So it's been awhile...

Yikes! So I really have not updated this blog since February, 2013? It's been two whole years of inactivity??

Well, the blog's been mostly quiet but I have definitely been active. In the last couple years I've been coloring comics like Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Universe, and Mega Man; graphic novels like New Crusaders: Legacy of the Crusaders; events like Sonic and Mega Man: Worlds Collide; and brand new books like Sonic Boom!

Social-media wise I am most active on Twitter these days. Though I still post (albeit infrequently) to my DeviantART. And I technically also have a Tumblr, despite still not quite understanding what that even is.

Anyhow, I AM going to try and make a more concentrated effort to keep these things updated. I'd even love to write some more thoughtful posts about some topics, as time allows. So here's to 2013 2014 2015!

Now Coloring Sonic Universe!

Wow, so this post is quite a bit after the fact! As of, well, a few months ago I am now the monthly colorist for Sonic Universe, published by Archie Comics, in addition to Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man.

I've been very excited to join this book - I haven't worked with the team of Tracy Yardley and Jim Amash since Sonic the Hedgehog #199 - my very first book as monthly colorist four years ago! I've had quite a tough act to follow - Steve Downer has been doing some awesome colors in SU for the last couple years, and will now be bringing that skill to The New Crusaders.

Be sure to pick up my first arc - The Chaotix Quest, published in Sonic Universe #46-49. Final issues should be arriving in stores soon!

Catching Up on Covers: Sonic the Hedgehog

Hey guys! Here's a buncha' Sonic the Hedgehog covers I've colored for Archie Comics in the last few months. Hope ya' enjoy!

 The cover to Sonic the Hedgehog #246, drawn and inked by Tracy Yardley. It's a Knux versus Thrash smackdown and it's gonna' be epic. Ya' know, when you get a cover as ink heavy as this one - as a colorist you think "Man, the heavy lifting is done for me! This is gonna' be a breeze!" Actually, these are some of the harder images to color, I find. These are cartoony characters, after all - so you gotta' figure out how to make that deep, dark contrast work!

The first cover by our newest penciler on the crew, Lamar Wells. Friggin' love this guy's style. No before/after on this one - all of the elements in this piece were seperate pieces that were rendered and shuffled around. Final placement on the cover is different from this, in fact. Sonic and Mecha Sally are my favorite parts! Cover to Sonic the Hedgehog #247. Inks by Terry Austin.

It's the Sonic/Mega Man crossover we've all been waiting for! Was so pumped when this Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante piece showed up in my queue. Cover to Sonic the Hedgehog #248.

Cover to Sonic Universe #50's landmark issue. This was a pretty fast turnaround for Spaz (pencils/inks) and myself. Much of the great metallic texture on this guy was already there in the inks, so I didn't have to do much. Love that we went with a reference to a scene in the Sonic OVA for the background's color scheme, too!

The cover to Sonic Super Digest #3. Another piece by Lamar, with inks by Kent Archer. Anybody notice that this series uses the original models for these characters (or something close to it)?

Last one! Cover to Sonic Super Special Magazine #7, drawn by Lamar with inks by Gary Martin, celebrating 20 years of Archie Sonic comics! Man, how the time flies! Sonic is on a layer above the background characters. Not sure if the BG art will be used in the 'zine interior art. Hope it is - there's alot of cool details you just can't quite make out in the full cover!

May 2013 Solicits

Hey guys 'n' gals! Here's some of the stuff I've worked on coming from Archie Comics in May. Hope ya' pick them up!

ARCHIE FUN 'n' GAMES ACTIVITY BOOK

It's hours of fun with Archie and the gang in Archie's Fun 'n' Games Activity Book! Solve puzzles and games with America's favorite teenager and all his friends. Get Jughead from his house to Pop Tate's for a heap of burgers! Help Betty and Veronica get ready for school! Filled to the brim with full-color games, riddles, puzzles, plus coloring pages and all sorts of activities, Archie's Fun 'n' Games Activity Book is sure to provide tons of fun for young fans of Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, and the rest of the gang!

