Inkwell Awards – Your Vote Is Needed

We interrupt this blog for an important announcement.

Starting from April 15 to April 30th, 2013 you can vote in the Inkwell Awards.

http://www.inkwellawards.com/

The Inkwell Awards is a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and promotion of the art of inking. Inking is a much over-looked but crucial element to the comic book process. Everyone is encouraged to vote, whether you’re a fan or professional. The only difference this year is that the public is not allowed to vote in the The Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement category. The winners will be announced live at Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC June 7-9 2013. For more information, please click on the above Inkwell Awards link.

My previous post about the Inkwells: http://witchesbrewpress.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/inkwell-awards/

Also please feel free to click on the below link:

http://www.firstcomicsnews.com/?p=71158

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Just Released! An Invitation To The World Luisa Felix Cartoonist. (Tribute Book)

The tribute book for cartoonist Luisa Felix has just been released. (Refer to a previous blog post: http://witchesbrewpress.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/cartoonist-and-friend-luisa-felix-1952-2013/)

You can be one of the first to get your own copy at the MoCCA Fest this weekend at table C91.

An Invitation To The World Of Luisa Felix, Cartoonist. The 100-page book has been printed in a limited edition of 250 hand-numbered copies, and each copy will contain a small sample of original Luisa Felix art. Nine artists (also contributed to the book. The art incorporates some of the many characters Ms. Felix created over her forty-year career. The book is a joint publication of Drowned Town Press and Micro-Comics.

An Invitation To The World Of Luisa Felix, Cartoonist. The 100-page book has been printed in a limited edition of 250 hand-numbered copies, and each copy will contain a small sample of original Luisa Felix art. Nine artists – Keith O’Brien, Michele Witchipoo, Steve Peters, Larry Blake, Natalie Ewert, Frank Humphris, Eric Jensen, Paul and myself – have also contributed tribute art incorporating some of the many characters Ms. Felix created over her forty-year career. The book is a joint publication of Drowned Town Press and Micro-Comics.

If there are any copies left after the Mocca show, you might be able to order either through this website, or contact Paul Curtis. At the moment, your best bet is to purchase the book at the Mocca Fest. Any further updates will be posted.

http://drownedtownpress.com/home.html

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Cartoonist and Friend Luisa Felix (1952 – 2013)

Just found out about the news of Luisa Felix’s passing.

Luisa Felix was a cartoonist, writer, peer and friend based in Hoboken, New Jersey. I don’t know the entire details. She died in January 2013.

According to this blog entry by cartoonist and publisher Paul Curtis, Luisa died of a stomach virus. It was complicated further by the power outages following Hurricane Sandy:

http://paulcurtis.livejournal.com/431990.html?view=1984630#t1984630

Luisa Felix had a love of films from the 1920′s and 1930s era. Inspired by actress Jean Harlow, Luisa created her character Candy Blondell.

Comic book character Candy Blondell created by Luisa Felix.

I had first met Luisa during the MoCCA Art Festival back in 2005 or 2006. She was a sweet lady who formed her own fantastic world through her comics. Here’s two of her front covers:

“Bury Me Not” comic by Luisa Felix.

“The Evil Cat” by cartoonist Luisa Felix. Featuring her main character Candy Blondell.

Luisa was a kind creative who was a regular fixture at the annual Indie comic con MoCCA Art Fest. It was there I first came in contact with her. A very sweet woman. When I first started taking my own comics and artwork seriously, she was one of the first comic creators who I befriended. Due to this, she kinda holds a special place in my memories. In addition, she was a wonderful artist.

Cartoonist Luisa Felix (1952 – 2013) at the MoCCA Art Festival. Photographer unknown.

Plans for a tribute in honor of this delightful female cartoonist is in the works.

Rest in peace Luisa.

Additional links:

http://comiccreatorsunited.blogspot.com/2010/03/luisa-felix-presents-candy-blondell.html

http://francisbonnet.com/archive/sft/?p=1136

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Inkwell Awards

There’s nothing wrong with modern technology. Yet even conveniences at our fingertips, sometimes the old fashioned methods are the best. Take for example with music and art. Particularly with comic book inking.

