Blue Moon Blog

I recently received my copies of the Fractured Fables anthology published by Jim Valentino at Image/Silverline Books. My contribution with Len Strazewski (script) and my wife, Mary (fellow colorist) is a twist on Washington Irving’s Rip van Winkle called Pippi van Wrinkles. I’m very pleased by the printing and presentation, as well as the company we’re in. It was reviewed very favorably in the Washington Times, as well as at Ain’t It Cool News, so check out those if you need convincing.

Fractured Fables cover by Mike and Laura Allred

The artist skimming through the book

Pippi Van Wrinkles, page 1

The book is currently available in comic shops and on Amazon, and in fine bookstores everywhere in October.

I had a lotta hot fun at the Minneapolis Indie Xpo, doing sketches, chatting with fans, friends and fellow artists, and selling lotsa comics, minis, books, buttons and marbles. I expected the crowd to be 20-something hipsters, of which there were plenty, but a lotta families showed up, too, so it was a good cross section and MIX of people.

A view from near my table of one of the three rooms/areas of the show. This was taken in the morning as the show began. A short time later and most of the rest of the day, these rooms were pretty packed.

It was a hot and humid day, and the small fan I brought along was little comfort, but somehow I did a buncha sketches, even if my sweaty arm occasionally stuck to the paper:

A quick Hellboy drawing I did in a collector’s sketchbook.

I know, I’m weird. Big fan of spatulas. Never took any drugs, ladies and gentleman!

Many kids, parents and grandparents were drawn to my Night of the Bedbugs book, ABC minis, buttons and juggling beanbags, which was nice to see. A lotta new Bedbugs fans were made at this show, who I hope will follow up and LIKE the Bedbugs Facebook page or visit the bedbugsmania.com web site for games, vids and more.

Taking a break from doing a Micronauts’ Baron Karza sketch for a photo by new acquaintance, and MCAD Artist in Residence, Jim Keefe.

Special thanks to MIX organizers Sarah Morean and Andy Krueger for doing a fine job kicking off this event. I’m already looking forward to next year.

I’ve long been a fan of Don Simpson’s Megaton Man, indeed since his debut in 1984. So I was pleased as punch when he and newly appointed President of the CBLDF (Comic Book Legal Defense Fund), Larry Marder asked me to color a four-page story Don had done for the upcoming annual issue of Liberty Comics.

Don considers himself retired from the comic book scene, focusing on teaching and working towards his MA in history of art and architecture and PhD. Still, when called upon to raise funds and defend the First Amendment, Don rose to the challenge and hasn’t missed a beat. Indeed, not only is this piece his first and longest in years, it’s also his best. It’s like he never took the time off. So it was a pleasure for my wife, Mary and I to color away on his array of Bizarre Heroes, and contribute to the cause ourselves.

Here’s a sneak peek panel from one of many great stories by big name creators:

This panel also features fan faves Yarn Man, Rubber Brother and X-Ray Boy.

CBLDF Liberty Annual 2010, edited by Larry Marder with stories from various creators and covers by Jim Lee and Darick Robertson, arrives in stores on October 6, 2010 for $4.99.

My pal, Mark Flora, for whom I’ve done album illustrations, and who played guitar and more for the most recent Bedbugs trailer, has assembled a new band, The Holy Rocka Rollaz! Over this past weekend, the band was out and about at a local car show, spreading the word and passing out CD samplers, which featured my art on the cover, in total Ratfink/Dragster mode.

The band provided me tons of good photo reference for the vibe and likenesses. There’s still some tweaking and finessing I’ll do on the art, as well as the type treatment, but this was good to go for their purposes early on as Mark and his gang lay the groundwork to set up gigs. The Holy Rocka Rollaz are a band that loves and pays tribute to early American rock ‘n’ roll, probably playing car shows, gigs events and even weddings by the Fall.

For your curiosity, I’m including here my initial and only sketch/pencil, done digitally, directly on the screen/computer. I printed it in blue and inked with a brush, scanning and coloring in Photoshop. I’ll post updates about the band here at the blog, as well as the updated art when it’s completed.

Not only could you respect his acting talent, but I enjoyed observing his evolution over the years. From James Dean pal and a young Hollywood pretty boy being groomed by the studios; to hippy and drug-crazed rebel, independent upstart and entrepreneur; and finally to cleaning up his act, still a political rebel in his old age, but then by going against the grain of the rest of his baby-boomer peers, turning more conservative.

What a life he led. You never knew where he was going to stand, but what a character! And it looks as if he fought cancer towards the end with a smile on his face.

Here’s to ya’, Mr. Hopper.

