Thursday, April 30, 2009

Creepy Comics #1


Creepy Comics #1
Writer: Neil Kleid, Joe Harris, Dan Braun, Mike Woods
Artist: Angelo Torres, Bernie Wrightson, Jason Shawn Alexander, and others
Cover Artist: Eric Powell
What's black and white and clawing its way onto your reading list? It's the newly resurrected Creepy, of course! Now, don't fret, my putrid pets -- these new terror tales are cut from the same cursed cloth as the outlandish originals, telling contemporary horror stories with gorgeously ghoulish art from a lineup that'll make you lose your head! Original Creepy artist Angelo Torres teams up with devilish Dan Braun on "Hell Hound Blues"; Michael Woods and artist Saskia Gutekunst serve up a dose of "Chemical 13"; Neil Kleid and Brian Churilla provide "All the Help You Need" at a weird weight-loss camp; and jaundiced Jason Shawn Alexander brings his phenomenal painting skills to Joe Harris's "The Curse"! Plus Bernie Wrightson, the return of "Loathsome Lore," and more. All this, plus one classic story from Uncle Creepy's dank dungeon, and you've got 48 freakish pages of terror to bring home to mummy!
Publication Date: July 15, 2009
Format: b&w, 48 pages
Price: $4.99
UPC: 7 61568 15862 5 00111

We Kill Monsters #1 (of 6)


Coming in July from Red5. Art by me with some ink assists by Hilary Barta. Here's a very kind blurb that was is on the Previews website (it's a staff pick!).

"Proving to the comic book world once again that their 2007 GEM award for “Best New Publisher” was well-deserved, Red 5 Comics continues to release original, high-quality stories that rival just about any other book currently being published by even those who have been around for decades.

We Kill Monsters is a tale of two brothers who live fairly simple lives, and that’s just fine with them. Of course, the brothers’ lives go from simple to insane all in one night when a bloodthirsty creature decides to make the brothers its next meal. This unexplained attack triggers a chaotic journey for the siblings as they witness firsthand that there really are monsters under the bed — and everywhere else.
In the action-comedy tradition of Red 5 Comics’ other hits like Atomic Robo and Abyss, We Kill Monsters is fun, genre-bending actioner from creative professionals spanning the world of media from comic books to television. With art by Brian Churilla (Rex Mundi), and words by creators Laura Harkcom and Christopher Leone (Sci-Fi Channel’s The Lost Room), this will be the next choice for fans of books like Living With the Dead (Dark Horse) and Proof (Image Comics).

See PREVIEWS page 278."

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Stumptown Comics Fest


Portland's coolest comic show, Stumptown Comics Fest, is this weekend, April 18th and 19th at the Lloyd Center Double Tree. It's only six flippin' bucks to get in!

Come by and see me, Brian Churilla, peddling my wares at table 90.

See you there!

Click here for more info.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Ronald Reagon


I spelled the president's name wrong though the whole report and still pulled off an A-. My teacher had the hots for me for sure.

I've always been horrible at spelling. I actually emailed someone today and spelled "spilled" as "spilt". What a moron.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Die, Earthlink. Die.

