THICKMICK'S BLOG!

THE BLOG HAS MOVED!

2010-03-02T18:45:00.001-05:00

THIS IS THE END, THE BEAUTIFUL END MY FRIEND

2010-02-25T09:57:00.004-05:00

It's time to move on...to WWW.JOHNAWALSH.NET. This blog is shutting down and has been moved over to my new & improved website. Some tinkering is still going on over there, but it's up and running for the most part. So head over and check out the new site and new blog.

This blog served me well as I discovered and experimented with blogging. Since it was created in 2006, it went through three names as well: BROWN PAPER BLOG, INSERT WITTY COMMENT HERE, and finally THICKMICK'S BLOG. Oh well, all things must pass!

Update your bookmarks and see you at the new site: WWW.JOHNAWALSH.NET

working on some STUFF!

2010-02-16T08:42:00.003-05:00

PADDY pages

2010-02-04T15:20:00.005-05:00

Here are two versions of the same page from my Graphic Novel "GO HOME PADDY". While it's fun doing the pages in full-color, the process takes too long. So I'll be doing the rest of the work in two-tone. Plus, I actually think the two-tone works better with the overall tone of the story.

I'm hoping to post the entire first chapter when I finally put together a Wordpress run site/blog.

Warm-Up Sketches

2010-02-04T09:05:00.000-05:00

More examples of my morning routine.

Random sketches

2010-02-02T15:12:00.000-05:00

Here are some more recent warm-up sketches that I do in the morning before getting down to work. So that I can just loosen up, I give myself very little time to work on these. It's all about PROCESS people.

Also, I think the second sketch (the figure drawing) is my fumbling attempt to draw a "R. Crumb Woman".

Now I'm doing quicky Movie Reviews?!

2010-02-02T15:11:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm not sure if this will continue or not, but thanks to the generosity of one Bartholomew Stankowitz (AKA Horselips McSorley) I have a new DVD player and I've been putting it to use.

FROST/NIXON: Excellent film. Frank Langella absolutely kills it as Nixon. I highly recommend this one!

THE SPIRIT: Well...I can't say that this wasn't a total mess, but as Bartholomew Stankowitz said, "It's JUST LIKE a comic book". The violence is over the top in a Tom & Jerry kind of way (which is funny) but the story is about as thought out as a Tom & Jerry cartoon too. Only recommended for DIE-HARD Frank Miller fans & green screen enthusiasts.

CORALINE: Now this is a beautiful looking film! Stop motion all the way based on the kid's book by the amazing Neil Gaiman. I was surprised by how faithful the film remained to the book in terms of creepiness. Go out and rent this!

WALZT WITH BASHIR: Another animated movie, this time dealing with the subject of Israeli soldiers' memories of the 1982 Lebanon War. A VERY powerful film with exquisite animation! Also features design/art by the amazing brothers Tomer and Asaf Honuka. I highly recommend this one too!

Wordpress?

2010-02-02T14:43:00.005-05:00

So I'm thinking about switching my website and blog over to one site powered by Wordpress. Besides being able to have everything on one site, various Wordpress plug-ins would allow me to easily present web-comics too. But.....I'm a little nervous as I know NEXT TO NOTHING about websites, installing programs on servers, etc.

If any of my readers have any advice, please leave a comment or hit me with an email.

South End Slant & Ted Kennedy's Tears

2010-01-28T11:30:00.000-05:00

Yep, I think this one is just about right. Coakley was a joke...and will be for quite some time too!

Warm-Up & Preliminary Sketches

2010-01-26T18:22:00.008-05:00

This is a quick warm-up from this morning. Once again, I completely goofed up on the eyes.

And here's the cleaned up and ready for inks sketch done for this week's South End Slant that I'll post on Thursday.

Book Reviews!

2010-01-26T09:30:00.000-05:00

The Strain: Book One of The Strain Trilogy by Guillermo Del Toro & Chuck Hogan from William Morrow: This one is a REAL page turner; not Literature, but DAMN good. I truly hope that Del Toro (Director of Pan's Labyrinth & The Devil's Backbone) makes a movie out this tale of NYC infected with a Vampire virus. Sections of this book were good enough to remind me of Matheson.

Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill from Harper Paperbacks: This was fun, but not as enjoyable for me as Hill's collection of short stories 20th Century Ghosts. Joe Hill has made a fan out of me, and I'm looking forward to his next novel. You can follow Hill on Twitter HERE.

The Dylan Dog Case Files by Tizlano Sclavi & assorted Illustrators from Dark Horse: Um...not quite what I expected here...maybe I was fooled by the cover by Mike Mignola of Hellboy fame? The six stories of Paranormal Investigator Dylan Dog collected here seem somewhat scattershot, and the revolving door of artists certainly doesn't help. But, I guess this stuff is HUGE in Europe...so what do I know?

The Photographer: Into War-torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders by Emmanuel Guibert, Didier Lefevre, & Frederic Lemercier from First Second: A smart and experimental mix of photos and illustrations that tell the true life tale of a Photographer that travels to Afghanistan to document the work of Doctor's Without Borders. Guibert is without a doubt one THE BEST working in the Graphic Novel medium at the moment.

The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist by Matt Baglio from Doubleday Religion: Now this was different. Not an all-out insane demonic tell all, as much as an insider's look into the training and daily lives of Catholic Exorcists. Worth the short time it took to read.

