With just a week and a half left, I should probably announce
that I'll be at New York Comic Con on October 9th-12th, set up in artist alley
at table D12. I'll have my usual offerings there--copies of the "Bodie
Troll" trade paperback, prints, original artwork, comic pages, and I'll be
taking commissions all weekend. Rumor has it Bodie Troll and his pal Cholly will
be at the show too. Find me at D12 and find out for yourself!
Besides the con, there is another very significant purpose
for this trip, something that I've waited a lifetime to accomplish, and had
almost given up hope that it would ever come to be.
I'll be visiting the Jim Henson Company.
Through the kindness and generosity of Karen Falk (archivist
for The Jim Henson Company), I'm getting a personal tour. If I ever had a
bucket list, this was the only thing on it. Regardless of what the rest of the
weekend holds--and I have high hopes for the con and my time spent in
Manhattan--I'll board my flight back to Michigan with a smile on my face,
knowing the once again, Jim Henson put it there.
Switching gears from promoting my comics to creating them,
I've been very productive these past few months. I wrapped up my illustration
work on "My Little Pony: Friends Forever" issue #11 two weeks ago. It
was a fun challenge to contribute to this highly recognizable and much
appreciated series, and I'm pleased with the results. The comic comes out
November 19th in comic shops worldwide. I've posted this before, but here's another peek at my cover (and check out the cutie mark on the purple Pegasus on top):
I was one of many contributors to a crime comic anthology
called "Unlawful Good". The book is edited by Heather Antos, who
spearheaded a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund it. At present, they're
still accepting donations for even more bells and whistles on this already
incredible book, so consider contributing here if you'd like to be a part of its success. My story, which I wrote and drew, is called "Man of a Thousand
Faces", and it's a darkly comical 50's noir detective story. It's unlike
anything I've ever done before, and I'm extremely proud of it, and of the book
as a whole. Here's a sneak peek:
I've also been hard at work on the next issue of "Bodie
Troll", which will kick off an all new four-issue mini series. This first
issue introduces a new character to Bodie's world, and expands the underlying
mythology of the comic. It's going to be filled with laughs, suspense, and no
shortage of fun. The first issue will come out next spring, coinciding with
Free Comic Book Day. It's already been written and drawn, and I'm coloring it
as we speak. Here's a sneak peek:
Speaking of which, Bodie will be the headliner of Red 5's
Free Comic Book Day issue next year, being featured on the cover, and taking
part in an all new adventure. I'm working on that one right now, and it's going
to be a (gasp) ROMANTIC FARCE! Never thought you'd see Bodie in a love story?
Neither did HE!
That's it for now, friends. Count on seeing photos upon my
return from New York, and more Bodie news to come!
Jay
