Art Escapism, infant & adolescent phase.

I have touched upon some of the comic art and illustrations that I collect and why I like what I have or why a certain artist leaves that lasting impression on me today.

I would say I tend to be a creative person, I do day dream, I like ambition but I LOVE escapism.

An intentional or unintentional separation which can remove the simple stresses of everyday life…

I believe we all do it to some degree, but some maybe more than others and I am one of those others.

From being a child and dreaming of being in the pictures of Alice In Wonderland (my favourite childhood book), I would see myself tagging along with Alice, the Secret Garden and The Moondial were other favourites, things which conjured magic, colour and imagination.

At school my reports were always the same… ‘Daydreamer, scatterbrain... (Boy did that one get me told off...) head in clouds’

So they thought…

To this day I still claim I had one ear on what the teacher was saying whilst my head was coming up with better ideas as to where I would have preferred to be…

I would have still been able to answer a question.

Then there was the time I lost my very first house point. Why? I hear you ask!! (or maybe not..) but I am going to tell you anyhow.

It was because I saw the school rabbit had escaped into the car park, the window was open and I dived out of the window to rescue the bunny…

I was 6 or 7.

Events like this seem to follow my academic career.

Cut to 5 years later in Physics…

I saw the cows in the farmer’s field had escaped into the school grounds; I made my excuses so I could and round them up…

I ended up with a week’s detention and it was during these detentions I found an 'Artists Illustrated' magazine the teacher had left behind.

My world had been opened to the colours of impressionism, which in turn suggest sights, sounds and smells.

I started reading up on the main guys, this whole movement was about escapism as it was an impression of what said artist would see and there for you the viewer fill in the blanks to make the picture complete.

I loved doing this!!

I have pictures and sketches collected from my early teens which mean something to me; it is some of these I would like to share, this time.

Robin Hoods Bay, a seaside town, with the steepest of hills you have ever seen to get down to the shore…

It is here my dad and I had our very last photo taken together, this gives me a melancholy feeling when looking at these, but it is over come with the happy thoughts of us rock pooling together, and him slipping on his arse because of sea weed…

These paintings would taste salty and gritty but smell like the best homemade strawberry ice cream a child ever had.

God did I HATE this place as a kid… this is Etherow country Park, every Saturday we went as my dad would sail his model boats… this old factory wheel he would allow me to go to when I got overly bored .

It smells of old rusty metal, fisherman’s bate, scrapes and grazes to my knees and wet leaves, and the sounds of running water,  to the right of this was a rather large waterfall.

Looking at it still gives me the feelings of ugh… it is a bleak picture, but in other ways, it makes me smile as it is a key childhood memory.

One day I intend on taking my son to this place which I am sure would be a day of mixed feelings.

This was bought on my first trip to Cyprus with my mum.

 I actually quite fancied the street artist, which is why I went and bought it, so I could talk to him… it is made from wax and at the time it reminded me of fresh fruit, sardines, squid and hot suns… today they remind me of petals and leaves at cell level.

 I came by this when I was just starting to feel the difference of being a kid and becoming a young lady.

 I liked the femininity of it, it was sensual and things I was learning and wanting to be, but held back by feeling shy and this kind of sums up these adolescent thoughts.

So here is how my art love began...

Kitty Comix!

Inspired by Docs blog by the wonderful Jim Mooney commission and the love of the goofy has inspired me to write this:

So many stories, so many characters have been led by a feline lead or have had a heavy presence amongst comics over the decades.

I am not going to try and name every kitty which has made an appearance as that would be far too time consuming, boring and well… I don’t roll like that.

But I will share with you some of my all-time favourite cats to cross the pages.

It is only right to start off with probably the most famous kitten around… Supergirls cat Streaky, a ginger tabby who sports a cape very much like hers and Supermans.

Streaky the supercat has flight, super speed, super vision and super strength and gained his powers by being exposed to the radiation of green kryptonite.

You saw him mainly through the 1960’s and he became a member of the Legion Of Super Pets.

One of my favourite ‘Streaky’ and somewhat poignant Streaky appearances was written by animal lover and writer; Grant Morrison.

 In an issue of Animal Man we saw a grey furred  Streaky but he was followed by an orange trail with the tell-tale lightning bolt… which is a lovely homage to the first.

I don’t think we should forget Streakys decendent, Whizzy!

He was created by Jerry Siegel and Jim Mooney in 1962.

He looks just like Streaky, has the cape and thunderbolt and is telepathically linked with Supergirl.