The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck from Penguin Classics: I can see why this one is often a subject of debate among Steinbeck fans as this novel is nothing like his work from the 30's & 40's. Focusing on the downward spiral of American morality in the 1960's, The Winter of Our Discontent is an excellent read due to the novel being full of Steinbeck's searing insight into human nature.

City of Thieves: A Novel by David Beniof from Plume: A very fun read full of humor, action and introspection. It's the tale of two young Russian men searching for a chicken in a ravaged and starving St. Petersburg under siege by the Nazis. Isn't that description enough to make you want to read this one?

BUtterfield 8 by John O'Hara from Modern Library: Now this is some good stuff! I read somewhere online that "O'Hara wrote like we wish Fitzgerald did"! A tough story of loose women, lapsed Irish-Catholics, rich, spoiled WASPS, and the underbelly of NYC in the 1920's. An excellent novella.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman from HarperCollins: The story of a living boy raised by ghosts in a graveyard (think The Jungle Book). An entertaining read that seems to lose steam by the end. Parts of the book are incredibly imaginative though and Gaiman has no peer when it comes to presenting old cliched ideas in new and very strange ways. Added bonus: the copy I read was full of beautiful, offbeat Dave McKean illustrations!

GO HOME PADDY!

2010-01-14T14:00:00.000-05:00

I'm inking the last few pages of chapter one.

More warm-up sketches

2010-01-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Too bad I REALLY screwed up the eyes on that guy to the left.
Oh well, these are just sketches.

More unfinished panels from GO HOME PADDY!

2010-01-12T12:02:00.000-05:00

Still working...

Warm Up Sketches

2010-01-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

Various faces that i've sketched in the mornings before getting to work.

Unfinished Paddy Panel

2010-01-07T14:40:00.002-05:00

Some of today's work. Lots and lots to go still.

South End Slant & The New COLD Year

2010-01-05T08:16:00.005-05:00

Here we go again.

Boston Year End Special!

2010-01-04T08:48:00.014-05:00

Here are three illustrations I did for the cover of The South End News' 2009 Year End Special. Enjoy!

Boston Mayor Menino took on and defeated all three opponents in the city's 2009 Mayoral race.

In Boston's District 7, indicted politician Chuck Turner won re-election and claimed Tito Jackson as his heir apparent.

Aaron Michlewitz became the shining rep of the 3rd Suffolk district in the State Legislature after his mentor Speaker of the House Sal Dimassi resigned amid a corruption scandal.

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!

2009-12-31T16:51:00.003-05:00

To everyone: Here's to health and growth in 2010! Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a few drinks to finish........

The RETURN of the 2-3 sentence Book Reviews!

2009-12-10T08:59:00.016-05:00

Heeeere we go:

Thunderstruck by Erik Larson from Three Rivers Press: An entertaining historical read mixing the invention of wireless telegraphy and the murder of a woman in London. Good, but not as stellar as Devil in the White City.

All Souls by Michael Patrick MacDonald from Beacon Press: A rough and insightful memoir regarding Boston's "Southie" projects. MacDonald perfectly captures the blend of poverty, racism, and violence that so many of us inner-city kids experience growing up. Also, All Souls is a very, very, very Irish read.

Gettysburg: The Graphic Novel by C. M. Butzer from HarperCollins: When I read this, all I could do was think that this graphic novel was MADE for young boys! Butzer does a great job of making the subject matter appealing to kids (I should know, since I'm still one) and his art style and storytelling are excellent. A very good present for a grammar school boy that needs to know a little more about history.

Ball Peen Hammer by Adam Rapp & George O'Connor from First Second: Well, obviously I really liked this one since I felt the need to interview O'Connor about it! A dark story with no real light at the end of the tunnel, Ball Peen Hammer is still full of insights regarding apathy, maliciousness and even hope (just a tiny bit of hope). And O'Connor grows tremendously as an Artist with this one.

The Impostor's Daughter: A True Memoir by Laurie Sandell from Little, Brown and Company: Another memoir from someone that can't draw. No, just kidding...kinda. Worth reading, but I don't think The Impostor's Daughter is worth the accolades that it's been receiving.

South End Slant & Christmas

2009-12-10T08:08:00.001-05:00

Yeah, times are tough out there.

Interview with Graphic Novelist George O'Connor

2009-12-08T10:14:00.011-05:00

I recently had the chance to run a brief Q&A past Author and Illustrator George O'Connor. George's most recent book, BALL PEEN HAMMER (with Adam Rapp) has garnered great reviews as well as solid sales. Publishers Weekly describes BALL PEEN HAMMER as "an eerie postapocalyptic urban world, where humanity is turning on itself". Also from publisher First Second, George created JOURNEY INTO MOHAWK COUNTRY which was based on the actual diary entries of Dutch trader Van den Bogaert, who set off through New York's Indian territory in 1634. Thanks to George for his time!

Is this your first time working with a writer for a graphic novel? If so, what was the working relationship like? Was there much more editorial involvement since you weren't the complete and sole creator?

Unless you count Harmen van den Bogaert, who’s been dead for over 300 years, this was my first time working with another writer ;). As for our working relationship, the truth is, Adam and I never actually met until after Ball Peen Hammer was finished. Aside from a few e-mails of character designs and such, there was virtually no interaction. This was actually a good thing, in my opinion. I was able (with some help from editorial, repositioning a few pieces of text, etc.) to go in and create my own vision of Ball Peen. I think it worked pretty well—Adam was very pleased with how the book the book came out, and I am too. It really feels like a book we both contributed to equally.