This topic was kicked off by NPR, then picked up by blogger Ann Althouse. Everyone’s gonna have their own take on it, depending on personal musical tastes and preferences, and whether a great track can lead off an otherwise mediocre album. The Beatles’ Revolver is pretty much my favorite album, and Taxman is a great opening track, but it didn’t make the cut for my top twelve, as I’m looking for more: a particular superb track that sets the tone and theme for an album, or perhaps kicks off a great career for an artist or band. So here are my faves, some well known, some far less so.

Wouldn’t It Be Nice - Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

The wonderful tune to open a classic album, the opening song perfectly encapsulating Brian Wilson’s naive, innocent and optimistic state of mind in his mid-twenties. The album explores the themes and ideas most important to Wilson at the time: how to find his place in the world; break out on his own; personally and creatively. He’s a musical prodigy, yet has been stunted emotionally, damaged by his father, his growth delayed. The album becomes bittersweet as it closes, and more mature, as one can sense his entry into adulthood. And there’s no going back. In hindsight, Wouldn’t It Be Nice becomes bittersweet itself, because of the loss of innocence (also lamented in J.D. Salinger’s novel, Catcher in the Rye), and it just about breaks your heart hearing it and knowing how life went for him not long after.

Hello There - Cheap Trick - In Color

I find this to be a classic rock tune, a superb opener for an album, show, playlist or party. Sure, they had released an album previous to this, and Surrender was on the following album, but to me, Cheap Trick announced themselves as major players with this song and this album. I love that they kept it so short; it’s an intro, really. I love the double guitar lead that finishes it.

Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water

To open their final album, the folkster duo gives us a hymn (released about the same time as McCartney’s Let It Be) that soars. Like The Beatles last, Abbey Road, which opens with Here Comes the Sun, the second side starts with their last and ultimate folk song, a story of survival and persistence, The Boxer. What begins as a simple folk tune with guitar and voice, it builds with additional and effective instrumentation to become a bombastic epic, and one can really feel the triumph of the narrator.

We Will Rock You/(We Are the Champions) - Queen - News of the World

It’s tough to beat the one-two punch of the opening of Queen’s second best album (following Night At the Opera). Sure, both anthems have been overplayed and have become nearly cliches, but We Will Rock You bursts with energy from the opening insistent beats and claps, Mercury’s rough vocal and Brian May’s astounding solo.

I Will Follow - U2 - Boy

Not their best album, but still one of their best songs, and that’s saying something for a band with such a long and storied career. I Will Follow is quite an intro for the band, as these teens declared themselves to the world, with the Edge’s distinctive guitar sound, Mullen’s pounding beat, Clayton’s pulsing bass and Bono’s dramatic vocals. With their first song an album called Boy, these young men had already come of age.

Welcome to the Working Week - Elvis Costello - My Aim Is True

Another startling entrance for an artist, as Elvis Costello emerges fully formed, in your face and fighting for the blue collar worker, though offering little comfort. With the backing vocals ooh-ing and aah-ing behind Costello’s first lines, he kicks it into high gear and doesn’t let up as the song clocks in at 1:23. He and the band keep up the pace and quality for the rest, in one of the greatest introductions in rock history.

American Music - The Violent Femmes - Why Do Birds Sing?

Accompanied by a guitar strumming simple chords, pastor’s son Gordon Gano whines to us the question whether we like American music, challenging us to answer in the affirmative as the drummer and band kick it into gear. This semi-punk trio takes us for a ride on this opening song, speeding up in a furious flurry ’til it stops on a dime. The rest of the album is heartbreaking, snarky, joyous, silly, sophomoric, primal, vengeful and literate, leaving one to answer that sure, “I like American music (We like all kinds of music!)”, but can’t for our lives figure why birds sing.

The Blues Walk/Here I Am - Lyle Lovett and His Large Band

After the sprightly Blues Walk sets the stage, it then all goes quiet as the spotlight hits on Lyle Lovett who introduces himself, stating simply, “Hello, I’m the guy who sits next to you and reads the newspaper over your shoulder/ Wait - don’t turn the page/ I’m not finished/ Life is so uncertain.” Here he is indeed. The rest of the song/album is funny, quirky, gender and genre-bending, and contains an array of great bluesy tunes jilted lovers and aching ballads of lovers still together.

I Feel Young Today - Peter Himmelman - Gematria

A personal favorite, Himmelman kicks off his solo career with a rhythmic opening track that gets the heart pumping and a person ready to take on the day/life. It begins simply with a syncopated guitar pattern, but soon builds to a crescendo with grunts & groans, soaring and screamed vocals, drum bursts and echos, and more. It hard not to listen to this without feeling energized and ready to roll.

Just One of Those Things - Blossom Dearie - Give Him the Ooh-La-La

Opening with a smoldering whisper of a slapping, bouncy upright bass, Blossom Dearie brings a new sound to an old standard. One of the most distinctive voices in pop and jazz history, Ms. Dearie breezes through a tune of rapture and regret in just over two minutes. Accompanied by that bass only for the first minute, the band joins in for the second half, until Blossom and the bass dwindle and fade off. A superb start to her best album, for the Verve label, recorded in 1957.

