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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Milestone Creator Dwayne McDuffie has Died

This news is VERY disheartening!

SOURCE: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=30969


Dwayne McDuffie as drawn by friend and collaborator Denys Cowan.


CBR News has learned that comic writer, animation producer and respected industry veteran Dwayne McDuffie passed away. The cause of death and specific details are unknown at this time.

A native of Detroit, McDuffie officially joined the comics industry as part of Marvel Comics editorial in the late '80s. While working on special projects for the publisher, he quickly made his name as a writer creating series such as "Damage Control" and helping to redefine the Deathlok character to fan and critical acclaim. He soon left the staff to become a full time freelance writer, becoming a voice in the industry for diversity, particularly fighting against stereotypical portrayals of people of color on the comic book page.

In 1993, McDuffie co-founded Milestone Media along with creators Denys Cowan, Michael Davis and Derek T. Dingle. The company's mission statement involved expanding the role of minorities in comics both on the page and off, and they launched (through DC Comics) a line of superheroes that included "Static," "Icon" and Xombi" – all of which McDuffie had a hand in creating.

Over the years, the writer contributed to scores of notable comic book launches and series, always with a keen eye on character, regardless of race. In 2000, his character, Static, made the leap totelevision in the Saturday morning cartoon "Static Shock." In 2003, an episode of the show dealing with gun violence earned the writer the Humanitas Prize.

In recent years, McDuffie pursued dual tracks in animation and comics writing. He served as story editor for the popular "Justice League Unlimited" animated series and wrote a number of DC's recent direct-to-DVD animated films. McDuffie had notable runs on comic series "Fantastic Four" and "Justice League of America," often incorporating Black characters into the core of the fabled franchises.

McDuffie's latest work was the script for the "All Star Superman" animated adaptation, which went on sale today in stores across America. CBR ran a lengthy interview with McDuffie about that project last week and caught up with him, looking in good health and acting jovial, last week at the Paley Center's Los Angeles premier for the film. McDuffie's last known public statement was a post to his Facebook page Sunday at 12:17 PM Pacific. He was scheduled to sign at Golden Apple Comics tomorrow evening as part of Reggie Hudlin's Reggie's World launch party.

The writer is survived by his wife, though at this point no further details are available on what exactly happened to McDuffie. The staff of Comic Book Resources offers our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Here is a youtube clip:

MEAT! Art Exhibition at Meltdown Gallery

Flyer for an upcoming exhibition I'm in at Meltdown Gallery.

DIKLIK art & Meltdown Comics present “Meat!”
(an art show completely about meaty things)

Artist line up includes:
Michael Kupperman, Charlyne Yi, Brandon Bird, Carlos Ramos, J.R.Goldberg, Julia Vikerman, Myke Chilian, Layron DeJarnette, John Olsen, Richard Lee, Deanna Rooney, Britt Sanders, Andy Ristaino and Jhonen Vasquez.

Opening reception is Thursday, March 3rd from 7-10pm.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

"The Ricky Gervais Show" Character Designs

I had the wonderful opportunity again to be part of a stellar cast of extraordinary artists from the "Ricky Gervais Show. Comic book veteran, Dan Fraga was at the helm as Director and the virtuosic maestro, Bryan Arnett provided Art Direction.

Here's a imdb link to the rest of the super-marvelous crew. CLICK HERE!

Below are some character designs I provided.

The two characters on screen right are somewhat modeled after fellow character designers, Myke Chillian and Alex Kirwan.

I used my own 'mug shot' for this hunter.









Garbage Pail Kids Flashback 2 Sketch Card Preview

Here are some sketch cards I did for Topps' Garbage Pail Kids Flashback 2 series.



Here the promo flyer:

Monday, February 14, 2011

GPK style personal commission

Garbage Pail Kids style commission of family in Star Wars costumes. Concept by James Houx.
(Painted in acrylics)