Script & Art: Various
Cover: Pat Kennedy, Tim Kennedy, Bob Smith, and Matt Herms

978-1-936975-51-8
$6.99/$7.99CAN
5 1/4 x 7 1/2"
Trade Paperback
192 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-sale: 6/12

 

MEGA MAN VOL. 5: ROCK OF AGESCelebrate 25 years of Mega Man with the exciting next chapter in the Mega Man mythology in graphic novel!

By popular demand, this latest volume introduces the saga of Blues, aka PROTO MAN! Who is this mysterious robot, and what special connection does he share with Mega Man? Also - Roll may be Mega Man's "little sister," but she's no less heroic! When a cruise liner crashes out at sea and Mega Man isn't around, it's up to Roll to rally the Robot Masters and save the day! Fun, action, adventure and more in this collection!

MEGA MAN VOL. 5 collects MEGA MAN #17-20, plus cover art from Eisner-award winning artist Mike Norton!

Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Chad Thomas, Jamal Peppers, Ryan Jampole, Gary Martin, John Workman, and Matt Herms
Cover: Mike Norton and Matt Herms

978-1-936975-48-8
$11.99/$13.99CAN
6 5/8 x 10 3/16"
Trade Paperback
112 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-sale: 5/22

SONIC UNIVERSE #52

 The second act of the epic Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man crossover event BEGINS HERE!
"When Worlds Collide" Part Five of Twelve: Sonic, Mega Man, Tails and Proto Man enter the strange world of the Skull Egg Zone. They don't receive a warm welcome, either, as the Genesis Unit and Copy Robot attack! Drs. Eggman and Wily wait in the wings with an even more sinister surprise waiting to be unleashed! You cannot miss this action-packed issue, featuring new cover art by Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante, and choose YOUR favorite hero with the "Team Sonic" and "Team Mega Man" variant covers!


Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Tracy Yardley!, Terry Austin, Jack Morelli, and Thomas Mason
Cover: Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante, Jack Morelli, and Matt Herms
Team Sonic Variant: Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante, Tracy Yardley!, Matt Herms, and Thomas Mason
Team Mega Man Variant: Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante, Ryan Jampole, and Thomas Mason

Shipping Date: 5/1
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 5/15
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US.

 

SONIC SUPER DIGEST #3
Sonic Super Digest is BACK, and celebrating 20 years of SONIC THE HEDGEHOG COMICS!

For the first time in Sonic Comic history, Sonic the Hedgehog's comic book adventures are now available in the popular digest format! Where Sonic Super Special Magazine leaves off, this quarterly digest collection picks up - with even more classic adventure from the Sonic comic library! This issue hosts a special spotlight on Sonic's baddest baddies, and an exclusive look-back on the classic Sonic Triple Trouble game!


Perfect for fans new and old, Sonic Super Digest collects tons of comic stories, coloring pages, bonus content, and features an all-new cover with pencils by Sonic Artist rising star Lamar Wells! Get SUPER!

Script & Art: Various
Cover: Lamar Wells, Kent Archer, and Matt Herms
Shipping Date: 5/1
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 5/15
128-page, full color comic
$3.99 US.

 

April 2013 Solicits

Hey all! Here are some of the books I've colored for that're coming to a comic book store near you this April. Hope you check 'em out when they drop!

MEGA MAN #25

"When Worlds Collide" Part Four of Twelve: It's Sonic versus Mega Man – Round Two! Celebrate 25 issues of Mega Man with the throwdown brawl to end all throwdown brawls! The Blue Bomber has the home field advantage this time – can Sonic keep up in this unfamiliar city? Meanwhile, Drs. Eggman and Wily make their boldest move yet in their master plan! This milestone issue marks the dramatic conclusion to the first act in the biggest crossover story of 2013! Featuring a stunning gatefold cover by Sonic/Mega Man art legend Patrick Spaziante, and a special "E.F.F. (aka Evil Friends Forever) variant" featuring Drs. Eggman and Wily on a (presumably evil) bicycle built for two!

Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Jamal Peppers, Jim Amash, John Workman, and Matt Herms
Commemorative gatefold cover: Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante
E.F.F.* Variant cover: Jamal Peppers, Gary Martin, Matt Herms, and Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante
*evil friends forever

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 5/8
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #248

"When Worlds Collide" Part Three of Twelve: It's Sonic versus Mega Man – Round One! The fight that every fan of both the Blue Blur and Blue Bomber has been waiting for is here at last, and it looks like Sonic's got the hometeam advantage! Can Mega Man cope with the Blue Blur in a land of loops? Meanwhile, Dr. Wily is concerned his old rival might cause problems, which sets Dr. Eggman's sites on Dr. Light! Don't miss a moment of this historic crossover event as the heroic fights and evil friendships rage on!

Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Jamal Peppers, Jim Amash, John Workman, and Matt Herms
Cover: Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante and Matt Herms
Variant cover: Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante, Thomas Mason and Ryan Jampole

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 5/1
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US.

SONIC UNIVERSE #51

"When Worlds Collide" Part Two of Twelve: The crossover event of 2013 continues HERE! There are strange things afoot as Mega Man's world is menaced by a super-fast, blue attacker. Sonic's world is being stalked by a blue-armored figure with a cannon for an arm. Could these mysterious villains be Sonic and Mega Man? Or are they some kind of sinister copies? Mistaken identities and explosions galore in this explosive second part to the historic Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man crossover!

Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Jamal Peppers, Jim Amash, John Workman, and Matt Herms
Cover: Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante
Variant cover: Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante, Thomas Mason, and Ryan Jampole

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 4/17
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US.

SONIC SUPER SPECIAL MAGAZINE #7

Celebrate 20 years of Sonic the Hedgehog Comics with this very special edition of the SONIC SUPER SPECIAL MAGAZINE! Join the party and grab yourself a front row seat to this collection of Sonic-comic firsts, greatest moments, and highlights from the longest-running video game-inspired comic book series in history! Over 100 pages of comics, news, and features, available for the first time in one place in this deluxe, magazine-sized, quarterly collection! Also featured is an exclusive interview with the longest-running artist still working on the Sonic comics today — inker Jim Amash! Plus an all-new foil-enhanced birthday-style cover penciled by the newest edition to the Sonic comic family – Lamar Wells!

Script & Art: Various
All-New Foil-enhanced Cover: Lamar Wells, Gary Martin, and Matt Herms

Shipping Date: 4/17
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 5/1
128-page, full color comic
$9.99 US.







Catching Up on Covers: Mega Man

Yikes! Happy new year, guys! It's been awhile, huh? The last quarter of 2012 went by in a real blur, so it looks like I've got some catching up to do! How about some cover colors for the Blue Bomber?

Cover to Mega Man #21, drawn by Chad Thomas and inked by Gary Martin. So much fun! Mega Man's pose is actually based on the Japanese box art to the Playstation port of Mega Man 2, by the way, and we tried to do a loose recreation of that rendering style, too. MM's face underwent a little bit of re-draw in the final cover - which you can check at your local comic book store now!

Cover to Mega Man #22, drawn by Jamal Peppers with inks by Gary. I think this art is currently being used for in-book ads for the series, too. Colored this one before #21's cover, I believe. 

Favorite cover ever on Mega Man. Cover to Mega Man #23. Holy crap, this one is awesome. Drawn by Jamal with inks by Rick Bryant, I was so excited to get this one in my queue. Very proud of how this one came together, and I also got to do some edits to the logo (not pictured) to match the shatter effect in the glass!

The "Evil Friends Forever" variant cover for Mega Man #25, drawn by Jamal and inked by Jim Amash. I just about did a spit-take when this one popped up in my inbox, I laughed so hard. I just handed in colors on the second part of the Sonic/Mega Man crossover, in fact. This crossover is gonna' be so much fun! Be sure to pick it up - starting in Mega Man #24 in the Spring!

