2 artists, 1 script! Gutters with different layouts

Gutters with Ryan Sohmer and crew, is a hilarious, time sensitive editorial cartoon lampooning the comic book industry and the heroes and characters that dwell within.  I've done a number of strips for them, and count myself as one of their semi-regular contributors.

My cool and affable editor Jeff Moss asked me to draw Gutters # 559 last week and I agreed to do it. I knew I'd be up north at a cottage and unable to access the internet, but during the time away I planned to get all the pencils done. I'd then ink it up on Sunday night when I got back. This way I hit my deadline and the colorist and letterer would have Monday to work their magic.

I got the script and sent an email to confirm I was all set and would be away - just before I drove out of range on Friday.  Unfortunately... my confirmation email got blocked by the spam filters at Gutters HQ. Poor Jeff sent a few emails over the weekend asking if I got it, and was everything OK?  None of these I saw until I got back into cell range on Sunday afternoon. Since this is a time sensitive strip, and he needs to get a page out there on schedule, Jeff's last email on Sunday morning was a "sorry, but since we haven't heard from you, I have to give it to another artist so it'll be done by Tuesday."

While this sucked for me, I completely understand. Editors are ALWAYS concerned about artists flaking out and leaving them to pick up the pieces. Artists being hard to reach near deadlines is like Kryptonite for editors.

Why am I telling you all of this? It's the story of how the art below is now an 'unpublished' Gutters #559 page from me. It's pencils only, as there is no point in inking it now!   ;-) 

I put it up here for those hardcore comic art (and comic scripting!) fans who like to see how different artists might interpret the same script.  Since the script isn't mine to show, I cant post it here without permission...but if you compare the dialogue and read it carefully, you'll get an idea of what we were asked to draw.

Compare my pencils below to the final PUBLISHED page right here. 

I hope you find this as interesting as I do, Rob Dumo made some interesting artistic choices that are different than mine, but just as valid. Not only that...he made a great page to boot!

Oh, and since Jeff is such a cool guy, you'll be seeing me in the Gutters again very soon...stay tuned to my twitter, this blog, or just book mark the gutters main page! 

Undertow issue #1 thru #4 Review.

Its always great to get feedback on one's work, and comic review sites are one of the best places to do this. 

Thanks to twitter, I just saw an Undertow review up at The Steve Strout site, and a link to it can be found here. 

Now, off to make more of issue #5!  

Upcoming comic work...

I've been keeping busy working away on the new issue of Undertow - (number 5!), as well as pages for ANOTHER Heroes of the North trade paperback.  Both of these books will be released early next year.  

Here's a sneak peek:

This is good time to remind you that back issues of Undertow are available for order from the main website - http://7thwavecomics.com/

Undertow covers #1-3 plus 2nd printing covers

Also, Heroes of the North have some nice new Trade paperbacks available from their website . They collect a number of pages that I've worked on with Guillermo Ortego. You can order one from them directly, or you can grab one from me by getting in touch ( twitter works great for that) , or see me at a con while supplies last!

The Gutters #534

I'm back in the Gutters again today...have a look by clicking right here.

Sequentials and pages for Editors

Batman! For Toronto Fan-Expo 2014

I've been confirmed for Fan Expo again this year (7 years in a row now I think!) and am bringing along copies of the latest UNDERTOW comic, and a few prints.

This Batman one is new, with inks from LeBeau Underwood and colors from Greg Harms

Monstrosity #2 - pin up

Monstrosity is back!

The 2nd volume is now just finishing kickstarter mode. 

Last time I drew a 5-pager, and this time its a pin up! Monsters are cool, but throw in a damsel in distress and now your talking. ;-) 

I'll be sure to update details on the release date - on my twitter!- once I get them. 

Heroes of the North - Legacies

In early July, Heroes of the North - Legacies will be available. I'm not 100% such which stories will be in there, but I know there are a number of 'em I've drawn that are just waiting to be published. Here is the cover and description of the book, taken from the HON website. They are available from their site, or from me directly at conventions while supplies last.