Chat InformationWelcome to Earthlink LiveChat. Your chat session will begin shortly. Feel free to begin typing your question.
Chat Information'Satchel G' says: Thank you for contacting EarthLink LiveChat, how may I help you today?
manmade@earthlink.net: A few months ago, I canceled my earthlink service (DSL). At that time, I was offered two free months of email. Now I have received an email threatening to pay for this service, which was supposed to be complimentary
manmade@earthlink.net: I want this resolved.
Satchel G: I apologize for any inconvenience caused. Give me a chance I will set this right.
manmade@earthlink.net: I have encountered nothing but problems with earthlink
Satchel G: Please provide me with the security word on your account for verification. The hint for which is Mothers Maiden Name.
manmade@earthlink.net: XXXXXXXXX
Satchel G: Thank you for the account verification information. I was able to verify your account.
Satchel G: As you have receive the two months free service for November and December now your acount is charged for the month of January.
Satchel G: From now your account will be charged for the service $3.95 a month and $2.00 paper invoice.
manmade@earthlink.net: Right, but after december it was supposed to let it expire
manmade@earthlink.net: i don't want this account anymore
manmade@earthlink.net: i cancelled the account
manmade@earthlink.net: the two months free was a conciliatory gift for you guys screwing me last time.
Satchel G: I am sorry, you have not inactivated the account after the free months service.
manmade@earthlink.net: i was never told I had to
Satchel G: There is no contact in the month of December to inactivate the account.
Satchel G: Do you have confirmation number of your account cancellation?
manmade@earthlink.net: right, because I was never told I would have to
manmade@earthlink.net: why would i make contact when I've closed the account
manmade@earthlink.net: m done with the account
manmade@earthlink.net: all of the emails have been forwarded to my new account
manmade@earthlink.net: there is no reason to "contact"
Satchel G: I am sorry, you were offered the service with two months free and there after $3.95 a month.
Satchel G: You need to get back to us to avoid the charges after free months service.
manmade@earthlink.net: Nope, I don't. That's on Earthlink. It's fraud to do this sort of thing.
manmade@earthlink.net: Fraud
Satchel G: If you want you can inactivate the account now.
Satchel G: Make the payment for the balance due I will provide you with confirmation of account cancellation.
manmade@earthlink.net: Do you see that Earthlink charged me #.95 in December?
manmade@earthlink.net: 3.95?
Satchel G: Yes, the charges are refunded.
Satchel G: Refund check is processed on 12/09/08 for $3.95.
manmade@earthlink.net: Right, so there's a record of inaccurate billing and discrepancies right there in front of you.
manmade@earthlink.net: I'm not making this up.
manmade@earthlink.net: I was never told I would have to physically call and deactivate the account
manmade@earthlink.net: There was never any word given as to the nature of this "offer".
Satchel G: I am not authorize to cancel the account with balance due.
manmade@earthlink.net: I am not liable for these charges. It was a conciliatory offer because of the poor service
manmade@earthlink.net: I'm not willing to give my credit card information because of Earthlink's inaccurate billing history. You over billed me numerous times. Is that the kind of outfit you run over there, "Satchel"?
manmade@earthlink.net: Can you understand why someone wuld be apprehensive to do so given that earthlink has a record for over billing?\
manmade@earthlink.net: Can you please transfer me to someone who is authorized?
Satchel G: I apologize for any inconvenience caused.
manmade@earthlink.net: Copy and paste.
Satchel G: Please stay on hold while I transfer your chat to the supervisor.
manmade@earthlink.net: Copy and paste.
Chat InformationPlease wait while I transfer the chat to 'Raymond N.'.
Chat Information'Raymond N.' says: Thank you for contacting EarthLink LiveChat, how may I help you today?
Raymond N.: Hello, I see you've already been chatting. Please give me a moment so I can read the previous chat and pick up where you left off.
Raymond N.: I will assist you with the issue.
Raymond N.: Let me inform you that no account is set to close with future date.
Raymond N.: According to EarthLink policies any account is set to close at the end of Bill cycle date.
Raymond N.: Once you received the refund for the month of December invoice you have not confirmed for account cancellation.
Raymond N.: This is the your account is charged automatically.
Raymond N.: Are we still connected?
manmade@earthlink.net: When I closed my DSl service, two free months of email service were offered as a conciliatory offer. I was never told I would have to go and physically deactivate the account. I understand that there is an Earthlink policy, but if that policy is never conveyed to the customer, how is the customer supposed to know?
manmade@earthlink.net: You are then trapped. When the offer expires, you are then being charged for an account which you believe is closed.
manmade@earthlink.net: How was I supposed to know the account was still opened? How was I supposed to know I needed to close it
manmade@earthlink.net: Because of Earthlinks inaccurate billing practices, I am unwilling to give any finacial information over, as I fear it will be used in a fraudulent manner as it has in the past.
Raymond N.: Not to worry, now I will waive off the charges on your account now and inactivate the account as of today.
Raymond N.: Also provide you with confirmation number.
manmade@earthlink.net: You can look in the billing history at the various refunds given due to Earthlink's inability to bill accurately
manmade@earthlink.net: Over the years there are sveral
manmade@earthlink.net: Okay, thank you.
Raymond N.: Please stay on hold while I process the cancellation.
manmade@earthlink.net: Thanks
Raymond N.: I've taken care of canceling your service as of today XX/XX/XXXX, your last charge date was XX/XX/XXXX in the amount of $5.95. For your records, the Cancellation Confirmation number is XXXXXXXXX. Can you provide me with an alternate email address so that we can send a cancellation confirmation email to you within the next two weeks?
manmade@earthlink.net: XXXXXXXXXXX
Raymond N.: Updated the email address.
manmade@earthlink.net: Thanks
Raymond N.: You will not be able to access the email address any more and will not be able to retrieve any information from the email address.
Raymond N.: Is there anything else I may assist you with today?
manmade@earthlink.net: No. Thank you very much.
Raymond N.: Thank you for using EarthLink LiveChat. If you would like a copy of this chat emailed to you, you may choose that option upon closing this window. In the survey that appears, the second to last question will ask if you would like this emailed...choose Yes. In the last box, enter your email address...the entire chat session will be automatically sent to you. Should you need any further assistance, please feel free to return to EarthLink LiveChat.
Chat InformationChat session has been ended by the agent.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Egg Song

