Uncle Ernie's Creature Ink

Year of the Dragon

2012-01-28T14:16:00.001-08:00

I was sketching in Photoshop this week and thinking about the Chinese New Year. My dragon looks a bit to canine - rather than reptilian; but it was fun.

Then, there is always the Lee/Kirby Fin Fang Foom from the October 1961 issue of Atlas Comic's, soon to change the company name to Marvel Comics, Strange Tales #89.

John Carter of Mars Movie

2012-01-17T16:12:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping it will be a good movie.

Friday the 13th

2012-01-13T08:23:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday the 13th! There are 3 Friday the 13th's this year. The next will be in 13 weeks and the 3rd - 13 weeks after that.

SPOOKY MOMMY!

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

For various reasons I am happy to see 2011 go!

I'm wishing a better 2012 to all.

One of my illustrations from many years back. It was for the folks at Berlitz.

Happy Birthday Stan Lee

2011-12-28T17:18:00.000-08:00

Like or dislike, trust or mistrust, visionary or pitch-man…he is one of the important figures in the history of comic books.

I would be delighted to shake his hand and wish him a Happy 89th Birthday Stan Lee!

The Snow Man: 1932

2011-12-25T03:15:00.000-08:00

Christmas Never Seen

2011-12-22T17:52:00.001-08:00

As a typical American, I am almost entirely only aware of the comics, cartoonists and their images from the USA.

When I see some of the great monster related things from other countries I wonder, "What have I been missing?"

This scan is taken from Lew Stinger's Blimey! It's another blog about comics!

Another blog with more Christmas comics covers from Whoopie can be found at Peter Gray's Comics.

COOL!

Artist Clayton Bailey

2011-12-20T00:32:00.000-08:00

Clayton was a professor at my undergraduate college in Hayward, Ca.. I never did take a class from him. I spent most of my time in the printmaking department, not ceramics. I think I may have missed out on a kindred spirit. Science and cartooning are also dear to me.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2011-12-19T03:59:00.000-08:00

I am not feeling sinister or pessimistic this holiday season. The cute and happy side of me has surfaced for now in this drawing.

I wish you all peace and happiness!

Old Santa Drawing

2011-12-15T05:48:00.000-08:00

My Christmas card illustration of Santa from 2002.

Jim Woodring Video

2011-12-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

Jim Woodring is one of my favorite artists. He and R. Crumb are two cartoonists that I also classify as "Fine Artists."

Not Forgotten

2011-12-05T10:45:00.001-08:00

I have been having some health issues; so posting has been a low priority lately. I'm recovering fine so check back from time to time.

Thanks!

The Day After

2011-11-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween Pot Luck

2011-10-30T16:42:00.000-07:00

This is from 2003 or 2004. I do not draw full comic book looking pages often; so I had fun drawing it. It is a Mad Libs like page for Halloween.

Cab Calloway; Betty Boop Animation

2011-10-28T00:12:00.000-07:00

Edgar Allen Poe Digital relief

2011-10-27T00:30:00.000-07:00

I have said many times that I am an old printmaker at heart. This is a previously posted image of an Edgar Allen Poe portrait done in a relief cut style. It was completed in Photoshop and colored with a nod to the illustrator Basil Gogos.

Betty Boop Halloween Party

2011-10-25T00:13:00.000-07:00

What the Pumpkins Saw

2011-10-23T00:46:00.000-07:00

I did a little sketch using Painter and Photoshop with the odd emphasis on some pumpkins instead of the incidental event of the Headless Horseman chasing Ichabod Crane.

Pumpkin Patch 2011; Digital Relief

2011-10-22T03:15:00.000-07:00

I am an old printmaker in my heart of hearts. The sight of an old printing press and the smell of printing ink are intoxicating. I haven't made a traditional relief print in a long time; but I have developed a pretty convincing digital method of working in Photoshop that approximates the look of an image printed from a carved linoleum or wood block.

One of the tricks is to draw the white, not the black. HERE is a little description I wrote about my process sometime ago..

Happy Birthday Bela Lugosi

2011-10-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

This digital drawing, pencil and brush tools in Photoshop, could still use work; but I think a fast-ish sketch will have problems. The likeness is there - that is what I was primarily interested in achieving.

