Step by step and day by day (that's two ABC TGIF references in a row--I promise this won't become a trend!)

(EDIT, 01/20/2011: for those who are interested, I've compiled this step-by-step walkthrough into a single huge image file--you can get it on my DeviantArt account here)

I talk a decent amount about my artistic process on this blog, but I don't think I've ever really given you, Dear Reader, an actual step-by-step glimpse at what my process looks like. So I thought today it would be nice to take a look at how a finished drawing by J.Ho comes together. Let's get right into it…

* * *

STAGE ZERO: The assignment and the character.

The "assignment" in this case was not a blog post (although it has become, a blog post), but rather a cover illustration for a book. My old crony Charles produces an e-zine of speculative fiction called If-E-Zine (pronounced Iffy Zine). He was planning to compile some of his work into a book, and I offered my services for the cover.

The cover was to feature the e-zine's mascot and sometimes 'host,' Iffy the Ifreet, a horn-mohawked, skull-faced demon, garbed in leather, chains and spikes (very metal). Charles has dressed as Iffy for Halloween a few times (link, link, link), but always with a slightly different appearance, so I was given free reign to come up with a unique character design, as long as I met the basic criteria.


STAGE ONE: Basic concept for character design, and rough thumbnail for pose.

click above for larger view

At this stage I'm just loosely sketching Iffy, figuring out what he's going to look like. Combining my favorite aspects of Charles' past Iffy Halloween appearances, I'm able to decide on the proportions of Iffy's face, and the configuration of his horns. I sketch him with a powerful build, and very quickly I stumble upon what will become Iffy's pose for the final illustration--Iffy will be a menacing figure, stalking towards us, with a dangerous warhammer hefted over one shoulder, and a hand aglow with mystic fire.

I start working on some of the details of his costume and his weapon's design, but before I get any further, I send what I have to Charles, to make sure he likes where it's headed. He gives me the go ahead and I move forward...


STAGE TWO: Working out costume details.

click above for larger view

A character like Iffy should have a costume that isn't to symmetrical, but on the other hand, you want the elements to feel balanced so that no one area feels too busy or too bare. One of the changes I make here is to change the barbed wire to razor wire for a more streamlined visual read.


STAGE THREE: Rough cover layout.

click above for larger view

Not much to see here--I just take the rough pose that I've come up with, and put it in a template matching the dimensions for the cover, so that I can figure out how the type will match up with the illustration.


STAGE FOUR: Color study.

click above for larger view

Now I'm ready to start the actual drawing… but not really. I'm planning on a very particular backlit color scheme, and I feel the need to do a quick color study over the rough cover layout. This piece isn't crazy-involved, but I want to make sure that what I've got in my head (in terms of layout, type placement, and color) will actually work out on paper. Once I'm satisfied with it, I clear it with Charles, and start drawing…


STAGE FIVE: Loose pencils.

click above for larger view

This probably seems like a complex step, but once the costume details and pose are set, fleshing out the drawing is relatively straightforward. If you look carefully, you can see that I'm contemplating a flame pattern emblazoned on Iffy's coat, but I'm not crazy about how it's looking. Charles decides the flames on the coat are too busy, so the final version won't have them.

When I'm inking my own work, it's usually unnecessary to tighten the pencils further than this, so I leave it as is and move on to the final inks...


STAGE SIX: Type treatment + final line-art in layout.

click above for larger view

When I finish the final inks, I scan them, clean them up in Photoshop, and place them in the rough cover layout. Charles wants a retro-horror-looking title font, so I research some, and hand-draw a treatment for the title. I place that in the rough cover layout as well, and now we've really got an idea of how the final piece is going to look.


STAGE SEVEN: Colors.

click above for larger view

I might have mentioned never shut up about what a slow colorist I am, so for me, this step is particularly time consuming. Someday I'll make a step-by-step post about my coloring process, which is a whole thing unto itself, but for now I'll just give you the basics.

Usually I just start slopping some colors around to nail down my color choices. Once I've got that figured out, I clean everything up. To keep things flexible for revisions, I tend to keep like-colors in separate layers, and give lighting effects (like the green flame and green highlights) their own layer as well. Color-wise, the important thing with this piece is the dramatic lighting created by the backlight and the green flame, so that's my focus as I bring this illustration to a close.

Charles is happy with what I've done, so that means the illustration is finished, and I just need to finalize the cover layout...


STAGE EIGHT (FINAL): The result.

