Jeremy Dale Presents...

Long lost Jeremy Dale

2009-07-10T13:03:34Z

I don't suppose anyone was expecting me, but I've been posting for quite some time on my main website as my main blog now. Check it out at:

http://www.jeremy-dale.com

Lots of news, latest commissions and con sketches, convention schedule-- all that stuff posted there. It's way easier to post there and far less clunky. Enjoy!

- jeremy dale

At long last-- an update

2008-08-23T18:33:10Z

So... long time no see...
It's been awhile, hasn't it? I know it sounds cliche for me to say it, but I've been extremely busy of late and haven't updated in awhile. I have, however, been able to more or less check my Friends page from time to time. So hey all! Grats to Benito and Nate on the new Hector, and also to Nate for his Brit work, which I saw at HeroesCon. Great stuff!

Where life hath led me
What's new in my life? Well, for one-- I have a new nephew, Alexander, courtesy of brother Mouse and his wife Sarah. He joins his three older siblings Anna and Emma (twins) and Ethan, who are growing faster than I can keep up with the photos sent to me! All cute as a button and brilliant, beautiful eyes. Maybe I'll post pics sometime.

Kelly hit a few different doctors, and one of them was able to prescribe a medication for her to adjust to living with a pet-- without being drowsy, too. A DEFINITE plus... so we picked up Kirby, a corgi/beagle mix a couple months ago-- and we couldn't be happier. We've already taught him almost a dozen tricks (come,sit,stay,down,shake, high five, roll over, play dead, fetch, quantum physics, etc etc) and he's fully house-trained. Here's a pic, Photoshoppin' courtesy of Dash Martin:

Aw.... so cute.

Later than late convention recaps and career stuffs
Since last I livejournal'd, I'd just done that Free Comic Book Day signing, so a lot has happened since then. I hit HeroesCon, where I made quite a nice load of cash-- more than enough to pay for my brand new high-end HDTV, I might add! All around a great show. As it was the first Heroes for several of my friends, I mostly looked after them to make sure all was well-- so I didn't have much opportunity to mingle after-hours as much as I'd have liked, but it all worked out well in the end.

After talking with him on several occasions, I now have an art dealer-- so soon enough you'll be able to purchase my original artwork a lot easier! Lots of G.I. Joe pages to send along, I know that much. Here's the link:

http://www.acosmicodyssey.com/

Yo, Joe and all that jazz
Speaking of the Joes, my final issues were just released. Here's a gallery of my covers, for those interested in picking it up at your local comic shop, Walmart, Target, etc etc...

If you're interested in purchasing original artwork from the issues, let me know and I'll set you up with a gallery to peruse. Just email me at jeremyhdale -at- yahoo . I've already sold a ton of pages, but there's some really nice ones still available, particularly in the later issues!

In works
I'm illustrating Miserable Dastards #4 right now, lettering a project that Nate Lovett and I co-created, and talking talks with talkative editors. We'll see where things go from here! More to talk about, but shouldn't for now.

Have a good one!

- jeremy dale

Free Comic Book Day 2008

2008-05-05T13:24:05Z

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2008!

Guys, now THAT was a great experience.

First off, HERE ARE OUR PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2628743...660891/detail/

Quick rundown:
Had a great time signing and sketching for Free Comic Book Day @ Captain's Comics & Toys in Charleston, SC! When I arrived about ten minutes before opening, there was a looooooooooooooooooooooong line at the door waiting to get in. From the moment the store opened 'til the time I left many hours later, the store was packed. There were tons of families and children there as well-- and most had already been comic fans, so those saying that kids don't read comics are morons and poorly-informed.

I was doing free sketches in celebration of FCBD, and did 58 sketches in 4 hours-- even while chowing down on a burger at lunch I was chained to the table scribbling away. The top requests were not surprisingly:

Iron Man
Spider-Man
The Joker
and Shipwreck

Others included Kitty Pryde, Ghost Rider, Wolverine, Batman, Man-Thing, Spider-Ham, Guile from Street Fighter II, and even a bald Luke Skywalker (yeah, there's always at least one like that)!

The store owner said he'd never seen the store that busy ever, and I'm glad. They had a great, well-lit store with amazing selection and a friendly, knowledgable staff helping direct the traffic through the store.

I ended up staying almost an hour past my scheduled time to complete the remaining sketches on the request list. LOTS of fun, and surprisingly my wrist didn't even ache a bit at any point during or thereafter.

I also sold prints, my Absolute Zeroes comics (sold out but for one of each issue now for the first two, it appears), and several original art pieces from my 'MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS' series and others sold as well.

Picked up a Jack Kirby Visionaries volume and a Kirby-styled New Gods Orion action figure while there! GORGEOUS. LOOOOOOOVE.

Enjoy the pics!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2628743...660891/detail/

- jeremy dale

__________

See me @ Megacon!

2008-03-04T13:46:30Z

Just to let you guys know...

I'm a featured guest at Megacon this year!

