"That's All Vokes!"

Famous Monsters Loves Flesh & Blood!

2011-11-11T00:18:00.001-05:00

"The monsters in the story, especially, are a feast for the eyes. These aren’t the cuddly vampires and werewolves of TWILIGHT; these monsters can rip your face off. They’re burly sharp-edged bundles of blood, spit, fur, and viscera. Give credit to the creators for making these classic monsters fearsome again."

Five Questions with Bill Nichols

2011-11-02T16:04:00.000-04:00

Click on the pic above for a link to Bill's "5 Q-Squared" ...;o)

VOKES / TINNELL / REDFIELD-BOOK SIGNING-BALTIMORE-Nov. 12th!

2011-11-02T12:27:00.003-04:00

VOKES AND TINNELL SIGNING IN BALTIMORE AT COLLECTOR'S CORNER NOV. 12TH, 2011!

Neil Vokes and Robert Tinnell will be at Baltimore's finest comic shop signing copies of their new graphic novel FLESH AND BLOOD on Saturday, November 12th from 2PM to 5PM!

Actor/writer/publisher/painter/bon vivant Mark Redfield will be there also to lend moral support, security to protect Neil from his rabid fans, and signing his newly released monster magazine Monsterpalooza!

If you're in Baltimore that Saturday (and if Tinnell and Vokes are, you should be, too!) come on by Collector's Corner and say hello!

Collector's Corner is located at 7911 Harford Road.

USA TODAY DIGS FLESH & BLOOD!

2011-10-27T12:55:00.003-04:00

More rave reviews for Flesh & Blood!

From USA TODAY:

"The book opens with Frazetta-like blood-red eyes before focusing on the voluptuous victim of doomed Carmilla in pale moonlight. She's in bed. Alone and vulnerable. And then … It's scary stuff, the pace is breakneck, the writing smart and the result is something you've never seen before in comic books - a vampire tale told with genuine suspense, intelligence and cinema-like edits."

From Exploitation Retrospect:

"Like previous collaborations with each other and others (THE BLACK FOREST, THE WICKED WEST, FACELESS, SIGHT UNSEEN, PARLIAMENT OF JUSTICE, THE LIVING AND THE DEAD), Tinnell and Vokes have delivered another blast of prose and graphics with pages that drip with their enthusiasm and love for all things horror. Not merely an homage to the days when the House of Hammer ruled the genre, FLESH & BLOOD is a fitting continuation of the sagas we never wanted to see end."

FLESH & BLOOD UNLEASHED!

2011-10-26T14:27:00.000-04:00

Billy Bob Thornton poses with Flesh & Blood and a couple other fellas...;o)

FLESH & BLOOD:the Hammer & Beyond review!

2011-10-16T22:58:00.002-04:00

Holger Haase of the HAMMER AND BEYOND blog has followed up his Flesh & Blood interviews with Bob Tinnell and I with this great review of the book itself- thanks,pal!

FLESH & BLOOD:The Interviews-Hammer & Beyond!

2011-10-10T00:39:00.000-04:00

Click on my pic for an interview about FLESH and BLOOD on Holger Haase's
HAMMER AND BEYOND blog!

...then on Bob's pic for a followup with him and then yet another at The Morton Report with Bill Baker!

IT'S ALIVE! Flesh & Blood #1 Arises!

2011-10-07T17:49:00.000-04:00

Artist and Monsterverse co founder,Kerry Gammill,holds up a freshly minted copy of FLESH & BLOOD #1! It will be in stores on Oct. 19th...this is very exciting,Vokes Folks...a long time coming...;o)

Ursula Sketchbook Kickstarter Fundraiser

2011-10-03T15:47:00.004-04:00

The finished piece by me and Bill Nichols...

and my pencils...

Please check out the site and consider donating-you'll get a cool little sketchbook
with artistslike Gary Barker, Steven Howard, Chris Noeth, Rudy Garcia, FredLang,myself and others.

The Great Allentown Comic Con!

2011-09-22T14:00:00.001-04:00

The Lehigh Valley's Largest Comic & Pop Culture Convention!

The Great Allentown Comic Con is the valley's largest comic & pop culture convention. As always, we are working hard to bring you an awesome show with talented artists, guests, dealers, family fun events, and great prizes! Keep checking back for new & upcoming show news or sign up for our newsletter at info@allentowncomiccon.com.

Scranton Comic Book Con!

2011-09-18T12:01:00.001-04:00

Hope to see you Sunday,Sept. 25th at the Scranton Con,my friends!

FLESH & BLOOD & VOKES!

2011-09-13T02:22:00.003-04:00

Click on the image of Carmilla above to read my interview with Bill Baker on The Morton Report -
and click Carmilla's name to read the original novella by J. Sheridan LeFanu...;o)

EAGLE:THE ORIGINAL ADVENTURES-IN STORES! 9.28 !

2011-09-09T22:37:00.004-04:00

My good buddy,Jim has confirmed that Eagle:The Original Adventures Vol 1 will be in stores on 9/28/11...WOO-HOO!

Parliament of Justice

2011-09-09T16:06:00.000-04:00

A little trip back thru my history...PARLIAMENT OF JUSTICE- the book that changed my career!

click on the image for a neat old review of the book that I almost passed up...;o)

Women of Wonder Day 2011!

2011-08-16T18:56:00.002-04:00

The charity formerly known as Wonder Woman Day has been changed to Women of Wonder Day - click on the name and check out the website.

From 2006-2010, five WONDER WOMAN DAY events raised over $110,000 for Domestic Violence charity programs!

It's an important cause and I hope you consider bidding on some of the wonderful art the various artists will be donating (that includes my 3 pieces of course...;o)

This third was inked by Tom Schloendorn...;o)

BALTIMORE COMIC * CON 2011!

2011-08-05T16:46:00.000-04:00

It's that time again! August 20th-21st at the Baltimore Convention Center,on the Inner Harbor! Hope you'll join all of my fellow comic book pros and all the wonderful fans that help keep us working in this crazy biz of ours...;o)

http://baltimorecomiccon.com/

FLESH & BLOOD:THE TRAILER!

2011-07-19T14:25:00.003-04:00

CLICK ON PAGE ABOVE TO SEE THE TRAILER!

2011-07-18T18:43:00.001-04:00

FLESH & BLOOD #1: THE COVER!

2011-07-18T12:53:00.003-04:00

Presenting the cover to FnB #1 by artist Dan Brereton (who will be doing all 4 covers)

and a great big gory thanks to FANGORIA for sharing the news with everyone!

Ten Questions with Comic Book Artist Neil Vokes!

2011-07-17T16:06:00.000-04:00

Check out Dread Central's interview with me about Flesh & Blood...

FLESH & BLOOD Preorder Now!

2011-07-14T09:33:00.001-04:00

You can now pre-order FnB #1 through Diamond Previews: JUL111158 FLESH AND BLOOD GN VOL 01 !

FLESH & BLOOD Panel at the SDCC!

2011-07-12T10:49:00.002-04:00

Mike McMahon - Brit Legend!

