My Veitch Commission!!!

So, Rick Veitch has always been my favorite comic creator. I first got exposed to him via Alan Moore's "Swamp Thing" which is the greatest book of all time by the way. He started drawing "Swamp Thing" on issue #37, appearing regularly as artist after issue #50. He left the book in a famous battle with DC over a story about Swamp Thing and Jesus. I think his books are some of the most compelling and interesting stories I've ever read, I count "The One", "Maximortal", and "Abraxas and the Earthman" as some of my favorite stories ever.

When my grandmother passed away earlier this year, I found myself in possession of a small inheritance, enough to please my wife by using a large portion of it "responsibly" and still having a little to splurge on a toy for us both. She got an iPhone, I ordered myself a commission piece of art from Rick Veitch. Originally I'd been thinking of getting a portrait of Swamp Thing, maybe with The One... but as I was thinking about it, I was struck with brief, fleeting genius! Veitch did a series that ran for 21 issues starting in 1994 where he illustrated and explored his dreams, and the dreams of other notable comic creators. As a boy, I had a recurring dream every night for YEARS, and it seemed like the perfect thing to have him illustrate.

In the dream, I am eight or nine years old. I'm walking on the gravel path in between a seven foot hedge, and the sidewalk/street. Every time I reach the end of the block, I turn around and head back in the other direction. Every once and a while, a monster pops up from the other side of the hedge, opens up my head (which is apparently fixed on a hinge) and removes or replaces a tool. The tools vary, but are all standard tools, hammers, screwdrivers, saws, etc. The monsters are Sesame street style monsters, but scarier... although it is implicitly understood within the dream, that they will not hurt me.

And that's it...


Every night, for years.

The first scan I got from him was the layout. This was just a rough sketch, designed to;

1. Give me one last chance to make changes
2. Give him chance to figure out what he's going to draw

I tried not to give him TOO detailed a description of the monster, part of the point of having a Rick Veitch sketch, is to have some of Rick Veitch's imagination trapped in there too. I like how the monster turned out, very "Evil Grover".





Next was the finished pencils. Here everything is laid out, pretty much as finished as it'll get. The ninja turtle on my sweater is from one of the reference pictures I sent him. My other grandmother knitted it for me, and he has also worked on the original TMNT comic during his career. It seemed appropriate.

I was practically shitting myself when I saw this scan. It's perfect.







And here is the finished piece! I haven't technically received it yet (it's in the mail!) but it's already replaced my children as the awesomest thing in my house. Hopefully at some point I'll be able to afford page #2!

Building the Table:Part One

This is my first attempt at a Warhammer table. I figured this would be my practice run, so I didn't bother to make it modular. I got some 4x8 sheets of white styrofoam from Home Depot and cut it into my two hills.

The Plan is to have a bridge across the two hills, over top of a road that runs the length of the table. You can see a few tanks, and the legs of a Titan for a size reference. I used a bread knife to cut and shape the hills over three evenings... My wife nearly killed me, and probably should have. There was styrofoam all over the house. Styrofoam is a VERY hard thing to clean up, it gets everywhere, it's really heavily influenced by static electricity, and I had to empty our Dyson 6 times after vacuuming the entire house three times over. I only managed to jam the vacuum up twice though, so that's pretty good.


The road was pretty simple, I just used wall filler. Laid it down really heavily for the road, then sanded it down (after these pictures) just enough so that it still has some cracks and inconsistencies. It's just wide enough for standard tanks, you can see where the bridge will eventually go.






The next step was to put in some stairs. I decided to make the hills generally "impassable" which necessitated SOME sort of path. And stairs are nice and simple to build. I used some left over sprue chunks to detail the stairs, being anal enough to try and match up knubbly bits on both sides of each stair case. I think they turned out really well, and were simple, and essentially free!




Stay tuned for more exciting table action!!!

Comic Pick of the Week (sort of): July 29th, 2009

I haven't written anything in a few weeks, I'm on holidays, it's hot... sue me. I figured, rather than doing a pick of the week this week, I'd just write a little bit about the two major comic "events" that everyone else seems to be talking about. Which are, of course, "Wednesday Comics" and "Blackest Night".


First up, "Wednesday Comics"!

