2018 Round up? Nope...

You may have noticed that there has been a lack of posts and a lack of art up here recently, and for the first time in years, I have not put a yearly round up highlighting my activity.  That's because 2018 is a year I'd like to forget. 

I try to stay positive and am generally a very upbeat kind of guy, but 2018 had a lot of negative things hit me all at once (financial, health and a foggy malaise) and I found it tough to deal for a while. This affected my ability to draw and be as creative as I would have liked.

However... I'm happy to report, that 2019 IS HERE! 

With it comes a clean bill of health, and more time at the drawing board. I will have a number of new releases this year.. RAID 2, Auroraman, and the Organ Grinder are on the plate so far!

If you are so inclined, please follow long on my Instagram where I post more images on the regular...I'm at :   @gibson_quarter

https://www.instagram.com/gibson_quarter/

For now, here is an uncolored Venom that should have been posted up he while ago!  ;-)

Undertow #7 !

Undertow issue #7 from 7th Wave comics launches this weekend at Emerald City Comic Con, (BOOTH 103 !)  and will be out in select comic shops in March.

This issue picks right up where #6 and recently released Trade Paperback left off. We have also added grey-tones this time around for an even richer comic reading experience.  Adam Gorham is back again... this time with a sweet cover!

Take a look and Support Indy comics! You can order it online or from any of the creators at upcoming conventions!  

ORGAN GRINDER Trade Paperback Collection!

This year at the 2017 Emerald City Comic Con, 7th Wave comics will release The Organ Grinder Trade paperback.

This is super exciting for me, as its the first time that over 100 pages of my artwork will be available in the same book!

The book collects the Luke Donkersloot written Organ Grinder pages that appeared in the Undertow issues #1-6, plus all the covers and pin ups that have been published. Its kinda like an Omnibus edition for all things 'OG'! (and it also includes a NEW 16 page story with inks by Pat Davidson!)

The book will be available online after ECCC and I'll have copies available at my artist alley spot at shows I'm attending later this year. (Calgary Expo, Fan Expo, etc)

I'm also attending the Emerald City Comic Con for the launch, signing and sketching (defacing?) copies of the Book.  Come by the 7th Wave Comic's booth and say hello!

Undertow #6 - 4 page preview

Undertow #6 is ready for launch. The supernatural western feature called the “Organ Grinder” continues in UNDERTOW #6 which will launch at Emerald City Comic Con  

This issue has 2 other stories featuring the talents of David Cutler, and "Fearless" Fred Kennedy with Ryan Howe on art duties.


Here is a 4 page preview of the Organ Grinder ...

This comic is available at the 7th Wave publishing website .

Please have a look and pick up a copy from the 7th wave booth at ECCC in Seattle, the website, or me directly at Calgary fan Expo ! 

You can't keep a one-armed cursed gunfighter down for long!

The next issue of Undertow from 7th wave comics is now coming together, and that means Jeremiah and Moses (his chain smoking monkey!) will saddle up again soon.

Here's a preview:

Undertow #5 - 5 page preview

Jeremiah and Moses the monkey saddle up in the old west once again! The supernatural western feature called the “Organ Grinder” continues in UNDERTOW #5 which will launch at Emerald City Comic Con  
at the end of March.

Here's a sneak-peek ....
 

This issue also features the terrific talent of Adam Gorham on another story in the book, “the Forgetting” AND...Adam is also the artist for that sweet front cover up above.

This comic is available at the 7th Wave publishing website .

Please have a look and pick up a copy from the 7th wave booth at ECCC in Seattle, the website, or me directly at Calgary fan Expo ! 

Free Comic Book Day- ORGAN GRINDER #1 special edition and Signing

Bursting from the pages of Undertow, There will limited quantities of ORGAN GRINDER #1 for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY at select comic shops in Toronto and Seattle!

Featuring pin ups from Guillermo Ortego, Adam Gorham Shane Amato Christopher Yao Greg Harms and others, it collects the continuing story of the Organ Grinder himself -Jeremiah- and his chain smoking side kick Moses the monkey from issue #1 and 2 of Undertow.

I'll be at Second Chance Collectibles comic shop on May 3rd for free comic day, so come by 39 King George Rd. Brantford and grab one for yourself!

Undertow 4 – 5 page preview!