 



Our 120 page trade paperback featuring never before seen stories that make the bridge between Season One and Two is coming out in June! Featuring stories by Yann & Michel Brouillette, Jean Marquis and Christian Viel, with art by a slew of Canadian talents including Andre St-Amour, Gibson Quarter, Zach Fischer, Geof Isherwood and many more! Cover by Patrick Hénaff with a foreword by Ty Templeton.

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!

Harley Quinn

Here's a new print I'll have ready for the Calgary Expo later this month.

Swing on by to my NEW table spot at X 03 in the main exhibitor hall during the show and have a look.

Inks by Guillermo Ortego, and colors by Jamie Grant. 

IN Store signings for Undertow - April 9th,16th & May 14th

Adam Gorham and myself will be doing in store signings for the new release of Undertow #4

We'll be at the Silver Snail Wednesday April 9th from 6-9

Then we'll be at Stadium Comics on April 16th from 6-9

And last - but not least! We'll be at Paradise comics on May 14th from 6-9

Come on out and get one signed!

The Gutters #490 ...with Joss Whedon

I've drawn up another Gutters strip for the fine folks at Blind Ferret.

 Gutters is a series of standalone pages that parody the comic book industry and the heroes and characters that dwell within. Think of it as an editorial cartoon targeting comic books, and you'll be on the right track. Gutters is written by Ryan Sohmer, has Ed Ryzowski as the colorist, and uses rotating artists.

I really like working with these guys, and I'm up to a grand total of 5 strips now...can a limited 'GQ' Gutters edition with a hydrofoil cover be far off?

Please click on over and give Gutters #490 some love!

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! 

Spring COMIC CONVENTION schedule

The snow is starting to melt, and that means CON season is soon on its way.

I'm going to be signing and sketching at the following conventions this spring:

Toronto ComicCON  - March 7th-9th  

Updated ** I'll be in artist alley at spot P -17

Emerald City Comic Con  - March 28th-29th 
*I'll be at the 7th wave comic's booth helping with the launch of  Undertow #4

Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo - April 24th -27th
UPDATED *I'll be at table - X 03 in the main exhibitor hall


UPDATED -*ADDED* 
 OTTAWA COMIC CON 
I'll be in the main exhibitor's section (not artist alley) ..look for me at spot # 1016



There are also more cons later this year, but I'll wait to blog 'em until closer to the actual dates.

Cheers!

Art display at the Tampered Press - until Jan 31st

 *** UPDATED****

The display is now held over until the END of January...come on by and check it out!

I've been invited to display some of my work at my local (and Favorite!) coffee bar here in Toronto.


From now until January 15th, you can drop by the Tampered Press at 256 Crawford Street Toronto  and have a good, up-close look at 6 pages of my work. It's a mix of covers and prints, all of which are for sale for the prices listed on them.

 Be sure to grab a delicious chia latte or double Americano while you are there... you wont be disappointed!

2013 - Year end round up

Holy smokes! Another YEAR has gone by?!?!  Yikes.

When it comes to published work in 2013, here's what went down. This is work I've put out into the big wide the world the last 12 months.

 I saddled up with more 'Organ Grinder' adventures in UNDERTOW #3, got to draw up the chap-hop rapper himself in PROFESSOR ELEMENTAL #2 . I had some pages in MONSTROSITY #2 with Fearless Fred, and pinned-up Kill Shakespeare in the TIDE OF BLOOD trade paperback. I got my Canadian Super-heroes on with HEROES OF THE NORTH: CODA. 

Lastly, work from way back in the day ( James Bong anyone?) was published in the spliffy GANJAMAN #3

I also got to drop down to the Gutters again , and still hung out (and posted more!) on twitter. ( @Gibsonquarter  )    I was international in my appearances this year, and attended Comic Cons in: Seattle, Calgary and Toronto.  

There is no rest for my drawing board in 2014. Work is 'in the can' for more Heroes of the North  (with inks by Guillermo Ortego) and the soon-to-be-blogged-about release of Undertow issue #4.  Watch for details on that, and my ECC Convention appearance here soon.

Cheers and Happy new year to all!