Comics Now! #2 in stores, well, NOW!

The second issue of Comics Now! hit stores this month. Based on the first issue, it's a top-notch magazine that I can't recommend highly enough.

Issue 2 sports a stunning cover highlighting an in-depth look at villains. Additional features focus on crime comics and pulp heroes.

Of interest to readers of this blog, is that the pulp heroes article talks about Athena Voltaire.

I haven't seen a copy of this issue, but I'm really looking forward to it.


So remember to go to your local comics shop and tell them "I want my Comics Now!"

Steve Rude: Artist in Motion

Two weeks ago, I got a treasure trove of art books in my DCBS order—among them, last week's review, Modern Masters Volume 15: Mark Schultz, and today's book, Steve Rude: Artist in Motion.

Usually, when I receive art books, I look at the pictures and read passages that interest me, eventually working my way through the whole book. With the Schultz book, I read it start to finish and devoured every image in the sequence of the book. It was such an enjoyable process that I decided to do the same with the Rude book.

Wow. This book is an artistic journey. Rude has long been one of my top 5 guys, but this book only increases my appreciation of the man and his work.

And it makes me want to draw. A lot.

I can't recommend this book highly enough—whether you're into comic art, illustration or the artistic process, you need to own this wonderful volume.

Mark Schultz, Modern Master!

Another break from my artwork today...

It's no secret that I think Mark Schultz is one of the finest comics artists of the last 30 years (oh, hell, EVER). An incredible draftsman, superb storyteller and excellent technician, Mark is the real deal.

And the latest volume of the terrific TwoMorrows Modern Masters series (vol 15) celebrates Mark's talents.

Every volume of the Modern Masters series is top-notch, and I'm now at the point where I buy each one regardless of my familiarity with the artist. I think there are a lot of people who are that dedicated to this series.

And therein lies my one gripe about this book. I would have preferred to see TwoMorrows include notations of the media for each piece (pencils, inks, etc) in the cut lines next to the illustrations. While I know the level of inking ability Mark has, I'm not sure that someone first exposed to Mark's work would realize that some of the tonal pieces featured in the book are not pencil drawings, but incredible drybrush pieces created 100% in ink. The b/w piece that accompanies this entry is an example. No pencil. All brush and ink.

Aside from that, it's a beautiful book.

If you enjoy this book, be sure to check out Mark's Various Drawings series from Flesk Publications, as well.

Today, at the Ursula Wilde Production Diary, we continue our look at the character designs for the upcoming series.

Over at the Athena Voltaire Blog, we get a glimpse of what might have been, with the Jason Millet's and my cover to the aborted mini-series, The Legend of Mu-King.

I want my COMICS NOW!

Taking a break from artwork today, I'd like to point you toward the first issue of Comics Now! magazine.

It's published by my friends Bryan Deemer, Brent Erwin and David Hedgecock and features a terrific blend of mainstream and indie comics, with an in-depth focus throughout each of the articles (think: Back Issue magazine, for contemporary comics), wrapped in a lavish, slick full-color package.

The first issue is in stores now. You owe it to yourself to check it out. You'll be glad you did.

Just go to your retailer and proclaim "I want my Comics NOW!"

Then visit Comics NOW! on the web.