To kick off my weekly comic strip poems, I decided to give you two to give you an idea of what they'll be like.
(Click on them for larger view)
Check back every Wednesday for a new comic strip poem.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Weekly Comic Strip: #1 & 2
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Coming Soon: Weekly Comic Strip
Tomorrow I intend to begin a weekly comic strip on this blog.
I've been working on a number of pieces that I see as sort of "comic strip poems." I think most people expect comic strips to be funny, and those people will be disappointed with my strip. There's nothing really funny in these strips... well, I think some of them are funny, but my fiancée is always quick to point out that my sense of humor is skewed toward the surreal and thus not funny to anyone outside of my head... These strip-poems are more personal, contemplative and mysterious, I guess.
Anyway, I'm really excited about these "poems." I've restricted myself to the 4 panel format of the comic strip as an exercise in minimalist story-telling. This is also a challenge to myself in the use of words in my comics, since I usually make "silent" comics. Each "poem" is self contained, but as I'm working on the series, many of them are beginning to draw sub-conscious connections to each other. So, perhaps they will all tell some kind of non-linear story in the end- who knows?
I hope to be posting them every Wednesday (Wednesday is new comic book day for all of us geeks) beginning tomorrow and lasting as long as I can keep up with them. But I guarantee at least 16 of them to arrive on time because that's how many I've drawn so far.
I hope you enjoy them. Please feel free to make comments.
Friday, February 01, 2008
BEASTS II!
Jacob Covey edited an awesome book for Fantagraphics called Beasts! It includes 90 artists doing their own interpretations of mythical monsters and beasts from around the world. The book was so successful, that he's decided to do a sequel: Beasts! 2. And I'm gonna be in it.
I chose the Skinwalker for my beast. It's sort of the Navajo (and Norse) version of a werewolf, but they can change into other things like hawks, coyotes, bears, etc.
Here is my version of a Skinwalker sort of in the middle of transformation:
The book should be out sometime this summer.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
The Return of the 4 Horse-Men
Your favorite Art Fraternity, The Igloo Tornado, returns with another stellar art show February 23rd at Black Maria Gallery.
BE THERE OR SUFFER!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Wizard on Melvins Comic Book
Wizard Magazine had a little web feature on my Mevlins comic the other day. Read it here.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Melvins Comic Book progress...
Here are the first few pages of the Melvins comic book I'm working on for Hydra Head Records. (click for larger view)
As some may notice, the first page is influenced by several of George Grosz's street scene drawings. There are other pages in the story that are similarly homaged to Grosz and Daumier.
The words that the Talking Horse are speaking are what I have deciphered as some of the lyrics to songs from the album. Though, forgive me if some of them aren't completely accurate- I couldn't get the lyrics from Buzz because he said they were never "typed out." So, they are what I think I heard in some of the songs. The character who pulls the horse's head off is supposed to be the Blood Witch (track 2 of the album). And in the last couple of panels of page 6, you can see The Civilized Worm (track 3), an armless legless man creeping into the picture.
These are all the preview pages that I'll be posting. You'll have to get the book for the rest of the story.
The full book should be right around 22 pages. I'm not sure when it will be released yet- some of that depends on how fast I can finish the book. The book is for a limited edition box set from Hydra Head Records. I will also probably do some mini-comics versions to take to comic conventions this summer.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Part 1 of my interview with Daily Crosshatch
Yesterday I did a phone interview with Brian Heater for The Daily Crosshatch. Go read part 1 now.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
#9 out of 50
Over at The Comics Journal website, The Blot made it to #9 in Dirk Deppey's Top 50 comics of 2007 list.
The Blot has made it onto several "best of '07" lists this year. I haven't been able to keep track of all of them. But thanks to everyone who put it on their list. I'm really awed by how well the book has done in it's first 6 months.
I've begun writing a new book that I hope to complete by '09. I hope it can live up to all the expectations of everyone talking about my "promising new talent."
Friday, January 18, 2008
The World is Full of Evil!
My pals over at Hydra Head Records are putting out a fancy, limited edition vinyl version of "(a) senile animal" by The Melvins. They had the bright idea of asking me to do a comic book inspired by the album. Having been a HUGE and LONGTIME fan of The Melvins, I of course said "Hell Yeah!"
Above is the first page that I inked today. The whole comic will be 22 pages long. In keeping with the surreal nature of the band, the story is quite strange. Instead of trying to interpret the album, I used the song titles as inspiration for the characters (such as: A Talking Horse, The Civilized Worm, and Blood Witch) and then wrote a story around them.
I'll post some more updates as I go along with this project.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
SUPERTRASH
There's a film festival and art show going on up in Portland next month. It's sponsored by Night Gallery, Floating World Comics and Fantagraphics.
The artists were asked to do their own interpretation of a movie poster from a real sci-fi/horror/xploitation film.
I chose Lifeforce the 1985 Tobe Hooper movie about space vampires that suck electricity out of you.
Here's my interpretation of that (click for larger view): 
That movie scared the crap out of me when I was a kid, but I think it left a pretty deep impression in my brain. I recently re-watched it and it's still a great, weird, sci-fi-horror movie.
