JJCOMICSTRIPART

ICE #4 : Panel Art 1.0

2012-02-01T07:21:00.000-08:00

Long overdue, I know. I'm sure things are wrapping up smoothly for issue #4 over at the 12GaugeComics camp. My apologies on behalf of the 12Gauge family for this long awaited conclusion to a terrific series. Our Dungeon Master Brian Stelfreeze, the artist of ICE's backstory, has been occupied on other fronts, but I've been told he's working feverishly to wrap up the book.

My part on the project terminated early last fall (2011), and I, along with all you devotees of the series wait with bated breath for the conclusion. Thanks for your patience, gang!

Now enjoy some art!!

Ghostbusters #5 by yours truly!

2012-01-24T10:54:00.000-08:00

A variant cover of mine recently surfaced thanks to the fine folks at IDW! Ghostbusters #5 showcases some of my cover work, art and colours, of our intrepid heroes without fear! Hope you like it:)

The Darkness, and The NEW YEAR!!

2011-12-31T23:12:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Everyone!!!

Above is a story page for The Darkness II contest over on DeviantArt.

Just a little something I whipped up in the knick of time:)

TMNT in full colour!

2011-12-17T15:43:00.000-08:00

Updated: Posted a truer representation of the original colours in this newer version. Much better I think:)

A TMNT Work In Progress

2011-12-16T05:53:00.000-08:00

Batman In ChinaTown : UNCUT!

2011-12-13T21:55:00.000-08:00

Bats in CHINAtown!

2011-12-12T17:22:00.000-08:00

A crop of a Batman piece I recently completed. More to come:)

(Reposted with higher rez version!)

Vinyl Bliss - WeSC

2011-12-10T15:04:00.001-08:00

Another WeSC piece right on the heels of the last. And of course a peek at the original artwork I whipped up in black and white. Urban DJ spinning his wares in one of my poems named VINYL BLISS. Enjoy!

Musical inspiration : Bossa Nova

The Renaissance Cosmonauts - WeSC

2011-12-08T05:40:00.001-08:00

     Here's a piece I did in appreciation for a new brand that opened up shop in my fair city, Montreal. They're called WeSC (WeAreTheSuperlativeConspiracy). Took a real shine to their collection and thought it would be cool to merge artforms. Specifically, clothing mixed with some retro poetry (of mine), and a dab of comic book flavour! Hope you like it. More to come.
    Musical inspiration: Gilles Peterson presents HavanaCultura (remixed).
    Track: Chekere Son/Seiji Rerub.

Lighting Studies and 24!

2011-11-22T10:48:00.001-08:00

    The cool thing about having downtime is the opportunity to take your skillset to the next level. Young aspiring artists always ask me how often do I draw. The truth is quite a bit. I still make sufficient time to enjoy a well balanced lifestyle (i.e.: groceries, laundry, cooking, movies, talk-time with family, etc...). But I also make a concerted effort to keep growing. That might entail studying tutorials on colouring, concept art, doing research at my local library, other artists works, increasing my portfolio base, and in most cases, lighting studies.

   So, as I find myself at another crossroad, where I've seen two 4-issue series put to bed, and a pleasant wrap up on the U.S. zombie film WARM BODIES, I can now focus my studies on the 'light' arena, and what better way to usher in than to watch an entire season of 24. Hands down one of the best LIT shows in recent tv history. Singles, doubles, and even triple light sources can be found throughout the series. I'm looking forward to getting my hands dirty on high contrast work and this is as good a place as any.

Process: Quickly drawing in faces on multiple angles on a clean sheet of paper. Pop in the dvd and freeze frame my chosen shot. Map light source onto my models, sometimes matching the model's angle to the one onscreen, sometimes flexing my brain power and translating the dvd model's light source on a completely different angle (ex: The model on tv is facing me, however I extrapolate the LS and place it on my model facing a 3/4 downward angle. Scary, but fun).

It's even more fun when you get a few artists together and enjoy the process. Much like life drawing.

Let the FUN begin.

ICE #3 : Panel Work 2.0

2011-11-22T10:33:00.001-08:00

GhostBusters #5 Variant : Black&White Sketch

2011-11-22T10:18:00.001-08:00

A full-on black and white sketch of Ghostbusters #5 already in solicitation for January 2012.

http://www.theraffon.net/~spookcentral/scblog/index.php/2011/11/16/idw-ghostbusters-monthly-5-solicitation

Battle Of The Planets - in COLOUR!

2011-11-19T15:43:00.001-08:00

My take on The Battle Of The Planets crew, aka G-Force has just wrapped.

Above is the full piece along with some crops for the

detail lovers out there. Enjoy!

G-FORCE wip

2011-11-18T14:57:00.001-08:00

G-FORCE

   When I was a kid, attending pre-school in LA's east side district I recall quite vividly watching tv in the foyer area, where the lot of us waited ever so patiently to be whisked off by our parents. A method I assume the caretakers used, very cleverly I might add, to keep us rambunctious tots from running about half dressed, half hopped up on sugar treats, and instead sit quietly for the inevitable trip home.

   SPEED RACER was a definitive crowd pleaser (for 3year olds), and later on, in the same vein as those anime favorites I grew to love GOLDORAK, and eventually the incredible G-FORCE, aka Gatchaman, aka Battle Of The Planets.

   The animation and storytelling was always mind-blowingly cool! Took almost 4 decades to get a decent sketch out of me as my hommage to the cartoon. Above features a Work-In-Progress currently on my computer. Hope you enjoy:)

Ghostbusters #5 Cover Sneak Peek 2.0

2011-11-15T17:32:00.001-08:00

Really looking forward to seeing this cover hit the stands. Here's another piece of the puzzle!

