Creator-Owned Day: The Black Cobra

Creator-Owned Day (#CreatorOwnedDay) is a celebration of comics that are owned by their creators, rather than large corporations. I have a number of creator-owned books I'm working on, and thought I'd share them throughout the day.

First up is The Black Cobra, a generational story (1940s and 1960s) of a masked vigilante passing the mantle along to his son. The cover image, above, is by me with colors by Chad Fidler. The interior pages are pencilled by Erik Roman, inked by Mark Stegbauer, and will be colored by Peter Kuebeck, with scripts by me.

Commission: The Shadow

The weed of crime bears bitter fruit!

Here's the first piece from my current "Buy an 11x17 commission, get a free page" sale; pulp hero The Shadow!

11x17, ink and Copic marker on bristol board.

And if you're curious about the sale I'm currently having, here's the skinny:

In an effort to start building up funds for convention table space, and tackle a chunk of Buddy's outstanding surgery costs , I'm having a commission sale.

Buy an $80 inked 11x17 single-figure commission, get a free page of original art (any of my pages that my art dealer, The Interior Pages,
priced at $40 or less). Add in $5 for shipping and you're set. 2 pieces of 11x17 inked original art for $85 total!

I'm currently planning to limit this to 10 customers.

Examples of my commissioned work can be found here.

Order your 11x17 Commission NOW! Be sure to mention which original art page you'd like to reserve!

For a full listing of the pieces available, click here and scroll down (link intensive!).

Commission: Athena Voltaire

Another commission of my gal, Athena Voltaire. Equally gratifying is that this helps to pay off my dog's surgery bill.

If you're interested in the Buddy Commission Surgery Fund Drive, check out the information below:

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

Order a 9x12 Commission NOW!

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

Order a 11x17 Commission NOW!

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)


More examples of my commissioned work can be found here.

Thanks!

Commission: Rocketeer to the Rescue

I've said it a hundred of times, and I'll say it a hundred more times…I never get tired of drawing the Rocketeer.

Here's the description for today's commission:

"Here's what I was thinking, a scene where Rocketeer comes crashing in through a window (skylight? etc) while Betty is tied up or chained to a wall (like girls in pulp books tended to be), maybe in torn clothing, however you want to have fun with it."

This one presented a challenge in that it's tough to fit in both figures, and the setting, AND create a sense of dynamicism. My solution was to put the point of view on one of the characters. Obviously, having the hero big is best, but the compositions I was came up with him in the foreground were shots over Cliff's shoulder or behind him, which makes for a great shot of the jetpack—but not a good shot of the Rocketeer.

Putting Betty in the foreground gave us a dynamic composition, and a front view of the Rocketeer—even if he was smaller. I tried to punch him up by adding some dynamic blacks and having all of the breaking glass radiating around him. Hopefully, this creates a focus on him, even if he's not the large figure.

I usually stay away from any implication of sex/bondage in commissions, but the "bound Betty" in this piece works for two reasons: (1) as the commissioner says, it reflects the pulps of the era, and (2) it's a winking acknowledgment of Betty Page's actual background (which Dave Stevens acknowledged throughout the series).

And the Buddy Commission Surgery Fun Drive continues! Information below:

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

Order a 9x12 Commission NOW!

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

Order a 11x17 Commission NOW!

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

I can bring the piece with me to Wizard World Chicago, if you plan on attending, or mail it to you.

More examples of my commissioned work can be found here.

Thanks!

Commission: Athena Voltaire meets Modesty Blaise

More fun with team-ups! This time around, my favorite globetrotting aviatrix meets one of the most famous femme fatales, Modesty Blaise!

And I'm still actively seeking commissions!

Additionally, I'm accepting preorders for Summit City Comic Con (June 18, Fort Wayne, Indiana). I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show (stagefright), so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Commission: Athena Voltaire and Friend

Here's another commission; this time around, it's Athena Voltaire and the gear of a friend. ;)

And I'm still actively seeking commissions!