He and Supergirl were thrown into the phantom zone… Whizzy assisted in the escape of the heroes but it is unclear if he too escaped.

Today you see Streaky in Tiny Titans, he attends a pet club and he made an appearance in Batman: The Brave And The Bold in an advert that Blue Beetle is watching for  ‘Plastinos’ Cat Snacks which is a nice nod to artist Al Plastino.

Another story I hold in high regard is an 8 pg. Mary Marvel: THE GREEN EYED MONSTER.

Here we meet Kitzel who tells the story.

We learn humans are pretty dumb as we don’t have feline instinct and dogs are portrayed as the weaker species; make way for the feline-superior!...

Kitzel gets called a ‘green eyed monster’ which Kitzel takes offence too.

 It is here we learn that Kitzel is telling the story to the greatest TIGER in comics!

Mr Talky Tawny.

 He explains the misunderstanding… it really cannot get more awesome than this!!

So we have seen the Superman and Marvel feline families, let’s take a closer look at Batmans…

Alfred has a black and white cat named Midnight who seemingly took the place of Ace the Bathound but Midnight is only glimpsed on a few occasions but needed to be mentioned as he is the cat of Wayne manor.

Of course we see Selina Kyle Catwomans two famed kitties, Hecate and Isis.

These kitties are trained to the highest degree, and learn to alert Selina to Batman and others which may be a hindrance to her cat- burgling antics.

 Isis on occasion has been seen assisting with robberies too.

As I brought Tigers into this with Mr Tawny I think we need to give a shout out to Prince Tuftan.

The son of Caesar and heir to the tiger empire! Tuftan helped Kamandi to escape when he got himself caught by soldier gorillas… He is well written as he never shows any empathy towards Kamandis plight of humanity.

Jumping back to the world of the Supers for a second, I forgot to mention THE SPACE CAT PATROL AGENTS…

Atomic Tom, Crab Tabby, and Power Puss!! My love for these guys holds no bounds!.

NUFF SAID!

In the early 80’s creator and writer Roy Thomas brought us Captain Carrot And His Amazing Zoo Crew first seen in The New Teen Titans #16.

Here we see a somewhat sassy Alley-Kat-Abra from ‘Mew Orleans’ she takes on enemy ‘Feline Faust’ and has an evil counterpart ‘Dark Alley’ who murders Little Cheese.. Yup, he’s a mouse!

So with this blog I have outlined some of the more excellent kitties of comics, they are everywhere and the list could go on and on, especially if we start to include the time Superman was turned into a black cat etc…

But if the mood ever takes you to get a little silly, make a grab for that 60’s Supergirl, or Captain Carrot, Or the Big Red Cheese himself… Captain Marvel. 

Some very fine reading to lose oneself, laugh and enjoy…

Robinson-Ashemier-Pugh- an art fix for You!

Jerry Robinson:

The father of Robin and the Joker!

This was actually done for my son, who at the time attended his first comic con in London at 4 weeks old.
Through the sleepless haze of a new mum! I remember saying to Mr. Robinson it was a honour to meet him.
He was just signing things but I tried my luck and asked about sketches, he would do it as long as it was for my baby...

So I promised it would be his.

 I was very tempted to ask for a Robin as every little boy should like Robin, but chose Batman... as in the end, if you feel you may have out grown the boy wonder you can always appreciate the big B!.

Plus, I am custodian of it until he is at an age where it can mean something to him.

Stan Aschemier: A prime Golden Age artist and creator of Johnny Thunder and Dr. Midnite.

Their is a fun to Stan Aschemiers art, it has a humour and is kinda whimsical something which can be seen in the golden age of comics along side some pretty violent acts too boot!

This was bought at an auction, I have no idea as to when he did this as it isn't dated and wasn't given in the auction booklet either? All I can say it is somewhere between 1911 and 1992!!!

Steve Pugh: Is a nice guy! he frequents the British con scene on a fairly regular basis.
Known for his work on Animal Man, 2000 AD,  and many others from all the major players.
This is one of my Streaky pictures which from time to time I ask an artist to do, but they have to make Streaky my cat Winsor,... he has got his face and markings right, and his daft floom like tail but he neglected to notice one major Winsor characteristic; he's polydactyl... this kitty has the correct number of toes!

Still, it is a fun piece and kudos to any artist who is game when put on the spot, I have had a few who have said they wouldn't be able to do it, or wouldn't oblige??

Sorry Vincent, Egghead Not Invited!!

Easter!

