OK, now show me some pictures

GODZILLASUIT at the Minneapolis Indie Xpo, November 5th & 6th

2011-10-25T23:52:00.000-05:00

Last year's inaugural Minneapolis Indie Xpo was a great time, and I'm super pumped about the second one. It's November 5th and 6th at the Soap Factory, 514 2nd St. SE in Minneapolis.

Come say hello! I'll be posted up at table 81 with the comics publisher 2D Cloud. Despite at one point juggling 3 jobs and a very patient girlfriend, I managed to produce two new books this year.

The first, GODZILLASUIT, is my self-published retrospective on the first couple of Godzilla movies. Godzilla was one of the first things I creatively latched onto as a kid. This book made its debut proper at Twin Cites Zinefest, but there's still some left.

GODZILLASUIT has a cover screenprinted by the name takers/ass kickers at Black Collar Studios in Minneapolis.

The second is the culmination of my long-time creative partnership with Joseph Gillette, aka Monster, aka Party Food, aka Chocolate Thundah and 2D Cloud. More on that beast soon though.

BUTTONS

2011-09-25T13:10:00.004-05:00

Some buttons I did for Minneapolis Zinefest.

Raymond Burr narrated Godzilla's rampage in the American version of the original GODZILLA

2011-08-16T17:20:00.000-05:00

Little murder muppet

2011-08-03T15:33:00.001-05:00

My kitty Marla will kill anything that moves. I've seen her follow ants around, stomp on them, and then lick them up. She's kept my apartment pest-free for two years now. Thanks, you bloodthirsty little furball.

"Hyuk hyuk hyuk hyuk!"

2011-07-28T20:13:00.001-05:00

Ryuk, the shinigami from the manga Death Note. I love this series, it's incredibly gripping even though there's almost no action. I highly recommend reading at least halfway through until you hit a MAJOR (seriously, can't miss it) plot point, and then cut your losses 'cause it doesn't get any better. It'll be the best half-comic you'll read.

THE DEMON

2011-07-14T18:40:00.002-05:00

Myself and some fellow Minneapolis comic artists have started a group blog called ARMAGETTO FABULOUS. We do weekly themes, this week being Jack Kirby's demon, Etrigan. This is my contribution, and probably the last time I'll cross-post something from there:

Liberty Tree Farm buttons

2011-07-11T17:06:00.000-05:00

My friend owns a tree farm out by Maiden Rock in Wisconsin. It is a beautiful, unspoiled place that's walking distance from a number of awe-inspiring views of the Mississippi River. One morning last summer, my friend woke up to the sound of a bunch of unannounced workers chainsawing through his land, removing all the branches that were 30 feet on either side of his power lines.

For safety's sake these branches have to be removed, but the idea of having his land look like Godzilla stomped a path through it was of course unappealing. The alternative: bury the power lines, which costs more money than he just has lying around. His solution: a series of fundraiser parties. I did a series of buttons for his sale.

Ohhhh no, there goes Tokyo

2011-07-08T09:34:00.000-05:00

Martin

2011-06-08T11:04:00.001-05:00

Now that Prizon Food is in the can, I've been working diligently on Nerve. Pages soon!

Studio drawings

2011-06-06T11:57:00.000-05:00

From an upcoming Nerve page.

Bus drawings

2011-06-05T12:47:00.000-05:00

Did these on the bus into St. Paul.

PRIZON FOOD is done

2011-05-25T12:10:00.000-05:00

PRIZON FOOD, my collaboration with Joseph "Monster" Gillette, wrapped itself up nicely for Spring Con, which ended up getting rained out and menaced by tornadoes. It's the biggest comic I've ever put my name on at 72 color pages. We're currently at work on a web presentation as well as the second installment. More coming soon!

"This is madness!"

2011-03-28T20:18:00.001-05:00

Stripped way down

2011-03-09T23:42:00.000-06:00

Sleeping one off

2011-03-05T15:22:00.001-06:00

Pixel Hermit Crab

2011-03-01T09:53:00.001-06:00

Yet more ocean scenery from Prizon Food.

Pixel Piggy

2011-02-24T00:41:00.000-06:00

"Introducing first, the challenger..."

2011-02-21T11:47:00.000-06:00

I've started a new blog for the pro wrestling drawings and commentary.

