Enter the Dragon

Being a fan of so many things is a tough endeavor. Just the pre check list for our groups trips is enough to kill a lesser man or women. Being an IT Professional mixed with a videogame/comic/pop culture fan and adding a splash of military/law enforcement/security background it can be let’s just say less than affordable. That’s why when I was invited to attend this year’s Dragon Con I was more than a little hesitant. Not that I didn’t think the show would rock, trust me I’ve heard stories but, the shear magnitude of this show is going to be insane. Comic books, gaming, cosplay, sci-fi, fantasy, steampunk, and celebrities like STAN LEE. I’m looking forward to working in THE ARMORY this weekend. A friend of the Cranboyz author Kevin Dockery will host a series of forums pertaining to all sorts of weapons on display as well as ammunitions, edged weapons, explosives and more. This is going to be a must see and I’m honored and stocked to be a part of it. On Saturday a freakin’ parade will charge through downtown Atlanta just for this event; Guinness World Record Attempts, art shows, contests, sneak previews, live DJ’s spinning tracks across four hotels to the wee early hours of the morning. This show is way bigger than that, it has encrusted a legacy as being the second best con in the U.S. only surpassed by San Diego Con. My own 15 year old daughter who loves cosplay is so jealous that we aren’t allowed to speak of the con until it’s over! Dragon Con has recorded a 1500 member volunteer staff, 1500! Now on its 23rd year this four day show has to have organization down to an art, at least I hope. If it’s as big as it’s 128pg pocket program guide, I will be in heaven.

I’ve downloaded it and thrown it in my dropbox, which syncs to my droid so I can view it on the go. (Just click on the link to download it yourself) You have to ask yourself if you’re a male in his thirties, what could possibly be better than hanging out with friends while helping display an actual ARMORY of military weapons, out of state, surrounded by other geeks – non-stop for a week(besides the freakin’ Super Bowl). I am not going to sleep for four damn days.…nuff’ said.

A Unique Tale

It's been awhile since I've posted, so I wanted to share what I've been working on lately. About a year ago, I started playing around with digital coloring in Photoshop. I was reading books, watching tutorials, and practicing by coloring sketches and commissions from our own collections whenever I had free time.

Earlier this year, Shane suggested that I contact Comfort Love and Adam Withers, to speak with them about digital coloring. And now, thanks to the truly amazing Comfort and Adam, I've actually gotten to work in comics! You can check out my first published work here for free, in issue #6 of the Uniques Tales Anthology. In addition, I've posted below the original lineart by artist Dan Campos, my flats for the artwork, as well as the credits page from the issue.



So go check out the Uniques Tales when you get the chance! And be on the lookout for the second issue of Comfort and Adam's new series, Rainbow In the Dark, in which I've flatted several pages. More to come!

DRAGON CON!

That's right, the Cranboyz are headed to Dragon Con!

Last year I got a brief taste of the Dragon Con Experience, and it was amazing! Like nothing else I have been to.

5 Hotels host Dragon Con and it is wall to wall comic books, gaming, cosplay, sci-fi, fantasy, steampunk, celebreties (and More!!) for 4 full days! It is like the Mardi Gras of Cons! And it goes all night and all day! And just in case that's not enough, Saturday morning the Con hosts a Parade through Downtown Atlanta!

And as if That wasn't enough, this year we are helping author Kevin Dockery present an event titled The ARMORY!

This is going to be a presentation of Military Rifles, Handguns, Ammo, Explosives and Equipment that no one has seen this isde of a Military Museum or the History Channel! if you are going to be at Dragon Con, you really won't want to miss this!

And the Cranboyz will be in on the ground floor! Helping to run the display, on top of 4 days of Con madness!

It has been said that we plan for Conventions like other people plan military operations, now we are doing both!

PAID

That's right everyone! Thanks to the patience of Robert Atkins and the help of some overtime and extra jobs, I have now paid off all 5 covers!

(4 pictured, the other is in an earlier post)

G.I. Joe Issue 21, along with Special Missions trade paperback Volumes 1-4, are all, legally, in my hot little hands!

Thanks Robert! It was fun being indebted to you, but I am a free man, now!