Robert Jay Kaufman R.I.P

Sadly, I must write that artist Robert Kaufman passed on January 8, 2010 of cancer. Robert was an artist, mentor and academic who was greatly respected by all who knew him. For many years he was the Chair of Illustration at the Art Institute of Boston. He authored the intriguing Blockology: An Offbeat Walking Guide to Lower Manhattan, and is survived by his wife and family.

Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Susan, and all of those who knew Robert as an artist, professor and friend.

His guidance during my time at AIB helped strengthen my love for the art of illustration. He had so much knowledge into this field and for that - I thank you Robert. I'm sure many of his students and colleagues feel the same. Robert will be greatly missed.

KAUFMAN, Robert Jay Age 58 of Brookline on Friday, January 8, 2010. For 20 years the beloved husband of Susan R. Scott. Loving father of Emili. Devoted son of Felix Kaufman of New York City and the late Eleanor (Roth). Fond brother of Kenneth & Barbara Kaufman of Keniworth, IL. He also leaves his mother-in-law, Shirley Henly, sisters-in-law, Linda Scott (Jim), Kathleen Dorran (Bill), brother-in-law Brantley Scott and six nieces and nephews. Services at Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Street, BROOKLINE, on Friday, January 15 at 3:00PM. Burial is private. Following the service, family and friends are invited to the Marriott Courtyard, 40 Webster St., Brookline. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to The Melanoma Research Alliance, 1101 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 620, Washington, DC 20005, (www.melanomaresearch alliance.org) Levine Chapels, Brookline 617-277-8300

Hercules Completed and Reviews

It has been a long while since my last post and I am glad to say that I am back from my year long voyage to Egypt with Hercules: The Knives of Kush. The books are all completed and there are many people to thank that helped get these puppies done with a huge shout out to John Gajowski (for flatting!) Cliff Cramp ( for help on painting pages in a hard deadline crunch) Steve Firchow ( also for helping on pages) and Patrick Scullin (also helping on flatts). Thanks to these talented folks in helping me get these books painted up. I also want to say thanks to Steve Moore, Cris Bolson and The Silva Bros for writing and penciling a beautifully crafted book. And Last but not least, thanks to Renae Geerlings for your advice and professionalism to this project. All of these people made my first experience in comics a truly memorable one and I won't forget it! I look forward to working with you all again in the future. So with that I want to share all the links to reviews that I have found regarding Hercules: The Knives of Kush throughout the year... Well done!!

www.comicbookresources.com
Radical Comics
OmniComicReview
Comic Book Page check out this podcast review of Hercules #2 -listen in somewhere around 20:25...
Comic Book Resources
HyperGeek
ComicsBulletin
MajorSpoilers
Comic Book Resources
Comic Book Resources

DAS Illustration on Etsy!

Check out my store at Etsy where you can see the first 2 items for sale. Click on the link to see what in store! HERE!
As far as an update on my artwork... There is so much stuff in the works that I am excited about.
Still working on painting the 5 issue mini-series for Hercules: The Knives of Kush for Radical Comics. Issue #1 comes out the second week in August, so please pick it up.
The Sapphire Knight by Michael Sullivan is a book I illustrated last year and is now available on Amazon and through the Publishing Works website.
Here are some of the illustrations I did for it...

EDGE OF LA COMIC-CON: Art Exhibit and Artist Signing w/ DOUGLAS SIROIS and Radical Comics

SATURDAY, JUNE 20th / 10am - 6pm

FREE ADMISSION!
FREE PARKING!

Special Events:

Art Exhibit and Artist Signing w/ DOUGLAS SIROIS and Radical Comics (See Below)

KYNT & VYXSIN from TV's "AMAZING RACE" in person! (See below)

"BUILDING A PROJECT FROM THE GROUND UP" Panel Discussion w/ NAT GERTLER, RALPH MILEY, and JOHN NARCOMEY Jr. (See below)

ALLEN MARTINEZ - Artist for Marvel Comics and more, w/ Original Art and signing comics!

Our new RPG GAMING AREA! Hosted by Dark Forest Games - upstairs above Replay Vintage Clothes. (See below)


Not to mention the indoor "Atrium" and the outdoor "Plaza" areas of the Packing House, filled with Vendors and Exhibitors, offering a wide selection of COMIC BOOKS
(Silver Age, Bronze Age, Modern, Hard-To-Find, Deep Discounts), GRAPHIC NOVELS, ACTION FIGURES, ORIGINAL ART, T-SHIRTS, STATUES, COLLECTIBLES, PRINTS, POSTERS, SMALL PRESS, JEWELRY, CREATORS, and much more!! Great selections at great prices!

