LAST BLOG POST OF 2011

I know that towards the end of 2011, my posts have gotten more infrequent. I think that's connected to my workload, which slows down considerably around winter. Less work means less to report on. I do appreciate everyone who's kept up with what news there has been. This being my last post of 2011, I'll give you a run down of what you can expect in 2012.

• DEAD DUCK: I launched my web comic on Halloween of 2011, and have been re-posting all my old Dead Duck stories ever since. Readership has been small but steady, with a reliable group of people who comment on the comic almost every time I post a new page. I'd like to see that group grow in 2012, which would assure that I continue Dead Duck after the old stories have run their course. If you want to help, please spread the word for people to check out Dead Duck at this link. I feel there's plenty more Dead Duck stories to tell. Let me know that you still want to hear 'em.

• NECRONOMICOMICS: Since July of 2011, I've been blissfully plugging away at this single panel cartoon. My editors have been pleased with them, and it seems I still have a home for my horror-spoof comic at Rue Morgue Magazine for the coming year. You can help assure my comic's future by picking up a copy of Rue Morgue at the first of each month, available at Barnes and Noble and most major bookstores. But that's just half the job. I also need you folks to write in and make sure Rue Morgue knows how much you enjoy and support Necronomicomics. And with the digital revolution that's overtaking publishing, it wouldn't hurt to suggest to the editor that they start running Necronomicomics as a web comic. I've put that bug in their ear already. It's up to you to poke it with a stick and send it scurrying. Here's the fella you guys should contact:   DAVE ALEXANDER (Editor in Chief) dave@rue-morgue.com  Let's keep Necronomicomics alive (or at least undead) and get it run online in 2012!

 

• LITTLE GREEN MEN: 2012 draws a close to my writing and drawing of the all-ages comic for Ape Entertainment. The final graphic novel comes out on January 25th, and you can order it here. It's been a fun few years working on the book, and this last installment is a fun way to round out the series. But Little Green Men isn't my last gasp of kids comics for Aoe. Not by a long shot...

 

• DINO DUCK: This is another kids comic Ape has had me writing and drawing for the past year. It's about a duck in prehistoric times, and has absolutely no relation or connection to my Dead Duck (For one, Dino Duck is a kids book, while Dead Duck is anything but). I'm down to creating the last seven pages, and then it'll be sent to the printer. This may actually be the first mention of the book anywhere, so no official release date has been set, though I assume it'll be at the tail end of 2012. Once this book's done, I'm actually beginning another all ages comic for Ape that I can't even mention yet. I'll be writing and drawing it as usual, and I'm developing the character designs as we speak. Count on seeing that one in 2013.

 

•  BODIE TROLL: My plans for releasing Bodie in 2012 were a bit premature. I have had a completed script written for months now, and I have a couple sketchbooks loaded with notes and character designs. But I'm not absolutely confident that everything is as ready as I want it to be. So I plan on developing the book further, and will report any news when I think I've finally got it all locked down.

 

• CONVENTIONS:  I may not be hitting as many shows as I did last year, mostly for financial reasons. It's a rare circumstance when I do any better than break even at a con, and right now, I'm counting every penny I pull in. However, I'm already socking away for one major convention for sure. The San Diego Comic Con is the biggest convention in the world, and for the first time, I'm going. My main goal is to meet as many publishers and pros as I can with my portfolio and pitches firmly in hand, so I won't be in artists alley. However, since I'm a member of The National Cartoonists Society, I've been told by my pal Greg Evans (creator of the comic strip Luann) that I can hang out at the NCS booth and sell my wares there for awhile. Plus, I imagine I'll put in some time at the Ape booth if time allows. It's going to be a whirlwind to plan and a whirlwind to do, but I think it's the best way to assure a sunny forecast for my career.

 

So that's what's on the books for 2012. Anything else that's to come is as much a surprise to me as it is you, and I look forward to it. I'll leave it here with some of the last drawings I did in 2011. Happiest of New Years to all you kids, and thanks for sticking with me!

The 2011 Christmas card I did for my friends, Jason and Renee Hedgcock. They've been two of my closest pals since college, and I'm honored that they have me draw their card each year.

A family portrait that Jason and Renee had me draw for their extended family as a Christmas present.

A commission I received to draw The Black Cat, a sexy villain from the Spider-Man comics.

An artistic experiment I did, once again combining my cartooning with my photography.

A piece I just did for fun, lampooning 80's cartoon characters Jem and Slimer.

 And lastly, this piece I drew of Kitty Pryde and Sabertooth, from the X-Men Comics. This is part of an art trade I did for Ryan Ruffatti, who built the comicpress site that hosts Dead Duck.

--Jay

NEWS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A MONTH AND A HALF!

I'm sorry for month and a half delay since my last post. I've been playing catch up with commissions and deadlines all this time, and both my blog updates and Live Sketch Show had to take a backseat. But things have slowed down a bit, and I'm finally able to get back to business!