2011-06-18T16:40:00.000-04:00

Some lovely pencils from McMahon and an inked panel from same...

And again...

Wizard World appearances!

2011-06-13T17:32:00.000-04:00

I just added several con appearances to my humble schedule!
Wizard World Cons has invited me to their New England show this Sept. and to next year's NYC and Philly shows!
This is great considering I'll be promoting the FLESH & BLOOD books within this next year and they should be a good showcase for the books-
I'm also returning to one of my favorite cons this Aug. in Baltimore-I love this show and look forward to it every year- just click on the highlights and you'll be able to get all the info...hope to see you all there!

TERRY SHARP: Damned To Darkness!

2011-06-09T13:29:00.001-04:00

Bob Tinnell & Adrian Salmon doing a new Terry Sharp story ...that alone is enough reason for you to head right over to the Blog!

FLESH AND BLOOD! (update)

2011-05-31T15:24:00.001-04:00

FLESH AND BLOOD-from the Monsterverse- will be up for ordering in the JULY PREVIEWS magazine from Diamond. This is a 4-BOOK GRAPHIC NOVEL series out in time for Halloween. Please let your shops know you want this book!

FLESH & BLOOD/Monsterverse!

2011-04-30T15:29:00.000-04:00

Click on the above image for a nice talk with Monsterverse's Sam Park about their flagship title Bela Lugosi's TALES FROM THE GRAVE and it's 2nd ish (with a story from Jack Herman and myself) and a mention of FLESH & BLOOD:
"Somehow Bob and Neil channel the best of everything and have created a comic that reads like the most fantastic horror film that you never knew you MUST see."

EAGLE: THE ORIGINAL ADVENTURES-order now!

2011-03-18T23:10:00.003-04:00

EAGLE:THE ORIGINAL ADVENTURES

We only have a couple days more,my friends- MARCH 24th -please preorder the reprint now...thanks...;o)

EAGLE:THE ORIGINAL ADVENTURES-on sale now!

2011-03-06T12:17:00.002-05:00

If you click on the subject header of this post you'll get a link to the Moonstone site-you can preorder the book there as well as the other places such as Diamond,Westfield,etc or whichever online you prefer (tho you can also tell your fave retailer to preorder them...;o)

EAGLE! Preorder now...please...;o)

2011-03-02T08:14:00.004-05:00

Please preorder the book now (click on cover above or use link below)- there is a base total of orders needed to print the book- sad but true- so let's show Moonstone that my fans are as passionate about this book as they've been telling me for years now...thanks!*

http://heavyink.com/graphic_novel/20279-Eagle-Original-Adventures-Vol-1

*And now a message from the guy who made this reprint possible (no,seriously-if not for Jim,it would NOT have happened)

Hi folks,

If you are ordering Eagle from your local retailer – come armed with the item code: MAR111192 F EAGLE ORIGINAL ADVENTURES TP VOL 01.
And ask them about the ordering incentive. Qualifying retailers will have nifty hand-drawn Eagle sketches for supporting the title with their Previews orders.

Best,
Jim Kuhoric

Dr. Strange-reviews

2011-02-28T10:36:00.002-05:00

A few quotes from several reviews of the Dr Strange-From the Marvel Vault book...

"When you think of a Dr Strange story, there are certain tropes you want to see on the page... Stern and Vokes deliver these story aspects in spades.This is Strange created the way you want him to be, like getting The Eagles to play Hotel California on repeat when you catch them in concert."

Ryan K. Lindsay --CBR

"This one-shot won't change the world. But it did cheer up my evening. And that's not bad for a story we might never have seen."

Too Dangerous For A Girl

"The Bad? ...Nada! Zilch! This issue is perfection, and I am just glad Marvel brought it out of the vault for us to enjoy."

Comic Vine

"Doctor Strange: From the Marvel Vault conjures up 5 stars out of 5. It's beyond solid."

Comic Vine

"All in all this issue is a great buy and a good story, and leaves you satisfied in the end. Even if you’ve never read Doctor Strange, like me, I suggest you give this book a read."

The Noob News

"There are several reasons why I liked this comic a lot. First, it's well drawn by Neil Vokes and Jay Geldhof. They manage to capture the feel of original Dr. Strange artist Steve Ditko without actually copying his style. The look is fresh, imaginative and lots of fun."

Chuck's Comic of the Day

...golly...;o)

It's Here! Doctor Strange - From the Marvel Vaults!

2011-02-02T15:28:00.003-05:00

It's finally here! After 12 years on the Marvel shelves,it's been dusted off,given a nice paint job and unleashed on the masses-get your copy today at comic shops near you...;o)

And check out my interview with Tom Mason also...;o)

Flesh & Blood...a taste

2011-01-06T19:18:00.000-05:00

I know...I know...

...I'm such a tease...;o)

TALES FROM THE GRAVE!

2010-12-08T16:54:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTn4tPcTnMc

Dr Strange:From the Marvel Vault - interview

2010-12-06T13:29:00.000-05:00

Interview at Comix 411

DR. STRANGE: From the Marvel Vault #1!

2010-11-11T23:03:00.001-05:00

Marvel is pleased to announce Doctor Strange: From The Marvel Vault #1, a new story about one of the most important missions of the sorcerer’s career! Written by legendary creator Roger Stern and penciled by artist extraordinaire Neil Vokes, this lost work chronicles the Sorcerer Supreme’s first night in his Greenwich Village brownstone...and his first mystical encounter there!

ON SALE FEBRUARY 2011!

Enter the MONSTERVERSE!

2010-10-19T16:18:00.000-04:00

http://monsterverse.com/grave/newsrelease.html

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=248100&id=118838267124

ATTENTION EAGLE FANS!

2010-08-31T12:00:00.000-04:00

It occurred to me that one of the most enduring things about my involvement with EAGLE was the passion I saw from our fans - they wrote great fan letters to us,sent wonderful artwork (Bill Nichols and Troy Nixey are but two of the talented folk who have gone on to bigger and better things) and to this day I hear kind words about the comic (and pleas of "when are you doing a new book?!") here on FB or at cons.

With that in mind I thought that it would be very cool to have quotes from those fans - their memories of reading it - in the reprint itself - after all it was their support and encouragement that kept us going thru those independent comic days of yore (and still does)

So please, EAGLE fans one and all, send me your thoughts on the comic, either thru the FB message/mail (not in a comment thread to this, please) and/or my email addy - ndv45@comcast.net - I cannot guarantee that all of them will be used (and probably they'll be edited depending on length) in the 1st volume, but if all goes well and we sell enough copies, they WILL be used eventually in future volumes...So start writing, my friends - I look forward to reading them...;o)

New Stuff: Batman vs Dracula!

2010-07-30T15:14:00.002-04:00

Let me tell you a story...

I did a 4 page sample back in the late '80s-while still freshly ensconced in the professional comics biz- of the Mike Mignola Batman (from GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT) vs another of my numerous takes on Count Dracula.