The Details:

DOUGLAS SIROIS Art Exhibit and Signing (w/ Radical Comics):
Painter, illustrator, and Digital Artist DOUGLAS SIROIS will be exhibiting his amazing fantasy artwork, as well as signing free promotional items. Mr. Sirois is the Digital Painter for RADICAL COMICS highly aniticapted new Comic Book mini-series HERCULES, AND THE KNIVES OF KUSH, due out later this summer. Radical Comics will have representives on hand, giving out free promotional items for Doug to sign.
http://www.dougsirois.com/
http://www.radicalcomics.com/


KYNT & VYXSIN from TV's "AMAZING RACE" in person:

Kynt and Vyxsin --- the FUN "Pink and Black" duo from the *HIT* CBS Reality/International-adventure series THE AMAZING RACE! Their season recently won the EMMY!
Since the Race, they have been modeling for the national youth-rock-fashion store HOT TOPIC, and now appear on the TravelChannel EVERY Saturday! Meet them in person!
Check out their MySpace pages below:
http://www.myspace.com.Kyntxox
http://www.myspace.com/Vyxsin

Panel Discussion - BUILDING A PROJECT FROM THE GROUND UP:

Do you have a graphic narrative story that needs to be told? Ever dreamed of creating your own comic book? Comic Book professionals NAT GERTLER (The Complete Idoit's Guide To Creating A Grahic Novel), RALPH MILEY (New Creation Now), JOHN NARCOMEY Jr. (Publisher / Writer Hightower Comics) will host an intimate workshop on how to turn your idea into reality! (1pm)

http://www.AboutComics.com
http://www.newcreationnow.com/1/post/2009/01/religion-and-race-by-ralph-miley.html
http://www.hightowercomics.com/

Marvel Comics Artist ALLEN MARTINEZ in person:

When not sleeping in tents, and fending off Snickers-loving bears, Mr Martinez has had the privelage of embellishing many of today's high profile comic book titles, including MIGHTY AVENGERS, X-MEN, THOR, FANTASTIC FOUR, just to name a few! Allen will be on hand as our special guest, w/ Original Art on display, and signing comics for the fans.

New RPG GAMING AREA:

Hosted by Dark Forest Games, this new addition to Edge Of LA Comic Con is located upstairs (above Replay Vintage Clothing). $3.00 a game, or two for $5.00, first come, first served. Sample, first level character’s available.


We have two DM’s running two games each for the entire day.
Core 1-1 Inheritance [level 1-4 (10-2pm)]
Core 1-2 Radiant Vessel of Thesk [level 1-4 (3-7pm)]
East 1-1 These Hallowed Halls [level 1-4 (10-2pm)]
East 1-2 Marauder’s Spear [level 4-7 (3-7pm)]

1st games will start at 10am and go to 2pm. 2nd games will be 3-7pm.


FREE STUFF: Our popular "FREEBIE" table will have a selection of free stuff!!

(And... bring CASH! Most Vendors will be selling on a cash only basis. There are several banks and ATMs within walking distance, as well).

PARKING: Parking is FREE! Please park in the PARKING STRUCTURE by the 21 CHOICES FROZEN YOGURT shop.

Vendor Information:

If you would like to be a Vendor or Exhibitor let us know ASAP! Space rates are $65 if paid before day of show, and $80 on day of show. And, we are holding the EDGE OF LA COMIC CON every 3RD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH, EVERY MONTH - so let us know if you would like to be part of an upcoming show!!

You don't have to sell Comics to be a vendor at EDGE OF LA COMIC CON - we are looking for vendors/Exhibitors who deal in Pop Culture, Fantasy Entertainment, Art, Music, Style, Creativity, Fun, Intelligence and Adventure!

EDGE OF LA COMIC CON at the Packing House is a MONTHLY EVENT, with a rotating selection of Vendors, Exhibitors, Creators, and Special Guests, plus Contests and Special Presentations. Bring your friends and family!

The Packing House complex offers a unique selection of Retail Stores, Resturaunts, and plenty of free parking, as well as a 5-Screen Movie Theater, Jazz Club, Wine Bar, Pub, Claremont Museum of Art, Claremont Forum and much more - something for everybody!
Claremont Packing House Website:
http://www.claremontpackinghouse.com/home.htm

CLAREMONT PACKING HOUSE: 532 W. 1st Street, Claremont, CA. 91711.
Just West of Indian Hill Blvd., across the street from the Claremont Village. 1 mile North of the 10 Fwy (exit Indian Hill, go North to 1st Street take a left). 2 miles South of the 210 Fwy (Exit Towne Ave., go South to Foothill Blvd. take a left going East, to Indian Hill Blvd. take a right going South, to 1st Street take a Right).

Map: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Claremont&address=532+W+1st+Street&zipcode=91711


Hope to see you there!

