New Original Art Galleries!

We've added two new art galleries in the Original art section! See Vanishing Ashes' gallery here, and Christopher Masson's gallery here!

CBNAH Interview: Yildiray Cinar

Turkish artist Yildiray Cinar is one of the flagship pencillers at DC Comics today. Cinar is set for a stint on Earth-2 from January 2013, which features alternate versions of Green Lantern and Flash as they connect to the rest of the DC Universe. The book has garnered much attention as it boasts a gay Green Lantern, Alan Scott, as writer James Robinson, famed for his Superman titles, utilizes Cinar to bring his visions to life.

CBNAH: 'Kid Havoc': Kicks Back...

KID HAVOC ON KICKSTARTER

Renaldo continues his interview with Eric Pfeiffer-

1. Elaborate more on the fashion and comics mash-up? - 

The fashion side of the project is meant to be as vital to the story as the comic itself. The story is told in its entirety through the issues so you could read through all of the trade-backs and not feel like you were missing anything. However, since the issues are released every other month we are releasing limited runs of clothes in between those months that actually foreshadow what is to happen in the next issue. These moments of foreshadowing are seen through the artwork featured on the clothes as well as the actual design of the clothes. For instance the jacket you may be wearing could play a vital part in a characters design that has yet to be introduced.

2. Influences? w.r.t. art, music, family etc -

I have so many influences it’s hard to name them off. I acquire at least a few new ones every day. I’m in to all the classics, Otomo, Crepax, Moebius, Toppi and the more contemporary artists like Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba, Paul Pope, Guy Davis, Asaf and Tomer Hanuka, Becky Cloonan, Mike Mignola. Just met Ron Wimberly the other day, the creator of Prince of Cats, and I have to say that guy is quickly climbing to the top of my inspiration list. Plus he’s cool as shit, which is always refreshing. There’s no room for ego in comics. Besides comic influences music plays a huge role as well. I make a playlist for each character I’m creating to play through whenever I’m drawing their scenes. I try not to spend too much time on each panel to force out a fair amount of confidence behind my marks and I find that the right music for the scene really helps project that confidence onto the page.

3. How's the backing of your friends and family on your art career and what do you draw/paint apart from comics? - 

Like I said before my friends have been an incredible and an essential part of everything that I do. My family has been especially supportive. I owe them everything. Both of my parents are artists and extremely hard working. So if my little brother actually. Growing up surrounded by that pressure to succeed and creative energy is vital to being a successful artist.

4. Do you think you can innovate and penetrate markets outside US such as Caribbean and Europe etc and how would you plan on doing this? -

I definitely hope so. I think websites like Kickstarter have already opened those doors a great deal. We’ve been receiving a quite a few pledges from people all over the world with our Kid Havoc Kickstarter campaign and I really hope that they keep reading. It’s really an incredible feeling to know that you’re reaching people all over the world. These social avenues have opened up so much opportunity in the world and we share so much of a common interest. It’s really fascinating to me.

5. Finally, what's the end-game that you guys envision for Kid Havoc? -

I want to tell the story of Kid Havoc as long as I can, or as long as I see fit. The great thing about Kid Havoc is that the business structure we’ve set up with the clothing line allows us the luxury of taking our time with telling the story. I really want to be able to dive into some deep secrets with Kid Havoc and offer readers something vast and deep to dive into. I would also love to be able to have a studio that Fern and I could work in and be able to collaborate in person. Right now she works out of LA and I’m based in Richmond. We work really well together with the distance, maybe the space helps, but I’m really curious to see what would come out if we could operate Kid Havoc from the same space. Maybe we could even have a small storefront/gallery in another room with a cool receptionist like the one from Ghostbusters. Time will tell.

CBNAH: We Kick It With Kickstarter and 'Kid Havoc'...

'Kid Havoc' on Kickstarter

Kid Havoc tells of a boy trapped in a world torn by social hierarchy as he's forced to live underground with the rest of his people - deemed unworthy by the Monarchy to live on the surface. In this tale of caste, the boy, Isaac, finds himself torn between youthful curiosities of chasing fireflies through streets and tunnels, and between the social war that keeps his people oppressed and underground. As the war continues, a secret press develops under the name Kid Havoc to spill propaganda to overthrow the Monarchy. While it is up to Isaac to find his way to the top layer to spread their propaganda in this political yet emotional tale, he battles with his child-like sense of curiosity and follows these fireflies deep beneath their city...only to uncover an ancient horror that will change the course of the war!