What was your process for this one—from script to finished page? Did the writer present you with the story as a whole or broken down into specific pages/panels?

The script of Ball Peen was written as a play—there were no panel or page notations, just dialogue and stage notes. After reading the script a few times, I started marking up the script, breaking down the dialogue into panel-to-panel chunks, and occasionally drawing some sketches in the margins. Then I started sketching out thumbnails of how these panels would fit on a page, figuring out the wordless stretches (and there’s a lot of them in Ball Peen), repositioning some chunks of dialogue, stuff like that. Thumbnailing is, for me, by far the most difficult part of the whole process. After thumbnailing, I create a “dummy” of the book—a rough draft of the whole thing in a bound notebook that is the same size as the print version of the finished book. This dummy will serve as my blueprint for the finished artwork, with page turns, compositions, lettering, etc all in place.

With everything laid out, the final step, finished artwork, was a comparative breeze. I drew the final artwork at approximately 10 by 15 inches, and inked the whole thing with dip pens (and brushes to fill in the many large areas of black). This was my first time working with dip pens. I originally decided to use pens for Ball Peen because they gave the lines, partially due to my unfamiliarity with them, a weird, wonky, disturbing quality. Now I love the pens—almost all the artwork in Olympians is being done this way.

Why do you think that the book has had such great initial success?

“Such great initial success”—I’m blushing! Well, I’m assuming you’re referring to the book going into a second printing already, which has been nice, I admit. As for why, well, I’ll say Adam has written a remarkably “true” feeling book. Yes, there are a lot of not-nice things happening in it, but there is an actual soul to the piece that really resonates with some people. Plus, I heard that the artist is a cool dude.

What's next for you and what other types of stories are you interested in tackling down the road?

I’m currently had at work on The Glory Of Hera, book 3 of the projected 12 book series Olympians I’m doing for first second, which are graphic novel retellings of the Greek myths. Books one and two, Zeus King of the Gods and Athena: Grey Eyed Goddess, come out in January and April, respectively. Interested folks should check out my blog at geooco.blogspot.com for some sneak peeks. If all goes well, these will be keeping me occupied for a good, long time.

Who are your influences? Whose work do you follow regularly? And what's the best book you've read in 2009?

Influences—I’m always worried that my influences might be too transparent in my work, but some of my faves are Mike Mignola, P.Craig Russell, Jaime Hernandez, Bill Watterson, Mike Golden. I try to keep up with all of their work, except, of course, Mr. Watterson, who hasn’t done anything for public consumption for many years now. Best book I’ve read in 2009? I’m going to go with Stitches, the first graphic novel by children’s book illustrator David Small. Wow, what an affecting memoir, such great storytelling, and his drawing line is so expressive it’s actually, at times, shocking. Great stuff.

Blogging Update

2009-12-03T11:05:00.003-05:00

Sorry for the lack of updating; I've been knocked out with the FLU this week. I'm hoping to be back up to speed next week at which point I'll post my Q&A with George O'Connor!

South End Slant & THANKSGIVING

2009-11-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

Presented here — exactly how the first Thanksgiving went down between the Pilgrims and the Indians!

This one is pretty much literally based on an OLD Thanksgiving greeting card from the early 1900's.
Happy Thanksgiving!

GO HOME PADDY! all the time

2009-11-19T14:50:00.004-05:00

Another unfinished Paddy page of pencils at top. The bottom two photos show how some of the pages are looking at the moment.
See you all next Tuesday!

Random STUFF

2009-11-19T14:38:00.007-05:00

I recently conducted an email Q & A with George O'Connor (author/artist of Journey into Mohawk Country and Ball-Peen Hammer) and I'm hoping to post it next Tuesday. George is a cool guy and it was nice of him to take the time to answer my questions.

I'm also hoping to post some new quickie book reviews next Tuesday as well. It's been a while since I posted any book reviews and I think I've read quite a few books since then.

Also, for book lovers—check out the blog of The Boston Bibliophile. Excellent reviews are posted often and the Bibliophile often reviews Graphic Novels as well. So....click the link and check the blog out!

Double page from my graphic novel "GO HOME PADDY!"

2009-11-17T15:14:00.004-05:00

Unfinished pages of course!

Also, that's TWO updates today. Let's see if I can update again on Thursday and try to start a Tuesday & Thursday update routine.

South End Slant & KING MENINO

2009-11-17T08:27:00.002-05:00

Just like EVERYONE thought, Menino still rules the City of Boston.

South End Slant & FLOON

2009-11-05T07:51:00.005-05:00

Well, now we know how well the whole "Floon" thing worked out in the election campaign to replace Menino as Mayor of Boston.

Random Paddy pages

2009-10-28T14:40:00.003-04:00

Here are some pencils from pages that I'm working on. Sorry for not posting as often lately—seems I'm paying more attention to Twitter than I am my blog! Anyways, I'm thinking of starting a posting schedule for this blog: something new will always be up on specific days...

Two-Three sentence book reviews!

2009-10-13T16:48:00.011-04:00

Post Office by Charles Bukowski from Ecco: This is a great novel full of depravity, self -induced misery and true originality! I've known guys like the main character and Bukowski's Henry Chinaski rings true. After you read this, you'll never, ever, look at your mailman the same again.

