he's piled detail on to detail on to detail.<br />Stunning, stunning stuff that i'm hugely impressed by and love to own. Both versions.Mangamaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10019536208117576385noreply@blogger.com0