CRAZY COMIC BOOK REVISIONS - Part 1

click to enlarge

Classic comic book pages revised to fit my own warped sense of humor...

Original panel taken from Fantastic Four #2 page 21, art by Jack Kirby.

BOOK COVER AND INTERIOR PAGE DESIGN

Here are some graphics created as a presentation for a book about alien abduction.

What we see here are the front and back cover image, the first page after the cover (single page - right facing), and the subsequent double gatefold pages (left and right pages), laid out in a sequential design to illustrate an alien abduction, before, during, and after. As the book is opened, the abduction events are played out in sequence, page by page, leading the reader and setting the stage for the rest of the book.

BLACK AND WHITE PRELIM LINE ART FOR "ABE AND THE ALIEN" POSTER PRINTS - Part 2

Here I go presenting my preliminary line art for my alien character, as featured in my popular poster print set

"ABE AND THE ALIEN", now on sale (see sidebar). This is part 2 where I highlight the two main characters B & W artwork, before I lavished glorious color and details and several realistic effects using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. The full color, full sized 11" x 17" poster print is as stunning as it is beautiful as it is high-larious to see upon your very own wall...order your own 2-print set before they are sold out.

Set in some bizarre alternate universe, this alien lizard spaceman is a twisted surrogate for well-known Lincoln assassin, John Wilkes Booth. As conceived by my considerably altered gray matter, this alien is in many respects an homage to the considerable Wally Wood space operas that appeared in various 1950's EC comics, as well as a touch of MAD magazine and underground influence.

Good Lord willing, there is a story written and pages laid out that will one day be completed and published, that is based on my original cover art concept. I will tell you more as this developes.

As you'll notice, I didn't need to finish the alien's entire body, meaning his legs (and tail?), since he would be depicted as emerging from the shadows behind Abraham Lincoln, preparing to deliver the fatal shot.

Click the image to relish all of my Art Adams-y Bill Stout-ish nit-picky details.

Enjoy. 

All images copyright by me.

Only lookie, no touchie...

Alien as colored and published on SLAM BANG #3 cover

BLACK AND WHITE PRELIM LINE ART FOR "ABE AND THE ALIEN" - Part 1

I am currently selling poster prints of my cover art of "ABE AND THE ALIEN"...

The only way you can see it in it's full-size, full color glory is to click on the link in the sidebar and buy it, or just email me at

 theapocolyte@hotmail.com

to order your set of two poster prints (one 11" x 17" color and one 8" x 10" B & W).

The small sizes shown online don't do it justice, but I can give you an idea of what it looks like up close by posting some of the black and white preliminary detailed line art before the gorgeous color and other fine details were added. Click on the image above to reveal the detail lavished more clearly.

Today I'm posting my version of our 16th president, ol' honest Abe, depicted in his last happy moments as he watched the play "Our American Cousin" from his private box in the balcony of Ford's Theatre. He is smiling rather uncharacteristically, and I chose to render him thus for the following reasons:

1) the civil war which had begun at the very outset of his presidency was finally over, and the country was beginning to heal

and

2) the play he and his wife were watching was, after all, a comedy

so that is why he is smiling. Even though most of the photos we have of him show a rather grim face, it is well known that the man actually had a wonderful sense of humor, so, yes, he did smile on occasion. This was one such occasion. He had no way of knowing that perhaps an angry actor, or in this case, an angry alien lizard, was sneaking up from the shadows behind him.

Even though it is a stylized comic book representation, I tried to be faithful to reality by including his trademark facial moles, his odd shaped lower lip, and his rather bizarre ears (take a look at his photos...they are strange looking). My original layout included Mrs. Lincoln, but after several redesigns I concluded that I wanted to focus on Abe and that space constraints determined that my revision had no need for her in the shot.

For the next post, we'll take a closer look at the alien lizard out to assassinate him.

See ya then!

Abe as seen in color on SLAM BANG #3 cover

LOOK FOR THIS SIGNATURE ON YOUR WALL OR WEBSITE

Just another reminder that when you see this signature you know you're getting a quality

Michael E. Wurl

artistic work.

Shown above in glorious grayscale, simulated 3D, created in Adobe Illustrator.

_______________________

I am currently preparing to begin work on a number of exciting private projects for a new friend and client.

I will take this moment now to remind everyone that, while I am busy, at this time I am still available for taking submissions for your personally requested artwork, whether you are looking for a logo design, artwork for your website, a MEW-style rendition of your favorite comic character, or a portrait of yourself or a family member, or even something else.

Got an idea you want to see come to life? Just contact me via the email link on the sidebar, it's that easy.

COMIC BOOK COLOR FOR A WALLY WOOD CLASSIC!

Here's my take on colorizing a classic Wallace Wood story  "The Curse", originally published in black and white, appearing in Warren Publications VAMPIRELLA #9, in 1971. I believe it appeared in color in the 1986 WORLD OF WOOD #1 by Eclipse Comics, with coloring chores performed by veteran Steve Oliff. I decided to exercise my coloring skills by creating my own color version. I specifically did not refer to Oliff's version, consciously avoiding it, but chose my own color palette independantly. The incredible Wally Wood has ever been one of my artistic influences, and now I can jokingly say that I worked with him. Here is the first page.