Charles gives me a template for the cover, as well as all the pertinent copy for the front and back covers. I make a blown-up, faded, monochromatic version of Iffy to use as a design element for the back cover, and insert that, along with all the copy. Behold, the final result:

click above for larger view

You would like to buy a copy, yes?

• To purchase a copy for a mere $10.95: https://www.createspace.com/3483698
• For more info: http://lordshen.blogspot.com/2011/01/tales-from-ifreet-now-available-for.html
• If you'd like to see the walkthrough as one consolidated image file, you can get it on my DeviantArt account: http://bootlegsketch.deviantart.com/#/d37o73t

Big thanks to Brian Warmoth and Comics Alliance! And an apology for my terrible timing!

Brian Warmoth wrote a very generous article about this very blog over at Comics Alliance, which came completely out of the blue!

Please check out both Comics Alliance and Brian Warmoth's personal blog:

• comicsalliance.com
• warmoth.org

I cannot thank Brian Warmoth and Comics Alliance enough for putting my art in front of so many viewers. But I will try: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

However, this means that I have chosen a terrible time to put the blog on hiatus, which I apologize for. Unfortunately current circumstances are what they are, so I'll still need a bit of a break. Rest assured, that with encouragement like this, I will definitely be back sooner rather than later. See you soon, folks!

Worlds Collide!

For today's post, I'm offering up a rare crossover betwen my day job and my blog.

In the past, I've mentioned a few times that I work for Bongo Comics, publishers of a variety of Simpsons and Futurama comic books and collections. Well, last Wednesday, this gem finally hit stores:


This deluxe collected edition features both Simpsons/Futurama Crossovers, which were written by the very talented Ian Boothby, and pencilled by the equally talented James Lloyd. The hardcover book measures 7.5 x 11 inches (larger than standard comic dimensions), clocks in at 208 pages, and comes in a robust die-cut slipcase. It retails for $24.95, which is already a great value, but can be found for a significant discount from the usual online book-sellers. Please check the book out--it's very funny, smartly written, gorgeously illustrated, and (I say this as a fan, not an employee), it's truly one of my favorite Bongo stories of all time.

This new collection has some bonus materials, including some great preliminary sketches and character designs from James Lloyd's sketchbook, and a pin-up gallery featuring Alex Ross, Sergio Aragonés, Geof Darrow, Kyle Baker, Glenn Fabry, Tone Rodriguez, Peter Kuper, Ty Templeton, Bernie Wrightson, and more. Well, somehow, there's also a pin-up in there by a total unknown, AKA yours truly. If I may present today's post, my pin-up, titled, Cosmic Brouhaha:

click above for larger view

(Apologies for the watermark)

I've been at Bongo for well over a decade (basically my entire adult life), so this piece has a great deal of personal significance, as I feel like it represents my growth both on and off the job. This pin-up really gave me a chance to stretch my wings, and I think it's my most ambitious color piece to date. Stylistically, I chose to keep the characters relatively on-model, but in terms of the general crowded cross-overy energy of it, I did my best to channel George Pérez. Overall, I really had a blast with this!

Bonus Post: .15 Seconds of Fame!

This past Sunday there was a documentary commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Simpsons, and Morgan Spurlock held up a comic with a cover drawn by yours truly. He doesn't exactly say my name out loud, but I bet he was thinking it.

click above for larger view

You can watch the whole documentary on Hulu, and here's a clip of my fraction of a second of fame:

MMO Tuesdays (Part 3 of 4)

As promised, here's an MMO villain--Doctor Destroyer from Champions Online:

click above for larger view

I have no idea why the good Doctor's character design so closely resembles that of Doctor Fate. You'll have to take that up with the creators of Champions. I also have no idea why my drawing turned out so meh and stiff. That is strictly my fault. I think the colors turned out decently though. Gold is shiny.

._.


OH HEY--don't forget to go to your local comic book store tomorrow and pick up the new JLA 80-page giant, which includes stories written by my pals Josh and Derek! Click on the pic below for details... DO EET!

[RACOON PUN HERE]

I've mentioned Nathan's Boris the Raccoon previously. Starting this Saturday (August 15th), some Boris customs will be on display (and for sale!) at the Black Maria Gallery. The show runs through September 5th, but if you aren't local, don't forget that you can still purchase a normal Boris from the U1 Toy Arts website.

Not sure if you should buy Boris? Well, he looks great standing on your window sill while you're away:

click above for larger view

And he looks great hanging out with ol' Bone-Brain, whilst planning some kind of mischief and/or mayhem:

click above for larger view

I know what you're all asking yourselves...