The sample got me NO work-at least on Batman (curses!) - but recently-upon straightening up my studio-i found the scans i made of the 4 pages (the originals...don't know) and was reminded that i always wanted to finish them someday...

...then I was asked recently to donate a Batman drawing to a Spanish Batman Art Exhibit - very honored to be included,I tried to come up with an idea-I know...Batman vs Dracula-YEAH- it was only later that i stumbled onto the idea of finishing the opening page of these samples for the Exhibit - perfect!

I began with the original scan from the '80s and then redrew a few things on the light board - then I inked it and did a inkwash over that...

...I hope you like what I came up with below...;o)

Bats All...Vokes!

New Stuff...Gorgo vs Suicide Squad!

2010-07-29T02:11:00.004-04:00

A Suicide Squad/Task Force X vs Gorgo commission for the same fella who wanted the team fighting the LOST CONTINENT creatures...step by step...

That's All...Vokes...;o)

TRAILER TRASH!

2010-07-23T16:40:00.001-04:00

No- I'm not dissin' my trashy pals- this is a film trailer event in Northfield,NJ tonight...;o)

Please drop by the "Trailer Trash" event at the Tilton 9 theater this evening at 8:30pm - I'll be there with my trusty companion (and ace colorist) Tor...uhm...Tom Smith signing autographs and doing sketches along with a slew of other special guests!

Walpurgis Knight: new stuff!

2010-07-02T14:59:00.005-04:00

This story was done for the upcoming BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE
anthology from the Monsterverse (and Kerry Gammill) in issue two I believe...;o)

It was written and co-created by my ol' buddy Jack Herman.

It concerns a mysterious Lucha Libre wrestler by the name of Walpurgis Knight (inspired by the classic El Santo and Blue Demon films)

Here you'll see a few of the pages and their steps from pencils to inks (I don't wish to spoil all the surprises in the tale.)

The finished story will also have colors from Tom Smith.

Baltimore Comic-Con '10!

2010-06-08T09:42:00.002-04:00

New Stuff: Curse of the Vessel

2010-06-03T22:07:00.003-04:00

My young friend,artist Danny Kelly,is working on his 1st book- CURSE OF THE VESSEL -and asked if I'd be willing to do a pin up for it- as I'm a very accommodating and generous artist (translation: a raving egotist) I agreed- here then are the various stages of the piece...

New Stuff: Certified-the comic book

2010-06-03T21:30:00.009-04:00

I was asked to draw a partial,fake comic for a short film that was similar to the old EC Comics of the 1950s.

This was a lot of fun because I really enjoyed those old books and the artists who drew them.

Here are the various stages of layouts, pencils & inks by me - colors and letters by Tom Smith & Anthony Schiavino.

Dio is dead...Long Live Dio...Long Live Rock & Roll...

2010-05-17T08:07:00.004-04:00

...R.I.P
Ronnie James Dio
1942-2010

FRANK FRAZETTA...R.I.P.

2010-05-11T10:02:00.005-04:00

You will be missed,Mr Frazetta...by your fans especially,I think...you reached thousands of us and touched some of us very deeply with your art...affecting all that we did within our own works...

...Rest in Peace,sir ...;o)

PS- I of course claim no rights on these pieces- I only wish to share his talent with others- thanks ...;o)

New Stuff: Flesh & Blood #1 pages

2010-04-12T21:41:00.005-04:00

These are reworked pages from #1.

I was going over the art and realized I was doing inferior work...so,I tweaked some pages and totally redrew others (and had to "bleach" out the inkwash- on those panels i kept from the 1st version- which was making Matt's colors muddy)

...and we have some new color pages by ace colorist Matt Webb...

...just a tease,Vokes Folks...

til next time...

That's All,Vokes!

ZOMBIE BOMB! (anthology on sale!)

2010-03-30T09:50:00.006-04:00

You may recall my mentioning the zombie story i worked on with old buddy Jack Herman recently - well,the book - ZOMBIE BOMB! - is finally available!

clik on the page above to go to the Terminal Press site and grab some copies- then bring them to the Pittsburgh ComiCon the weekend of April 23-25th to have me - and any other attending creators who worked on it - sign it!

Blue Line Pro Sketch Card Event for Cancer 2010!

2010-03-29T10:07:00.003-04:00

Some people talk about doing something to help; others actually take steps to make it a reality. And with a little help, big things can happen.

Such is the case with the Blue Line Pro Sketch Card Event Cancer, an annual auction that benefits Relay for Life. Over the past two years, the event has pulled in over $15,000 as hundreds of artists mostly from the comics industry have donated their talents and contributed baseball card-sized pieces of artwork for auction.

In 2008, Robert W. Hickey, founder of Blue Line Pro, a leading, started the Event and dedicated it to his wife’s recent bout with cancer. Blue Line Pro, a leading producer of comic book paper products, also make and distribute sketch cards, which are sent out to artists to produce small pieces of artwork.

Past contributors have included some of the comic book industry’s leading professionals including: David Mack, Steve Rude, Dick Giordano, Joe Staton, Todd Nauck, Jimmy Palmiotti, Jim Valentino, Neil Vokes, Don Perlin, David Michael Beck, and hundreds of others. The auction this year promises to include some of the same as well as some new faces.

I'm proud to say I am one of those individuals again.

The auction of the cards will end on May 22, 2010.

The Comics for Cures website, www.comicsforcures.com, will provide a link to the auction on eBay the week before.

Dick Giordano R.I.P.

2010-03-27T14:31:00.007-04:00

This is very sad news - like a beloved uncle dying - one of the greatest perks in becoming a pro in this industry was getting to know several of the guys i admired growing up- Dick was one of these.

As a hopeful comic artist back in the mid '80s i had many meetings with comics pros (trying to get work or at least advice)- one such meeting was with this man at DC Comics- he was already a legend at that point so just meeting him was an honor - he was attentive,friendly, helpful and just a nice guy- considering i was literally nobody (with little actual talent at that point) he was more than gracious (he spent a good hour with me)

Over time,after getting work at Comico Comics,i met up with Dick several more times (and his right hand "man" Pat Bastienne-she was also gracious and later in his life,she was the one who "yelled" at Dick what people were saying because he was quite hard of hearing) including picking him up and driving him to a Comico party (i was both honored and scared to death-what if i should get Dick Giordano killed in a car crash- just how i wanna be remembered-lol)

Tho I can't truly say we were ever close friends,we did have that unnameable bond the we pros have in this crazy biz - and if that was all we had i was blessed ...but I had a little bit more than that...so I was doubly blessed...I'll miss him...;o)

New Stuff: Marc of the Vampires!