DATES:
March 7th –9th , 2008

HOURS:
Friday, March 7th
Showroom Hall - 1pm* – 7pm
Breakout Rooms –1pm – 11:30pm

Saturday, March 8th
Showroom Hall – 10am – 6pm
Breakout Rooms –10am – 11:30pm

Sunday, March 9th
Showroom Hall – 10am – 5pm
Breakout Rooms –10am – 7pm
*people who purchase three-day or Friday tickets in advance can obtain admission into the showroom hall at 12 noon on Friday, March 7th

Show location:
Orange County Convention Center Hall SB
--------------------------------

Signing times (with DDP's own Josh Blaylock) @ the HERO INITIAVE booth
FRI, 07 MAR (con hours 12-7)
12:30 - 1:30: Josh Blaylock and Jeremy Dale

SAT, 08 MAR (con hours 10-6)
1:00 - 2:00 pm: Josh Blaylock and Jeremy Dale

SUN, 09 MAR (con hours 11-5)

2:00 - 3:00 pm: Josh Blaylock and Jeremy Dale

and I'll be at my own table the rest of the show with original art for sale and doing sketches. Hope to see ya there. Also, check out the new print I'll be selling there:

Space Doubles OUT TODAY!

2008-02-06T09:37:33Z

SPACE DOUBLES #1 is out TODAY!

Today, the 6th of February will see the release of Th3rdworld's new series, SPACE DOUBLES, featuring a story by Leah Moore and John Reppion and illustrated by Jeremy Dale! (that's me, folks)

In late 2005, I illustrated a story in the Th3rdworld Studios sci-fi book, Space Doubles 1, with writers Leah Moore and John Reppion. The issue is out now, so get yours at comic shops nationwide!

Space Doubles

Writers: Mike Raicht, Leah Moore and John Moore

Pencilers: David Barkman, Alecia Rodriguez and Jeremy Dale

Inker: Jason Roth

Grayscalers: David Barkman and Steve Talaba

Letterer: Thomas Mauer

Editor: Justin Robinson,

Publishers: Th3rdworld Studios

CLICK HERE TO SEE A PREVIEW!

- jeremy

Popgun volume one out TODAY! (tomorrow at the latest)

2007-11-29T01:36:34Z

The 29th of November will see Image Comics release the graphic mix tape entitled Popgun. This 400+ page behemoth of awesome will feature only the freshest selection of sequential styling by new upcoming creators and creators new to the medium; it will even feature a select few veteran creators producing something new and different to what you would previously associate them with.

Popgun aims to deliver something for everyone by targeting the larger pop spectrum as opposed to the usual niche comics market. It was approached with the mindset of developing the ultimate comic book mix tape; a diverse and sophisticated collection of work with which to attract new readers and infect mainstream pop culture with comics.

For more information click here.

For previews visit the following links -
IGN
Myspace
SatelliteSoda

Check it out and spread the word!

In Stores November 29, 2007; 420 Pages; $29.99

Featuring work by : Mike Allred, Kris Anka, Mike Bullock, Dave Crosland, Coleman Engle, Andy Kuhn, Brandon Graham, Shepherd Hendrix, Dan Hipp, Josh Hoye, Derek Hunter, Andy Khun, Erik Larsen, Carlos Lerma, Corey Lewis, Jim Mahfood, Paul Maybury, Derek McCulloch, Khary Randolph, Rick Remender, Jamie S. Rich, Benjamin Roman, Mark Smith, James Stokoe, Joe Suitor, Matthew Weldon and many, many more.

It shall be rad!

Jeremy Dale signing at Heroes and Dragons November 17th!

2007-11-17T08:14:26Z

Hey, guys!

I know it's late notice, but I'll be signing at Heroes and Dragons in Columbia, SC at their 25th Anniversary Celebration! Here's the details...

HEROES and DRAGONS website

-------------------------------------------------------------
25th Anniversary Sale!
Saturday, November 17th - 10:00 am to 9:00 pm

- All back issues 50 to 75 % off!
- All new comics and graphic novels 20 % off!
- All gaming product 20 % off!
- All toys & statues 20 % off!
- All collectibles 50 % off!

ALSO, from 10am to 4 pm COME MEET OUR SPECIAL GUESTS

STEVE SCOTT (Marvel & DC artist)
JEREMY DALE (IMAGE & G.I. JOE artist)
SANFORD GREENE (DC artist)

. . . plus more guests and surprises!

For Details call (803) 731- HERO

HEROES and DRAGONS
510 Bush River Road
Columbia, South Carolina
(across from Ruby Tuesday restaurant)

-------------------------------------------------------------
HEROES and DRAGONS website

- jeremy

Long time no blog

2007-11-08T06:54:23Z

Busy Life, Outdated blog
Life has been busy-- so in the meantime, here's the latest news copy/pasted from my website:

11.5.07:

Quick update! Many apologies for the delays-- I've been swamped working on a variety of projects of late, including G.I. Joe and Miserable Dastards! I'll be sure to update more as soon as I can get to it-- promise! For now, check out my Deviantart page for updated artwork I've posted in the meantime. Click to read more...

10.29.07:

I was interviewed at the Mug o' Mead! Lots of fun, check it out! Click to read more...

10.26.07:

Hey! I was interviewed again! This time with the whole Space Doubles creative team by writer Vaneta Rogers. Click to read more...