"Hey Jason, what would it look like if you drew Boris looking somewhat aggro with an arbitrarily-added orange light source?"

Here is your answer:

click above for larger view

I had a lot of fun with this--it's always interesting to do a take on a very stylized character and see if you can walk the line between keeping recognizability and adding your own style. And the basic color scheme on Boris made it easier to play around with adding the random extra light source. Now go buy yourself a Boris!

Let Us Pray...

This week, Comic-Con will descend upon us once more. Let us pray that last year's... incident... will not be repeated.

If you're heading down to Comic-Con, please be sure to visit:

• Josh and Vinny signing daily @ Image Comics. Booth 2729.
• Dustin and Derek, who both have tables in Artist's Alley. Table FF-04 and Table KK-08, respectively.
• Karen, Sherri, and Jodi @ the Tired Girl Collective in small press. As mentioned in my previous post, they are also hosting Nathan and his new toy Boris the Raccoon. Even though neither Nathan nor Boris are tired girls. Or are they? Table M07.

BONUS POST: Boris the Raccoon! Now Available!

I only mentioned it in passing, but Nathan's new designer toy, Boris the Raccoon, has been getting a decent amount of coverage:

• Vinyl Pulse
• Plastic and Plush
• Toy Cyte

Yesterday, in a rare excursion into the outside world, I attended the official launch party for Boris at Meltdown Comics. Vinyl Pulse has posted coverage here. Err... I mean coverage of the launch party, not of my attendence thereof.

Here's a picture of the Boris that I purchased, now integrated into my menagerie of desktop toys!

click above for larger view

Also pictured: Shia Lebouf, Optimus Prime, G2 Sideswipe, Wreck-Gar, Mer-Man, Slash, and my Wacom tablet.

Boris is created by Nathan Hamill, sculpted by David Kawano, and produced by U1 Toy Arts. He's available for purchase at the U1 Toy Arts website, and will be sold at Comic-Con at the Tired Girl Collective table in small press (Table M07). More Comic-Con plugs in my next post.

Plug Time!

Well, it seems the prolific young Joshua has become very difficult to keep up with recently--last week the third and final issue of his series Overlook hit stores.

Overlook is a gritty noir tale for mature readers written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Ale Aragon. The cover for #3 (below, left) is drawn by Ale with colors by Jacob Glaser. All three issues are available now (covers for #1 and #2 are shown below, right).

click above for larger view

And what's this? DC comics is soliciting a Justice League of America 80-Page Giant which includes a story written by the same Joshua Williamson? And it also features a story written by yet another pal, Derek Fridolfs? And it's on sale September 30th, for $5.99?

Excellent work gentlemen--can't wait to read it!

Star Wars Lite (1 of 6): That little droid and I have been through a lot together

Plug first, sketch second--you all know my crony/chum Hammers, right? He's better known to the world as Nathan Hamill, and he's been interviewed on StarWars.com regarding his participation in the most recent series of Star Wars Galaxies trading cards. Click HERE to read it.

Notably, the article mentions a non-Star Wars item--Nathan's upcoming foray into designer toys, with a bad-ass vinyl racoon. You read correctly, a bad-ass vinyl racoon.

And as an unintentional coincidence, I've prepared a series of Star Wars sketches for the next few weeks. Here's R2-D2:

You can imagine what might be coming up in the ensuing weeks. And if Star Wars isn't your cup of tea, you philistine, stay tuned for more Street Fighter and He-Man after I wrap these up.

Boy Meets Monster

Johnny Monster #1 (written by Josh Williamson, art by J.C. Grande) came out last week! Click here to see the cover for issue #1, and click here to check out the upcoming covers.

Here's a little fan-art to celebrate their debut:

click above for larger view

Head to your local comic shop immediately and purchase a copy of Johnny Monster #1! DO EET!

Semi-Related Topics: Johnny Monster and the New York Comic Con

At the peak of my vile plague I was barely blogging and missed out on telling you all that Johnny Monster #2 was solicited. And now Johnny Monster #3 is available for order in the current issue of Previews.

Johnny Monster #3 (of 3)
Story by Joshua Williamson
Art and Cover by J.C. Grande
32 pages FC $3.50 April 15

The peaceful habitat Johnny Monster created for the monsters has been invaded by violent mercenaries causing utter chaos! As a result, the largest monster the world has ever seen has been unleashed on New York City on a quest for revenge! Only Johnny can stop him… but does he want to? Don’t miss the exciting conclusion to this monster-ous mini-series!