2010-03-23T09:58:00.004-04:00

The short MARC OF THE VAMPIRES story i did for the SECRET PROJECT has finally appeared-hope you like it:

http://secretprojectcomic.com/site/secret-project-6-marc-of-the-vampires/

Here's a link to a previous post about the 1st MARC story Bob Tinnell and I did in MORE FUND COMICS...

http://vokesfolks.blogspot.com/2008/03/marc-of-vampires.html

New Stuff: WALPURGIS KNIGHT! (updated: 3.26.10)

2010-03-12T16:18:00.006-05:00

Pages 1-8 of my 1st run thru of the Walpurgis Knight story by Jack Herman & myself (for Kerry Gammill's Bela Lugosi:Tales From the Grave) - it came out to 12 pages (I'm holding back the last 4 so as not to spoil the ending)

Problem is that the story was written as a 6 page tale...but Jack writes very densely and i needed more room (hell-i could of used 22 pages-lol) -may have to cut it back a bit...;o)

And here's the 1st page in pencil...

...and inked...

New Stuff: layouts to GORILLAS IN THE MIDST !

2010-03-12T11:34:00.004-05:00

Layouts for a short story that Bob Tinnell and I were asked to do for Scott Wegener and Brian Clevinge r's ATOMIC ROBO book...many years ago (my fault I'm afraid)

-it's actually 6 pages long but I've left out the 6th so as not to spoil the ending ...;o)

New Stuff: LSOH #24 - Mummies!

2010-03-02T16:31:00.006-05:00

The legendary Little Shoppe of Horrors magazine-devoted to the history of Britain's Hammer Films-will be covering (UNcovering?) the 4 Mummy movies in the next ish.

As usual,I was asked by LSOH's publisher and all around nice bloke,Dick Klemensen to contribute some illos for the ish (along with other very talented folk like Shane Oakley,Bruce Timm and Ade Salmon)

The 4 films are:
THE MUMMY
THE CURSE OF THE MUMMY'S TOMB
THE MUMMY'S SHROUD
BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY'S TOMB

As you'll see here,I've included some of the basic layouts and then the pencils and inkline...

Following that with the finished wash art below - hope you like them...;o)

That's All,Vokes!

Comics For Cures '10 - trading cards

2010-02-24T16:16:00.004-05:00

Blue Line Art is having its Third annual exhibition and auction of original sketch card art to benefit the American Cancer Society - I've donated another 5 cards to the cause - I picked Batman villains this time because...well...just because - hope you like them...

Makers of Blue Line Pro comic book paper, they have provided the blank cards, and the artists involved have returned some fabulous artwork that will be auctioned off for the cancer charity.

The auction of all the original art cards will go online via Ebay. All proceeds from the sale of the cards will go to the American Cancer Society.

Blue Line publishes Sketch Magazine and sells Blue Line Art boards to both comic book companies and artists.

For more information, you can go to the charity's website at: www.comicsforcures.com

or you can contact: cs@bluelinepro.com

New Stuff: Naschy Tribute book (mature subject)

2010-02-18T18:09:00.005-05:00

I was asked to contribute to a Paul Naschy memorial type of book and was happy to do a few more illos of the Spanish horror icon.

...and this is the art i did for my good friend Bob Sargent (alias Wolfman of Spain) -publisher of Videooze and major Naschy fan (the drawing of Mr Naschy holding the license plate is from an actual photo-the plate was Bob's)

Adios Amigos!

New Stuff: Suicide Squad vs Giant Crustacean!

2010-02-14T19:09:00.004-05:00

I was asked to draw the original Suicide Squad from the 1960s DC Comics series battling a creature from Hammer Films' THE LOST CONTINENT...

an odd request at first-but it's actually those kind of commissions which make the drawing fun.

I grew up with comics like the Suicide Squad and have been a Hammer fan since I was ten,so this wasn't a chore at all...

Hope you like it...;o)

...That's All,Vokes!

SECRET PROJECT?

2010-02-08T11:20:00.005-05:00

Nah...not really- But there is an online "comic anthology" that has a short story I contributed to starring my character Marc of the Vampires by that name:

Marc has appeared before in print,several years ago,in a book called MORE FUND COMICS- a short story anthology done for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund-it was scripted by old buddy Robert Tinnell...

I hope you get a chance to drop by the Secret Project site and see not only Marc's new tale but all the other fine work being presented there by many talented writers and artists...

...and maybe someday I'll be sharing another Marc story-perhaps a book?

...who knows...;o)

FLESH & BLOOD...new stuff!

2010-02-03T22:09:00.004-05:00

That's all...for now,Vokes!

New stuff: Spider-Man cover (after Romita)

2010-01-26T13:55:00.004-05:00

Below is the original cover of SPIDER-MAN #124 by Mr John Romita.

Then we have the various stages of my commissioned version-which had both the advantage AND disadvantage of not having all that copy on the piece...

That's all...Vokes...;o)

The Kreativ Blogger Award goes to...

2010-01-12T14:13:00.016-05:00

You may be asking yourself..."What is this dainty image from someone's kitchen wallpaper doing on the legendary artist Neil Vokes' Blog?"

Well,I wondered the same thing until my good buddy and fellow ETP group member,David Zuzelo explained it to me...allow me to elaborate...

Some time ago this "award" was passed along from a blogger to others whom they admired (my research points to a Norwegian lady named Huldas Verden - the translations are sketchy,but this seems to be the basic story) and others continued this practice until this very day when it ended up in MY Blog.

There are some basic rules associated with the award:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award... Thanks, Z!
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog... Done.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award... David Zuzelo
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting... See below.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers... Also below.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate... Done
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated... Soon...;o)

Davey Z awarded me this honor and in appreciation I'll not break the "chain"...

Name 7 things about myself?
If I must...

1- I once had the absolute,unbridled joy of being a Rock 'n' Roll lead singer...for all of three performances-but I wouldn't trade them for the world.
2- I'm an absolutely unashamed Anglophile-I adore England's films,people and countryside.
3- I have a mini Christopher Lee Shrine in my studio.
4- I have never gotten over John Lennon's untimely death.
5- I have an addictive personality.
6- Just the mere thought of 1970s era Lina Romay makes me feel all naughty inside.
7- If you touch me in just the right place I giggle like a little girl...nah...I made that one up (or DID I?)

Nominate seven blogs?

I'd like to nominate Z's but his Blog should already be on most of your lists,you silly people (but it is linked above for the uninitiated) ...;o)

1. Ade Salmon Art - The blog of one of my very best friends and a Helluva artist,Adrian Salmon- Ade is my Brit brother of a different mother and I admire his work and the passion behind it- I'm still in awe of the fact he actually started a blog-if you knew Ade like I do you'd be surprised he could even fit another thing into his busy schedule- much less one where he has to talk about himself so much (a subject i have very little problem with...ahem) Please check him out.

2. Today's Inspiration - As an artist who faces a blank piece of paper as often as I do,wondering what the heck I'm gonna draw,good inspiration is an absolute must- well this is one of many sites i visit for that very reason- the many beautiful sketches,old magazine ads and various other works of art never fail to get my artistic juices flowing.

3. Hammer and Beyond - Holger Haase and I share a love for Hammer Films-the British "House of Horror"- and in his blog he shares that love with others - H2 is another friend,I'm happy to say,but don't think that just because these blogs are made by my pals that I'm prejudiced-I'd be visiting their blogs anyway because they're worth it.