To begin, my LIVE SKETCH SHOW returns tonight at 8 pm eastern time. One thing I haven't had time to do during my absence is to draw just for the fun of it. So that's tonight's theme. I have two ideas I've wanted to illustrate for awhile now, one a mash up of two 80's cartoon icons, and the other a loose parody of a 70's Saturday morning cartoon. That will be what's on the drawing board, so no requests will be taken tonight, but you're encouraged to tune in and chat it up with me while I draw. You can reach me during the show via Ustream's chat window. You need to log in to Ustream to use the window, but registering is easy. It only takes a username and an email address. Once you've entered that info, you can chat with me all you want. I hope to see you all there!

Next up, I hope you're all faithfully following my DEAD DUCK WEB COMIC. Though you may think you're familiar with this current run of stories, there's plenty of brand new trivia with each page I post that should keep you interested and anxious for the next installment! Plus, by this time next year, there should be all new Dead Duck stories to share. So stick with Dead Duck, and be sure to tell me what you think of the comic!

December marks my fifth month working on "NECRONOMICOMICS", my monthly horror movie-themed cartoon that runs in Rue Morgue Magazine. I'm still having an absolute blast drawing it, and Rue Morgue has been incredible to work for. I've posted some of my recent installments below for you to check out. Be sure to look for it in each issue of Rue Morgue, available in a bookstore near you!

For those unaware, the cartoons parody (top to bottom) John Carpenter's The Thing (1982), Predator (1987) and Splice (2010). It could be argued that these three are as much sci fi movies as horror, but to me, that's like calling Frankenstein sci fi. So let's call a spade a spade and use it to bury the dead--until they rise again!

Lastly, for those interested in what's been keeping me busy this past month and a half, I've posted some of my recent commissions below:

 This was a commission where I was asked to draw Dead Duck on a date with the Pagan goddess Eostre and the Greek goddess Nyx. I thought drawing them as Betty and Veronica andand Dead Duck as Archie would be a hoot!

 This was a commission for my friend Char of she and her husband as Linus and Sally from "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown".

A commission for a fellow who asked me to draw he and his friend alongside vampire hunter Peter Vincent from the movie "Fright Night"(1985). The Coke cans and Chef Boyardee pizza kit were an inside joke he requested I include, but I liked those little details even without understanding them.

This was a commission from a friend who asked me I draw her brother and sister-in-law as characters from the sci fi movie Dune (1982). They're trying to have a baby, so she asked me to include the infant-to-be as another Dune character. I purposefully made the baby nondescript (yet still cute) so it fit whatever sex the baby turns out to be. 

A Scooby Doo and Shaggy commission from the same fellow who requested the "Fright Night" piece. I drew him as Shaggy.

This is a piece I drew for cartoonist Jon Morris' Marvel Universe Too What If blog where artists were asked to re-interpret popular Marvel characters. The colors on this piece were done by my good friend and talented artist Evan "Doc" Shaner.

 This was a birthday card I drew for my friend and fellow cartoonist Katie Cook, who, besides being wicked talented, is also a fan of the recent animated reboot of My Little Pony.

This last one is the holiday card I made from Laura and I. Our families have already received theirs, and are probably still scratching their heads in confusion. It's weird, it's silly, it's us.

To the rest of you, if I don't post again before Christmas hits, all my best to you and yours during the holidays season! I hope to have big news for you in 2012, with lots more artistic lunacy to come!

--Jay

DEAD DUCK RISES FROM THE GRAVE ON HALLOWEEN!!!

I love Halloween with every fiber of my dark, tormented soul! And the best treat I can offer you folks on this blissfully horrific occasion is a damp, pulpy slice of my own twisted imagination...

 

My "Dead Duck" web comic rampages through villages at the stroke of midnight on Halloween! I will be reprinting every "Dead Duck" story I ever created, running a new page every Monday and Thursday for the coming year, with each page featuring loads of behind the scenes trivia about "Dead Duck"! Then, by this time next year, I'll switch things up and begin running all new "Dead Duck" stories once a week! You can click on the image above and be taken to the comic! Or, if you just want to bookmark the comic so you can follow it regularly (like bran cereal, "Dead Duck" will keep you regular), just go to: www.jayfosgitt.com/deadduckcomic

Of course, I'm banking on my undead legions of fans who already know about "Dead Duck" to provide me with a hell of a great audience! But I'm just as eager to recruit new readers into my cult following (as cults go, we tend to sacrifice pizza and worship the fleece deities of Jim Henson). Here's all you need to know about "Dead Duck":

• Dead Duck is a minion of Death, and he delivers the souls of the deceased with the aid of his sidekick, Zombie Chick.

• Death, or as he's formally know, J.P. Yorick, runs RIP Inc., an importer and exporter of the dead, from his hometown of Rigormortitropolis, The City of the Dead. 

• This comic is a mix of horror, humor and pop culture. But don't let the cartoony facade fool you--this ain't for kids. I take no responsibility for any poop, boobies, swear words, or pop culture references that go way over your heads that may warp your fragile young psyche. You have been warned.

For a more concise run-down of "Dead Duck's" plot, characters and flavor, check out the "Dead Duck" section of my website.

