The Fed: Back story

Update

Sorry for anyone who has been reading any of these posts. I have been crazy busy these past few months. I bought a condo, changed jobs, lost the new job, and been creating The Fed 2. Crazy. After the Fed 2 is finish, mid August I will dedicate time to finish Gen-Eg 3. Most of the next book is in draft, I just have to refine it and finish it. Stand by! And thanks for following!

Moving forward...

Its been tough. I've had to put the third Gen-Eg book on hold to work on two other projects. One of which is The Fed which I published last week. I am very satisfied with that book and now I can focus on the second Smashed Infants book (which is way over due). And then finish the Gen-Eg draft. I really enjoy working on my creations, but it does take a long time to complete each (one man operation here). For those going to the NYCC this week I will have a table in the small press area. Please stop by and say hello. It should be a great time. Thanks for your support!

UPDATES!!!

Its been awhile since I updated this blog...its just not something I am used to. I've been busy, a new house, new attitude at work, and trying to get two projects back on track (they have been neglected because of the move.) The third Gen-Eg book is well underway, and I plan on it being available before this years' NYCC. Which brings up another thing. The Great time I had at the first annual Asbury Park Con. I would like to thank Cliff and all the guys from South Jersey for throwing the event. I met a lot of hopefully new fans and even sold some books. It was a great time had by all. The next up is another con in Asbury Park, I heard it will be Sept 29th but nothing is confirmed yet. I am also going to be at the NYCC as I mentioned before. The show itself over shadows the small unknown artists like myself but after doing it the last two years I could not pass it up. So if you are planning to go to this monster event please look me up in the small press area. Keep checking here or on Facebook for more events and changes coming up. Thanks.

New interview!

I just happen to have this opportunity drop into my lap. Please check out this website, its pretty cool! http://milscifi.com/files/inter-TB-G.htm

Just great Sci-Fi...

Over the past week, I’ve enjoyed watching episodes of Battlestar Galactica on Hulu. For a while the episodes were only available on Hulu by buying their Hulu Plus network. There is no way I would do that, pay for more commercials???? Anyway that’s not the point. Some of the Galactica episodes I haven’t seen since they originally aired. And it was Fraking great! It’s been long enough that I don’t remember what was going to happen, so it was all new again!!! This led me to think of just how lucky I have been to witness/enjoy some major CLASSIC TV sci-fi shows and movies over the past three decades. These shows and movies as far as I’m concerned were milestones/breakthrough/ benchmark in the Sci-Fi world. These movies/shows have influenced so many things afterwards and continue to do so. To be clear these are my lists and you don’t have to agree with them, matters of fact make your own. TV Icon Sci-Fi programs (in no particular order) 1) Farscape 2) Star Trek (original) 3) Battlestar Galactica (2003) 4) Firefly 5) Space Above and Beyond 6) Twilight Zone Icon Sci-Fi Movies 1) Star Wars 2) Matrix 3) Predator 4) Alien 5) Aliens 6) Blade Runner 7) 2001 Space Odyssey 8) Road Warrior 9) The Thing (John Carpenters)- I wasn’t born for the first one 10) Avatar

2011 NYCC

Its been over for over a week and in many strange ways I miss it. For me the Con was a financial disaster, but I had a lot of fun and met some cool people. I also got to spend time with some dear old friends. I do believe that I am making great strides in my art, both professionally and personally. Of course I have miles to go before I can ever hope to support myself, but its a start.


That said here's a link to my interview (one of the first and definitely the first time I've ever been on Youtube)





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VCAZNeRBRY&feature=autoshare

Gen-Eg sample

Childhood

Commander Dockery followed the group of Military Special Projects Officers into the target building. As an unwanted observer from the Internal Security Directorate, the I.S.D. the other officers had been courteous but also standoffish. The Commander understood; not many people ever felt comfortable around members of the I.S.D. especially one who wasn’t invited. He knew there had been heavy infighting between the I.S.D. and military special branch hierarchy. Apparently, for now, the I.S.D. had won, and he was sent to observe the operation or should he say the end of it? He arrived late into an ongoing search and destroy mission, a nationwide investigation for terrorists. Several weeks before a group of criminals had hacked into several government directorates. Most attacks were minor, but they did grow in severity. The attack into the Power and Light Directorate was the worst. Five hundred miles of Westfor’s eastern seaboard found their electrical power shut off one busy afternoon. The deaths, damage, and sheer confusion that swept the affected area were severe. The I.S.D. was originally tasked with the investigation, and within days they had narrowed down the people who were responsible. They had three cells under surveillance, when the military suddenly stepped in. Overnight, the I.S.D. was given the backseat to the operation and the military’s special projects branch was put in charge. Now, the Commander had been sent to observe the military’s operation first hand.