It’s time once again for Jeremiah and Moses the monkey to saddle up in the old west. They continue their adventures in the supernatural western feature - the “Organ Grinder” -in UNDERTOW comics.  UNDERTOW Issue #4 is complete and ready for launch at Emerald City Comic Con  .

Here's a peek of some of the story inside.

This issue also features the terrific talent of Adam Gorham on the OTHER story in the book, “the Forgetting” .

In other cool news, 7th Wave publishing now has a nifty new website where you can stay current with all the latest, and purchase comics!

In even MORE cool news, we have now sold out of the print runs of issue #1 and #2, and have a second printing of issue #2 which has this cover from Greg Harms.

Please have a look and grab this creepy/cool book from the 7th wave booth at ECCC in Seattle, the website, or me directly at Calgary fan Expo!

Interior pages from other issues can be found by clicking here for #2, and right here for #3

Get caught in the Undertow! 

Undertow Comic interview in Self Publisher Magazine #69

The good folks at Self Publisher magazine recently did a nice 4 page article/interview with Luke and I regarding the Undertow as well as life and issues for a small publisher.

Luke Donkersloot, the writer and publisher at 7th Wave comics did most of the heavy lifting, but I pushed past my natural shyness (!) and spoke up a bit too. The download of this magazine is free (FREE!) and available here at this link.  SELF PUBLISHER #69

We are hard at work on Undertow issue #4 and I'm back doing the 'Organ Grinder' part of the comic. I'm once again joined by Adam Gorham on the 'Forgetting' also contained within. Its set to be released at ECCC next March and will be available at comics shops and the 7th wave website shortly after that.

Page 4 will probably look a little like the image below, but with words and stuff. Writers always seem to want to add them. ;-)

Undertow issue 4-'Organ Grinder' panels from page 4

Undertow and the Organ Grinder update...

I'm currently hard at work on the 3rd issue of Undertow. The folks at 7th Wave have been super patient while I slotted in other works (Heroes of the North!) but now, it wont be long before the Organ Grinder and his chain smoking monkey ride again. We will pick up right from the crazy cliffhanger that was the end of issue #2....

The best news is issue #3 will have the talented and super nice Adam Gorham on pencils for 'The Forgetting', which is the other story in the book. Yep. Adam fucking Gorham. Booya!

More good news is that the print run for ISSUE #1 is almost sold out! So, we are going to a 2nd printing of issue #1!  Check back soon for details, including a possible peek at the art Ty Templeton contributed to the reprint...how cool is that?!?

Here is a page of older unpublished art featuring the Organ Grinder, kindly colored by Owen Watts. Any colorists looking for high rez scans to practice with, just hit me up...I'll see what I can dig up.

UNDERTOW #2 - 5 Preview pages

In a little over a one week, Undertow #2 will be out. It's launching at the Undertow/7th Wave booth Jan 28th and 29th at Wizardworld Con in New Orleans. After Feb 1st it'll be available online here.

The book will be black and white once again and thirty-two pages featuring two stories: THE FORGETTING illustrated by Jonathan A. Rector and Greg Harms, and THE ORGAN-GRINDER illustrated by me. Both stories are written by Luke Donkersloot.

So, whats it all about? My short answer is: a one armed gunfighter, his chain smoking monkey and a mysterious cursed organ he can't destroy.

Fortunately for me, I have acess to a much better description: "A one-armed man travels over the blasted plain of the old west with only his monkey Moses to offer him company. Few ever take the time to ponder why Jeremiah walks around with an organ box strapped over one shoulder. It certainly hasn't been bringing him any luck of late.

Despite mounting obstacles, it’s been years since Jeremiah was forced to pick up a gun to defend himself. But marauders in the unsuspecting town of Rioda, Montana are about to push the “cripple” one step too far. The deep dark secret of the organ-grinder is close to being released. You'd best cover your ears as that old tune begins to play. "

Note: if you have trouble reading them due to sizing by blogspot, please click over here.

Joe Madureira meets the Undertow...

Joe Madureira is a big artistic inspiration to me.

His art captures energy, emotion and movement exceptionally well. Those elements are pretty much the 'big 3' that I'm constantly trying to put in my pages.

Anyways, Luke Donkersloot the up-and-coming writer of the Undertow, (and the Organ Grinder stories therein), had the opportunity to meet with Joe at last year's Wizardcon in Austin Texas. Joe was kind eneough to take a read through Undertow #1 and sign a copy for me.