Apologies(?) to John Baldessari

2011-02-07T11:44:00.001-06:00

from the upcoming PRIZON FOOD.

more from GODZILLASUIT

2011-02-04T12:14:00.000-06:00

The 1969 movie GODZILLA'S REVENGE took place in the head of a lonely kid named Ichiro. He daydreamed that he was hanging out with Minira, the adopted son of Godzilla. Almost all the monster action in it was footage from earlier Godzilla movies. It's unanimously regarded as the worst Godzilla movie, which puts it in good running for worst movie of all time.

The American distributors of the 1954 GODZILLA inserted a bunch of extra scenes with Raymond Burr as a travel journalist who narrates Godzilla's rampage through Tokyo.

Ishiro Honda directed the first Godzilla film, and several of the better sequels. He was an assistant director for Kurosawa and a WWII vet.

Phone Home

2011-01-30T09:49:00.002-06:00

I found this while I was sifting through my back up drive. It was part of an intended series with this and this but for some reason it didn't get posted...

back on the grind

2011-01-26T17:55:00.000-06:00

Not too long ago I got my mitts on the Adobe CS5 creative suite...though I've barely scratched the surface, it's been nice to have proper Photoshop again after dicking around with Photoshop Elements 4.0. You miss things like swatches when they're gone.

It's been useful in the production of new work for the upcoming conventions this spring/summer...here's a glimpse of the new Prizon Food, the expanded Nerve, and an image from the ultimately aborted GODZILLASUIT zine I was working on last summer (those drawings will likely be in a collected sketchbook or something similar.)

Seagull you fly across the horizon

2011-01-19T00:20:00.000-06:00

Workin on it

2011-01-13T13:24:00.000-06:00

contemplating

2011-01-01T18:45:00.002-06:00

The Mole People

2010-12-22T00:14:00.005-06:00

When I was a kid I had a nightmare involving the monsters from The Mole People. They were hurling a bunch of furniture at a human in an underground jail cell. I recalled them very specifically even though I have never actually seen the film.

THE MEGAPOWERS

2010-12-15T10:56:00.002-06:00

Cats

2010-12-08T00:27:00.004-06:00

The younger of my two cats, Boosie. He's growing into those huge paws he had when he was a kitten, but he's still adorably clumsy. Right now I'm kind of mad at him because he peed on the floor of my closet.My girlfriend's cat, Alice, aka Boo. She's 15 (that's up there for a housecat) and is a little pudge ball with a short tail. Alice is super affectionate but has this unfortunate habit of drooling all over when she's being lovey.

WWE RAW 11/15/10

2010-11-26T11:10:00.000-06:00

Muppets

2010-11-16T22:44:00.005-06:00

WWE RAW 11/8/10

2010-11-16T17:09:00.002-06:00

High Five!

2010-11-14T10:18:00.008-06:00

This is #5 from Sam Hiti's sci-fi epic DEATH DAY.

WWE RAW 11/1/10

2010-11-12T21:52:00.003-06:00

WWE RAW 11/8/10

2010-11-10T11:25:00.003-06:00

WWE Bragging Rights 2010

2010-11-10T11:21:00.004-06:00

WWE Smackdown 11/5/10

2010-11-09T02:40:00.003-06:00

WWE Bragging Rights 2010

2010-11-09T00:11:00.003-06:00

Pick a card, any card

2010-11-05T12:29:00.003-05:00

WWE RAW 11/1/10

2010-11-03T12:27:00.005-05:00

WWE Bragging Rights 2010

2010-11-03T00:49:00.004-05:00

More Nerve panel details

2010-10-14T19:54:00.004-05:00

Ner
There'll be some pages coming soon, promise.

Nerve panel detail

2010-10-07T15:41:00.002-05:00

Nerve panel detail

2010-10-05T11:07:00.002-05:00

Nerve panel detail

2010-09-30T10:33:00.002-05:00

Nerve panel detail

2010-09-22T10:46:00.002-05:00

Nerve panel detail

2010-09-20T22:54:00.005-05:00

Monolith

2010-09-09T10:22:00.002-05:00

The Pred

2010-09-08T21:44:00.001-05:00

Prawn

2010-08-26T22:37:00.001-05:00

Minneapolis Indie Xpo

2010-08-19T19:24:00.002-05:00

I've got a table at the Minneapolis Indie Expo this Saturday at the Soap Factory (508 S. 2nd St.) It's right off the St. Anthony Main. Come and say hello! I'm totally on the way to the donuts.