Slow Storm by by Danica Novgorodoff from First Second: Novgorodoff is a real talent; with this book she proves the saying that there are NO RULES when it comes to graphic novels. Excellent line work and beyond excellent watercolor washes bring this story of an encounter between a female firefighter and an illegal immigrant to life. Go buy this!

Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451: The Authorized Adaptation by Ray Bradbury & Tim Hamilton from Hill and Wang: I LOVE Fahrenheit 451 and Ray Bradbury; and Tim Hamilton's art in this version is exceptional. But this adaptation only left me wondering, "What's the point of this?" This just didn't work for me at all, and I feel like Hamilton's talents would be better suited working on original ideas as opposed to adaptations.

Bourbon Island 1730 by by Lewis Trondheim and Olivier Appollodorus from First Second: When I started to read this tale of pirates, slaves, colonial powers & ornithologists(!) set in the Indian Ocean, I was initially bored. By the time I had finished a quarter of the graphic novel I couldn't put it down. The artwork is black & white and would probably benefit from the addition of color, but I can see why the publisher avoided that option due to some of the more mature themes in the book; Trondheim's art style is very whimsical and could easily fool someone into thinking that the book would be appropriate for younger children.

Cat Burglar Black by Richard Sala from First Second: In what seems like the first installment of a series, a young girl trained as a master thief stumbles across a family mystery. This seems like an excellent read for young girls due to Sala's lighthearted art and Nacy Drew-ish story. I may buy this for my nieces!

Another Paddy Panel

2009-10-07T15:56:00.004-04:00

Like the title says, here's another panel from my graphic novel proposal Go Home, Paddy!

Two-Three sentence book reviews!

2009-10-01T16:22:00.011-04:00

Union Atlantic by Adam Haslett from Nan A. Talese/DoubleDay: I've really got mixed feelings about this one; truthfully— it didn't seem finished. Parts are beyond excellent, while other sections of the novel seem to be rushed and less developed. I'll be VERY interested to read the reviews on this when it's released in January 2010.

Laika by Nick Abadzis from First Second: I absolutely love this graphic novel. A genuinely original work telling the true story of the first dog in space set in The Soviet Union during the 1950's. I can't wait to see what Abadzis does next.

Parker: The Hunter by Richard Stark & Darwyn Cooke from Idea & Design Works: Damn! Cooke adapts Stark's story of a man in 1960's NYC Hell bent on revenge with such skill that I cringe in jealousy! Cooke is such a masterful draftsman and storyteller that I think he could try his hand at ANY type of story and succeed!

20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill from HarperCollins: This is the first time I've read anything by Hill, and this collection of short stories has me wanting to read everything else that he's written. Almost all of the tales are excellent, but the story "Pop Art" is on another level. At times reminiscent of Bradbury and Matheson, these stories transported me to another place.

South End Slant & Pre/Post Primary cartoons

2009-09-29T15:03:00.005-04:00

I forgot to post the South End Slant cartoon from before the primary this past month, so here's both cartoons for September. The primary results decided that it would be Menino vs. Flaherty for Mayor of Boston. Flaherty and Menino used to be on very good terms (some have even suggested that Flaherty was Menino's handpicked successor), before a falling out several years back.
Interestingly enough, Sam Yoon came out today not only backing Flaherty, but is attempting to run as Flaherty's Deputy Mayor. Developing...

Paddy panel...

2009-09-01T14:32:00.006-04:00

Work on my Paddy graphic novel proposal continues.

Two-Three sentence book reviews!

2009-08-30T11:50:00.009-04:00

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen from Picador: An excellent novel that had me HATING several of the characters — which to me was the mark of a great writer. At one point I put the book down and thought, "Thank God no one in my family is like these characters!" Franzen's writing is funny, depressing and has a understanding of human nature that you don't find as often as you should.

Pig Island by Mo Hayder from Bantam Books: A so-so read that seemed a little too interested in mimicking the style of Dennis Lehane. The novel contains some interesting ideas, but I felt that the ending was rushed and unsatisfying.

I'm currently reading an advance copy of Union Atlantic by Adam Haslett sent to me from Double Day.

Asterios Polyp Review

2009-08-25T16:07:00.011-04:00

Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli from Pantheon

How do I even begin to review this graphic novel? I could go on and on about it, but I'll try my best to stick with my usual style of brief reviews (although my typical two - three sentence review is out the window for this one). Simply put, David Mazzuchelli has created a Graphic Novel masterpiece.

Asterios Polyp works on three levels: One, the book features the absolute perfect compound of words and pictures; neither works as well without the other. Two, Asterios Polyp is an excellent story which focuses on the humbling transformation of the title character. Mazzuchelli presents a witty, poignant, and philosophical tale full of oddball characters and oddball moments. Three— the art; Mazzuchelli is a superb draftsman and cartoonist. Also, his use of limited colors in the book is both simple and complex. Sounds weird, but it’s true.

This book is awe-inspiring to those of us that have studied the graphic novel format due to Mazzuchelli's complete mastery of sequential storytelling. This book will inspire some to new heights and disillusion others who will feel that they will never be able to compete. Asterios Polyp will be “the” textbook for sequential art classes for years to come— this book is THAT good.

A few examples that really caught me from the book are below. The last example is just one panel—but it's such a beautiful panel!

