Featured Illustration: Rachel The Wolverine

This was a fun little piece that Rose asked me to do for her friend, Rachel. I really wanted to go with turning her into X-23 but I guess there was an inside joke that she was Wolverine. I figured I would continue to test out Procreate for this too. It sounds strange but I don't think I fell in love with it until the very end. It's funny what my process is like sometimes.


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Comic Review: Steve Rogers: Super Soldier #4 of 4

Ah the final issue of Steve Rogers: Super Soldier finally came out. I have enjoyed almost everything about this mini so far. I hate to say it but this last installment was a little disappointing. The finale just seemed to by the numbers for me. The way Steve gets an assist from his Secret Avengers teammate, Beast was a nice nod. I thought that was cool how it was tied in. Even the way he defeats Machinesmith was pretty interesting.

Overall I did enjoy reading it and seeing the story close. I just think the way the previous issue played out overshadowed this one. There is a surprise ending that was very intriguing fortunately. Things kinda get turned on it's ear. The payoff is nice. I'll give Brubaker credit where it's due. I just hope that this storyline will be continued in Secret Avengers at some point. That's the book that Steve Rogers is regularly in. He does have Nick Fury's old job after all.


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My Halloween as Ultimate Captain America

Last Halloween was a disaster for me. I dressed up as Ultimate Nick Fury and went to work for the party. Unfortunately none of the kids or adults recognized me. Comic fans know him from the Ultimates and his cameo in Iron Man after the credits. Too bad the general public doesn't. Every one thought I was a pirate. This time I wanted to not only be someone at was instantly recognizable but someone I really liked. For me the Ultimates put Captain America on the map. It made him cool again.

This iteration had a harder edge and an attitude. He wouldn't just take you down he'd make jokes while he did. This Captain wasn't afraid to take lives when necessary. Ultimate Captain America quickly became my favorite Marvel character. After deciding Gabranth would be too expensive and time consuming I went with Cap America. I owe a big thank you to my Mom and my girlfriend Rose for helping me design and finance the costume.


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Afterschool Cartooning

Today is the day my after school cartooning class begins. I work at Troup School in New Haven, CT. The kids always ask me to draw for them. I figured I'd do them one better. Why not teach them what I know. It's nice being able to pass something down that you've learned. As of right now I'm not yet a working professional. This might work better for the kids though. I think they'll be able to relate to my class more.

The structure will be very flexible. They'll be plenty of time to free draw but they'll get structure too. I really want them to be able to put together mini comics with a beginning, middle and end. I could spark something in them. Who knows?


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Location:Beers St,New Haven,United States

Comic Review: Steve Rogers: Super Soldier #2 of 4

I just got the second issue of the Marvel miniseries, Steve Rogers: Super Soldier.
It's written by Ed Brubaker and drawn by Dale Eaglesham. After a solid first issue I was eagerly anticipating issue two. Thankfully it doesn't disappoint. At the end of issue one Doctor Jacob Erskine is shot and Steve needs to find out why. The opener picks up right after this. The bulk of this issue has Steve squeezing the underworld to find out the identity of the shooter.

He figures out since no one knows anything it's an inside job from the Nextin Security Company. Steve goes to find them and protect Erskine's wife too. As the doctor was on his deathbed he made Steve promise he'd do this. Unfortunately that's another mystery. This woman appears to be his first love, Cynthia Glass. He met her when he tried to enlist in Project Rebirth. She was a Nazi spy that died saving Captain America I. WW II.

Steve doesn't understand how she's still alive. He confronts her on the beach and the truth is soon revealed by the story's antagonist. I won't spoil any of the details but the ending is very satisfying. Again I love the combination of good storytelling, witty dialogue and gorgeous pencils. I'm starting to wish this was an ongoing series. Steve Rogers: Super Soldier is a blend of intrigue and super hero action. Can't wait for the next one.


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Location:Sherman Pkwy,New Haven,United States

Games I can't put down: Batman Arkham Asylum

Batman Arkham Asylum is without a doubt the best superhero game I have ever played. Rocksteady(the developer) literally makes you feel like Batman. The story follows the Caped Crusader as he apprehends The Joker and brings him into Arkham Asylum.(Gotham's own super villain revolving door.) Unfortunately this is part of The Joker's plan and he quickly takes over the prison. He even causes a fire at Black Gate prison to have his gang transferred to Arkham. The storyline is very well done and takes villains like The Scarecrow, and Killer Croc and weaves them into a gripping narrative.

Batman himself is portrayed very well. He's ruthless and cunning but also sticks to his strict moral code. Basically Batman doesn't kill anyone and he saves the innocent. Arkham Asylum puts you into many situations where you have to save guards and criminals alike. Bruce Wayne's origins are also addressed in game too. I won't ruin the way it plays out put there are scenes in this game that just leave your jaw on the floor. The gameplay is no slouch either. The game utilizes Free Flow Combat. Basically you can attack, batarang, and leap in all directions. Batman can also counter various attacks and perform special takedowns.

Combat is ridiculously fun. There are seemingly countless combinations. The game will award you with more experience points the better you fight too. You can't have a Batman game without stealth and this is another area where the game excels. Batman can hide in the shadows and grapple from the ceiling to avoid detection. Enemies can be taken down with glide kicks, batarangs and my favorite: the inverted takedown. If you've seen Batman Begins you know what I mean. The main game is spectacular aside from the lame final battle. There are also various challenge modes. You can even play as The Joker on PS3.

These modes consist of combat and stealth missions. Each of them have conditions that challenge your skills too. For example you may have to pounce on an enemy from above a glass ceiling or takedown a foe from around a corner. These modes give the game a lot of replay value. All in all this is a superb game. Even if you're not an avid comic reader this game shouldn't be missed.


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Location:Campbell Ave,West Haven,United States

Featured Illustration: Ultimate Captain America

This is an old illustration I did of Ultimate Captain America in Photoshop. This is the no nonsense version (He broke Hank Pym's jaw, and dropped a tank on the Hulk.) from The Ultimates 2 by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. I love the design because the mask is a helmet this time. That makes sense in the story. They did deploy him to Iraq after all.






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Location:Onyx St,New Haven,United States

Comics Review: Steve Rogers: Super Soldier

Let me just say whether or not Steve Rogers is Captain America or not (It's Bucky now.) he'll always be my favorite superhero. Steve Rogers: Super Soldier is about the former Captain America in his new role as the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. It's written by Ed Brubaker and drawn by Dale Eaglesham. I won't spoil the story but basically Steve learns that someone is trying to mass produce super soldiers for private gain. He goes to investigate and stop the threat before it gets serious.

One of the things I enjoyed about this issue is the vibe. The art is top notch and it feels like 007 meets Marvel Comics. Brubaker has been writing the Captain America story for some time now. His attention to the core traits that make Steve who is are on full display. What I like is how he makes Steve seem human even though he's superhuman. I'd never heard of Eaglesham before but he does a great job of rendering the story. Steve's leap from a skyscraper comes to mind.(So well done.) I like how the style has a silver age look to it also.

I could've done without the inner dialogue during the fight scene but what can you do? All in I thought it was a strong number 1. I hope the whole miniseries is this consistent.






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Location:Central Ave,New Haven,United States