Well
it's a New Year and with it I have a new look for the blog. Hope you
all like it. Just to let you know I have been getting alot of jobs as
of late so I hope this keeps up through out the year. Also the Graphic
Novel I am putting together to help the fallen and wounded soldiers
from Iraq is still going to be produced. I had to push back the
publication date as I have not received the stories from the soldiers
as quickly as I had hoped for. I made some new inquiries today to
several charitable organizations that I hopw will be able to help me
obtain a few morew stories from soldiers. They being , The IAVA and the Wounded Warriors Project so we will see where that takes us. As everyone else does on New Years I have made a few New Year's resolutions so here they go 1) Work on my speed to get my pages out faster without loosing quality 2)Publish Untold Stories From Iraq 3)Spend more time with my lovely wife 4) Work towards being able to make a living doing what I love ! Comics baby Comics 5) Stop trying to quit smoking it never works! 6)Try to talk to my friends online a bit more Well
there you have it folks my New Year resolutions. Anyway I would like to
say as well I hope everyone has a fantastic and successfull New Year.
Well that is all I have for now so see you in the funny papers! The Hero Maker
December 11, 2008 I have just gone International! I was commissioned to do a Comic Book style Cover , for an International Commercial Shipping Magazine called "Marine Money International". This cover will be seen from New york to London to Asia . This is my first International work and I am very excited that they loved the final cover.The Cover will appear on the January ,2009 Issue of "Marine Money International" Icreated the entire piece from scratch. I penciled ,inked ,colored ,layed-out & designed the entire cover including the text. I will post the image as soon as I receive the green light! Here is their website: http://www.marinemoney.com/ Also I am presently working on "COMICS FOR CURE Sketch Cards " which is an annual event thatComics2Games along withBlue Line Pro Art ,have each year to help raise money to fight cancer and find a cure . Please visit the websites and support the cause.
And last but not least I am penciling a 22 page comic called "Bengal Cat"for " Sean Taylor" The writer for GENE SIMMONS Comic's ( Of KISS fame) "DOMINATRIX" & "GENE SIMMONS HOUSE OF HORROR" which is produced by " Simmons Comics Group" along with "IDW Publishing" You can visit Sean's site "TaylorVerse.com" Well that's about it folks, check back often as this is where I will keep you updated on whats happening with me And
I have also just landed a commission job to create some comic style art
for a New York Gym, It will be for T-shirts,water bottles, key chains
etc. I will post images once I have approval! The Hero Maker
Well
the cover was approved! And it will be published in January 2009, I am
very happy that this worked out so well. So here is the final image for
you all to look at.Please leave a comment if you like
Yes
everyone I have gone International! I was approached by John Kulukundis
to do a Comic Book style cover for the January Issue of "Marine Money
Magazine" which is a commercial shipping magazine. So far so good they
like what I have done. I am now awaiting final approval from the
Editor. So wish me luck. And here is the cover for you to check out
This
is to all of my friends here. This past year has actually been a hard
one for me. I have had some medical issues and also some problems with
my step-son. And I have even thought about giving up my dream of being
a comic artist. Heck I even thought about giving up on my art
alltogether.I have fallen behind on work that had to be finished. And I
have promised to deliver on work which I have not been able to do
because of the time constraints of the work I do. I know that really is
no excuse to make a promise and not deliver on it . But honestly at the
time I thought I could do it. So to all of you that I have said I will
do work for you, it is coming! I am just really far behind. As of right
now I am not able to do any work for anyone other than what I already
have on my plate. It is not that I dont want to ,it is just I have to
be realistic with the time that I have to work on projects. Now on to
more positive matters! I want to Thank a few special people for their
friendship and the help and advice that I have recieved from them this
year. Nathan Thomas Milliner,Madman,Comibookinker1971, Jason Craig,
Brad Meltzer, Jimmy Palimotti , Problem Child, Nicola Ciceria, Mathew
Tow, The Batman, and also the rest of you that I havent named here.So
as we start to leave behind 2007 and look to 2008 I want to start the
New Year off by getting all those projects that I am behind on out to
you. And you know who you are. Now a few New year resolutions. 1) LOL Loose 25lbs 2) Find more time to spend with my wonderful wife Collette! 3) Improve on my artistic endeavours. 4) Make new friends And
that is all I have ( Was going to put quit smoking but I have tried to
many times and never have!) So Here I come 2008 you better be ready for
The Hero Maker!