Bat-Horror Inked Piece

2011-11-13T20:45:00.001-08:00

Just something I put together for a friend while basking in some well earned down-time.

BAT HORROR

Below: The much larger original 11 X 17.

Enjoy!

WARM BODIES :Cast Pic

2011-11-12T06:40:00.001-08:00

    Having a great time working and learning from 1st and 2nd Units on the production team of WARM BODIES. Storyboarded dozens of scenes and immensely enjoying watching them being played out by our very talented cast members and crew. Zombie heaven!

    Found this pic online and thought you might like to see the our handsome/gorgeous lead actors.

    Cheers and beers:)

Jose

WILDCATS

2011-11-10T18:09:00.001-08:00

A WILDCATS piece featuring two members : VOID & Spartan. Enjoy!

KANEDA

2011-11-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

A quick rendition of Kaneda, from one of my all-time fave animes, AKIRA!

I.C.E. #3 : Panel Work 1.0

2011-11-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

Once again, I'm posting my fave panels from I.C.E., the series, that I enjoyed drawing. Some for camera, some for aesthetic, some for storytelling. Issue #3 is currently on the shelves at your local comic shop:) Cheers!

CYCLOPS - New Sketch

2011-11-04T21:07:00.000-07:00

My latest sketch featuring the X-general himself, CYCLOPS!

Namor - Leading The Charge!

2011-11-02T08:20:00.000-07:00

My first personal piece outside of work in almost a year. Good to be back! Namor, in all his oceanic glory :) And the original below.

Great Reviews for I.C.E. #3 and TORN!

2011-10-28T10:34:00.000-07:00

"It’s seriously one of the best action comics you’ll read and puts that other book

that hogs the entire genre’s name to shame."

Dustin Cabeal, COMICBASTARDS.

"On every page there’s something that makes you want to stop and look at it more closely."

Greg Burgas, CBR.

A few awesome reviews came in this week for two of my books currently circulating the globe

(in search of readers with the most discerning tastes:)

Our first critique comes from those cool cats over at ComicBastards.Blogspot

for their very passionate and much appreciated look at the series I.C.E.#3

from 12gaugecomics.

http://comicbastards.blogspot.com/2011/10/review-ice-4.html

The other, a rich dissection of Gestalt Comic's TORN, a graphic novel put together

by writer Andrew Constant and myself (as JohJames).

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2011/10/26/review-time-with-torn/

I.C.E. #3 Colour Preview on CBR!

2011-10-23T15:28:00.000-07:00

My latest team-up with writer Doug Wagner hits stores this week in I.C.E. #3, from 12Gaugecomics. For a sneak peek at the fruits of our labours, run-don't-walk over to CBR for a 5-page preview of the book. The I.C.E. unit finds themselves up against a formidable threat with a heavy dose of collateral damage to boot! Just follow the link, and get yourself a copy!

ComicBookResources

Ghostbusters Cover Sneak Peek for IDW!

2011-10-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

Thought you might like to see a sample sneak peek of a cover I did for IDW's GhostBusters #5 due out January 2012. Had so much fun on this I'm beyond words. Always enjoyed the Ghostbusters franchise while growing up so this was a real honour. Pencils, inks and colour by me.

Solicitations are up for the book on IDW's site : http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/article/2059/

See info below:

Ghostbusters #5

Erik Burnham (w) Dan Schoening (a) Schoening, Nick Runge (c)

The smash-hit ongoing series continues in this second story arc! Thanks to the results of their latest adventure, P.C.O.C. chief Walter Peck punishes the Ghostbusters by using the contract the team signed with the city to bar them from doing their jobs... at least until they meet his "reasonable physical requirements" for ghostbusting work. While they groan about having to lose weight and look for a loophole to Peck's authority, strange things are brewing outside Schenectady.

FC 32 pages $3.99

*Variant covers:

Jose Holder cover!

Bullet points:

Each issue contains two pages of behind-the-scenes Ghostbusters extras, by Tristan Jones!

Zombies terrorizing downtown Montreal in WARM BODIES!

2011-09-24T15:27:00.000-07:00

Did I mention I LOVE zombies? And in a wonderful stroke of fate I've ended up, limbs flailing and jugular torn, smack into a fave genre : HORROR. Although it's not my first forray into the supernatural, this experience has the unique opportunity to offer up some zombie-love!

WARM BODIES, based on the novel by Isaac Marion, has graduated to the big screen and is currently shooting in my home town Montreal. Above are set shots of the post apocalyptic carnage on one of our downtown streets. Above, a few zombies mill about waiting for a bus!

Directed by JONATHAN LEVINE (50/50), starring Teresa Palmer (I Am Number Four), Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: First Class), Analeigh Tipton (Crazy Stupid Love), and the incredible John Malkovich ('nuff said!!!!). With me, Jose Holder, playing myself as production storyboarder ;)

COMIC BASTARDS brings the goods and reviews ICE #2!

2011-09-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

A few good BASTARDS gave us an enthusiastic comic book review for I.C.E. #2, just out in stores. To be more specific, those chaps at COMICBASTARDS.blogspot! Thanks, gang! Glad you liked the book. There's much more coming down the pipe for I.C.E. so stay tuned. Our 12gaugeComics scribe Doug Wagner and I have some pretty heart-racing mayhem in store for the finale.

Here's a snippet of the review, followed by the link for the column's entirety:

"It’s a summer action movie, meaning minimal character development and tons of guns. You could almost call this book “Headshot” since there are so many people catching bullets in the nug throughout the issue. Writer Doug Wagner does a good job of having enough character moments and scenes to make the reader care about the characters, but not get overly invested in them. That’s important in an action comic since you don’t know when one of the characters is going to catch a bullet to push the main character over the edge.