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Advice about the comics

I've been approached by two aspiring comics artists recently about how to break in to the business, and just for some general advice. Being that I still feel very much like a fledgling artist at best, and very much an outsider, I'm not sure I'm very qualified to help. I hate. No, really hate most of the crap I hack out. I have a mental disorder about it. I am glad that some people like it. That brings me more joy than anything in regards to this "career" of sorts. I tried my best to help these two guys. I thought it prudent to put these here. Why, I dunno. Let me be very clear. I am not an expert, I am not a great artist. I am an artist that has worked hard and has had some recent luck. Thanks to everybody who reads this blog and supports my books/projects. Names and particulars have been omitted.

~Bribbles

... I'm interested in one day becoming a comic book artist. ...the link to my webpage:
... (To view my work, click "Browse Gallery.") It would be great to get some feedback from somebody in the business, as well as possibly a part-time job as an artist...I am a potential penciler and/or inker. Is there any way he could arrange an on-site portfolio interview? ... I am passionate for an arts career, especially one in comics. I've been accepted to several art colleges such as ... but am not, as of yet, sure which road to take...

Thank you so much for your assistance!

Hi ...,

First and foremost, your art shows promise. There are some composition and sequential storytelling fundamentals that you will learn in time, either by getting critiques, or simply doing the work. I think I had to grind out at least 500 comic story pages before I came up with anything that had staying power (something I'd be proud of year after year), but hey, that's me. I'm super obsessive and anal retentive.
The comics industry is very challenging, competitive and sometimes cruel. For every guy lucky enough to land paying work, there's literally, I'm not joking here, 1000 other guys in line behind him that are either on par or better than him. Think of it like a pro sport. How many guys make it to the "big show" and all the other apt athletes, for whatever reason do not? There's no real answer there. For better or worse, it's a sadistic game of numbers and chance. You need to be at least two of these three things to get work: be fast, nice, or really good.
I'm thirty-one years old now, and just in the last two or three years have I started to get paying work. I only started doing art full-time five months ago. What was I doing all those years other than art? Well, given that I have ZERO education and no other skills than being a comic artist/illustrator, I've work mind numbingly dull, tedious, soul-draining "Joe Jobs", such as working for eight years at Nordstrom stocking shelves. EIGHT YEARS. I've also worked at fast food places, other various department stores, and even worked, ironically, the graveyard shift at a funeral service, literally picking up and delivering corpses in various states of decomposition. Nice, huh? No. Not nice. When I use the term "soul-draining", I do NOT use it loosely. Toiling away for years for little compensation doing something you hate is damaging to your spirit. This is the fate of many artists. MANY. I believe it has taken years off my life and aged me prematurely.
My biggest piece of advice, stay in school as long as you can. Don't squander ten or more years of your life floundering around from job to job in hopes to use those few hours at night when you're not working said day job to o what you REALLY want to do, which is, of course, art. Secondly, obsessively draw everything and person around you. Instead of sitting working on a robot drawing for a half-an-hour, go outside, to the mall, wherever, and draw the things around you. Keep a moleskin sketchbook of this stuff in your back pocket. Constantly do gestural or contour line drawings of EVERYTHING. It will help you immeasurably.