As a side note, last week I received my copy of Tom Richmonds self published book on caricature, The Mad Art of Caricature. It is unusual to find someone who can write, draw, design. The link to his informative blog is here, where you can find out more about the book.

I find caricatures fascinating and after studying Lugose's face for a bit, I may try to caricature him - something which differs from a portrait.

Smurfs All Hallows Eve

2011-10-20T02:51:00.000-07:00

Don't worry, the English will come in after the opening credits; of course, you may be disappointed if you speak Dutch(?).

Artie Shaw - Jeepers Creepers

2011-10-19T00:34:00.000-07:00

Jeepers Creepers: Porky Pig

2011-10-18T01:20:00.000-07:00

This is a repeat from a past Halloween… but worth another post. It always makes me remember long ago Saturday mornings.

Jeepers Creepers by MistyIsland1

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Cover Art

2011-10-17T00:43:00.000-07:00

This has been my favorite cover to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow for a long time. Honestly, I do not remember when I first saw this art; but I associate it with the story as strongly as I do the design of the Disney characters for the Washington Irving classic. The simple graphic nature of the art is attractive and peaks your interest without giving anything away. There is a bit of humor and a touch of horror about the image - very similar to the story.

The 20th edition of this paperback, that I have, lists the original copyright as 1962, Simon & Schuster Inc. . I wonder if the cover artist was ever credited in any of the previous editions.

Zombie Report

2011-10-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Once you have a piece of art, it can spark more creative experiments in how to use it.

I made a poster with the zombie couple from a few days ago.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; The Puppet People

2011-10-15T00:26:00.000-07:00

3D Zombie Art

2011-10-13T00:40:00.000-07:00

line art version

Back in the 1950's 3D movies and comics were the rage for a short while. Now that 3D is back in style I thought I would try to create some art with that pop-out look.

For a first attempt, and knowing nothing about how to achieve a 3D effect with a drawing, I think this zombie couple is borderline successful. It is always energizing to try something new.

Hope you have a pair of 3D glasses handy for Halloween! If you don't have a pair, maybe this link can help.

Cab Calloway

2011-10-12T00:38:00.000-07:00

Funny Books and Halloween

2011-10-10T00:06:00.000-07:00

Like many comic fans, I miss the old "funny books." Comic books at one time included a diverse selection of genre and many selections of titles within those individual categories. A trip to a corner store's spinner racks could yield multiple war, romance, superhero, horror, mystery, westerns and science fiction comics… plus a few more.

For a large portion of the history of comic books, it was taken for granted that they were read only by children and the uneducated. Comics today are not thought to be read by many young children. The target audience for comic books is much older now and those "funny books," such as Casper, Little Lulu, Fox and Crow, Sugar and Spike, Flintstones, Popeye, and on and on, are not produced much for the kids of today. There are many great title that were produced through the 1940's, 50's and 60's that are worth looking at, either as old friends or as undiscovered treasures.

The celebrations of a favorite holiday in these kid's books was always looked forward to. For me it was always Halloween that caused me to give up a dime or later twelve cents for a look at a story featuring my favorite holiday.

I ran across the line art for this 1950 comic book cover on the Internet. I color it in the style of the time and added the look of an old well worn , yellowing comic that someone had been caring in their back pocket for a month or two… waiting for Halloween.

Skeletons In The Closet: Louis Armstrong

2011-10-08T00:31:00.000-07:00

Louis Armstrong-Skeletons In The Closet-1936 by redhotjazz

Alastair Graham Illustrations

2011-10-07T00:51:00.000-07:00

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; Leonard Fisher

2011-10-06T00:02:00.000-07:00

In these scratch board drawings by Leonard Everett Fisher, from the 1967 Franklin Watts, Inc, large type edition, you see two scenes not as often illustrated from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Ichabod returning from a winter's night of ghost stories told by the fireplace and Ichabod at Andre's Tree.

It is interesting that there is no illustration, in this edition, of the chase between Ichabod and the Headless Horseman.