The art has a gritty, real world look to it. The characters and backgrounds are all detailed to the max which really works with the book. It’s not the prettiest book, but there is something charming about the art and artist Jose Holder’s storytelling. Holder creates a believable world with some of the best action sequences in comics today."

http://comicbastards.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-ice-2.html

I.C.E.#2 Colour Preview Pages

2011-09-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

Same preview stuff you've probably seen on ComisContinuum and Broken Frontier for my latest book I.C.E. #2 (out now) but I figured, 'what the hell', the more the merrier!

Really digging how the showdown pages between the I.C.E. crew and Morales turned out.

Mike Wiggams did a great job on colours here,

and Doug Wagner, our resident scribe over at12GaugeComics wrote an engaging,

character driven piece that was a pleasure to illustrate.

Get yourself a copy!

ICE #2: Panel Work: 2.0

2011-08-31T06:26:00.000-07:00

Sometimes during the process of designing a page the thumbnail phase of production can inspire a cool outcome. Once carried over to its full-size cousin, the finish on a panel with solid inks and line weights can be startling, surpassing the original vision at its embryo stage. Other times I can see a rough outline for a panel and be so amped to attack it that I miss the subtle nuances in the inks. A tightrope act given that I'm working exclusively with pens. Every page has its hits and misses!

These, and other Panel Work posts represent the times I think things fell into place.

Enjoy!

Keven Gardner on ICE @ COMICBOOK.COM

2011-08-31T06:07:00.000-07:00

Our fearless leader over at 12GaugeComics has recently been interviewed by the fine folks @ COMICBOOK.COM. Keven Gardner, publisher and editor of several books I've worked on including Mick Foley's R.P.M. series, and my latest endeavor I.C.E. by Doug Wagner.

Here's a snippet from his article and the link that follows:

Excerpt:

"Also, the series ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has gained serious traction for the company. “ICE is another new title that is getting lots of good reviews, but it is also taking off outside of the normal comic book crowd. We’ve sold more copies of ICE #1 through our website store than any book in our history. And it isn’t even close. We might actually sell as many copies of ICE online as we’ve sold in brick and mortar stores because ICE agents from all over the country are chasing after it. I’m getting so many emails from men and women who work for ICE and they are so happy to see us publishing a book that shines a spotlight on the hard work they are doing.”

Link: http://comicbook.com/blog/2011/08/24/blasting-away-keven-gardner-discusses-12-gauge-comics/

Awesome ComicBookJesus Review on TORN!

2011-08-24T06:51:00.000-07:00

Pretty RAD review for TORN from the folks over at ComicBookJesus. Reviewer Kris Bather really understood where we were going and what we aimed to achieve with this original werewolf tale. Snippet below and link for the full review to follow :)

" Having James provide the bulk of the book’s art is an interesting choice, as his frenetic, hard edged line work is in spectacular contrast to Scott’s delicate pencils. It makes sense though, as Torn is, as the title suggests, a rip roaring action/adventure story. James’ slightly rough, sketchy style uses the page creatively and he creates diverse layouts and dynamic action scenes rather well. He uses things like texture, silhouettes, and a flowing design that doesn’t often rely on traditional approaches to panels in sequential storytelling. It’s a dirty, harsh world in the pages of Torn, but it looks great. I wouldn’t want to live there though."

http://comicbookjesus.com/2011/08/20/torn-ogn-review/

ICE #2: Panel Work 1.0

2011-08-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

Fave stills 1.0 from I.C.E.#2 out this month. Expect a $#!+ storm of chaos and mayhem as this story hits the ground running! 12GaugeComics, Doug Wagner, Mike Wiggam, Master Stelfreeze himself, and yours truly round out the cast. You know the drill!

I.C.E.#1 Goes Digital on GRAPHICLY.COM

2011-08-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

Want to grab a digitized copy of I.C.E.#1? Drop on over at Graphicly.com and scoop up an issue for only $1.99!

I.C.E.#1 : Panel Work 2.0

2011-07-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

More fave stills from I.C.E.#1, currently on the shelves of a comic store near you!

WIZARDWORLD and The Big Apple Con in 2012!

2011-07-23T05:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the fine crew at WizardWorld I'll be attending The Big Apple Con next May, 2012! See you there! For info on the show and my bio just follow the link:

http://www.wizardworld.com/joseholder.html

More Reviews for I.C.E. #1

2011-07-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

Well, reviews are still pouring in for our 12Gauge book I.C.E.#1 with positive commentary from online media sites like ComicBookResources, Broken Frontier, ComicAttack.Net, and now Kitty's Pryde and OmniComic have joined the fold! Just click on the latter two names to access their reviews!

Art Support from IT'S A DAN'S WORLD!

2011-07-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

My eternal thanks to DAN for putting together such a cool tribute to my work and those I collaborated with. It's always AWESOME and weird at the same time to see your art showcased on other peoples sites, but always an honour when art lovers bring a new perspective to your work. Thanks for the kind words and vote of confidence! Although I didn't get FIRESTORM over @ DC I know the character is in good hands with their creative team.

Please check out IT'S A DAN'S WORLD and show some love for this New Zealander's amazing comic book depository right here on Blogger!

http://itsadansworld.blogspot.com/2011/07/making-mark-jose-holder-joh-james.html

ComicATTACK.Net shells out a great ICE review!

2011-07-22T06:06:00.000-07:00

Looks like we're on to something at 12GaugeComics! I.C.E. #1 is drumming up support ;)

Check out another cool review from ComicATTACK.net.

http://comicattack.net/2011/07/ice1rev/

CBR Reviews I.C.E.#1!

2011-07-21T04:58:00.000-07:00

Rad review over at CBR for our shootem' up thriller I.C.E.#1! Follow the yellow brick road :

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=3719

I.C.E. Previews on Broken Frontier!

