A Preview of My New Book: Sharing

The latest book I am working on was written by my wife and drawn by yours truly. I have been working on it for the past few months and am really excited about the way it has turned out. It will be completed and ready to print by the end of the year. Here is the first preview image I have released anywhere.

Life In Comics #11: My TV Moment

On Thursday, Nov. 17 one week before Thanksgiving 2011 on Louisville, KY's Insight Cable channel 98, was the airing of my episode of Louisville's Finest. A tv show that showcases talent local to, well...Louisville. I met one of the show's co-hosts, Troy at the Derby City Comic-con and I was fortunate enough to be invited to do the show. Well fast forward a few months and I was able to do a taping. I was interviewed with my Lil Dude Comics Poster in the background. I felt fairly comfortable surprisingly. The hosts and the camera guy were super cool and I just hope I didn't make too big of a fool of myself. I know my voice has a lot more of a country drawl than I ever thought was there. And maybe I got a couple of people interested in my art. Here is my dramatization of my moment in the spotlight. Thank you Troy and Ms. Christina, you guys were great and I appreciate the oppurtunity.

LIFE IN COMICS: The ailing Louisville Cardinal basketball team

I am a big fan of college basketball, and being from Louisville I have always been a ig fan of the Louisville basketball team. Last week I heard about the starting point guard severely spraining his ankle. This is after two players were already out for other reasons fir several weeks, another I watched tear his acl and some that were just coming off season lomg injuries from the previous year. So, you'd have to be here to understand the rivalry, but I thought, what if Coach Cal and the UK Wildcats had something to do with it...

Life in Comics #9: UK Cats vs. Morehouse

In Louisville, KY college basketball is big business. And chances are you are a Wildcat fan, or a Cardinal fan. On Nov. 7, 2011 as a Cardinal fan I was appaled at the bullying that went on during this game. Hating? Maybe a little bit. Pick on someone your own size doggone it!

Life in Comics #8: Hoarders

I don't watch the show that often, but I have seen it a few times and it is always fascinating. I hears the creator of the show on the Mohr Stories podcast and I came up with this.

Hapy Halloween from Lil Dude Comics!!

Life in Comics#7: DWTS Season 50

The diversity on the reality tv hit Dancing With the Stars, not only includes ethnic, agender and sexual orientation but there have been amputees, and season 13 has its first transgendered cast member and even a burn victim. I applaud them for including such so many varying people! If the show keeps going on and on, I figure it is only a matter of time before they eventually go off the planet with the increasing diversity.

Life in Comics #6: The Playboy Club

I checked out this series on-demand out of curiosity. Really, I wanted to see if it was bad, or just misunderstood. I think it was moreso the latter, but it could not overcome the name. And NBC learned that the hard way. Playboy has a negative stigma attached that outweighs whatever men they hoped would tune in for just that reason. They also learned that there is only one Mad Men, and it has the advantage of being free of the red tape and constraints of network TV.

Life in Comics #5: Hawkman Meets Birdman and Birdman Jr.

I'm sorry...but I think this is funny. Plus I just love to draw Hawkman!

Life in Comics #4: Wardrobe Malfunction Solution

There seems to be an enldess surge of celebrities falling out of their clothes, things falling out, and popping out. So I have devised the 'N' Guards. All a lady has to to do is put these fellas in the brasier and they are guaranteed to guard against any potental wardrobe malfunction. Take note, Nancy Grace and Janet Jackson, if you had these guys working for you, you would have had no problem. En Guarde!!

Life in Comics #3: Sugar

(late July) A New Jersey woman was charged with prostitution after police received a tip that she was soliciting in the drive through at Dunkin Donuts while she worked. Apparently she was spending all her breaks out in the parking lot in cars that had ordered the "extra sugar" in the drive through. That is until one of the guys was an undercover cop. I wonder how the business is doing now that she's been caught. Wouldn't you just feel a little icky going there? The list of jokes that could be made is endless so I won't go there. Well not...really.

Life in Comics #2

So I was in the kitchen the other daythink I had just finished washing dishes. One of those tiny little bugs, smaller than an ant was on the counter. He probably came in while the door was left open. Naturally I smashed m with my finger. I went to look at my victim, and that sonofabuck was still alive and jumped in my face. I handled it like a tough guy. Ok, no. I didn't. But it was only because I was startled!

Life in Comics#1

SO I had run to the gas station to return a movie to one of those movie kiosks. I hop out and I see in the car next to me two boys in the back seat, about 5 and 7 or so. I am assuming it was their dad had hopped out leaving them behind for a moment. Music was blaring from the stereo. Loud. I think maybe every third word was NOT a cuss word. So this is just a dramatization of the conversation going on inside the car.

Rodman Hall of Fame

One of my favorite basketball players back when I still had NBA hoop dreams was Dennies Rodman. He was inducted into the hall of fame on Aug. 12, 2011. Congrats Dennis! He was and still is a colorful character.
http://newsone.com/entertainment/sports-entertainment/jothomas/dennis-rodman-inducted-into-basketball-hall-of-fame/

Been a while, Shut Up Crime!

