Planet ComiCon April 6 & 7!

I'll be one of the comics guests at Planet ComiCon in Kansas City this weekend. Here's a link to the official website for details on the show. I'll be at table 1047 in Artists' Alley -- and will be on a panel Sunday at 1:00PM. Comics guests include Neal Adams, Howard Chaykin, Brian Azzarello, Peter Bagge, Dave Johnson, Ande Parks, Eric Shanower, Tony Moore, and my old Batman Adventures pal, Rick Burchett -- and many more! The flyer below plugs mostly the media guests -- but don't let that fool you -- there will be a lot of comics stuff at this bigger-than-ever show. If you're in the KC area, do not miss it!

I'm sorting through stacks of books, comics, art and prints to decide what to bring to the show.  Look for my Phantom banner!

Another double dose of The Phantom

Catching up on my blog posts. Here are the Phantom strips from the past couple weeks. The Phantom survives -- but he's going to need a new shirt.

MidSouthCon in memphis, THIS weekend!

I'm the comics Guest of Honor at MidSouthCon in Memphis this weekend (March 22-24) -- here's a link with info about the show. It's largely a Sci-Fi/fantasy show -- but there's a solid comics/pulp track, and I'm looking forward to the event.  I'll be on multiple panels and will have a table with art, comics, etc. on display.

Above and beyond the show, I'm really looking forward to seeing some rockabilly landmarks on Friday before the convention gets going.  Sun Studios and Graceland are on my to do list.  Here's hoping I manage to see both!  And though there's plenty of BBQ to be had here in the Kansas City area, I'm eager to sample the Memphis version!

BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!

Savarna shoots the Phantom!?!  What next?  You know the drill -- tune in next week....

Triple Phantom Action!

The art of Seduction (of the Innocent)

If you're a comics fan, you certainly know the name Dr. Fredric Wertham, and have at least heard of his notorious book, Seduction of the Innocent. Wertham and his book were at the forefront of the anti-comic book movement of the 1950's. The good doctor is not a popular person in comic book circles -- so when Max Collins was looking for a murder victim for a crime novel set in the world of 1950's comic book publishing, the ol' doc  -- or a variation on him -- seemed a natural.  And when it came time to name the novel, well, why not just borrow ol' Fred's title?

Seduction of the Innocent is the third in the Jack and Maggie Starr mystery series.  The previous books, A Killing in Comics and Strip for Murder, had interior illustrations and cover art by me.  This time around, Glenn Orbik provides the (stunning!) cover (see above), while I still handle the interiors. Just published by Hard Case Crime, this is full of references to the classic EC crime and horror comics, as well as the Charles Biro crime comic books.

I thought I'd share some unseen art from the book's production. Below you'll see the rough sketch and finished drawing for Chapter Twelve.  I was rather pleased with this one -- but it didn't match up with the copy -- Jack should have been in suit coat here -- not trench coat.  So this was redrawn -- and the only place you'll see this version of the illo is here.

We had the same problem with Chapter Eight -- so in the published version Jack has shed his coat.  His lady friend is just as naked in both versions! I should note these drawings were all done digitally in Manga Studio.

There's a faux comic book cover that appears as a frontispiece in the book -- a crime comic from the fictional "EF" line.  Here is my rough sketch for same -- and a full color version seen for the first time here. 

I hope you enjoyed this behind the scenes look at the art of Seduction... to see the rest of my drawings, you'll just have to buy the book!

Phantom catch up!

I clearly have too much on my schedule, if I'm running this far behind in posting Phantom strips!