South End Slant & Boston's Mayoral Election

2009-08-25T09:43:00.002-04:00

This week's South End News editorial cartoon. Bets are that turnout will be LOW.

Paddy page 5 & 6 color variations

2009-08-12T13:15:00.003-04:00

UPDATE: The sizing on the full-color pages is now fixed so that when you click on the image, it pops up large enough so that you can read the text.

Thanks to all the people that offered advice and opinions to me though the comments on this blog, through Twitter and especially through Linked In. The above illustrates where I'm at right now: Full color & a blue/green toned version. Time to plow through coloring the rest of the pages in my submission.

South End Slant & Boston's Latest Role Models

2009-08-10T17:46:00.005-04:00

I forgot to post last week's cartoon for The South End News. Ortiz got popped for doping, and DiMasi & Wilkerson were both indicted. Nice.

Paddy page 5 color variations!

2009-08-05T13:31:00.015-04:00

Here are some color variation tests that I've worked up for my graphic novel pitch: one full color, two just with either green or blue tones and one with sepia line work (in an attempt to give the viewer a sense of the story taking place in the past). I'm not sure if the green tones are a little bit overkill — like hitting the viewer/reader over the head with the "Irishness" of it all.

I'm looking for some feedback—so either leave a comment below or hit me with an email: john@johnawalsh.net. It's MUCH appreciated!

Paddy Page 5 Pencils

2009-07-29T12:38:00.006-04:00

Here's a penciled page from the Graphic Novel pitch that I'm putting together. The graphic novel deals with the Irish famine and emigration to America. I'm hoping to play with a lot of the Victorian stereotypes of the Irish, including how the Irish were drawn in newspapers and magazines. This page shows the main character Paddy (stereotype #1!) and his mother struggling to hold it together as the make their way across the land during the famine.

I'll post inks and colors as I complete them.

Two-Three sentence book reviews!

2009-07-29T12:21:00.007-04:00

Heat: An Amateur's Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany by Bill Buford from Vintage: A fun read about a New Yorker magazine editor/writer that decided to work for a year in Mario Batali's kitchen. Buford lost me somewhat when he really dug into recipes and cooking methods, but the sections detailing brand "Batali" and Batali's real personality are excellent.

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks from Three Rivers Press: I don't really go for the whole "zombie genre", but this book is ridiculously good. The novel reads like those post-WWII journalistic accounts of the 40's; except this is set roughly in our times and the enemies are Zombies. World War Z reminded me of those classic Ray Bradbury/ Phillip K. Dick/ Richard Matheson stories of long ago.

Figure sketch

2009-07-22T10:00:00.002-04:00

A very quick figure drawing sketch done as a warm-up. I've been sketching in a small Moleskine for a bit now and it's hard figure drawing in such a small sketchbook as I'm used to usually doing these kind of sketches in very large pads. This figure looks pretty stiff—hopefully I'll get the hang of working so small and the results will get better and better.

South End Slant & Walter Cronkite

2009-07-21T13:45:00.001-04:00

Here's both the B&W and color versions of this week's editorial for The South End News.

Two sentence book reviews!

2009-07-21T10:00:00.004-04:00

More reviews—still only TWO sentences.

Skim by Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki from Groundwood Books: The story of two-teenage girls circa the 1990's growing into their true personalities. The book is saved from being lumped in with all the other navel-gazing graphic novels out there by Jillian Tamaki's stellar artwork; she can draw and tell a story flawlessly.

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson from Vintage: A remarkable book that I was VERY sorry to finish! Larson weaves together the Chicago World's Fair of 1893, a Victorian era serial killer in that same city, and appearances by notable historical figures such as Teddy Roosevelt, Buffalo Bill Cody, Walt Disney's father, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and many, many others.

Local by Brian Wood & Ryan Kelly from Oni Press: I haven't read anything by Wood and figured it was time that I did. I was more impressed by the story structure than I was by the actual story, but the book was still enjoyable.

I'm about to re-read Asterios Polyp...there's so much going on in that book that I can't write a review until I've thought about it some more.

Hermann Hesse sketch

2009-07-20T13:30:00.001-04:00

Just fooling around/warming up with a sketch of Hermann Hesse. Recently got of copy of Narcissus and Goldmund that I'm looking forward to reading.

Sketches

2009-07-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

More random warm-up sketches...

Two sentence book reviews!

2009-07-09T10:00:00.001-04:00

Ok, here's a new list of books that I've recently read:

Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk from W.W. Norton & Co.: Nope, not for me. At all.

Prince of Stories: The Many Worlds of Neil Gaiman by Hank Wagner, Christopher Golden and Stephen R. Bissette from St. Martin's Press: I was disappointed by this book. Probably because I knew most of the anecdotes about Gaiman's work already and also by the fact that I've really enjoyed Golden's fiction, but this is a different beast entirely.

Tonoharu by Lars Martinson from Pliant Press: I have never heard of Martinson before, but he excellently captures the feeling of alienation that one must feel when dropped into a foreign culture. His drawing style is very cartoony, and the four panel page structure of this graphic novel really serves the story well.

Blue Pills by Frederick Peeters from Houghton Mifflin Company: Peeters expressive brushwork beautifully illustrates this tale of how love can go right. Unlike most introspective graphic novels, Blue Pills is not full of the navel gazing that I've come to expect; a very welcome change!