I have been so busy with various projects and commisions I haven't had time to do my personal work. Although that is a good thing, it still kinda sucks that I haven't been able to play in my imagination on paper. Well I managed to do this piece. I saw the movie SUPER recently and really loved it. It seemed a bit cheap and cheesy for the first 20 or 30 minutes but it kicks it up fast and they had me by then. I recommend it. Be warned, it isn't for the squeamish, the vio;ence gets pretty graphic at times. Thor it is not! Well enjoy this image of the Crimson Bolt and Boltie

Smodcast Contest

I listen to the Smodcast religiously to get me through the day at the day job. I listen to most of the different shows on Kevin Smith's Radio Show. http:://www.smodcast.com. I heard an ad just before the weekend about a design contest they were having for Iphone cases. It was late notice because it ended in just a couple of days but I had to at least give it a shot. I came up with something I like within a couple nights and went to submit on facebook. Come to find out the contest was for Jay and Silent Bob designs not necessarily Smodcast. So I got around that, but I had a tough time submitting, finally got it submitted and then they closed the voting early on me. It just wasn't meant to be. Oh well, I'm still proud of the design I made so I still want somebdy to get a chance to see it.

Go get em' Cap!!

In honor of the upcoming movie...once again. Now THIS one I am probably more excited for than any other. I was excited about Thor, but worried if it would be good, And I enjoyed it. This one I am super stoked about. So I created another Cap Vs. Nazis piece. Hope you like it!

The Derby City Comic Con

The Derby City Comic Con was one of the most exciting and inspiring experiences of my art career. It really made me feel great. Thank you to everyone that came by my table and saw me and supported my books. I still have plenty of stuff left so just e-mail me and I can get it to you. The Store is also still open. I sat next to the awesome Terry Hudleston who I spoke with briefly and was humbled by the guy's talent and enthusiasm. So Thanks for that, man. I also met a ton of other really talented artists. He also stole all the fans from that side of the room so I had to hussle my butt off to get attention. But it made me work hard and get fast at sketching. Check out the article in the Courier Journal newspaper.
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20110716/NEWS01/307160068/Comic-convention-Louisville-draws-heroes-villains

Profiles#3

Dee Dee

Strengths: intellect, history, listening Weaknesses: homework deadlines Special Abilities: Moron and lie detection

Profiles #2

Next up is the big sister of Lil Dude,

Kasey Strengths: Study skills, intellect Weaknesses: Cell phone games, braces jokes, Lil Dudes elaborate imagination, reality tv Special Abilities: Ability to finish homework in record time, punches hard

Profiles Part 1

In honor of the Derby City Comic Con that I will be attending this Sat, I will be posting proiles of the main players in the Lil Dude Comics Universe on the days leading up to the start of the show. I was inspired by the old character cards I used to collect back in the day.

Terry aka Lil Terry Strengths: Gift of Gab, Math Weaknesses: Pizza, Easy Money, big dogs Special Abilities: Math and Mechanics, ability to talk his way out of tough situations

Rooney aka DJ Rooney: Strengths: Hand to hand combat, music taste, loyalty Weaknesses: Temper, appetite Special Abilities: Rocking the crowd as a DJ, Kung Fu fighting

Captain America Whoops Nazi butt

In honor og the upcoming movie that I am uber-excited for. Take note, I know they look dead, but Cap has just roughed em up a bit. Ok, roughed em up a lot!

More Lantern Adventures

I love doing these. I will have to do a few more.

The Mighty Thor

I have expressed my love for this character on this blog before. I have posted images of him before. The movie I really enjoyed, just to see one of my favorite characters come to life if anything. But the film was good. Here is my newest interp. of the Odinson. Hope you like it.

The Girl with Dragon Tattoo

I like this movie, the second one was ehhh. But I love the character, I see what all the hype is about. Anyway I wanted to do this pic. Hope you like it.

Kilowog trains the human

In loving honor of the new movie that just came out here is a little Green Lantern scene. I really like the character, although I haven't read a bunch of the comics. I have read some. I have not seen the movie at the time of this post, but I have been looking forward to it for a long time. The early reviews have been rough. But I don't care, I still want to see it.

Spidey Villains

I did this off and on during car trips and late nights on vacation. It is one of the many things I created while experimenting with a new style. I really liked the way it cane out. I want to ink amnd color this one day but I figured it was cool to post in the pencil stage. I hope you dig it .

I've been up to quite a bit lately

I have managed to create two prints that were in a little gallery show held at my dayjob. My 'cartoony' style is not really the most popular in these parts I have concluded. I don't know if its a midwest thing or a white-collar worker thing, whoknows, but I did get some positive feedback. Thank you for that all of my fellow employee friends. But here they are. These are for sale as prints by the way. If you are interested, just let me know.

Its been a while

Sorry for having been so long, but I'm still in the place where I feel th at nobody looks at this blog. But prayerfully that will not always be the case. I just sent my standard comic sized books to the printers. Kablam does god work, I've seen what they do and I know they will make Lil Dude look good. So the countdown continues until the Derby City Comic Con here in Louisville.

