Sonic the Hedgehog 232

Hey everyone! Just wanted to share with you the preview for this month's issue of Sonic the Hedgehog, from Archie Comics. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Sonic the Hedgehog Cover Gallery (Part 6)

Some more recent covers for ya'!

This cover to Sonic the Hedgehog #235 was great fun to work on. First off, reuniting with the talented Tracy Yardley is always a pleasure - the man can frame a shot like nobody's business and is one of the most talented story-tellers working in comics today! We were going for a real "Indiana Jones" feel to this piece - except instead of a torch we've got Silver's groovy glow-powers!

Love the metal texture to his bracelets, but I think my favorite part of this whole thing is the painting. I've had to color paintings in the books before, but those are on such tight deadlines that you don't really... Well, you don't really get to paint them. It was a great new experiment and I think really makes this cover pop!

Another cover by Tracy, which he inked himself. For the majority of my coloring career I've worked with the legendary inker Terry Austin, who uses very thin and detailed linework. I suppose I never realized how totally comfortable I am working with Terry's style now, because the sharp contrast of Tracy's bold and defined lines really took me some time to adapt to. This cover was set to the storyline that takes place in Sonic the Hedgehog #230, so I picked my color scheme directly from those interiors. Really fun, action-packed cover to work on. I'm very honored to contribute again to next year's FCBD!

March Solicits

Hey guys! Solicits for a few books I've got work appearing in next year!

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #235

"Remember the Fallen." The Freedom Fighters are torn apart in the fallout from last issue. Sonic and his friends must deal with the loss in their own way, and it will change the team forever. When Silver the Hedgehog arrives looking for "the traitor," will the weary Sonic give him a chance to speak?
32 pages, $2.99.

SONIC UNIVERSE #38

"Scrambled," Part 2. The hunt is on! Dr. Eggman goes into all-out war with G.U.N., all in an attempt to smoke out his wayward lackey, Snively! Meanwhile, in the heart of G.U.N. headquarters, Snively seeks the next step in his master plan: a girl named Hope!
32 pages, $2.99

MEGA MAN #12

This is it, the grand finale of "The Return Of Dr. Wily!" Dr. Wily has hidden himself in his latest fortress and surrounded himself with killer robots as he plots his counter-attack. Can Mega Man breach the defenses and stop the mad scientist in time? Maybe not alone -- but the Original Robot Masters have got his back! It's all-out robot warfare in the explosive conclusion!
32 pages, $2.99.



Free Comic Book Day 2012!

Awesome! So as of today, the Gold and Silver level sponsor comic book have been announced for 2012's Free Comic Book Day, and Archie Comics has books in each! 

First up, Gold Level, is the first ever Mega Man FCBD issue! This is gonna' be a reprint of the very first issue which is an awesome origin story and a perfect introduction to this iconic video game hero! And it features a gorgeously ink-and-color version of Chad Thomas' original sketch variant. (Inks by Fabio ReDivo and colors by Evan Stanley.)

Next up, Silver Level, is this year's Sonic the Hedgehog FCBD ish! No details have been released for it yet, though "Two Steps Back..." was the story featured in Sonic the Hedgehog #230... I got to work on this cover with the ever-talented Tracy Yardley! Bigger sized, raw artwork to be shown off later. 

So yeah, there ya' go! I'm pretty pumped that there are gonna' be TWO awesome books that I got to have a hand in on the FCBD tables this next year. Haven't solidified my plans yet for the event, but I will definitely be someplace for some signings/sketches! Hope to see you guys out there!

Mega Man 10 Cover

So I handed in the finished colors to Mega Man #13's cover for Archie yesterday, and thought I'd share the raw artwork from Mega Man #10's cover. This paired me with Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante again for a totally intense, battle-damaged cover!

As always, Spaz's attention to detail and the precision with which he draws the official Mega Man style makes him a pleasure to work with - check out Dr. Wily's face in the flames of that explosion! I'm actually in the midst of coloring the interiors for this issue right now, and the story fully lives up to this epic cover!

Mega Man 2 is my favorite of the original games - and the closest I ever came to beating a Mega Man game (I really, really suck at them). It would have blown my seven-year-old mind to know that someday I would be working on the official comic book adaptation of that game!

Mega Man 08

Just a quick look at this month's issue of Mega Man, from Archie Comics, that I colored.