The Eternal Smile by Gene Luen Yang & Derek Kirk Kim from First Second Books: I'm a big fan of both Gene Yang & First Second Books so it's no surprise that I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Three slightly connected short stories that make you question whether most people want reality or the freedom of fantasy — and the answers will surprise you.

Aya of Yop City by Marguerite Abouet & Clement Oubrerie from Drawn & Quarterly: I read the first volume of Aya about a year ago and when I saw this second volume on the shelves at the library I grabbed it immediately. Continuing the tale of a teenage girl living in 1970's Ivory Coast, this funny book presents a warm and lighthearted vision of Africa that we don't often get to see.

South End Slant & Rainy Boston

2009-07-08T12:00:00.001-04:00

When will it end? June was horrible!

Random Sketches

2009-07-07T20:40:00.004-04:00

More weird scribbles.

Goody's Lament

2009-06-24T13:00:00.005-04:00

The College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies at the University College of Cork will soon be publishing my original story "Goody's Lament" in the college's annual research journal! I originally created the story for a solo exhibit for GloveBox here in Boston, so I'm very excited about my work being published in the Old Sod!

In the 1680's, during an era of anti-witch hysteria, the Puritans of Boston condemned an innocent woman to hang on the Commons for practicing witchcraft. Unfairly accused and sentenced, Goody Glover's plight was not helped by the fact that she was a proud Irish Catholic — a small group that was hated and despised in Boston at the time. A poor women ripped from her home in Ireland, sold into slavery and eventually settled as a servant in the New World, Goody Glover would find that the old miseries of hatred and intolerance had followed her across the Atlantic.

Below is the brief story presented in it's entirety. Click each image to read three pages at a time.

Click here to return to www.johnawalsh.net

South End Slant & Voting

2009-06-24T12:00:00.001-04:00

Voter turnout last week was pathetic. Too bad Obama wasn't running...

4th Wedding Anniversary

2009-06-24T07:56:00.004-04:00

Four years ago today. Time flies...
Best move I ever made.

Random Sketches

2009-06-23T09:00:00.001-04:00

More weird warm-up sketches.

15 Books in 15 Minutes

2009-06-22T16:46:00.002-04:00

Via Terry Teachout and CAAF: “The rules: Don’t take too long to think about it. Fifteen books you’ve read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes.“

My List:
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez
Watchmen by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
The Great Shame by Thomas Keneally
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Lenin's Tomb by David Remnick
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Born Again by Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli
Deogratias by J.P.Stassen
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Patch of Askeaton Days by Patrick J. Carrol
American Gods by Neil Gaiman

RSW & her spring rolls

2009-06-22T09:00:00.001-04:00

A week ago my wife Rachel decided to make spring rolls for a group of us to enjoy on the roof with a few "cold" beverages. This was the first time she had ever attempted making spring rolls and was so happy with how everything looked that she asked me to snap some photos of the before and after. Rachel served them with soy sauce (flavored with garlic and ginger) as well as Sriracha Hot Sauce. The rolls were slammin!

One sentence book reviews!

2009-06-18T06:00:00.001-04:00

Just finished reading several very good books and here are my reviews—

Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse: Loved the novel's examination of the middle-class mindset & really enjoyed it except for the unclear ending; main character would probably be labelled as bi-polar in the modern era.

Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist: This novel was unbelievably creepy, extremely well written and has a very unique take on the vampire genre.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz: Tremendously good read and the prose reads like a comedic and heartfelt conversation with dudes hanging on the street back in Bridgeport.

Currently reading Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk

Random Sketches

2009-06-17T17:01:00.001-04:00

Here's a bunch of warm-up sketches from the little Moleskin book I'm currently using....gotta say, I'm not a fan of the small size. I can't wait to finish this book off and get back to a larger sketchbook.

South End Slant & Parking in The South End

2009-06-15T16:19:00.002-04:00

South End Slant & Game 7 Blues

2009-05-20T09:44:00.005-04:00

Lousy days for Boston sports fans, but Politics is considered a sport, right?
Also, turns out Aaron Michlewitz won the 3rd Suffolk special election Democratic Primary yesterday. Looks like he'll definitely be taking DiMasi's old spot on June 16th.

South End Slant & Swine Flu!

2009-05-05T09:25:00.004-04:00

Word is that Swine Flu had been discovered here in the South End at Boston University's Dental School.
Does this signal my impending doom?!

Sketches

2009-04-29T09:34:00.002-04:00

Fooling around with some sketches and various Photoshop brushes. Weird, but interesting?

South End Slant & Typical Boston Publicity

2009-04-21T15:03:00.002-04:00

C'mon...we all know Menino's gonna run again.

The Phonecall

2009-04-20T11:32:00.009-04:00

I hastily created this short three-page story about a year ago to hang as part of a show at the Laconia Gallery. At the time it was just black and white, hand-lettered and probably hit a little too close to home for me. I was really unhappy with it. But after scanning it in, cleaning it up and adding some colors I'm figuring why not post it?

Click here to return to www.johnawalsh.net

South End Slant & the South End Decorating Committee

2009-04-07T19:05:00.006-04:00

There's ALOT of garbage on these here streets.

For more on this, see here: South End News

South End Slant & the South End's Favored Candidate

2009-03-25T10:42:00.005-04:00

Currently, there's something like five or six different people running for the 3rd Suffolk seat. Truth to be told, people in the South End are so dog crazy that if one ran, I think the animal would win overwhelmingly.

