Artists I Love That You’ve Never Heard Of

Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 January 2010 09:54 Written by Scott Wegna Wednesday, 20 January 2010 09:53

artists-i-love-that-youve-never-heard-of

Oh, before I launch into this, the Comic Art House has been running a huge sale on my work. If you ever wanted to own a page or two of Atomic Robo, but you’re cheap and/or poor, now’s your chance! And because I really am poor you’d be helpin’ a brutha out.  Heh. =)

Just a quick post this week, and I apologize for it being a few days late. I’ve been bashing my head on Robo 4.2 for over two months now, and in the final few days leading up to it’s completion I’ve had little time for anything else. But over the last week I’ve received a new pin-up, and then a few comics from folks who dwell outside the insular White Tower think tank that is Team Robo, and it got me thinking about other people’s pulpy sci-fi goodness and how because of the nature of comics, and more specifically self published and Indie comics, most people have never seen them.

So I thought that today, as I recover from 4.2 and get prepared for 4.3, I would take a moment to give a shout out to a couple of guy’s that have been on my mind lately. If you think you’re one of these guys and i don’t mention you please don’t look too deeply into that. The work of these guys has literally been shoved under my nose in the past couple of days, or it’s work they sent me that has been languishing in my Inbox for months and I finally had a minute to look at it.

Via Red5 I just got a copy of an excellent Robo pin-up by Chris Houghton who does the extremely entertaining REED GUNTHER with his brother Shane. While Brian is currently buried in the script for Robo 5.1 I hope to talk him into writing a few more B-Sides so we can get Chris to illustrate one.

I *think* we will be seeing a Robo pin-up from frequent Blog Poster Matt Bennett in Robo 4.1. My memory for these things is mushy at best. Matt is also one of the movers and shakers who does MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURE MAGAZINE and I was quite excited to get the Spring and Summer 2009 issues in the mail the other day. Thanks Matt!

MAM (heh) is a very pulpy anthology, and whenever I think of modern pulp tow guys always spring to mind instantly; Dave Flora and Anthony Schiavino. And yes, I always have to Google Anthony to make sure I’m spelling his last name correctly. Anthony has his fingers in so many creative pies that I’m starting to think his digits can’t be the only think covered in sweet fruity pie filling. But specifically what comes to mind is his two-fisted SERGEANT ZERO.

Dave is the creative mind behind GHOST ZERO and DOC MONSTER. If I could marry these comics I would. I love them that much. Every now and then someone will say to me, “Wouldn’t it be great to do a Robo cross-over with Hellboy, or maybe the Goon?” My usualy response it to lunge across the convention table at them and while I’m joking the life out of them I explain that cross-overs are the stupidest thing to ever happen to comic books because it mixes characters from different fictional worlds that often work on very different sets of rules. It’s Fanboy service at it’s worst.

But I would totally do a Robo/Doc Monster cross-over, even though there are no little Grey Men and flying saucers in Robo’s universe. Dave’s work is that awesome.

RANDOM SPLENDOR

None of this work is published here with anyone’s permission. Sue me.


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artists-i-love-that-youve-never-heard-of
  • Wou might be wondering why I bought "HexBreakers" sight unseen. Well, it's art by Scott, and I couldn't let the chance pass to acquire it.
  • Sorry, Brian. I meant, the finished published story.
  • "when I googled for where I could find the completed story, with text and and all. No luck so far."
    If you mean buying the book it appeared in: Popgun Vol 2 from Image Comics.

    If you mean buying the original art with text and everything, not going to happen. All the coloring and lettering is digital.
  • ...his first official foray into pencils only..."

    So I gathered, Brian, when I googled for where I could find the completed story, with text and and all. No luck so far. Of course I'll have the whole thing framed as soon as I get my yearly review, which will hopefully be accompanied by a raise.

    Calling this a nice score for me is an understatement.
  • There was a package for me when I came home tonight. A package from the Comic Art House. Scott's "HexBreaker".Now that's what I call a bonus well spent. Woot!
  • Nice score. I think that was his first official foray into pencils only.
  • Thanks for the shout out Scott! Lookin' forward to drawing an Atomic Robo short story!
  • Oh, there's no need to apologize. It's a good question, but any answer he gives is going to be incomplete and mutable because it's the kind of question you can never fully answer.
  • "My greatest influence was Ditko. No! It was Schultz. No! It was..."

    That being said, my apologies for the question. And I wanted to reiterate (or iterate if I never said it before) that I love what the two of you do together.
  • I've noticed Scott's answer changes depending on his mood and which inspirations he remembers each time he's put on the spot with that question.
  • I've been meaning to ask Scott which artists he'd call his strongest influences. I find myself thinking of Mignola and Hergé. Yes, that does sound like a bizarre combination.
  • TimothyT
    It makes me feel good to know that I already knew a couple of those comics. Must check out the others though. My Atomic Robo Volume 3 arrived today and I must say it's the best one yet. Especially the colours.
  • ljlucy, he does! What's worse is that he knows it....... ;)
    Thanks for the kind words about Doc and GZ, Scott......I'm going to owe you a few drinks when we finally meet up!
    -Dave Flora
  • ljlucy
    Doc Monster has a nice ass
  • Scott... I meant the one used as the main illustration in the "sketchy business" section of your art-sale display. My apologies for not making myself clear.
  • Who's the cute girl with the eye-endowed ball? Hmmm... Our wedding anniversary IS coming up soon, and the maker of that scale-model of the Time Machine looks like he'll never release it.
  • Scott!
    What are we talking about now?
  • That we do and I couldn't be happier. It's a publication I all but push on people every chance I get. There might also be something a little bit more. ;-) And Scott...check your email if you haven't already.
  • Very cool of you, Thanks alot, Scott.
    Anthony and Dave are comrades in arms as well- both have a feature in our next issue.
  • Thanks for the gracious mention Scott! This just made my day. That and the fact I just got an email this morning of pencils from Simone that had a branding iron on it...hmmm.... I guess Dave and I didn't tell you that I actually write a Ghost Zero/Doc Monster tale called Ghost Zero: Flight of the Radioactive Corpse! And yes it has UFOs. I should email it to you...
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