2010-08-05T14:54:00.003-05:00

Warm-up sketch.

mad busy

2010-07-22T19:30:00.002-05:00

Haven't had much time for personal projects lately, but here's the top tier for Nerve, page 54 in scribbly thumbnail form.

ROLL CALL

2010-07-14T11:13:00.005-05:00

Zinefest was a really good time! I'd like to especially thank Anna, King Mini, and Sarah for making it memorable! See you all at MIX!

This is a piece I did for Spring Con back in May, to liven up my table: the cast of the books I was selling, hangin' out.They are, from left to right, the goblin, that angry bird who thought his cigarettes went missing, Frankenstein's monster, Waltar, Godzilla, Prrty Good, Martin, Fientje, Max, Cassie, the skull guy who allegedly stole the bird man's cigs, Taylor, Nosferatu, Amy (holding Marla), the STOOPID PIG, alien prison officer, and Cthulhu.

New kitten + KICKSTARTER

2010-07-11T10:45:00.008-05:00

Got a new kitten from the shelter a few weeks ago...he's a cuddly fluffball with comically large paws that make him walk funny. He has the loudest purr I've ever heard and flops in your arms like a ragdoll if you hold him like a baby. He also likes avocados and will knock them off the table and try to bite them open. Little shit.

For the last week the venerable Ed Moorman and myself have turned my Land Shark doodle into a 4x5" print for The Good Minnesotan's KICKSTARTER fundraiser. Ed posted the process on his blog, here is the final image:
Read more about Kickstarter. Pledging for this book gets you fabulous prizes.

Untitled Tiff

2010-07-09T17:47:00.005-05:00

I found an untitled TIFF with a bunch of layers that each had a goofy little sketch...this one's the only keeper. I am reasonably sure it's the likeness of Mark Sandman, frontman of the most awesome motherfucking band ever, Morphine. Mild coincidence: this song's been stuck in my head all day.

Interview with ItchyKeen Art Fiends + MINNEAPOLIS ZINEFEST

2010-07-08T11:39:00.008-05:00

I did an interview with Raighne and Meghan Hogan over at their new blog ItchyKeen Art Fiends about the nature of work and art.

Though it is generally truthful I am afraid I made myself a liar on the last question: GODZILLASUIT will not debut Zinefest this weekend (it'll be out at MIX instead, cross my heart.) Here's one of the drawings early, though: the Mosu-Goji suit, from Mothra vs. Godzilla.

I do however have a new offering for Zinefest: the deck of Prrty Food playing cards, Play Wit'cher Food, has gone into its second printing and will make its official debut. Find out more here.

Ape-Man

2010-07-07T11:11:00.007-05:00

Here's another self portrait with a gorilla mask. It was the bio pic in the ill-fated print run of Nerve #2, which collected chapters 5-7 (but was missing a 2 page spread.) Mr. Kissling is officially the only person to own this incomplete book.

Also, here's a panel from the in progress chapter 8.

welcome to PRIZON FOOD

2010-06-28T21:43:00.001-05:00

Haruo Nakajima

2010-06-21T14:35:00.005-05:00

Workin' on Godzillasuit, my retrospective on Godzilla's changing appearance from 1954 to 1975. This is a warm-up drawing of Haruo Nakajima in a 90's interview. Nakajima was the man inside the 220 pound suit throughout most of the early Godzilla vs. Insert Monster Here movies.

NERVE site updated

2010-06-05T10:43:00.002-05:00

I finally updated the site for my webcomic NERVE, which now clocks in at 50 pages: a personal milestone. Thanks to everyone who's been following along! Shit is, I assure you, about to hit the fan.

Light Years Away

2010-06-04T17:42:00.005-05:00

Light Years Away's having a draw-off for fabulous prizes. Here's my bid for the gold: the main character, Milo Quinterra, demonstrating some DIY surgery.
Pencils:

Really big spiders

2010-06-03T12:29:00.003-05:00

A tarantula drawing from my story for Good Minnesotan volume 4, put together by the good folks at 2D Cloud. It debuts at the Minneapolis Indie Xpo, which looks like it's going to be a thoroughly good time.

I'm creeped out by big spiders...it's my biggest irrational fear, and this story was more or less an exercise in putting it into perspective. I will also say learning more about giant spiders does not make them any less terrifying. Someone told me if spiders were the size of dogs they'd be the dominant species on the planet and I don't doubt it.

holding hands

2010-06-02T11:27:00.003-05:00

LIGHT YEARS A DAY

2010-05-26T00:00:00.003-05:00

This webcomic is the magnificent bastard brainchild of my fellow MCAD alum and friend Adam Rosenlund and his writer/longtime collaborator Ethan Ede. It's about prison, and outer space, and murder, and it totally rules. And this week they're running an event called LIGHT YEARS A DAY where it updates daily until May 30th.