Check out the covers to both #2 and #3, drawn by the talented J.C. Grande and colored by yours truly:

click above for larger view

Be sure to ask your local comic shop to order Johnny Monster #3! It's on page 170 of February's Previews catalog, and the Diamond order number is FEB09 2437.

Annnnnd, if you happen to be attending the New York Comic Con, be sure to drop by and visit Josh Williamson (writer of Johnny Monster, Dear Dracula, and Necessary Evil) and Vinny Navarrete (Dear Dracula penciller, Necessary Evil inker, and Johnny Monster logo designer). Those young ruffians wil be sitting with Shadowline at the Image Comics booth.

Post Script: Make sure you check out the Shadowline website, which has a cool Johnny Monster animation at the top of the page.

BONUS POST: Johnny Monster Cometh!!!

Well, what have we here... the current issue of Previews... under Image Comics and Shadowline...

Johnny Monster #1 (of 3)
Story by Joshua Williamson
Art and Cover by J.C. Grande
32 pages FC $3.50 February 18

Johnny Monster is the world's foremost super-star monster hunter, but what the world doesn't know is that he was raised by the same monsters he's "hunting"! Now, in order to save his adoptive family...he must fight them! Johnny Monster mixes Tom Strong with Godzilla movies by way of Tarzan and the Phantom to create a compelling and different monster mash! From the acclaimed writer of Dear Dracula and Necessary Evil!

Another offering from my crony Josh, with art by a new collaborator, the talented J.C. Grande! Johnny Monster promises to be a really fun comic, but let's face, what I'm interested in is ME ME ME. Josh asked me to color the covers for Johnny Monster, and it was really the first time I colored someone else's art. It was an interesting experience, and I'm pretty happy with the results. Here are J.C.'s bare inks, alongside the finished cover, with my colors, and a very slick logo by Vinny:

click above for larger view

Be sure to ask your local comic shop to order Johnny Monster #1! It's on page 168 of December's Previews catalog, and the Diamond order number is DEC08 2275.

Ultra Mega Super Post (CAUTION: contains He-Man related content)

Very quickly, for those of you who can't get enough of me: Karen was kind enough to ask me eleven questions, and post my answers on the Paper Lotus Blog. I hesitate to call it an interview, because that would imply that people have any idea who I am or have any interest in what I have to say, but nevertheless you can read the post HERE.

Make sure you check out the rest of the Paper Lotus blog and Karen's own blog too! And in case you want to know what kind of a person Karen is, she gave me some cheeseless (vegan, I think?) macaroni and cheese today, and it was delicious.

Today's post is another He-Man piece. Actually, it's multiple He-Man related pieces combined into one giant montage for a re-design challenge at the He-Man.org fan-art forums. The subject is the Talon Fighter and Point Dread. The thread is here, my post is here. The voting thread is here--my entry landed first place!

click above for larger view

Woof, there's a lot to cover here, so I'm going bullet-point:

• The Talon Fighter is very close to the design of the original toy, but I gave it room for four (the toy seated two, but I seem to recall that it could carry more passengers in the classic cartoon--I may be wrong).


• General notes on all Talon Fighters shown--the original toy had a handle, like a gun, so that kids could hold the Talon Fighter... um... like a gun, I guess. I replaced this "handle" with a tail section to make the fighter even more bird-like. I gave the legs, feet, and claws a more mechanized design, as I imagined them being used in combat, almost like a real bird of prey, thus making the name Talon Fighter even more appropriate. The clawed limbs can also be used to let the vehicles walk or climb. And I added racing stripes, which I feel are pretty sharp.


• The Point Dread playset was a single tower, and source material from the era indicated that it was located on an island. I decided to portray Point dread as an entire outpost, used as a base of operations for the Talon Fighter (more on that below, in my in-fiction background material).


• The Prototype XTF-1's are based on the Monogram model kit version of the Talon Fighter. The box depicted the Talon Fighter in yellow and scarlet, but photos I've seen of the model itself have the colors reversed, hence the two versions shown. As far as changes, I added visible engine units, with air intakes, and gave the cockpit a two-seat configuration like something you might see in a military helicopter.


• The TF-2 variations are all pretty self-explanatory. The standard version of the TF-2 has a small radar dish, not so different from the original Talon Fighter, while the Long Range Scout (TF-2LR) has a large dish, inspired by real life AWAC systems. Extrapolating from the colors of Man-At-Arms's uniform and the Wind Raider, I deducted that green/yellow/orange must be Eternian military colors--thus the coloring of the basic TF-2 model depicts "standard issue" coloration. The other TF-2 variations are depicted in colors from specific squadrons. Of particular note--the XTF-2E is colored to resemble either Zoar or the Sorceress.