This has been a LOT of fun to read! It's DC's new weekly feature after the end of "Trinity". I hate weekly comics, they're expensive, and they never seem to be particularly good. "Trinity" never really managed to capture my imagination like a lot of the other books I read. Now, that being said, I am due to re-read the whole thing now that it's finished, and maybe I'll like it better? But it seems like the year long, weekly books are MUCH more about profit than story, and you end up with a story that feels like a lot of unnecessary bullshit has been crammed into it to fit the schedule, rather than letting the story dictate the length of the book.



The set-up is pretty straight forward, a throw-back to the old serials from the 40's/50's, there are 12 single page stories in each issue, which, over the course of it's 12 week run, will give us a complete story for each character. It comes as a standard comic book size, but folds out into a newspaper sized book. It manages to make me feel SLIGHTLY more adult when I read it than a standard comic. I don't think I'd want to read a regular series with this set-up, comics are already a jarring form of story to read. You get (in the best case scenario) single chapters, with a month or more in between each one. With "Wednesday Comics" it's more like reading a story one paragraph at a time. Since it's weekly rather than monthly, and for only 12 issues though... it works! This is a great read for anyone unfamiliar with the DCU (DC Universe) or comics in general. You get a little taste of everything, and can then go pick up whatever monthly titles have inspired you. The art and writing varies from story to story, with so many differing styles of both, that everyone will find several things to enjoy. The Superman art blows me away, and the Azzarello Batman story is fantastic. I'm VERY much looking forward to seeing where this is going.


Now... the story I've been waiting YEARS for has FINALLY arrived!

When I got back into comics, I picked up an issue of Green Lantern and glanced through it, very briefly. I was impressed by the art, it seemed like more of a Sci-Fi book than anything else, and as I love Sci-Fi, I thought, "I'll give THIS a try." After that first issue (can't remember what number it was, early twenties?" I went on a mad quest to find all the back issues of Geoff Johns' run, finding all but issues #4 & #9. It has since become my favorite book, the one I am chomping at the bit to read every month. Geoff Johns was planting the seeds for "Blackest Night" right from issue #1 and it has been a slow and maddening build up, with the last year being nothing but hype about DC's answer to "Marvel Zombies"

"Blackest Night" is now in FULL swing, we've been treated so far with:

• "Blackest Night:Tales of the Corps" Issues #1-3 (of 3)
• "Blackest Night" Issues #0 & #1
• "Blackest Night:Green Lantern" Issues #43 & #44

I'll admit it, I've become a bit of a Green Lantern fanboy... and I may be a bit biased toward this first major Green Lantern event after "The Sinestro Corps War" but this whole thing kicks ass! The "Tales of the Corps" are unnecessary, but extremely enjoyable. They flesh out some of the new Corps, and Corps members, both old and new. Doug Mahnke has taken of the art in the main Green Lantern book, I wasn't a big fan of Philip Tan, who was the temporary guy who took over for Ethan Van Sciver. Doug Mahnke has always been one of my favorites, and the idea of him working on my favorite book has had me innappropriatley stroking my inner thigh for months! And I have not been let down. Issues #43 & #44 are GORGEOUS!!! And although we haven't been given much of the story yet, it's got me hooked. We've been teased with who may show up as a Black Lantern, as well as seeing the first few who get rings. Issue #43 was the origin of Black Hand, and was harsh... fucking harsh. Awesome full page spread of his suicide that hits you like a train, along with the terrifying last page. I think "Blackest Night" may turn out to be the best thign ever, not just in the world of comics, but in ALL the world.

Comic Pick of the Week: July 1st, 2009

Reading List;

• Batman:Streets of Gotham #1
• Green Lantern Corps #38
• Dark Tower:Fall of Gilead #2
• Batman & Robin #2
• Irredeemable #4

Pick of the Week;

Batman & Robin #2

Written by: Grant Morrison
Pencils by: Frank Quietly
Colours by: Alex Sinclair



I'll admit it, I'm in love with Dick Grayson. I'm secure enough in masculinity to say that I think. I had never read Batman until Bruce Wayne's death... I was, of course, familiar with Batman, what living breathing human being is not? But I had never read any of the comics, other than the occasional issue I managed to find lying around wherever I happened to be killing time. But when I heard the they were going to kill Bruce, and that it would be Grant Morrison doing it, I was fully on board. At the very least, I thought, it would be an interesting story arc that I could drop afterwards. Much to my surprise though, it hasn't been the death of Bruce that's been interesting, but how the people around him have dealt with it.

