30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 30 !!!

The nihilistic Nora smells like coffee and is here to remind us that "30 Characters in 30 Days 2010" has come to an end.

Congratulations to everyone who finished this challenge!

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 29

When the fun-loving ecologist, William Fowl, saved a family of ducks from the shotgun blasts of the super-villain Dick Cheney, an ancient Duck God rewarded Fowl by bestowing him with the powers of the duck. Mister Fowl was also given the power to shoot lasers from his eyes, because as the Duck God said, " I just think lasers are cool." William Fowl now fights for the powers of right and justice as Laser Bill!

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 28

Raquel is just as adept at hunting a gnarly saber-tooth as she is on the runway. Wow, man... she's the most!

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 27

I'd love to describe Ripper Shreds to you, but Suicidal Tendencies do such a good job in their lyrics to "Possessed to Skate" :

"Seemed like such an innocent toy
Got a skate at eight years old
He was the All-American boy
Now the story can be told

Beware he's possessed to skate!

Skating takes him up in height
He's a pilot on a modern flight
See him flying through the air

If he don't land then he don't care
 
When he skates-he skates
Cause he never hesitates
Cause he rips-he rips
Like a modern gladiator ain't got no fears
He's the wizard on the wheels
So skate

He shoots the pool like a launching pad
Skating is all that's on his mind
If it ain't insane then you can't get rad
He's skating radical all the time

Beware he's possessed to skate!

Six foot airiels inverts backside
Looks like a magic carpet ride

Optical illusion it must be
He redefines insanity

Doesn't understand why you'd wanna walk
Ain't got time to sit and talk
Used to be just like you and me

Now he's an outcast of society
Beware he's possessed to skate!"

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 26

In the dead of night, The Oxoloxo strode into town. Some folks say that she is one of the legendary titans of the ancient world. Regardless, many believe she is the harbinger of humanity's doom. The truth is... The Oxoloxo just wants to party.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 25

In 1954, Slammo Incorporated introduced the Proto-Serve 2000. A robot that they claimed to be the most important household appliance money could buy. A radio spot for this product boasted that the Proto-Serve "cooks, cleans, and crushes your enemies with ease". Production on the Proto-Serve 2000 models ended in early 1955 due to shoddy craftsmanship. In 2011, Slammo will reintroduce this product to the world as the Proto-Serve 3000. None of the specs have changed.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 24

I'll tell ya... Persnickety Jones don't like nuthin'!

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 23

Don't let that charismatic smile or calming Southern drawl fool you, Dickie Texas is nothing but a philandering scoundrel. Hide your wallets and women-folk when he comes to town.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 22

The happy-go-lucky Leona Hopkins beat a murder wrap way back in '74 when she was accused of eating children at the daycare center she worked at. Miss Hopkins is currently working as a counselor at the Shady Water Summer Camp. Recently, campers have been found half eaten.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 21

For centuries, Count Grimmy was the Scourge of Europe. Now a tad senile, his reign of terror has been reduced to nothing more than goosing the bottoms of unsuspecting passersby. Additionally, Count Grimmy, finds Matlock to be quite an enjoyable program.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 20

Cindy delights in nothing more than flying through the evening sky bringing joy to sad children. She speaks very slowly in a breezy whisper. She totally creeps me out!

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 19

Mr. Bobbles, AKA The Fizz Whizz, is the spokesman for the Fizzie Soda Company. Some of his catch phrases that can be found on television commercials and radio jingles are "Where the Fizz izz!", "It's Fizz-tastic!", and the less imaginative "It tickles my nose!".

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 18

Ever since the recession hit,
Mildred has been quite a malcontent.
She's been sad for so long,
That her back got bent.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 17

Furthering my experimentation with a "Cartoon Modern" style:

Tustin, California native, Billy Goatkisser, has a dark pit for a soul, a heart covered in permafrost, and a spring in his step as the lead guitar player for Black Gorgon. When Billy isn't shredding on stage, he works as a "cast member" operating Splash Mountain at Disneyland. His transfer to the Haunted Mansion is still pending.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 16

Small arms expert, Panther Williams, saved the life of fellow crime-fighter, Monkey Mod, during the now infamous Spider-Shark Caper. Monkey Mod found himself stuck in a fate worse than death when the insidious Dr. Proboscis was torturing him with a copy of "Frampton Comes Alive" played on repeat. Monkey Mod and Panther have been best friends ever since.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 15

