Angel

Here's my Drawer Geeks submission for this week's topic: angels.

I figure if these guys really do exist, I'm gonna start wearing hats a lot more often...

Reed Gunther Issue 2 Teaser

Here's a little promo we put together for issue #2, "Reed Gunther in a Stalac-TIGHT Spot!" Be sure to check out www.reedgunther.com for ongoing news and info on the comic!



Also, issue #1, "Reed Gunther and the Steak Snaking Snake!" just got it's first review!

A Success!

Heroes Con was a lot of fun! We met a lot of really fun and talented artists and had a really great time. Since I'm pretty new to the "con circuit," each one I go to I learn so much. This past weekend was particularly helpful because I was able to talk to a lot of artists about the future of web comics and how to go about self-publishing.



Left to right: My buddy Joe who set up some of his work at my table, me, Jared. My good buddies, Jarad and Scott (not pictured here) helped me out all weekend watching my booth at
times and helping me schlep all my stuff around. Thanks dudes!

Little Jimmy: But Chris, with renting a booth, traveling costs, and self-publishing, how do you keep something like Heroes Con affordable?

Chris: Well Jimmy, you try to cut down on costs and take some advice right out of the pages of Reed Gunther: go camping!

Little Jimmy: Wow, you must be young and lack life experience because that sounds like a terrible idea!

Chris: Haha, oh Jimmy... It was kind of terrible, yes, but cheap! And really hot... And we got a lot of bug bites...






Jarad and Scott emerge from the tent confused on why they agreed to accompny me on the trip.



Of course I never remember to take enough photos (sorry Kassandra!) but I did get one taken of us all out at dinner one night for some tasty pizza.



Left to right: me, Jarad, Scott, Rosemary, Guy, and Joe

I even got to do some drawings during the show! These were just examples I hung in the front of my table:








And look at all the stuff I was able to take back with me! It helped keep the three of us sane as we drove 13 hours back to Detroit on a hot day with no air conditioning...



Thanks to everyone to stopped by the booth to say hello, pick up a free button or two, or buy an issue. It means a lot and both Shane and I really appreciate all the support for Reed Gunther!

Heroes Con!

Hey guys! I'm leaving today for the Heroes Con in North Carolina! If you happen to be there, please stop by my booth. Problem is, Heroes Con has yet to let me know in advance what my booth is! But, I do have a booth so stop on by and say hey-o. I'll be somewhere around here:


Oh no, that doesn't help at all...

Bob Flynn art trade!

I've been meaning to post this a while back!

"Recently" the talented, Bob Flynn and the goofball artist, me did a little art trade. I sent Bob this little drawing of a knight:

I think it was a 7" x 11" piece of paper and really no big deal, just somethin' silly. Heck, I even colored it just for fun.


Because some time went by between Bob getting my drawing and him sending something to me, he said he felt bad.







So this is what he sent me to...



I was blown away! I mean, come on, this is too cool! Good golly, if I ever do an art trade with you again Bob, I'll be sure to send my drawing REALLY early and at a time where you're way too busy to send me something back. Then (hopefully) you'll feel an equal amount of guilt and I'll become the next recipient of another outstanding Flynn drawing.

I think we all know who came out on top in this trade! Thanks Bob!

Green Brain and Kids Read Comics!

Just wanted to say that Reed Gunther issue #1 is now available at one of the best comic stores I've ever been to: Green Brain Comics in Dearborn, Mi. The owners, Dan and Katie Merritt are super nice and so supportive of indy comics. Because of that, you can find some great hard-to-find comics in the store.



Also, Dan is putting together a great free event for kids, comics, and creators this weekend in Chelsea, Mi. I'll be at a booth on Saturday along with a lot of really fun comic creators. I'll be doing sketches, selling Reed Gunther issues and posters, and giving away FREE buttons! Wohoo!

It's that time of year again...

Here's a small card I did for my best-buddies' little brother's high school graduation. Congritulishuns!

A Little Summer Love Song

A simple drawing for my lady who's currently farther away from me this Summer than I'd like.

