First look at the cover to CHEW #2. Yes, there are Ninjas. Ass-kickery ensues.
There are a few new interviews up at ChewComic.com, so check them out. More to follow. But now, back to work.
-Rob!
Friday, April 24, 2009
CHEW #2 Cover.
First look at the cover to CHEW #2. Yes, there are Ninjas. Ass-kickery ensues.
There are a few new interviews up at ChewComic.com, so check them out. More to follow. But now, back to work.
-Rob!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
PREVIEWS Solicit and ChewComic.com
Here's a couple scans of our write-up in PREVIEWS magazine. Pretty snazzy (though no one says "snazzy" anymore).
Also, the official CHEW blog is live here. Feel free to Twitter, MySpace, Facebook or Messenger-Pigeon it everywhere. The view is subject to change, so bear with us while we get our footing. We'll be posting new stuff over the next few weeks as new interviews and special goodies get released.
Also, here are a couple cool pieces of press from the last couple weeks, so check them out at Fanboy.com and ComicsWaitingRoom.com.
I also did a cool Making of CHEW feature for ComicMonsters.com. It's a look at the process of creation behind one page of the book. Fun stuff.
More to follow. But I got pages to pencil right now.
-Rob!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Breaking In.
C.B. Cebulski just posted a six-page short we collaborated on a few years back, which was published in the HERO Initiative's Charity Anthology for that year. I'm slightly blushing over the age of the work, but feel free to check that out.
For those that don't know, C.B. is a writer and Talent Scout for Marvel Comics and has been doing a series of Twitter posts on Breaking into Comics. His posting of our short inspired me to share a bit of my experiences breaking in, a pretty long, but interesting ride.
I began making the push into comics around 2001, and it all started with a pretty simple plan. Now, I’m not saying this is the “Breaking-In-Plan-to-End-All-Plans”. This is just what worked for me as the 20-year-old, no-money-having, south Louisiana artist that I was at the time. My Break-In plan was cyclical and had a few different legs, as complex as that sounds. It went like this:
1) Hit a con. Walked the alleys, working past my own general awkwardness to meet, greet and get portfolio reviews from artists, editors and the occasional writer. Take note of whatever feedback I got in a sketchbook. Be polite and not too self-deprecating. Ask questions. Trade business cards for instant connection. Network!
2) Go home and Follow up. I’d email almost all of the creators that I’d meet, just as a thank-you and as a way of saying “I’m serious about doing this for a living”. Oftentimes, creators would encourage me to send them new work, and they’d respond with invaluable advice. Jim Mahfood was the first creator that did this for me, and it was a huge boost to me when things got hard. And since we’re on the subject of using the Net…
3) Post Work Online. I posted new work at least twice a week on at least five different message boards. Sometimes, people would respond. Sometimes, they wouldn’t. Sometimes, they were flaming assholes, but whatever. This was a priceless way to getting my work seen, getting feedback, and meeting people. I can’t count the number of professional contacts I’ve made just because the right person was surfing my site at the right time. This is how Marvel Talent Coordinator/Writer C.B. Cebulski found me via MySpace, of all places. I was just minding my own business when he messaged me one day, saying he dug my work, and asking if I'd be interested in working with him. Crazy. You’ll be amazed.
4) Work my Ass off. Apply what I’d learned at the last con and try some new things. Build a new portfolio and get ready for the next one.
5) Hit another con. I’d hit two conventions a year. Once every six months, roughly. Being from the south, going to these shows usually required an expensive trek out of state, so this gave me plenty of time to save the necessary cash, as well as produce a whole new portfolio of work for each con. Simple enough idea. Added bonus of hitting these cons regularly was that I became a face to creators. People remembered me and my work, often to the point that many of those folks are now good friends.
And that was it, really. I paid some dues by doing a bunch of non-paying indy stuff for guys I’d meet at the cons. Eventually, there was a snowball effect, and that free work became paying gigs as my work got better. Simple as that. Approaches and results may vary.
It's very odd how this stuff comes back around. FYI: C.B. was the guy that introduced me to Tokyopop President Jeremy Ross at a San Diego bar. Of course, Ross then hired me to work with Brandon Jerwa on a never-released pilot called Jason Mason. Jerwa, in turn, was the guy that referred me to John Layman, who hired me to draw CHEW.
You just never know...
Cheers,
Rob!
For those that don't know, C.B. is a writer and Talent Scout for Marvel Comics and has been doing a series of Twitter posts on Breaking into Comics. His posting of our short inspired me to share a bit of my experiences breaking in, a pretty long, but interesting ride.