Halloween Sound Effects

2011-10-05T00:57:00.000-07:00

This link will take you to some free Halloween sound effects to download.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; Ub Iwerks, 1934

2011-10-04T00:05:00.000-07:00

1934

Ub Iwerks' The Legend of Seepy Hollow Model sheet

2011-10-03T00:13:00.000-07:00

Halloween Sticker Book

2011-10-02T03:52:00.000-07:00

It is unusual to be working on something during the season it is intended to represent; but last Halloween, I was involved in this book for Dover Publications.
As a kid, I was surprised to discover that all those specials on TV for Halloween or Christmas were filmed during the hot, hot summer days - months before a holiday. Getting into the spirit, months early, must have been difficult for the entertainers and staff on those shows. Art for books and magazines must also be completed in advance of the intended publication dates.

The book is out in stores now.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: 1973

2011-10-01T00:13:00.000-07:00

The John Carradine's narration preserves some of Washington Irving's original text; so you get a good feel for the original story.

Pumpkin Beer

2011-09-23T15:47:00.000-07:00

My beer intake during a typical year is only one or two bottles, and I have never tried a pumpkin beer. It is the taste of alcohol that I dislike. Oddly, the heaver bodied wines and beers I usually prefer have the higher percentage of alcohol.

Last summer I did drink a heavy textured beer with coffee in it, Kona Moon Porter. It went very well with a dinner my friends had cooked. With my love of all things pumpkin, I am very tempted to try a pumpkin beer this upcoming Halloween season.

Like with choosing an unfamiliar wine, I may be influenced by a label when making a choice of one to try.

Welcome to AUTUMN 2011!

UPDATE:

I was in the supermarket and saw this pumpkin beer from a local micro-brewery. I bought a 6-pack that will last me a few years… unless I use some of it for cooking.

Talk Like a Pirate Day; George Harrison

2011-09-19T00:02:00.000-07:00

Where do you get ideas for pictures?

2011-09-11T17:05:00.000-07:00

Here is Norman Rockwell's answer from the book "Rockwell on Rockwell," 1979, Watson-Guptill Publications.

Paul, Ringo, and George on the Uke

2011-09-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

I recall hearing that George Harrison liked the ukulele; but I have never heard him play one. He could really strum on it!

Happy Birthday Dad and Jack

2011-08-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

Dad, Chester, would have been 95 today and Jack Kirby would have been 94. To both, I think, work and family were the most important driving forces in their lives.

Happy Birthday!

Fantastic Four #25, 1964

A Full Figured Hulk

2011-08-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

A fellow artist over at Digital Art Tutorials' forum suggested that I do a full Hulk figure. I thought I would give it a try.

I added a body to the existing head. This digital painting isn't completely successful and I may have time in the future to rework some of the wonky bits. The lumpy, twisted forms are intentional but I think a little more proper structure of the form would help.

Hulk Portrait

2011-08-17T21:14:00.000-07:00

I haven't just played with drawing something in Photoshop for awhile. Here is a Hulk portrait done this evening.

It began as a pencil sketch I scanned into Photoshop CS2 and then colored and restructured a bit as I worked on it.

The Hulk, issue #1 was cover dated May 1962, always reminds me of Maurice Sendak's 1963 Where the Wild Things Are. Wouldn't it be great to be able to just release the beast from within? Both Max and Bruce Banner find out there are consequences when that happens.

There is something Uncle Ernie likes about green skin and finds very familiar!

Uncle Ernie's Pumpkin Patch

2011-08-12T21:28:00.001-07:00

I was checking out Google one day. Like most folks have done at some time, I typed in my address. The picture I found was a shot from space of my 2009 pumpkin patch. Yes, those little orange dots in the lower right are pumpkins as seen from an orbiting satellite.

If there are any aliens from another solar system wondering about orange squash, just give me a beam by. We can discuss the fine points of a backyard pumpkin patch over a spiced chai latte at my neighborhood donut shop.

Human and Animal

2011-08-11T15:44:00.000-07:00

Kemono (ケモノ^?) is a genre of Japanese art and character design that prominently features anthropomorphic animal characters.

Kemono-Taiheiki, a work of Japanese art from the Muromachi period.

2011-08-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

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Cute Barbarian Sketch 13

2011-08-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

Another fast 8B sketch

Cute Barbarian Sketch 12

2011-08-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a true quick sketch. When I got home this evening, I found a large envelope wedged between my screen and front doors. It was a surprise from my friends who are living in Japan. Two of the things inside were an 8B graphite pencil and a soft graphite stick, maybe a bit harder than the 8B, with a leather sheath - to keep my delicate digits from getting dirty. This degree of soft lead is difficult to find and I wanted to try out these early birthday gifts.

