AMULET IS OUT!!

The book that I was working on as a production assistant, Amulet, is now in bookstores. It is great to see all Kazu's hard work completed in book form and available to the public. I urge you to go pick up a copy. Kazu has created a wonderful book with a gripping story and truely beautiful visuals. I particularly like how the story doesn't shy away presenting difficult choices. Read the prologue and I guarantee you will be hooked.

You can buy Amulet at Amazon in Paperback or Hardcover ,and it is quite affordable.(the hardcover is really nice. It feels great to hold.)

Also, if you're over in the Alhambra area, Kazu will be having a book signing at our fav Gallery Nucleus this coming Saturday from 6-10PM, and I plan to be there as well. Kazu will also doing a mini book tour, with Toronto as the first stop. Check his website boltcity for more info.

Phew. All that promotion and linkage is tiring. I'll see y'all later.

Belated Goodbye 2007

After another extended break, the blogster is back. It's a little late for 2007 round ups, but since we still have award shows going on, I figure it's still legitimate.

My top band of 2007 could be no other than the Arctic Monkeys. I enjoyed their work before, but it was last year that I really GOT them. British guitar music has this great immediate, energy to it at the moment, and Arctic Monkeys are definitely leading the charge and picking up where The Libertines left. They are really pushing music forward, as evinced in last year's album "My Favourite Worst Nightmare". They are also a phenomenal live act, with a psychotic energy.

Another band pushing music forward are the Klaxons with their debut "Myths of the Near Future". I love how they sound like music of the future. They deconstruct music and build it back up, just like the Arctics, but with more of an electronic tinge.

Other hits from 2007 include The Wombats (I have their album on rotation in my car), Reverend and the Makers, Amy Winehouse, CSS, Go! Team.

As for the new year, I am all about Adele, Ting-Tings and Black Kids.

For movies, I nominate Atonement. It was one of the most lush, vivid movie going experiences I have had. I was reminded of the dream-like quality of David Lynch's films. I am eager to watch Sense and Sensibility now. Other great/fun movies were Lust, Caution, Hairspray and Transformers.

Finally, Heroes Season 1 rocks!! It is the most thrilling show I have seen in ages. I almost wish the show had just finished with that first season as it is so complete. Season 2 has it's moments, but definitely doesn't have the sense of purpose the first season did. It felt a bit like a retread of the first season, but with less energy and mystery. That's not to say that it wasn't still enjoyable and watchable, but it's not the five star experience it was before. I'm hoping that the next chapter "Villains" is an opportunity to broaden the scope of the show and bring a new energy to it.

Aside from the entertainment, 2007 was very much a transitioning and soul-searching year for me. I am entering 2008 with a sense of purpose and direction, and a preparedness for the next stage of my life. I think it's going to be a pretty good year :-).

Illustration Dump!

Mr. Tuesday is on hiatus for this week (it takes a lot of work trying to get into the club!), but don't worry he'll be back next week with a full page! In the mean time, here are some illustrations I did over the weekend for ReleasePrint magazine, which I regularly contribute to, all for articles on the joys of film festivals.



On another note, we saw the Go! Team last weekend and they blew us away. It is amazing how they can have that much energy! They did not let up! It was like the most infectiously upbeat and fun dance party ever. Plus Ninja is a great front lady and dancer.

The Day The Universe Changed: The Club (1.3)

Ok, I'm switching it up on you guys. I think that the past two strips were a little over done as far as colouring goes, so I'm going to take it back to a simpler style. I think that this will work better, but don't be surprised if there are more curveballs coming your way!

Fun Fact 1: "Yeh. Treehouse" is a reference to a fun little song by Looper called "Treehouse". It is a perfect song for Applehead.

The Day The Universe Changed : The Club (1.2)

"The Club" is actually a reference to the Vic and Bob sketch with Baron's Nightclub. I love the bit where Paul Baron has to turn off the alarm using the key around his neck and his brother comes in to find him dangling from the alarm. Classic.

The Day The Universe Changed : The Club (1.1)

That's exactly the kind of music I like. Last Week, I saw the Arctic Monkeys and they were definitely turn-yourself-inside-out, psychotically good. As for the comic it is the first of a series of The Day The Universe Changed strips detailing Applehead and Mr. Tuesday's adventures going out to The Club.

In other news, I just read the amazing book Black Hole by Charles Burns. It is the best horror I have seen since Uzumaki. The story really gets under your skin and the imagery sticks in your head. It makes me think that the most effective horror stories aren't about having scary monsters, but having the horror be rooted in a scary aspect of life: in this case the joys of adolescense.

My other huge recommendation is the TV show Spaced. It features the same team behind Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, and has all the elements that made those shows so great. It has to be one of the best looking comedy shows ever created. The characters are really likeable as well and you genuinely miss them when the show is over (I particularly like the troubled artist Brian). Sadly it hasn't been released in the US, but all of the episodes are currently up on YouTube (Here is the first one).

There is a light that never goes out

This is my latest contribution to the bi-monthly film magazine Release Print. This particular issue deals with spirituality in film, hence the light from heaven.

Last week I finished my work as an assistant on Kazu Kibuishi's first book in the Amulet series. I haven't posted much, if anything, about it, but suffice to say it has been a really enjoyable experience. It has been great to spend time with Kazu and Amy, and to see a graphic novel come together. The last few months have been particular good as we got to work out of the Amzu studio and I got to paint some of the pages. As for the actual book, all I will say is that I think it will be blow people away. The story is gripping and you are totally with the characters, and it is soooo beautiful to look at. Look out for it Spring 2008.

Right now though I am going to be doing a much needed update on my website. I will keep you posted on that as it goes.