If people looked more closely at the goings-on in their gardens, they might notice a primeval society still ruled by sword and sorcery. They also might notice one of its champions, Steve the Snail Barbarian. Unfortunately, no one notices. So, Steve's heroic deeds are only sung in gastropod halls.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 14

Here's another experimental character influenced by Cartoon Modern:

The fun-loving Lily is deathly afraid of boiling water, steam, and drawn butter because she fears that they will make her arms delicious.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 13

The reanimated mummy of an ancient pharoah, Ramses the Rad, is now the lead singer of a thrash band called Skateboard Holocaust. He also has a huge crush on Roxie Riot.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 12

Special Agent, CODENAME: Roxie Riot, is an occasional crime-fighting partner of the infamous Monkey Mod. A former freelance illustrator, Roxie has discovered that the spy game actually pays the bills. She has fantastic taste in music and a way cooler record collection than almost everyone. When she's not thwarting the bad guys, she works on mini-comics and is a sometimes contributor to the zine, RADIO.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 11

Another quickie today...

Despite a birth defect that gave him a devilish appearance, the gregarious Milton Johnson, was quite a successful used car salesman and a beloved big band leader during The Great Depression. This is the only known photo of Mr. Johnson.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 10

The daughter of an elder god, Lulu Cthulu, has lived a pretty charmed life so far. Even though she is often only photographed from waist up, Lulu remains a very poplar teen fashion model whose photos can be seen regularly in the Delia's catalog.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 9

Kip Wilson would be your average every day American nineteen year old if it wasn't for that damn tail. As a matter of fact, he has tried to sever his tail several times. Much to his disappointment, it always grows back. Kip would rather not receive the attention his tail commands.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 8

Missus Fanny Funlumps, who often says, "I'd rather be a lord below than a slave above.", loves to worship The Dark Lord at The Altar of Sacrifice and knitting. Her favorite bands are Possessed and The Spice Girls. She's such a rascal.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 7

I had to bust out a quickie today. Here it is...

Hambone the Barbarian sleeps, eats, fights, and plays checkers. 'Nuff said!

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 6

Lt. Crystal Caliente of the Moon Base Bureau of Investigations is not only a decorated agent, but also an accomplished drummer for the mod-punk band Robot Knife Fight. Even though she loves her job on the Moon, she misses the dance parties back on Earth.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 5

The nefarious Nigel Hendricks, a former child-star, was previously known generically as Manny Monotreme on the hit children's television series "The Manny Monotreme & Friends Show". After Mr. Hendricks' celebrity faded, it is presumed that he started his life of crime due to the bitterness that it caused. Despite his short stature, Nigel Hendricks is a dangerous master with poisons and quite a whiz with the Chinese throwing star.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 4

Today's character is an experiment in capturing a "cartoon modern" style.

Here's the description:

Japanese foreign-exchange student, Koko, was delighted to discover that she is one-sixteenth dragon on her father's side. Her temper is as fiery and dangerous as her breath.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 3

War hero, Sgt. Gruber, honorably retired from the Xanthian Command after he saved Sector 10 from the Zorthlok menace almost single-handed. Today, Sgt. Gruber resides on the lush moon of Golomulon with his beautiful wife and 3 children where he is a tenured professor of botany at Kalgorth University.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 2

When go-go-dancer, Candy Caine, met a tragic demise at the Mods Vs. Rockers Rally of '67, she was surprised to find her spirit trapped on this mortal plane. Always one to make the best of a bad situation, Candy currently solves mysteries under codename: The Go-Go-Ghost. She has been known to occasionally work with the simian crime-fighting rockstar, Monkey Mod.

30 Characters in 30 Days: Day 1

I just recently found out about the 30 Characters in 30 Days challenge. Unfortunately, I decided to take on this challenge too late and missed the deadline to be an official participant. Luckily, this challenge is also taking place over at the troll-free Art & Story Supreme forum, which is part of the premium content Mark Rudolph, Jerzy Drozd, and I offer in conjunction with the Art & Story Podcast. Therefore, I will be participating in this challenge on that forum as well as documenting my progress here. Wish me luck.

As I understand, all participants are not only asked to illustrate a character, but to also write a short description of that character. So here is mine for day 1:

This is Cecil. He pronounces it "THEE' THILL" since he is the proud owner of a very wet lisp. Cecil is a good natured youth... albeit somewhat annoying as he is somewhat of a know-it-all. Despite being the target of schoolyard bullying, Cecil has managed to maintain his status as an extraordinary Dungeon Master.