Groups of military policemen now sealed the streets and access ways into the large building block. According to the surveillance teams, the terrorist cell was operating on the twelfth floor. Now after fifteen seconds after the military had given the covert strike team the go code, it was over. The strike team had responded that they had secured the target. As the group walked through the garbage-filled hallways, the Commander thought that somehow the strike had failed. The Commander smirked; somehow the targets must have slipped surveillance and escaped. He could not wait to report how the military had screwed up the operation; his superiors would be so pleased. As the officers entered the smoke-filled twelfth floor hallway, the Commander noticed a dozen armed soldiers of the strike team at key points. The Commander was stunned to see how young the soldiers were, they were children. He stopped and looked at a boy who must have been no older than twelve years old. The Commander stopped smiling when he saw the bodies of the dead terrorists being dragged out of the apartment and neatly lined up on the floor.

66 looked up at the tall I.S.D. Commander, the one who had been staring at him as if he knew. 66 turned away as the Officer walked past him and observed the clean team work. The young super soldier concealed his nervousness. He wondered if the Officer knew. He had to; he was an Officer. 66 felt both frightened and disappointed by his performance.

The Gen-Eg strike team had been given the target building layouts and photos minutes before the go code. The team leader quickly organized the roles of the assault force. 66 was given the task as the lead assaulter, the first through the door. As the team closed in on the apartment, the front door was rigged with explosives. Once set, the assault was green lighted. 66 followed the breeching explosion and entered the apartment. His training took over, and the team moved as they had been taught. 66 moved quickly to his assigned area of responsibility, where he encountered the first surprised terrorist. He then froze. The woman was standing in the kitchen holding a box of cereal, with a shocked expression on her face. To 66 she looked a lot like Mrs. Corwin. The similarity caused 66 to freeze. It only lasted seconds until another assaulter bumped into him as he passed 66. Then 66 reacted as he had been trained. He fired his compacted submachine gun into the woman’s chest. She screamed as she dropped, blood splattering onto the wall around her. 66 stared at her as she died on the dirty kitchen floor. He then moved on to clear the apartment. 66 eventually entered the living room which had been converted into a workshop. Tons of jerry-rigged computers and electronic gear crammed every inch of the living room. From floor to ceiling were machines and equipment. The team cleared the apartment, killing all the occupants as ordered. The terrorist leadership was to be arrested as they shopped in a nearby supermarket while the assault was taking place. Once the apartment was secured 66 walked back into the kitchen and looked at the woman he had killed. She seemed even more lifeless, as the pool of blood widened around her. At twelve years old, a lifetime of training and suffering, 66 had finally killed an enemy of the State. Something for which he had been created.

Challanging!

I have started the third Gen-Eg book, (among other projects). I have a basic plan in my head and outline. Now I have to create the details of the story. It's a interesting process...creating. For me sometimes the story and art just flow, other times its a tooth and nail fist fight. That's probably true with most artists. So i' juggling the multi projects with my job, my small social life and the pains of trying to buy a house.Honestly I would prefer to focus on just one thing at a time but that never seems to happen that way. Example Project "F" a traditional comic book about a men in black federal goon squad has been developing daily. I completely redesigned the main character and started on some of the panel sketches. The scrip isn't finished but the project is making headway. Strange process.

Preview

This a example of the pin up's I was planning.

What's next?

Just to keep everyone up on what's happening. I have two projects underway, with two more in the very early planning stages. The first project is a vanity book, a collection of assorted drawings by me over the years. (Why are you putting that out? Your still a nobody!) That's a good point. I really don't have a real reason. Just the fact I have thousands of drawings sitting around doing nothing. And createspace is free for a project like this (No copy-editing). The second project is a Girlie pin up book. I'm trying to get a few artist to contribute. It should be good. One of the early planning out projects is a traditional comic book similar to the Smashed Infants. It's going to be a humorous poke at the tons of conspiracy folk out there. (Don't tase me bro!) I have to write that one and the third Gen-Eg book. Tons of things happening and only one person working on them! I'll keep everyone posted! Thanks for the support!

MoCCA convention post game

It's over, it was a great weekend, one of good times, great customers, and fun times with old friends. I couldn't really ask for a better convention. Once again I have learned a lot (lets see if I use that knowledge). I would love to thank Sean Taggart, Danny Hellman, Olivia Larrain, and Blair (and her family) for making the weekend great! The books got good exposure and some serious interest. Some of which I will be taking advantage of soon (mums the word). I'll keep all posted as events happen. Thanks for the support!

Book two is now available!!!!