South End Slant & The Boston Irish

2009-03-17T17:25:00.003-04:00

Happy Saint Patrick's Day. To Irish-Americans: remember your roots and the Hell your Irish ancestors went through as you form your opinions about immigrants, outsiders and others.

What is this a photo of?

2009-03-04T10:18:00.004-05:00

Multiple choice:
A. The site of my epic battle with the Incredible Hulk
B. When I played a special agent investigating a bombing on the tv show CSI
C. The time I built a time machine and travelled back to WWII so that I could "soak up" the fantastic mood
D. Me posing like an idiot 10 yrs ago at exit 28 off of I-95

???????????????

South End Slant & Boston Mayor Menino

2009-02-26T08:53:00.003-05:00

Will Menino run for an unprecedented 5th term? And how scared are Flaherty, Yoon & McCrea that he will?

Valentine's South End Slant

2009-02-12T07:28:00.004-05:00

Seems like this pretty much represents the Valentine's Day spending plans of my fellow Bostonians this year.

South End Slant

2009-01-29T08:51:00.004-05:00

I almost blew out a tire last week!

South End Slant

2009-01-15T12:14:00.004-05:00

This week's editorial for the South End News.

Happy New Year!!!

2008-12-31T11:11:00.006-05:00

Here's the cover I created for the South End News year-end special that came out today. Make with the clicky and you can see the image in context here.

To those in the know, it's been a rough year—here's hoping that 2009 gets better, 'cause there are no reverse gears on this tank! Hopefully it's only onward and upward in the new year.
Happy and safe New Year to everyone.

South End Slant

2008-12-19T11:56:00.007-05:00

This week was the first week that my new editorial cartoon spot "South End Slant" ran in the South End News. Hopefully I'll be creating two cartoons a month for the paper. The crew at the SEN have been very cool and I'm really looking forward to becoming a part of the paper's team. Below is a color and black & white version of the cartoon.

Goody Glover Show —Nov 25th

2008-11-18T10:45:00.024-05:00

In the 1680's, during an era of anti-witch hysteria, the Puritans of Boston condemned an innocent woman to hang on the Commons for practicing witchcraft. Unfairly accused and sentenced, Goody Glover's plight was not helped by the fact that she was a proud Irish Catholic — a small group that was hated and despised in Boston at the time.

A poor women ripped from her home in Ireland, sold into slavery and eventually settled as a servant in the New World, Goody Glover would find that the old miseries of hatred and intolerance had followed her across the Atlantic.

I hope as many people as possible can make it out to Goody Glovers in the North End and see the show on the second floor. The show just went up, and is hanging until the end of November. Also, there will be a reception on Nov. 25th from 7-9 PM. Stop by and buy a pint (or two)!

When Glovebox and I decided to do this show, I tried to find out as much info about Goody Glover that I could and found that there isn't much out there. In fact, her first name might be Mary or Ann as there is no clear answer. After putting together the rough story outline I moved on to creating thumbnails on small index cards; a process that allows me to see the whole story easily. Obviously, not much time is spent drawing at this stage.

After laying out the whole story, I was ready to move onto actually penciling the pages. Shown here is the the first pass at page #4 and it's clear to see that I hadn't yet searched for proper ship reference. I quickly indicated a ship in the last panel.

I then found some good reference for a ship, and set to drawing that one panel completely.

Then I inked the page with brush & pens.

Finally, the original art was scanned, cleaned up, gray-toned and lettered on the computer.

And lastly, a shot of my work space during the project. The mess pictured has since been cleaned up!

BARACK OBAMA!!

2008-11-05T15:11:00.002-05:00

Finally.

Goody Glover show

2008-11-05T15:03:00.003-05:00

I'm having a show at Goody Glover's pub up in Boston's North End in a week or two. I'll post the show dates after I've talked with GloveBox and verified them.

The show will basically be made up of sequential art that tells the story of Goody Glover—an Irish Catholic executed by the Puritans of Boston for being a witch...a story right up my alley!

Shown here is some preview art without the accompanying text.

Interview/Q & A with yours truly

2008-11-05T15:00:00.002-05:00

Check out a brief Q&A with me over at http://www.whohub.com/johnawalsh

It's fun and brief!

Rasputin—the mad monk

2008-10-07T09:34:00.002-04:00

Random faces

2008-10-07T09:33:00.002-04:00

Just fooling around while warming up. See anyone you know?

Laconia Lofts Gallery Show

2008-09-03T15:39:00.005-04:00

I've got a short three page story in the Laconia Lofts "Live:Work:08 resident artists" show opening this week. Anyone in the area should definitely come and check out the show as there are some really excellent artists featured. So stop on by and take a look.

My piece is "The Phone Call" and it's the true story of a very dark moment in my life. The art here is a scan of the pencils for the story, not the finished ink pieces.

Paddy Promo

2008-08-07T09:14:00.005-04:00

Here's some art I created for a project that I'm developing. That's all for now...

Click the image to see it larger.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy — a road trip through Hell.