The festival info is here:
“SUPERTRASH”
72 HR FEST OF MOVIES / MERCHANDISE / LIVE PERFORMANCE / ART EXHIBITION
WHO: Night Gallery, Floating World Comics, Tease-O-Rama, Famous Mysterious Actor Show
WHAT: 72 hr Fest of Movies / Merchandise / Live Performance / Art Exhibition
WHEN: Friday, Feb 1st - Sunday, Feb. 3rd, 2008
WHERE: Bagdad Theater
3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR 97214
Monday, January 07, 2008
Self Indulgent Werewolf Soundtrack
For those of you that missed my solo show at Black Maria last September, you can now get the soundtrack album over at the Hydra Head Records online store
Though, I must warn that the name "self indulgent" definitely applies here. I'm not really a musician, but I've been playing guitar for about 16 years now, and banjo for 2 years. I've always enjoyed messing around with music, and was even in a couple of bands in high school. When I was trying to think of what music I'd like to listen to at the opening of my show, I had the idea of making my own music and releasing an album. So, I started experimenting with recording various ideas in protools and editing them together. Most of the music started as improvised bits of music that were then edited together. My brother is an awesome composer and he helped to produce the final product of the album- helping me turn my improvised sound messes into somewhat coherent pieces. The result is a mixture of experimental, abstract, ambience, folk and metal styles and I'm pretty proud of it
The album is available on vinyl only, and comes with a silkscreened cover on both silver and gold metallic paper. Limited edition of 130 signed and numbered copies. I won't be making any more of these when they are gone.
So, if you're interested, go buy a copy. And while you're over at the Hydra Head store, check them out because they put out a lot of good music including some of my favorite current bands like ISIS, Jesu, Big Business, Pelican, Xasthur and more... Having been a long time fan of this label and a lot of these bands I'm honored that they were generous enough to help me sell my records through their store.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
This will be our year...
Happy 2008!
Wow- this past year has been amazing. I finished and published my first graphic novel, had an awesome solo show, recorded an album, won my first Ignatz Award, got several amazing reviews, and was a part of a few great group shows.
But the best part of 2007 was going to Hawaii and getting engaged to the best girl in the world!
Thanks to everyone who's been a part of an amazing 2007. I couldn't have done it without all the help and support I've gotten from all my great friends and family. Thank you to everyone who bought my book, let me sleep on their floor while touring, gave me a show, shared a convention table, came to my art shows, wrote a review, interviewed me, hung out with me, etc, etc, etc...
2008 should be even bigger and better. I've already got another art show with the Igloo Tornado lined up, I'm working on some new comics, and I'll be taking The Blot to several new comic conventions around the country. And, of course, me and Anna are gettin' hitched!
Last night we quietly toasted the new year together at home with our dog- just some champaigne, a movie and board games. A perfect way to start the year that we'll be getting married.
The first song we listened to in 2008 was "This Will Be Our Year" by the Zombies.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
He LIKES it!
I just got a copy of the latest Comics Journal (#287) and it has an awesomely good review of The Blot by Chris Mautner (who may or may not be the same as this Chris Mautner).
I don't think there is a version of it online, so go get a copy and read it. The cover story is a long interview with Jeffrey Brown.
I showed the review to my friends at the shop and they said "WOW! The Comics Journal hates everything."
As I was leaving the comic shop, I was reading the review while walking down the street... and I stepped in dog-shit. So, the universe balances itself.
Monday, December 17, 2007
The Blot on Salon.com list!
Wow! Douglas Wolk picked me as one of the best graphic novels of 2007 over at Salon.com. Thank you!!!
If you haven't read Wolk's book "Reading Comics", I highly recommend it. It's a great collection of essays on various cartoonists, with a couple of essays on the need for good criticism in the comics world.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
super*MARKET L.A.
It's funny... two weeks ago, I was talking to someone about how I wish there was an indie comics festival in L.A. 4 years ago there was a pretty good one, but it disappeared. Then a friend mentioned that it was back and I wondered "Why the hell didn't anyone tell me?" Well, luckily I managed to get a table at the last minute and I will be exhibiting at super*MARKET L.A. this Saturday afternoon.
I'll have copies of The Blot and my 3 giclée prints available for sale.
My pal David King will be joining me with some of his mini-comics.
super*MARKET will be a great place to get some last minute holiday shopping for anyone who knows a fan of great comics. It seems like every cartoonist in L.A. will be exhibiting there.
It's at Meltdown Comics in Hollywood this Saturday, December 15th, from 11am to 6pm
Unfortunately, I'll have to leave around 3 or 4, so get there early to get my stuff!
(above illustration by Martin Cendreda)
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Top 13
I'm working on a Top 5 list of comics from 2007 for another blog right now.
To help me shorten the list, I set a couple of rules for myself: I'm intentionally leaving out collections (such as Joe Matt's Spent or Adrian Tomine's Shortcomings) because they collect stories that were previously published as comic books. I'm also leaving out anthologies (such as Mome) because I don't want to single out an individual story by one artist in a book by several artists, and I've yet to read an anthology that I loved cover to cover.