 I love the Easter holidays, though traditionally it is a religious event I feel you can enjoy this holiday regardless of your beliefs and religion.

It is a time when we start seeing new life flourish, blue bells are in the woods, leaves are starting to grow on the trees, baby birds chirping in their nests, small mammals hoarding food for their offspring,  smells of cherry blossoms and magnolia drifting through the breeze are just some of the things we see,hear and smell every day even if we are not aware of it.

The lighter nights and early sunrise give that uplift we all need after the dirge of winter.

 We get two lovely weeks leading up to the Easter weekend, which these days  and many years before it is enjoyed by kids and adults alike with the celebration of the chocolate egg.

For me Easter is a celebration of life as a whole.

Though in the scheme of the universe we can seem fairly insignificant, you can’t ignore the splendour of life on earth, how it developed and evolved, plus a major player in this process is the Sun!

I have taken time out this year to enjoy just that, to feel the warmth shining down on my skin to give a well-deserved uplift.

I have also taken time out to enjoy it with the people around me who I care for and love.

Most of my family and friends are on diets, so rather than add to the extra few pound we all put on this weekend, I wanted to give something and share something with them which is very me!

So… They all got an EGG! But not the choc variety.

The Mort variety on the whole with a few others here and there, luckily for me most of my friends are geeks so they went down well. 

Dr. Mid-Nite

Superman





Clayface

Spellbinder

The Joker

Polka-dot Man



Wonder Woman



Moon-Man with bling!!



The Outsider



The Bat-Man

For my son I created one with a train as that is his love, he also got chocolate eggs too!! He wouldn’t have thanked me if I had neglected those ones!!...



So… I wish everyone reading this, A Very Happy Morty Easter!

The British Bat-Man and Robin: Knight and Squire

We have seen the end to the wonderful 6 part series Knight and Squire written by Paul Cornell, artist; Jimmy Broxton and cover art by Yanick Paquette.

What made this comic so good for me was it is set in Real Britain.

For every British comic reader I’m sure it gave off the same feel… It was grey skies, Sunday afternoons kicking a football, the gritty working class cities that sit along the backdrop of hundreds of years of history and mythology amongst green and pleasant land, the vibrant counter cultures of each city which don the pubs and cobbled back streets every night.

This comic apart from being fantastic within itself was homage to the classic British publications, Beano, Dandy, 2000 AD, and of course the adult humour and double en-tendre of VIZ.

The TV shows and personalities we were brought up on, the nostalgia of The Goodies, Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks.

TV hosts of the day having guest appearances and known comic fan Jonathan Ross. It was such a refreshing change to see rather than the dear chaps, wot wot, cheerio crap that still in 2011 emerges from time to time.

 The Knight Cyril Sheldrake lives in Sheldrake Castle, Great Worden, Wordenshire, which has the extravagance of the batcave.

The Knight's current motorcycle is named Anastasia, after British comic Dan Dares’ spaceship. Anastasia has a chemical tracking system built into her "nose" which is designed as a horse’s head.

We get the impression that the Knight is the father figure to other British superheroes.  We see Captain Cornwall who will inherit Merlin’s power.

 He is also on good terms with some "villains" such as Jarvis Poker, the British Joker. Who I imagine is based on Stephen Fry.

In #5 we see a surprised guest villain who rocks Britain’s hero and villain scene, and the ending was poignant, comical and of course a 'fast show' reference.

All in all this was a great mini-series whether you are feeling the loss of some the Great from Britain or you read it as a British superhero book and by far one of the best comics of 2011…

So after reading the final issue my customising gene was kicking in.

 I couldn’t resist in trying to create Knight and Squire.

The base figure for Squire was the DCD Lois Lane from the Superman/Lois two pack.

With some simple sculpting to recreate the waist from the cut away jacket she made an excellent base as her hair and hat leant itself to the shape of Squires hat.

This was created with two part epoxy and Citadel paints.

Knight on the other hand, I couldn’t get quite right…  I have re-done him a good few times trying to build texture to his all grey costume.

1st attempt!

BUT he looked shite… WHY? I don’t think my brain was working quite right from looking at the image to it being transferred to my head and translated to hand… my visa was just nothing like.
After that he was better but it still didn’t look right…

I HAD CUT HIS EARS THE WRONG WAY ROUND!!..

He is made from fimo, epoxy and flat plastic with Tamiya paints.

The base was the DCD Silverage Batman from the Batman and Robin two pack.

So now he stands with corrected ears, but what happened this afternoon? One of my cats took a dislike to him and took off one of his ears.