I began making the push into comics around 2001, and it all started with a pretty simple plan. Now, I’m not saying this is the “Breaking-In-Plan-to-End-All-Plans”. This is just what worked for me as the 20-year-old, no-money-having, south Louisiana artist that I was at the time. My Break-In plan was cyclical and had a few different legs, as complex as that sounds. It went like this:
1) Hit a con. Walked the alleys, working past my own general awkwardness to meet, greet and get portfolio reviews from artists, editors and the occasional writer. Take note of whatever feedback I got in a sketchbook. Be polite and not too self-deprecating. Ask questions. Trade business cards for instant connection. Network!
2) Go home and Follow up. I’d email almost all of the creators that I’d meet, just as a thank-you and as a way of saying “I’m serious about doing this for a living”. Oftentimes, creators would encourage me to send them new work, and they’d respond with invaluable advice. Jim Mahfood was the first creator that did this for me, and it was a huge boost to me when things got hard. And since we’re on the subject of using the Net…
3) Post Work Online. I posted new work at least twice a week on at least five different message boards. Sometimes, people would respond. Sometimes, they wouldn’t. Sometimes, they were flaming assholes, but whatever. This was a priceless way to getting my work seen, getting feedback, and meeting people. I can’t count the number of professional contacts I’ve made just because the right person was surfing my site at the right time. This is how Marvel Talent Coordinator/Writer C.B. Cebulski found me via MySpace, of all places. I was just minding my own business when he messaged me one day, saying he dug my work, and asking if I'd be interested in working with him. Crazy. You’ll be amazed.
4) Work my Ass off. Apply what I’d learned at the last con and try some new things. Build a new portfolio and get ready for the next one.
5) Hit another con. I’d hit two conventions a year. Once every six months, roughly. Being from the south, going to these shows usually required an expensive trek out of state, so this gave me plenty of time to save the necessary cash, as well as produce a whole new portfolio of work for each con. Simple enough idea. Added bonus of hitting these cons regularly was that I became a face to creators. People remembered me and my work, often to the point that many of those folks are now good friends.
And that was it, really. I paid some dues by doing a bunch of non-paying indy stuff for guys I’d meet at the cons. Eventually, there was a snowball effect, and that free work became paying gigs as my work got better. Simple as that. Approaches and results may vary.
It's very odd how this stuff comes back around. FYI: C.B. was the guy that introduced me to Tokyopop President Jeremy Ross at a San Diego bar. Of course, Ross then hired me to work with Brandon Jerwa on a never-released pilot called Jason Mason. Jerwa, in turn, was the guy that referred me to John Layman, who hired me to draw CHEW.
You just never know...
Cheers,
Rob!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
CHEW Pre-Order Info.
A few rough "hashing-out idea" pages from my sketchbook. In this, case, I was contemplating cover ideas for Issue 1, along with general themes. For the Process Junkies. Also, a few character sketches for Issue 2.
The Diamond Pre-order code for CHEW #1 is out, so be sure to lock in your copy.
APR09 0337 Chew #1
Hit your local shops and order this sucka today. You're gonna love it.
Peace,
Rob
Saturday, February 28, 2009
FINALLY....
Finally, I can talk about this. All the secrecy and "don't show anyone" was killing me...
Alright, so the word is out. CHEW was announced yesterday at Wondercon 09 by my partner-in-crime, madman John Layman during the Image Comics Panel. And I couldn't be more excited. John and I have been working on making this the best, craziest damn comic on the face of the earth, and I'm friggin' ready to share just what it is I've been working on, because frankly, this project is the most fun I've ever had working in comics.
First, I think it's important to say that I'm not what you would call normal, either. I mean, sure, Layman's crazy, and the premise of this very book is batshit insane. That was my reaction from the second he pitched it to me. In fact, I remember the initial pitch going something like this:
Layman: "So, it's a police procedural. But taking place in a world where bird flu has killed millions, the FDA is the new Homeland Security, and there's a whole subculture that believes it's all a conspiracy. OH, and the hero's a psychic who solves cases using his psychic ability that gives him visions based on what he eats."
But here's the even crazier part: It works. By God, it freakin' works.
Enter Fan Mode:
The world that Layman has created is a wonderland of psycho chefs, shady FDA agents and a wide-ranging conspiracy plot that takes its characters everywhere. Every issue is a new turn on one big rollercoaster, and I am absolutely along for the ride. It's rich, unbelievably funny, and downright heartfelt at times. And I'm speaking as a fan that has read the first four issues worth of script. This is a book I'd buy. Something totally original and new. I think you'll dig it.
Check out the CHEW coverage so far here, here and here. There will be more to come over the next two weeks, including my Newsarama interview and an exclusive 6-page preview on Comic Book Resources. And as always, check back here for the occasional goodies, sketches and whatnots. I'll be posting the PREVIEWS pre-order code here as soon as I get it.