2011-07-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

The fine folks over at Broken Frontier have posted some preview pages of I.C.E.#1! Enjoy!

Link: http://www.brokenfrontier.com/headlines/p/detail/preview-i-c-e-1

CBR Previews TORN!

2011-07-20T19:59:00.000-07:00

Comic Book Resources has posted some preview pages for TORN on their site. Look for work from both Nicola Scott and myself! TORN is a graphic novel written by Andrew Constant that I drew many years back, now revived by publisher Gestalt Comics and solicited through Diamond.

Here's the preview pages : http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/07/sdcc-11-check-out-pages-from-constant-scott-and-james-torn/

SuperCool Advanced Review @ BF!

2011-07-19T11:42:00.000-07:00

Another stunning review for the 12Gauge family and a winner for I.C.E.#1! Check out Broken Frontier for the details... http://www.brokenfrontier.com/reviews/p/detail/i-c-e-1

Gestalt featuring TORN @ the SDCC!

2011-07-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

Pass by the Gestalt Publishing booth (#4500-4501) if you're attending the San Diego ComicCon this weekend at meet with writer Andrew Constant, my partner on TORN, an OGN debuting at the show. Look out for 90 pages of my art inside! http://www.gestaltcomics.com/newsworthy/2011/07/

I.C.E.#1 : Panel Work 1.0

2011-07-17T14:44:00.000-07:00

Some of my fave panels from an upcoming series called I.C.E. from 12GaugeComics coming out next week at a store near you!

MajorSpoilers : TORN Solicitation!

2011-06-18T22:34:00.000-07:00

Major Spoilers has put up some solicitation info for TORN, a black and white graphic novel I drew a few years back with writer Andrew Constant. They've posted a really cool blurb about the book published by Gestalt Comics. Check it out!

http://www.majorspoilers.com/solicitation-torn

TORN : My new OGN!

2011-06-16T20:37:00.000-07:00

Cover

It's been to hell and back but finally, TORN, an OGN I collaborated on with Andrew Constant a few years ago is about to see print! Gestalt Comics, an Aussie imprint will be publishing our little werewolf venture, and from the grapevine I'm hearing a full out launch will be taking place at this year's San Diego Comic Con (2011).

I penciled and inked all four books of the compilation, with the occasional pin-up/ chapter page that I'm hoping gets incorporated into the final product (see above). Special guest star DC artist Nicola Scott of WonderWoman fame has an intro and provided an awesome cover for the graphic novel shown at the beginning of this post.

Here's a link to Gestalt's site and the order info for Diamond: http://www.gestaltcomics.com/store/torn/

The ad copy for the book reads:

TORN

Andrew Constant, Nicola Scott, Joh James & Emily Smith

The city is damned, has always been damned, and the wolves have become…us.

Torn tells the story of how a wolf struggles when he is infected with the strongest

virus the world has ever known: Humanity.

ISBN: 978-0-9807823-7-0
120 pages, B/W.
$12.95

Available: August 2011

Sleeman, Pirates and Boards

2011-06-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

http://youtu.be/IHTvh87D1uw

These are examples of boards I did for the Sleeman beer campaign earlier this year that's now seeing air-time. I detailed a pretty elaborate top view of the main actor's movement through the scene, in addition to laying out the possible route for our steadicam guy responsible for filming the tv spots. Background views and action always figure prominently in boards, and budgeting concerns/available resources come into play at every level.

After several incarnations and the occasional false start the final product can look leagues away from the information on the drawing board. It's important to understand that the rough visuals serve as a shooting guide and essentially a springboard for ideas and cost evaluations. So, at the end of the day the director has the final say. Click on the link above to enjoy some canon shells, pirate action and some stolen booty!

Sleeman, Capone and some Boards!

2011-06-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

http://youtu.be/a__LT-DzzAM

Here's a look at some storyboards for a Sleeman's beer campaign I completed earlier this year. Who can resist mobsters, rapid gunfire and barrels of tastey prohibition-flavoured beer?! I sure can't! For some live entertainment click on the link above to see the final product. Directed by Guillaume Defontenay and storyboarded by yours truly.

I.C.E. #1 : Buckshot!

2011-06-14T08:07:00.000-07:00

Some solicitation for the upcoming issue I.C.E.#1 available next month for a buck, and a quick blurb for 12Gaugecomics! Enjoy!

http://www.kittyspryde.com/?p=21823

The Moth Diaries : Movie Poster and Stills

2011-06-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

Found a few easter eggs online for Mary Harron's upcoming thriller The Moth Diaries, a film I storyboarded last summer. Looking forward to the release date for this! Enjoy!

Smashing Review for Tall Tales!

2011-05-31T06:05:00.000-07:00

Broken Frontier rolls out the welcome mat for the Fahey brothers western anthology Tall Tales From The Badlands. Of which I played a small role ;)

http://www.brokenfrontier.com/reviews/p/detail/tall-tales-from-the-badlands-1

WizardWorld 2011 in The City Of Angels!

2011-05-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

That's right. I'm heading back to LA where it all began. Sun, surf, and pre-school! I've got some pretty fond memories of my fave City Of Angels, growing up on the east side and returning as a teen.

As fate would have it, thanks to the wonderful folks at WizardWorld, I'll be revisiting my roots this September for the Los Angeles Comic Con and signing some copies of my newest series I.C.E. from 12GaugeComics. Of course there'll be free sketches for the kiddies who love their fave comic book heroes (and villains!).

The show will run the entire weekend, Sept.24-25 at the LA Convention Center. Sun, surf, and signings...Con-style!

Follow the link to the WizardWorld site to read my profile and more comic con info!!

http://www.wizardworld.com/joseholder.html

I.C.E. #2 August Solicitations Are Up!