10.25.07:

Review of Space Doubles #1, a book I illustrated! Read the Silver Bullet Comics review right here. Click to read more...

10.21.07:

Review of Space Doubles #1 over at Comics... and Other Imaginary Tales! Click to read more...

10.14.07:

Interviewed at Jazmaonline for my work on Miserable Dastards! Click to read more...

10.7.07:

I recently answered some questions for the guys over at the G.I. Joe Comic Forum! Follow the link to check it out-- you may be required to register, though, to check it out. Click to read more...

9.6.07:

NEW! Absolute Zeroes #1: Director's Cut now available to order at IndyPlanet! With over 18 pages of extras including concept artwork, behind-the-scenes bonus material, the original Absolute Zeroes short story, and more! Follow the link to read a 5-page preview and order yours today! Click to read more...

8.9.07:

Jeremy Dale's portfolio makes BOTH the Marvel Comics and DC Comics callbacks for editorial reviews! Woo hoo!

3.20.07:

NEW SKETCHES! Click to read more...

3.14.07:

New Newsarama illustration is up for The Q with Vaneta Rogers! Click to read more...

3.2.07:

My TMNT piece was featured as a Daily Deviation at Deviantart today! Check it out at the link-- Click to read more...

-----------------------------------------------

Current Projects
So where HAVE I been? Here's a list of what's currently on my plate that I can talk about...

G.I. Joe comics
I'm illustrating several comics for the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero 25th Anniversary action figure line from Hasbro with writer and G.I. Joe creator Larry Hama himself. Lots of fun so far, there have been news and pictures leaked all over the place. I was a special guest at the Joe Con in Atlanta, GA this year to announce the new comics-- and boy are the fans great. Thanks for all the great questions and the enthusiasm, guys! I'll tell more as I can, but there have already been 3 comics I'm illustrating announced. I've already drawn most of the issues in question, and only have a bit more to do on the project, which should wrap in February or so.

Miserable Dastards
Here I'm pencilling a 4-issue miniseries for Dial C for Comics involving a group of henchmen that get tired of the hassle of their careers and go out on their own. Lots of fun, and I'm really enjoying working on this one so far. I'm wrapping the 2nd issue now, if I'm not mistaken. Inks by Rob Brown, colors by Jelle van den Brink with covers by Rob Hicks.

Space Doubles
Sure, I drew this awhile ago-- but it's finally coming out in December from Th3rdworld Studios! Space Doubles can be previewed here and was a treat to work on with writers Leah Moore & John Reppion. Check it out!

Popgun volume 1
Everyone and their kid sister has something in this book, it seems-- and I'm no different! Check out my short story from writer Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash, G.I. Joe) , pencils by Jeremy Dale (me), inks by Jamie Snell (Transformers, Cereal and Pajamas), and colors from Nate Lovett (Xombie)! Out THIS MONTH in comic shops nationwide!

HOPE: New Orleans
Well, it finally came out earlier this year (July or August, I think)-- the Ronin Studios charity book for the aid of those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Check it out, it's got a story by me in there.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Look, I'm tired and really ought to head to bed-- I'll catch all of you later. Have a good one!

- jeremy dale

Spider-Man meme!

2007-05-03T19:47:31Z

</a></b></a>tehjacon threw out the ball so I'm taking a shot

Newsarama Hearts Me

2007-03-15T12:43:25Z

For those that missed the last one, here's the first pic I did for Newsarama's "The Q" article, which asked "Should Characters Age?"

The second is right here, which ran on 3/15, asking, "Is Death in Comics Important?"

Quick little pieces, but not too bad, I suppose. ;)

- jeremy

__________________

It's Inhuman to disagree with me...

2007-03-09T13:18:57Z

My Favorite Characters: Black Bolt (with Lockjaw) !

My TMNT piece got DAILY DEVIATION (3/2/07)! . Still catching up on all my messages since Friday-- Thanks, all! Made my day.

The first time I read a Lee/Kirby Fantastic Four, the Inhumans guest-starred... and WOW. Just wow-- those Inhumans weren't like ANYTHING else in comics. CLEARLY a Kirby creation, The Inhumans were led by the silent Black Bolt, whose voice could topple mountains-- and even on the printed page, his presence was breathtaking. Sheer power in a somber shell. Married to the prehensile haired Medusa, Gorgon with the thundering hooves, Karnak with the fists that can shatter anything, Crystal who could... uh... win Johnny's affections? hehehehe-- Add in Lockjaw, their giant, slobbering, teleporter dog and you had me fascinated at every turn.

Jack Kirby was a true visionary, and it's his creations like Black Bolt, Kamandi, the FF, Captain America-- that really drive home this point. I wish I had HALF the drive Kirby possessed-- or the creativity! Just the sheer number of amazing, original ideas he had stun me every time I see his name.

A good friend of mine (whose art trumps mine easily-- check out his work here at DeviantArt here-- ([link]) recently sent me some old Kirby FFs, each with Inhumans stories. I could not put them DOWN! Stunning what you could achieve with so few pages back then. Wow.