For anyone who doesn't already know, Bruce is dead. Now in the reality of the comic book universe, we all know he'll be back some day. He only has to stay dead long enough for "Blackest Night" to finish. But in the meantime, we get Dick Grayson as Batman, and Damien (Bruce's asshole son) as Robin. It's been a fascinating story to follow, Dick wants anything except to be Batman, he has spent a very long time carving out a separate existence as Nightwing and this issue gives us some real insight into how much he hates the idea of giving that up to follow in his "father's" footsteps, to take several steps backwards and in so doing filling some enormous shoes. Page one is a full page of a very defeated looking Dick, sitting on the steps. In front of him is a discarded Robin symbol and Alfred asks "May I ask what happened?" We then get the story of Dick and Damien taking on an attempted prison break at Arkham, which turns out to be an assassination. After it's over, both Dick and Damien have a palpable sense of failure about them, Damien, clearly frustrated, says to Dick "Look at you! This pathetic impersonation of my father makes a mockery of his memory!" and dissapears.

The relationship between Dick and Damien is intense, and a refreshing departure from the Bruce/Dick relationship. Bruce was Dick's father, and now Dick has to rise to become Damien's father, but unlike Dick... Damien has no intention of needing a father figure. Dick is struggling with having to re-build the trust that a superhero needs, the cops suspect he's not Batman, Gordon doesn't know what's going on. There's a great scene where Alfred convinces Dick it's like performing a great character, Hamlet, Willie Loman, or even James Bond. Dick admits that the show must go on and takes off after Damien.

Everything about this book is spot on, all of the relationships are intense and convincing in every way. When Alfred admits he's not okay, I literally leaked three tears. The art is stunning, the panel layoust during the prison break is very cool and lends itself to a fight. The only other Frank Quietly I've seen is the All-Star Superman stuff, which is VERY different. That style suited that book very much, as does THIS style suit Batman.

I had every intention of dropping the book after the death of Bruce, but Dick is a much more interesting Batman than I ever imagined, and I'll keep reading this as long as it stays that way.

Getting "Weepy" with Malibu's run of DS9

In the process of sourcing out some local music for the shop I ran in Victoria, I met the proprietor of a local comic shop, Gareth. He kept recommending the same comic to me, one "The Watchmen" by Alan Moore. I finally relented and read it, devouring the epic 12 issue series in a mere two or three nights. It has become one of my favorite books and, as was intended by the creators in the early eighties, proved to me that comic books can indeed be "literature".

After reading (and enjoying so intensely) "The Watchmen" I dug out my old comic collection. I had no REAL interest in comics as a kid, but being "somewhat" of a Star Trek fan I had a large collection of Star Trek comics. Deep Space Nine premiered in 1993 when I was twelve years old, a fresh consumer unfettered on Paramounts marketing blitz. Riding the popularity of ST:TNG (now in it's sixth season) Paramount had licensed the franchise to Malibu, who released a schwack of Trek comics. The most heavily produced and longest running was DS9.

I sat down with my white cardboard box of comics, alone late one night after Jesse and Emma had gone to bed. And pulled out the first issue of Deep Space Nine... wait... it was the "special preview editions" I had forgotten about. I bought them from Peter Greaves one day on the bus for $5. I found out later he'd stolen them... I liked Richard, I suffered insufferable guilt for weeks, but wasn't going to let go of those books. I flipped through all the issues. The TNG/DS9 crossover... the one where Dax, Bashir, and O'Brian sit in Quark's with Worf presenting the various theories they've heard, about why the Klingons spontaneously developed the head ridges (my favorite being the result of a biological weapon used in a war with the Tribbles, some kind of gene re-writing virus or something). I remembered Blair (don't remember his last name... I worked with his mom at the Caprice... hmm...) stealing issue number eight from me at the old Courtenay Junior and running away with it. I'm chubby... I don't like to run. I remembered neglecting to buy the Sept, Oct, and Nov issues, so that Mom and Dad could get them for me for Christmas, and how much fun it was to read ALL of them Christmas morning...

And I got a little weepy. I'm man enough to admit it. Comic's made me cry a little.

Since then, much to Jesse's dismay, I've regained my love for comics. Thanks to Garreth and his fine staff at Legends Comics I've discovered a previously disregarded source for pungently fascinating stories, and far more beautiful art than I had ever expected. Geniuses like Allan Moore, Warren Ellis, and much to my surprise... some adaptations of one of my favorite authors Harlan Ellison.