Now, how about some in-depth, in-fiction info?

* * *

Point Dread: In the distant days of King Grayskull, the children of Zoar the falcon god flew freely in the sky. These giant birds of prey were friends to good, and enemies of evil. Point Dread, was originally a meeting place for the children of Zoar and their humanoid allies, an outpost against the forces of evil. Today, Point Dread has been reclaimed by a small force commanded by Man-At-Arms, once again establishing an outpost against the many dangers that threaten Eternia. The giant perches where Zoar's brood once roosted are now occupied by squadrons of Talon Fighters.

Talon Fighter: Talon, Zoar's youngest child, was an ally and close friend of King Grayskull. He was widely known for his bravery, but also for his stubborn recklessness. Disobeying his father's warnings of caution, Talon fell in battle, mortally wounded. Zoar would not heal his foolhardy and arrogant son, so King Grayskull ordered his followers to rebuild Talon's body from sacred metal that had fallen from the skies. Even in his new form as the Talon Fighter, the son of Zoar was willful and reckless--only his good friend King Grayskull could calm him and fly him into battle. In the modern age, only He-Man can pilot the Talon Fighter, due to his genetic lineage to King Grayskull.

Talon, the Son of Zoar Reborn: With He-Man missing, and Eternia in dire need of heroes, Zoar has decided to give his brash son another chance to prove himself. Talon's consciousness has been fully restored, and he can shapeshift freely between the the shape of the Talon Fighter and his new humanoid form.

Prototype XTF-1 (Experimental Twin-Seat Fighter): Charged with fortifying Eternian defenses in the face of invasion, Man-At-Arms has been researching new technologies from Point Dread. Seeking to duplicate the awesome power of the Talon Fighter in a more controllable form, Man-At-Arms and his team of scientists and engineers created the XTF-1. Mass-production of the XTF-1 was scrapped, but its creation did eventually lead to the development of the TF-2 series. Only two XTF-1's are in existence, and are still used on a limited basis. The XTF-1 has speed and firepower comparable to the original Talon Fighter, but has slightly weaker armor, reduced maneuverability, and poor fuel efficiency.

TF-2 Series (Mass Production Single-Seat Fighters): With the help of newly discovered partial blueprints from the original Talon Fighter, and the Sorceress's arcane knowledge, Man-At-Arms has successfully perfected a Talon Fighter design suitable for mass production. Faster, and drastically smaller, the TF-2 series are invaluable in the aerial defense of Eternia against the forces of evil. Several variations have arisen for specific uses, including the TF-2LR (Long Range Scout Fighter), and the TF-2H (Heavy Assault Fighter).

XTF-2E (Elite Space Fighter): Still considered to be somewhat experimental, though already approved for field use and eventual mass-production, the XTF-2E is the crowning achievement of Man-At-Arms's Talon Fighter program. Capable of space flight, and equipped with the latest in hi-tech armaments, only 15 XTF-2E's are in existence. Talon Fighter pilots are already regarded as elite amongst the Eternian military, and the pilots of the XTF-2E are regarded as the elite among the elite. Historians may also note that while Man-At-Arms and the Sorceress had begun to slowly rebuild their personal relationship during the development of the TF-2, it was during the development of the Elite Space Fighter that the two finally rekindled their long dormant romance.

* * *

If you picked up the Simpsons reference in here, you get a gold star. Two gold stars if you know which episode it's from.

Something for the Season...

I'm very excited--Dear Dracula, a 48-page hardcover children's book, published by Image Comics, and created by my dear friends, Josh and Vinny, will be available for purchase this Wednesday (October 15, 2008)! If you can't find it at your local comic book shop or book store, you might try Amazon.com.

The book tells the story of a funny kid named Sam, who's obsessed with Dracula, and decides to write him a letter--honestly folks, a fantastic all-ages book, especially for the Halloween season.

In honor of this momentous occasion, I was inspired to cook up a little Dear Dracula fan art:

click above for larger view

I promised something more substantial today, and I delivered, right? I mean, come on, background, multiple characters, what more could you ask for? A better composition you say? Yeah, okay, this composition is a little weird. Bah, forget my fan art, just go buy the real thing. Seriously.

Shameless Plugs! Comic-Con Edition!