4. Wrong Side of the Art - I love movies- and the old movie posters that used to announce their coming-this site always has a fresh batch of high rez images of those classic posters (not the more recent kind which seem to have lost the "art" that used to make these special) check 'em out.

5. The Groovy Age of Horror - The "gila monster clamped onto your boot" kinda fella that drives this blog is also a good friend (OK- several of my fave blogs are done by friends-so sue me) Curt Purcell is a voracious reader & a man whose obsessions are worn on his internet sleeve. From the blog's title to it's many X-rated images from obscure foreign paperbacks,Curt's passions are laid out for all to see.

6. Golden Age Comic Book Stories - Another wonderful site for beautiful images,mainly from comic books and related works-more inspiration and just plain beautiful artwork.

7. Exploitation Retrospect - Dan Taylor (also known as The Hungover Gourmet ) is yet another good buddy,but also an exploitation film nut (and probably Klaus Kinski's number one fan!) and one devoted blogger-I barely manage to keep this one up to date and Danno has at least six i can think of... go-see-enjoy.

IRON MAN 2: sketch trading cards!

2009-12-18T16:59:00.004-05:00

I did these for Marvel/Upper Deck-they'll be randomly spread amongst other movie related cards and other sketch cards by several different artists-they should be out around the time the film IRON MAN 2 is released to theaters.

Of course,because they'll be placed randomly,there's no knowing which pack they'll be in-good luck!

If you look closely at the THAT'S ALL VOKES logo picture you'll notice that it's my drawing table with the IM card sketch ideas list under my hand- and a couple reference books nearby...;o)

I wish I did more-they were fun...;o)

New Stuff: Barlow!

2009-11-30T21:23:00.006-05:00

SALEM'S LOT is my favorite Stephen King novel and unarguably my 2nd favorite vampire novel after DRACULA - so when I was asked to do a commission of the lead vamp from the book (albeit Tobe Hooper's TV film version) I was more than happy to.

Here are a couple thumbnails I did before settling on the final image and then the piece itself - I hope you like them...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,BORIS KARLOFF!

2009-11-23T09:25:00.008-05:00

http://frankensteinia.blogspot.com/

http://boriskarloffcollection.blogspot.com/

Zombie Bomb!

2009-11-23T09:01:00.005-05:00

What is Zombie Bomb?

You may well ask-it's an upcoming anthology comic book ( due in January 2010 from Terminal Press & Rich Woodall) featuring many talented writers and artists all doing short stories on the popular (tho I still don't get it) theme of flesh hungry dead folk shuffling about with little on their "minds" save a good snack...;o)

I've already posted a pin up here that i drew for the book - now i want to show you a few pages from my 7 page story (only p1-5 as i don't want to give it all away-it is also yet to be lettered)

You can also see what the Zombie Bomb folk are up to over on their Facebook page...;o)

Happy Birthday,Steve Ditko!

2009-11-02T11:15:00.003-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Happy Birthday,Mr.Ditko!

You've always been an inspiration to me and I hope you have a great day,sir...;o)

Pinup for Zombie Bomb! anthology

2009-10-18T22:04:00.004-04:00

I've done a 7 page story with writer Jack Herman for Rich Woodall's ZOMBIE BOMB! comic - this is a pinup based on a scene in the story- tho i actually did the story in a more "cartoony" style...;o)

George Tuska- R.I.P.

2009-10-16T11:52:00.002-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

We've lost another comic book legend: George Tuska...

BALTIMORE CON '09!

2009-10-07T12:48:00.003-04:00

...nuff said...;o)

WONDER WOMAN DAY '09!

2009-09-21T21:07:00.003-04:00

Yes it's that time of year again- the annual Wonder Woman Day celebration- pleas pop over to the site and check out the wonderful things they're doing there - and if you can afford it,bid on some beautiful artwork...;o)

SOLOMON KANE!

2009-09-17T20:25:00.006-04:00

Robert E. Howard's SOLOMON KANE!

New Stuff: LSOH #23-the sequel

2009-08-30T20:26:00.004-04:00

I've already shown you my exhaustively long winded process of doing a color cover for my old buddy Dick Klemensen's LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS upcoming ish-here are my two interior B & W illos.

First we have the pencils for John Gilling's FLESH AND THE FIENDS (not a Hammer Film) -the infamous story of Dr Knox and Burke and Hare:

followed by the finished piece in inkwash:

Second we have a scene from Gilling's PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES:

Another ish of LSOH bites the dust...That's All,Vokes!

New Stuff - LSOH #23

2009-08-10T11:22:00.007-04:00

So...for nearly 20 years now I've been doing illos for my old buddy,Dick Klemensen's Hammer Films fanzine Little Shoppe of Horrors.

It has been a complete and utter joy to do so as I adore the original films-also,since then I've made several friends thru the fanzine who are very good artists in their own right- Adrian Salmon,Bruce Timm,Dan Gallagher Jr.,Frank Dietz,Jeff Preston,Mark Maddox,Shane Oakley and others.

Many of these gents are what I consider "complete artists"- in other words they can pretty much do anything-including beautiful color work-I however am primarily a B & W artist...which leads us to today's post.

For the upcoming 23rd ish of LSOH,Dick asked Ade and I to contribute inside back and front covers in color-no great challenge to Ade as he is an amazing colorist-but i have only done a handful of projects in color in my entire career (one of which is the background of my blog's title above) and feel much more at home with my blacks,whites and greys.

The subject of my piece is from the film THE MUMMY'S SHROUD-directed by John Gilling (a featured writer/director in the new ish.) I originally chose an action scene,showing the mummy throttling members of the cast...

I then thought it might be fun to show the scene where the heroine uses the shroud of the title to destroy the creature-causing it to crumble to dust...

After careful consideration of the need to show the lady in a gratuitous shot from behind,accenting her ass-sets...ahem...I decided to concentrate on the mummy's decaying form instead...sorry lads...;o)

Tho I thought it might be fun to include a panel of her with the shroud (above) I realized the point of the piece was the mummy crumbling to dust.

I placed tracing paper over the pencils and did an inkline to have a solid base for whatever colors i might add-I also added some "splatter" FX via my trusty toothbrush (an old used one of course ;o)

I then scanned the art and played around with some filters in Photoshop-i wanted an interesting effect-something that evoked decay-after a few hours of experimenting this is what i ended up with...

Then I spent several days,on and off,frustratingly trying different color styles-i wanted some of that "Hammer color" that they did so well-but my coloring abilities were found wanting.

I tried color pencils,water colors and some wash (done on a lightbox over the inkline)...

It occured to me that i could scan these various color trials and combine them in Photoshop,then overlay them with the inkline-the reason that I didn't start with that plan is that I prefer to use the computer as little as possible in my work-I'm old fashioned that way-but this problem was too frustrating and I thought why not?

So I combined the various color pieces with the filtered art (there were MANY different variations) until i settled on this...

I printed this out and added more bits of color with water colors and pencils and some solid black in the BG...