O'k people here is a pin-up I just completed for CNG Comics of one of there character's "Cario" You can see CNG Comics work here: http://www.myspace.com/chara19 Anyway if you feel the need please respond to me let me know what you think! The Hero maker
I have decided to do what I see a lot of my fellow artist on here do, I am opening myself up for commissions! But I am going to approach it from a different angle! I will pencil , ink or both any character your so desire on a 11x17 Blueline Pro comic page as a pin-up or 1 page sequential action scene. I will sign the art in gold or silver ink again your choice and here is the best part! You decide the price you pay for your original piece of art from me The Hero Maker! No strings attached. All I ask is that your be serious and be reasonable and realistic on the money! I mean if you ask me to do a sequintal page penciled and inked with alot of action,and you say your willing to pay $5.00 I will be insulted ! not just for me but for you having the balls to ask that! But if that is what you think it is worth then I will do it as I am a man of my word! So get to it and think of something you would like for yourself,a friend or family member. Remember Christmas is right around the corner! you can send your request to me here at cmerwin6@gmail.com just put commission in the subject line. And remember I will need a actual mailing address to send the work to so dont forget to inclose that plus a way to contact you. And one other note . Once the work is finished I will send you an email telling you that it is completed with a scan of the image. then once I receive the payment you have agreed to pay for the piece I will then mail it out to you! I have been burnt to many times to send the art before I get paid! I will only accept Money Orders. No Personal checks! Or credit cards. So if you think this is something you would like to do please contact me. Remember this is going to get busy fast so get your order in to me as quick as possible!!No one else will do this I can guarantee you that! Have a great Day! ..The Hero Maker
STEVE NILES & KELLY JONES TEAM FOR NEW BATMAN SERIES by Jonah Weiland, Executive Producer Posted: October 5, 2007 â?? More From This Author
"30 Days of Night" author Steve Niles revealed on his forum Thursday evening that he'll be joined by famed illustrator Kelly Jones on a brand new, 12-issue Batman series for DC Comics. CBR News has learned the name of the project is "Batman: Gotham After Midnight" and will likely be released sometime in 2008.
The project is noteworthy for a number of reasons. This series marks the return to Batman by Kelly Jones for the first time since the late 1990s. Perhaps most celebrated for illustrating the preeminent Elseworlds story "Batman & Dracula: Red Rain" and its two sequels, Jones also enjoyed a long and memorable run with the "Batman" title from 1995 - 1998, approaching art on the series with a dark and moody style, often depicting Batman with incredibly long ears and an enormous, billowing cape, evoking an almost demonic look for the Dark Knight.
"Gotham After Midnight" will be the second go 'round with Batman for Steve Niles, whose "30 Days of Night" has been adapted for the screen and will be released in just a few weeks. Niles previously wrote the Batman character in the three-issue series "Batman: Gotham County Line" with art by Scott Hampton. The new 12-issue project reunites Niles and Jones, who've collaborated numerous times previously on the Niles creation Cal MacDonald, the hard-living, supernatural monster hunter.
I really can not believe I am about to do, what I am going to do but I really don't know what else to do I have exhausted all conventional methods so here goes nothing. I am an everyday average 43 year old American citizen with a dream! I want to make a living as an artist as do half the artist I know, that is as plain as I can put it ! And this is probally one of the hardest professions in the world to break into. I don't want to be rich just able to support my family! I don't really care if I ever become a well known famous artist,I just want to be able to do what I love and that is create art ! comics ,paintings ,drawings etc...If anyone at all is willing to give a hard working loyal individual a chance to prove himself please respond to this bulletin. There has to be someone that knows someone that still believes in not giving a hand out but a hand up! A chance to prove that I am worth taking a chance on! This may sound like begging but it's not ! I have been on my own since I was 18. I learned very early in life that anything worth having or doing is worth working for it ! I put myself through college at the age of 33 to try and make that dream come true only to find after numerous interviews that I was to old ( would have to pay more than your typical college grad due to my age) or did not have the experience( wanted someone younger to mold and shape and not pay as much) to be a Graphic artist How can you get experience if they wont take the chance on you? There has to be a individual or a company here on the internet with the millions that are on here who needs a good comic or book artist !a painter or a storyboard artist. Maybe you know someone that knows someone. All I am asking for is a chance to prove that I can be what I have always wanted to be! I have to much pride to ask for something for nothing so if anyone that is serious and is willing to respond to this bulletin and can actually employ me give me 12 months to prove that I can be an asset to your company! If at the end of that 12 months you decide that I am not the person for you then no harm no foul and no hard feelings on my end! I have tried conventional means to make my dream come true and and now I am trying to make an opportunity for myself I may not be Jim Lee or Frank Miller or Norman Rockwell but I am an artist and as with anything I can only improve! I know most likely this bulletin will not amount to anything but I am trying to do what all Americans want to do, and that is live the American Dream! What do I have to loose? Other than someone thinking I silly for posting a bulletin like this. So if by chance this bulletine does reach that last person in America that believes in good old fashioned hard work and the chance to prove ones self then by all means please respond to this bulletin! Thanks for reading Clayton D. Murwin The Hero maker
I have just been accepted as one of the new artist for CNG Comics see link here: http://www.myspace.com/chara19 So I am not sure what I will be doing yet but I am sure I will be having fun whatever it is! So look for some awesome titles and amazing art to be coming soon from Critical New Gritty Comics! CNG comics the place to be! Below is the original CNG comic logo on the left, and on the right is the New CNG comics logo I created!
