:|

Stranger Danger -- Big Balds

2012-02-11T21:06:00.000-08:00

We love Avengers -- T-shirt contest

2012-02-11T19:28:00.000-08:00

We Love Fine Avengers contest starts soon. So I thought I'd throw my hat into the ring and submit this smashing design. I really think I had the hardest time getting the Hulk to look the way I wanted him to, but ultimately I'm really happy with the finished product.

Stranger Danger -- Pretty Girls

2012-02-04T20:34:00.000-08:00

Who's that Thunderskull print?

2012-01-30T05:12:00.000-08:00

I've got 3 new prints that we're gonna be unveiling just before Phoenix Comicon, until then here's a little teaser.

Stranger Danger -- Mutts and Minutes

2012-01-28T20:45:00.000-08:00

Stranger Danger -- Fashion Forward

2012-01-21T20:08:00.000-08:00

Coming Soon! -- The Konamis Ominous Omnibus Vol.2

2012-01-21T06:11:00.000-08:00

So here it is, a sneak peek at the Konamis Ominous Omnibus vol.2 I'm in the throws of final editing. Collecting the 2nd year of the Konamis comic into one awesome book, prepare yourself for over 200 pages of rock and roll fisticuffs. We'll have this available at the Phoenix Comicon in May, so make sure to come check out Thunderskull Press.

Stranger Danger -- Villainology 101

2012-01-14T15:46:00.000-08:00

Stranger Danger -- Buggin'

2012-01-07T13:25:00.000-08:00

The new end review

2012-01-01T05:49:00.000-08:00

The year end wrap-up:
I had a pretty great 2011. This past year, more than any year to date, I really buckled down and produced. I continued to stick to my comic schedule, and only dropped the ball once. In addition to working on The Konamis 3 days a week, I recently started working on Stranger Danger once a week, and Major Tom Jr. occasionally. The Konamis published our first book, and showed it at comic con (where we almost sold out). I also got to meet Stan and Sharon Sakai, who were incredibly nice as I bumbled out an introduction.
The summer I spent largely on drawing and writing, really trying to hone my skills. I made it a goal to really push myself to have a consistent look, a world view, so when you looked at a comic it was recognizable as me, and the only way to do that was draw more. So I started working with some guys to develop apps and games for the iPod and iPad.
So here I am looking back at the last year, and all I can think is--Let's do it again. In 2012 I'm looking to reach past my limitations, continue to grow and develop as an artist, and continue to make stories. The Konamis vol.2 will be ready for this years comic-con. I will have the first chapter of (a project I'm not announcing yet) done. I'm looking forward to a great year, and I hope you'll join me. Until then, Happy New Year.

Stranger Danger -- Running Man

2011-12-31T21:43:00.000-08:00

Click image for full size.

Stranger Danger -- Despicable, Me?

2011-12-17T08:48:00.000-08:00

Click to view full size.

Concept Art -- mystery project

2011-12-14T05:19:00.000-08:00

Stranger Danger - An Inconvenient Truth

2011-12-10T07:22:00.000-08:00

Stranger Danger - Cookie Culprit

2011-12-03T07:20:00.000-08:00

Hmm hmm...Mordecai

2011-11-26T09:05:00.000-08:00

Regular Show fan art. Really hope they put these out on DVD. Still practicing my digital drawing, this was done in photoshop.

Stranger Danger - Food for thought

2011-11-25T17:50:00.000-08:00

My very best Marlon Brando

2011-11-25T03:26:00.000-08:00

A quick update on me (why not, it's my blog right?) I had oral Surgery this past Tuesday, and I hope that the long term benefits outweigh the current pain I'm in. Also, I was not prepared for how much I was going to miss solid foods. My jaw is sore and swollen, and I'm not sleeping well from a combination of pain and nightmares the medication seems to be giving me. The only thing right now that's been a distraction has been pushing forward with the comics and projects I'm doing for Christmas. Even that is more slow going than I'd like.

I'm tired.

(my cheeks are so puffy right now!)