I scanned that and played around a little more with color hue saturation and contrast-what finally caught my eye was far from what I thought I was going to do at the start,but it seemed to work-I added a little title for the piece and then sent it off to Dick for approval...

...amazingly he loved it (what was truly funny is that Dick and his lovely wifey,Nancy,wanted to buy the original from me-the long winded explanation that there wasn't actually an original that looked like the final work was amusing to say the least-lol) and I was able to finally go back to my B & W work in peace!

New Stuff: Dr Phibes commission

2009-07-15T17:56:00.002-04:00

GAUNTLET

2009-06-28T21:46:00.003-04:00

The 1st story I had published in comic book form was a 9 page sample that my inking buddy,Rich Rankin and i sent out to several companies back in '83.

The short story was called GAUNTLET and featured a character we created running thru a -yes-gauntlet.

Our premise was that this was a sort of Jon Carter on Mars situation-Earth man transported to an alien universe and becomes a hero to the locals.

Using that basic idea we did a story that really had no start or finish-it felt more like the middle of a story-but we were just showing our storytelling abilities-such as they were.

Comico Comics placed our non story in their new talent showcase COMIC PRIMER-and from that humble beginning my career was born.

Recently,Gerry Giovinco and Bill Cucinotta-two of the original publishers from Comico started a new website- CO2 Comics - to showcase talents old and new-some of the material is from those golden days-and they asked if they could use our story.

Please forgive the virtually amateur level artwork and scripting,my friends as i direct you to the...
GAUNTLET!

New Stuff: commission-Brides of Dracula

2009-06-23T20:16:00.003-04:00

THE BLACK FOREST: Behind the Scenes

2009-06-23T17:13:00.004-04:00

The infamous BLACK FOREST documentary (by Jeremy Carr) is now on You Tube (click image above)

Featuring Robert Tinnell,Todd Livingston,Mike Oeming,Mark Wheatley and yours truly-showing the step by step (well,edited down to 9 minutes) process.

New Stuff...

2009-06-19T14:29:00.004-04:00

Another set of sketch cards for a commission- plus an old con sketch...

David Carridine R.I.P.

2009-06-04T12:45:00.005-04:00

I can't believe it-it doesn't seem possible-and talk of suicide? i hope that's not the case-after all that man went thru (David Carradine's autobiogs are fascinating reading) it seems so out of character...it's a damn shame.

New Stuff...

2009-05-28T12:34:00.001-04:00

Sketch cards-fan commission:

999 Challenge: update 5.13.09

2009-05-13T10:51:00.003-04:00

I still hope to sit down one day and write reviews for all the entries.
(* = finished - 4 star system)

1. 9 Western films:
1990 -1999

*Dances with Wolves -4 stars
*Quigley Down Under -3 stars
*Maverick -3 stars
*Unforgiven -4 stars
*Tombstone -4 stars
*The Quick and the Dead -4 stars
Bad Girls
*Last of the Mohicans -4 stars
Geronimo: An American Legend
----------------------
2. 9 Horror:
1990-1999

*Exorcist III -3 1/2 stars
*From Dusk Till Dawn -3 1/2 stars
Full Eclipse
House on Haunted Hill
*It -3 stars
*Shadowbuilder -3 stars
*Prophecy -4 stars
*Night of the Living Dead (Savini version) -3 stars
*Innocent Blood -3 stars
-----------------------
3. 9 Comedies:
1990-1999

*Dogma -3 1/2 stars
*My Cousin Vinny -4 stars
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
*Bowfinger -3 stars
*Spy Who Shagged Me -3 1/2 stars
Addams Family
*Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey -2 stars
*The Mask -3 1/2 stars
The Big Lebowski
-----------------------
4. 9 Sci Fi films:
1990-1999

*Soldier -3 1/2 stars
*Virtuosity -3 stars
Deep Blue Sea
*Predator 2-3 stars
*Robocop 2 -2 1/2 stars
*Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace -2 1/2 stars
*Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country-3 stars
Alien 3 (dir. cut)
*Lost World: Jurassic Park 2 -2 1/2 stars
----------------------
5. 9 Martial Arts:
1990-1999

Kickboxer 5
Full Contact
Once Upon a Time in China III
*Above the Law (Yuen Baio) -2 1/2 stars
*Fist of Legend -4 stars
*Police Story 2 -3 1/2 stars
*Rapid Fire -3 stars
*Showdown in Little Tokyo -3 stars
*High Voltage -3 stars
---------------------
6. 9 TV series on dvd (one episode each):
(unfortunately not strictly following the 1990-1999 theme as most of the shows i tend to buy the dvds of aren't in that time frame ;o)

Sapphire and Steel
The Tick
The Persuaders
Millenium
Dr. Who
Buffy
Star Maidens
I,Claudius
The Wild,Wild West
---------------------
7. 9 books:

*A FORTUNATE LIFE (Robert Vaughn's autobiography) -3 1/2 stars
*MY WORD IS MY BOND (Roger Moore's autobiog) -4 stars
*ERNIE (Ernest Borgnine's autobiog) -4 stars
WORST NIGHTMARES by Shane Briant
*UP TILL NOW by William Shatner (autobiog) -3 stars
*MY BORING-ASS LIFE by Kevin Smith -3 1/2 stars
VIDEODROME: Studies in the Horror Film by Tim Lucas
IN SPITE OF MYSELF (Christopher Plummer's autobiog) -3 1/2 stars
*HAMMER FILMS:A LIFE IN PICTURES by Wayne Kinsey (i know this is primarily a photo book,with little text,but i wanted a Hammer related item on the list since it was originally Hammer and Beyond's Holger Hasse's idea) -4 stars
---------------------
8. 9 albums/cds (again i want to try to listen to bands i haven't before-or at least paid little attention to-also between 1990 to 1999)
---------------------
9. 9 chapters of a comic strip- I'm not sure yet-still working out a theme.

That's all...Vokes...;o)

Ditkomania review

2009-05-12T20:04:00.003-04:00

Here's a short review of the Ditkomania fanzine i did the cover for a while ago - on the Poopsheet Foundation site...;o)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

2009-05-10T10:58:00.002-04:00

I wish everyone a truly happy Mother's Day today-every mom should appreciate their family and every family should do the same for her!

I never got to know my mom-my dad and her broke up when i was about 4,i think-so i don't even remember what she looked like (and my dad doesn't talk about her) and I haven't heard word one since these last 51 years.

This isn't meant to depress you so much as make you appreciate what you have-some of us wish we could hug our moms today.

...have a great day,Vokes Folks...;o)

EAGLE review

2009-05-01T21:18:00.000-04:00

My pal David Zuzelo-of the blog Tomb It May Concern- has done a cool review of my reprint volume of the early Eagle tales-check it out!

Free Comic Book Day '09!

2009-04-29T15:38:00.003-04:00

For the last 7 years-since the 1st SPIDER-MAN film,i think it was-comic shops across the country have been celebrating Free Comic Book Day.

Since the 1st FCBD,I have been a guest at the Captain Blue Hen shop in Newark,DE, thanks to my very cool and extremely generous hosts,Joe,Dani and Aeryn Murray.