 

 

 

Sonic the Hedgehog 244 Cover

Hey guys! Wanted to share with you the raw artwork to Sonic the Hedgehog #244, drawn by Tracy Yardley with inks by Terry Austin. This one was alotta' fun to color - especially punching up Thrash's sonic-scream attack with those motion blurs!

December 2012 Solicits

Hey guys! Here are some of the books I'm coloring for Archie Comics, coming out in December. Hope you guys pick 'em up when they drop!!

MEGA MAN #21

 

“Countdown”: It's almost New Year's Day, and Mega Man is ready to celebrate in style! Rock, Roll and Dr. Light are amongst the crowd waiting to watch the ceremonial light-ball drop at midnight, but the celebration is short-lived as the Emerald Spears return to exact their revenge on our heroes! The epic grudge match between Mega Man and Xander Payne begins now, so grab a front row seat and prepare for the battle royale!

 

Script: Ian Flynn

Art: Ryan Jampole, Gary Martin, John Workman, and Matt Herms

Cover: Chad Thomas, Gary Martin, and Matt Herms

Variant Cover: Alice Meichi Li

 

Shipping Date: 12/26

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 1/9

32-page, full color comic

$2.99 US.

NEW CRUSADERS #5

 

“Trial by Fire” Part One: The Brain Emperor has invaded the Z.I.P. prison and unleashed a massive riot! The only ones who can act in time are the untested, untrained New Crusaders. Do they have what it takes to contain the chaos? And what sinister old foes does the Brain Emperor seek to awaken?

 

Script: Ian Flynn

Art: Alitha Martinez, Gary Martin, John Workman, and Matt Herms

Cover by Martinez, Martin, Workman, and Herms

Variant Cover: Francesco Francavilla

Character Variant Cover: Ben Bates

 

Shipping Date: 12/5

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 1/2

32-page, full color comic

$2.99 US.

 

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #244

 

“Endangered Species” Part Two: Sonic and Team Fighters can't retake Albion on their own. Who can help turn the tide? Knuckles – that's who! Knuckles confronts old enemies and old hardships all at once to save the last of his people. And is it a good or a bad thing the mysterious Thrash the Tasmanian Devil has arrived?

 

Script: Ian Flynn

Art: Steven Butler, Terry Austin, John Workman, and Matt Herms

Cover: Yardley!, Austin, and Herms

 

Shipping Date: 12/19

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 1/2

32-page, full color comic

$2.99 US.

SONIC UNIVERSE #47

 

“All For One” Part Two: The Chaotix are on the hunt for the missing Mighty and Ray, and their investigation takes them to the heart of enemy territory! With the Mercian Freedom Fighters at their side, will they find the vital clue they need? Or will Lord Hood claim more prisoners for his dungeon?

 

Script: Ian Flynn

Art: Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash, Jack Morelli, and Matt Herms

Cover: Yardley!, Amash, and Steve Downer

 

Shipping Date: 12/5

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 12/19

32-page, full color comic

$2.99 US.

 

Mega Man 20 Cover

Hey guys! Here's the raw artwork to Mega Man #20's cover, coming from Archie Comics in November. Drawn by Mike Norton!

Sonic the Hedgehog 243 Cover

Hey guys! Since the official solicits for November issues just came out, I suppose it's all right to share with you the raw artwork for some of these amazing covers I got to color! Here is the raw art for Sonic the Hedgehog #243, from Archie Comics. Pencils and inks were done by Tracy Yardley!

Sonic Super Special Magazine #5 Cover

Hey guys! Here's the raw artwork to Sonic Super Special Magazine #5's cover, from Archie Comics! I believe this ish will also feature s'more of my pencils on the Timeline pages. Be sure to check it out when it drops!

(Pencils by Tracy Yardley, inks by Terry Austin)

EDIT:  Hey guys, so I totally made a mistake and read the solicit for the new Sonic Digest wrong. The Super Special Magazine is not ending! So sorry for the mix-up.

Sonic Super Special Magazine #4

Hey guys! Just wanted to share a preview of Sonic Super Special Magazine #4, from Archie Comics. On sale now! This book features the first part of my contribution to the "Sonic Timeline," a graphic re-telling of world events in the Sonic universe. My portion covers events immediately before the start of the books and then... Well, close to the first 75 issues or so!

