Steam Crow is a Phoenix, Arizona company that creates quirky, imaginative characters and strange stories for people with a monster imagination.

These two artists have combined monsters, steam punk, and more into some amazing products, including story books, prints, buttons, purses and more.

I first met them at the Phoenix Comicon (Cactuscon) a few years ago and really dug their character Klawberry, and became an instant fan.

Daniel has created a new web comic- “Monster Commute” and even offers it as a collected “Traffic Novel“.

I can’t say enough good things about this Arizona couple’s work- or just how nice they are.

They’ve always got something new at their ever-growing and ever-changing booth every show I see them- Phoenix, San Diego, Emerald City, and more.

Daniel was recently interviewed on the Andrew Long Show (Ep.11) and talked about the creation of Steam Crow Press, the many irons he has in the Steam Crow fires, and what’s coming up down the road for Monster Commute and other Steam Crow projects and products.

Keep and “eye” out for Klawberry and Steam Crow at a convention near you!

Remember- monsters are real…real fun!

Lin

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.

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

Mike and the Ninja creator BrianRhodes (L) and well, the Ninja- or at least one of them.

There was one on Saturday (Josh) and one on Sunday (Thomas- above).

Mike and the Ninja is a webcomic where things just never go right for Mike and when he meets a ninja named Stu his life is never the same again.

What I really liked about meeting the MATN Crew was that they had a good table set up, including printed copies of the comic (some standing up, some fanned out on the table), fliers, stickers, a price list, and the name of the comic across the front of the table. But what really made them stand out was a booth ninja! The ninja would stand very still in front of the booth and when someone would walk in front of their table the ninja would spring into action and hand the potential reader a flier or sticker while striking a martial arts pose. It was a lot of fun to watch, especially when the ninja would catch someone not paying attention to their surroundings! The creator of Mike and the Ninja and “introvert at heart” Brian Rhodes decided to try something new at his hometown show this year when his cardboard stand up of  Stu the ninja was damaged earlier in a move. He enlisted a couple friends to don a mask and black ninja attire and help him promote his comic. It worked, and worked well. One of the other things I noticed was the Mike and the Ninja web address (URL) on all of their promotional items. Why is that so important some folks may ask- well, for a webcomic it’s everything. You’d be surprised at how many creators forget to promote their website.

I’ve said it before, if you’re going to set up at a show bring a friend. Most shows will let you bring an extra person to work your table, if not it’s worth paying a bit extra to have another body there. If you’re a bit shy and have a friend who isn’t bring them, give them a tee with your logo or art on it and let them be your pitch man(or pitch woman). If you have a friend who doesn’t mind dressing up as one of the characters in your book bring them. If nothing else you’ll get a bit more attention for your booth/table and have someone there to talk to and/or watch your booth if you want to do sketches,  go see some of the show, meet with editors, or go visit the restroom- very important for a weekend show!

Good luck to Brian and “Mike and the Ninja”.

Lin/neenjah

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.

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

Lots of great events happening this weekend paying tribute to Watson Davis, also known as SIVAD- local horror host of “Fantastic Features” here in Memphis back in the late 60′s and early 70′s.

I’ll be a part of a horror art show at Adam Shaw’s studio (2547 Broad Avenue) this Friday, March 26th from 6-8pm.

Fellow MSCA members Adam Shaw, Greg Cravens, Kevin Williams will be showing their SIVAD and horror tribute art, as well as comic artists Dean Zachary and Jim Hall- and artist/wrestler/former Memphis mayoral candidate Jerry “The King” Lawler.

Beast Wishes!

Limb

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!

The new Art Of Bushi Tales book is now available!

Written and Illustrated by Dave Beaty, Lin Workman, Micah Stewart

Standard Sized Trade Paperback
Full Color
Page Count: 100
POD

$19.95 (+s/h)

Dave Beaty, Lin Workman, and Micah Stewart take you behind the scenes in the Art of Bushi Tales. See the scripted page come alive from pencil sketches to painted art. Includes a special guest artist gallery featuring art by Bret Blevins, Scott Clark, Greg Cravens, Andrew Charipar, Harold Jennett, Martheus Antone Wade, and more! A must have for art lovers and Bushi Tales fans.

It’s is the 31st century of man and the ancient world has returned. Four female Samurai are sent on a quest by Hachiman, the god of war, in this post-apocalyptic series created by Dave Beaty (X-men: Sword of the Braddocks, Adventure Comics, Brightest Day) and Lin Workman (Stargodz, Scared Silly, CGS: The End).

The book is available from Indy Planet. If you’d like to have one personalized or pick up a copy in person Dave, Micah and I will all be at the Phoenix Comicon (Cactuscon) this May, so if you’re in the area stop by the Bushi Tales booth and say hi.

I should have news on the Bushi Tales trade paperback coming soon- stay “tooned”!

Lin

I’ll be on Channel 3′s Live at 9 morning show this Monday morning talking about the upcoming MidSouthCon (March 12-14 in Olive Branch, MS).

I’ve been on before with Alex and Marybeth pimping my comic Bushi Tales. This time I’ll be pimping the art and comics programming MSC will have to offer sci-fi fans next month at the con.

This year’s con will have Kevin J. Anderson, Gail Simone, Billy Tackett, John Jackson Miller, and many more!

I’ll have at least one of my paintings there, and should be doing some sketching live.

You can see one of my paintings in an interview about the con on Fox13 here. (Thanks, Carlin!)

Lin