Yeah…that blew my mind away. Throw that concept in with the amazing art of indie-artist, Eric Scott Pfeiffer, and a novel ideal called 'fashion'...And there you have it...KID HAVOC! It's a comic series and clothing company created by Eric, a freelance illustrator based in Richmond, VA and Fernanda Chavez, a freelance fashion designer based in Los Angeles, CA. They tell an immersive story intricately spun through a series of comics and limited clothing lines. All items are designed and inspired from elements within the story and all artwork is pulled from the next issue so that the apparel will act as a teaser, or sneak peak, into what will happen next in Kid Havoc. Since the characters progress through the story, the clothing will progress alongside them, changing and adapting to the character's new surroundings. Issues will be released bi-monthly with small runs of clothing released in-between giving insight into what will happen next in the storyline.

KID HAVOC KICKSTARTER PROMO

Here’s my interview with Eric, the talented –

1. Can you explain more about Kid Havoc? - 

Kid Havoc is an industries mash-up of comics and fashion. It’s a way for us to merge the storytelling abilities of each unique medium.

2. Why use Kickstarter? As an indie freelancer in the US, is funding that hard to get for projects? - 

I don’t think Kickstarter is just about funding. The fact is we could get funding from other avenues i.e. investors etc, but Kickstarter allows us to build a fan base while simultaneously gathering funds to start our project. With this system you know before you launch that you have a solid customer base to start with. Plus, what you owe them in return is a good, honest product and not just money with interest tied to it.

3. What inspired you and your team to go on a comic line and a fashion route? - 

Right now the team is just Fernanda Chavez and I. We freelanced together in the past for a defunct clothing company. Through the years Fern gathered the skills and connections necessary to start her own line. When she asked me to produce artwork for her line I pitched her idea of what is now Kid Havoc. At the time it was a little different. I think we wanted to produce two sides of the same story told through a men’s line and women’s line, each with their own comics.

4. Could you elaborate on the fashion part of this? – 

The fashion side of the project is meant to be as vital to the story as the comic itself. The story is told in its entirety through the issues so you could read through all of the trade-backs and not feel like you were missing anything. However, since the issues are released every other month we are releasing limited runs of clothes in between those months that actually foreshadow what is to happen in the next issue. These moments of foreshadowing are seen through the artwork featured on the clothes as well as the actual design of the clothes. For instance the jacket you may be wearing could play a vital part in a characters design that has yet to be introduced.

5. How's the art scene in Richmond? -

Incredible. There’s really something fundamentally different about having so many talented and professional artists in such a small city. You can walk into one of the best comic shops on the east coast and see one of the greatest working illustrators and one of the best indie publishers browsing comics and not think twice about it. There’s a community surrounding these tight-knit groups in such a small atmosphere that creates a healthy competition as well as a strong support system. With Kid Havoc I’ve benefited from this first hand. I’m not lying when I say I seriously could not have done any of this without my friends in Richmond.

-Interviewer, Renaldo Matadeen

Valleycon 38... The Fashion Show...

With the ladies/models from Bad Weather Burlesque (and a couple of faithful convention assistants) Valleycon presented a wonderful showing of costumes sponsored by Spirit Halloween...

Here's just a few video clips of the event (I was a bit far back and you should have paid to be there, lol)...

Bonus..!

Valleycon 38... The Cozzies...

Bane was pretty intimidating (read as huge).
(But both were very accommodating)

A nice couple from the Costume Alliance.
They'll be appearing at Winnipeg's C4, as well...

Not a costume, but still pretty funny...

Gender swapped Link in the middle.
Your guess is as good as mine for the other two, lol...

Had to chase this guy as 'Stanley Tweedle' down to get a pic.
LOVE, 'Lexx'..!

'Jayne' from 'Firefly', ordering some food...

Literally a giant-sized Man-Thing...

Literally a giant-sized Man-Thing... 

Literally a giant-sized Man-Thing...

Literally a giant-sized Man-Thing...

The Lady and Gentlemen of the 501st were kind
enough to pose for a few pictures.

The Lady and Gentlemen of the 501st were kind
enough to pose for a few pictures.

