Some More Canterville Ghost—Now in Color!

Okay, first of all, I may not have hit my goal of updating every day (or even every weekday), but 2008 has shown significant improvement in the regularity of my blogging updates. It's certainly been more consistent than how I've handled email and phone calls. What can I say? My schedule regularly kicks my ass.

But everything will improve even more in 2009. Hopefully.

I'm very excited about the color piece in today's update. Jason Millet continues to kick ass on all of our collaborations, and this page is no exception.

I showed a step-by-step development of this Canterville Ghost page, from rough sketch to pencils to inks. Now, Jason's color page completes the process (the publisher will be handling the letters, so you'll have to buy the book if you want to see that stage).

11 O'Clock Comics

On Wednesday night, I had the opportunity to sit in with Vince, David, Chris and Jason for a massive (4 HOURS!) installment of one of my favorite podcasts, 11 O'Clock Comics. Don't worry, Vince has broken it into manageable parts.

We talk. A lot. Some of the stuff covered includes Final Crisis #5, selling David on Fables, channeling Kirby, Mike Allred, the language of comics, God-Size Thor, the Athena Voltaire/Black Coat One-Shot the impact of $4 comics on independent publishers, X-Men: Messiah Complex, Hellboy: The Wild Hunt, Steve Epting and Captain America, Frank D'armata, Fear Agent, Camelot 3000, Alan Moore's Top Ten, Image's Ted McKeever Library, Michael Avon Oeming , expressive artwork, and we even curtail a drunken Chris!

This one gets a little explicit, so spare the kids.

Download part 1 here.

Download part 2 here.

Black Coat/Athena Voltaire One-Shot Preview Pages!

You've seen how the cover came about, now let's take a look at the guts of the book—some of 'em anyway...

Here's how the Athena Voltaire story kicks off.

The book is available for preorder now! Cover price of $2 and available with your choice of cover:

Black Coat cover: DEC083747
Athena Voltaire cover: DEC083748

I miss you, Dad

My dad passed away a year ago today. He was always a great supporter of my work and even posed for some of my reference.

Here he is standing in for a Nazi badguy.

I miss you, Dad.

The Black Coat/Athena Voltaire Special

The next step in the project—Jason Millet adds his brilliant colors to the piece!

And here are the covers with logos and trade dress in place! I'll post some solicitation information next week and will come clean with everything at that time!

This should be in the issue of Diamond Distributors' Previews catalog that comes out this Wednesday:


Find out what a Revolutionary-era Crusader and 1930's Aviatrix have in common, besides their status as two of Ape's most exciting heroes. An adventure spanning two centuries: from the Black Coat facing down a pirate attack to Athena Voltaire encountering the horrifying consequences of the treasure they sought. The two variant covers by Eisner-award nominee Steve Bryant combine to form a poster image.

Try 2 complete adventures from 2 of Ape's greatest heroes for only $2.

In Previews Tomorrow: The Black Coat/Athena Voltaire Special!

It's time to start showing some artwork! This is for a special one-shot that will be solicited in the December issue of Diamond Distributors' Previews catalog (in comic shops tomorrow).

Shown here are a concept sketch by Ben Lichius (co-creator of The Black Coat) and a penciled version of that sketch by me.

Together, the two cover images will form a poster. Ben did a great job on the design.


Next up, we have how it looks inked (by me).

Thanks to all who have waited patiently for the return of Athena Voltaire as we sort out legalities and publishing schedules. I appreciate it greatly and hope that you enjoy all of the stuff that I have planned for 2009.

The Ghost Sneaks Around

Is that a ghost? Look out--he's got a gun!

This book is turning out to be a blast!