2011-05-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

Is that an awesome cover to I.C.E.#2 or WHAT??! Courtesy of the amazing Brian Stelfreeze of 12GaugeComics fame. Well, there's more where that came from.

August 2011 marks the release of the next aventure in the I.C.E. series, brought to you by the dastardly Doug Wagner, myself, and with colour accents by Mike Wiggam.

Follow the link to PLAYER AFFINITY for the solicitation and more info:

http://playeraffinity.com/comic-news/shipping-in-august-12-gauge-comics.html

ICE #2 (of 4)
Writer: Doug Wagner
Artist: Jose Holder
Cover Artist: Brian Stelfreeze
Colors: Michael Wiggam
$3.99

Following a string of brutal drug-runner murders in the States, the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement agency's top tactical team is in hot pursuit of the killer. As they close in on the suspect (drug-kingpin Luis Morales), chaos erupts on the streets in a jumble of bullets and explosions! As the battle rages, Morales attempts to escape and ICE agent Cole Matai is forced to leave his team and pursue the ruthless killer on foot. Cole corners Morales and gets the upper hand--- but makes a critical decision that will end up haunting him forever.

DollarBin : I.C.E.#1: Top 5 FCBD Pull

2011-05-21T16:19:00.000-07:00

Best Of The Free : Shawn's TOP 5 FCBD Offerings from the Dollar Bin.

Looks like our little I.C.E. project came in second on Shawn's list!

Excerpt:

" 2) Loose Ends/ICE flip-book

Loose Ends is scheduled to come out in July (which is only a couple months away) and I must say that all the previews and sneak-peeks of this book look amazing. I am super excited to see what Jason Latour, Chris Brunner and Rico Renzi have created. The ICE preview is a really interesting take on the typical cop drama story. Doug Wagner and Jose Holder make a great team. Holder is able to keep up with all the action Wagner throws at him. 12-Gauge has some great looking books coming out this year! "

Check out the other short listers for FCBD on the site. Enjoy!

http://www.thedollarbin.net/

I.C.E. Black & White Art : 2.0

2011-05-16T07:06:00.000-07:00

Posting some more contrasty pagework for I.C.E. fans out there! 12GaugeComics has gotten tremendous feedback for the ICE/Loose Ends flipbook that premiered May 7th for FCBD, so some more teasers and pleasers are in order.

Rest assured, in this series, if we can't riddle it with bullets or eviserate it with grenades there's something bigger coming down the pipe! Stay tuned.

FCBD Aftermath

2011-05-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

So ends another incredible Free Comic Book Day event. I'm happy to report it went off without a hitch, with dozens of little boys and girls across the Montreal divide enjoying the perks of free sketches and massive comic book give-a-ways!

Along with Karl Kerschl, my partner in crime on this year's FCBD extravaganza, we managed to etch out tons of superheroes, villains and the occasional unique request for COSMIX's patient patrons. I recall several Batman combos that included Spidey and Superman, some solo sketches like Deadpool, or Captain America, and more eclectic tastes like Archie, a Smurf, and even a warrior princess (for the cutest little girl in the world;).

I must admit, it's rare that I find myself attached to my own work, but the wonderful energy generated by the fans and COSMIX support staff had us pumping out work in marathon fashion, and I actually liked many of the pieces (especially the Batman sketches) that I handed out. I hope they get posted someday!

Had a terrific time, even having drawn 5-hours straight! Great peeps at COSMIX made the experience a memorable one both for their customers and the artists in attendance.

I'd certainly do it again.

Signing and Sketching at COSMIX:For FCBD!

2011-04-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

Well, Free Comic Book Day is coming up on May 7th this year and I'll be doing my part to promote literacy and the arts! You'll catch me and famed Montreal artist Karl Kerschl behind a table this year at an old stomping ground of mine, COSMIX, a comic book hub located in St.Laurent, Montreal.

Cosmix, in its first incarnation, started out as a tiny hotspot on Laurentian Blvd, deep in St.Laurent territory, and had the distinction of being the first comic book store I ever frequented. I managed to save enough to buy my first Bernie Wrightson prints there (Frankenstein), soaked up as much Frank Frazetta reprints as I could find, and was introduced to the works of artists like Neal Adams, Gil Kane, and Jim Starlin. A better education in the arts I couldn't wish for.

These days Sylvain and Denis, two incredibly hard working brothers and comic book afficionados have taken Cosmix to new heights in the decades since, and in addition to the books themselves offered a mind-boggling array of comic based peripherals (statues, toys, gaming, clothing, cards, and more!!). They are incredibly knowledgeable on all things comic related, and provide the best service in the business. Hands down!

Swing by and say hi or bring the little ones for a quick sketch from Karl or myself. And please, whatever you do, make sure you take advantage of the FREE COMICS!!!

Here's a link to their site and to the event happening next weekend. The address will follow. Cheers, and see you there!!!

http://cosmix.ca/view_news.php?n=MzI3&t=RQ==

COSMIX is at 931 Boul. Decarie, in Saint Laurent, near Metro Cote Vertu.

DIAMOND Previews: I.C.E.#1 for A BUCK!

2011-04-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

Yes, Sir. You heard it here first...or second. The 12Gauge house of Magus will be pimping out my blood, sweat and tears for A BUCK!!!! Snap them up while you can, but don't forget our free-for-all giveaways on Free Comic Book Day. In case you're tight in the wallet ;)

I.C.E.#1 will be available as a preview, along with the incredible work of Chris Brunner in LOOSE ENDS #1, packaged for your FCBD reading pleasure, on May 7th, 2011 at your local comic book store, and it's FREE!

Here's the breakdown.

