THE DARK CRYSTAL: A Wonderful Almost, Part 1

Last Fall/Winter I was asked to do some pitch drawings for a possible DARK CRYSTAL book. As a giant Jim Henson-nerd, I couldn’t have been more excited. Also, it was another chance for me to play with color, something I genuinely enjoy.

In the end the license went to another company and the job to another artist.

But now, with the dust settled, I’m free to post the illustrations. Although, I admit, I was truly hoping there would have been many, many more to follow.

In all, I did eight pieces, which I’ll post over the coming days. For now, here are the first three:

A Mystic

A Skeksis

the Gelflings and Fizzgig

A Bunch of WASTELAND* and a Western

Neck-deep as I am in making sure new issues get drawn, I’ve been somewhat negligent in keeping up with what’s out when.

So, a brief rundown:
WASTELAND #25: "Planet Caravan," the double-sized full-color issue (at long last) hits stands today (Wednesday, July 8, 2009).

WASTELAND: THE APOCALYPTIC EDITION, Vol 01: Hardcover! Collecting the first thirteen issues, the full-color covers by Ben Templesmith, as well as the "Walking the Dust," prose pieces. Available August, 12, 2009 (though i believe there will be some on hand for the show in San Diego).

WASTELAND, BOOK 04, DOG TRIBES: Collecting issues 21-24 into one, handy to hold volume. On sale now!

OUTLAW TERRITORY, Vol. 1: In stores now! From Image Comics comes this Western-themed anthology masterminded and edited by Micheal Woods. My contribution, "Savage Practices," is an eight-page story written by the talented Len Wallace.

*all WASTELAND books are written by Antony Johnston, covered by Ben Templesmith, published by Oni Press, and illustrated by yours truly.

Stephen Colbert's TEK JANSEN #5

The cover I did for the fifth issue of TEK JANSEN, published by Oni Press, and (I believe) in stores May 13th.

Colors by Nathan Fairbarn:



more to come...
-chris.

GROOM LAKE - Aliens and a Giant Robot

A pin-up I did for IDW's GROOM LAKE, by Chris Ryall and Ben Templesmith. It will run in issue four (and was all kinds of fun to do).

More soon...
-chris.

WASTELAND #25 - A Tiny Preview

While there’s an upcoming and lengthier preview scheduled for Comic Book Resources (and I’ll have more pages as the release date draws closer), it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything here.

And so, a quick and tiny glimpse of the double-length, full-color WASTELAND #25…

(click to enlarge!)

BLACK STEEL IN THE HOUR OF CHAOS

WASTELAND.
Book 03.
"Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos."
Collecting issues fifteen through nineteen.

On sale now.

Go.
Buy.
Maneuver it beneath the mistletoe and let the spirit take you.

As always, WASTELAND is written by Antony Johnston, covered by Ben Templesmith, lettered by Douglas Sherwood, published by Oni Press, and illustrated by yours truly.

other pertinent information:

Pages: 128 Format: Standard
ISBN: 978-1-934964-08-8
Diamond Code: OCT08 4308

One Hundred years after the world-changing catastrophe known as the "Big Wet," the city of Newbegin faces its most dangerous challenge yet - an army of Sand-Eaters bent on destruction! Jakob joins the Watch to defend the city, and intrigue grips the council, as politics, religion, and high explosives combine to make on engaging, action-packed read.

more soon,
-chris.

Two WASTELAND Tidbits

The WL shirt (above) that debuted this past summer at the San Diego Comic-Con is now available for purchase at the Oni Store.

WASTELAND: BOOK 01 sees publication (as beautiful hardcover!) in Germany, thanks to Stephan Heitzmann and Modern Tales, who previously published the German-language PAST LIES.

more later,
-chris.

WASTELAND #20

WASTELAND #20 hit stores last week. It’s a storybook-style issue focusing on the legend of Marcus and the (possible) origins of Newbegin.

solicit text: The story of how Marcus founded Newbegin is known to everyone in the city. But how is it told… and just how true is it? Join the audience and gather round, as Newbegin’s famous marketplace storyteller is about to begin the tale!

As always, the book is written by Antony Johnston and covered by Ben Templesmith, however, as this is a stand-alone, between-arc interlude, we have a guest-artist on board: Eisner winner Chuck BB, of Oni’s BLACK METAL fame!

(I'm even in on this one, just a little bit, as I provide six pages of connecting art between Chuck's segments.)

-chris.

Batman Sketch

Just a quick, end-of-the-day/clearing-the-cobwebs sketch.

(And yes, I know, it's Tim Burton's Penguin, but hey...that's the version I like.)

-chris.

