Scott Wegener Commission

Yesterday Atomic Robo and The Deadly Art of Science #4 (of 5) came out, written by Brian Clevinger and drawn by Scott Wegener. And since it's been a while since I posted one of the commissions in my collection so figured I wouldpost this one done by Wegener back in 2008.

Unlike the bulk of my collection which I obtain while at conventions, this one I actually commissioned away from a con, emailing Wegener, sending him the money, and waiting for the piece to be mailed to my home. At the time, my collection was filled with lots of 'angelic' poses of Supergirl so I asked for something more action-based.

I love this piece.

First off, I love Wegener's retro-appearing giant robots. I mean, this thing could be fighting Superman in an old Fleisher Studios cartoon. Second, I love the perspective here, looking down on the robot. At first it looks like Supergirl is simply flying, but then you realize she is sort of perpendicular to the ground as she soars over this robot's shoulder. The ink-wash adds a lot of depth to the piece as well. Just a great commission.

I have been on board with Atomic Robo since the first mini-series was released way back in late 2007. Clevinger and Wegener have been the creative team on all the minis, taking Robo on adventures throughout the 2oth and 21st centuries with a range of material from somber WWII stories to wacky adventures facing scientist dinosaurs. Robo is definitely worth checking out.

Boston Comicon And A Stephane Roux Commission

This weekend is the next Boston Comic Con ( http://www.bostoncomiccon.com/ )!

This convention just keeps growing in terms of size and the creators that it is bringing in. You might recall that at the last convention I got to meet Jim Cheung and Mike Allred (http://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2009/04/boston-comiccon-roundup-and-jimmy.html ). At prior cons I have met Carmine Infantino, Jim Steranko, and others.
This convention seems huge with a lot of big names in comics in attendance.

The list of creators this time is incredible and includes Walt and Louise Simonson, Tim Sale, Herb Trimpe, Khoi Pham, Cliff Chiang, Geof Darrow, Dave Mack, Mike McKone, Stephane Roux, Jim Calafiore, and Scott Wegener.

That means I have a lot of issues to bring for signatures and a veritable smorgasbord of talented artists from whom to try to grab a commission. I realize that I have been doing this a while when I already have commissions from some of the guests attending. I already have posted myCliff Chiang and Scott Wegener commissions.

Here is a Stephane Roux commission I got at the Baltimore Comic Con in 2007.



I loved Roux's run as the cover artist on Birds Of Prey so sought him out at the beginning of the convention. I was at the bottom of his list so his agent wasn't sure if Roux would be able to get to it. But then the agent told Roux that he had not brought any bristol board paper for the artist to use. Armed with a full pad, I exchanged a stack of paper to be moved higher on the list.

The result is this very heroic shot of Supergirl rushing into action. I love the pleated skirt.

I am sure that he will have a full list again.

As for me, I have two main targets.

One is Tim Sale. I loved his story in his issue of Solo so much it was one of the first back issues I reviewed on this blog ( http://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2008/06/it-came-from-back-issue-box-solo-1-tim.html). Sale has such a classic look. I plan to run to his table in hopes of getting on his short list.

I also really like Jim Calafiore's style so I have contacted him and reserved a spot on his commission list. Calafiore's stuff was great on Gotham Underground. And, yes I am admitting I collected Countdown, but I thought his stuff there was very good too. I think he does a very good Donna Troy.

Anyways, I am sure I will provide an update and post any commissions I get early next week.

Scott Wegener Commission

The Boston Comic-con was on Sunday and, as usual, it was a fun time. The guests of honor were Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing fame) and Peter Laird (TMNT fame). But there were plenty of other artists there, including one of my new favorites Scott Wegener.

I was able to get this great commission of Supergirl, striking a heroic and friendly pose with Wegener's signature character, Atomic Robo. What a fun commission ... my first 2 character commission with Kara.

I briefly talked about Atomic Robo on this blog before. It is a great comic produced by Red 5 comics, written by Brian Clevinger, and primarily drawn by Wegener.

Robo is a sentient robot brought to life by Nikola Tesla in the 20's and granted citizenship by the US government during WW2. The stories in the first mini-series ranged from some World War 2 combat missions, to the Korean War, to stranger adventures involving walking pyramids and giant ants, etc.

Robo works with 'Action Scientists' and they are called in to face these crazy threats. The first mini-series was great fun and reminded me of times when comics did not need an undercurrent of grimness. The adventures are fun with outright humor. It has a feel of Indiana Jones and early sci-fi. The comic was good enough to be nominated for an Eisner Award last year for 'Best Limited Series'.

The second mini-series is titled 'Dogs of War' and takes place again in WW2, as Robo helps the army stop some experimental German walking tanks.

Clevinger's plots are great and his dialogue is right on the money. When it needs to be serious, it is serious. You can't have a beachhead invasion be all fun and games. But when it needs some humor, that's there too.

Wegener has a pretty distinct style; I get a hint of early Ted McKeever sometimes.

Robo is one of the titles I just really look forward to each month. The first mini was collected in a trade and available on-line. As for the 'Dogs of War', I highly recommend it. Definitely look for it in your local comic book store or ask for it if you don't see it. It is really a wonderful comic.

And I just love that commission. It is a really nice addition to my collection.

Grass Roots Support for Supergirl #34

The cover of Sleeper #1, the masterful super-hero noir by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips seems a strange sight on a Supergirl blog. But Supergirl #34 is coming out tomorrow and I am asking people to talk it up if it lives up to expectations, if it is as great as Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle promise it will be.

DC is doing there part with a lot of buzz including a nice interview from Gates and Igle discussing all the things we have heard about this issue (http://www.newsarama.com/comics/090830-Supergirl34.html) as well as preview pages of the issue on Newsarama later today! Hooray to DC for plugging the book so much!

I put Sleeper up today to remind everyone that fans talking about the book and plugging it is as valid as a media push.

I almost didn't get Sleeper. I almost missed out on one of my absolute favorite titles from the last 5 years. The only reason I bought it was because I was lucky enough to be in my comic book store and overheard a couple of guys talking about how great it was. I knew and enjoyed Phillips from his Hellblazer run, but I had never really heard of Ed Brubaker before.

Anyways, these guys talked so highly of the series that I went out and bought the issues and then Sleeper: Season Two. If I hadn't heard them, I may not have. And then I would not have learned that Brubaker is so phenomenal and might not have bought his stellar runs of Captain America and Daredevil (2 characters I have never purchased regularly before). It led to Iron Fist and Criminal and other books of his.

Word of mouth is powerful.



In much the same way, I almost missed Matt Fraction's trippy and innovative Casanova. I was in my comic store when a store worker who I had befriended in that customer/cashier sort of way strongly recommended I buy the issue. He was so enamored of the book that he said if I read it and didn't like it, I could return it. That's how sure he was about the greatness of the book. And he was right.

This also tipped me off to Matt Fraction, which led me to Iron Fist and now Iron Man, 2 characters I also never read before.




As for me, I did my part talking up Atomic Robo (wittily written by Brian Clevinger and distinctly drawn by Soctt Wegener) at my store and spreading the word about how great and fun that series is. It is well worth reading!

Anyways ... word of mouth is powerful.

So if we Kara fans read Supergirl #34 and think that it is great (something I think is going to be true based on everything I have read about it and what Gates and Igle have leaked), we should talk it up. Whether it be grass roots in a brick and mortar comic store, or on the web ... spread the word!

It is a good time to be a Supergirl fan!