It's much appreciated, and hangs in my studio. Thanks to Luke for braving the crazy long lineup, and thanks also to Joe Mad!

UNDERTOW #2 - The Organ Grinder is back!

You cant keep a one armed cursed gunfighter and his chain smoking monkey down for long. Undertow #2 is FINALLY set to be released in a few short weeks, and will debut this January 28th at the WIZARD WORLD con in New Orleans!

I have 17 pages of art in there this time around, which is the most amount of consecutive pages I've ever had in one book. It took me a while, so I'm happy to see it finally getting out there. Add to that the fact that its a GREAT little story continuing from where we left off in issue #1 AND that I get to draw monkeys...and we have a winner. ;-)

An added bonus for me is that I'll be attending The Con in New Orleans to launch the book. This will be my FIRST American con, so I'm pretty psyched!! I'll be joined by the publisher, writer and a 2 other artists involved with the book.

I'll have some preview art and full details here on this blog in a week or so. I'll be doing an in-store signing here in Toronto shortly after I get back In February, so folks that want to grab one can do so. Check back soon for all the details.

Ask an Artist on the 11th! - A3on11 - What now?

Today’s question is an easy one: What are you working on now?

Right now I’m finishing up 16 pages of The Organ Grinder for Undertow #2. (Details on Undertow #1 can be found right here) Undertow #2 is set to be launched at the Wizard New Orleans con which I’ll be attending on January 28 and 29, 2011.

I’m also doing another cover and feature for the good folks at Futurequake. This one ties into the Olympics, with aliens added.

Lastly, (at the risk of jinxing it!) I’m very near a cool #1 issue for a North American publisher. I can’t say anything more than that yet, but hopefully by mid November I can chat all about it.

Until next time, here’s a page of art for Undertow #2.

Previous month's 'ask an artist' articles can be found over here : A3on11

Remember, I’ll be answering any questions you ask on the 11th of every month right here. Questions can range from very basic ones about general art creation and processes, to very technical comic creation ones. To shoot me a question, just email me (address on the right side on this blog), ask me on Facebook, or throw it in the comments section here. What I talk about just depends on what gets asked! Thanks for the question. Keep 'em coming. See you next month.

Undertow #1 and the Organ Grinder

I can FINALLY tell the story of the Organ Grinder, Undertow #1 and 7th Wave comics! This comic has been over 8 years in the making…literally. I’ve been waiting a while to talk about this one.

Back when I was first starting out ( around 2002), I hooked up with a young writer named Luke Donkersloot through Digital webbing. He sent me a great little story and concept about a one armed gunfighter with a cursed organ and a chain smoking monkey. I LOVED the story, and signed on to do it. It was, I think, my 2nd or 3rd penciling gig. Luke and I were really in sync creatively. I drew and inked the first installment, and 10 pages of the second issue before the comic was shut down before ever seeing the light of day. Slightly crushed, (OK…very crushed!) I moved on to other projects and the Organ Grinder ( O.G.) pages sat in my drawer. A great story without a home.

*Sigh*

Fast forward to about a year ago, when Luke got in touch with me again, completely out of the blue. He also contacted all the other artists whom he had commissioned work from, and said he was arranging to get the work published in Undertow #1 with 7th wave comics. www.7thwavecomics.com Great news! So I grabbed my art from the archives and………realized that it wasn’t as strong as I’d remembered. *Double Sigh* I said to Luke,
“Wait! Don’t publish THAT! You have to let me rework the pages first before you go to print!!” Being the good guy he is, he agreed. I left the art's story telling alone as it worked well, but a few art tweaks/redraws were definitely in order. what I'm trying to say is that these pages represent a very unique hybrid of my raw rookie work and my art style now, 8 years later. Have a look and see what you think.





Good story so far, eh?

PLEASE support this comic by ordering one… right here! You need this book in your life! ;-) If you are of the opinion that more folks SHOULD support small press, here is your chance. Prove it by clicking over and grabbing your own copy. Good Karma awaits.

This is the first story (and first appearance) of the O.G., and we have big things planned for him over the next few issues. Check back for more O.G. updates shortly! In the mean while go grab the UNDERTOW #1, and tell them Gibson sent ya.