X-Ray Studios

I feel like posting something non-Supergirl related. I mean, there will be more Supergirl stuff. Probably tomorrow.

But for now... Little Gloomy.

This story is one of my favorites in regards to this era of my writing. I know it's one of my favorites because it's the only one I looked at and could bear the thought of posting. This was originally featured in Disney Adventures Magazine back in... what? 2005? 2006? Probably 2006. It was part of the Super Scary Monster Show trade paperback in 2007, published by SLG. But due to financial considerations, the collected volume does not include the color. The coloring on this peice was executed by long time collaborator Rikki Simons.


The book is available here.

As I've been digging through Eric's boxes of old artwork looking for Supergirl material, I've also been coming across alot of other artwork that never saw the light of day. This was one of two cover concepts put together for the Kid Gravity trade paperback that Disney Press released in... 2006? 2007? I don't remember. Probably 2007.



This particular montage shot is a favorite of ours. I don't know why. Probably because it's easier than coming up with a solid theme. In fact, we also used the same basic concept on a Little Gloomy book, as seen here:



We are not very creative creative people. Though in truth, I like the symmetry of the two designs when compared. And the universe of Little Gloomy and the universe of Kid Gravity are connected parallel realities. So it makes a certain amount of sense. I guess.

SLG is having a 30% off sale. That means 30% off of everything, including previously marked down items. Here is a small selection of work available from Eric and myself through SLG. There is more. Much more. Click this link to see the entire list.

By the way, the first book on that list is a Gloomcookie trade. I didn't write that. I wrote an introduction which is why it comes up under  search  for my name. It's a great book by my good friend Serena Valentino. I highly recommend her work.

Before I continue, remember this important peice of information. You need to enter this code at the checkout to get your dicount:

taxtime09

So here's a small sampling of the loot:

Besides the multitude of comics work Eric and I have produced, there is also merchandise. Cheap merchandise. Before the 30% off, Carl and Mummy are only 5 bucks.



For those who only know my all-ages work, the X-Ray Comics trade paperbacks are very much NOT all ages. Tron skews adult. Little Gloomy and Super Scary Monster Show are all-ages.

So just so we are clear. Every issue of Tron: The ghost in the Machine is on sale. Every issue of The Super Scary Monster Show. Every issue of Little Gloomy. The first two issue of Supergirl. Both X-Ray Comics trade paperbacks. Two vinyl toys. A t-shirt. Not to mention everything else SLG has ever put out (that's in stock). Gargoyles. Haunted Mansion. The work of Jhonen Vasquez. The SLG work of Evan Dorkin. Everything.

So please, if you're familiar with one of our books, give another a try. SLG needs the money. Eric and I need the money. And more than that, we do these books because we want people to read them. If you're reading this site because of Supergirl, give Super Scary Monster Show a shot. It's very different, but different isn't always a bad thing.

A new interview is up. This time with Brian Hofacker over at Dynamic Forces.

In this interview I discuss why I think gender is secondary when writing relatable characters, how Little Gloomy exceeded our expectations and... I dunno. Some other stuff.

Sparx* is closing it's Paris office. I spent a small bit of time working there last winter. Had my own little desk with a secret door way behind my chair that lead to a rooftop in Paris. It was a great place to work with alot of good people. Hopefully they all have places to go.

SLG is having a 25% off sale at its website. Type in the word bigsale in the coupon field to get your discount. This means you can now purchase any or all of the works of Eric and myself. Well, the one produced through SLG, anyway.

Such as:

Little Gloomy!
The Super Scary Monster Show!
Tron!
X-Ray Comics!
T-shirts!
Action figures!

And they used to have some of the Kid Gravity trade paperbacks in stock. So maybe those too. What, I'm supposed to provide all the answers?

Anyway, the sale is for a limited time. Act now. Maybe perform a monologue or a small bit of sketch comedy. Then get online and order the books.

You see these kids? They are geniuses. They created an awesome comic and by doing so displayed a better understanding of the conventions of storytelling than many professionals. Fear them, for one day they will rise up and destroy us all.



Yes, I know one of them is eating his toy sword. It was a stressful show.

Also in the the awesome department are these cute little recreations of our Little Gloomy/Super Scary Monster Show characters.



They're pencil toppers/finger puppets and they were made by these two amazing girls (Sarah and Shelby) here:



In case you're wondering, I'm the one throwing up the Little Gloomy finger puppet gang signs. Eric is sneaking out of the picture because he's a jerk who hates children. Jerk.

On that note. Here's what I want for my birthday. Which is careening towards us all at a breakneck pace:

Our recent book, The Super Scary Monster Show, has been reviewed by Johanna Draper Carlson at Comics Worth Reading:

The big-headed designs are adorable, and they contrast nicely with the underlying death and destruction behind many of the characters. The visible shading lines and newsprint paper give this a handmade feel, much like several of the monsters. ... The stories are short, just the right length to pack a punch (and a punchline), and cartoon-like in their setup and action.

You can order the full trade paperback of The Super Scary Monster Show here, or download a reasonably priced (69 cents) digital copy of one issue of the original Super Scary Monster Show comic here.

I can't remember if I uploaded these images already or not. And I cannot be bothered to search my own blog. This is Victoria:


Okay then? Well, here's Victoria with her head being devoured by a giant fuzzy pink cat:



These drawings (well, it's really just one drawing) are by Eric and Rikki, which anyone reading this blog should be able to figure out. Actually, it might have been Tavisha who suggested the look. That's kinda how I remember it. At the time, there were some legal concerns over the design of Gloomy. So we had to present an alternative look to the production team in Paris. In the end, we did not use this look at all. So instead Victoria is a new character in the world of Gloomy that we might even use someday. We make no promises.

...No es bueno.

Paris was very French. I had a good time working, but was so exhausted that I really didn't do anything on my weekend. In truth, I like working more than I do sightseeing. I guess that's a good thing.

Of course, if there had been any old castle sites within reach that may have been different. I love castles.

All the work stuff went fantastic. We had an office. And behind my desk I found a little escape hatch that led to the roof. I went out there when I needed inspiration on writing an listened to music. We met and worked with many talented and fun people. One of them had a custom made bass guitar he brought to work on Friday. So between that and Eric's Nintendo DS with the guitar emulator. We were set.

My sleep schedule is somewhat skewed.

We have a second blog to ignore. This one is about the development of the Little Gloomy television show. Right now I've just got a couple of posts up with me rambling. There are some nice never before seen character shots by Eric Jones and Rikki Simons though. Indulge your eye parts with these art things.

http://littlegloomytv.blogspot.com/

Today's writing quote:

"You've smelled wasted time and crushed dreams before?"

Today's out of context bit of dialog:

"Larry bought me girl arms! Girl arms! What am I supposed to do with arms for a girl?!"