The 501st Legion Shooting Gallery...

Do I really need to say Who it is...

Another Steampunk guest, Stephen Miller, nice enough
to take a picture with me...

Don't quote me but I believe this is one of the
ladies from the Xenaversity consuite.
Super jealous of the shirt...

You can check out their costumes and consuites
(and a pic of me slightly intoxicated with them here)

A gender-swapped Jayne and a Mal Reynolds
from 'Firefly'...

No Jokers at the Valleycon this year,
but found a Riddler...

Valleycon 38... The Guests...

THE COVER OF THE VALLEYCON PROGRAM...

Fargo-Moorehead's (that's in North Dakota) Valleycon 38 wasn't my first convention but it has to count as my first true convention experience. I stayed for all three days and I had an absolute blast. Engaging guests, friendly fans, fun events and plenty of worthy opportunities to spend money. Valleycon was a three day convention of comics, scifi, and steampunk... lots of steampunk. Lots of things went wrong (forgot my good camera, lost many names and contact info) so next year I'll be bringing a different CBNAH intern, lol...

GUESTS INCLUDED:

Kevin J. Anderson, author of more than 100 novels. I missed his panels but the CBNAH intern did get to speak one on one with his wife, also a featured author, Rebecca Moesta. By his reports a wonderful speaker, who was open. willing to give advice and had much insight into the field of writing.

Nicole deBoer, actress who portrayed Ezri Dax of 'Star Trek: Deep Space 9'. I must say. As funny as she is youthful. The 40+ year old said she would love to play in a black comedy, a la 'Six Feet Under' and I, for one, would love to see her do it. (Though she's been candid about just wanting to work.) Its an absolute must for you to check out her answer to the infamous question "Comic book nerds are hot because..?" It will be in a later post under The Goodies. Nicole spoke pretty freely about her experiences on set with her coworkers (both amorous and grumpy) but was never catty or jaded. Its clear she enjoyed her time on DS9 and gets a kick out of telling her stories and answering fan questions. This year she especially got a kick out of a super young female child fan of 'The Dead Zone'.

Dean Haglund, of X-Files/The Lone Gunmen fame. Another super energetic and hilarious guest. Caught his improv show, which is a must-see if you catch a con with him there. (Or you can buy the dvds they press to sell the next day at the cons.) I missed talking with him in person but manic comedy stylings on stage were more than enough to make an impression on me.

For a complete list of Guests and more information check out: Valleycon Program

Valleycon is chaired by Tony Tilton. Sponsored/Supported by:  Rasmussen College, Spirit Halloween Superstore, KVRR-TV, MSUMS Comics Club, Site on Sound, Top Cow Comics, Dave Jacobs, Books at a Fifth and many more.

Me and Angelique Montag,
noted MN Renaissamce Festival/Steampunk expert. 

Below: The gaming room sponsored by Section 9 Cyber Cafe.
Super cool guy, gave me a coupon for an hour of gameplay
at their regular cafe and invited me to play at the con but I
know my limits. I... am not a gamer. 

Me and Christopher Mihm,
 writer/director of 'House of Ghosts'

My Crotch and the cool "Fear Shield"
given out before the screening of 'House of Ghosts'

Admittedly, I left during the middle of the screening for 'House of Ghosts' (strictly time constraints, the CBNAH intern led me to believe it was a short-film.) but i returned to buy a copy (seen above) so I could watch it later. Neither I, or the intern, were disappointed with the purchase. The style is near perfect for an indy, black and white 50's horror flick. There's enough humor that it doesn't take itself seriously but doesn't become a joke itself (see Scary Movie 2 - how many ever) I didn't need to use the Fear Shield but I have no soul. It was a "slow burn" but entertaining throughout and, of course, the drunk character (Mary) was my favorite. She's to die for. Even a slight hint of hoyay so you know I was set.

Sidenote: As I'm typing this I just noticed the DVD came with more special features than the Avengers Blu-Ray, including an alternate ending and blooper reel. This is definitely getting a replay..!

MORE COMING LATER BUT THIS SHOULD HOLD YOU OVER UNTIL THEN...

The quick-witted MC for the fashion show (and a few other events throughout the con)
 and her faithful servant Frank. Pronounced..."FRAAAAAAAANK..!"