This year-on Saturday,May 2nd-I'll be back in their most excellent store,signing books and doing free sketches,from about 12 to 5pm (i shall also have copies of my new book,EAGLE:THE ORIGINAL ADVENTURES) along with other luminaries of the comics world such as Mike Manley, Rich Faber and Jamar Nicholas.

Every year Joe has me do a piece that he makes copies of so that fans can have it signed-i usually do a shot of the character that the recent film was about-last year it was IRON MAN and this year of course it's of everybody's favorite short tempered X-Man, Wolverine (X-MEN ORIGINS:WOLVERINE opens on May 1st)

So here's the step by step of said piece-including an inkwash finish i did over the original which will be a door prize at the store...;o)

...That's All, Vokes...;o)

New Stuff: Holmes Horror

2009-04-28T16:50:00.005-04:00

I posted this work in progress commission recently (a request for a central figure of Sherlock Holmes surrounded by Hammeresque fiends) to be inked like the Ditkomania cover i did a short time ago.

Here's the 1st two steps with the final piece-hope you like it...

Image via Wikipedia

EAGLE:THE ORIGINAL ADVENTURES has arrived!

2009-04-21T14:56:00.006-04:00

The copies of EAGLE have arrived at my doorstep!

All in all they look pretty good- i will have to tweak a couple things in a 2nd edition tho-so grab these up,Vokes Folks-they'll become collectors editions-lol

New Stuff: in progress...

2009-04-17T17:20:00.005-04:00

A new commission that I'm in the middle of inking-it's a request for a central figure of Sherlock Holmes surrounded by Hammeresque fiends-inked like the Ditkomania cover i did recently.

Here's the pencils,followed by the inkline:

EAGLE:the original adventures

2009-04-14T21:40:00.004-04:00

Well,i finally got around to publishing the 1st volume of Eagle reprints.

My buddy Davey Z suggested lulu.com as a potential outlet-i could design my own book and only have to pay per each copy i printed-or in bulk if i choose to-the same goes for whomever decides to order this 1st edition (i fully expect to revise it soon to tweak any rough spots)

Take a look at the preview (or even order a copy) and let me know what you think,Vokes Folks-i value your input!

Frank Springer: R.I.P.

2009-04-07T11:35:00.004-04:00

Frank Springer

Veteran comic book and strip artist Frank Springer died last Thursday at the age of 79. The cause is being reported as prostate cancer.

Born December 6, 1929 in Queens, New York, Springer graduated Syracuse University with a degree in art in 1952 and promptly went into the army, where he did mostly illustration work at Fort Dix. Upon his discharge in '54, he began assisting George Wunder on the comic strip, Terry and the Pirates, a post he held until 1960 and returned to on occasion when Mr. Wunder was behind and needed help. In later years, Springer also occasionally worked on other strips including several years of Rex Morgan, M.D., plus ghosting on The Heart of Juliet Jones, On Stage, Friday Foster, The Phantom and many others. He also did strips he originated like The Virtue of Vera Valiant, written by Stan Lee.

His comic book career began in '60 and he later recalled Brain Boy, a Dell comic, as his first assignment. He drew many books for Dell including Charlie Chan, Ghost Stories and Toka, Jungle King. He also began drawing for DC and later, Marvel. Fans recall his byline on the DC series, The Secret Six, and for a time on Marvel's Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD and later on many Spider-Man titles and Dazzler. He also did a lot of uncredited work, including a few Batman tales under the "Bob Kane" signature.

In the late sixties, he teamed with writer Michael O'Donoghue and produced several adult comic features for Evergreen Review, the most notable being The Adventures of Phoebe Zeit-Geist, the episodes of which were collected into a best-selling book. When O'Donoghue became an editor for National Lampoon, he brought Frank in and soon Springer was drawing many of their comic book parodies to great acclaim.

Frank was admired and loved by his peers, and the National Cartoonists Society three times awarded him its trophy as Best Comic Book Artist of the year and once elected him its president. He was a guest of honor at the 2004 Comic-Con International in San Diego where I had the privilege of interviewing him twice before his many fans. On one of those panels, he said of his career, "There were some raggedy times, but I always had work, raised five kids, bought some houses, bought some cars...I've been lucky." Personally, I think skill and dedication had a lot to do with that.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara, as well as four children and seven grandchildren.

---Mark Evanier

SKETCH CARD BENEFIT AUCTION - AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

2009-03-28T08:47:00.004-04:00

I've done a few cards for the auction again this year-they're in a previous post-and it's for a good cause-so visit the site and buy a card... or seven...;o)

"Blue Line Art is organizing its second annual exhibition and auction of original sketch card art to benefit the American Cancer Society. Makers of Blue Line Pro comic book paper, they have provided the blank cards, and the artists involved have returned some fabulous artwork that will be auctioned off for the cancer charity.

There will be a public exhibition at the Comics 2 Games Florence, Kentucky location on April 4th 2009. The auction of all the original art cards will go online starting the week before the Sketch Card exhibition and will end that evening. All proceeds from the sale of the cards will go to the American Cancer Society.

Bob and Mike Hickey, founders and owners of Blue Line Art, are organizing this fundraiser in honor of Bob’s wife Katie, a breast cancer survivor. Blue Line publishes Sketch Magazine and Graphic Novel Scene and sells Blue Line Art boards to both comic book companies and individual artists. The Hickey family has long been aware of the generosity of the comic book community. All involved are looking forward to another successful event that celebrates the diversity of comic book artists’ unique talents and their heroic spirit of helping those in need.

For more information, you can go to the charity's website at: www.comicsforcures.com

For more inforamtion, you can contact: cs@bluelinepro.com "

New Stuff: Patrick McGoohan

2009-03-17T16:58:00.005-04:00

Number six has finally escaped the Village - but Mr Patrick McGoohan's many great films and TV shows live on.

A fan asked that I do a montage piece of the actor and this is the result...;o)

999 Challenge: update

2009-03-16T15:34:00.005-04:00

starsOK- more stuff done (* = finished - 4 star system) i hope to sit down one day and write reviews soon as i can :

1. 9 Western films:
1990 -1999

*Dances with Wolves -4 stars
*Quigley Down Under -3 stars
*Maverick -3 stars
*Unforgiven -4 stars
*Tombstone -4 stars
*The Quick and the Dead -4 stars
Bad Girls
*Last of the Mohicans -4 stars
Geronimo: An American Legend
----------------------
2. 9 Horror:
1990-1999

*Exorcist III -3 1/2 stars
*From Dusk Till Dawn -3 1/2 stars
Full Eclipse
House on Haunted Hill
*It -3 stars
*Shadowbuilder -3 stars
*Prophecy -4 stars
*Night of the Living Dead (Savini version) -3 stars
*Innocent Blood -3 stars
-----------------------
3. 9 Comedies:
1990-1999