So as I finish my daily "favorite characters" series, I look back over just a fraction of the characters that make me smile everytime I read their adventures... and what a list! Easily enough to fill a sketchbook at the very least. Along the way, I hit just about every major publisher and genre in the comics scene... and yet there are still so many more characters I WANT to draw!

Don't worry, I plan to keep adding to the series at least once a week or more-- I just need to focus on some pretty amazing projects I have on my plate for awhile. I hope you've been as inspired as much as I have!

Go out there and create something... I look forward to seeing what you're doing as well!

So there ya go! Check my blog tomorrow for more as I continue-- These pieces are ALL AVAILABLE FOR SALE and I'm also available for COMMISSIONS! Contact me if you're interested and we'll make things happen.

- jeremy dale

A magical patchwork world...

2007-03-08T12:54:53Z

My Favorite Characters: Tellos (w/ Koj, Jarek, and Serra) !

My TMNT piece got DAILY DEVIATION (3/2/07)! . Still catching up on all my messages since Friday-- Thanks, all! Made my day.

First off, Happy Anniversary, Kelly! It's been a wonderful four years of marriage so far.

Now then, let's talk Tellos. Todd Dezago and Mike Wieringo created what was, in my mind, the greatest modern comic book when they created Tellos. In an era when JoeMad's Battlechasers showed us the glory of a more "arcade" fantasy feel, Tellos brought in a fantastic tale of adventure and wonder in an all-ages format.

This isn't a children's book, per se-- I don't like it when people automatically assume that "all ages" means "for kids". No, Tellos had levels of entertainment, and several cliffhangers that left me speechless. I remembered what it was to be EXCITED about reading comics again, and inspired me to create exciting, fun comics as well.

I know you guys want to bring Tellos back again, and that you love the characters, so make it happen! There's no better time to bring in a new audience to marvel at the adventures of Koj, Jarek, Serra, Thomatharustra (I think I spelled that right), Scatterjack, Hawke, Rikk, and the rest. Man, do I miss it.

Heh-- and might I add that I waited a full year to see how the HUGE cliffhanger resolved itself (anyone who has read it knows what I'm talking about, it's too good to spoil here). My comic shop at the time simply didn't get a copy in, so I hit comic shop after comic shop and convention after convention trying to find the next issue the whole of the next year... until FINALLY I found one. I bought two, since my wife immediately ripped it from my hands to read it herself. GREAT STORY.

Tellos. Image Comics. Dezago and 'Ringo. Check it out.

So there ya go! Check my blog tomorrow for more as I continue-- These pieces are ALL AVAILABLE FOR SALE and I'm also available for COMMISSIONS! Contact me if you're interested and we'll make things happen.

- jeremy dale

Will, this one's for you

2007-03-07T18:12:51Z

My Favorite Characters: The Spirit !

My TMNT piece got DAILY DEVIATION (3/2/07)! . Still catching up on all my messages since Friday-- Thanks, all! Made my day.

Will Eisner is the greatest storyteller that ever lived, a brilliant innovator of graphic literature (a fancy way of saying comics), and the most inspiring creator I'll ever come across. If you disagree, you're wrong. hehehe

Eisner created the Spirit in the 1930s for a newspaper syndicate, and the tales of this masked detective were the first "old comics' I liked. It read as if they were done today-- completely timeless, though still beautifully entrenched in its time period. He sometimes used child Ebony for information on big cases-- Ebony looked like your typical black-face stereotype of the era. Somewhat racist, though I tend to believe it's more reflecting the times than a real racist slant.

It also had a great noir touch with shadows dancing off of walls and characters like you'd see in Sin City, only... NOT adults-only. Brilliant work, I can't stop saying that.

Currently, Darwyn Cooke is working on a NEW Spirit series for DC Comics... and I was hesitant, as hard-core fans can be in situations like this one, obviously... but Darwyn has done AMAZING work so far. I'm loving every minute of it.

I highly recommend picking up an issue of the new series-- or, for that matter, an old Spirit reprint from Kitchen Sink Press or in one of the trade paperback mass reprints of the strip. BRILLIANT work, and the third place in my all-time favorite characters.

1. Spider-Man
2. Captain America
3. The Spirit

I'm not drawing a Spider-Man this week, but what a list. I think you'll love the next one. Well... I did, anyway.

So there ya go! Check my blog tomorrow for more as I continue-- These pieces are ALL AVAILABLE FOR SALE and I'm also available for COMMISSIONS! Contact me if you're interested and we'll make things happen.

- jeremy dale

When Captain America throws his mighty shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeellllddd....

2007-03-06T16:42:52Z

My Favorite Characters: Captain America (w/ Falcon)!

My TMNT piece got DAILY DEVIATION (3/2/07)! . Still catching up on all my messages since Friday-- Thanks, all! Made my day.

It's been a crazy month and a half so far, what with my "Favorite Characters" sketchseries and the Daily Deviation, buying a new couch, new car, and sadly... a death in the family. Thanks to all of those for their kind words on encouragement lately-- you guys and gals rock.

Captain America-- the greatest soldier that ever lived. Cap, trained to master every form of martial arts and fighting style on the planet. A master of combat and war strategy. Unstoppable, even in the midst of gods and the impossible. Leader of the Avengers, even though he has no powers of his own.