I like this under five minute sketch. The fresh look and spontaneous lines of the drawing are things I wish I could achieve more often. The ultra-soft lead forced me to work fast and to forget about fussing too much.

Thank you Butch and Keiko!! The best pencils come from Japan!

Cute Barbarian Sketch 11

2011-07-30T19:00:00.001-07:00

The Creature Sketch 02

2011-07-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

Mary Shelly's Creature Description

2011-07-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

“I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.

How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavored to form? His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful!–Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun white sockets in which they were set, his shriveled complexion and straight black lips.

…I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.”

The Creature Sketch 01

2011-07-24T14:27:00.001-07:00

Another sketch book I have started will have "The Creature." I will put other related themes in there too, Hulk, other classic monsters, etc.

Teddy Bear's Picnic

2011-07-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

Written in 1907 this over 100 years old music is performed here by Henry Hall and his orchestra.

Cute Barbarian Sketch 10

2011-07-16T20:06:00.001-07:00

As I was sketching this one, I put a rug in the foreground. That didn't look interesting, so I drew a few snakes. Adding those slithery reptiles was only marginally better.

I remember hearing that in the snake pit scene from The Raiders of the Lost Ark, originally, there were not enough snakes on the floor of the pit to make the visuals work. Lesson learned… I added more snakes too. It may still need a couple more!

Comicraft's Comic Font Sale

2011-07-09T17:03:00.001-07:00

I have used their fonts and it is always nice to get a deal, even if I don't get anything for a referral. PSSST! If you can wait for a few months, they usually have an even better sale on New Year's Day.

Offer ends July 31, 2011 • Sale prices calculated at checkout • Does not include Fontpacks or other discounted offers

Please feel free to pass this e-mail along to other recipients, as long as it's copied in its entirety.
If you'd like to be added to or removed from our mailing list, please e-mail jg@comicbookfonts.com.

Contents © 2011 Active Images, all rights reserved.

Cute Barbarian Sketch 09

2011-07-07T13:21:00.000-07:00

It has been sunny and a little too warm for me the past week. To escape this mini summer heatwave I have been spending time sitting in the shade at the park or drinking iced coffee at my local doughnut shop. Drawing a wintry scene seemed like a good way to cool off.

Cute Barbarian Sketch 08

2011-07-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

These are not being posted in any special order. There are still older ones I have not scanned yet; and I am still trying to find some good settings for my scanner for these.

Cute Barbarian Sketch 07

2011-06-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

Cute Barbarian Sketch 06

2011-06-29T13:14:00.001-07:00

Cute Barbarian Sketch 05

2011-06-28T10:57:00.000-07:00

Barbarian Inking 03

2011-06-27T21:17:00.000-07:00

These very cute hairy barbarians stated out as Sesame Street characters in my sketch book. I will post some more later. You can see why I was thinking about knives and forks when this figure started out as Cookie Monster.

Cute Barbarian Sketch 04

2011-06-26T09:10:00.001-07:00

Barbarian Inking 02

2011-06-25T08:45:00.001-07:00

Cute Barbarian Sketch 03

2011-06-24T11:06:00.001-07:00

Cute Barbarian Sketch 02

2011-06-23T10:34:00.001-07:00

Cute Barbarian Sketch 01

2011-06-22T09:41:00.001-07:00

Grover: Spider-Monster

2011-06-20T16:24:00.001-07:00

Barbarian Inking 01

2011-06-20T13:56:00.001-07:00

The inking for the barbarian was done primarily with a brush, waterproof ink, and a few Sakura microns on Fanboy paper…over a light-box.

New Background Color

2011-06-19T21:19:00.000-07:00

I thought I would go with a clean white background for a little while. These pencil drawings I have been working on in my sketch book, usually as I am sitting in restaurants, will look better on white.

I have had barbarians on my brain since meeting Ernie Chan; but my version would be on the cute-creature side of the trebuchet.

Sesame Street Zombies

2011-06-10T16:31:00.000-07:00

Sesame Street Workshop artist Evan Chen has created some cool zombies with the Sesame Street characters.