Snow Blind

2011-11-25T03:22:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I just did a quick digital painting. Just playing around in Photoshop, using lots of blending options.

Stranger Danger - Prison Rules

2011-11-19T05:21:00.000-08:00

The new Adventures of Piggie and Elephant

2011-11-11T12:06:00.000-08:00

My 4 year old son absolutely loves the Piggie and Elephant books by Mo Willems. The other night he started making up new stories for them, casting them in the roles of Green Gerald and bat pig, and the Pig and Elephitz Dalek. So, for Christmas I decided to make him some Fan art. I'll post the color pieces when they're done.

Pinkerton

2011-11-11T10:14:00.000-08:00

Click to make large.

Major Tom Jr--isolate 3

2011-11-06T10:16:00.000-08:00

Stranger Danger--Legend of Jonas

2011-11-05T22:04:00.000-07:00

Click image to see it full size.

Stranger Danger--Toy Story

2011-10-29T21:44:00.000-07:00

click the image to see it full size.

Major Tom Jr--BattleTopia

2011-10-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

Major Tom Jr. -- Who's the Boss?

2011-10-23T07:07:00.000-07:00

Stranger Danger--Age Appropriate

2011-10-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

Gem Skeletons

2011-10-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

Major Tom Jr. -- The Hand Job

2011-10-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

iSolated

2011-10-07T22:49:00.000-07:00

Major Tom Jr. -- the iSolate 2

2011-10-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

Spidey-Venom Original Comicon Sketch

2011-09-16T06:48:00.000-07:00

Exciting Bikes!

2011-09-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

UnderWear Wolf

2011-08-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

Squink!!

2011-08-20T18:12:00.000-07:00

Jinxel TV

2011-08-18T22:59:00.001-07:00

Here's the animated version.

2011-08-16T21:29:00.000-07:00

Hey you Kids!!

2011-08-16T20:46:00.001-07:00

Something self explanatory

2011-08-13T15:45:00.000-07:00

Soooo Legit

2011-08-13T15:41:00.000-07:00

Yeeeeaaaaauuuuuh Boy-eeeeee! Pizza Party!

2011-07-31T09:58:00.000-07:00

2011-07-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

Blackest Knights

2011-07-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

So in an effort to put more on my plate I'm going to start doing commissions through my Thunderskull Press store. I've done a couple of pieces where people have just emailed me, but I think doing it through the store front will make it easier for me to keep track of orders and help manage projects. This piece below is the most recent commission I did:

Based of the Blackest Night run of DC comics, I had a request to take an existing piece and A) put my own spin on it and B) Beef it up a bit. After receiving the original piece as reference, I was a little hesitant to do my own. The original is really damn well done, but ultimately I couldn't resist drawing some DC zombies. I would be remiss though if I didn't also include the Original work that inspired my own:

I really dig how expressive and simple these characters are. Just good clean artwork, and a great premise. Here's the Deviant Art account this picture came from

Reformatting

2011-07-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

Starting work on formatting the Konamis Vol.2

After formatting Vol. 1 I told myself to just format the pages as I completed them (our web size and print dimensions are slightly different.) and if I'd done that it would have been awesome. But I didn't. So in between our triweekly (that means 3 times a week right?) updates of new comics, I'm formatting roughly 250 pages of old comics for the book.

It entails, opening up the old page, knocking around the panels a bit and giving them a little bit of breathing room. Putting on page numbers, adjust sizes, moving some stuff around, not too terribly difficult. Just time consuming.

Oh god it is so tedious, but the final product looks awesome. So I'm telling myself now, once again, format as you go. When you finish a new comic, format it for the book as well. Save yourself the headache.

