Friday, August 31, 2007

Jack of Fablestone#12

OK, so it's been a LONG time since I've posted some art. I still have one more installment of SDCC to put up, too.
But you guys really deserve a break after sitting so patiently through the San Diego slideshow. Consider this an intermission of sorts.
Although, what's going to suck, my friends, is that I can't (or won't; you decide...) locate a bunch'o breaks for this issue. So try to make due with my paltry offering from that stage. Also, I may not add any of the witty comments you've all become so dependent on me making. I know it really heightens your viewing/slash reading pleasure.

LOL...I actually typed "slash"! I'm just plain tired.

But. I. Must. Post. Art. For. My. Peeps...ugh!


You know what would be REALLY cool!?
If you posted my witty comments for me! *wink*
I stayed up WAY too late last night plotting and mapping the buildings and shops along Bullfinch Street, between Anderson and Kipling Streets (or is it "Andersen"?). I even have the addresses for each shop and building (Chateau D'If Fencing Academy is 10&1/2 Bullfinch).
Why am I doing this? ARP> Awesome Rogue Project.
Plus I'm about to turn in some long overdue commissions...all while finishing JoF#15.
Anyways, I'll try to make up for this shabby, late posting with some nice concept morsels at the bottom of the post. Hope you like!


One more thing: I've taken to keeping all my breakdowns and sketches in a Moleskine for the sake of having everything Jack-related in one place, rather than individual sheets spread all over the place. This is "Broken Crown", the first JoF Workbook (which has just been filled as of this weekend).









Now, here are the pencils in their entirety. The Matador secured the page with the Bedrock reference for his collection, so don't ask...



























See, see? Better than a stick in the eye when you got down here, no?

h.e.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

SDCC 2007, Pt. 7: Jane Weidlin and The TonkTank Redemption

Hi, All. Thanks for hanging in there! So as I recall, we had just had a pre-Eisner dinner, bolted from the restaurant and heeled it over to the award presentation...which are already in progress. SHHHHH!

Bongotone's Bill Morrison is our Master of Ceremonies tonight (this is shot of his image projected on one of the twin Jumbotrons).


We grab our seats. On stage, Bill introduces the talented, fetching,only Go-Go that matters, Jane Weidlin. Ms. Weidlin will be doling out those Eisner trophies. Over the course of the evening quite a few of the Eisner recipients would "accidentally" try to exit the stage in the wrong direction, so that they could have Jane W. direct them in the right direction with tender, hands-on manner.


The Eisner Judges


OK, let's cut to the chase. As you know the Fable/Jack of Fables creative team is a force to be reckoned with. Between the two titles there are a total of 8 nominations for the Eisner; three of the nods for Jack alone.
The evening rolls out well here; Bill, Eisner in hand, gives praise and thanks to the assembled creators ("authors" as he puts it) of "FABLES: 1001 Nights of Snowfall".
Unfortunately, I don't know who the creator is on the far left of the photo, but you'll see James Jean, Shelly Bond, Jill Thompson and Mark Buckingham (with another Eisner).


This year's show was LOOOONG! 3 hours. Jonathan Ross, the "British Jay Leno (only funny)" was co-presenter with Neil Gaiman at the very end of the show. Ross thanked the audience and attendees of the 2007 Eisner Awards and told everyone that tickets for the 2008 Eisner ceremonies were on sale just outside, the sitting for which will begin in one half hour.
This is "The GOON" creator,Eric Powell and someone else doing a bit that k.i.l.l.e.d!


Brian Posehn contributed his mad Klingon language skills to his presentation; he translated all the names of the nominees in his selection of creators into Klingon. I think any names that were actually Klingon, he translated back into an Earth language.


Our Beloved Jill Thompson accepts another award! She gave a shout out to Bill Reinhold and Lenin DelSol for great advice when she was starting out.


James Jean with the first of his Eisners for the night.


As the show went on..and on, I became increasingly worried about the really irresponsible placement of STARGATE:Burbank directly above our table. During the "In Memorium" section of the show, I was anxious that a cross-town bus was going to careen through SG:B and take out even more creators.


Awesome!n I love "Reno911". Here are Thomas Lennon (Lt. Dangle) and Robert Ben Garant (Officer Junior), to present our catagory and shamelessly plug their new film "Balls of Fury".


OK, so we lost to Ed Brubacker's "Criminal". But the guy smokes and can't run very fast carrying all those awards. So this ain't over.


Bill Willingham with this years' haul (for his part, at least).


Bucky, natty in linen, with his Eisner bling.


Our Fabulous Fables Editorial Deity, Shelly Bond with James Jean with his nights' haul.


Here's Jane Weidlin and Andrew Pepoy.