Inking is one of the key elements that makes the artwork pop out. It helps establish atmosphere through lighting and textures. It’s also important to note that not all inking styles are the same. For example, difference in inking styles range between a very polished finish and a rough, gritty mood. Therefore it is important to recognize the vital role inkers have in crafting the final, finished look of a comic book story.

The Inkwell Awards is a non-profit organization that brings this kind of recognition to comic book inkers. You can click on this link for more  information: http://www.inkwellawards.com/

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New York Comic Con 2012 Part Two

Before Sandy came along and made everything rather messy.
NYCC entrance. Jacob Javits Center, NYC. Oct. 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Before the mess of Hurricane Sandy and the U.S. Presidential elections, there was the seventh annual New York Comic Con. The NYCC took place at its’ usual spot at the Jacob Javits Center. From 2006 onwards, the NYCC has become the second largest comicbook convention in the United States. It’s second only to the infamous motherload of them all, the San Diego Comic Con.

In 2010, I had a small table at the NYCC over in the Artist Alley section. Perhaps one day I’ll have another table again. For now I’m content walking around with a professional badge around my neck, observing everything.

Monsters. NYCC. Oct. 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

Mainstream comic book conventions are good for highlighting current pop culture trends. As mentioned in my previous post, Doctor Who and The Avengers were huge among costumers this year.

In the Doctor Who catagory, you had both genders doing the Matt Smith look, complete with fez hats. There were a few David Tennants as well. I did spot someone dressed as the fifth doctor, and one lone  Tom Baker clone. Even children got in on the act.

Baby Dalek.
NYCC 2012
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

There was a small collective of Harry Potter fans. Of course, no comicbook con is complete without people dressing like their favorite characters. For example, I saw a Spiderman with a pot belly, a Venom with a sizable crotch bulge, one Rorschach, a few Jokers from The Dark Knight era, a few Harlequins, plenty of Deadpools, Blackcats, and who can forget Star Wars. My faith in humanity was briefly ignited for one second thanks to a couple dressed like Dr. Frankfurter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

My faith in humanity was briefly restored when seeing this couple.
Doctor Frankfurter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
NYCC, Jacob Javits Center, NYC.
Oct. 2012. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

Here’s some photos from the weekend of Oct. 11 – 14th, 2012.

Crowd towards the end on Friday night.
NYCC. Jacob Javits Center, NYC. Oct. 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

Women posing for photos.
NYCC, Oct. 2012
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

Angel costume.
NYCC. NYC Oct. 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

Some men love being underneath women’s feet.
NYCC, Oct. 2012. NYC
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

Rapper Jean Grae after participating in a panel about Hip Hop and comicbook culture. Also a fellow Love and Rockets comicbook fan.
NYCC. NYC. Oct. 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

Wanna smell like a member of The Avengers?
That’s actually kind of scary…considering
you’re in battle inside sweaty metal armor all day.
Ironman cologne.
NYCC. NYC. Oct. 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

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New York Comic Con 2012 Part I

Before Hurricane Sandy and the US Presidential Elections, there was the 2012 New York Comic Con.

The New York Comic Con has become an annual event in NYC since 2006, making it the second largest comicbook convention in the United States, next to the San Diego Comic Con.

My ‘Professional’ pass for the 2012 NYCC.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

I had a small table in Artist Alley back in 2010. Perhaps one day I’ll have another shot at having a table in that section. In the meantime, I was perfectly content to walk around with a professional badge around my neck.

Greetings Earthlings. NYCC Entrance. Oct. 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

Like all such events, there are trends. Particularly pop culture trends, and comic book conventions are no exception. This year the 11th regeneration of Doctor Who, (currently portrayed by Matt Smith) was in vogue. An interesting development in this craze was there were just as many females dressing up as ‘the doctor’ as there were males. There were more female doctors, as a matter of fact, fez hats and all.

In the autograph section was British actor Peter Davidson, who was the fifth doctor in the ongoing series. Currently in the UK version of Law and Order, he was gracious enough to pose for fan photographs.

Doctor Who fan Ben Herman shakes hands with British actor Peter Davidson, who played the fifth Doctor Who. New York Comic Con 2012. Photo by Michele Witchipoo. Oct. 2012.