I.C.E. #1 (of 4)

Writer: Doug Wagner

Artist: Jose Holder

Cover Artist: Brian Stelfreeze

Colors: Michael Wiggam

$1.00 (special introductory price)

I.C.E. #1 - Blasting into comic stores for only $1.00!

The U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement agency (a.k.a. I.C.E.) is charged with keeping our borders secure. The politics are complicated, but they don’t matter to COLE MATAI, leader of the best tactical group I.C.E. has to offer. For him, it’s all about protecting the public from men like LUIS MORALES, head of a ruthless Mexican drug cartel. When Morales notices that some of his drug runners are stealing inventory, he takes it personal. Shockwaves hit three U.S. cities as members of his cartel are savagely murdered over a period of weeks, all at the hands of Morales. The cross-country manhunt for this vicious killer begins here---don’t miss it!

LOOSE ENDS #1 (of 4)

Writer: Jason Latour

Art and Cover: Chris Brunner

Colors: Rico Renzi

$3.99 (please note size: 7 - ¼” x 11”)

"Smart as a weasel. Pretty as a southern sunrise. Raw as a freshly stabbed knife wound. LOOSE ENDS is all that. As well as just flat-out good. Damn good." - Jason Aaron (SCALPED, WOLVERINE)
No one seemed to notice Sonny Gibson as he stepped back into ‘The Hideaway’; a dusty little honky-tonk nestled off the Carolina highway. But before the night was over, Sonny would be on the run. From the law, from the criminals, even from himself.

LOOSE ENDS is a gritty, slow cooked, "southern crime romance", that follows a winding trail down Tobacco Road, through the war torn streets of Baghdad, and into the bright lights and bloody gutters of South Florida...12-Gauge style.

* Look for the LOOSE ENDS preview in the FCBD edition of I.C.E.!

FIRESTORM Sketches

2011-04-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

Just some character designs and random sketches for one of my all time fave DCU heroes. Second only to Green Lantern in my book :)

SpideyVs.GreenGoblin Final

2011-04-08T22:32:00.001-07:00

Finally putting this one to bed :)

Interviewed on FCBD for I.C.E.#1

2011-04-07T19:36:00.000-07:00

An interview I did for the release of I.C.E.#1 from 12GaugeComics just came out on FCBD's site. Sharing the web space are writers Doug Wagner (I.C.E.) and Jason Latour (Loose Ends), and publisher Keven Gardner, who all weigh in on their contributions to the book. Available May 7th, 2011 at your local comic book store, for FREE!

Here's the link to the interview: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/article.asp?ai=106494&si=789

Enjoy!

The BUY Pile : RPM on CBR!

2011-04-02T06:53:00.000-07:00

We got an honourable mention on CBR's The Buy Pile this week, placing us in the enviable 'Read Pile' category with only a handful of contenders. This position was shared with some pretty cool titles : Caligula #1, Dollhouse: Epitaphs, Godzilla: Kingdom Of Monsters #1, and Suicide Forest #1.

The crit:

"R.P.M." #4 was like the last reel of a pretty good action movie, one a slice above a movie on cable and about at the same level as, say, a Jason Statham movie. Clearly "TV good" (see definitions), but not much more than that." ;)

I had to dig deeper to get the colour commentary definition of 'TV GOOD', and found this hilarious link on CBR's site:

TV GOOD: When you’re flipping through channels and you land on something that looks interesting enough to sit and watch. You might even set a TiVo for it or add it to a Hulu queue. The point is that it’s good enough to enjoy if it doesn’t make you go to any extraordinary lengths: it’s not a pay-per-view, it’s not a premium service like On Demand, it’s just on the TV you have and you are willing to look at it as long as it doesn’t cost you anything extra or make you work for it. Many “okay” comics fall in this category for me (and therefore for the column). Often used in conjunction with or in place of “not bad.”

Everyone else on this week's list pretty much ended up on the 'Meh Pile'. Which included everything from Secret Avengers to Deadpool, Star Wars to Green Arrow, Teen Titans and a few inbetween. Apparently a rough week for comics in general (for the critiquers), even though I thought some pretty amazing stuff hit the shelves this Wednesday.

The TOP prize goes to INCOGNITO from Icon, and deservedly so. A great book all around.

Crazy funny ;D

RPM 4 : Panel Work 1.0

2011-04-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

Here are some inked panels from my book RPM #4, now in stores. Enjoy!

Rave RPM #4 Review on Player Affinity!

2011-03-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

A nice way to wrap up an awesome series! Yummy reviews!

Link: http://playeraffinity.com/comic-reviews/r-p-m-4-review.html

SpideyVsGoblin Photo Finish!

2011-03-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

With my Photoshop down I made my peace with some photo adjustments in an editor that came with my laptop. I look forward to revisiting this one for some more substantial tweaks! Oh well, enjoy...:)

UBISOFT Action!

2011-03-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

Just completed some cinematic work for UBISOFT on one of their core game titles and absolutely LOVED it! Now I've got a hankering for some XBox action and caramel corn!!!

RPM 4 Preview on Newsarama!

2011-03-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

My latest and final issue of RPM is due to hit shelves this week, so head over to Newsarama to get a sneak peek of the first 7 pages and get yourself a copy! Cheers ;)

Preview pages: http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=42356

Memory Lane 2.0 : Yoplait Spot

2011-03-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

This was one of those spots that were so much fun to conceptualize because of its sincerity and scale. The commercial centers around a little boy who realizes, while enjoying a dinosaur exhibit, that the skeletal remains are incomplete or broken, and offers up his yogurt cup to the ailing T-Rex. A good source of calcium for strong bones! Ridiculously cute, and probably one of my fave spots in recent years. The images were compiled vertically, so please read the numbers to follow the sequence.