Additionally, I'm accepting preorders for Summit City Comic Con (June 18, Fort Wayne, Indiana). I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show (stagefright), so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Commission: Iron Fists

Today, we look at two different incarnations of the Immortal Iron Fist: Orson Randall and Danny Rand.

I'm currently enjoying the most fun run of commission work that I've ever done. Thanks very much to those fine folks who commissioned me: you're challenging me and encouraging my growth—and paying me for the pleasure! Thanks!

And I'm still accepting preorders for C2E2 in Chicago. I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show, so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Email me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com

Commission: The Rocketeer

I've drawn the Rocketeer for more commissions than any other character, with the exception of my own creation, Athena Voltaire. And it never gets old.

I would love, love, love to draw a Rocketeer comic adventure one day.

And I'm still accepting preorders for C2E2 in Chicago. I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show, so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Email me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com

Commission: The Escapist

I loved Michael Chabon's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, so, of course, I was excited when I was commissioned to draw Joe Kavalier's hero "doing something awesome."

Contained in a water trap, chained, with a bomb triggered to explode qualifies, I hope...

And I'm still accepting preorders for C2E2 in Chicago. I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show, so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Email me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com

Orson Randall Iron Fist Commission

Here's today's commission, the pulp-inspired, globetrotting 1930s adventurer, Iron Fist!

And I'm still accepting preorders for C2E2 in Chicago. I'm not sure if I'll be doing more than penciled headshots at the show, so please consider lining up a commission before the show. If you're an art collector that prefers to have commissions done in your themed sketchbook, you can mail me your sketchbook and I'll be glad to bring it to the show.

PRICING

$40 for an inked single-character piece on 8.5 x 11 (or 9 x 12...depending on what I have lying around). Additional figures, email me for a quote. Plan on $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

$80 for an inked single character piece on 11 x 17. Again, for additional figures, email me for a quote. And again, $5 for Priority Mail shipping if you won't be picking up the piece at the show.

(ink wash added at artist's discretion...let me know up front if it's something you really, really, really have your heart set on.)

Email me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com

Commission: The Shadow

Rocketeer and Betty pencils

This week's theme over at Comic Twart is The Rocketeer (yes, I'm the one responsible for the theme). My finished inks can be found here.

I initially wanted to do a scene with Betty lunging with the helmet and jetpack, with Peavy, Cliff and Butch the bulldog somewhere in the scene. Additionally, I wanted to do a second drawing, spotlighting Cliff in uniform, flying (and maybe montage elements from the two series in there, like Jonas, Marco, Ham & Monk, the flying wing, etc). However, it was waaaaay too ambitious to think I could do both images, so I added Cliff flying as a vignette in the Betty piece and the problem was solved.

Even More Athena Voltaire

Here's the second page of the sequence I posted yesterday.

More Athena Voltaire

Not much action, but still a lot of fun to draw!

Speaking of Athena Voltaire

Here's another one. See, I'm not lazy, folks. I'm merely stockpiling, so we can (eventually) have a decent output. Getting there!

In Between Paying Work

I'm still working on new Athena Voltaire material. Here's a peek.

Airgirl: The rejected 1-page pitch

I pitched this to Moonstone a couple of months back, but they passed. I guess that since Airboy is in the public domain, I could take this to any publisher out there.

Any takers, anyone? I could write and draw this book for cheap. I'm just sayin'...

Commission: Athena Voltaire and Domino Lady

Two ladies that I've drawn in comics, Athena Voltaire (new comics in 2010) and Domino Lady (my story in issue #3 from Moonstone in stores now!)

Contact me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com for commission information!

Commission: More Fun with Athena Voltaire

Contact me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com for commission information!

Commission: Athena and Indy

Snakes...why did it have to be snakes? I love it when someone commissions me to draw my character. I love it even more when I get to draw her interacting with an icon. :)

Contact me at atomictikistudio at gmail dot com for commission information!