It's worth your time to check this out!

GODZILLASUIT

2010-05-23T21:06:00.003-05:00

I've been doing a bunch of Godzilla drawings for an upcoming book making its debut at Twin Cities Zinefest, July 10th. I loved Godzilla when I was a kid, and I can trace my fascination directly to seeing King Kong vs. Godzilla when I was 4. The images of Godzilla squaring off with King Kong (Atami Castle in between them) and the ending where both monsters take a plunge off a cliff were burned into my brain. I drew giant monsters brawling and demolishing civilization for years after. Godzilla was my earliest creative influence.

Subway Study

2010-05-21T11:55:00.002-05:00

PRRTYFOOD ICONS

2010-05-20T15:07:00.001-05:00

Marla

2010-05-17T10:46:00.001-05:00

My kitten's almost all growed up.

LAND SHARK

2010-05-09T21:09:00.005-05:00

What I'm Listening To: Lil Wayne

2010-04-05T10:53:00.006-05:00

"Boy I'm more cooler than a fan and a mint,
And when I'm done this track will need a couple bandages,
I be wit savages and I'm above average,
I'm a crazy ass star like a fuckin' asterisk."

What I'm Listening To: Deltron 3030

2010-04-05T10:28:00.004-05:00

"Emergency dispatch, skyscrapers ripped back
from the impact, their flow is mismatched
My style's protected by heat shields and ceramics
Don't panic, I landed on planet Mercury
Gave it atmosphere, set up my headquarters
I'll never get captured here"

What I'm Listening To: Vast Aire

2010-04-04T17:36:00.004-05:00

"Now I wanna smoke a blunt,
You know, blow off some steam,
Open my mouth like Godzilla,
And all you see is light beams."

What I'm Listening To: Kid 606

2010-04-03T00:19:00.002-05:00

What I'm Listening To: Man or Astroman

2010-04-02T14:18:00.005-05:00

Bike Pump

2010-04-02T11:47:00.001-05:00

Dr Jebediah Drinkwell

2010-04-02T11:32:00.003-05:00

This guy didn't go to 8 years of drinking school to be called "MISTER Drinkwell."

Mustache Arms

2010-03-29T10:38:00.000-05:00

Nerve, page 40

2010-03-28T10:18:00.002-05:00

"Better Nate than lever."

Fish sticks are made out of this guy here

2010-03-27T10:17:00.001-05:00

Another guy on the bus

2010-03-26T00:10:00.001-05:00

Another bus drawing

2010-03-25T10:14:00.000-05:00

Nerve coming later tonight.

More bus drawings

2010-03-24T00:19:00.001-05:00

Godzilla study

2010-03-23T10:22:00.000-05:00

Guy on the bus

2010-03-22T11:52:00.002-05:00

Guy on the bus

2010-03-22T11:41:00.001-05:00

MANS, part 32 - THE LAST MAN

2010-03-20T09:18:00.003-05:00

MANS, part 31

2010-03-19T10:52:00.001-05:00

Nerve pg. 39

2010-03-18T08:33:00.002-05:00

MANS, part 30

2010-03-17T00:21:00.001-05:00

MANS, part 29

2010-03-16T11:02:00.001-05:00

MANS, part 28

2010-03-15T11:11:00.002-05:00

PRRTY FOOD PART 5 album cover

2010-03-15T02:41:00.005-05:00

The album cover/flier for Joseph Gillette's PRRTY FOOD PART 5, which debuts March 26th/27th at the show VIDEOS COLLIDE IN REAL 3-D SPACE. You can see this psychedelic muppet show at the 553 Gallery.

Godzilla suit

2010-03-13T09:41:00.002-06:00

GODZILLA

2010-03-12T00:46:00.000-06:00

Nerve, page 38

2010-03-11T12:16:00.002-06:00

GODZILLA

2010-03-10T11:33:00.002-06:00

2010-03-09T10:28:00.000-06:00

King of Clubs

2010-03-08T14:01:00.000-06:00

Queen of Clubs

2010-03-07T13:57:00.002-06:00

Jack of Clubs

2010-03-07T13:55:00.001-06:00