Here's my favorite photo of the show; Thomas Lennon, Brad "Bluebeard" Thomte and Robert Ben Garant. Peas in a Pod.



So, all-of-a-sudden-like, everyone is tossing me their cameras so that I can take photos for them. It's a blur of ducking and weaving with real media photographers for a good spot. But when the dust settles I get these:

Brian Posehn of "The Sarah Silverman Program" with Andrew.


Brian with Yours Truly!


I got to hang a bit with Garant and Lennon outside the show. They're both the nicest guys and only the best should happen for them. "Balls of Fury" is high on my list.


So in the end, Jack didn't walk off with the "Best New Series" Eisner. But hey, of the 8 nominations, the Fables Family took home 6. Which makes us the Monster of the 2007 Show. In fact that number could be higher since Jill won for best Artist/Painter. We rock. And to top it all off...



I got me a lap/armful of Jane Weidlin! Whoo-Hoo!



Guess what? There's STILL MORE to come! Thanks to Budd at Fabletown.com for the clever title for this entry. I try to keep to satirical movie titles, but when he gave me "The TonkTank Redemption" I had to add Jane Weidlin. So I guess this is an homage to the book and not the film. Oh, well.
h.e!

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Technical Difficulties...

For some reason the images for the last entry,"SDCC 2007, Pt.5" have corrupted (surprised, really?). I'll have to reload and republish this entry. Relax.

Sunday, August 05, 2007

SDCC 2007, Pt. 6: Oedipussy

I follow Bill Willingham and Joey C. as the Fables gaggle skirts the marina on it's way to the Vertigo Panel.


Doctor Venture (or is it "Professor"?) and that really limber Russian assassin that Brock keeps boning. Can't stop, got a panel to make!



Audience members still think that the panel members take the stage graciously; nuh-uh. In truth, it's a barely controlled, ego/status driven bolt for the seat with a working microphone AND water pitcher positioned conveniently nearby. A plus if it's center-stage. To hell with where the handlers place the nameplates; cause that shit gets shifted! Seriously. I mean, who-the-phuck-am-I?... and notice that I'm right on the stage after Karen Berger? Notice the blurring image? That's action, man! I'm sure I'm stepping over a trodden-on Brian K. Vaughan, or a flattened Matt Wagner. It's the quick and the microphone-less! God help anyone of us should we get comfortable and Neil shows! It's mid-echelon creator ass-to-floor, then. For the record; I'd gladly give up my seat for Neil.


Again, a nice opportunity to marry some shots together...*ahem*



The place fills up nicely...


Bill, did you notice this guy with the eye-patch?


The beautiful, intelligent Karen Berger helms the panel. Apparently GRENDL Creator, Matt Wagner (second from right) has made it to a seat unscathed.


Brian K.V. and Pia Guerra receive questions.


Brian Azzarello (against wall, standing), Bill W., the lovely G. Willow Wilson, with Bucky just beyond.


Panel's over. I have to say that even with all the awesomeness gathered in that room, Fables and Jack of Fables received the loudest applause! I'm a lucky, lucky man to hold with such a crew!
Here's some buildings as seen from the Convention stairway.


Outside, Matt and I run into a friend of mine from Chicago; Tom of Graham Cracker Comics in Lincoln Park. Matt is completely underwhelmed until I mention that "this is 'Comic-Shop Mike', man!". THEN the lights go on! Tom served as the inspiration for one of Aubrey's pals in the Vegas arch of Jack of Fables.


Later that evening, Matador and I head down to the restaurant selected for the Eisner Nominees of Vertigo Dinner hosted by Karen Berger.


Letter Jedi, Eisner Magnet Todd Klein and Jack of Fables' inker, Andrew Pepoy arrive.


At the table everyone listens for the specials...


"...Shrimp Polenta, Shrimp Gumbo, Shrimp Platter, Shrimp Ice Cream...."


Gwen and James Jean were RAVENOUS! I mean...That's MY plate! James isn't moving his lips, but I swear that I heard his voice in my head say, "You really want to loose an arm over this pastry? 'Cause, I don't even have to get out of this chair; Gwen can take you like a chocolate-covered communion wafer on Easter Sunday, my friend."


Who the hell let Will Dennis in?


Bucky and Karen Berger.


Steve Leialoha chats with DAVID LLOYD! Why there's not a "SIR" in front of that is beyond me.


Illustrator, Eisner Magnet James Jean and the Matador. Matt sidles up for an interception, "Maybe they'll throw an award at him and he won't notice! You got a Sharpie on you?"


I gave the adorable Gwen Jean a wide berth while she was near the chocolate and armed.


Dinner was splendid. After dashing on the check (K.B's idea), we're now entering the
hall where the Eisner Awards are in progress! What's going to happen? WTFK?


h.e.