Captain America freakin' rules.

It's no wonder he's in my top 3 favorite characters ever. Over the years his book has seen a LOT of great creative runs-- Simon/Kirby, Lee/Kirby, Stern/Byrne, DeMatteis/Zeck, Waid/Garney, Brubaker/Epting... great stories, epic adventure. If superheroes were real, Cap is the one above all others I'd want to be around in a dangerous situation.

However, a lot of people see him as campy, old-timey, and guy that loves to make huge, long, boring speeches. THOSE PEOPLE ARE WRONG. Captain America is more about symbolizing the best of what makes America itself great... specifically, the ability to rise up from nothing and still succeed. NOTHING stops Cap.

I added in Falcon here because he's easily the best partner Cap has ever had, and is pretty cool in his own right, even garnering his name on Cap's book, a miniseries, a place in the Avengers (at first just because he is Black, later on earning it), and a new series started up just so they could team up AGAIN fairly recently.

So here we are-- I'm drawing some heavyweights in my "favorite characters" this week, and this is probably the biggest on the list (this week at least).

Captain America's book is better than ever right now, by the way-- Brubaker and Epting (and occasional fill-in artists) have been doing the quintessential Cap book, and it's been an amazing ride. Pick it up, I think you'll like it a LOT. Quite possibly the best mainstream superhero comicbook of late.

Bring on the Babs

2007-03-05T14:54:09Z

My Favorite Characters: Batgirl!

My TMNT piece got DAILY DEVIATION TODAY (3/2/07)! . Still catching up on all my messages since Friday-- Thanks, all! Made my day.

Barbara Gordon, accept no substitutes. Don't misunderstand-- The others are perfectly fine on their own merits, but at the end of the day, BATGIRL is Babs. In fact, some of my favorite comics of the recent past were Barbara Gordon Batgirl tales-- Batgirl Year One and Nightwing Year One spring to mind pretty fast.

Sure, I hear ya-- "But, Jeremy-- Babs is ORACLE now, and soooOOOooOooo much better in that role!" Bah, I say. I dig the Oracle angle, I see how well it has helped develop the character, but it's just not the same. When the Joker crippled her in The Killing Joke, many fans applauded-- thought it was a BRILLIANT choice for the story-- and list it in their top comic stories of all time. Hey, for a long time I was among them!

Then I looked around at comics SINCE the Alan Moore Effect (who wrote that story, Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Superman's "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?", and Swamp Thing in the biggest one-two punch to the industry's cajones it had ever experienced)...

And comics are worse for it.

Sure, the story was great-- Alan is a freakin' brilliant writer, I own just about every story he's ever written, and just about anything he touches is gold, but... well... it has hurt comics.

There's a place for that kind of story, and we NEED that kind of story in comics, but at the end of the day, when the comic fans go home and bag'n'board their precious tales... THERE ARE TOO MANY OF THEM.

I'm of a mind (and I DARE you to oppose me on this) that there should be a balance in every area of this industry. Too much of one thing will do nothing but kill the industry far quicker than the 90s ever could have. Too many mature-reader books, too many aging readers wanting to justify their fandom, too many cartoony artists, too many tracer-artists, too many mangas on the shelves, too many of ANYTHING just doesn't make sense. We need to GROW readership, and while it seems most fanboys tend to get pretty jaded and gravitate towards the mature readers genre, it won't help us GROW. It's short-sighted, we already HAVE that genre in comics in abundance. We need more all ages books, and fast.

People say kids never go to comic shops, but honestly? I don't know what shop THEY'RE at-- I see several every time I stop at the comic shop. I see parents coming in to pick up a Spider-Man for their child, I see teachers coming in for new ideas to help kids with reading, I see NEW readers coming into the shop. I've unfortunately seen these same people walk out without ANYTHING. Why? A lack of all-ages material, or it's shuffled to a small corner of the shop, out of the way of REGULAR readers.

Uncripple Barbara-- it's been, what-- 20 years, so you've had your fun with Oracle as she stands (or, um, doesn't), and I've enjoyed many of those stories myself. However, there's a Babs Batgirl in the new cartoon-- there was one in the Dini/Timm version as well. I know of several little girls who love that character, as well as adults (like my wife). Get her back in the uniform somehow, and prepare for once to target an audience for growth.

Okay, I'm done preachin'.

Hey-- I can like my own stuff, too!

2007-03-02T14:08:32Z

My Favorite Characters: Absolute Zeroes!

Hey, just noticed my TMNT piece got DAILY DEVIATION TODAY (3/2/07)! Not my favorite piece, but I'll take it. Thanks, all! Made my day.

The Absolute Zeroes-- call it a cop out, but I LOVE drawing Hunter and Chase. Since starting work on the book, I designed these two to exude as much of everything that I love about comics as they could. It must be working, I'm having the time of my life.

I'm drawing issue 4 at the moment, and when it came time to choose a favorite for today, Absolute Zeroes kept popping into mind. I really enjoy my job. Believe it or not, this piece only took about 30-45 minutes to do-- I had tons of work to do that day, so I whipped this out in no time and got it in under the wire (and, heh-- the scanner).

