MoCCA Fest 2011 was...SEVEN SOLDIER-ific!

This past weekend I attended the SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY CON at the...wait, that's not true. I actually went to MoCCA Fest 2011. MoCCA, The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, holds this event annually to help fund the exhibits and courses contained in their lower Manhattan building. The festival brings together thousands of the most talented independent writers and artists working in comics. What a perfect opportunity to add some signatures to my bound volumes of Grant Morrison's 30-issue story, SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY. Vol II of my collection already featured character sketches from Yanick Paquette and Freddie Williams II. This weekend I was fortunate to meet two artists who worked as staff letterers for DC Comics when SEVEN SOLDIERS was released.

According to his bio, Jared K Fletcher makes designs and pictures, mostly for comics. He has an Eisner, Harvey and Eagle award nomination. But he also has 28 Steven Seagal movies on dvd. He lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. Jared was at MoCCA promoting his web-comic, STRANGER FICTIONS. I bought a mini-comic containing the web-comic's greatest hits. And it's hilarious yo! Subscribe to his rss feed to follow the adventures of Dethicus, the angry one who likes to smoke and watch Steven Seagal movies. And Captain Fantabulous, the other angry one. But back in '06, Jared was putting Grant Morrison's metatextual musings in word balloons and creating ingenius sound effects to suitably compliment the masterful artwork of SEVEN SOLDIERS.

I was also lucky enough to briefly make the aquaitance of Phil Balsman. Back in the day he was lettering some of the SEVEN SOLDIERS books, notably FRANKENSTEIN. Phil was at MoCCA supporting his fiancée, and fellow artist Paigey Pumphrey. Lately, Balsman has been working as a Commercial Graphic Artist based in NYC. His work typically focuses on eye-catching, iconic design sense with a high-energy, high-impact aesthetic. Hit him up if you're in need of some amazing design work!


Both Jared and Phil were VERY generous with their time and couldn't have been more approachable. I dig hearing behind-the-scenes stories about the books that I groove on. They were even kind enough to provide some sketches with their signatures. Stay tuned for more adventures with the SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY. I will also be giving shout-outs to all the other talented creators whose stuff I bought.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES

I present to you the latest in the masterful line of pages that have been birthed by the brilliant womb of Marc Borstel. The plot thickens...

Solid Gold Ear Candy

My good friends Matt and Brian from the Secret Identity Podcast have posted an interview I did with them during NYCC 2010. We talk about THE OUTER SPACE MEN, DIONYSUS WEPT, Arcana Comics and torture. Tune in for my interview at the 49:40min mark, but stay for the solid gold ear candy that Matt and Brian cook up twice weekly.

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME

It's been a while since I've checked in with updates on my upcoming graphic novel DIONYSUS WEPT. The simple fact is, I've been focused on charity work. If you're like me and want to give to others, think about making a contribution to THE HUMAN FUND.

In the meantime, check out DIONYSUS WEPT illustrator Marc Borstel's amazing work on DREAM REAVERS, a 4-issue mini-series coming out from Ape Entertainment later this year.

ALL WORK AND NO PLAY...

Aside from my tireless efforts to promote DIONYSUS WEPT, I managed to pursue other interests at NYCC. Mostly these involved the two volume set of my bound SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY issues. SEVEN SOLDIERS is a comic book metaseries written by Grant Morrison and published by DC Comics. It was published as seven interrelated mini-series and two bookend issues. The series features a new version of the Seven Soldiers of Victory fighting to save Earth from the Sheeda. Besides the masterful storytelling of Grant Morrison, the story showcased nine insanely talented artists. The book's pages are saturated with Morrison's coarse words filling up word balloons that sit atop beautifully rendered images of brief sexual content and horrific violence. WHAT MORE COULD ONE ASK FOR?

At NYCC I had the privlege of meeting SEVEN SOLDIERS artists Cameron Stewart(Manhattan Guardian), Yanick Paquette(Bulleteer), and Freddie Williams II(Mister Miracle). All three provided sketches of their characters from the book to go along with the Vigilante sketch previously provided by JH Williams III. They were gracious and engaging. It was a great thrill to hear these gifted men talk about their experience on the project that I hold so dear to my heart. Thanks again gentlemen!

Sadly my ultimate tribute to sequential art will have to remain incomplete...for now. With any luck, I'll have the chance to meet up with Ryan Sook, Doug Mahnke, Pascal Ferry, Frazer Irving and Simone Bianchi.



Never has Grant Morriosn's talent been spotlighted more than in this story. He is able to take obscure characters from various corners of the DC Comics universe and craft a compelling tale that has developed an ardent following. Morrison Rules!

DIONYSUS WEPT VISITS NYCC!

The creative minds behind DIONYSUS WEPT will be attending the final day of New York Comic Con. Get up to the minute details from the con floor by following me on Twitter. Or just check back here for all the groovy news.

A LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO...DEATH!

The murder-tastic graphic novel, DIONYSUS WEPT keeps chugging along. I've been getting images back from, master-illustrator Marc Borstel and I just can't keep them to myself! As you can see Marc is KILLING! Here we see some of the main players in this "urban tragedy of immense social significance." Look for this mind-assaulting comic from ARCANA STUDIOS early next year.