For Christmas-

I has it. :D

-W

Sorry Guys...

...but I need to brag about this somewhere.

There's going to be a Wizard World Exclusive "The Path" comic entitled "Edward's Tale" which basically gives a lot of background into the world of The Path and shows Edward trying to rally some troops to Chance's side for the coming battle with Nyarlathotep! The appropriate people AT Wizard Entertainment and I have already spoken about it, so it's a done deal! It'll probably be at WWLA or WWChicago just so it stays timely.

ALSO: Guess who got asked to do a pin-up for the Applegeeks book?

Oh, that would be ME.

In other Mediocre Militia-relevant news, our very own Barry Linck is getting INTERVIEWED on Sunday, Dec 7th at 10pm! I need to get which time zone that 10pm is in, but we can all click HERE to listen in!

So, if you're planning on being anywhere near your computer Sunday night, make sure to listen to the interview and support our fellow Militia Man! Seriously! DOO EEET!

-Riot!

HAPPY CTHURKEY DAY!

Happy Thanksgiving, my Mediocre brothers and sister in arms!
Hopefully, next year Zac and Joey will be making the trip to my place for their Turkey Day meal. That's what me and the little lady are hoping for, anyways.

Oh, Barry, we can kick ourselves together, because I just set up shop over at Smackjeeves, too. I figured the more exposure, the better. I'm also waiting for my ComicGenesis account to finally get set up, too. I'm turning into just as big a whore as you are!

Anyways, have a safe and happy one gang!
-Riot & Julianne

So...

...anyone else notice that mediocremilitia.com no longer leads to...well...Mediocre Militia? Who's got the info for the domain so that I can get it renewed? Normally it wouldn't matter, but Zac, Joey, and I just spent so much time and energy a few weeks ago telling people to go there. Seems kind of silly to not have it...y'know...THERE.

Also, the main reason I was going to post: Old Dying Kitty just got a facelift! So go check it out and leave a message in the shoutbox!

Also: Joey? Zac? I miss you guys. Fucking move out here already!

-Riot!

Because it's adorable.

I drew this, and fell in love with the background. Digital painting is so much fun, and I just learned about how to manage hue and saturation! Wheee!

So, that con was amazing, not gonna lie, and next time, I'll have something in print. :D

So how bout that A-kon?

-W

WWTX '08!

So...we actually put in a real good showing at WWTX this year. A lot of people came back who'd come to our table last year. A lot of people came by because we were loud and obnoxious. Some people even came by because they were lured in by shiny prints and strange signs taped to Zac's head. Either way, a lot of sketches were sold and we made some pretty cool connections.

Also, Jorge Vega is a fun guy and went along with a lot of our shit.


The pics from the weekend can be found here on my myspace page:
Mediocre Militia: Wizard World 2008 pics

When I have more time, I'll slap them up on my flickr accounts.

Happy (late) Halloween!

Happy belated Halloween, MM! Despite an increased financial burden and a decreased cash flow, a good Halloween was to be had in the Land of Riot!

The little lady and I went around as Hellboy and Babe Sapien:


I fought a robot and saved the world. YOU'RE WELCOME.


...and I drank beer. All in all, a good night.



What about the rest of you? Show me your costumes!

Ever tallied up how many comics you ever made?

This is a list of all the comic pages and strips (that I can remember) I've done since 1990.

It's a lot.

I need to do more....

I did a lot before but I can't possibly remember all those. They're not very good anyway, just high school/middle school stuff, really...

It's kind of neatly retrospective to do one of these, gets you thinking of where you've come from.

B

Important MM meeting

I'm sending out an email too.
I need EVERYONE who is going to WW to tell me a time that we can all possibly get on skype/aim/phone to discuss this trip.
We have lots of details to work out.
Either post your available times here or email them back to me.

This is REALLY IMPORTANT!

Thanks
-zac

So I just popped this out real quick. I think I'm going to do a "fine art" set for WWTX and make prints and sell them for like 10 bucks each. I'm trying to think of Geek Culture things to work with. Of course I won't sell out completely and I plan on having some original stuff there too.

Just thinking of how to make up some of the plane money


I may try something captain kirkish or impulse or something. I dunno.
Just trying to get used to drawing again and having stuff for the con

WWTX '08!

So...we're going.