To those that are familiar with Crimson Masque, it seems that the comic will not be going to print in 2008 as planned. At least not with me as the artist for the book! Anthony J. Alecia the writer and creator of Crimson Masque And Owner of Broken Door Publishing seemingly has given up on the book. I have tried numerous times to contact Anthony since the Broken Door Publishing comic con fell through for November. He has not returned my calls or answered my emails. So I can only assume that or contractual agreement is null and void. Since no monies exchanged hands in the contract I retain all rights to the Crimson Masque character concept design and look.I am really saddened by this turn of events. I considered Anthony a good friend not only a business partner. I truly hope that what-ever problems Anthony is struggling with that he is able to overcome them! And maybe sometime in the future we will resume Crimson Masque together.Until that time Crimson Masque is off the table for the Hero Maker!
For those of you interested in the "Mind Hunter Omega" comic Tim & Toby Swift the Publisher of the book & owners of www.redzonecomics.com have decided to release it as a Graphic Novel in Full Color! So Issue#1 and #2 will be combined to make it a 45 page Graphic Novel with some added art from some other talented artist in a Pin-Up section in the back of the book. I am not sure when the actual release date is going to be ,all I know is that it will be sometime in 2008. I will keep you informed as to whats happening with the book as I find out.
To all of you that know me and are my friends you know I love comics and you know I love to draw. But I have been doing a lot of thinking lately. I am 43 years old! Not a young whipper snapper anymore. Since I can remember I have wanted to make a living at being a artist in some form or fashion. I even put myself through college at the age of 33 to help me achieve that goal. I graduated with an Associates as a graphic designer /artist But to no avail I was told after I graduated that I was either to old for a job and that they wanted someone younger for the position. Or i did not have the experience they were looking for. So I have continued over the years to try and build myself into a self-made freelance comic artist. I get the odd jobs here and there but not enough to make a living on. My dream has always been to be a comic artist and I have submitted time after time and have been turned down so many times I have lost count. I always wanted to work for DC as I am the biggest Batman fan in the world! I cant begin to say how many form letters I have recieved saying thank you for your interest but ... I would work for any comic company that whould allow me to obtain my dream! So what do I do my friends should I give up on this seemingly unattainable dream to work as a comic artist Doing something I would love to do.. I work as a maintenance turnover tech for the Housing Authority . It's a job and it pays my bills and I am thankful I do have a job! But I am so unhappy in my work and I dread each day getting up and going in. But In saying that the last year or so has been even worse as I have been trying so hard to make my dream come true to be a comic artist . I am miserable what should I do just forget my dreams and be happy with what I have or keep going for it. Im so confused right now Please friends some wise advise ! I feel that this will eventually drive me insane ! I cant just quit my job I have a wife and son who depend on me. Help!