So just to add with the battle damage and an adventure with a giant cat!  His ear was super glued back on.

If you have not read this series, go go go!! Head to your LCS and pick it up and enjoy!!

Wildlife Corner: It's HASEN BREEDING GIBBONS!!!

Brett Breeding:  Breedings inking work with Dan Jurgen’s is beautiful and his work on Superman.

 His work and classic style is very much like Jim Aparo, who I would have loved to have got something from but sadly missed out…

This piece is 11x17 and was actually an auction win for very little; the postage was more than the art… so to go with this I have commissioned him for an 11x17 Catwoman, Bronze Age style!! Good times!!

Irwin Hasen: I dig Irwin so much. He is one of the very few people I would like to get a cover recreation from and I hope at some point I will be able to get to meet him in person.

I have spoken to Irwin on a few occasions on the phone, he seems so approachable, happy and generally a good person, I thrive off people like him and I feel his personality shows through into his art.

It really does make me smile and I believe this is his use of bold colour.

Dave Gibbons:  Fellow Who fan and cider drinker! Normally if you want Dave to draw for you, it’s Rorschach or Rorschach.

Doc Mid-nite would have not been my first choice but that was the kick I was on at the time… It’s a nice piece with the bold shading lines and dots which may be hard to pick out on the pic.

Luca Torelli- TORPEDO 1936

(Bernet Torpedo commission)

Spanish comics series Torpedo, or Torpedo 1936, written by Enrique Sánchez Abulí, and drawn by Jordi Bernet, tells the story of the rather antagonistic character Luca Torelli, a hit man, and has a “light- relief” sidekick Rascal, in context of the rather violent organized crime of the Great Depression era of New York.

The series was created by Abulí and artist Alex Toth; he drew the first two stories in 1981.

Toth decided he did not share Abulí's dark and sometimes humorous view of mankind, and was replaced by artist Jordi Bernet, whose gritty, artistic style fits the dark and violent book.

(Alex Toth - Torpedo)

Torpedo 1936 was first published in # 32 of Spanish horror comics magazine Creepy in 1982.

The first two issues feature Alex Toth's artwork, then # 34, De perro a perro, Jordi Bernet takes over.

Torpedo made appearances in various Spanish comics and magazines; Thriller, Comix International, Totem el comix, Co & Co and Viñetas - to name a few- and then it was translated in several languages.

After winning a few awards across Europe in 1991, Torpedo got his own magazine named Luca Torelli es Torpedo.

In 1989 America had a Torpedo book, which was translated but it lost the original feel -  it did stay with the original illustration which is black and white, but that was all it had going...

Whereas the French kept the translation in the correct context, but they coloured the art so it lost much of the fabulous dry brush work of Bernet and ended up being a mulch of grey tones.

But all is not lost!!

England and America are seeing TORPEDO being published how it should be for the very first time, in five glorious hard back editions, which I recommend if you like dark and gritty noir.

It is translated by Abuli himself and the art kept to its original format.

(Torpedo cover- Bernet)

Now you have the back story, here is a synopsis of the story so far:  I say synopsis as I have been careful not to include any kind of spoilers.

Luca Torelli (Torpedo) was born in Sicily around 1903, his family are poor and dwells in a broken home marked by spousal abuse.

His parents are Vittorio Torelli and Luciana Petrosino, and as the series unfolds, we start to see an ugly and dark childhood.

It appears his older brothers real father was their grandfather (who raped his own daughter) and it is implied that Lucas own biological father was the local kingpin, who raped Luciana in exchange for mediating peacefully in the conflict between the Torellis and the Petrosino families.

Luca sees his older brother die due to a severe beating by their drunken father; he then starts the process of vengeance against his father as a reaction to seeing the suffering of his mother.

Eventually he is fostered by his uncle Vincenzo. Involved in a vendetta, he has to flee for America and as a teenager he works as a shoe shine. This is where we meet senior police officer named MacDonald, who subjects Luca to abuse.

Luca falls into various shady dealings and eventually becomes a hitman. ("Torpedo" is 1920s slang for a contract killer). Sometime later, he gets his sidekick, Rascal.

As we don’t see a linear narrative it is hard to date, except for references to the Volstead Act and Spanish civil war.

Apart from Rascal and characters in flashback stories, there are very few recurring characters and very few dates are given for his present day stories also.

The only character which you do see again is a woman called Susan, who consistently outwits Torelli.

She appears in the first story by Bernet (De perro a perro), a second appearance in Vol. one (La dama de los camelos), and her third (El día de la mala baba).

It is suggested at least thirteen years  have passed between her second and third appearance;  she is assumed to be a high-class prostitute in the first two (who was solicited by Torelli himself in the past), and now a "reformed" widow , housewife and mother, who had presumably "fucked her [old and rich] husband to death", as Torelli puts it.

I have no idea as to where and how this story is going to end.

As a reader it puts you in a position of where I don’t really want to say ‘rooting’ for Torilli as his character is a irredeemable, murdering, raping, misogynistic villain but due to the reader witnessing how he has become the character and hitman; it may not really be an understanding or pity for this character, but this is the guy the author expects you to connect with which makes for certainly interesting reading.

I keep expecting the BATMAN or similar to come and kick Torellis’ ass to kingdom come and back… but this of course never happens…

THERE. IS. NO. GOOD. GUY. IN. TORPEDO…

BUT. IT. IS. GREAT. READING!!...

Cool cat, European Master & Shadow King!

The fabulous work of Mike Allred, one of the coolest cats in comic’s. Creator of Madman and Red Rocket 7.

A rare opportunity arose where Mike was accepting commissions so I jumped and the final work was way beyond my expectations…  I love the perspective and space aged background he gave to this, its pure Allred and a pure love of mine…

Mike Allred JSA

The most recent addition is by Spanish master Jordi Bernet.  His shading and exaggeration of curves and lines and characterisation makes him one of my all-time favourite artists. Whether you know her as Chica, Clara or Betty… she is one of my favourites of his creations and adds a whole lot of cheeky fun to my collection!

Jordi Bernet Clara De Noche

Michael Lark always gives texture to his work with shading and his use of shadow appeals to my love of a thick black line. Though this piece doesn't have much in the way of his shadow work...I have this hanging on my bedroom wall and still get pleasure form seeing it every day.

Michael Lark JSA

Artistic Hero ALEX TOTH!!

The one and only Alex Toth… he is my artistic hero and what I get out of his work is sheer pleasure.

When I dream my world is drawn by him… When I go for a walk and escape for a while I picture the faces, buildings and surrounds as to how I would imagine Alex Toth to have drawn them…

 It’s a fun game!! Try it… sometime!

One of the things I love about art is how everyone can have their own perspective on an artist and they get what they want from that persons work.

 I have heard Alex Toth be described as a classic American illustrator, but I see more European influence from him, considering he is Hungarian this is not that a crazy acquisition.

I learnt that his mother was an artist and she would draw for a young Alex, he looked at her as his greatest inspiration, she was an illustrator across Europe designing posters and signs for boutiques.

If you consider when this was, this was a time when women were not known in this work, to take on a male dominated industry within that time frame takes some confidence, defiance and strength!

From the countless stories of professionals and fans a like they can assure you Alex Toth inherited that quality.

When I was 24 I had the pleasure for a short time to converse with Alex. From seeing a request on a web site asking if anyone was from the UK… which we answered, this was a favour  to send Alex Toth some Rowntrees Fruit Gums…

As weird as it seemed off to the local shop I went to see if the manager could pick me up a box of the things!! He could, I through in a few other surprises and newer sweets from Rowntrees too!!

Via email with the correspondent who asked for the favour he found out our favourite characters.

A few weeks later arrived an envelope with the most distinctive handwriting and doddles on the envelope, inside was a collection of art and a thank you letter for the sweets.

Turned out Alex liked to write letters…  I do to!! From chats about art, Europe, family, cats, conservation, history! All kinds of things were discussed we went back and forth.

 I made it VERY clear I didn’t want anything from him and would be happy to help out with the old sweets when needed…  

 I was very sad to hear that his health was failing very quickly and the changes in his circumstances… Then a few years later hearing of his passing, I was deeply saddened by this, the world had lost another creative genius, enigmatic, passionate man…

I collect comic art work and illustration... but there is nothing that means more to me than the art he sent to me personally, 4 sheets of designs, faces and dices and a Doctor Midnite and Black Canary thank you for the sweets.

Over the years I have picked up other Toth related art and this is what this blog is about, to share what I have by one of the 20^th century’s masters. Hope you enjoy it as I do!?

Art sent as the thank you.

An example of his envelopes.

Three Musketeers

Superfriends! acetates.

Black Canary!

I would love to acquire some of his Zorro work as I find that some of his finest.  But I have only ever seen it going for BIG bucks... way out of my price range!