*Dogma -3 1/2 stars
*My Cousin Vinny -4 stars
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
*Bowfinger -3 stars
*Spy Who Shagged Me -3 1/2 stars
Addams Family
*Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey -2 stars
*The Mask -3 1/2 stars
The Big Lebowski
-----------------------
4. 9 Sci Fi films:
1990-1999

*Soldier 3 1/2 stars
Virtuosity
Deep Blue Sea
*Predator 2-3 1/2 stars
*Robocop 2 -2 1/2 stars
*Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace -2 1/2 stars
*Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country-3 stars
Alien 3 (dir. cut)
*Lost World: Jurassic Park 2 -2 1/2 stars
----------------------
5. 9 Martial Arts:
1990-1999

Kickboxer 5
Full Contact
Once Upon a Time in China III
*Above the Law (Yuen Baio) -2 1/2 stars
*Fist of Legend -4 stars
*Police Story 2 -3 1/2 stars
*Rapid Fire -3 stars
*Showdown in Little Tokyo -3 stars
*High Voltage -3 stars
---------------------
6. 9 TV series on dvd (one episode each):
(unfortunately not strictly following the 1990-1999 theme as most of the shows i tend to buy the dvds of aren't in that time frame ;o)

Sapphire and Steel
The Tick
The Persuaders
Millenium
Dr. Who
Buffy
Star Maidens
I,Claudius
The Wild,Wild West
---------------------
7. 9 books:

*A FORTUNATE LIFE (Robert Vaughn's autobiography) -3 1/2 stars
*MY WORD IS MY BOND (Roger Moore's autobiog) -4 stars
*ERNIE (Ernest Borgnine's autobiog) -4 stars
WORST NIGHTMARES by Shane Briant
*UP TILL NOW by William Shatner (autobiog) -3 stars
*MY BORING-ASS LIFE by Kevin Smith -3 1/2 stars
VIDEODROME: Studies in the Horror Film by Tim Lucas
IN SPITE OF MYSELF (Christopher Plummer's autobiog)
*HAMMER FILMS:A LIFE IN PICTURES by Wayne Kinsey (i know this is primarily a photo book,with little text,but i wanted a Hammer related item on the list since it was originally Hammer and Beyond's Holger Hasse's idea) -4 stars
---------------------
8. 9 albums/cds (again i want to try to listen to bands i haven't before-or at least paid little attention to-also between 1990 to 1999)
---------------------
9. 9 chapters of a comic strip- I'm not sure yet-still working out a theme.

That's all...Vokes...;o)

ELEGY: the stages of a page

2009-03-09T00:31:00.005-04:00

A page goes thru several stages before it gets to you, dear readers-sometimes it can go very quickly and at other times...

Well, this splash page (or title page-it will contain the title of the story at the bottom) went thru many stages.

For your viewing pleasure, here are a few of them (yes-there were more) from the 1st ish of Bob's and my new book, ELEGY:

...That's All,Vokes!

New stuff...

2009-03-02T13:53:00.004-05:00

Bekka-wifey of New Gods hero Orion...

Dorian

2009-02-27T22:15:00.002-05:00

This seems to be my day for showcasing artists.

Dorian Cleavenger

this gent may be doing a cover for our new book-check out his work-very nice...;o)

Billy George ROCKS!

2009-02-27T17:06:00.003-05:00

My pal David Zuzelo just started a new comic based on the BLIND DEAD horror films with an artist I'm sad to say i never heard of (an experience I myself am all too familiar with) Billy George.

His paintings remind me of famous artist Richard Corben-and that's a good thing.

Well now I am a happier person thanks to my intro to Billy's work.

You too can be a happier person.

Go ahead-i dare ya...;o)

GOBSMAKT STUDIOS!

2009-02-20T18:32:00.003-05:00

Since the masses were screaming for another blog that showcased my art- maybe not screaming-I'd like to present the debut of Gobsmakt Studios!

Actually it showcases mine,Adrian Salmon's and David Zuzelo's work.

It's just a fun idea we had in a moment of weakness-check it out when you have the time...;o)

Until then here's a recent pencil commission...

999 Challenge-update (2.19.09)

2009-02-12T23:49:00.004-05:00

OK- more stuff to check off (* = finished - 4 star system - reviews soon as i can get to them-busybusybusy):

1. 9 Western films:
1990 -1999

Dances with Wolves
Quigley Down Under
*Maverick -3 stars
Unforgiven
*Tombstone -4 stars
The Quick and the Dead
Bad Girls
Last of the Mohicans
Geronimo: An American Legend
----------------------
2. 9 Horror:
1990-1999

Exorcist III
From Dusk Till Dawn
Full Eclipse
House on Haunted Hill
It
*Shadowbuilder -3 stars
*Prophecy -4 stars
Night of the Living Dead (Savini version)
*Innocent Blood -3 stars
-----------------------
3. 9 Comedies:
1990-1999

Dogma
*My Cousin Vinny -4 stars
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
*Bowfinger -3 stars
*Spy Who Shagged Me -3 1/2 stars
Addams Family
Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey
*The Mask -3 1/2 stars
The Big Lebowski
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4. 9 Sci Fi films:
1990-1999

Soldier
Virtuosity
Deep Blue Sea
Predator 2
*Robocop 2 -2 1/2 stars
*Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace -2 stars
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Alien 3 (dir. cut)
*Lost World: Jurassic Park 2 -2 1/2 stars
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5. 9 Martial Arts:
1990-1999

Kickboxer 5
Full Contact
Once Upon a Time in China III
*Above the Law (Yuen Baio) -2 1/2 stars
Fist of Legend
*Police Story 2 -3 stars
*Rapid Fire -3 stars
Showdown in Little Tokyo
High Voltage
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6. 9 TV series on dvd (one episode each):
(unfortunately not strictly following the 1990-1999 theme as most of the shows i tend to buy the dvds of aren't in that time frame ;o)

Sapphire and Steel
The Tick
The Persuaders
Millenium
Dr. Who
Buffy
Star Maidens
I,Claudius
The Wild,Wild West
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7. 9 books:

A FORTUNATE LIFE (Robert Vaughn's autobiography)
MY WORD IS MY BOND (Roger Moore's autobiog)
*ERNIE (Ernest Borgnine's autobiog) -4 stars
NIGHT OF THE CRABS by Guy N.Smith
*UP TILL NOW by William Shatner (autobiog) -3 stars
*MY BORING-ASS LIFE by Kevin Smith -3 1/2 stars
VIDEODROME: Studies in the Horror Film by Tim Lucas
DRACULA ASYLUM by Paul Witcover
*HAMMER FILMS:A LIFE IN PICTURES by Wayne Kinsey (i know this is primarily a photo book,with little text,but i wanted a Hammer related item on the list since it was originally Hammer and Beyond's Holger Hasse's idea) -4 stars
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8. 9 albums/cds (again i want to try to listen to bands i haven't before-or at least paid little attention to-also between 1990 to 1999)
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9. 9 chapters of a comic strip (i borrowed this idea from fellow blogger Davy Z) I'm not sure about what yet-something i haven't done before, i think-still working out a theme

That's all...Vokes...;o)