"Dead Kennedys" Original Art For Sale

8.5” x 11” ink, pen, and brush on bristol.

SOLD!

"Wally" - Print and Original Art for Sale

The original painting is acrylic on a hand made masonite and wood box frame. This painting measures approximately 8"x8".  The print image is approximately 7"x 7" printed with archival ink on 8.5"x 11" fine velvet art paper. Every print is signed and numbered.

Buy the "WALLY" print - 

Price includes shipping:

USA $15.00 Worldwide $17.00

Buy the "WALLY" original painting -

Price includes shipping:

USA $500.00 Worldwide $515.00

"Bruce" - Print and Original Art for Sale

The original painting is acrylic on a hand made masonite and wood box frame. This painting measures approximately 8"x8".  The print image is approximately 7"x 7" printed with archival ink on 8.5"x 11" fine velvet art paper. Every print is signed and numbered.

Buy the "BRUCE" print - 

Price includes shipping:

USA $15.00 Worldwide $17.00

Buy the "BRUCE" original painting -

Price includes shipping:

USA $500.00 Worldwide $515.00

"My Steps To A Finished Illustration" Video

The Bird & The Monster

I think birds are cool and that monsters are rad! So, I just finished this illustration for a series of video tutorials for the subscribers of Art & Story Supreme.

Click on the image for a larger view.

Enemies/ Pitch Black Split

Excerpt taken from the Lookout catalog:
"In 2001, Lookout released an all-new classic punk rock split record in the spirit of the Code Of Honor / Sick Pleasure split, the Faith / Void split and "The Shit Split" featuring Blatz and Filth (originally released on Lookout Records in 1991). This time around it was The Enemies and Pitch Black, two incredible East Bay bands. The Enemies are a dark yet melodic trio that successfully balances pop melody with hardcore sensibilities. The Enemies also features Dave Edwardson from Neurosis on bass. Pitch Black are an awesome broodingly brutal threesome that literally  blew up stages throughout the Bay Area with pyrotechnics, blood spitting, and smoke machines."

This was the first release for Pitch Black and The Enemies. Both bands were friends and we wanted to do a classic split record in the old punk tradition. I played guitar and vocals, Martin Munroe played bass and vocals, and Jamie Morrison played drums for Pitch Black. This was the first of the three lineups for Pitch Black. This core group of members would remain the same despite the addition or subtraction of a band member in future lineups.

Click Here to listen to "3016 Adeline St." by Pitch Black

Purchase this release at Amazon.com
Purchase this release at Interpunk.com
Purchase this release as a digital download

Barbarian Riot Squad - Bootleg T-Shirt

My friend Harper brought this bootleg Barbarian Riot Squad t-shirt to my attention. The offending party has been notified and have been forced to take it off of their website and out of their cookie cutter mall stores. Doesn't this company have any scruples?

Real Barbarian Riot Squad merchandise will only be available here at Laser Beams!

Dead Kennedys in Color!

Color version of an illustration from the Fall 2010 issue of RADIO.

Lux Interior in Color!

Color version of an illustration from the Fall 2010 issue of RADIO.

Before and After

Color version of a couple spot illustrations from the Fall 2010 issue of RADIO.

RADIO - Fall 2010 Issue

RADIO: Truly Crucial Rock n Roll (Fall 2010)
5.5×7″ 24-pages with cardstock cover.
Features essays on Entombed, Dead Kennedys, and Mark & Kevin’s personal music journeys. Also packed to the gills with original illustrations, Rock n Roll Haikus and much more. The only zine that covers all truly crucial rock n roll!
Limited to 30 copies online.

Price includes shipping: USA $5.00 Worldwide $7.00

PDX Zine Symposium 2010

I'll be at the PDX Zine Symposium on both days this year. The admission is free! So, if you're in Portland and you like rad stuff, please stop by and say, "Hello." That Sunday is also my birthday, so there's no better way to wish me a happy one than by getting one of my zines or mini-comics. 

If you say the phrase that pays, "LASER BEAMS IS GO!", I will give you a dollar off each item you purchase at my table at the show. Additionally, if anyone brings me a barbarian related comic book or paperback, I will give you one of each of the zines/mini-comics for sale at my table for free. 

Hope to see you there!

Lux Interior

8.5” x 11” ink, pen, and brush on bristol.

SOLD!