I remember this one having a rough deadline towards the end... My wife works as a teacher's aide in the Special Education department of an elementary school. The school's in a bit of a rough neighborhood - pretty poor area with lots of wild and abandoned dogs. She fairly routinely stops and tries to rescue these dogs, and about five days before this issue was due she at last successfully coaxed a brown-coated, one-year-old-or-so Viszla puppy to come home with her.

Having never rescued a dog off the streets, we really thought it was as easy as dropping her off at one of the many rescue groups in the Houston area. I lost about two days of scheduled work trying to find a place for our girl to no avail. Houston has a tremendous problem with strays. At this point, we were way too attached to even consider the possibility of leaving her at a kill-shelter to be euthanized within 72 hours, so we reached out to Friends for Life in the Heights.

We're now the proud fosters of Holley - named for my wife's elementary school. If you're in the Houston area and looking for an animal to adopt - or are interested in fostering yourself - I highly recommend Friends for Life. They've been wonderful to us!

And now, on to the preview...

MEGA MAN #8
"Time Keeps Slipping" Part Four: The finale to Mega Man's newest adventure! Dr. Wily has captured Roll and turned the eight Robot Masters against Mega Man! Can the blue bomber and Federal agent Roslyn Krantz turn the tides, save Roll, and bring down Dr. Wily for good? Don't miss this thrilling conclusion! ?
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Chad Thomas
Cover by Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante
Shipping Date: 11/23/11
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 12/7/11
On Sale on Newsstands: 12/13/11
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US

Just one more bit of commentary... I really dig how dark this issue is! It all takes place at night/in a dark warehouse. I really appreciate that I'm known for bright, vibrant colors but I also have tried hard - especially this last year - to do some darker-toned stuff. Expand my horizons, so to speak. This ish is one of my faves!

Sonic the Hedgehog Cover Gallery (Part 5)

Roundin' up some of my most recent cover coloring for the Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Universe books...

The cover to Sonic Universe #36 was designed to be very "movie poster." I think my first pass was pretty bland, and my editor asked me to really punch up the outer space background afterwards - go nuts! I had some experience with these kinds of backgrounds from other freelancing, but I still find outer-space to be equally difficult and fun to render!

The cover to Sonic Universe #37. Woah! So much is happening! This issue marks the debut of a new artist on the SU series, Jamal Peppers. I think this cover is alot of fun, but we did go through about four or more passes trying to focus this piece. For example: The text above the holograms used to read "Eggman's Most Wanted," which was covering up too much detail so we dropped the first part. In-house, there were a couple more changes made before print: The entire background, featuring the Legion undersea boss Akhlut in a fish tank, was dropped out for pitch black and some word baloons were added.

One-and-done. We knocked out the cover to Sonic the Hedgehog #234 in a single pass. I believe this is the cover debut of Sonic penciling veteran James Fry. His unique style made this one alot of fun to color for. This was colored simulatenous to SU#37's cover (above). When coloring back-to-back books, I try to define a unique color scheme to each so that they'll stand out from each other.

Sonic the Hedgehog 231

Hey everyone! Here's a peek at this month's Sonic the Hedgehog, issue 231, from Archie Comics. Penciled by the amazing Ben Bates - who I'm working with right now on Mega Man, in fact - this ish is page-after-page of pulse-pounding action. Be sure to pick it up!

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #231

"Lost in the Moment": The world is safe - but at a terrible cost. As Sonic tries to rally the Freedom Fighters, Dr. Eggman unleashes his Titan Metal Sonic on the city! Can our heroes salvage the fight, or is there just too much chaos to handle? Then, in "Haunted," the effects of "Genesis" bring back some old problems for Ixis Naugus.
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Ben Bates, Evan Stanley, Terry Austin, John Workman and Matt Herms
Cover by Ben Bates
Shipping Date: 11/16/11
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 11/30/11
On Sale on Newsstands: 12/6/11
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US

The Archie Babies

Last year, my editor Paul approached me about a unique and as of then unannounced new comic called "Archie Babies" - everyone's favorite Riverdale posse set in pre-school and written by Mike Kunkel, illustrated by Art Mawhinney. It was a pet project Paul took over for our new president - and the former Sonic the Hedgehog editor who originally hired me. How it would be published (Mini, online, graphic novel?) wasn't quite planned yet and, in fact, the first two issues had already gone through full production... But they were looking for a different approach to the colors, and wanted to know if I was interested.

Absolutely! First, I love the Archie characters. I didn't read them growing up - I was mostly into Sonic and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Adventures Archie published, with Spider-Man and X-Men from Marvel... But these characters are iconic, comic book and American legends. And up until then my only actual Archie-related credits were colors on some stock-art used on the website/conventions/magazines.

Second, I would get to color for Art Mawhinney. This guy was my favorite Sonic the Hedgehog penciler growing up!

All this week, I'll be posting up some of my favorite pages from each chapter. Yep, ultimately Archie Babies was published as Archie Comics' first 100% original graphic novel.

Sonic the Hedgehog Cover Gallery (Part 4)

...Or, more accurately, my Sonic Universe cover gallery. While Sonic's sister-book's gorgeous cover colors are usually handled by the talented Ben Hunzeker, I've recently had the chance to cover for him. (Heheh. Get it?)

The cover to Sonic Universe #31 was actually an homage to Sonic the Hedgehog #200's anniversary cover by fan favorite Spaziante. The goal was to get as close as possible to the original style - a test that I think everyone passed with flying colors! It was really unique to emulate some one's color style so closely.

The Babylon Rogues - villains/rivals from the Sonic Riders franchise - are getting the spotlight in this story arc written by series veteran penciler Tracy Yardley! Our editor told us to really push the blur effects on this cover, which definitely gives our characters a bit more visual punch. 

The movie Independence Day was at the heart of this dark and suspenseful cover. I color very bright, cartoony talking animal/robot comics for kids - like a "bowl of candy," my previous editor said. So when the opportunity knocks to do something really dark and "against type," I definitely relish it.  

November Solicits

Hey guys! Here's some of the cool stuff I'm working on coming out in November!

MEGA MAN #8"Time Keeps Slipping" Part Four: The finale to Mega Man's newest adventure! Dr. Wily has captured Roll and turned the eight Robot Masters against Mega Man! Can the blue bomber and Federal agent Roslyn Krantz turn the tides, save Roll, and bring down Dr. Wily for good? Don't miss this thrilling conclusion!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Chad Thomas, Gary Martin, John Workman and Matt Herms
Cover by Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante
Shipping Date: 11/23/11
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 12/7/11
On Sale on Newsstands: 12/13/11
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #231"Lost in the Moment": The world is safe - but at a terrible cost. As Sonic tries to rally the Freedom Fighters, Dr. Eggman unleashes his Titan Metal Sonic on the city! Can our heroes salvage the fight, or is there just too much chaos to handle? Then, in "Haunted," the effects of "Genesis" bring back some old problems for Ixis Naugus.
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Ben Bates, Evan Stanley, Terry Austin, John Workman and Matt Herms
Cover by Ben Bates
Shipping Date: 11/16/11
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 11/30/11
On Sale on Newsstands: 12/6/11
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US

SONIC UNIVERSE #34"Babylon" Part Two: The Babylon Rogues have found the way to revive the long-lost city of Babylon Garden! The only thing standing in their way is the entire Battle Bird Armada. Feathers fly as the feuding factions finally throw down for the first time! Rogues vs. Armada! Jet vs. Speedy! The Battle Lord in action! You cannot miss this intense installment!
Script: Tracy Yardley!
Art: Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash, Phil Felix and Stephen Downer
Cover by Tracy Yardley! and Matt Herms
Shipping Date: 11/9/11
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 11/23/11
On Sale on Newsstands: 11/29/11
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US



Super Fighting Robot

So last October, Archie Comics made a huge announcement at New York ComiCon: After years of success with the Sonic the Hedgehog license - in fact, holding the World Record for the longest comic book based on a video game property - Archie was now partnering with Capcom to bring the blue bomber to comics! Mega Man would have a new monthly comic book!

So, it's not exactly the first time... Dreamwave Productions managed to knock out four fairly collectible issues before the plug got pulled, and one of them featured some gorgeous artwork by Sonic veteran Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante. And so Patrick was naturally a perfect fit to launch the book's first story arc, a faithful recreation of the first game's plot written by Ian Flynn.

'Roundabout fall of last year, my editor Paul at Archie had asked me how I'd feel about taking on coloring chores for a second monthly title. "Over the moon excited," I told 'im. As a freelancer, you're pretty constantly conscious of the need to fill your calendar with work - something that I've not had to worry about for some time now, as the folks at Archie Comics have been nothing but awesome to me. I've been given some really great opportunities. 