Brother-and-sister team Hunter and Chase are thrown into the realm of superheroics shortly after being directly involved in the demise of the city's greatest hero, Vic Victory (who I also drew into the piece-- I gotta practice him more. I've tried to keep the stories fun, exciting, and never too serious. FUN comics, remember those? That's the goal.

I know these are MY characters, and I might get flack for today's "favorites", but I'd like these two even if I didn't create them. Seriously... and FYI, expect a battle royale in issue 4-- and it only gets weirder from there.

Zeroes... with an E.

Cue that jazzy 90's toon theme song

2007-03-01T11:06:11Z

My Favorite Characters: X-Men!

I'm pretty sure everyone is familiar with today's "favorite"-- and, as I'm a glutton for punishment, it contains seven characters rather than one.

I know not everyone loves the X-Men, but if you haven't been a fan at least at SOME point in their 30 or 40 year history, you're cold-hearted. There are some classic stories in there-- check 'em out!

Here I'm portraying the X-Men as I first came across them, and many of them are wearing their "best ever" outfits. Dave Cockrum, John Byrne, John Romita, jr, Paul Smith... ALL of these guys did amazing work with the uniforms you see here. The brown and tan Wolvie, the timeless Nightcrawler and Colossus, the quintessential Storm... just great visuals all around. I miss seeing them like this, but then again-- Whedon's Astonishing X-Men is pretty close to this, so I can't complain, even IF I'm not much of a Cassaday fan.

Had a terrible time drawing this-- I love the characters, but sometimes you just have an off-day. In my case, a HUGE off-day. Sigh...

So there ya go! Check my blog tomorrow for more as I continue-- These pieces are ALL AVAILABLE FOR SALE and I'm also available for COMMISSIONS! Contact me if you're interested and we'll make things happen.

- jeremy dale

The angel and the ape?

2007-02-28T16:20:10Z

My Favorite Characters: Monkeyman & O'Brien!

Hail the greatness that is Art Adams! Truly one of the greats, and his creations Monkeyman & O'Brien are just ONE example of his briliance.

Above and beyond directly inspiring me and many working pros, Art is an accomplished artist whose keen eye for extreme levels of detail, expressive faces, heavy textures, and giant monsters is unrivalled. I picked up the Modern Masters: Art Adams book recently, and I haven't put it down yet. It's always nearby for me to marvel at, where I've spent hours and hours squinting my eyes wishing this book were printed oversized, so some of these pieces could be seen in all their glory. Still, though-- best book I've bought in ages.

Monkeyman & O'Brien was Art's vehicle for drawing all the things he loved-- apes, giant hulking monsters, tons of rubble, weird retro sci fi encounters, crazy bug-eyed evil guys, and more... and he crammed all of it on the page with finesse. Unfortunately, far too few issues came out, leaving all his fans wanting more. Hopefully we'll get just that, and get to live the adventure yet again with our resident "Reed Richards-esque" ape and strong, hawk-nosed partner.

I miss it. BRING IT BACK, ARTHUR! We NEED more fun comics, and this is a great example of it.

Please?

So there ya go! Check my blog tomorrow for more as I continue-- These pieces are ALL AVAILABLE FOR SALE and I'm also available for COMMISSIONS! Contact me if you're interested and we'll make things happen.

- jeremy dale

We need a hero...

2007-02-27T13:57:37Z

My Favorite Characters: Herobear and the Kid!

Here we have a more recent favorite of mine... Herobear and the Kid! Cartoonist Mike Kunkel is brilliant in every sense of the word-- and much like Little Nemo in Slumberland, this book captures the heart and imagination, bringing out the wide-eyed child in even the most jaded person.

The book revolves around young Tyler, who receives an old broken locket and a stuffed bear as an inheritance when his grandfather passes away. Not exactly the sort of thing a ten-year-old would want to play with, but he soon "learns not to judge a bear by its cover" (oh, the bad pun. it hurts). For the little toy bear can magically transform into the 10 foot tall super hero polar bear named HEROBEAR... and the rest is history.

What first looks like just a light, enjoyable read becomes captivating and a real page-turner as Herobear and Tyler try to decipher the note his grandfather left him, leading him to the revelation that his grandfather was MUCH more than he seemed! Before long, Tyler realizes his grandpa was none other than Santa Claus himself, and that Tyler is supposed to replace him, as has every grandson in the history of his family.

A truly brilliant book-- check out the comic and graphic novel (which I picked up for a measly 5 bucks at a con, lucky me) from Astonish Comics. I can't recommend anything higher.

So there ya go! Check my blog tomorrow for more as I continue-- These pieces are ALL AVAILABLE FOR SALE and I'm also available for COMMISSIONS! Contact me if you're interested and we'll make things happen.

- jeremy dale

He's the Pitts

2007-02-26T12:20:47Z

My Favorite Characters: Pitt!

Here's a bizarre choice for me that came MORE from wanting to draw something slightly DIFFERENT than a HUGE love for a character... Especially since I've only read probably 4 comics with Pitt in it. Out of what-- 7 total appearances ever? Yeesh.