These pages were actually my very last penciling assignment before I went full-time colorist, drawn wa-a-a-ay back in late 2009/early 2010. It's kinda' surreal to see them finally published after all these years! I'll definitely try and uncover the original Jpegs of the pencils themselves from my e-Mails sometime. 

Sonic the Hedgehog #242 Cover

Hey guys! So I believe they are still putting together the official announcements on this thing, but this cover has been out there since last month's solicits so I thought I would go ahead and share the raw artwork for it! Pencils and inks by Tracy Yardley!

If you've checked out the solicit, you might notice a few changes happened in post - the cover was flipped horizontal, Sonic's smirk changed and Amy even has an all new wardrobe! But here's the original artwork. Super fun cover to work on - lots of bright, saturated colors!

Mega Man #19 Cover

Yikes! I haven't updated in over a month! It's been crazy busy the last four weeks - after getting back from our vacation to Northern Virginia I jumped right into deadline crunches back-to-back. I'm gonna' play a bit of catch-up, here. So here's a cover for an upcoming issue of Mega Man from Archie Comics, drawn by Chad Thomas and inked by Gary Martin!

I believe Chad's got a great breakdown of his penciling process on this one available on his blog, too - so be sure to check it out! 

Sonic / Mega Man Crossover in 2013

One of the coolest parts about working in the comics biz is that you're privy to super secret announcements like this months in advance... And one of the hardest things is keeping it to yourself for all that time! Comics, man. What an awesome job!

Just a couple days before SDCC 2012 hits and news broke about 2013's epic Sonic the Hedgehog / Mega Man crossover event via USA Today and Kotaku. I think everyone has been anticipating this since it was announced almost two years ago that Mega Man was gonna' be joining the Archie Adventure books. So psyched to see this coming down the pipeline!

(Promo images grabbed from The Mega Man Network, by the way. Best Internet stop for all Mega Man news and awesome-ness!)

Mega Man 18 Cover

Hey guys! Just wanted to share the raw artwork to Mega Man 18's cover, published by Archie Comics! Got to work with the tremendously talented Mike Norton. Had an absolute blast (Hehe. Get it?) with this one!

Sonic the Hedgehog 241 Cover

Hey guys! Just wanted to share with you the raw artwork to the recently solicited Sonic the Hedgehog #241 cover that I colored, from Archie Comics! I had a great time with this one - it's a "big hero moment" with all three of the current Freedom Fighting teams together.

Artwork by Tracy Yardley (pencils) and Terry Austin (inks). 

Sonic the Hedgehog 237

And here's a preview of Sonic the Hedgehog #237 from Archie Comics. Be sure to pick it up!!

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #237
"Loyalty" Part One: Team Fighters links up with Grand Chief Lupe as they track down the Death Egg. As they deal with the ferocious Felidae Warriors and Dark Egg Legion, a mysterious figure tracks them. Meanwhile, in “Heart to Heart,” Nicole and Mina finally confront each other!

Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Ben Bates, Steven Butler, Terry Austin, John Workman and Matt Herms
Cover: Tracy Yardley!, Terry Austin and Matt Herms

Shipping Date: 5/16
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 5/30
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US.

Mega Man 14

Hey guys! Just wanted to share some previews of books I've worked on coming ou this month. Be sure to check 'em out! Here's a preview for Mega Man #14 from Archie Comics, on sale now!

MEGA MAN #14
"Spiritus ex Machina" Part Two: It’s pandemonium as the Emerald Spears extremist group has taken everyone at the A.R.T.S. hostage! It’s up to Mega Man and Rush to lead Elec Man, Pharaoh Man and Quake Woman to save the day! Meanwhile, Dr. Wily attempts to awaken the power of the mysterious Ra Moon.

Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Jonathan Hill, Gary Martin, John Workman and Matt Herms
Cover: Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante and Matt Herms

Shipping Date: 5/30
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 6/13
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US.