When Paul told me that second book would be Mega Man, I could barely contain myself. I mean, I already color for one insanely successful blue video game icon... Now TWO?? Between this and Sonic, I find I am constantly challenged and rewarded creatively with the awesome art we put together for these books, and I am very pleased-'n'-proud to be a part of that every month.

Plus, I got to color for friggin' Spaz for four issues. He was my favorite penciler on Sonic when I was growing up. You have no idea how hard it was to not fan-boy the hell out when I'd get e-Mails from him.

Heads-Up, Squaddies!

So about a year ago I had the awesome opportunity to draw up some test illustrations for Hasbro Toys' "Super Hero Squad" line. This is an awesome, kinda' chibi-cartoon stylized take on Marvel's superheroes that has been so insanely successful that it's become a brand of its own with a cartoon, comic books, and video games! None of these illustrations were used for anything to my knowledge, but it was still an incredible joy to be drawing the likes of Spider-Man and Iron Man for Hasbro!

These... are not those illustrations. However, I had so much fun with the cartoony style of the Squad that I decided to do some of my own takes on my favorite super heroes, much inspired by the Super Hero Squad. These were drawn up and colored in 2010, right before the summer convention season.

Sonic the Hedgehog Cover Gallery (part 3)

I was at my local comic book store today and they had brought out a ton of Sonic the Hedgehog back-issues from storage... It was surreal seeing books I read when I was a kid sitting right next to the books that I worked on! I've been on the Sonic books since 2007, but it still hits me every now and again just how cool it is to be working on the very series I collected so passionately as a child.

It's the eve to our big 225th issue! This is another pretty dark cover. Eggman looks creepy as hell here, and that's how I love 'im!  

Technically, not a cover. This is a frontis piece - an introductory page that's a sorta' "Previously on..." lead into our main story. The artist, Jon Gray, I've known for forever. For almost as long as I've known our writer, Ian Flynn. Jon is an incredible talent and a sweet, hilarious man and we've wanted to work together on something for nearly as long as we've known each other. So this piece was very special to me to work on. It was also special to the fans - this was our big "Sonic and Sally, back together!" moment... And Jon had drawn the controversial scene that had broken them up nearly seven years earlier!

Hey, this one looks familiar, right? It was in the very first post I made in this blog. This was the 2011 Sonic Free Comic Book Day cover. Our editor typically tries to get as many freelancers as possible involved in every FCBD issue. Last year I got to color the interiors, and this year I got to do this gorgeous throwback to classic Sonic gaming by the talented Tracy Yardley!

Michelangelo

A-a-and Mikey makes four.

Sonic the Hedgehog Cover Gallery (part 2)

The retrospective continues! This was my first big cover collaboration with penciler Ben Bates. Ben has often put alot of "Easter Eggs" into his interior art - tiny or hidden homages to other pop icon and video game characters or Sonic mythology. This cover was no exception. Check out our little reindeer friend from One Piece over there on the right of the cover! Sadly, he was cropped off in the final pic.

This cover was handed in around November and colored to reflect a fall theme, but my editor Paul reminded me that this issue wouldn't drop until closer to Spring... So we changed up some of the color scheme and the leaves to fit!



It's the evil wizard, Ixis Naugus! Another of those "dark period" covers I talked about... I actually referenced some comic book covers for Marvel's Venom to get the tongue and saliva rendering down!

Raphael

Sonic the Hedgehog Cover Gallery (part 1)

Hey guys! So I'm covering for our Sonic Universe cover colorist Ben Hunzeker right now, so I thought I'd do a quick retrospective of some of my favorite covers I got to color this last year!

My first cover coloring ever! For Sonic the Hedgehog #217 (left) and #218 (right) and a story called "Thicker Than Water," featuring a desert landscape and the Oil Ocean Zone from the video game Sonic the Hedgehog 2. I kinda' dipped my toe into cover colors with a pretty easy-to-do color scheme... Sonic's blue, so he pops off re-e-e-al well from oranges/yellows. Still though, these are a couple of my absolute faves.

Entering my "dark period." Almost every cover I colored from here to #224 was really heavy on dark and dreary blues. It matched the tone of those stories, at least... This one was pretty interesting... As you can see, I've lost the raw artwork for this so this is actually what went to solicits and print, touched up by the wonderfuly talented in-house guys at Archie.

I colored this one while I was away at a convention - so every night I'd come back up to the hotel room and render a character/BG piece... The original composition was a little off, so when it was done we actually rotated it backwards a bit, which helped smooth out the perspective alot. The lightning was SO much fun to render, too.