EDGE OF LA COMIC CON at the Claremont Packing House - 3rd Saturday of every month, and is a Family Friendly event!

FREE ADMISSION!

www.losangelescomic-con.com
comicbookie@msn.com

A Party I attended. Needless to say, I had a blast...

Just found this article written a few months ago about...

Radical Publishing’s star-studded grand opening gala

Written on February 27th, 2009 at 12:39 am by Vernon T Waldrip aka Shawn (editor)



Hollywood heavy-hitters and top comics creators took to the red carpet at Radical Publishing’s star-studded grand opening gala for its new Los Angeles offices, a castle-shaped complex now home to both its comics publishing and film development divisions.

Guests included actor Wesley Snipes, who brought the character Blade to life in the blockbuster film trilogy, multiple SAG and MTV award-winner Ryan Phillippe, KISS rock god Gene Simmons, pro wrestling legend and actor Diamond Dallas Page (The Devil’s Rejects), as well as an array of directors, producers and executives: Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free or Die Hard), Gary Smith (How to Lose Friends & Alienate People), Tim Sullivan (2001 Maniacs, Detroit Rock City), Hollywood manager David Schiff, Hollywood manager and representative for 3 Arts Entertainment Molly Madden, from the Fisher House, trustee Tammy Fisher, and screenwriter Sam Sarkar, head of development at Johnny Depp’s production company, Infinitum Nihil, and author of the sellout Radical flagship series Caliber.

From the comics side, guests included Nick Simmons, of the hit A&E series Gene Simmons Family Jewels and creator of the upcoming Radical series Incarnate, fan-favorite scribe Steve Niles (Radical’s City of Dust: A Philip Khrome Story and the groundbreaking comic and movie 30 Days of Night), and award-winning superstar creator and painter Arthur Suydam (Radical’s upcoming Cholly & Flytrap: Center City deluxe collection and the breakout Marvel Zombies titles). Also in attendance were two of Radical’s new rising stars, exclusive artist Patrick Reilly (Radical’s highly anticipated Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost, written by Ian Edginton) and Doug Sirois, painter on the sequel to Radical’s debut Hercules series, The Knives of Kush, developed by veteran writer Steve Moore and comics icon Jim Steranko.

“Today marks a celebration of many things for the company, not just an expansion to new offices,” said Radical Publishing’s President Barry Levine, who began his career as one of rock’s top photographers before becoming a music supervisor, film producer and comic book publisher; “not only having our books receive uniformly rave reviews across the industry and in the mainstream press, but we recently took Diamond Distribution’s Gem Award for Best New Publisher of the Year after only eight months on the stands. Things have been going great at Radical Publishing, and 2009 will see things only get better.”

Additional upcoming Radical titles feature some of the top names in the comics industry, including Rick Remender’s The Last Days of American Crime, David Hine’s FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency and Nick Percival’s Legends. Current Radical titles on the stands include Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead from Steve Pugh and Warren Ellis, Mateki: The Magic Flute from celebrated Japanese painter Yoshitaka Amano (Vampire Hunter D, Neil Gaiman’s Sandman: The Dream Hunters), and the opening salvo of the epic Shrapnel trilogy, Aristeia Rising, from video game developer Zombie Studios and Nick Sagan. The year 2010 will also see Oblivion, Radical’s first illustrated novel from Joseph Kosinski (director of the buzz sequel TR2N at Disney), being written by Ian Edginton.

During the event, Radical Publishing’s Executive Vice President Jesse Berger delivered a toast to the guests, explaining his first time meeting Levine, mentioning the sacrifices that everyone in the company made to launch Radical, and thanking the more than 400 attendees for coming to celebrate this very special event.

Steve Moore on Hercules: Knives of the Kush

I was so pleased to see an interview with writer Steve Moore on the CBR website just recently. He's talking about the new series from Radical Comics called Hercules: Knives of the Kush. The book is currently in production with Cris Bolson penciling and me painting the book. It is intense: the story, the art, is not nor the faint hearted. I am honored to be working with some really wonderfully inspiring and creative people in comics today. Check out the interview with veteran writer Steve Moore as he gives you an inside scoop of what this epic adventure is all about.
Steve Moore on Hercules: Knives of the Kush

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY
I will be doing a signing at Golden Apple Comics on Melrose Ave in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday May 2nd to promote Hercules: The Knives of Kush by signing copies of Radical Publishing's Free Comic Book that features pages from the new Hercules series.
Hosted by Radical Publishing

Date:
Saturday, May 2, 2009Time:
11:00am - 1:00pm

Location:
Golden Apple Comics

7018 Melrose Ave
City/Town:
Los Angeles, CA

Phone:
3236586047
Radical Publishing
Golden Apple Comics