Thirdly, don't pigeon-hole yourself strictly as a comic artist, rather, visualize yourself as a commercial artist, one who works in many mediums, styles, and works in a broad range on industries. The comic book industry is in great state of upheaval and change right now. The advent of digital readers (Apple is expected to unveil the iTablet in the fall), will most certainly put the last nail in the proverbial coffin that the floppy market (with the exception of Marvel and DC).
Fourthly, diversify your abilities. Drawing is fundamental, but you need to learn other things to diversify and make yourself more marketable, and thus, able to make a living. Learn some web design, Flash, graphic design, drawing, painting, life drawing, etc. ( obviously at one of these fabulously fabulous schools you've been accepted to). Who knows, you may figure out there's something else out there that you like even more than comics. I know, hard to imagine.
Lastly, to quote one of the most trite ad slogans ever utilized, just do it. Want to make comics? MAKE FREAKIN' COMICS!!! That is THE best way to learn anything. Doing it. Start a blog (like a Blogspot blog) and post a new page or strip every week. There's no one stopping you except yourself.
You should come down to Stumptown Comics Fest April 18th and 19th. I'll be there at table 90 (with my wife and baby). I think it's only six bucks to get in. If you want to talk more about your work, feel free to swing by. The show is in Portland near Lloyd Center. There will be a lot of independent creators to talk and network with. It's a fantastic show. Here's the link: http://www.stumptowncomicsfest.com

Best regards,

BC

...

Hi Mr Churilla.
My name is ... I'm an amateur comic artist and I live in ...
I am big fan of your work and follow your blog constantly.

I'm building a blog with my portfolio and I would like to know if you could take a look at it and get an opinion from you about my work and if possible some hint of how to work in the U.S. comics industry.

Thanks and I look forward return if possible.

...

First off, thank you.

Here are a couple things I've learned over the years:

1) Simplify. Always simplify. I find that if a figure doesn't "read" as a silhouette, it's not worth drawing.

2) Things in the foreground are almost always darker than things in the middle ground and background.

3) Also, make sure where you are putting your big spots of black makes sense, if not, you are cluttering the page.

4) Lastly, storytelling is more important that drawing. If your pages don't "read" well in a visual sense, then it's pointless.

5) I get work through dumb luck and obsessive tenacity. Go to cons, talk to editors, talk to other writers, etc. Do your own web comic or creator owned comic, etc. It's a long haul for most (including myself) so hang in there. Do comic because you love it first, for money later. You want to make comics? Make Comics.

Recommended reading:

Comics and Sequential Art by Will Eisner

Anything by Alex Toth: http://www.tothfans.com/

All that said, I like your work.

Hope all that helps. Also, take what I say with a grain of salt. I'm an idiot and don't know what the fuck I'm doing half the time.

Cheers,

BC

LETTERER NEEDED!

Hey all,

I'm working on a weekly web comic and am looking for a letterer. The format is one widescreen panel a week, akin to Travis Charest's "Spacegirl".

That's it, one panel a week.

If you or somebody you know would be willing to donate a nominal amount of their time to this labor-of-love project, please email me at b r i a n c h u r i l l a a t g m a i l d o t c o m.

Thanks!!!

~Bribbles

Claria Hi-Definition Ink Epson Stylus Photo 1400

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Emerald City Comicon


Did I mention I'm going to be at Emerald City Comicon this weekend? Come by table L-4 and say hi! I'll be doing commissions and such, so I dunno, there you have it.

"At the tone, please hang up."