#116
Welcome back to another DECLARATIONS! Been busy, but the big news is that OLD DOG #4 has been resolicited as I’m wrapping up the issue.
ALL THE LATEST
-Took a cover gig for a book with one of my favourite ever writers. I did *a* variant for one of his books years ago, but I’ll be the main cover artist on this [very messed up] miniseries. Looking forward to getting stuck in.
-My Spider-Verse/Moon Knight cover [below] was revealed by Marvel last week. Did a blinder online, I guess people still like some Moon Knight from the Shalvster, even if it’s a crazy Spidey variant.
-I’ve agreed to my first convention of the year, a European show I’ve never done before. Watch this space.
-Have also agreed to my first signing of the year, somewhere in the UK in May for Free Comic Book Day.
-Renton Hawkey is a new cartoonist whose work I discovered a couple of years ago. I was happy to see he’s levelling up his RONIN DIGITAL EXPRESS series by putting together a 20 pg one-shot special called TOWER OF DEATH that he’ll soon be releasing via Kickstarter. You can read more about it here, and if you’re into it, click through to the notification page.
DIGITAL RONIN EXPRESS: TOWER OF DEATH by Renton Hawkey
-Here’a little peek at my DEEP SPACE NINE: DOG OF WAR cover. Not sure what issue it will be for but I’ll list it in a future ‘OUT SOON’ section.
OLD DOG
On the subject of dogs [sweet transition, Dec], I’ve been concentrating on #4 of OLD DOG as much as possible. I’ve now pencilled all of the pages, currently inking the last half. Here’s a peek at the first panel from the issue, that I inked last week.
I also wrapped up my colour script for the issue [peek below], in time for me to start colouring next week.
I’m currently nailing down the script for #5, which is a weird one. It’s certainly the most ambitious issue of the series, I’ve been determined to go a bit wild with this one ...hope I can pull it off. Have started on an OLD DOG related project that I’m going to call PROJECT [OD] REPORT. Have alluded to this before but will slowly be chipping away on this over the next few months as I complete REDACT ONE.
#4 was resolicited at the end of last week for May 10th, so I’m safe to show off the C cover by Juni Ba [above]. I really enjoy Juni’s work and I loved this fun UPA cartoon looking cover he came up with.
With the solicit now out, please do order #4 of OLD DOG. It’s another big installment in this story that let’s just say… doesn’t end the way you’d expect it to.
ALIEN
Panel from ALIEN #1, art by Andrea Broccardo
-The script for #3 of ALIEN is wrapped and I just handed in the lettering draft for #1. Have seen the colours by series colourist Triona Farrell(!) and they look spectacular. Really nailing that dark 70s/80s futuristic aesthetic I was aiming for on this series. I’m expecting to see the first proof later this week with my OLD DOG collaborator Clayton Cowles on letters.
Also, check out this phenomenal cover for #2 by Dike Ruan, with colours by Matt Wilson. It was very satisfying to suggest this cover idea and not having to draw it… until I saw how gorgeous a job Dike did. Wait til you see the cover for the next issue… holy god.
TIME BEFORE TIME
Issue 22 is all squared away as Jorge Coelho works on his last issue. We’ve seeing pages come in from the artist of the final arc too, and they’re just beautiful. We’ve been so lucky with the artists on this book. Will show a peek here soon, I just want us all to savour Jorge a while more!
Solicits are out for said last issue of the arc, with a wild variant cover by Colm Griffin.
DEC RECS
PHANTOM ROAD #1
Written by Jeff Lemire
Art by Gabriel Hernandez Walta
Colour by Jordie Bellaire
Published by Image Comics
I don’t think you really need my recommendation to check out a Jeff Lemire/ Gabriel Hernandez Walta/ Jordie Bellaire comic, but I’m gonna do it anyway. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this release, but Gabe was good enough to slip me the issue early, and I loved it. It slowly reveals the characters as it eases you in, then jabs you in the eye with a dramatic shift. The art is just bloody gorgeous despite the sparse setting that could be boring to look at, but of course Walta makes it work so well to create a stark aestheitc (along with Bellaire’s colours). This team previously did the sci-fi thriller SENTIENT together at TKO, a book I really loved, so it’s a treat to see them develop this new creator owned series together.
OUT SOON
Mar 1st
STAR WARS HIDDEN EMPIRE #4 [VC]
March 15th
TIME BEFORE TIME #21 [W/C]
STAR TREK DEFIANT #1 [VC]
Apr 05th
STAR WARS HIDDEN EMPIRE #5 [VC]
Love seeing those color thumbs. Looking forward to the rest of Old Dog.
Second the suggestion for Ronin Digital Express! Book's great.
Whoah, thanks for the shoutout, Dec! Hope anyone who decides to check out Tower of Death enjoys it. If you're a reviewer or podcaster who wants to talk about it, shoot me a note and I'll send you a review copy.