Militiamen/women in attendance are: Carly, Zac, Wingnut, Freux, and yours truly!

The downside? One table was what was available. It's an 8ft table, so we'll have a LITTLE bit of room to play around with, but not much. We'll just rotate who's sitting when and give anyone asked to do a sketch priority. Peronally, I'd like it if we made half the table the "merch" side, and the other half our goof off and draw side. That way, someone can always be standing behind the merch side pimping the sample book and stuff.

Oh, did I mention we'll have the sample book? Because we will.
Did I mention that we'll have bright, shiny postcards to hand out that have an MM logo on the front and the URLs of everyone's comics on the back just like a real studio?Because we will.
If someone would f'ing call me back, we'll have buttons as well.
The rest is up to you guys.

If you have prints, bring them. Stickers, pins, whatever: bring them. Since it's one table, I'd like to see us grouping all the merch together on the merch side and then making a point of cross-promoting eachother. This isn't a Drunk Duck table where we weren't a group entity yet. For example: "Oh, I see you're looking at The Path. If you like that, you should check out A Murder of Two or Phineus: Magician for Hire." Zac, Carly and Joey know what I'm talking about.

One thing that was fun about the DD tables and I'd like to see us do is the giveaway prize game. Like the Die of DOOM. Suggestions?

RED FUTURE

You guys probably already all know about this, but I figure I'll share it here, as well, because it is very time-consuming and very artsy. It is my new comic called RED FUTURE. I strongly recommend checking out the homepage if you haven't already, because there are LOG entries on the left of that page that add a lot to the story (hover your mouse over them, they light up!).

So there ya go.

Since no one checks the forum...WWTX stuffs.

I'll repost here regarding WWTX:

Carly and I have been playing phone/email tag about this for, like, a month.

Here's the deal: If, on Sept. 7th, there are still tables available, I'm getting two. If there are no tables available in the Artist Alley, but there's a small press booth available, I'll get that instead. The price is about the same as two tables in the 'alley.
As it stands, it looks like those attending will be Carly, Dave, Joey, Bran, Myself, my girlfriend, and Zac. Each table comes with two badges, so we'll just need to spring for two extra badges. I think a small press booth comes with four. With six-seven people, we could cram like every other group of con-goers does, or spring for two rooms.

If we get two tables, the set-up is pretty much going to be as follows:
Table 1 will be Carly, Zac, and myself. Table 2 Joey, Dave, and Bran. If Bran doesn't come, Zac may wind up going to Table 2. This may sound like a jerk thing to do, but Carly and I have the most stuff. I know Carly has printed comics. I have printed comics, prints, and a stand-up banner thingy.

If we get a small press booth, set up will be figured out when we get there. Judging from the size of small press booths at past WWs, we could all probably fit back there, but rotating who's at the booth would probably work out best, and give everyone a chance to wander and see what else is there.

I would have done it earlier this summer, but convention hopping to promote The Path and all the time I had to take off of work to do so depleted my savings to the point that I am now one broke mo'fo. So my paycheck on the 7th is the closest point I'll be able to afford it.

Assuming we get to WWTX, we'll have copies of the MM Sample book. That way, whoever shows up will have something tangible to give out.

DAVE: I need our logo ASAP if we're going to do this con. I would REALLY like to have a stand-up MM banner, or a large table-banner with the MM logo.


Now, we all need to be prepared in the event that I've screwed the pooch and waited too long. In that event, well, we get all this shit done like we were going to WWTX ANYWAYS so that we're not having this same conversation in march when WWLA comes around.

MM Blog edit:
I'm hearing rumors of people wanting to pitch in. I'm sure as hell not going to turn that down. If we wind up getting to go, I'll spring for the tables and badges if those of you who can put in towards the room/rooms?

Like Zac said, we REALLY need to have a sit-down and chat about this. About a lot of things, really. What's everyone doing tonight (Monday)? I'm off until Friday night, so PLEASE let's try and iron some stuff out by then.

-Riot!

Hey we need to talk business.

http://www.zsfstudios.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=65&st=0&gopid=789&#entry789

PLEASE READ THIS THREAD.
If any of you are wanting to actually go through with WWTX we need to sit down and discuss it soon. Otherwise we're going to need to pick a different convention to head to.

Also, RIOT, We miss you.

Also, did a commission for an environmental awareness group out in LA. Uhm, yeah. Maybe I'll start a sitcom about a family of 4 of which the father is a moron, the mother is anal, the son is rebellious/retarded, and the daughter is a nerd. Maybe there can be a baby worm too. I can only imagine how funny it could be!


But seriously guys, lets get stuff together and meet up again

So...about a year or so ago, Barry Linck (Phineus: Magician for Hire) and Kevin Hayman (The Errant Apprentice) gave me the go ahead to muck about with their flagship characters and do a crossover with them and Chance from my comic, The Path. I was thrilled, as I am a huge fan of both their comics, and immediately penned a story. Then started working on pages. Then, because I'm me, life got in the way. Despite good intentions and excitement over the project, it fell by the wayside.

Well, now that I'm behind on The Path and playing some hardcore catch-up, this project started rearing it's ugly head again in the back of my mind and won't leave me alone.

Assuming that Barry and Kevin's blessings remain, this crossover will return anew with the New Year. Because, quite frankly, few characters belong together more than a wizard, a modern-day knight, and the reincarnation of a certain once and future king.

Here is the cover mock-up I colored for practice tonight (someone discovered vector brushes...) in an insane bout of insomnia whilst my girlfriend slumbered peacefully.

I'm especially happy with Phineus in the back there for some reason.

And that's that.
-Riot!

You see nothing...

I got bored, and that is a dangerous thing. Here's a script that acadia and I came up with forever ago.

What does this mean for AT? Who knows, ask me in the morning.



-W

The Path Sketch Dump

So, after the Bendis wall of text left last time, I thought I'd balance it out with a sketch dump. Most of these will be in The Path sketchbook that I've been talked into doing.













And that's that.
-Riot!

Update from the front.

"WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN?!" Is something I've been hearing a lot of lately. Usually in frantic, angry tones on my voicemail from family members, various freelance employers and internet friends who actually have my cell number...since I don't have internet at my new place as of yet.

Goddamn, time does fly when you're moving and have no internet with which to avail people of the knowledge that you are, in fact, moving.

So, I've moved. It was incredibly inconvenient, and the new neighborhood is less than favorable (despite a Taco Bell across the street), and it is a good hour away from anything I like to do and everyone I like to hang out with. WHY would I move, then, you may be asking? Well, because my roomies wanted to move and the notice they gave me was not sufficient to go find a place of my own with the meager savings I had left after a season of convention-hopping. Sure, they'd been talking about moving for a few months, but each time they spoke of it it was like a chain-smoker saying, "Yeah...this week I'm quitting." Every possible relocation was spoken like a pipe-dream and disappeared like a whisp of smoke so fast that I got to the point that I didn't think they were actually going to go through with it. I LIKED my old place. It took me two years to actually feel at home there. To surround myself with a few friends and a few bars that I enjoyed frequenting and settle into a decent pantomime of a productive life. NOW, when my girlfriend comes over, I have to leave my apartment complex to meet her where she parks and walk her in for fear of her being raped or mugged between the gate and my door. My now four hour round trip commute to work isn't exactly a selling point for this new residence either. Nor are the creepy neighbors or the equally creepy staff of the complex. It's like I've stumbled upon a mexican version of Innsmouth (Go ahead, look it up. I'll wait.) and, while this prospect would normally be exciting to a Lovecraft fanatic like myself, it is less so when you're wondering if today is the day your fish-eyed neighbors make a move for your female friends when you're at work.

I don't know how long I'll be dealing with Casa Del Innmouth, though, as the little lady and I are talking about taking a giant leap towards wanting to murder eachother and move in together. Seeing as how between my place and hers we've pretty much been living together ANYWAYS, and we're sort of at the point where neither of us can sleep without the other around we're both pretty sold on the idea (even though another move may cause me to start hurling small children into the ocean). Plenty of other reasons, but we all know how I dislike talking in terms of hoo-mahn emotions and such.

For those of you waiting with bated breath for news of WWTX '08 (I'ma lookin' at you, Carly) I have no effing clue at the moment. If there are still tables available as of the 7th of September (which is when I'll have the $$$ to do something about it), then we're good to go. If not, then I've let you all down. There's just been too much on my plate the last few months and WWTX unfortunately fell by the wayside. Worse comes to worse, I'll have plenty of time to make sure there's an MM presence at WWLA.