Ernie Chan Barbarian

2011-05-24T17:44:00.001-07:00

I recently enjoyed spending time with the comic's master Ernie Chan. One of the things we talked about was his interest in learning more about digital coloring. Ernie is computer literate but his chosen usual methods of working are still with traditional media. I took the opportunity to color one of his powerful barbarian images, from the internet, to show him a little of what the newer Photoshop versions can do without destroying the line work. The other concern I had coloring Ernie's piece was strengthening the separation of the groups of elements in the art… the sky, background figures, fallen figure, and the main barbarian.

Ernie is allowing me to post this for folks to see. He can be contacted through his website and he does accept inquires about commissions.

Thanks Ernie.

Fishin Blues

2011-05-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a song I have always liked. I wish I had the guitar this guy is playing. Going fishing suddenly feels like a good idea.

Sesame Street Sketch

2011-05-20T18:11:00.001-07:00

Just doodling some Sesame Street characters and trying out a new fountain pen.

Here is a link to some Super Grover 2.0.

Making a Brush Pen

2011-05-17T10:50:00.000-07:00

Since watching this, I have tried to make my own brush pen with cheap Flair pens. It works! The grip is more comfortable than just the skinny brush handle. I have also tried it with Tombow double markers (use the brush end) and even with odd parts from old ballpoint pens and foam pencil grips. I find myself walking down the street looking for discarded or lost pens, plastic tubing, or anything which could be used to "Frankenstein" a brush holder.

Free Comic Book Day; 2011

2011-05-07T07:59:00.001-07:00

It's that special day of the year, FREE COMIC BOOK DAY! Take a trip to your local comic book shops and pick-up something fun to read.

There are usually a nice selection of free giveaway books for folks of all ages. Many shops have special events planned for today, so visit a comic shop to see what they have for you.

Have A Happy Easter

2011-04-22T04:13:00.000-07:00

I was interested in playing with doing some hand lettering and an Easter message seemed the obvious choice for this time of year.

The lettering was my main interest in this; but it was fun to draw up a less than sweet Easter Bunny.

EARTH DAY 2011

2011-04-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Charles Addams: Rabbit Season

2011-04-19T10:36:00.001-07:00

Chas. Addams was probably making fun of hunters with deer strapped to the hoods of their cars in this cartoon from Addams and Evil of brave rabbit hunters. At this time of year, the image takes on a secondary meaning. If it had been meant to be an Easter cartoon, an Easter basket might have been subtly drawn in the back seat or have been shown strapped to the other fender of the car.

Speed Carter: Spaceman 03

2011-04-18T11:24:00.001-07:00

In the early 1950's comic books were, once again, under attack for contributing to the delinquency of children. Horror and crime books were specifically being targeted. One result of the negative national focus on comic books was the cancellation of many titles.

Atlas', later to become Marvel Comics, Speed Carter: Spaceman only ran for 6 issues, covers dated from September 1953 to July 1954. This time period was at the height of the concern about the effect of comics on youth. Did stories like this mash-up of space and horror have anything to do with its short run?

I wonder if this story was an attempt to produce a horror story in a fantasy sci-fi setting of the future to avoid being targeted as a horror book. Fantastic space monsters and aliens may have been a way to keep the "weird and horrific," that was still popular, without the worry. It could be interesting to look at how other comics publishers at this time were trying to keep creepy monsters in their books and if the percentage of sci-fi books increased at this time. Stan Lee, editor, writer, art director at Atlas, has said that they did comics of whatever the trends at the time were. My guess is that Atlas was just trying to combine two successful genres of early comics, horror and sci-fi, to increase sale.

EC comic's publisher Bill Gaines mentioned in interviews that his line of science fiction books were never as financially successful or popular as his horror books. EC was notorious for its horror books and by the mid 1950's Gaines had ceased publication of comic books to focus on his one remaining title, Mad Magazine, which was now transformed into a magazine format to avoid the censorship from the newly organized Comics Code Authority. Stan Lee at Atlas continued to survive the 50's by publishing westerns, war, and sci-fi monster comics.

Joe Maneely did very good art in these books. Maneely's solidly drawn figures and distinctive inking seemed well suited to this series. He seems to have been having a good time with this one. Dig that hairstyle on Speed!!

Several stories are signed by Maneely, with story by Hank Chapman. This 6-pager doesn't have Chapman listed as the writer, but it has a funky, fun, fifties space opera feel similar to other stories in the series with Chapman credited for the story. Enjoy!

Thanks to the original scanner for sharing.