Let the Day Begin - The Call - Let the Day Begin

An epic, exuberant, compassionate call to all, a rocker predating U2’s Beautiful Day by more than a decade. Michael Been & company lift us up, every one: babies, preachers, dreamers, teachers, doctors, soldiers, the lonely and the homeless in a song that is actually narrated by God, with blessings from above. The Call is one of my favorite bands, and they seem to open every one of their albums in strong fashion.

Don’t Wake Me - Toby Lightman - Bird On a Wire

A rousing opener to one of three of Lightman’s great albums. It kicks off with an a capella gospel intro before jumping into a funky/soulful exploration about indecision of a relationship. Toby’s incredible pipes hold it all together. I strongly recommend you pick up everything she’s done.

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I couldn’t help but include these two more:

I Saw Her Standing There - The Beatles - Please Please Me

Their first album, which included their two previously released singles and B-sides. But ten more tracks were recorded in a rigorous nearly ten hour session - incredible. Much of the album seems dated now, due to early efforts that weren’t their best and some forgettable covers. But it also includes the immortal first-take of Twist & Shout, Love Me Do, Please Please Me & Do You Want to Know A Secret. And the album kicks off with what is still one of the greatest rock tunes ever. What a debut!

Beyond Belief - Elvis Costello - Imperial Bedroom

Another Elvis Costello song & album - had to. Beyond Belief is an evolving, free-form, explosive tune that opens a fantastic album, one of Costello’s best. It’s one of my all-time favorite songs and one of my favorite album covers ever.

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Now, what are yours?

Had fun at the Minnesota 2-day SpringCon this past weekend. Sold Bedbugs books, sketches, buttons, etc. Heard some wonderful stories of kids who’ve already grown attached to the Night of the Bedbugs book.

Also saw some fun folks in costumes and caught up with tons of friends and artists.

Here are a couple fave pics. See more at my Convention Photo Album at Facebook.

Super Kiddie Friends Flash, Wonder Woman and The Huntress

Scott Beaderstadt (Uncle Picklehead), Emily and our new Totoro plush

The family has been listening to ’70s rock the last couple weeks, especially during games of the card game, Pounce. While playing what is essentially a face-paced version of solitaire for four, there’s a tendency for people to chatter, sing, whistle and make noises. If we have background music, it helps a bit towards getting everyone in sync and on the same page. Steely Dan is one of those groups we’ve been listening to, and one of our favorites to sing along with is their Get Along, Sweet Chinaman, which some have apparently misnamed as Kid Charlemagne. In honor of the tune, I did this sketch:

Other than my fave tune of theirs, Reelin’ in the Years, I’ve never loved their music, finding it a bit long, rambling and esoteric, the vocals an acquired taste. But listening lately to their best, I’ve found I know and like most of their tunes - they must’ve played the heck out of these tunes on the radio in the 70’s and ’80s. By chance over the weekend, I saw a commercial for a Midnight Special DVD, including a quick snippet of the band doing Reelin’. Gosh, that Walter Becker was not an attractive man - a face for radio!

Walter Becker, center top; Donald Fagen, 2nd from left

He’s improved with age, though, a much better look:

Fagen & Becker, circa 2007

After disbanding in 1981, they regrouped for concerts in 1993, and released two studio albums, in 2000 and 2003, respectively. I’ve gotta check those out, ’cause they don’t seem to have missed a beat.

These are a few of my favorite fives -

Let’s Sing a Song of Fives from Sesame Street:

Johnny Bench, catcher of the Big Red Machine from the 1970s Cincinnati Reds. I wore his number on my uniform on every softball team on which I played.

Ben Folds Five:

Schoolhouse Rock - Ready or Not, Here I Come (5s):

The Five Fingers of my right hand, without which I couldn’t draw or play piano:

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

No, this post isn’t about the latest Romanian Olympic phenom gymnast. It’s about time, it’s about space…

It’s about the most recent photos captured by our pal the Hubble telescope. It gives us…The Carina Nebula!

Striking, colorful, mind-blowing.

Sure, the HubbleSite describes this as…

…the top of a three-light-year-tall pillar of gas and dust that is being eaten away by the brilliant light from nearby bright stars. The pillar is also being pushed apart from within, as infant stars buried inside it fire off jets of gas that can be seen streaming from towering peaks like arrows sailing through the air.

But it looks more to me like some kind of scary, big-bodied, tiny-headed, horned Space Creature conjured up by H. P. Lovecraft or something you’d see in the latest Hellboy movie. More than anything, it reminds me of some of the images Jack Kirby poured forth from his imagination and spilled out for all to see with misaligned and screened color on cheap newsprint.

Only now, we see this real Space Stuff, beyond even what Kirby imagined.

Incredible.