THE WIZARS OF UR

This blog has now moved on over to a new spot called, The Wizards of Ur. This is a shared sketch blog with friends James Van West (ZOA), Chuck Whelon (Pewfell) and Nate Piekos (Atland).
Check it out!

SOME COOL STUFF

At the risk of sounding like a “glass is half-empty” kind of guy, I usually don’t have a lot of comics to hype or recommend because I think a majority of them are just bad. But, having said that, I have to say, I really enjoyed the first issue of IDW’s Locke and Key. The story is by Joe Hill, Stephen King’s kid but, it wasn’t the story that drew me in to this book; it was the eye candy of Gabriel Rodríguez. There’s something about it that just appeals to me in a big way. Maybe it’s the European look and feel to it. Maybe it’s the fact that it doesn’t look like it’s been airbrushed to death like 80% of the mainstream shit out today. Anyway…it’s pretty cool and I guess Dimension films has picked it up but, that’s neither here nor there for me. It just really stood out for me.

It’s been a crazy, hellish and introspective few months for me here in the bunker. But, it was expected so I’m not too down in the dumps. My real life job is pretty cool and ELF `n TROLL is rolling along, picking up a few new readers for which I’m grateful for.

I have to give a shout out to a friend or three who have graciously been kind enough to listen to my occasional ranting. You know who you are and, thanks.

To end on a “glass is half full” kind of vibe…shit can only get better.

Play Nice

FOR MOM

My mom passed away this past Saturday morning after a, thankfully brief, bout with terminal cancer. She was a classy, strong woman who put everyone else ahead of herself.

"To the well organized mind,
death is but the next great adventure."
J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, 1997

PIMPS IN SPACE!

I always believed that if the human race was going to make any dents in the world of space exploration that it wasn’t going to be from a government supported organization. All apologies to NASA who has always been a slight glimmer in my jaded eye but, Uncles Sam is, after all, Uncle Sam…ya’ know? If our dreams of leaving, living, and exploring outside our world has the slightest possibility to be realized, it is going to be made real by slapping a Micky-D’s logo on the side of a booster rocket. For better or for worse, this is just how the world works. So kudos to the crazy billionaire; you rock dude!

It’s pimping time. I want to encourage all of you to check out Cinemacomics. My brother from another mother, Jay Carvajal is like some radiated, hyper-active hamster on a treadmill. (What?) Besides the APE published Misadventures of Clark and Jefferson, Jay is dusting off some older work by the talented Marc Borstel and, under the Cinemacomics banner, making it available through WOWIO. The best part, you ask? The best part is that it is FREE! Is Mr. Carvajal cool or what?! When you’re there, be sure to check out Cinemacomic’s other titles such as ZERO HUNTERS and THE LAST WARRING ANGEL.

As for myself, I’m just about finished with issue eight of ELF `n TROLL and will be, very shortly, going back and kick-starting another project written by my favorite comic making diva, Jenni Gregory. I encourage you to check out Jenni’s blog over at My Space. It’s humorous, informative and sometimes she even sneaks in some art and hints of future projects.

Speaking of blogs…I also encourage you to check out THE LAUGHING BRAIN; a blog by my fellow Bode’ worshiping brother, James Van West. He’s been making some interesting posts that are both insightful and amusingly curious. Best of all…he thinks no one is reading. Also, while you’re there, check out the links to James’ ever growing body of work.

Wow, this thing has really become a pimp-fest.
While I’m at it, please check out these awesome creators and show them some love and encouragement. They are making some incredible eye-candy!
Frank Zigarelli
Tim Malloy
All I can say is…the future looks bright!

That’s about all I have for ya’.
Life has been very interesting as of late but, I’m rediscovering an old voice. I’m keeping it light and taking it one day at a time.

Play Nice!

PIMPIN' AINT EASY!

As the title suggests, I'm shamelessly soliciting votes for ELF `n TROLL in the The Webcartoonists' Choice Awards (WCCA) this year.

From the WCCA site:

WHO'S ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?
Anyone with an active webcomic is eligible to participate, whether you are a writer, illustrator, colorist, or the all-in-one
cartoonist. Only one person per webcomic may vote, though, so if you're part of a writer/artist team, you'll have to fight it out with
your partner first (no fights to the death, please -- we're a peace-loving event, honest!).

For more info, check out the WCCA site

If you're a fan of ELF `n TROLL and would hate to see more "stick figure comics" on the final ballot...throw some love my way. I usually don't care about this sort of thing but I've made a deal with myself that I will actively pimp my comic in 2008!

Now I must go shower because I feel dirty. In a good way. :)

Play Nice.
AP. Furtado

THIS IS INSANE!

This thing made me crazy when I got wind of it. I guess that I really do live in a cave.

“Between October 1^st - December 13^th 2004 the fishermen of Taiji reported the capture 609 dolphins (389 bottlenose dolphins and 220 Risso’s dolphins) to the Fisheries section of Wakayama Prefecture. While most of the 609 dolphins were slaughtered for human consumption, dolphin trainers selected some of the young and unblemished dolphins for use in captive dolphin swim programs and dolphin shows.”

Not everyone has the time or money to help out, including myself, but sometimes just getting the word out there is just as good. I’m usually not the “preachy” type but, this is just disturbing and unnecessary.
These aren’t mindless beasts, kids!

Ok…I’m done.

HAPPY RESET DAY

Well, 2008 is almost upon us. I always find this specific holiday quite fascinating. I mean really, it’s only just another day but, made more notable by the simple fact that we have to throw our calendars out. What fascinates me about it is the compulsion to take stock and reset our lives.

Now, I’m not above any of this…I’m just as guilty in following this tradition as anyone else. Personally I’m a huge fan of hitting the delete and reset buttons of my life…maybe too much sometimes.

2007 was a year that made me wonder, who snuck into my life and stole my delete button!? I’ve never experienced so much damn drama in my whole life. There were times where I felt as though I would never see the light at the end of the tunnel. But you know that old saying, “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger”…it’s so true. My big mistake in 2007 was waiting for that light to appear. What I’ve since learned is that the symbolic light doesn’t even exist. You make that light yourself.

I’m hoping 2008 will be a “back in the saddle” year for me. I’ll leave some room for the inevitable drama but, 2007 did show me that even at my lowest, I do possess some survival skills.

To everyone reading this, I wish you a good 2008.
Let’s have some fun, ok?

Play nice!