Phineus and the Great Jaguar Paw 2 Cover

Here's an in=progress peek at the cover for the new Phineus story, premeiring in September!

Have you ever wondered...

Mayor McCheeseburger seems really cool, I mean he's got a cheeseburger head! A FREAKIN' CHEESEBURGER HEAD I SAY! How awesome would that be? Like what if he had a son with not only a cheeseburger head, but also chicken wing feet...holy crap you couldn't contain that kinda WIN! Well it seems like a great "concept" but in reality I think it would suck, I think it would be a disability actually... (see below)

Radish Face.

So I'm feeling super cut off from MM lately. It's -probably- due to the fact that I only talk to one of you on a semi-regular basis. As for the rest of you, I just sort of assume that you still exist and are working on artsy things. :P

As for myself, I'm awaiting the release of Warhammer and am celebrating my very first pay raise. ( Even though I actually see less money right now than I have in a while ) I'm enjoying Muay Thai and my Pit Bull is driving me crazy. My comic making is on hold as I try to decide what exactly I should do.

Can I has cheezeburgers?

Level Up!

I've been doing daily digital painting studies, because I'm tired of being terrified of using my tablet for anything but flat coloring. I was checking out an AMAZING artists portfolio and saw that they had a tutorial. Intrigued, and hopeful of gleaning the secrets to digital painting I checked it out. The techniques they discussed wasn't anything I hadn't seen before, and so, I thought to myself, "Great, another amazing individual to be jealous of."

But, before I left the page, I noticed that they discussed doing daily studies to get better. I looked at some of there examples and realized that once again, this was just someone waaay more talented than myself. The last linked image however had a very small message next to it saying, "And here, to show you all that you can do it, is MY very first daily study." Upon investigating the image, I then realized that with everything else in this field, all it takes is time. :D

Thusly, I've started down the path, and here is day #2.


-J

Where the hell/What the hell have I BEEN DOING

BEEN A WHILE SINCE I POSTED SOMETHING HERE, HUH?

New character design for a new project.

Jaguar Paw #2 Sketches

Here are some preliminary sketches I've done for the upcoming Great Jaguars Paw #2. I am starting both that and Creephunter #2, so I have a lot of design work to do! I don't know if you've ever done the ramp up for a story you've not written, but the trying to visualize another's story takes a great deal of work. But boy it is fun!

I'll keep hacking away at this and the pages will post soon enough!

Rock.

Barry

I May Be in Trouble Here

As of this time next week, I'll be completely moved in to my new place. I can't wait for the month-long cluster-fuck to be over. Then I'll be able to get back to drawing! I haven't had time to sit down and draw anything more than a one-panel Antisocial comic in weeks! My brain is going to overflow and try to kill me if this isn't remedied soon.

In other news, yeah. Meeting the girlfriend's dad at the end of the week. Which, under normal circumstances, I would blow off or come up with the most glorious of excuses to get out of or even use it as an opportunity to get out of dating a girl altogether...but I do believe I may be getting clobbered over the head with the dreaded "L" word here, and so I'll put in the effort. I do believe that counts as the seventh sign. The apocalypse is well on its way.

I've not seen TDK yet. I'm hoping to do so next week. I HAVE seen Hellboy 2 seven times, though.

And that's that.
-Riot!

Eeeeeee!

Guess who just updated her comiiiiiic. ;)

http://www.drunkduck.com/Grog/

And in other news, Charlie was the Daily Puppy last Monday. Clearly we rock. :D

http://www.dailypuppy.com/puppies/Charlie-the-Spaniel-Mix_2008-07-14

TDK

What's with the great movies this summer? Hellboy was great, and TDK was great

Just got back from the Preview of the Preview (roomie works as theater)

and guys, all I have to say is

This movie is intense like a roller coaster.

Can't wait to discuss it with you kids

Fan Art Contest!

Hey , all!

I have had some cool ass fan art done for me over the years, and I have most of it up here at Fans of Phin

Check them out! But, I want more! SO I tell you what, you guys give some, I'll not only post it, but I'll owe you! I can send Signed ashcans , guest stips or original art, your choice!

Thanks, guys!

