Hopefully soon, I will have the napkin art from the March 2010 MSCA Dinner Meeting online.  Lots of fun things to share!

Doodle Lyle has shared an article about his evolution of a gag comic.  I’ve posted the link on our forums, where you can discuss the article or your own process, by clicking here.

Adam Shaw shared a link for do’s and don’ts of showing your portfolio at conventions.  Click here to see the links and chat about your experiences.

Josh Elder of Mail Order Ninja has shared information about a group of which he’s Executive Director, Reading with Pictures, “a nonprofit organization that advocates the use of comics in the classroom to promote literacy and improve educational outcomes for all students” and which is now sporting a new anthology featuring his Mail Order Ninja!  Get more information by clicking here.

Tags: convention, evolution, josh elder, mail order ninja, portfolio, reading with pictures

You’ve experienced Africa in April and Memphis in May, but are you ready for the “Sivads of March”?

The Sivads of March — a public tribute to the memory of the late Watson Davis, the Malco ad executive who, as Sivad, “the Monster of Ceremonies,” was the host of the “Fantastic Features” horror movie program on WHBQ-TV Channel 13 from 1962 to 1972 — will take place at various venues March 25-28, with movies, an art show, and a rock concert featuring the Reigning Sound.

Davis co-workers and family members are expected to attend, and rare film clips and Sivad “artifacts” will be displayed.

As the comically ghoulish Sivad, Davis — who died five years ago this March 23, at the age of 92  — was simultaneously beloved and frightening, with a community-wide popularity that transcended class and race in a way that perhaps was rivaled only by wrestler Sputnik Monroe and a few other entertainers. A 1963 appearance by Sivad at the Mid-South Fairgrounds attracted 30,000 fans, according to The Commercial Appeal.

Sivads of March highlights will include:

A “monster martini” opening ceremony and reception on March 25 at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, followed by an 8 p.m. screening of the 1958 horror masterpiece, “Night of the Demon.”

Screening of other films originally introduced by Sivad — including “The Giant Claw,” “A Bucket of Blood,” “From Hell It Came” and “I Was a Teenage Werewolf” — at the Brooks, March 26-28, along with a March 28 panel discussion featuring Sivad colleagues and experts. The famous “Fantastic Features” introduction will be shown before each film.

A “Sivad Art Show” at 7 p.m. March 26 at the Adam Shaw Studio, 2547 Broad Ave., featuring Sivad-inspired work by local artists.

“Li’l Film Fest 13” at 2 p.m. March 27 at the Brooks, featuring shorts created by local filmmakers that pay homage to Sivad and the tradition of TV horror hosts and scary movies.   (Entries still are being accepted: Visit livefrommemphis.com for more information.)

A March 27 concert featuring the Reigning Sound, the acclaimed band led by former Memphian and Sivad fan Greg Cartwright, at Nocturnal,  1588 Madison. The Reigning Sound’s latest album, “Love and Curses,” is named for a Sivad catchphrase, and the CD itself is imprinted with a picture of Davis’ vampiric alter ego.

For more, visit sivadsofmarch.com.

More Sivad!

Tags: Adam B. Shaw, Adam Shaw, art show, horror, lin workman, Memphis, Mid-South CArtoonists Association, MSCA, SIVAD, Watson Davis

This Friday (7pm central) on the CW Smallville will be a two hour JSA episode called “Absolute Justice” which was written by Geoff Johns. This episode will feature DC heroes Dr. Fate, Sandman, Star Girl, Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, and Hawkman. To read more or listen to interviews with Geoff Johns click here or here. To see a trailer click here.

The Human Target has been reimagined on Fox. Originally on TV with Rick Springfield as Chrostopher Chance (1992), now Mark Valley is in the lead role, with Chi McBride and Jackie Earle Haley co-starring. It is based on characters created by comic greats Len Wein and Carmine Infantino. You can find out more about this show here.

The Green Lantern is headed to the big screen soon. You can see movie concept art here and  here!

This marks the 15th year since Calvin and Hobbes said goodbye to the comics pages. Creator Bill Watterson, who grew up in Chagrin Falls and still makes Greater Cleveland his home, recently answered some questions via e-mail from Plain Dealer reporter John Campanelli. It’s believed to be the first interview with the reclusive artist since 1989.  You can read the interview by clicking on Bill’s portrait below.

For many newspaper readers, flipping back to what used to be called the funny pages is bittersweet. It’s dependable amusement, yes, with Funky and Garfield and Beetle, but it’s also a daily reminder that someone’s missing.  Read the whole article at The Plain Dealer.

 

Greg pointed us to this article.

Tags: bill watterson, calvin, hobbes

Heard from my Bushi Tales comics partner Dave Beaty this week. He had some good news- he had just turned in his two weeks notice at his day job so he could draw comics full time! For the past year or so he’s been doing some side work for DC, Marvel, and Aspen, with Scott Clark including last year’s X-Men: Sword of the Braddocks and the DCU Holiday Special.

Here are a couple of his new projects that are coming out soon-

JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE #7 (OF 7)

On Sale FEBRUARY 24, 2010

Written by JAMES ROBINSON; Art by MAURO CASCIOLI with SCOTT CLARK & DAVE BEATY!

This is the big one! After the catastrophes seen in issues #5 and #6, a hero loses control, leading to an unexpected ending that will fundamentally change the lives of the World’s Greatest Heroes forever. This issue launches a major storyline in the DC Universe and is not to be missed.

TITANS #23

On sale MARCH 17

Written by EDDIE BERGANZA

Art by ANGEL UNZUETA with SCOTT CLARK & DAVE BEATY!

Spotlight on Red Arrow! As Roy Harper lies in critical condition after the events of JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE #5, his fever dreams show him the perfect future life he wants for the Titans. Unfortunately for him, it’s a life the Titans will never see.

Be sure to stop by the Bushi Tales table at the Pheonix Cactuscon this May to see what else Dave has been up to.

Hopefully he’ll be able to announce what else he’s got lined up soon.

Congrats, Dave!

______________________________________________________

Lex Luthor For Sale

If you’d like one of my paintings now’s your chance!

I originally did this to show at the Superman Celebration in Metropolis, IL a couple years ago, and ended up donating it to the HERO Initiative art auction at the Phoenix Cactuscon. Noel Neill (the ORIGINAL Lois Lane) was kind enough to sign it for me before the auction (she starred with Kevin Spacey in Superman Returns).

Well, it’s back up for auction- this time on ebay by Brandon Ladd Burkey, owner of Crossroads Entertainment Co., LLC. and the guy who bought it in Phoenix. Minimum bid is $200 and apparently you get one of my sketchbooks, too.

Best I remember this one is approx. 2′x3′ and it’s airbrush acrylic on canvas.

______________________________________________________

PHOENIX OR BUST!

Speaking of PHX, it’s official- Dave and I have been listed as guests for this May’s Phoenix Cactuscon. We’ll be there with Micah and Nicki and are looking forward to checking out the new con digs!

Oh- Noel Neill will be there, too!

Hope to see you there-

Lin

Tags: bushi tales, cactuscon, comic books, comic whore, comics, dave beaty, dc comics, Kevin Spacey, Lex Luthor, lin workman, metropolis, Noel Neill, Phoenix, superman celebration, Superman Returns