Where the Wild Things Are!

I was lucky enough to be able to participate in a really fun project that Cory Godbey put together as a tribute to Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are. Be sure to check out the blog here to see all the pieces contributed. There was some really fun and beautiful pieces!

Reed Gunther is available online!

Hey guys and gals!

Shane and I are happy to announce "Reed Gunther and the Steak Snacking Snake" is now available for purchase online here!



Shane has been working on putting together www.reedgunther.com with some fun info on the issue and the two schmucks who made it. So if you're interested in this strange cowboy and bear friend, then check out the first issue!


We've both been hearing some really nice comments about the story and work and it's really a pleasure to be receiving that kind of support. Thank you!

2009 Reuben Awards!

Although it happened last week, I wanted to make sure I wrote a post on my wonderful experience at the 63rd Annual NCS Reuben Awards!

I just got back the other day from a full week in LA. From last Thursday until Monday, Kassandra I hung out at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel and Spa talking with some of the most famous, successful, and talented cartoonists in the world. To say the least, it was incredible. Tom Richmond did a great job listing a general overview of the weekend which can be read on his blog if you're interested.

I'm kind of at a loss for words on how the weekend went. It was so surreal (and cool) to be at any of the parties over the weekend and bump into artists like Mike Peters, Sergio Aragonés, Bill Amend, Bill and Jeff Keane, Eric Goldberg, Sam Viviano, Stephen Silver, Stan Goldberg, Tom Richmond, etc. etc. etc. The list goes on and on! What a treat to be able to meet so many of these guys and girls, many of which I've been following their work for years.

I wanted to pass my most sincerest thanks to the NCS and the NCSF not only for the scholarship but for the opportunity to go out to the Reubens. Plus, it's not like we were treated like flies on the wall or anything (although that would've sufficed!) but both Kassandra and I were treated like old friends. Everyone we met was so welcoming and hospitible. It was like being at a strange family reunion where everyone drew cartoons. It was great!

Just to top it off the awards night was on my 21st birthday. What a Birthday to remember!


Pre-party outside of the Grand Ballroom where the Reubens were held


Jim Borgman, myself (trying my hardest not to look too 'in over my head'), Dave Coverly, Patrick McDonnell, and Jerry Scott


I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down and draw next to legendary cartoonist, Bil Keane


And he was even nice enough to do a little drawing for me:


So did Mike Peters:

Another great experience of the weekend was going over to Cathy Guisewite's house on Sunday for a big party she hosted. It was great to see her house, all the original comic strips hanging on the walls, and her studio.


Step one of Cathy's step by step diorama of how she works on "Cathy."

Sadly the weekend had to end but for the rest of the week, Kassandra and I stayed with my brother, Shane and his girlfriend, Katie. Kass and I took advantage of our time in la la land and were able to meet up with our buddy (and very talented dude) Matt Whitlock who took us around Nickelodeon Animation Studios. How fun! While we were in the Fairly Odd Parents section, we also got to meet fellow CCS alumni, Gordon Hammond and got to gawk at his great work.

THEN, on Wednesday, we met up with cartoonist, Johnny Ryan for lunch. We ate good diner food, talked cartoons, and Johnny drew me Blecky Yuckerella:


After lunch, we made a quick trip out to Santa Monica to (funny enough) meet up with another CCS alumni, Bill Morrison of BONGO comics. What a fun studio. Bill showed us around, let us flip through a bunch of original Simpsons work and sent us out the door with our arms FULL of BONGO books, comics, and trade paper backs. Thanks again Bill!



Here's Kassandra and I all dressed up apparently posing for a 15' tall photographer. I couldn't think of a better person to spend the week with.

What a week! Needless to say, I had to have a day or two back in Detroit in order to process everything that happened this past week. But now I'm back at it and in full swing!

Reuben Awards!

Wohoo! Kassandra and I made it out to Hollywood yesterday and are ready to start the first day of the Reuben awards weekend. We can't wait! Not too sure what's in store for today but we're ready to fly by the seat of our pants and meet a ton of really talented artists!