2008-07-23T09:09:00.004-04:00

The Road is the first Cormac McCarthy novel that I've had the pleasure to read and it's a terrifying narrative. McCarthy takes the reader on such a bleak journey that the story in many ways reminded me of Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, but much, much darker. For those unfamiliar with the book, it's the tale of a father and his young son trying to make their way South in a post-apocalyptic United States; the environment is destroyed, food is beyond scarce and humanity has descended into madness. The author is less concerned with explaining whatever catastrophic event plunged civilization into despair than he is with telling a story about survival and maybe even Grace. While the novel offers many brutal moments that show the depths of human depravity, the book also presents the reader with the power of Faith. Not traditional religious faith, but faith in the face of no hope at all. Belief in hanging on, rounding the bend and searching “for the Good Guys”. The conviction that love can protect. And the belief that a father can shepherd his young child on the road to some form of salvation.

The Road is without a doubt a modern classic...too bad I'm finally reading it almost two years after the novel was published!

On a side note, The Road is so damn good that it makes me wonder whether there will be a graphic novel equivalent at some point. Will graphic novel creators produce fictional works that have the power, weight and impact of novels like The Road or The Grapes of Wrath? Paul Pope wrote about this last year over on the First Second Blog. It's a topic definitely worth thinking about and discussing as the graphic novel has unlimited potential.

Keith Richards

2008-07-21T10:54:00.002-04:00

So I got a little carried away here. What was a simple colored pencil sketch of Richards was then inked, scanned and toyed with in Photoshop. Having just read an article about old Duo-Shade paper, I attempted to re-create the effect in Photoshop—the result being the second image.

I really used to love old comics and illustrations that used Duo-Shade or Zip-a-Tone.

Chester Arthur

2008-06-12T15:04:00.002-04:00

Chester Arthur—21st President of the U.S.
Arthur was sworn in after James Garfield was assassinated in 1881.

Crazy looking fella!

AC Works!

2008-06-12T15:00:00.002-04:00

Big thanks to our neighbors Jane & Chris Brayton for dinner at their place while our loft was ROASTING and for getting the HVAC company to actually send someone out to fix our unit! The past 4-5 days were rough, but last night...I set the temp for 70 degrees and slept in cool comfort.

Eisner/Miller

2008-06-09T09:08:00.001-04:00

I was talking with a friend about Will Eisner & Frank Miller while reading the Eisner/Miller interview book that came out in 2005. I can't recommend the book enough to anyone that is interested in the craft, history and psychology of these two comic giants. Below is an exchange between the two men that I believe sums up their work and themselves completely:

Eisner: I want to get my reader by his lapels, and I want to make him think and I want to make him cry because of what I'm telling him.

Miller: What I want to do is make him stop breathing!

Eisner: The way I tell stories, I'm writing a letter to somebody. And I'm telling them about the past. I'm telling somebody about what happened yesterday.

Miller: And I feel like I'm giving them a harassing phone call (laughter)!

Isn't that great?!

Golda Meir

2008-06-09T09:05:00.000-04:00

It's HOT!!!

2008-06-09T08:39:00.003-04:00

The AC in our new home isn't working, so these past few days have been pretty trying for the wife and I while we wait for someone to come over and service the unit. So we've been spending a lot of time on the roof once the sun starts to set...there's usually a pretty good breeze up there. But sleeping hasn't been fun at all.

Our friend Akiko told us that back home in Japan there is something called the "Uncomfortability Index" that lets people know how hot & hazy it's going to be that day.

Right now, I'm ranking at least a 90 on my personal "Uncomfortability Index".

grumble grumble grumble...

????

2008-05-21T17:43:00.004-04:00

???

Ernest Hemingway

2008-05-19T09:57:00.003-04:00

Ernest Hemingway. White pencil on red watercolor.
Go read something.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

2008-05-13T14:13:00.003-04:00

Franz Ferdinand, the Austrian Archduke whose assassination led to the start of World War I — obviously not Franz Ferdinand the Scottish band.

A song for today...

2008-05-05T17:51:00.002-04:00

Just thought that I should post this today. It's a great, great song from 2001.

Rival Schools —The Switch

Otto Von Bismarck—The Iron Chancellor!

2008-04-29T09:33:00.003-04:00

Beware the Iron Chancellor, for he shall CRUSH you!

Refreshments will be served...

2008-04-28T11:25:00.003-04:00

Here's a funny little party invite I did for a friend's 30th birthday shindig. She's promising all involved a tough night followed by a rough morning....

Stonewall Jackson

2008-04-25T09:45:00.003-04:00

I sketched this in the first few days after our move when I couldn't find any of my usual tools, including my pencil sharpener. So...this is pretty rough due to the pastel pencils I used being quite dull.

Not my favorite sketch, but it serves its' intended purpose of being a warm-up.

Teddy Roosevelt

2008-04-23T11:16:00.002-04:00

Here's a very quick, very small, very rough sketch of Teddy Roosevelt.

George Bernard Shaw

2008-04-22T10:51:00.003-04:00

A recent warm up sketch of famous Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. As you can tell, the scanner is back up and running.

More sketches of random historical figures to follow regularly...

View from the NEW DIGS

2008-04-10T10:57:00.007-04:00

My scanner still isn't hooked up; so while warm-up sketches exist to post, it will have to wait until I find my connection wires and get everything up and running. Luckily, I was able to find our camera and decided to head up to the roof and snap a few pics to post.

Here's the Boston city skyline.

The city skyline with the park that's right outside our door.

A partial view of the block as it leads down to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross...where I'll be spending my Sunday mornings in repentance for my Saturday nights....

The incredible mural at the park.
"Soul Revival" indeed, kids!