Memphis is going to get a bit more “batty” this weekend.

Escape From The Asylum is an art show inspired by the Batman comics and features work by artists Jamond Bullock, John Bullock, Patrick  Tabor, Joseph Boyd, and Tony Brown.

Show runs from May 15-29, 2010 at Marshall Arts Gallery- 639 Marshall Ave. in Memphis, TN (just down the street from Sun Studios). Show is open to the public Mon-Fri 10am-7pm. For more info click here.

See ya at the opening reception- Saturday, May 15 from 6-10pm.

There’s some talk on the internet about which comic creators should/shouldn’t get royalties.

I personally think that comics are a collaborative creation- writers, pencilers, inkers, colorists, letterers, and editors are all a team.

If one creator gets more money, everyone should.  Royalties, bonuses, comp copies, whatever. Unless it’s a solo book, no one person is the book. Some creators’ names sell more books than others, and if they get a bigger piece of the pie that’s probably fair. But their comics wouldn’t get done without the rest of the creative team. Share the wealth.

On newsarama.com Image Comics’ Erik Larson was quoted as saying, “I don’t know of a colorist that moves the needle–so I don’t think they should get royalties–same with letterers. Sorry.”

Dave McCaig replied, “Print your books in black and white. Put your money where your mouth is if you think colorists are not essential to the team.”

I tend to agree, and other than Owly I don’t know many comics that can do without lettering, too. And every comic should have a good editor.

I’ve seen inkers save pencilers on a book.  I’ve seen colorists save inkers. I’ve picked up books because I really dug the colors or inks. I’ve also seen both butcher a book, too-and I’ve dropped a book because of bad inks/colors. Bad balloon placement and fonts can take a reader out of a story. And without a letterer and the credits how would we know who did what on a comic!

I’m not crazy that there’s a food chain in comics- and that colorists and letterers tend to be considered at the bottom of it.

Shame when they’ve had to pull a late writer or penciler’s fat out of the deadline fire.

Lin

Free Comic Book Day is a single day – the first Saturday in May each year – when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores. *Check with your local shop for their participation and rules.

I’ll be at the Cape Girardeau Comic Con this weekend.  Cape Comic Con is partnering with FCBD (Free Comic Book Day) and will be giving away free comics Saturday, May 1
while supplies last.

If you’re in the Memphis area stop by Comic Cellar or Comics and Collectibles. If you’re in Phoenix stop by Samurai Comics and say hi to my Bushi Tales partner and DC Comics artist Dave Beaty.

To find out more about FCBD click here.

This May collector card company Topps will celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back with the release of The Empire Strikes Back 3-D trading cards.

The Empire Strikes Back 3-D set is designed in the Wide Vision format. The base set includes 48 cards featuring never-before-seen photos. Each box contains 24 packs, each pack contains 3 cards, and each box includes a guaranteed 1 of 1 original hand-drawn sketch card from one of today’s top Star Wars artists.

Look for Topps Certified autographs from The Empire Strikes Back cast as well.

You can see some of the sketch cards I did on my site or at the Scoundrel Art boards.

May the force be with you all!

Lin/Dork-Vader

Hey gang- lots to pimp this week!

The SIVADS of March!

March 25-28

A four-day tribute through art, film, music and words to the late Watson Davis, the innovative Malco ad man and ballyhoo specialist known for his elaborate movie promotions and who, in his guise as the ‘horror host’ known as Sivad (on the “Fantastic Features” program from 1962 to 1972 on WHBQ-TV Channel 13), was one of the most influential and beloved Memphis pop-culture heroes of the era, with a popularity that crossed generational and racial lines. He also scared the willies outta me as a kid here in Memphis in the late 60″s!