I came across the character for the first time in Cyberforce #2-- or 3 (or 4, I honestly don't remember). He appeared in the following issue as well, and I loved how he looked. He was basically an 80s hard rocker Hulk without a nose and long, pointy fingernails like the X-Men's Lady Deathstrike.

Not the most original character, but Dale Keown's rendering has won me over on more than one project in the past. He's STILL in my top 3 artists ever to render the Hulk. Keown's finely-hatched lines and interesting caricature-esque expressions really caught my eye-- and while researching the character for this piece, it won me over AGAIN. It's one of the very few artists' works I loved in the 90s that I love as much if not more today.

Tossed in the kid as well-- it just NEEDED it, I think. Kind of like drawing in Ms. Lion in the Spider-Friends piece. Enjoy..

So there ya go! Check my blog tomorrow for more as I continue-- These pieces are ALL AVAILABLE FOR SALE and I'm also available for COMMISSIONS! Contact me if you're interested and we'll make things happen.

- jeremy dale

Back in black!

2007-02-23T12:59:01Z

My Favorite Characters: Black Cat w/ black symbiote Spider-Man!

Now we're talkin'! First off, let me just say that Spider-Man should totally be with Mary Jane-- PERIOD. Now that that's outta the way, let me praise the awesomeness that is the team of Spider-Man (in his symbiote black uniform) and Black Cat...

They just look freakin' cool. Black Cat is a hot character, obviously-- but more importantly, Spider-Man had reinvented his look in comics at the time. Fans said boo, it'll never last or be well-received. They were wrong. That outfit is clearly the second greatest in his closet, right behind the classic original (obviously), and history agrees. Marvel had redesigned a lot of the looks of their characters in the 80s-- just check out my Storm pic from a few days ago to see another popular 80s choice.

It was a cool time in comics-- sales were steadily moving up, superheroes were in the mainstream, and things looked pretty bright for comics and the new generation of creators coming in-- Art Adams, Adam Hughes, Byrne at his finest, Perez on Crisis, Mike Zeck... a lot of these guys had been around before, but it wasn't until the 80s that they hit legendary status... in my opinion, obviously. It clearly inspired me, and of course the Image boys as well as the current generation of upcoming creators. Just an exciting time.

As a team and a couple they were cool, too-- it was the most bizarre of Peter's relationships, what with she not even LIKING Peter but loving the Spider... and seeing them take on foes together was a nice change of pace. I'm really pleased that Black Cat is coming back into the Spider-continuity of late... and that the black costume is back on Spidey. I've MISSED it. It just looks so cool. Movie tie-in or no, it's freakin' awesome.

I really want to draw these two again. Maybe I'll sneak them in as cameos on other "favorites" pieces. All I know is, I don't have it out of my system on these two... not by a long shot.

So there ya go! Check my blog tomorrow for more as I continue-- These pieces are ALL AVAILABLE FOR SALE and I'm also available for COMMISSIONS! Contact me if you're interested and we'll make things happen.

- jeremy dale

Wonder Girl, indeed!

2007-02-22T13:19:27Z

My Favorite Characters: Donna Troy!

Original Wonder Girl Donna Troy ROCKS. Always more interesting than any Wonder Woman book you could ever read, Donna really made the Teen Titans a great book-- especially once they added Cyborg, Changeling, Starfire, and Raven to the fold to balance out the cast.

The first issue I READ of Teen Titans was the first chapter of The Judas Contract, so imagine my shock when these characters (who were as popular if not MORE so than the X-Men at the time)were thrust into a thrilling adventure based on a teammate's betrayal. Just a thrilling read.

I kinda liked her simple red jumpsuit as well. Simple yet gets the point across without being "Wonder Woman-lite".

George Perez is one of the all-time greats, and his work here is probably my favorite of his. He CARED for these characters, and it shows on every page. Don't get me wrong-- I love his various runs on Avengers, Crisis, JLA, etc etc etc... but on Teen Titans, he was CREATING. Not only that, but creating a group of characters (with writer/co-plotter Marv Wolfman) that would be a huge success in the mainstream pop culture! Brilliant work.

I also liked Donna because she was one of the few characters that wasn't afraid of the idea of marriage. She got married fairly early on, and even though what happened later in that matter... it was cool seeing that side of society represented in comics. I can't name very many others that were/are allowed a marriage in comics without whining about it.

Here's hoping I did the character justice! Welcome back, Donna-- even Michael Turner did a good rendition of you recently.

So there ya go! Check my blog tomorrow for more as I continue-- These pieces are ALL AVAILABLE FOR SALE and I'm also available for COMMISSIONS! Contact me if you're interested and we'll make things happen.

- jeremy

Heroes in a half shell!

2007-02-21T13:00:03Z

My Favorite Characters: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

Ah, the Turtles... I can pull out my nerd card on this one and nearly guarantee I was a huge TMNT fan before ANYONE else was-- and probably the first kid to dress as one for Halloween (about a year or two before the cartoon, believe it or not). Yes, I was a Turtlemaniac for ages... and suddenly it was... COOL?