This is a little last minute, but for those of you who are heading to Comic-Con, please allow me to suggest the following points of interest:

• Josh and Vinny will be at the Big Boss table in the small press area, promoting their upcoming hardcover, Dear Dracula, as well as Necessary Evil and its recently released trade paperback. Table N9


• The ever-crafty Karen, Jodi, and Sherri will be at the Tired Girl Collective table in small press, selling pins, pendants, prints, poetry, and probably more. Go here for hamster, pony, cupcake, or bird related paraphenelia. Table L5


• Last, but not least, rockstar, and artist of Detective Comics, Dustin Nguyen, will be rockin a table in Artist's Alley. He's got sketchbooks, some amazing (and super-reasonably priced) prints, and if you're lucky you might be able to buy a sketch! Table EE-13

That is all.

Summer Reading!

Josh is at it again--this time it's the Necessary Evil trade paperback, collecting the first five issues, and clocking in at 128 pages. Written by Josh, with art by Marcus L. Harris, Vinny Navarrete, and J.C. Grande. And it also happens to have a three pager that I might have mentioned before. Here's a look at the cover, by Marcus and Vinny:

click above for larger view

It's out today (Wednesday, July 9), so go support your local comic book store and buy a copy! Right now! Or order it online! Right now!

"Dear Dracula" is creeping your way this Halloween!

Josh and Vinny have got an all-ages book coming out from Shadowline and Image Comics later this year, and there's an interview about it at Newsarama, along with some great preview art. The book is titled Dear Dracula, and tells the story of a weird kid who decides to write a letter to Dracula instead of Santa Claus. I had the opportunity to read Dear Dracula in advance of its release, and now I'm really looking forward to seeing it in stores. But, in the words of Levar Burton, don't take my word for it--check out the interview and the preview art!

Dear Dracula is available in the July edition of Previews catalog from Diamond Comics (you can find it on page 160 of Previews and the order code is jul08 2222). It'll hit stores in September, just in time for the Halloween season--ask your local comic book store to order it. And after you do that, be sure to check out Dear Dracula on Myspace!

Long Overdue Post: My Friends Are Talented

Those of you who read my blog regularly are well aware that I am a terrible procrastinator. Hopefully, you're also aware of the fact that I have talented friends. With both those things in mind, I've been meaning to mention a few things for several weeks (months)--

Sherri's most recent young adult novel was released not too long ago (in February), titled Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet. Using a middle school graduation day as a backdrop, Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet tells the story of a young girl struggling with her bi-racial heritage, and her transition into adulthood. Great reading for young adults, as the last days of school give way to the summer. And if you haven't already, please give Sherri's other books a look as well. Sherri's stories tend to deal with young women finding their way in life, and while the books are never "too girly" for a general audience, I particularly recommend them for girls and young women looking for role models who aren't vapid starlets.

Danielle has recently stocked her Etsy store with a series of elegantly hand-made greeting cards and bookmarks. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, and Danielle's prices are ridiculously affordable, so if you see something you like, buy it fast!

And, for the buccaneer in your life--Ren just added some charming Pirate Grrl greeting cards to the Paper Lotus Etsy store. I caught glimpses of this set in progress, and I'm stoked to finally see them available for purchase. Buy these so that Ren will make more!

Things I ate, and an awesome bonus illustration from a SUPERSTAR artist

Food consumed this weekend was as follows (in chronological order):

FRIDAY:

• 1 large turkey hoagie cross-section, approximately 4 x 4 x 3"
• 1 plate full of barbecue chips, kettle-cooked
• 2 Snapple ice teas
• 1 slice of chocolate cheesecake
• 1 pear

SATURDAY:

• quantities undocumented--assorted dim sum (shumai, har gaw, chicken feet, barbecue pork buns, etcetera)
• 2 bowls of Mongolian barbecue (buffet)
• 2 slices of watermelon
• 1 Crystal Light peach-mango fusion Slurpee

SUNDAY:

• 1/2 order of sliced chicken with garlic sauce (Chinese take-out)
• 1/2 order of mixed vegetables in light sauce (Chinese take-out)
• approximately 3 glasses of Fresca
• 1 foot-long Subway tuna sub (with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, black olives, cilantro, and mustard)

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY:

My pal, Dustin took some time out of his crazy rockstar schedule to draw an awesome piece for me:

click above for larger view

The l'il robot on the left is my character Cog and the super-hott dame on the right is Big Barda, my favorite character from DC's New Gods.

YOU'RE THE MAN, DUSTIN! Be sure to check out his Deviant Art gallery, and go buy all his issues of Detective Comics, available in finer comic book stores now!