Yes the long work has finally paid off. Right now, Gen-Eg 2.0 Lucky #13 is readily available on Amazon.com. It is like book on, with a newer format. The story of 66 and the other Gen-Eg super soldiers continues in Lucky#13. The massive global war threatens Westfor, the repressive dictatorship which created 66 and the Gen-Egs as weapons and assassins. Gen-Eg: Lucky #13 is a B&W, military/sci-fi, illustrated, graphic novel.

Please look for us here


Also if you are in the NYC area April 9 & 10 I will have a table at the 2011 MOCCA Convention at the 25Th St Armory (Home of the 1/69Th "The Fighting sixty ninth). It should be a great convention for new and underground comics, and graphic novels and books.

Working

I'm sorry for delay in posting for anyone who reads this blog. The last few weeks have been consumed with finishing the next Gen-Eg book. The story is now a full draft and off to the editors. I am completing the artwork while the story gets edited. There is also a new design for the new book, which will make it fit better in the graphic novel format. (So many haters). I will continue to try to update you as it progresses. Thanks for reading!

After KingCon!!!

It was a really, really long day yesterday. I got to the Con location early (aways early) and humped my gear inside to find a amazing NYC like building, very retro/brick. Supposedly it used to be a old bath house. Very cool, BUT very small. They had all the tables back to back, which left vendors very little room to sit or sell or do anything. Anyway, I ran into Shawn (old HS/College) pal who has some great work for sale also.
The show was pretty good, modest turnout of customers and I even made sales of my books, shirts, and prints. It could always be better, but I left satisfied. Things learned, until the economy turns around or at least better than it is sales for this kinda of stuff will be limited. I also have to figure out where and when I will buy a table at these conventions. I talked to Shawn and Carl about pooling our resources for road trips to other conventions next year. I also talked to a guy who is convinced that the Ipad/Kindle/others will revolutionize the field. He maybe right. I will have to research that more, I think the potential is vast. Another Con more experience.


PS one of the pics is of "Cat Boy" a very strange character that all but fell in love with Danny...

King Con Nov 6th 2010

I am gearing up to attend the Brooklyn King Con Nov 6th. It should be a smaller/better/friendlier venue than the NYCC. I am really looking forward to it, and I hope sales, interest, and contacts will be better. Along side me will be Danny Hellman artist extrodinare so I will not be alone. Hoping lessons learned will help, it should be fun!

NYComic Con!

Its official, I will be at the 2010 NY Comic Con! My company (Its a one man operation) will be in the small press area of the Javis Center. Whoever reads this, if you go to the Con, please stop by and say hello! You might win a Original Smashed Infants or Warmachine T-Shirt!

On the business side, this is a costly adventure, the cost of the table, t-shirts, copies of both books, and a banner + parking. For those thinking about self publishing, or something, I look at it like this. Where else am I going to have a chance to face 80,000 new customers. "Just do it!" Doesn't just apply to Nike. It should apply to you. Take a chance, don't just wait for a opportunity to come to you. You make it happen. That's what I've been doing different this year. In January I wanted this year to be different from every other year. So I'm taking a chance! So should you!

Creeping...

The campaign continues, I have created ads in Facebook, posted links on DeviantArt, and created a half assed website. Everything is linked to each other. All to drive people to the Amazon book pages. I don't know what kind of response I was expecting, I don't know if I'm doing about what is expected or that I'm being unrealistic. I've sold some books, more Warmachine than Infants, which is surprising since Infants generally gets more views. There was a great customer review of the Infants, which I'm sure will help. I guess I really need feedback. I've been too close to this project for so long that I don't know if its any good or not. On that note I'm having fun writing the follow up book to Warmachine. Noway near finished or even a complete draft yet but its slowly coming together. I also joined another review site and hopefully they will be kind and favorable with their reviews. Its a very slow, but cool process. I've never been this far into my dream before...

Marketting week two...

So the campaign continues. This week I studied some more at the createspace discussion broads and it was recommended that I create a website to support my books. I looked which sites were the best and went with Yahoo again. I used them once before for my ill-fated sticker company. So I created a website in minutes and linked the whole mess to the Amazon book pages. Its thought that this might help sales...I don't know. It in part seems like a added expense, and I am not really happy with the limitations with the site. Anyway I sold two more books, which is good. I think I am a long way from my fantasy of selling hundreds or thousands. But who knows its out there.

World conquest!

Just to let anyone stumbling past this blog, that I now have two graphic novels for sale through Amazon.com. It's been a long road to get here, art school, years of trying to break into the business, days of self doubt. But now thanks to technology the chance to self publish (without printing thousands of dollars worth of copies) is here. I published both books Warmachine and the Smashed Infants through Createspace.com. So far its been a very good experience for me, but now the books are up the hard work begins. Marketing and selling my self and my work. This is new ground for me, but I am learning fast.