Josh's Blog

NEW ART (and more...)

Been a while since I posted some new art, so here's a small chunk of commissions from the past few months. If you follow me on Twitter, you may have already seen some of these.

Also, look for news on a new sketchbook in the not too distant future. I usually do a couple a year, in the summer and fall, but I didn't have one last fall, mainly to focus on the Dead@17 support drive. So look for that soon!

 

GOODBYE 2011...

As the year closes, I just want to take a moment to thank everyone for their continued support of me and my work, especially those that contributed to the Dead@17 support drive over the past couple of months, as well as those that purchase commissions and bid on my auctions. I am truly grateful.

2011 marks a strange year for me in a lot of ways.This was the first year since I was first published in 2003 that I produced or released no new comics work (more on that in a bit). But I still stayed busy with plenty of commission work as well as two new artbooks, Never After 2 and the Dead@17 Sketchbook. 2012 promises to be my biggest and busiest year yet with the release of the final chapter of Dead@17 (which I am currently hard at work on!), the Dead@17 Pin-Up Book, and hopefully by the end of the year, the launch of an all new original series. Also in the cards is Starship Kansas, a book I've been collaborating on with Otis Frampton. I've seen the first several pages and they look AMAZING. The work is slow going because we're both busy guys, but I hope it will see the light of day sometime in 2012.

Finally, I can't close the year out without mentioning the passing of my father-in-law, Vic Sittler. While I had things lined up to begin work on the final chapter to D@17 way back in March, those plans were quickly derailed by a visit from the police in the middle of night on April 8. Vic's death was sudden, tragic, and unexpected, and his loss is felt everyday. He was energetic, full of life, and always had a story to tell. He had an emormous impact on me and my family, and he will be forever missed. Rest in peace, Vic.

THE DEAD@17 FINALE - HOW YOU CAN HELP!

**UPDATED 12/3** All Sketch editions are sold out. I've also temporarily removed pre-orders for the regular edition until closer to time of publication. But a few Silver and Gold Pin-Up spots still remain!

**UPDATED 11/2** Second round of Bronze level are gone. 5 Silver and 2 Gold remain, as well as 8 Sketch edition books.

**UPDATED 10/31** In order to provide more options and help meet the rest of my goal, I've decided to break up a couple of the larger spots into smaller ones. There are now additional Silver and Bronze level pin-up spots available (see below)
**UPDATED 10/29**

**UPDATED 10/27** All Silver level Pin-Ups are now taken

**UPDATED 10/24** (So far the reponse has been overwhelming - I've reached nearly 2/3 of my goal in 3 days. Thanks to each and every one of you who have offered your support. There are still a few spots available in most categories, but they are going fast)

Dead@17 is nearing its grand finale, and you can be a part of it!

These economic times have been hard on most all of us, and the comic industry is no different. Indie books and publishers have been hit especially hard, and Dead@17 is right there with them, with the most recent series, The Witch Queen, taking a substantial hit. In order to keep going and be able to complete the Dead@17 series as I intend it, and to ensure that it sees publication sometime within this decade, I require your help!

I’m offering a tiered system where in exchange for your support you can get some unique or one-of-a-kind items and actually leave your mark on the series.

The main avenue of support is, for lack of a better title, the Dead@17 Pin-Up book. This full-color book, which will be published late Spring/early Summer of next year, will feature all new, never-before-seen pin-ups of the characters and events from the series – all of which will be drawn by me and decided upon by you!

I’m offering 22 spots, broken down by support level (see below). Whichever level you choose, not only will you receive the original artwork, but you will assist in deciding the theme and subject of your pin-up. Nara and Hazy at the beach or dressing up for Halloween, or even a recreation of a scene from the books – it’s up to you! Even “imaginary” scenarios are cool - Nara as a pulp-style space girl or Asia as a gunslinger – as long as it’s interesting, fun, and retains the spirit of the series and characters. (So please, no nudity or sexual situations, but cute and sexy is always okay)

(Also, you don't have to know right now what you want your pin-up to be in order to secure a spot - you have a few months to figure that out. But if you already know what you want, that's fine too!)

The other area of support is your chance to own a page of original art from Dead@17: The Final Chapter. I am offering 30 spots total, broken down into 3 categories, Gold ($200), Silver ($100) and Bronze ($50). While you are buying the art in advance, sight unseen, you will get your choice of art in the order that your support is received, depending on the level you choose. Also, since this is planned to be a 100 plus page finale, offering only 30 spots ensures the best selection of pages. The first 10 spots, or Gold level, get first dibs of the most popular pages like splashes, big character shots, or important moments. The next 10 spots, or Silver level, then have their choice of the remaining 90 plus pages, and so on.

- Your support ensures that I will be able to spend the next 5 to 6 months devoting my time to working on and completing the final chapter to Dead@17. The current estimated publication date is Spring/Summer 2012. The exact format, straight-to-trade or traditional mini-series, is yet to be determined. I am personally aiming for trade, but the final decision may rest with the publisher.