Until then, check out some preview art from the first 5 issues.
Peace,
Rob!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Chewed.
Character sketches for CHEW.
John Layman makes me draw the craziest crap. Love him for it.
-Rob!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Late Resolutions...
Man, I really suck at this updating thing...
Alright, so this is a few weeks late, but I figure now's as good as any time to show a few of the 09 projects I'm cracking away on. I've got three projects in development that are too early in the going to really chat about, but the stuff below is what I've got locked in so far.
1. CHEW
I've been posting the occasional peek at some of the CHEW artwork over the last few months, and I'll be revealing more until its release in May/June. We're starting it off with an initial five issue run through Image Comics, and I'm thinking there will be more to follow. My writer on this, John Layman, is a total mad genius, and I've had a blast kicking his scripts around. It's an edgier, more mature break from the kid-friendly stuff I've been dabbling in lately. Speaking of which...
2. St. Spooky's
Just finished Book 1 of Spooky's (9 issues, 4 page serialized chapters) for Random House's The DFC. This one's available via subscription only, and primarily in the UK, but US residents can order it with shipping costs attached. I'd highly recommend it. The DFC's an awesome way to get kids not only reading, but reading comics. We may be doing a Book 2 of this later in the year.
3. Teddy Scares
Yep, I'll be doing more Teddy Scares this year, too. So far, I've contributed to three issues (both on sale here, and the third will be on sale soon), and they were a blast. I'm a huge fan of infusing humor in my art, and the TS stories are always hilarious. Plus, the guys at APE have been really cool about letting me experiment with different techniques, which is always fun. For the new issue (above), I went with a dirtier, textured look.
4. Solo Project
This one, I've hinted at in a couple past posts. Keeping mum on this for now, except that 1) this'll be my first project where I'll be handling script and art, 2) it's sci-fi-based and 3) it's complete lunacy. More on this later.
5. Children's Book
This one's been a fun little break. Written by local writer Theresa Singleton, this is my first real foray into children's books, which I've thought of trying for a while. This was a great experiment with a really clean, simplified look. I'll be finishing art on this in the next couple days. After that, I'll post any info as I get it.
Also, expect a site and gallery update in the next couple months. It's time to dust off the cobwebs...
And that's it for now. Now that the New Year's blitzkrieg has settled, I'm gonna try to get back into the habit of posting new art on a weekly basis.
Fingers crossed...
Peace,
Rob!
Alright, so this is a few weeks late, but I figure now's as good as any time to show a few of the 09 projects I'm cracking away on. I've got three projects in development that are too early in the going to really chat about, but the stuff below is what I've got locked in so far.
1. CHEW
I've been posting the occasional peek at some of the CHEW artwork over the last few months, and I'll be revealing more until its release in May/June. We're starting it off with an initial five issue run through Image Comics, and I'm thinking there will be more to follow. My writer on this, John Layman, is a total mad genius, and I've had a blast kicking his scripts around. It's an edgier, more mature break from the kid-friendly stuff I've been dabbling in lately. Speaking of which...
2. St. Spooky's
Just finished Book 1 of Spooky's (9 issues, 4 page serialized chapters) for Random House's The DFC. This one's available via subscription only, and primarily in the UK, but US residents can order it with shipping costs attached. I'd highly recommend it. The DFC's an awesome way to get kids not only reading, but reading comics. We may be doing a Book 2 of this later in the year.
3. Teddy Scares
Yep, I'll be doing more Teddy Scares this year, too. So far, I've contributed to three issues (both on sale here, and the third will be on sale soon), and they were a blast. I'm a huge fan of infusing humor in my art, and the TS stories are always hilarious. Plus, the guys at APE have been really cool about letting me experiment with different techniques, which is always fun. For the new issue (above), I went with a dirtier, textured look.
4. Solo Project
This one, I've hinted at in a couple past posts. Keeping mum on this for now, except that 1) this'll be my first project where I'll be handling script and art, 2) it's sci-fi-based and 3) it's complete lunacy. More on this later.
5. Children's Book
This one's been a fun little break. Written by local writer Theresa Singleton, this is my first real foray into children's books, which I've thought of trying for a while. This was a great experiment with a really clean, simplified look. I'll be finishing art on this in the next couple days. After that, I'll post any info as I get it.
Also, expect a site and gallery update in the next couple months. It's time to dust off the cobwebs...
And that's it for now. Now that the New Year's blitzkrieg has settled, I'm gonna try to get back into the habit of posting new art on a weekly basis.
Fingers crossed...
Peace,
Rob!
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