Grandpa's Fairytales

A while ago I illustrated a book entitled Grandpa's Fairytales: Horatio the Hawk. It is a really cool story about a hawk that learns a lesson in self-worth and overcoming adversity because he is near-sighted. Check out the site and please order a copy. It is really cool and teaches a valuable lesson that kids could use. Especially these days.

Check out the link.

http://grandpasfairytales.com/index-1.html

The day the Cards fell...

It was during work hours so I had to listen on the radio. I had my shirt on and everything. Sigh. I'm over it now, but I'm still a little angry. It was not suppposed to happen that way. And the worst is the little Cat fan laughing in the wings. GRRRR!

Thanks Audubon!

I had the great pleasure of going to an elementary school here in Louisville on the 23rd of this month and speaking about myself and my work in comics. This is such a great experience for me and the kids are so receptive and great I cannot really express how it helps me do what I do day in and day out. Just when I think nobody is paying attention and my work is all just for me, some young people encourage me and give me confidence without even knowing it. Thanks guys.

The Lil Dude Comic Shop is now open!!

http://lildudecomicsshop.bigcartel.com

I have my two small books up there for right now. More to come of course. But if you want to order any books from me. The web is now an option.

Valentines Day extended

I know the Lovey dovey day has come and gone, but...here is the colored image anyway.

Lil Dude and Rooney's Black History Pt 2: Douglass

Ther is so many interesting things about Frederick Douglass that you may not have known unless you have read his autobiography, which I haven't. Start searching to see the relationship between he and Abraham Lincoln and the integral role he playes in freeing the slaves and convincing whies that black people were worthyu to serve in the military. I guess I had to learn that he was more than just the guy with the funny hair like Sam Jackson in Unbreakable. He was one of the main players in integration.

Hapy Valentine's Day to Everyone!

A color pic is coming but it is late and it has been a long and eventful Anniversary/ Valentine's weekend for me and my fam. Hope everyone had a great one, I know I did.

My Recommendations and Review of Film for 2010

Finally, 2010 Movies Year in Review. I consider myself somewhat of a film geek among other things so I may be able to enlighten on a few things you haven't heard about. I'm not going to do the same old Best of List, this is more of a recommendations list, from what I have seen anyway.

My Most Disappointing movies of the year 2010
Jonah Hex
Last Airbender
Tron: Legacy (Beautiful effects, but what a snoozer. I fell asleep, and I wasn't tired)
Machete (should have been so much more fun than it was)
Iron man 2 (still liked it, but man could it have been better!)
Most Fun Movies of the year
Scott Pilgrim
Pirhana 3D
Red
Exit Through the Gift Shop
McGruber (stupid fun all the way)
How To Train Your Dragon (You messed up if you didn't see it in 3d!)
Despicable me
Movies You may have not seen, heard of or thought weren't good, but I highly recommend
Mother (its subtitled, but I'm telling you it is an AWESOME thriller)
Social network (My #1 film of the year)
Exit Through the Gift Shop (just watch it, guarantee you will be intrigued)
Pirahna 3D (not for the kiddies!!)
Splice (weird and just wrong in the best way)
Mother and Child
Frozen
Scott Pilgrim vs the World (SHAME on you for not seeing it!!)
127 Hours
Best Performances of the year
James Franco (127 Hours) (He's going to lose the Oscar to COlin Firth, but he deserves SOMETHING!)
Jesse Eisenberg (Social Network)
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Andrew Garfield (Social Network) Huge Oscar SNUB fr best supporting actor!!
Annette Benning (Mother and Child)
Naomi Watts (Mother and Child)
Noomi Rapace (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo)
Tom Hardy (Inception)
Vincent Cassell (Black Swan)
John Malkovich (Red)
Worst Performances
Everybody in Last Airbender!
Jessica Alba (Machete)
Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li (Expendables)

Lil Dude and Rooney's Black History Pt 1

I watched a documentary on KET yesterday that got me interested inh a man I had never heard of but was immediately interested in. His name is Eugene Jacques Bullard and he was the first black Fighter Pilot. During the time of WWI we all know the poor treatment of blacks, even the ones serving in the military. It was thought that blacks weren't intelligent enough to be able to fly planes and weren't given the chance. Having travelled the country via a entertainment comedy troupe he ended up in Europe which is where he actually fought. There were lots of black soldiers living and serving in the military in France at the time because they were treated much more fairly than in their native U.S. Corporal Bullard earned his wings and fought in many battles fo the french before being severly wounded. There will of course be a follow up to my black history book from last year. It will be bigger and better and these posts will help me brainstorm and reference what I will be covering in the book.

The Cover of the Christmas Book

This is late obviously. But I worked hard on this book and to make it what I believe is the best I could, it took longer than I wanted. I thought about just waiting until next year to tell anyone about it but I thought again and said, NO WAY! I'm proud of it so I will put it out there. Hey, a good christmas tale is good any time of year. So let me know if you are interested in a copy.