A Present?

So much going on...what a confusing batch of comics. Don't worry, it all comes together next week. Who could the special guest be? So much preparation is going into the visit, must be a real V.I.P!

Revamping the Station

Something New?

Not really a comic but...

Here's the CALAMITY JACK cover! Click to embiggen, trust me, you want to embiggen.

We previewed JACK at Comic-Con. There is an ARC out there (Advance Reader Copy--a sneak preview copy the publishers make for reviewers and power-bloggers.) This ARC is black and white, the RAPUNZEL ARC was in full color. So if advance readers want full color, they'll have to wait, and buy it when it comes out. At some point, I hope to give away a copy or two to readers of this site (right now I don't actually have any.)

I was a little nervous about posting the cover artwork, even though it had been seen in public at Comic-Con, then I saw it was already up on Amazon. Woohoo! Let the countdown to January 2010 begin!

[UPDATE: The Amazon link may be for the Bloomsbury UK edition. In the "Editorial Reviews" section it lists Rapunzel's British reviews. So you may not want to pre-order this version, it may be later in coming, and more expensive than the US edition. I'll let you know when the US hardcover pops up for pre-order.]

We're Back!

We just got back from San Diego about two hours ago, we drove all day. We forgot to empty the kitchen trash can, so the house STINKS. Anyway, Comic-Con was super, super fun.

RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE did not win the Eisner for "Best Graphic Novel for Teens/Tweens" the award went to Neil Gaiman's CORALINE graphic novel. But the nomination is enough for me--it was a big honor to be seated with all the other nominees and attend the ceremony. I got to meet a lot of great writers and illustrators, including Holly Black (the Spiderwick author), Jennifer Holm (the Babymouse author) Chris Schweizer (author of another Tween nominated book CROGAN'S VENGEANCE) and Mouse Guard creator, David Peterson. I even spent some time with some of the screenwriters working on THE DEVIL YOU KNOW movie.

Here's hoping for a CALAMITY JACK nomination, so I can go again.

I'm going to bed!

COMIC-CON 2009! Live from the show floor!

I finally made it to Comic-con. The Eisner Award ceremony is tonight. Anything could happen!

Have a great weekend!

Fowl Play part 7 The End

It's true, I'm supposed to be in San Diego at Comic-Con right this second. I should be there in time for the big Eisner ceremony tomorrow. Keep those fingers crossed, we want RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE to win, we're nominated in "Best Graphic Novel for Teens." It's a long shot, one of the books in our category, SKIM by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki, is also up for "Best Graphic Novel of the Year." So if you're laying bets, SKIM would be the safe way to go. We're thrilled just to be nominated, and Comic-Con should be big fun. More soon.

Fowl Play part 6

Fowl Play part 5

40 Years Ago Today...

Men walked on the moon! July 20, 1969.



Note: Image does not show Neil Armstrong, rather, the kid from Balloon on the Moon.

Fowl Play part 4

Thanks to everyone who participated in the pledge drive, we can now get back on track with the Bird-Face killer.

I finished my picture book project over the weekend. The book, ANIMAL HOUSE, will be out Summer 2010. I'll show a preview sometime in the future. It's about a house made out of animals--for example, the floor is made of "Floormingos" and the roof is a "Giroof." It's a lot of fun and I'm excited to see it come out next year.

The Twenty Second Pledge Drive

It's not a good mystery unless it gets interrupted by a pledge drive. Lucky for you, this one only lasts as long as it takes to read. I hate pledge drives.

I've got full illustrations for a picture book due Monday morning, I've still got a few paintings to polish (one's still only in pencil!) wish me luck, it'll be a LOOOOOOONG weekend. If you've noticed my post times this week, you'll see what kind of hours I've been keeping to meet this deadline. Cheers everybody. And support the S.S.N. brought to you by Viewers Like You.

Fowl Play part 3

Fowl Play part 2

Fowl Play part 1

Props to commenter DavidM, who gave us the "Fowl Play" title.

Who could have guessed the Bird-Face Face-Off would end in tragedy? It was a shock to me too! Let's look for clues--we need to get to the bottom of this.

The Bird-Face Face-Off Finale Show

Thanks to everyone who voted! The winner, by a landslide, is the FEATHER DUSTER BUDGERIGAR! The final results are:

Helmeted Guinea Fowl-6

Shoebill Stork-2

Feather Duster Budgerigar- 16

Flamingo-2

Condors-3

King Vulture-7

Let's see how the birds take it...

The Bird-Face Face-Off 8/8

Here it is, the final line-up of the Bird-Face Face-Off. Voting is now open and will remain open through the weekend. Vote by putting your bird's number into a comment in the comments section.

What will the winning bird receive? Prestige, honor, the title of "Bird Face of the Year," and a starring role in an upcoming comic.

Remember, according to the blue-footed booby, we are looking for the "craziest" bird face, whatever that means.

Vote early and often!

We interrupt this Face-Off to bring you...

The horrible irony of this cartoon is that I never got to play my game--I was making the cartoon of me playing the game and my wife snuck in and claimed the TV room. Note to self, play game FIRST, then write cartoon about it.

The Bird-Face Face-Off Finale will be up tomorrow, and we'll have the whole weekend to vote. So be thinking of the bird you'll pick!

The Bird-Face Face-Off 7/8

There you have it, all six contestants have now been seen. Tomorrow we'll recap, line them all up and begin the voting process. A lot is at stake here. We've got some real contenders. It's very exciting, like a mix between the Miss USA Pageant and the Eukaneuba Dog Show.

The Bird-Face Face-Off 6/8

Only one bird left in the BFFO 2009. Who will it be?

Now, let me make one thing clear; these aren't the craziest bird faces of all time, just 2009. I'm sure there are some stellar candidates that we missed this year. We only have room for six, well, with today's candidate seven. Don't be disappointed if your favorite freaky bird doesn't show up. There's always the next BFFO. Who knows when that will be, birds aren't great planners.

The Bird-Face Face-Off 5/8

The Face-Off's back on after a holiday break.

Take a long look at Ms. Flamingo--I think she's a real contender, I know she's a bird we've all seen a million times, but seriously--LOOK at that face! Flamingoes have popped up in several projects I've done this year, there's even a small flamingo scene in CALAMITY JACK. The flamingo face may have been the inspiration for the BFFO (Bird-Face Face-Off.)

A Patriotic Break!

Happy 4th of July everyone! The birds will be back to face off on Monday. In the mean time, enjoy patriotic Rapunzel and Goldy (a bird!) 

I felt like I needed to draw a Rapunzel--I'm used to drawing 12 Rapunzels a day, it's hard to stop cold turkey. I had to get my fix.

Also, I may have stolen this pose and costume from a country not my own. Is that patriotic or what? 

Enjoy the fireworks! 

The Bird-Face Face-Off 4/8

This one's another one you have to see to believe. It's not a species, it's a super rare mutant strain of budgerigar (or parakeet--same thing.) Do a little search for real pics of this thing, it'll blow your mind. 

That's half the face-off contestants, any front-runners? Favorites? Anybody have money riding on this? We'll do the official voting after all six birds have shown their faces. Should be exciting!