Tall Tales From The Badlands : Reviews

2011-03-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Thought it might be cool to post some reviews for Tall Tales From The Badlands, courtesy of publisher BlackJack-Press. The book is now available through IndyPlanet.

Reviews at: http://www.blackjack-press.com/

SpideyVsGoblin WIP 2.0

2011-03-15T16:48:00.000-07:00

GreenGoblinWIP

2011-03-15T06:53:00.000-07:00

More progress on the SpideyVSGoblin front :)

ICE : Black and White Art

2011-03-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

Some preview pages from my upcoming series I.C.E. due out on FCBD (Free Comic Book Day). Enjoy!

Follow the link below for colour pics:

http://www.freecomicbookday.com/comics.asp?ItemNo=JAN110033

Spidey Vs Goblin : WIP

2011-03-12T18:11:00.000-08:00

A little 'work in progress'. Spidey and the Goblin go at it again!

SPLINTER Sketch

2011-03-11T23:01:00.000-08:00

RPM #3 Review on Impulse Gamer!

2011-03-04T18:58:00.000-08:00

COOL review for RPM #3! See for yourself ;)

Link: http://www.impulsegamer.com/comicrpm03.html

SPLINTER and TMNT Page

2011-03-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

TURTLE Power!

2011-03-01T13:53:00.001-08:00

DUKE NUKEM!

2011-03-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

Some DUKE NUKEM stuff for fun!

The MOTH DIARIES : Production Shots

2011-02-26T06:39:00.000-08:00

Found some terrific production shots online for a film I storyboarded last summer called The Moth Diaries, directed by the amazing Mary Harron. It was a fun project and a tight schedule that ultimately delivered one of the best experiences I've had on a set. And what a locale! The production office was situated on the site of an old convent, with grandiose architectural elements, vaulted ceilings, arches, and a stunning chapel area. Pleasure to go to work.

More details on the film to come.

Cheers!

FreeComicBookDay preview for my new series I.C.E.!

2011-02-24T08:58:00.000-08:00

An awesome preview for I.C.E.#1 over on the FCBD site, with double-page spread and ultra zoom capabilities on board! My new series debuting May 7th (Free Comic Book Day) can be picked up at your local comic book store. Get there early!

The 4-issue series was written by Doug Wagner, coloured by Mike Wiggam, with covers by Brian Stelfreeze, and art interiors by me. @12Gaugecomics.com

LINK: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/comics.asp?ItemNo=JAN110033

Enjoy!

RPM 3 : Panel Work 3.0

2011-02-24T06:18:00.000-08:00

I really wanted to aim for a light-hearted fluidity on this project, and because Mr. Revere has a satirical side to him, especially with so many archetypal villians laying in the wings. There had to be a balance between the urgency of the characters and their motivations, while supporting their caricature like personas, over the top and saturated with fun.

I saw this piece as a superhero / arch villian scenario, and Mick has such a huge personality that I wanted to do him justice by working the story this way. Dominic and Revere's characters are anti-heroes in a weird way, one existing as a mysterious 2 dimensional adaption with historical ties, while the other, a twisted distortion of a well-loved and enormously respected public figure, Mick Foley.

In the end I hope my cartoony realism, with a heavy dose of scratchy grit, does justice to the great scripting and appropriate colour cues you see in print. Cheers!

RPM #3 Preview on NEWSARAMA.com

2011-02-23T13:38:00.000-08:00

For some unknown reason I couldn't access the comic viewer on Newsarama's beta site, but many have. Hope they manage to fix these hiccups in the short term. Good luck!

http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=41952

RPM #3 review over at PlayerAffinity.Net

2011-02-23T13:03:00.000-08:00

A very good review for our little comic book project over at 12GaugeComics. Take a peek!

Cheers!

http://playeraffinity.com/comic-reviews/r-p-m-3-review.html

CHUD & Tall Tales From The Badlands

2011-02-23T12:33:00.000-08:00

Sean Fahey talks about 'Tall Tales From The Badlands' over on CHUD, the film industry review site. I worked with Sean's brother, Seamus, on a western short called Abigail for BlackJack-Press. Seamus Fahey is an executive story editor for the tv series Spartacus: Arena Of The Gods, with previous writing chores on BattleStar Galactica, Kings, and The Forgotton (see IMDB).

http://www.chud.com/38361/chud-com-alum-publishes-%E2%80%9Cbest-western-comic-in-years%E2%80%9D/

In Stores This Week: Incorruptible #15 & RPM #3

2011-02-20T16:27:00.000-08:00

Look out for two of my contributions to the craft this week: Cover work on Mark Waid's INCORRUPTIBLE #15, for BoomStudios; and interior art for RPM #3, written by Mick Foley and Shane Riches, for 12GaugeComics.

RPM3 : Panel Work 2.0

2011-02-20T06:42:00.000-08:00

RPM3 : Panel Work 1.0

2011-02-17T08:36:00.001-08:00

With every project there are some areas of the production or process that just come together aesthetically and effortlessly, and you can't help but smile when you see the final result. I'm not one to preoccupy myself with the past or define my future, so finding/experiencing those peak creative moments 'during' the process of a job are what I cherish the most.

Here's the rub: Anyone who's ever been in the 'zone' knows that there's a distinctive absence of thought, an autopilot mode of working that defies time, the physical, and culminates in a product that somehow creates itself. A channeling effect many writers, dancers, actors, painters, atheletes and musician types speak to. And one that we thrive to recreate as often as possible.

It starts with silence ;)

StoryBoards: Staples, Nesquik, Screamers2 (film)

2011-02-13T06:44:00.000-08:00

STAPLES

Nesquik

Screamers 2

Storyboards can be a very liberating experience for the aspiring illustrator. It can free your sense of perspective and movement to incorporate framing sequences previously unimagined.