Barry

I Can't Smile Without You

Easily one of the best parts of Hellboy 2. Hellboy and Abe getting drunk, singing along to "I Can't Smile Without You" by Barry Manilow. I've been doing stupid sketches of them singing since I saw the movie. This is just the only one I took the 15 minutes to color.

For you young'uns who've never heard the song, here. Just imagine Ron Perlman and Doug Jones belting it in full Hellboy and Abe gear.


The move goes...albeit slowly. I can't wait for this bullshit to be over so I can get back to my life.

-Riot!

Antisocial: Date Night/Hellboy 2

Yes, I am alive.

The trip to flow-ree-dah with the current object of my affections was...good. Really good. It was nice to take time off that wasn't "race here, do con, race back, work". It was actual time off and time well spent. I feel good about where my life is headed right now.

The above comic, well, you all know how obsessed I am with Mike Mignola's big red beast of the apocalypse. Well, not ONLY does the girlfriend dig it too, BUT she encourages...nay...JOINS IN most/all of my shenanigans. So that's her painted up like a sexy version of Abe. We ARE crazy. It's fucking great.

Looks like Zac and Carly did really well at AX. Sorry I didn't make it guys, but it's probably better that way. I just would've pissed off anime geeks and made them cry anyways.

Go see Hellboy 2 tomorrow. It's fucking awesome. So awesome, I'm still smiling. There's a buddy scene with Hellboy and Abe...just...wow. So good. Now I'm off to bed.

-Riot!

Anime Expo Recap.

Big Media Post Ahead: Beware. I'll make a more detailed post when I get back to Mississippi
All the photos I took from the Convention can be found here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28318330@N02/


Also all of the Hayter Videos I took are below







Also: Contact Info Again
Just some quick info for those of you visiting from AX:

Zac's contact info is: zacfreundt@gmail.com
http://myspace.com/sceneisgay
Facebook search: Zac Freundt


Carly you can reach at creepycarly.com

Werewolf!

Here's a disign for a werewolf I did. These are among my favorite monsters! I'm gonna have to do a werewolf story again, soon!

Contact info For AX

Just some quick info for those of you visiting from AX:

Zac's contact info is: zacfreundt@gmail.com
http://myspace.com/sceneisgay
Facebook search: Zac Freundt
ALL OF MY CON PICS ARE UP ON FACEBOOK. :D


Carly you can reach from creepycarly.com



On Monday I should have all the pictures up.

---
If you came by the booth give a shout out! We'd love to know who came by the site too, and we'd totally love to have you check out the
oekaki and forum

Also, anyone on the site commissions, I'm sure. Just pick their comic from the side and you can get contact info for them there.

:O

Billings Paperdoll

Here is one of the images for my new venture of...paper dolls! I am doing a series of paperdolls with characters from Phineus, to sell either at cons or on my website. I am still in the prototype stage.

AX

Hello, welcome if you're being directed from Anime Expo!

I hope you find something you like, and be sure to check out everyone's comments, the oekaki board (which is fun and free), and sign up on the forums!

I'll update this stuff tomorrow with pictures of cosplay and art and and and other stuff!

Concepts? Mm? Yes?

Here's some more concept sketches from my new project. This is one of the major settlements in this story, a city built on the back of the last sleeping Nephilim. So long has this settlement been there, that many of the populace forget that it's built on a giant, a sort of 'forest for the trees' situation, and are often troubled by the increase in earthquakes.

Here's a facial study of the giant himself-


And here's a picture of the city-



-W

Uhm

I was testing something and uh I'm going to make a bigger, better compressed version but until then and until I have the motivation to sit down and do another.




Oh yeah.
As a reminder.
DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE A FORUM AND OEKAKI
YES WE DO INFACT. JUST CLICK THE LINKS ON THE RIGHT AND BECOME PART OF OUR COMMUNITY!

I'm with Pixie

I agree lass, I've been stuck in a creative rut as well lately. I need to just get started on my own projects, and stop moping about the loss of a comic. Yes...yes indeed. So, along that vein of conversation, here's some character art for a new project I'm working on. I don't want to name it quite yet, don't want to jinx it, but here's some pretty pictures. Sorry about the lack of color, I've been rather lax on that lately
.


And here's something silly. I've found out that if I don't do a gamer gag picture every once and a while, I'll explode. Further destroying of our beloved childhood.


-W