One sidenote: his current son-in-law is the tenth doctor, David Tennant.

Besides Doctor Who being in vogue, there were The Avengers (not the American punk band from the late 70s, I meant the comic). There were especially a lot of fans dressed like Captain America, no doubt thanks to the hit movie. All the cosplayers were out in full force, of course. I did see two people in attendance dressed like characters from The Rocky Horror Picture show.

Hip Hop/Rap & comics panel. Went here by accident, but stayed because of some of the righteous stuff that was being said. Reminded me of some of the globalization lectures I heard in Austria this past spring.
Fuzzy photo taken by Michele Witchipoo

By accident I walked into a panel discussing Rap and Hip-Hop’s connection with comic-book culture. Instead of turning around, I stayed due to some of the key points being discussed during talks. My eyebrows were raised when female rapper Jean Grae mentioned reading my all-time favorite comic Love and Rockets during her formative years. Afterwards I approached her, informing her that I was also a huge Los Hernandez fan. Well she gave me an unexpected sincere hug, and that converted me into being her fan.

Joel Hodgson from Mystery Science Theater 3000. NYCC 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

On Sunday there was a pleasant surprise. Joel Hodgson from Mystery Science Theater 3000 from Mystery Science Theater 3000 was signing autographs.

Onto Artist Alley. A major improvement when it came to this department. It was much more organized than in previous years. Therefore it was easier to walk around, checking out assorted artists, ranging from established to the independent. For example, George Perez (Wonder Woman circa 1980s) had a table selling his work.

Here’s some additional photos from this year’s event, which took place at the Jacob Javits Center.

Proof that social media and/or iPhone apps have made it into the heart of pop culture consciousness. Instagram app. NYCC 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Love in an elevator. NYCC 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Felix The Cat! At the NYCC, you might need more than a bag of tricks.
NYCC Oct. 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Even at comic cons, it might be a nice day for a white wedding.
NYCC 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Cosplayer. NYCC 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Fan dressed as the 10th Doctor. As in Doctor Who. NYCC 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo.

Checking out the activities before extermination.
NYCC 2012.
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

One of these days, I’m gonna dress like a furry for Halloween. But that’s all. No funny business. Just the costume.
NYCC 2012
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Orko!
NYCC 2012
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Punk/Batcave 80s throwback.
First spotted her during in the “Art Takes Times Square” event in June 2012.
NYCC 2012
Photo by Michele Witchipoo

Punk/Batcave 80s throwback.
First spotted her during in the “Art Takes Times Square” event in June 2012.
I want her skirt.
NYCC 2012

More photos to be added. To be continued.

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My Art In Filthy Cake Horror Anthology/Scary Art Publishing

I illustrated a sequential art story written by horror artist extraordinaire Nicolas Caesar. It’s an awesome comic book anthology featuring many great artists and writers. So what are you waiting for? It debuted at the APE show in San Fransisco recently, in which the books sold out. A new batch is being printed as we speak. So don’t miss out – order your copy today! 

Cover for Filthy Cake, published by Scary-Art Publishing.
http://www.scary-art.com/scaryartpublishing.htm

http://www.scary-art.com/scaryartpublishing.htm

 Many thanks to Nicolas Caesar again.

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Michele Witchipoo Interview Jazma Online

Comicbook reviewer and journalist Richard Vasseur was gracious enough to interview me on the Jazma Online Forum website.

You can read the interview here:

http://forums.jazmaonline.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4894

Thanks again to Richard for conducting the interview.

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Filthy Cake Horror Anthology

Brief news update. I’ll have a short story illustrated by me and written by Nicolas Caesar in the horror anthology Filthy Cake. There’s two horror anthologies actually. The other collection is entitled The Pit and the Compendium. Both anthologies will feature art and stories by a variety of talented folks. Details forthcoming.

 

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Backporch Comics Link From April 2012

Check out this link. This dates back to April 2012, when I had contributed a Psycho Bunny story to the April Fool’s issue of IF-X:

http://backporchcomics.com/premierecomicsp2.htm

Here’s a photo of the issue I was referring to:

 

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