- Every single person who contributes will get their name listed in the Dead@17 series finale credits as a supporter.

- You are free to purchase multiple slots across any and all categories.

- All books and artwork are scheduled to ship upon publication, estimated to be Spring/Summer 2012

Here’s how it all breaks down: (Please note – minimal shipping charges will apply.)

Dead@17 Pin-Up book

$25 – Pre-orders no longer available. Will be offered again in the Spring. A signed copy of the Dead@17 Pin-Up book

$50 – (20 spots All spots taken) A copy of the Dead@17 Pin-Up book with an original head sketch on inside front cover

-$5 shipping domestic/$10 international

Dead@17 Pin-Up Art (these spots include a free copy of the Pin-Up book)

$100 – (Bronze Level - 5 spots taken 5 additional spots All spots taken) 1 character 11x17 piece for the Dead@17 Pin-Up Book, black and white, no background

$250 – (Silver Level - 10 spots taken 5 additional spots) 1 to 2 character 11x17 piece for the Dead@17 Pin-Up Book, digitally colored, minimal background

$500 - (Gold Level - 5 spots 2 spots left) Up to 4 character 11x17 piece for the Dead@17 Pin-Up Book, digitally colored, full background (zombies & other creatures can count as background elements in this instance)

$1000 – (1 spot) taken The Cover. No set rules for this one, but I will provide general direction and will seek your input on details, layout, and character selection.

-$10 shipping domestic/$15 international

Dead@17: The Final Chapter – Original Art

$50 – (10 spots all spots filled) Original Art (Bronze Level) – Choice of art from Dead@17: The Final Chapter, after Gold and Silver Level (in order received)

$100 – (10 spots all spots filled) Original Art (Silver Level) – Choice of art from Dead@17: The Final Chapter, after Gold Level (in order received)

$200 - (10 spots all spots filled) Original Art (Gold Level) –First dibs on art from Dead@17: The Final Chapter (in order received)

-$10 shipping domestic/$15 international

IMPORTANT!! How to place your order:

1) Send an email (see email link under "Menu" on the right sidebar) with the headline: DEAD@17 SUPPORT

1) In the body of your email, list the area(s) of support you are interested in.

3) If requested spots are available, you will receive a Paypal invoice for the total amount, including shipping. Timely payments are appreciated, but I’ll gladly work with you if certain arrangements need to be made.

4) If for some reason your requested spot(s) are not available, you will be given the opportunity to select another area of support if you wish.

And that about covers it! Please help spread the word to other fans. I will do my best to continuously update this space with sell-outs and availability. If I missed anything or if you have any further questions, you can contact me by email or in the comments section below. I want to express my thanks and gratitude to all of you in advance for helping to make this a possibility. Thank you!!

BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN

In a Halloween sort of mood...

This piece, and more, now on Ebay.

TNG ANIMATED *UPDATED*

The popularity of my TNG animated style piece has taken me a bit by surprise! So I've decided to make it available as a limited edition print.

The prints will be 11x17 and printed on high quality 120lb. Lustro cover paper. All prints will be hand signed.

Expected ship date is mid-October.

Prints are now sold out. Thanks everyone!

 

PRINTS!

Yes, I've finally got a few prints available. Most of these were available at Comic Con earlier this year. This isn't all of them yet - I will be adding more in the coming days and weeks.

I'm in the process of getting a storefront put together, but in the meantime just use these handy links:

Ariel

Ariel 2

Dorothy

Miss Muffet

Snow White

 

 

TNG ANIMATED

In honor of Star Trek: The Next Generation's upcoming 25th anniversary, I whipped up this animated style take on the crew just for fun (I would personally love to draw a whole comic in this style). Up next... DS9 perhaps?

For a larger version click here.

COMMISSIONS

Open commissions are now closed. If you missed out, I may open them up again before the year is over (if time allows), so check back periodically, or just contact me privately. Thanks to all of you who grabbed a spot.

I have a few open commission slots available for October/November. Sign up by purchasing your slot on the right. There are no color or extra character options for this round - just single character, black and white pieces at 9x12 ($70) and 11x17 ($120). (You can indicate what you'd like in the notes section upon checkout. If not, just send me a separate email.)

I won't keep this window open for long - once all spots are filled, that's it.

Let me know if you have any questions!

SKETCHBOOKS

I'm back and slowly recovering from the whirlwind that is Comic Con. As of today, all sketchbook pre-orders have shipped.

I have a very limited number of Never After and the Dead @ 17 Sketchbook left. Ordering info is the same (see right), $20 each or both for $30. All books come signed. Please allow 2 weeks for delivery (or a bit longer if international).

To get your hands on some of the prints I was offering at the show, please check back in a couple of weeks.

**UPDATE** Books are now sold out. All orders have shipped.