I haven't revisited the DS9 again yet... as a "man" I am only allowed to let out one tear... WHILE I FAKE COUGH... once per quarter, so I have to wait until December before I have another look.

Bram Stoker's Dracula: Art by Ben Templesmith

• ISBN: 978-160010378-0

• Cover Price: $16.99

• Written By: Bram Stoker

• Illustrated By: Ben Templesmith

• Publisher: IDW

I've never read Dracula, after purchasing this book... I still may never read Dracula! However, I'm a HUGE Ben Templesmith fan. Fell (written by Warren Ellis, art by Templesmith) is one of my favorite books. Templesmith's art style is unique and a refreshing change from typical comic art, and particularly suited to the horror genre, specifically Vampires. If you saw the mediocre movie, "30 Days of Night" it was based on the comic written by Steve Niles, with art by Ben Templesmith which is MUCH better. He has an incredibley dark and emotional art style, there are no Vampires in his work that sparkle. I bought the book strictly as an art piece, not really intending to read it... but, as I'm glancing through the pages, writing this review. I find myself oddly compelled to actually read the book, instead of just drooling over the glossy illustrations. Which, I suppose, may be part of the purpose in illustrating a novel. There's no reason to buy or read this unless you're a Ben Templesmith fan, or if you've been dying to read "Dracula" and want an extremely nice looking copy. Or I suppose if you really love the book, but only own a tattered old paperback, then this probably is for you. For anyone else, if "Dracula" the novel does nothing for you, checking out anything else Ben has touched might be worthwhile!

Comic Pick of the Week: June 24th, 2009

Reading List:

• Green Lantern #42

• Astonishing X-Men #30

• Skaar:Son of Hulk #12

• Amazing Spider-Man #598

Pick of the Week:

Amazing Spider-Man #598

Written By: Joe Kelly
Pencils By: Paulo Siqueira & Marco Checchetto Siqueira
Colours By: Jeromy Cox

Ok, so this is part 4 (of 5) of the "American Son" story arc. Where we have Norman Osborne trying to turn Harry into his own personal "super-hero". There was a lot in this issue that I just outright enjoyed. There were some big reveals, including the fact that Lilly, whom has up until this issue, has been carrying Harry's baby... is actually carrying Norman's and that they've been working together to manipulate Harry. Spider-Man has been captured and is being beaten by Norman and Bullseye while they attempt to remove his mask. In the end, Harry discovers the ruse and willingly dons the "American Son" Stark style armour in an attempt to rescue Spider-Man from the clutches of his evil father. Spider-Man, post "One More Day" has been everything a comic book is supposed to be, and I think this issue was a prime example. Everything in it was fun and exciting. We had betrayals that lead to heroic acts of daring rescue, we have the fantastic Norman/Harry Father/Son storyline going on which ultimately ends in a (little doubted) epic betrayal.

The art was in usual form, Marvel puts some of it's best talent on the book. My only complaint is more due to character design than actual artistic talent or ability. I find that Harry and Norman look WAY to similar... especially when they're both wearing a suit. The scenes I enjoyed most (art-wise) were the scenes with Norman and Bullseye with the captured Spidey. The detail and viseral feel of the panels is inherant, and you feel each hit Spidey takes, making his eventual escape that much more satisfying. This has been a really enjoyable story. I only started reading Spider-Man after the re-boot, and this is the first real taste of the Peter/Osborne connection we've had. I LOVE the father/son relationship, it's a big part of what I like about the Bat-verse right now, and seeing Harry struggle with his past/future as a superhero/villian, in the face of his father who has clearly chosen his path without struggle or regret is a stark contrast.

"The Plan"

So, this came about as a way for me to gush fanboy love for comics. I adore comics, everything about them. But my wife is getting pretty sick of hearing about them every week, so I figured I'd unleash my opinions on the internets... pretty much assuming no one will be that interested. I'll do a weekly pick, let you know what I've read, and what my "Pick of the Week" is. I'll also probably do some "Book Reviews" of various collected editions and old runs of single issues I may own. There's very little I enjoy more than talking about why I love the comics I love.

It won't be JUST that though, I'm hoping to throw in a few amusing anecdotes here and there... and my two kids often provide entertaining stories. If there is anyone out there who decides to read this, I hope you enjoy it!