Bookends

2011-06-30T06:47:00.000-07:00

Major Tom Jr -- One good Worm deserves another

2011-06-19T18:47:00.000-07:00

Major Tom Jr -- Bran New

2011-06-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

Major Tom Jr -- Captain Comeback

2011-06-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

Major Tom Jr -- Bate and Switch

2011-06-03T18:54:00.000-07:00

Thunderskull Press Presents -- PHXCC Wrap Up

2011-06-01T07:39:00.000-07:00

Well it's the first week post Phoenix Comicon. This was my first Convention of this size, and only my second of all time. It's hard to articulate the experience, but I'm going to try. Being at Comicon is like summer camp. There's just as much walking, you need to hone your survival instincts, and the friendships you make are really very special. When it's over it's bittersweet, on one hand you survived (YAY!) but it may also be the last time you see your new friends for a while (especially if they live out of state). Being in such close proximity to so many talented and creative people gives you a charge, you feed off that energy and just for a moment you forget the outside world.

I got to meet a personal favorite of mine, Stan Sakai. He and his wife couldn't be nicer, especially since I'm sure I got to rambling and may have geeked out too much. Hey I couldn't help it, the man is an awesome artist. He was cool enough to sign this:

This is the badge that all the kids were wearing at the convention. I couldn't be prouder with it's placement, it was really awesome seeing every kid walk by with my art around their neck.

And Stan signed my son's badge for me. Look right there, little Usagi Yojimbo next to Spider-man.

Later a friend told me that Stan's birthday was earlier that week. So I thought I'd whip up a quick piece of art for him and thank him again for all he's done over the years (Which I completely forgot to get a picture of). I was pretty happy with it though, it was a watercolor of Usagi walking in on a lizard eating his birthday cake.

So back to the Convention -- it was huge. There were waves of people, it got so full on Saturday that they actually had to regulate how many people were allowed in, and they ended up extending it another hour.

My table was around the back side of the exhibitors hall, in the 800 (out of 900) aisle, and still we had a steady flow of people checking out our stuff. I know for some people there's a mentality of only checking out the main attractions, the big booths and exhibitors, but thankfully there were some brave souls who navigated their way to the artist alley tables, and even braver souls who took a chance on the Konamis ;)

Here are some lovely ladies who took the time to pose with Thunderskull Press.

We had books, buttons, magnets, prints, mini-comics, a downloadable paper toy, high fives, and gum. It was an amazing time.

So what am I doing now, almost a week after it started? Drawing. I'm so infused and inspired that I want to push myself even more. I had a couple of people ask what they could do to make there own comic. It's simple. Draw everyday, push yourself, the toughest and simplest thing about comic creation is creating it. Draw. You have to put yourself out there, and put the work first. No one is going to notice you for the first year at least so keep refining your work, but most importantly -- Draw.

Tavis out!

Frodo Potter

2011-05-06T14:27:00.000-07:00

A couple of new pictures, young adventurers Harry Potter and Frodo Baggins.

Ominous Egg Buttons

2011-04-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

Making more buttons. I like to have a variety. These designs are based off of the Ominous Egg Cover, there will also be a collectible print of the cover.

Phoenix Comicon -- #4

2011-04-06T22:05:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple more in progress and a completed Howard the Duck

Phoenix Comicon -- #3

2011-04-04T22:18:00.000-07:00

Here's some of the cool Konamis stuff we'll have at comic-con

Phoenix Comic Con 2011 -- #2

2011-04-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

Here's a preview of the next one I'm working on:

Penciled...

and Inked...

And colored...

Phoenix Comic Con 2011 -- #1

2011-04-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

This year I'm going to be at comic-con showing off some stuff I'm pretty excited about. First and foremost: The Konamis vol. 1 which collects the complete “Live! From Argonaut Island” storyline as well as a couple of bonus stories. Over 160 pages of awesomeness for only $10. We'll also have buttons of all your favorite Konamis Characters – TJ, Dan, Jack, and Steve! Some mini comics will make their sophomore debut as well (Werewolf Baby, and Dracula Spectacula). As well as some prints and other goodies.

In addition to all that awesome Konamis gear I'm doing some original pieces of familiar faces. These pieces are 5x7 on Bristol, watercolored and matted. So bring $50 and come grab your favorite, once they're gone they're gone. If there's a character you absolutely want that didn't make it in the run, let me know and I'll do it special for $75.

