Friday, May 30, 2008

"Riverdale Jones and the Temple of Food"...



Above: Artwork from JUGHEAD AND FRIENDS #28. Pencils by Fernando Ruiz and inks by Al Nickerson.

It looks like JUGHEAD AND FRIENDS #28 is now on sale. The twelve-page story "Riverdale Jones and the Temple of Food" was a lot of fun to ink. Not only was this story an homage to Indiana Jones, but I was once again teamed-up with Fernando Ruiz… which is always great.


Here’s how Archie Comic Publications describes JUGHEAD AND FRIENDS #28:

"Riverdale Jones and the Temple of Food": While rummaging through Jughead's attic searching for sleeping bags, Archie finds something else instead: the hat, jacket and journal of Jughead's archeologist-adventurer ancestor Riverdale Jones! Food was his specialty, so when the boys also find a map to the legendary "Temple of Food," the quest is on to find this fabled land of food and fortune! Plus: Other new and classic tales! Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!

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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

GEMINI #1...

Ok… you must all read GEMINI #1! If you like fun super-hero comics (and who doesn’t?), then you’ll enjoy this book. If you’re tired of reading the same old Marvel and DC poo, than give GEMINI #1 a shot. This comic has wonderful artwork, and a new twist on super-heroes that I don’t think I’ve seen before.

Now, if ya don’t want to pony-up the $3.50 for GEMINI #1, than you can read the whole comic online at Newsarama.

I give GEMINI #1 four out of five NM’s.

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Sunday, May 25, 2008

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #119 on sale now!



Above: Artwork from ARCHIE AND FRIENDS #119. Pencils by Rex Lindsey and inks by Al Nickerson.

Looks like ARCHIE & FRIENDS #119 came out this past week (or the week before). I inked the first half of the issue and Jim Amash inked the second half… even though the comic’s inking credit reads "Amash/Nickerson". Ugh. Buy your copies before all of the kiddies get them first!


"Archie World Tour Part 3 of 4": Continuing their quest to see five cities in ten days, Archie and his friends barely have time to reminisce about London and Madrid before arriving in Nairobi, Kenya! Everyone is excited as they visit one local landmark after another, including the state museum and zoo. Of course, no trip would be complete without some suspenseful intrigue, and this one is no different as Archie and Jughead find themselves being trailed by two mysterious men. Who are they, and what are they up to? Acclaimed writer, children’s art advocate, and organizer of the world’s only "Kids Comics" convention, Alex Simmons returns to handle the script chores, while fan-favorite Rex Lindsey is back with some of the best art of his career. It all adds up to one world tour you won’t want to miss!

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Monday, May 12, 2008

George...



Above photo: Al and Caitlin lighting a smoke at Twin’s Pub. School year 1987-1988.

Today, P.I.C. members Korn, Martin, Pro, and myself had an official P.I.C. lunch and get together. A fun time was had by all. After lunch, Pro and I stopped by Twins pub (the pub that P.I.C. often frequented during our college days). At Twins, we sadly learned that George (Twins’ bartender from those many years ago) had passed away this past Friday (I believe it was on Friday). I remember George to have always been a quiet, soft-spoken fellow. Please keep George’s family in your prayers.

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Sunday, May 11, 2008

Please pray for Gene Colan!



Above photo: Taken in a classroom at the School of Visual Arts. (Left to right) Mitch and (comic book legend and SVA instructor) Gene Colan. School year 1986-1987.

Word on the street is that comic book legend and former SVA instructor, Gene Colan, is in poor health. Here’s an e-mail letter from Gene’s wife, Adrienne:

Gentlemen:

My darling, sweet, handsome and brilliantly gifted husband's liver is failing. The complications are very nasty. This week it's fluid retention and encephalitis. He's on powerful meds now to diminish the symptoms. He sleeps a lot and has very little energy. He wants you all to know how badly he wanted to attend the convention. He so seriously wanted to see you all and shoot the breeze.

Not sure how long we have left together, but our family whole and we'll be taking this sad journey together and nearby.

Anyone with commissions outstanding, I'll have a sense within the next couple of weeks if he can fulfill them, if not, please don't worry, I'll return your monies promptly. I don't want to pull the rug out from under him. But if he can do anything, he'll need to finish the 10 pgs. remaining on his 38 pg. Captain America Civil War for Marvel.

You all know how you've enriched Gene's life by coming forward and being a part of his. :)

love,
Adrienne

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Saturday, May 10, 2008

P.I.C. NEWS reports on P.I.C.!



What’s P.I.C. up to? P.I.C. NEWS reports on the current happenings of P.I.C. members throughout the world:

As previously reported, Steve Pro is heading to California: "I'll be moving to LA in June, and living with an acting buddy in West Hollywood/Beverly Hills. I will be following up on some agent leads and contacts I made on my January LA trip."