I was young-- 8 or 9, and I came across a weird comic book on the stands at my local comic shop (which my dad ran at the time)... Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I simply HAD to pick it up. Human-sized, butt-kicking turtles?! Count me in!

Growing up the oldest of four boys, we gravitated to the tales of the TMNT pretty easily. I chose Leonardo as my favorite-- his natural leadership skills and eye for teamwork seemed a natural fit. We'd play turtles for hours on end-- and when the action figures came out? We played even longer. We LIVED and breathed ninja turtles... as did every other kid our age.

I'm really glad they have found a niche outside of a fad in the current marketplace, too. I haven't read a TMNT comic in years, but I still flip through them and watch the new cartoon every now and then. Fun stuff!

Drew this piece in a couple hours-- I literally threw all the pieces together on this one. April was an afterthought, having been tossed into the mix at the last minute. Hope you all enjoy!

So there ya go! Check my blog tomorrow for more as I continue-- These pieces are ALL AVAILABLE FOR SALE and I'm also available for COMMISSIONS! Contact me if you're interested and we'll make things happen.

- jeremy dale

Puberty sense... TINGLING!

2007-02-20T13:01:34Z

My Favorite Characters: Gen13 !

Gen 13... more specifically, FAIRCHILD and Gen 13. While scrounging through my stash of comics trying to come up with a topic a tad more modern, I came across this title-- and was immediately taken back to the awkward age of 16. Ah, my teenage years... thank God I never have to go back. What a horrid time.

Gen 13 was the first sign that Image had life outside of its founders-- it launched an artist's career (J. Scott Campbell, obviously) as well as threw a million kajillion tweenagers into puberty. Truly, Campbell's lines were gratuitous and juuuuust a tad risque.

The plots were basically Seinfeld-esque in that they were close to non-existant. It seems to me that each issue basically asking, "Hey, Jeff-- anything you ever wanted to draw in your ONE year of pro experience that you haven't yet?"

To which he would reply, "Why, what a delicious inquiry! I desire the opportunity to drawls th' pirates and the amazons and the ladies looking all sexalicious."

"By jove... I think we can DO that!"

And history was made. Huge sales, teenage boys drooling, and Caitlyn Fairchild posters on every comic shop wall and window. Truly, they were on to something here. If only it developed a real plot while Campbell was still drawing it, it might have cemented its legacy. Still, with amazing runs (which I've only recently read) drawn by Gary Frank and Adam Warren (or did he just write them? meh), Gen 13 has more than enough empty, fun comic stories to last you quite some time.

The latest series just started-- kind of a soft reboot with Gail Simone and Talent Caldwell on the creative end. THIS time around, the plot makes a LOT more sense... but the art is pretty much a poor man's Campbell without any of the charm or skill. I'm sure Talent is all fine and good as a Turner clone, but his storytelling is so bad I can barely tell not only WHO is who, but WHERE is who and WHY is who doing WHAT. I dropped it after issue 3... wishing I hadn't picked up any of them.

So here it is, a guilty pleasure from my teenage years that actually ended up being pretty entertaining in its own right. Despite the glut of his clones, I'm glad it DID introduce the world to J. Scott Campbell... and I'm glad these characters are back again NOW so a new generation can read about them.

So there ya go! Check my blog tomorrow for more as I continue-- These pieces are ALL AVAILABLE FOR SALE and I'm also available for COMMISSIONS! Contact me if you're interested and we'll make things happen.

- jeremy dale

Bring on the Choclit Thunda!

2007-02-19T13:48:53Z

My Favorite Characters: Storm!

A new week, a new piece debuts in my "favorite characters" sketch series!

What is this, the first X-Man (or X-Woman, in this case) I've added so far? Okay, third (Kitty Pryde and then Iceman in the Spider-Friends sketch). There's a good reason for that. I'm trying to avoid the typical choices as long as possible and find ways to mix them in without just going with a standard shot. THIS one, though... this one is here for a reason.

Namely, Storm rules.

Oh, sure-- she hasn't ruled in recent comics in ages... but years ago, she was totally awesome. The first X-Men cover I ever saw in a COMIC SHOP was Storm getting possessed by a Brood-- I'm tellin' ya, that cover scared me to death. I was terrified of what was happening on that cover. My dad bought the issue, but I didn't read it until several years later. Great book.

MOHAWK Storm was REALLY cool. Her outlook on life changed due to the experiences she had in her earliest days as an X-Man, and the mohawk and punk visual is a part of that. I still like her original uniform the best, but "Mohawk Storm" is a close second, and when I decided to put her on the sketch list... this was the look I wanted to render the most.

I really dig the look, too-- she had an 'edge' that she clearly didn't have in the 'naive African princess' look she debuted in. I like it.

Oh yeah-- I totally ripped off the background. It's from X-Men Evolution. Coming clean with that right now, so it's not that big an issue. I added some of my own vibe to it, but I still want to always respect the source. Fun cartoon, too.

So there ya go! Check my blog tomorrow for more as I continue-- These pieces are ALL AVAILABLE FOR SALE and I'm also available for COMMISSIONS! Contact me if you're interested and we'll make things happen.

- jeremy dale