Weeding it down to my favorites of the year I have a list of 13 that will have to be whittled down further for my top 5:
1. Reich by Elijah J. Brubaker (Sparkplug Comic Books)
This is one of the best biography comics I've ever read. A really good read, and the art is well done.
2. Lucky Vol. 2 # 1 Gabrielle Bell (Drawn & Quarterly)
Gabrielle continues to be one of my favorite writers in comics today.
3. The End by Anders Nilson (Fantagraphics)
I wanted to include "Don't Go Where I Can't Follow" but I loooked to find that it was published in 2006. The End is sort of a companion piece to that book, and I highly recommend both books, and everything else by Anders. He is currently my favorite contemporary cartoonist.
4. Sammy the Mouse by Zak Sally (Fantagraphics)
If you haven't read his previous book The Recidivist, go read it now. Sammy the Mouse is the beginning of what looks to be a very interesting story.
5. Injury Comics #1 by Ted May (Buenaventura Press)
I wish Ted May was the editor in chief at Marvel Comics.
6. Bat man by Josh Simmons (Josh Simmons)
The creepiest, weirdest batman story you'll never read.
7. Bluefuzz the Hero by Jesse Reklaw (Slow Wave)
Reklaw, who wrote my favorite comic of 2006 Couch Tag #3, gets some of his D&D obsessions out in this wonderful little mini-comic.
8. Reporter #6 by Dylan Williams (Sparkplug Comic Books)
Dylan is proving to be one of the most original voices in contemporary comics. He's unlike anyone else. So much so that I don't feel like I fully "get" him, but I really want to.
9. Service Industry by T. Edward Bak (Bodega)
Quite simply the best single story I've read in comics in a long time.
10. House by Josh Simmons (Fantagraphics)
Creepy... really creepy. I love horror movies, but am always disappointed with horror comiss. Not this time.
11. Windy Corner #1 by Austin English (Sparkplug Comic Books)
Austin English is a poetic genius and his new magazine is a must read.
12. Storeyville by Frank Santoro (Picturebox)
I can't put my finger on why I liked this book so much.
13. 1-800 Mice by Matthew Thurber (Picturebox)
There are a lot of people doing "Art" comics that are just confused, drug-addled wastes of paper. Thurber is giving us a confused, drug-addled masterpiece.
Other things I've loved this year are a lot of reprints such as the Popeye, Krazy Kat and Peanuts books published by Fantagraphics, Walt and Skeezix and Moomin books published by Drawn & Quarterly, all the awesome Jack Kirby hardcover omnibuses that are out now from various publishers, and King Cat Classix by John Porcelino (Drawn & Quarterly). Also of note: The Incredible Changebots by Jeffrey Brown and Fox Bunny Funny by Andy Hartzell. One more: so far I'm really liking the series Omega the Unknown by Jonathan Lethem and Farel Dalrymple.
Here's hoping my book The Blot will make it into some other "Top" lists of 2007.
Lastly, my friend Aaron often ends his posts by mentioning what he's listening to lately. I like that. So, here's what I've been listening to this week: In Rainbows by Radiohead, The Hobbit (audiobook) by J.R.R. Tolkein, Love That's Last by Oxbow, The August Engine by Hammers of Misfortune and The Complete On The Corner Sessions by Miles Davis.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Another review of "The Blot"
Ned Beauman reviews The Blot over at the Guardian UK and says:
"Neely's remarkable self-published debut pits its spindly hero against a looming black splatter that seems to have the power both to create and destroy. There's a copy of Moby Dick on the hero's bedroom floor, and the symbolic significance of the Blot is as deliberately obscure as that of Melville's whale - is it sin, fear, depression, or something more ambivalent? A series of startlingly surreal twists (and the arrival of a love interest) exploit Neely's considerable artistic gifts to their fullest."
You cant beat a comparison to Melville! For those of you that don't know, I've been mildly obsessed with Moby Dick recently. I read it 4 times in the last coupe of years, and I rarely read anything more than once because I'm a slow reader. Thus, it made sense to put the book by the bedside of the character in The Blot (one of many self-referential hints throughout the book).
I also did a really large painting of Moby Dick for a group show last summer. I may be making prints of this piece soon.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
? the War
The painting above will be a part of an anti-war benefit art show at Corey Helford Gallery.
25 artists including the likes of Gary Baseman, Andrew Brandou, Korin Faught, David Sandlin, Gary Taxali, and ME!
One Night Only
Tuesday, December 4th 5-10 pm
Corey Helford Gallery
8522 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA
www.coreyhelfordgallery.com
Also- CHG is making posters of everyone's artwork that will be given away for FREE at the show. The posters will feature the artwork plus an anti-war slogan of some sort. Mine says "the war is within us."
Typically there is a line out the door of people eagerly waiting for a chance to get into the openings at Corey Helford, so get there early if you wanna see the show. It's only up for one night. And my piece has already been sold.
See you there!
Thursday, November 01, 2007
The Great War
Halloween party #2... Anna and I went as Magritte paintings:
Here's the actual Magritte paintings we based our costumes on:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