According to his blog, Scan may be moving, as well: "In August I will move closer to the airport for a year and then in August 2009 I plan on moving back to Seattle. There, I will eliminate most driving and feel smug once again in my mellow happiness. That's the plan. Hope I will fulfill the plan."

Martin read the ATOMIC ROBO / NEOZOIC Free Comic Book Day comic: "I read ATOMIC ROBO for the first time. I am looking forward to the trade paperback when it comes out soon."

Al is still drawing comics: "I’m still drawing comics!"

Joey B created a skateboard design: "Hey - I entered a skateboard design contest with the Tillie face which I've done many paintings of, and am putting together a series of t-shirts of as well. Every vote counts, so if you have a minute please go to: Popdeck.com. If you scroll through the designs, you should find it. The design is called "Tillie". Not sure if you need to register or not, though. Not a big deal, but if you can vote, it'd be cool! Thanks!"

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Friday, May 9, 2008

SONIC X #34...



Above: Artwork from SONIC X #34 by (penciler) David Hutchison and (inker) Al Nickerson.

Several days ago, I finished inking the second half of SONIC X #34. I believe that Terry Austin is inking the first half. Dunno for sure. Anyway, this was a fun job to ink. I’ve never inked any Sonic the Hedgehog stories before. I don’t think I‘ve ever worked on anything with such a strong Manga feel, either.

SONIC X #34 is scheduled to be on sale in comic book stores on June 25th. Get your copy early before all the kiddies grab them up.

Here’s how Archie Comic Publications describes SONIC X #34:

"Fool Party": When Chris’ father holds a charity auction with the top prize being a personal pool party at Thorndyke Manor, guess what egg-shaped no-goodnik places the highest bid? Sonic and Tails make the scene to make sure Eggman doesn’t steal it… or more precisely, doesn’t steal one of Grandpa Chuck’s special motors! Hopefully Eggman won’t find out that Sonic can’t swim!

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Thursday, May 8, 2008

Pro and PUBLIC ENEMIES!



Above photo: P.I.C. member and thespian, Steve Pro.

Recently, Steve Pro has issued some new news on his acting career. From Steve Pro:

OK folks, here's a short update: I recently did two days extra work on the Michael Mann movie "Public Enemies" [starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale] with a possible third day shoot in the near future. We shot here in Madison, Wisconsin's capital building (doubling as the DC capital). I was lucky enough to be chosen to play an aid to the lead actor’s character (vague on purpose, sorry) where I had onscreen interaction with him. I may receive a screen credit here ("Aid 1" or "Aid 2", that sort of thing). This link is from a local newscast covering the shoot. If you pause it at the 38 second mark, yours truly is on the far left walking onto the set. :-) I'll be moving to LA in June, and living with an acting buddy in West Hollywood/Beverly Hills. I will be following up on some agent leads and contacts I made on my January LA trip.

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Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Free Comic Book Day report...

Free Comic Book Day was quite fun! The folks on line to get into Main Street Comics went all the way out of the store! I haven’t seen that happen before. So, that’s encouraging. I love seeing folks being (re)introduced to comics. There were lots of kids at Main Street Comics, as well. Perhaps there’s a future for comics still.

On Free Comic Book day, I picked up ATOMIC ROBO / NEOZOIC, THE MOTH: GREATEST HITS, HELLBOY/B.P.R.D., and KIDS LOVE COMICS: COMIC BOOK DINER.

Again, I absolutely love ATOMIC ROBO. The Free Comic Book Day issue has an original story where Atomic Robo battles a bunch of Commie robots! Ya gotta love that! I laughed when I noticed some interesting items in Atomic Robo’s office. There's a framed picture of Hellboy on the wall. Also, it looks like Atomic Robo is in possession of Captain America’s shield. Funny stuff.


Update: Speaking of ATOMIC ROBO… this is kinda funny and very flattering, as well: The creators of ATOMIC ROBO (which you all should be reading right now) quoted me on there website. It looks like they took the quotes from this very blog:

Al Nickerson- "I just discovered a new and amazing comic called ATOMIC ROBO! It’s like Mike Mignola’s HELLBOY, but funnier and less Gothy. ATOMIC ROBO has Nazis, robots, and monsters. Ya can’t go wrong with Nazis, robots, and monsters."

and…

Al Nickerson: "If you’re tired of reading sucky comics, then give ATOMIC ROBO a shot."

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Thursday, May 1, 2008

Preview BACK ISSUE #29!



Westfield Comics has posted a preview of BACK ISSUE #29. BI editor Michael Eury has selected my Claremont/Byrne article for the Preview. Part of the article is excerpted online, with a few images here.

BACK ISSUE #29 is scheduled to be on sale in July.

Update: A lively discussion has come up about the preview for the Claremont/Byrne article over at the John Byrne message board. Stop on by.

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