It improved my shorthand to a great degree, having to capture wider, longer lensework, while focusing on drawing smaller figures at varying distances. Add to that the need to describe scenery from multiple angles, and the gift of simplicity invariably becomes that much complex.

I looked to comics to define what that economy of linework might suggest. Three lines for a distant 'face', simple one-lined silhouettes for pinhead figures, that kind of thing. I have found that studying light source helps tremendously for creating depth/shape on distant figurework.

Another happy occurence, or bane, to the storyboarder can be the fact that the occasional licensed property pops up on the job. In my case, the Nesquik bunny. It always helps to do a quick character sheet with rotations just to get the hang of the silhouette. You want to be working from memory/reference when you jump into finishes, never imagination. It's very hard to draw something you've never seen or previously put to paper.

If I can hope one thing for the up and coming storyboarder it's that you get a chance to do film work. There's nothing like it, because the sequences are fully realized, not snippets of camera movements and abbreviated shots. In this regard, studying camera movement on your fave dvd is of paramount necessity. The language of cinema is incredibly more complex than tv. Thanks in part to large budgets and increasing innovative modes of filming.

Attached here: Staples (I think), Nesquik, and Screamers2.

Cheers!

PHOTOfun 2.0

2011-02-13T06:32:00.000-08:00

In this set (from top to bottom): Truth; The EGO; L.E.D.; SnowBed; Ruth.

Enjoy!

PHOTOfun 1.0

2011-02-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

These are just some wallpaper pieces I like to take from time to time. I'm usually entranced by obscure macro-centric imagery, and I enjoy the process of refining my sense of framing and design. My inspiration comes from things around me : a candle, tea bag, cooking utensils, lamps, glass of water, etc... All taken on a Canon Powershot, a gift to my wife one Christmas, and a tool for capturing all my live reference for illustration work. The gift that keeps on giving ;)

In this set (from top to bottom): Industrial Life; Cold Fusion; TeaLight; and WaxWorks. Thanks for viewing!

BADLANDS : Now Available!

2011-02-09T19:32:00.000-08:00

For those of you that may remember I teamed up with BattleStarGallactica scribe and NBC writer Seamus Fahey on a short western romp called ABIGAIL. Well, the anthology, TALL TALES FROM THE BADLANDS, has bulked up to a healthy 52 pages since I put ink to paper, and you can now enjoy the stories of several other creators besides myself. Check out IndyPlanet for all the details on the book, including preview pages for each chapter. Here's an excerpt from Indy:

"Written by Sean and Seamus Fahey; Artwork by Lisandro Estherren, Jose Holder, J.C. Grande, Juan Romera and Borja "Borch" Pena.

SYNOPSIS: Volume One. Some of the most exciting emerging talent in comics come together to tell five tall tales of the American West.

ISSUE OVERVIEW:
“Abigail." Isolated and alone after her husband joins a posse to capture a band of murderers, an unusually resourceful frontier woman taps into her most base maternal instincts in order to protect her children from a brutal home invasion. "

Other stories include The RUNT, A Thousand Deaths, Easy Livin, & Thicker than Water.

Order your copy now!

INDY PLANET: http://www.indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4731

ComicNewsInsider : RPM #1 Review

2011-01-26T10:19:00.000-08:00

If you like podcasts as I do, comic reviews, and Cassidy Freeman from Smallville, head on over to ComicBookInsider for another RPM #1 review. CLICK on 'Episode 305' below the banner to pop up the podcast window. At the 16:20 min mark. Cheers!

http://comicnewsinsider.comicspace.com/2010/11/24/episode-305-cassidy-freeman-smallville-returns-part-1/

RPM2 : Panel Work 2.0

2011-01-25T07:43:00.000-08:00

More fave panels from my work on RPM #2.

Storyboards : Taking Lives, Yoplait, & Nestea

2011-01-25T07:14:00.000-08:00

TAKING LIVES (Film)

YOPLAIT

NESTEA

Newsarama Preview & REVIEW : RPM #2

2011-01-19T20:05:00.000-08:00

Newsarama has gone the whole nine yards and provided a smashing review, as well as a five-page full colour preview of RPM #2! Enjoy.

Review

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-advance-110119.html

5-Page Preview

http://blog.newsarama.com/2011/01/19/exclusive-12-gauge-preview-mick-foleys-r-p-m-2/

CBR Previews RPM #2

2011-01-18T21:44:00.000-08:00

Check out the first 6 pages of RPM #2, previewed on Comic Book Resources website. Enjoy!

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=7524&disp=table

RPM #2 Colour Pages

2011-01-18T07:22:00.000-08:00

Take a gander at the colour work of Mike Wiggam in an upcoming issue of RPM #2, available later this month.

Max Damage & Jail Bait

2011-01-13T08:36:00.000-08:00

Customary character sheets that I generally tackle before committing to pagework of any kind. It's important to have an unconscious grasp of characters facial features and silhouettes so that you can glide through the production phase of a project and concentrate on the overall aesthetic, without sweating the time-consuming details.

These pieces were done in advance of some coverwork I did for BOOMstudios comic book series, INCORRUPTIBLE.

Storyboards: McD's, Smart Bread, & Baileys.

2011-01-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

More boards pulled out of the tickle trunk. I never post these in order of by individual spot. Often when you get hired to do storyboards for television it involves developping more than one concept or commercial per client. Sometimes these jobs can take on a theme, which I usually lump under the label 'campaign'. Looking at the Smart bread spot you can see a few boards with a little girl, and another with an adult. Same style, different commercial.

RPM2 Panel Work 1.0

2011-01-10T08:54:00.000-08:00