It's not definite but Broken Door Comic Con looks like it may be pushed back to until next year due to unforseen circumstances! My apologies to anyone that was interested in attending it in November. The Hero Maker
I remember the day that I heard that the Twin Tower's in New York were attacked . I was working as a Security Officer at a retail establishment in Birkenhead England. It was about midday there and I remember a friend of mine coming up to me and saying that a plane had hit one of the tower's. I looked at him as if to say this isn'nt funny if your pulling my leg. There is no way that a plane could be flying that low as to hit one of the tower's . Then another patron came up to me and said your an American aren't you? Did you hear that another plane has hit the 2nd tower. Well at this point I was extremely upset and was trying to figure out what was going on so I went to my supervisor and asked him if I could go to the break room and watch TV to see what was happening. As a matter of fact everyone in the store that day went to the break room with me to see what was happening . We watched in stunned amazement as the planes were shown over and over again hitting the towers. I remember Gary the store manager looking over at me and saying " Damn Mate this looks's really bad!" Then it came across the screen from SkyNews Britains CNN that America was under attack. I remember this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach and I began to cry . My co-worker's were very supportive of me at that moment in time but all I could remember was that I felt like a traitor because I was not back in my own country in her time of need.. I immeadeately called my wife who is Britsh and asked her if she had seen what was going on and she said it was terrible and that she could'nt believe it! That night my wife and I and our kids watched all of the new's broadcast. my wife held me and said it was going to be ok! Well in the days that followed I have never felt so much support. All of the British people I knew would come up to me and say how sorry they felt for the people that died that day and there families! Well its seven years later after 9-11 and my wife and two of my children live here in America now. And life has been hard! But on this anniversary of 9-11 I just want one thing to be known ! I am an American and Proud to be an American and I support Our Troops and I am Proud of each and everyone of them that protect this country! I may not always agree with what our goverment does But I support the Office and Adminstration. If you live in this country wether you are Chinese ,Mexican, Korean African, Or Muslim and you are here legal'ly Then you are an American! Stand up for America and Defend Her she is worth it! And just one more note I am a Registered Democrat But today or tommorow or anytime actually is not the time to be a republican a democrat or an independent ! We have to as a country come together once again and be Americans! May God Bless each and every family that lost someone in the towers on 9-11 and may God protect or men and women that are protecting America! God Bless you all ! God Bless America and the rest of the world as well! The Hero Maker
Broken Door Publishings FIRST ANNUAL COMICON CONVENTION NOVEMBER 2, 3, 4, 2007
To all guest, exhibitors and vendors interested in our 1st annual convention I first like to say thank you for your interest.
It has always been my dream to enter the publishing world in many forms and the most recent has been comic books and filmmaking. I have worked very hard in writing to create memorable scenes and dialogue along with fascinating storylines to help the normal, everyday person find a place to escape.
I know many of you have also had the same dream and of course have all succeeded in that dream by creating the work you all have done thus far. From the artist, to writer, colorist, inker all the way down to the very vendors that sell the books we create and we read.
I want to invite you all to our first convention to allow you to meet one another and display your work for everyone to see. I have always been a strong supporter of the independent hard worker because I am still one myself.
Please take into consideration the convention and having a chance to appear and help those that want the same dream to one day sit across from the same fans that got all of us started.
The Ramada Inn is charging a fee of $75.00 a day for rooms. Any exhibitors and vendors that reserve a table before Oct. 5th 2007 will receive a room price of $65.00 (prices may change).
Exhibitors and vendors tables will be 8ft long at a weekend price of: $150.00. An additional table can be purchased at: $50.00 and will be 6ft long. Tables can be reserved by filling out an application with your information and a check payable to: Broken Door Publishings. (Applications will be emailed or mailed upon request.) A $25.00 fee will be charged for any returned checks. All payments must be made by Oct. 5th 2007. Exhibitors and vendors can cancel their reservations before Oct. 5th 2007 for a full refund. Reservation cancels 2 weeks before the convention will receive half their payment back and any cancels after that will receive â??noâ?? payment back.
Exhibitors and vendors will receive 2 badges saying, â??VENDORâ?? or â??GUESTâ??. Additional badges will cost $10.00, this is to prepare the Broken Door Publishings Staff to make the appropriate room and space for the tables.
The convention times will be:
Friday: 3pm to 8pm. Saturday: 11am to 8pm. Sunday: 12pm to 5pm.
All exhibitors and vendors must be ready to set up their tables 2 hours before the first day November 2nd 2007 and check in with Broken Door Publishings staff for badges and information.
Advertisement space will also be available to be purchased in our PROGRAM, which will be distributed â??FREEâ?? at the convention. The program will be a full-color, comic style appearance book that will have convention information along with sponsor information.
Advertisement space can be purchased at the following prices:
Quarter Page: $125.00 Half Page: $175.00 Full Page: $250.00
For purchase or black and white pages cut the prices above by half price. Make all checks payable to: Broken Door Publishings.
To all guest invited to the convention, you must sign a letter of intent. This letter does not legally bind you to appear at the convention but allows us, Broken Door Publishings, the use of your name for advertisement and promotional use. The letter of intent is merely a safe way to be able to promote the list of guest and their intentions to appear at the convention.
For further information please contact me via email or phone (leave a message please) at: