3.22.2007

Mini-comic/Sketchbook Power Hour Review

One of my favorite things do at any convention is to hit the “Artist’s Alley” and look for interesting sketchbooks and mini-comics. The stuff that the artist runs off at Kinko’s (or at the office, if they’re smart!) on letter-size paper, fold it in half, staple it – bam, instant mini-comic. Here are some by 8 different artists that I’ve picked up over the years.

MONSTERS, MONKEYS & MECHANICAL THINGS, VOL. 1

I picked this up from Rich Woodall. Along with partner Matt Talbot, Rich self-publishes a book called JOHNNY RAYGUN, a very fun retro-sci-fi comic. In his sketchbook (20 pages) Rich draws Marvel, DC, Image and Dark Horse characters as well as zombies and other monsters. It’s fun. It’s also small, so hopefully he is nice enough to just give you a copy like he did for me. But the art is solid and it piques your interest in what he can do. I heartily recommend his actual comic, JOHNNY RAYGUN. They put out a very strong book and have nabbed guys like Erik Larsen, Michael Avon Oeming, and Ed McGuinness to do covers.

http://www.johnnyraygun.com

TRUST #1

Jeremy Dale has been banging around comics for a few years now, doing self-published work, commissions, and the occasional backup story (Wildguard, Image Comics). In his first self-published story, which features 12 pages of b&w penciled sequentials and a few pages of comic strips, he introduces protagonist Johnny to college where he quickly bumps into ninjas, assassins and his parents meet an old acquaintance with a dark past. Jeremy’s early work here is occasionally raw, but the backgrounds, facial expressions, and panel-to-panel storytelling is very solid. The lettering is not so hot, but gets better with later issues.

Currently, Jeremy is doing a self-published super-hero book called ABSOLUTE ZEROES, which suits his artwork (which improves a lot with each new project). TRUST is only a buck, though, and is worth a look to see where he begins his comic work.

http://www.jeremy-dale.com

PROJECT: GEMINI

Ben Rollman released this 14-page b&w “ashcan” prequel to his comic, a silent issue, in which two astronaut-types track down a renegade robot. It’s fun stuff and he now gives it away if you buy issue 1, which introduces a lot more story elements. The art is uninked and a little rough around the edges, but it’s also very clear what’s happening. Easy to read. Project: Gemini feels epic in scope, taking place in a far-off galaxy (or is it the far future?) where the robots have rebelled and super-humans have been created thanks to genetic engineering. However, the super-humans are illegal and are in hiding. This promises to be a fun title if issue 2 will ever come out!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xadrian/

HARD CANDY, THE ART OF PAUL MAYBURY, 2006

These are two separate books by Paul Maybury. HARD CANDY is a 1-color comic book and THE ART OF is a b&w sketchbook, both 24 pages, plus a super-glossy cover. Paul goes that extra step by creating a great cover and it shows that he knows how to market his work! They’re both fantastic stuff. Paul spots a lot of heavy blacks, but with a gentle brush. HARD CANDY is a story of a kindergarten class terrorized by a gummi bear monster and his ART OF book features all sorts of loose sketches of folks on the subway and a few comic strips. It’s very original stuff and if you can find it, buy it.

http://www.deliciousbrains.com/blog/

24-HOUR COMICS by MIKE TODD

Mike Todd published two of his 24-hour comics (http://www.24hourcomics.com) as a b&w book with color cover. He also includes random sketches and comic strips. This is a pretty thick mini-comic and it’s a lot of fun. As with many 24-hour comics, it features large panels and suitably surreal, flowing story elements. But Mike will sometimes slow it down and draw surprisingly detailed characters. He is also funny as hell with characters such as Chimpoleon, Manotaur, and Nice Dracula showing up. Mike has space at the back of the book for an original sketch, too (I asked for a gay werewolf, which he obliged me with. He says, “Oh no, you aren’t wearing pink and purple together, girlfriend.”)

http://wally.pgbco.com/

SATURNISM, VOL. 1

If you are only going to buy one of these mini-comics, make it this one. Tony Moore releases 40-or so pages of b&w art and it’s all gorgeous. Zombies, Ghost Rider, Jonah Hex, and tons of robots and monsters that he created. It also features some sketches from when he was a little kid on the inside and back covers. It’s all done with such passion and so lovingly rendered, you’ll want more. Fortunately, you can get it thanks to Tony’s ever-growing catalogue of work (Battle Pope, Walking Dead, Brit, Fear Agent, Exterminators). It’s going to run you $10, but I can’t recommend it highly enough.

http://www.tonymooreillustration.com

GORILLAS IN SPANDEX

Chances are you have heard of Mike Wieringo. He’s been drawing great comics for many years. For $10 you get about 20 pages of b&w pinups of various superheroes. If you like Wieringo’s art, you’ll love the sketchbook. And one would hope you do love his artwork, because he really does fantastic work. I wouldn’t know what to possibly criticize about it to be honest. But your desire for this book by a well-known artist depends entirely on how much you like his books.

http://www.mikewieringo.com

THE GRINGO SESSIONS

Another thick sketchbook (about 50 pages!) by upcoming artist Jason Latour. I loved this book. I think it was $10 (it’s not marked on the book) but if it was up to $15, I’d still call it a good value. This features Jason’s sketches for books he’s worked such as THE EXPATRIATE, as well as several tantalizing concept sketches for his own ideas (a zombie cowboy called Dust, a gambler in Vegas book called Jack of Hearts), that of others (Steel City Hawk is a Captain America/Batman superhero), and existing properties (Jason seems fond of Kirby-era Fantastic Four). It’s also got some sketches of work he did for Pirates of the Caribbean trading cards and some awesome robot stuff. Remember this guy’s name, Jason Latour is going places.

http://www.jasonlatour.com