So without further ado, here's the first group:

The Doctor is in.

Hey Bub.

Sooo Mischievous.

Thanos doesn't do quips.

Phoenix Comicon Badge art contest -- the sequel

2011-03-05T13:05:00.000-08:00

Here's my Second submission for the Phoenix comicon badge art contest. Details.

There's a really classic Spidey vs. Juggernaut scene done by Romita Jr. It has always stuck in my head and I wanted to pay homage to it. So here's my take on Spider-Man trying to slow down the Juggernaut.

The deadline for submissions is March 18th, maybe I'll work another one up.

Here's the original. A might more epic, and damn iconic.

Phoenix Comicon Badge art contest

2011-03-04T22:46:00.000-08:00

Here's my first submission for the Phoenix comicon badge art contest. Details.

Wanted to do a playful approach on a classic Spidey/Venom interaction. In the original sketch Venom is saying "peek-a-boo, we see you" but I didn't want the dialog to be covered up or take away from the design if it gets picked. So I've title this entry "peek-a-boo"

The deadline for submissions is March 18th, and I have another idea in the works so I'm gonna go do that now. See you later!

March Masthead 2011

2011-03-03T20:27:00.000-08:00

Playing around with a new masthead design for the Konamis

New Crop of Covers

2011-03-03T18:40:00.000-08:00

Just drop a fresh week of covers over at the Konamis!
I like to throw out some one shots in between storylines as a palette cleanser, and maybe a potential adventure. So here's the trifecta: Treasure Cave, The Undead Behemoth, and the Ominous Egg. Stay tuned, maybe one (or all) of these will branch off into there own stories.

Tourists--Miranda & the Goldan Calf

2011-02-25T13:39:00.000-08:00

I've been drawing up a series of tourists for a little while as an exercise to keep loose drawing characters. Quick characters in a snapshot. So here's a shot of Maladroit Miranda.

And quick color version.

Bakemono Cover

2011-02-21T20:35:00.000-08:00

Man-o-man, I just took a trip through a very large folder, and came across this piece. This is still one of my favorite pieces of concept art I've done. Nothing like a mass shot of monsters looming over a group of heroes to get the imagination going.

Dangerous Mouse

2011-02-11T21:09:00.000-08:00

He kinda looks like a klingon mouse hmmm. Kreesh krosh!

the Tourists

2011-02-05T21:24:00.000-08:00

Oh blog, it's been so long since our last update. To make up for it I've brought some tourists to come visit.

A hard day's fight

2010-12-31T17:27:00.001-08:00

New Konamis Cover -- Battle of the bands, it's a hard day's fight.

Doctor Who buttons

2010-12-03T08:32:00.000-08:00

Real mature doc. Real mature.

I've been watching old Doctor Who stuff a lot while I was on vacation this past week, and I thought "BUTTONS!"

Yeah Dude!

2010-11-16T15:01:00.000-08:00

At the Tucson Comic-Con the other weekend, here's a piece I did for a fantastic super-fan!

His only desire was that it be awesome, and have boobs (as if there's anything awesome without boobs).

Konamis -- Tucson 2010 print

2010-10-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

Hey dudes, if you're going to be at Tucson Comic-con this coming Saturday Nov. 6th 2010, come see the Konamis and pick up an exclusive print: "Fighting isn't a problem - it's the solution"

Actionfat!

2010-10-17T17:50:00.000-07:00

For the plus sized man of action.

Hourlies 2010

2010-10-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

Character quick draw

2010-10-01T14:15:00.000-07:00

Kind of like this sketch--so here it is.

High Fives make the world go round

2010-10-01T13:49:00.001-07:00

Zombie Hunter 2001

2010-09-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

While I was backing up my computer today I came across a comic I drew about 9 years ago. Never really did anything with it after the first 15 pages, and until I started drawing comics again a couple of years ago, it was the last action comic project I did. So here it is--Zombie Hunter 2001.

Major Tom Jr.--Prologue

2010-09-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

More Zombies.