Another Addams Cartoon

2011-04-15T19:44:00.000-07:00

Just for a little fun. Here is another scan from Addams and Evil.

Zombie Bunny

2011-04-14T00:53:00.000-07:00

Isn't Easter about returning from death? Some folks say the story of Lazarus is the first zombie tale; so hare (ouch!) is a perfectly traditional treat for Easter.

Thanks to TikiKris for pointing the way to this decadency. I am surprised that the Zombie Bunny is not white chocolate.

The only negative I can see to this chocolate bunny, other than a raised blood sugar level, is that it looks a bit too much like a regular rabbet mold, just with pasted on decorations. Maybe if the demand is great, a more creepy Easter Bunny mold could be tooled!

Charles Addams; Lord Calvert at the Beach

2011-04-13T00:48:00.000-07:00

Variations on a theme are a staple with Chas Addams. Two single panel cartoons from Addams' second collection of cartoons, Addams and Evil, from 1947, have Lord Calvert punch lines.

The first time I looked at this cartoon, I thought the image was just a joke about someone at the beach getting a fantasy photo of himself. The humor was in wondering why someone would go to the beach to get a photo of such a "wish I was back home" scene. Because of my researching the Addams cartoon posted a couple of days ago, I now realize this is another gag about a Lord Calvert advertising campaign from the 1940's.

Charles Addams Cartoon

2011-04-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

This Chas Addams cartoon, from the same book as yesterday's, is timeless and easier to grasp. It only takes a short bit of searching the art to say, "Oh! I get it."

Charles Addams: Addams and Evil

2011-04-11T22:59:00.001-07:00

What is this cartoon about?

A few days ago I was searching for something to look at from my bookshelf. I chose the collection of Chas. Addams' cartoons in Addams and Evil, first copyrighted in 1947. My 14th printing edition includes reprints of cartoons from 1940-47. Once again, I found an Addams' cartoon that left me wondering what the gag was.

An aspect of a cartoon that differs from an illustration, or even fine art, is that the meaning, or "gag," in a cartoon, is meant to be understood. The joke doesn't need to be blatantly obvious, a little mystery is fun, but the humor shouldn't be so perplexing that you need a PHD to research it. I am sure cartoon editors from the golden age of magazine cartoons were aware that people thumbing through a magazine just wanted a quick jolt of humor, to think, "I get it," and then to move on. This single panel cartoon by Addams had me stopped and stumped.

A disheveled man is collapsed on the doorstep of a tailor shop. A bottle labeled "Lord Calvert" is on the sidewalk near the passed out man's hand. Is Addams making fun of tailors, drunks, or Canadians? All I could think is that the joke must have something to do with the bottle, so I looked up a brand of whiskey I have heard of "Lord Calvert."

Pop culture is ephemeral. Images from the moment do not always speak loudly to the future. I found old advertisements for Lord Calvert Canadian Whiskey with the slogan reading, "For men of distinction." This must have been a popular ad campaign during the 1940's, one that most people then would have recognized. The gag must be based on comparing the image of the older, successful and sophisticated man in the ads to the everyman, drunk-of-distinction on the street.

AHH! With knowledge comes understanding and with understanding comes peace grasshopper. (How long will that pop-reference be grasped?) I can sleep tonight.

Rondo Award Winners

2011-03-31T13:35:00.001-07:00

The list of winners for the Rondo Awards is out. Congratulations to the winners.

If you don't know who Rondo Hatton was, then shame on you. Anyone interested in old horror films will recognize his face.

PonyTail: Monster Mash

2011-03-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a story from Dell Comics PonyTail # 10, April-June 1965. The story-line seems very familiar if you have ever watched any of the comedy haunted house movies like Ghost Breakers or The Ghost and Mr. Chicken or many, many others. The old formula is always fun.

Lee Holley is the artist on this comic book series, based on his syndicated feature. He has a nice energetic and free style which reminded me of Hank Ketcham. It makes sense -he was a Ketcham assistent from '56-'60.

Thanks to the original scanner.

Rondo Awards

2011-03-15T18:07:00.001-07:00

Few of us common folks get to vote for prestigious awards like the Emmys or Academy Awards; but we can all vote for the Rondo. Go to the web site for instructions on how to vote. I think you have until March 27th.