Catching Up: WASTELAND #19

Because I haven't posted any yet, a few pages from WASTELAND #19:

COMIC BOOK TATTOO - (Some) Beekeeper Pages

It's been out for a little while now (a couple weeks qualifies as "a little while," right?), so it's probably about time I get some of my COMIC BOOK TATTOO pages up here.

CBT, an illustrated anthology based on the songs of Tori Amos, is published by Image Comics, edited and masterminded by Rantz Hoseley, while, for "The Beekeeper," scribe Neil Kleid handles writing duties.

To see more pages, click on over to MittenWorks.com, which is my portfolio site until I can get this one back in proper, working order.

More soon!

as ever,
-chris.

WASTELAND, Outlaws, and Tori Amos: SDCC 2008

(from WASTELAND #21)

It always sneaks up on me, somehow, but it's that time of year again.

Time to head out Californee-way to join in the swirling weirdness that is the San Diego Comic-Con (or, Comic-Con International, as they've been calling it, of late).

However, with WASTELAND (Oni) entering its third year, the release of the Tori Amos anthology, COMIC BOOK TATTOO (Image), and the impending, September release of OUTLAW TERRITORY (a western-themed anthology, also from Image Comics), it should prove to be an exciting, if hectic, five days.

Wish me luck!

Wizard World Sketches

Bucking trends of convention-fueled, short-term forgetfulness, I actually remembered to take pictures of a handful of sketches I did while sitting in my corner at Wizard World.

With the exception of a Mister Freeze that I really quite liked (and plum forgot to shoot) here are a couple highlights (according to me, anyway):

Swamp Thing

Sandman
(the MYSTERY THEATRE variety)

original piece
(I may take this one and try to work it bigger, and maybe in color)

Michael
(in "classic" garb, from WASTELAND)

That about does it for the Chicago, but San Diego's just about three weeks away (!), so I should come back from there with at least a couple sketches to post.

(Well...as long as I remember to snap a few pics, that is!)

Check back soon...
-chris.

WASTELAND & Wizard World Chicago

Two quick things:

WASTELAND #18, “Iron Horse/Born to Lose,” hits stores this week. It is, as always, written by Antony Johnston, covered by Ben Templesmith, lettered by Douglas Sherwood, published by Oni Press, and illustrated by yours truly.

Wizard World Chicago is this coming weekend (June 27-29). Like last year, I’ll have a table in Artist Alley. Unlike last year, I may be a little harder to find. I’m off from the main group and in a weird annex, way in the back, between food and a bank fire exits: the Siberian wilderness of the convention.

Table 5522, to put a finer point on it.

So, if you’re a brave and hearty soul, venture back and find me. I’ll have the usual convention-fare on hand: books, sketches, original pages, and maybe even a print or two.

So, come...
Keep me company...
(pick up a book or a sketch...)
It'll be fun!

more soon...
-chris.

*ps: still trying to set up a REAL site. It's just taking A LOT longer than I had hoped.

Color Sketch

A quick something thrown together over the weekend.

WASTELAND #17

WASTELAND #17, "Ride the Lightning," went on sale this past Wednesday.

from the solicit text:
The Harvey Award-nominated series third startling story arc continues as Heddor and Jakob must protect the city of Newbegin from the onslaught of the sandies!

Brought to you, proudly and as always, from the likes of Johnston, Templesmith, Oni, and myself.

Pages from this issue can be seen at my portfolio site*, MittenWorks.com. Click on over should the spirit move you.

-c.

*i'm still trying to get a true, everything-in-one-place website up and running. but, in the meantime, this blog and the portfolio site will have to do the trick. thanks for hanging with me through this cobbling process...i'm kind of learning as i go!

Two More Color Bits

The Oconocon & Free Comic Book Day 2008

I am northward bound.

Wisconsin.

Oconomowoc, to be precise.

On Saturday, May 3rd, I’ll be at Kowabunga Comics (noon until question mark), hanging out and signing some books for Free Comic Book Day.

Then, come Sunday, I’ll have a table at the inaugural Oconocon (I do love that name), held at the Olympia Resort and Conference Center from 10am-4pm, selling books, doing sketches, and all of the usual convention-type stuff.

So, if you’re in the Oconomowoc area (smack-dab in between Madison and Milwaukee), swing by, have fun, and keep me company.

More soon,
-chris.

FlickerFly

Something new.
A watercolor sketch.

More color stuff soon.
Promise.

-chris.

(click to enlarge)

The Redhead

A quick watercolor piece.

And because I truly LIKED how this turned out (which happens all too infrequently), I wanted to share.

(click to enlarge)

-chris.