2010-09-03T07:11:00.000-07:00

Recently went Drawing with my pal Greg. While we were hanging out I started to zombify some people. The guy on the right was at the opposite end of the coffee shop, I don't think he knew what I was doing but, as soon as I finished drawing him he looked up suddenly and my pen exploded. Gave me a cool splatter effect, but it was eerie.

Zombies!!

2010-09-01T06:55:00.001-07:00

Been Watching a lot of Danny Phantom with the kiddo, so I wanted to draw some odd head shapes and make 'em Zombies.

Crabble

2010-08-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

Year One: Smilin' Sea Horse.

Today is baby Julian's birthday, every year I've done an aquatic Kid costume. Monsieur Crabbe is the latest in the collection.

Dan Ravage--Profile

2010-08-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

Name: Dan Ravage
Age: Youthful
Likes: Ladies, Guitars, and Ladies with Guitars
Dislikes: Boats, Moats, and other Oat words
Fun Fact: To date, Dan has given out 735,986 personal interest cards.

Mr. Avery goes to Washington

2010-07-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

Well, it's a sad week. My good friend Ian is leaving Arizona. I've known Ian for around 6 years now, and I have to say that he is easily one of the nicest, most stand-up guys I know. At work we put together a little book for him, crafty projects, cards, bookmarks, etc. So I did what I know and made a mini-comic chronicling his new life. Gonna miss you buddy, good luck!

The Comparative

2010-06-24T10:08:00.000-07:00

Original vs. Final page.

Konamis Cover Collection

2010-06-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

A collection of some of the covers we've had for the Konamis over the past year and a half. From the flight of the Felonious Frogface to The Hive.

Dracspectac Mini

2010-06-07T06:28:00.000-07:00

Dracula Spectacula the comic of a down-on-his-luck Dracula, who just wants to find that special someone.
12 Pages of B/W awesomeness. I'll be putting these together this week.

The best Damn Down-on-his-luck Dracula.

2010-04-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

Started working on a new mini comic--
Dracula Spectacula!

It's going to be pretty short (8 pages tops) to start, but we'll see. I like this character a lot.

I've been feeling more confident using the brush so I wanted to try my hand at doing an entire comic with it. You can trust, this comic is gonna be AMAZING!

--The Amazing Doctor Thunderskull.

Brushing Lantern

2010-04-08T06:56:00.000-07:00

Green Lantern is just plain fun to draw. I've been trying to push myself to get better with the brush, because it's not something I've ever really worked with. Since I don't want to carry around a bottle of ink with me wherever I go, I bought a handy little brush pen that yields similar results. When I first started using it I was extremely heavy handed, having trouble getting nice thin lines. I'm still working with it, because it's fun to learn new things.

Going to check the mail

2010-03-02T05:44:00.000-08:00

The Awesome Team Awesome

2010-02-25T13:21:00.001-08:00

Hourlies Batch 3

2010-02-24T20:00:00.000-08:00

Hourlies Batch 2

2010-02-24T19:58:00.000-08:00

Hourlies Batch 1

2010-02-24T19:56:00.000-08:00

New Dracula Spectacula Extravaganza Variety Show

2010-01-13T11:49:00.000-08:00

I did this for Christmas and realized I hadn't posted anything in a while. So get ready here comes the art dump:

Danger Science BTS

2009-11-23T06:17:00.000-08:00

This is how the magic of Danger Science looks before I add in that wonderful technicolor. I've recently decided to letter it myself instead of using fonts. I think it just adds to the Journal(y?) feel of it.

2009-11-07T15:20:00.001-08:00

Danger Science 100909

2009-10-16T21:32:00.000-07:00

Danger Science--091909

2009-09-25T20:45:00.000-07:00

Danger Science 090609

2009-09-18T21:09:00.002-07:00

Danger Science 082809

2009-09-18T21:09:00.001-07:00

Catwoman

2009-08-30T21:56:00.001-07:00

Danger Science 081309

2009-08-18T15:53:00.000-07:00

Danger Science 080709

2009-08-08T06:52:00.000-07:00