The Alien Gladiator: House of Mystery 141

2011-03-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

House of Mystery 141
March 1964, Dick Dillin/Sheldon Moldoff cover art

The Valley of Doomed Creatures: House of Secrets 44

2011-03-11T10:49:00.000-08:00

House of Secrets #44
May 1961; cover by Dick Dillion/Sheldn Moldoff

The Beast With 3 Lives: House of Mystery 99

2011-03-09T18:57:00.000-08:00

House of Mystery #99
June, 1960 - cover by Bernard Baily

Dr. Seuss

2011-03-02T17:07:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss and thank you for an early introduction to your creatures.

Coconut Durian Candy

2011-03-02T14:46:00.001-08:00

One of my daily tasks is to walk to the neighborhood produce store for vegetables and fruit for the day. Today the owner offered me an unusual candy sample.

Several years ago there were a couple of Food Network shows about traveling the globe to try odd, weird, or shocking local foods from around the world. The host of one of these shows admitted to having tried about every seemingly uneatable thing available. The one thing that beat him was a fruit - durian. He literally just could not get past the smell, to swallow the ripe fruit. I have been a bit afraid to try the fruit since then.

A friend let me try a little durian mixed into a milkshake once and it wasn't bad; but I could barely taste or smell anything unusual.

This candy was good. It wasn't too sweet. The coconut flavor was very faint. A stronger "other" predominant taste must have been the durian. The mix of flavors in my mouth was like a slightly odd taste of pineapple and coconut - but not scary at all.

Bow Nessie

2011-02-23T00:51:00.000-08:00

The other day two British teens took a photo of England's version of the Loch Ness Monster.

Obviously, the two creatures are the same animal which lives in a subterranean world; and it surfaces from time to time to excite the surface dwellers of our planet - or, maybe not.

Bell Witch

2011-02-22T09:33:00.000-08:00

I ran across a reference to the Bell Witch at the excellent FANTASY INK; so I did a search for the legend of these strange occurrences in Tennessee from the early 1800's.

Here is a link to the site for the Bell Witch Cave. The illustration to the left is of Betsy Bell, who with her father, John Bell, were tormented by "Kate." There appear to be a lot of references to the Bell Witch story available. Here is another account of the legend with emphasis on future president Andrew Jackson's visit to the farm; and the State of Tennessee also has a page, with clickable larger illustrations, about "America's greatest ghost story."

You can read the text from Martin Van Buren Ingram's 1894 "Authenticated History of the Bell Witch" online.

Candlewick: Brand New Reader

2011-02-09T19:58:00.001-08:00

I haven't forgotten or abandoned posting here. I have been busy and under the weather.

This week a book, I actually worked on about one year ago, will be coming out in stores. Something I love about the Sesame Street characters is the collection of monsters. This book has a couple of my favorites, Grover and Oscar.

The art is a combination of traditional and digital work, which is the way I prefer to do illustration now.

Zombie Nightmares

2011-01-14T15:57:00.000-08:00

That I do not have many nightmares may seem surprising. As someone interested in monsters and their symbolism for the uncontrollable and sometimes violent aspects of life, I must get most of my nightmares from normal life. Last night I did dream about zombies. What they mean to me, is a relentless, never ending attack by things that can not be reasoned with. You just can't sit down with a zombie and talk about resolving your differences.

I wonder what watching the remaining episodes of The walking Dead will do to my unconscious processing system - sleep.

The Walking dead

2011-01-13T21:25:00.001-08:00

I have been hearing a lot about AMC's series The Walking Dead since late last year. As one of the The Walking Poor, I can't afford cable; so I have just recently watched episode one. I see why there are all the good reviews .

The series is visually intense, not only for the violence, but also for all it's beautiful use of iconic images and graphic storytelling.

If you think you can stand the horror of it all, and if the episodes continue to be as well made as the first, I would strongly recommend watching the series.

Happy New Year 2011

2011-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Back in 1936 this Lyendecker New Year's baby was depicted looking into the future. That baby would be 75 years old now. I bet there were more surprises than accurate predictions.

Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR… whatever comes!

Stan Lee; Happy Birthday

2010-12-28T19:04:00.000-08:00

As Mark Evanier so eloquently put it "Of all the characters he created or co-created, the most colorful is still Stan Lee, himself."

Happy Birthday Stan, born December 28, 1922. The one left standing at the end is the winner.