ARCHIE'S DOUBLE DIGEST #208 now on sale!

Above: ARCHIE'S DOUBLE DIGEST #208 cover artwork by Pat Kennedy, Jon D'Agostino, and Tito Peña.

I was at the local comic book store today and noticed that ARCHIE'S DOUBLE DIGEST #208 is on sale. I inked the last story in the book, "No Company." Grab your copy today before it’s too late!

My Secret Invasion...

I will be working with Comic Art House in selling some of my original comic book artwork. This will include pages that I worked on for DC Comics, Warp Graphics, Archie Comics, and other art. Once the pages are posted on the InterWeb, I’ll let everyone know where to purchase the art.

In recent months, I’ve been blessed to contribute artwork to Hero Initiative in the likes of sketchcards and original comic book covers. Doing so encouraged me in to sell some of my comic book art.



Above: Front cover to Al Nickerson’s SECRET INVASION #1 original comic book cover.

Cartoonists sketching original comic book covers seem to be all the rage. I figured I’d see what all the hubbub was all about. Above is my first SECRET INVASION #1 original comic book cover. I was thinking of using a theme like "Who SHOULD have been a Skrull." Here, Nihilist-Man is beating the tar out of some guy in armor. My SECRET INVASION #1 original comic book cover will be sold through Comic Art House, as well.



Above: Back cover to Al Nickerson’s SECRET INVASION #1 original comic book cover.



Above: Al’ sketch for the cover.

Nihilist-Man is TM and © 2010 Albert Gordon Nickerson Jr.. Other characters are TM and © 2010 by someone else.

The words of Washington...

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been giving a lot of time to reading and researching the writings of America’s Founding Fathers. The strongest theme that I keep coming across is that, despite what some may say, they were NOT deists. Fifty of the fifty-two founding fathers were church-going, Bible-reading Christians. George Washington often spoke of God. He prayed in public. He insisted Christian clergy be part of his army (booth British and American). Washington often spoke of God’s divine hand protecting not only himself, but also guiding the creation of our nation.

All George Washington wanted to do was to return to private life as a farmer. Since Washington was incredibly passionate about liberty, freedom, and divine providence, he always answered when his country called upon him.

After the Revolutionary War, George Washington was asked to become our nation’s first President. Washington is remembered saying (and this breaks my heart): "Have I not yet done enough for my country?"

On March 15, 1783, George Washington addressed some of his officers gathered at a church building in Newburgh, NY: "Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country."

George Washington died on December 14, 1799. Henry Lee served in the Continental Army, was the ninth Governor of Virginia, and the Virginia Representative to the United States Congress. Lee, delivering the funeral oration, described George Washington in this way: "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

Here’s some more interesting quotes by George Washington (first President of the United States, commander of the Continental Army, Founding Father, Patriot):

-George Washington (April 30, 1789, New York):

No People can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency. And in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their United Government, the tranquil deliberations, and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities, from which the event has resulted, cannot be compared with the means by which most Governments have been established, without some return of pious gratitude along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage. These reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join me I trust in thinking, that there are none under the influence of which, the proceedings of a new and free Government can more auspiciously commence.

-George Washington's letter to the Jewish community of Newport, Rhode Island who numbered approximately 300 (August 17, 1790, Newport, RI):

May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.

-George Washington (January 1, 1795, Philadelphia, PA):

When we review the calamities which afflict so many other nations, the present condition of the United States affords much matter of consolation and satisfaction. Our exemption hitherto from foreign war, an increasing prospect of the continuance of that exception, the great degree of internal tranquillity we have enjoyed, the recent confirmation of that tranquillity by the suppression of an insurrection which so wantonly threatened it, the happy course of our public affairs in general, the unexampled prosperity of all classes of our citizens, are circumstances which peculiarly mark our situation with indications of the Divine beneficence toward us. In such a state of things it is in an especial manner our duty as a people, with devout reverence and affectionate gratitude, to acknowledge our many and great obligations to Almighty God and to implore Him to continue and confirm the blessings we experience.

When Creators speak out...

David Brothers and the Comics Alliance have an interesting article titled "The Exit Interview: When Disgruntled Creators Speak Their Mind". The article concerns poorly-treated, yet vocal, comic book creators:

It's terrible that these creators went through situations that made them feel like they had to speak out, and while they may be telling tales out of school, isn't it better that somebody know what's happening behind the scenes? While staying silent might be considered more professional, shouldn't there be some kind of accountability for when people are wronged? Actual people make the comics go round, so shouldn't they be treated with respect -- even if they insist upon it publicly?

Why do comic book publishers not want us to speak out? Well, for various reasons, perhaps. Maybe they don’t want to abide by existing contracts, maybe they’re cheap, or maybe they don’t want to look bad in the public eye. Well, if you don’t promote unethical business practices, then you don’t have to worry about others speaking out about your unethical behavior.

I’m continuing to speak out on the topic of Creator’s Rights for several reasons. We need young cartoonists it’s very important to teach young cartoonists about the pitfalls of working in comics, their rights as creators, and how to approach publishers.

We all need to speak out when publishers act inappropriately or dishonestly. We need to change work-made-for-hire in comics.

Frank Frazetta has passed away...

This afternoon, legendary artist Frank Frazetta has died at the age of 82. The cause of death was a stroke.

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the Frank Frazetta museum. To view Frazetta’s work in person was spectacular. I even had the pleasure of talking with Frazetta's wife, Eleanor "Ellie" Frazetta.

Please keep the Frazetta family in your prayers.





Above photo: Inside the Frank Frazetta museum.