I'm counting on your viewership to make "Dead Duck" an even bigger hit than ever! Spread the word about the comic, and feel free to ask me questions or leave me feedback! I can't wait to re-introduce everyone to the creepy/cool/comical world of "Dead Duck"! See you at midnight, kids!

--Jay

 

NEW SHOW AND NEW WEB COMIC!

It's Halloween week, and my studio is thick with the fun, creepy vibes that are so crucial to this wonderful holiday--I've got several old Halloween specials looping on my computer, intercut with some of my favorite horror flicks, all while I work on "Dead Duck" and "Necronomicomics", two creations of mine that owe much to my love of Halloween! So I'm in a fine mood, and ready to share a few chunks of good news with you guys!

After a two-week hiatus, tonight at 8 pm eastern time, my Live Sketch Show returns! And in tribute to this glorious holiday week and my own comic creation, tonight's theme will be DEAD DUCK MEETING FAMOUS MONSTERS! I'll be sketching my characters with those big baddies from pop culture as you suggest them! You can reach me during the show via Ustream's chat window. You need to log in to Ustream to use the window, but registering is easy. It only takes a username and an email address. Once you've entered that info, you can chat with me and suggest characters to be drawn. Just like always, I'll have loads of useless trivia and my own brand of quirky humor to inject (or infect) into each sketch I create! I hope to see you all there!

And speaking of "Dead Duck", at the stroke of midnight on Halloween, I'll be launching my brand new DEAD DUCK WEB COMIC! To begin, I'll be re-running all my old "Dead Duck" comics with some little tweaks and spit-polish, accompanied by some fun trivia for every page I run. Then once those have run their course, I'll have all new "Dead Duck" stories ready to go this time next year! My intention is to introduce new fans to my comic while keeping my old ones interested, and I believe what I've come up with will do the job! "Dead Duck" will run new pages on Mondays and Thursdays, so be sure to bookmark my comic and check' em out! And if you happen to be visiting my website, I'll have a direct link on my homepage, since that's where I'm hosting the comic! You're gonna love it, I promise!

Lastly, I just got back from The Mid Ohio Con as a guest of Wizard World, and I had an incredible time! So many good friends to hang with, lots of great fans, and Columbus is a really cool town to hold a con in! I do have a bunch of photos I wanted to post, but my camera and my computer aren't getting along, so it may be awhile before I can share 'em. But when I can, you'll see more con sketches than your weary eyes can fathom!

So check out my show tonight, and the launch of "Dead Duck" on Halloween! Big hugs, lots of candy, and scary fun for one and all, my friends!

--Jay

Something sweet to tide you over 'til halloween...

Hey kids! I've got a few chunks of newsy goodness for you (and I don't mean that horrible Disney musical from the 90's. That's a chunk of something else, and you don't want it)...

There will be no Live Sketch Show this week, as I'm busy getting caught up with assignments, commissions, and con appearances. And speaking of which...

I'll be appearing this weekend at The Mid Ohio Comic Con, and you can find me at table #1034! I'll be taking commissions, selling comics and prints, and looking forward to seeing my Ohio fans once again! Click on the link for more information! Hope to see you there!

Lastly, this Halloween will mark the grand unveiling of my new DEAD DUCK WEB COMIC! It's going to be hosted through my website, and I'll have a link to it very soon. In the meantime, mark your calendars, and I'll have more info for you next week!

--Jay

THE DETROIT FANFARE AND MY LIVE SKETCH SHOW COMETH!

Two cool things happening this week that you'll want to check out...

First up, my Live Sketch Show returns this Wednesday, September 21st, at 8 pm eastern time, which you can visit at the link. Riding on the success of the last show's theme, this week is a continuation of animated Disney characters, so come prepared to offer your favorites from Disney's TV and movies as suggestions. If you're unfamiliar with my online show, you can talk to me via Ustream's chat window. You need to log in to Ustream to use the window, but registering is easy. It only takes a username and an email address. Once you've entered that info, you can chat with me and suggest characters to be drawn. Just like always, I'll have loads of useless trivia and my own brand of quirky humor to inject (or infect) into each sketch I create!

But the BIG thing going down this week is Detroit Fanfare, Michigan's biggest and most comic-centric comic con, which lands this September 24th and 25th at Cobo Hall in downtown Detroit. For the second year running I'll have a table there, where I'll be selling copies of my sketchbook and Dead Duck graphic novel, as well as taking commissions, selling original art, and unveiling some new prints exclusive to Fanfare! Saturday night after the con is The Shel Dorf Awards, which is a ceremony celebrating those in the field of comics. I'm nominated for two categories--best letterer, and best kid's comic, both for my work on Little Green Men. I'm also a presenter for the Best Syndicated Print Strip of the Year category! So check out the link for info on the awards, and come if you can. It's going to be a blast!  

I wouldn't be much of a cartoonist if I posted this entry without an illustration. So here's a sneak preview of my new Dead Duck story that I'm working on--and I do mean SNEAK...

 Intrigued much?

Hope to hear from you on Wednesday's show, and this weekend at Detroit Fanfare!

--JAY