W.I.P.

Puppie Buffe

Civic Arena, 1961-2011

It's a Hockey Night in Pittsburgh! She was an ugly old broad, but there'll never be another like the ol' Igloo!

Inktober sketch for Opening Night, 10/9!

Plus, a bonus Batman!

The Golden Age Flash

When I was a kid, those goofy-ass golden age versions of familiar characters were about the most exciting thing in comics...especially Green Lantern and the Flash!

Inktober post for 10/8

Ultra Boy

Ultra Boy was never really one of my favorite Legionnaires, but that all changed once they toughened him up during the "Five Years Later..." run.

Inktober post for 10/7

Gerrit Cole

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Gerrit Cole (more or less). Man, I miss Buctober already!

Inktober post for 10/6

Kirby Swipe

...from an issue of Mr. Miracle.

Inktober post for 10/4

Beach House

This is the house I stayed in with the fam and some friends last August in Avon, NC.

Inktober post for 10/3

Bumblebees

There are two kinds of Steelers fans: Those who love the "bumblebee" throwbacks, and those who are WRONG.

Random Hab

As near as I can tell, Inktober is a project created by Jake Parker to challenge himself and other artists to create an inked image each day, all month long. I'm not promising anything, but I'm gonna try and keep up!

You can also follow my progress on Instagram (atombombbikini) and Twitter (@RobUllman)!

BUCTOBER!

It's Buctober! My beloved Pittsburgh Pirates are back in the MLB Postseason for the second straight year, playing the SF Giants tonight for the right to go on and face the Washington Nats in the divisional round. I created this little image to celebrate the season...and it's a sticker too if you're interested! Beat 'em BUCS!

SPX and Old-Timey Hockey Tales #2

Hey all! I'll be exhibiting this weekend, as always, at the Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland. I'll have issue #2 of Old-Timey Hockey Tales on hand, just in time for NHL training camp!

If you can't make it out to lovely suburban DC this weekend, you can still grab a copy of Hockey Tales #2 through the good ol' fashioned US Mail. Operators are standing by!

Coming Soon

Flips

This pretty well sums it all up, right?

Cons and Contests

Heroes Con takes place this weekend in steamy Charlotte NC! It's my favorite show of the year, like a super-fun three day family reunion. I'll be at AA-1127 in Indie Island all weekend long, and I'll be drinkin' and drawin' in the hotel bar of the nearby Hilton on Friday night to raise money for the fight against Parkinson's Disease. If you're nearby, I DEMAND that you go!

In other news, we have some winners in the Atom-Bomb Bikini Playoff Challenge! Third prize goes to Abram, with 6 out of a possible 11 points. Franklin comes in at number two, with 7 points. And the grand prize goes to Adam D., with an amazing, perfect 11-for-11 bracket! If you're one of the winners, get me your info so's I can get you your swag...and thanks for playing, everybody!

Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 – Stanley Cup Finals

New York Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings

In many ways, this matchup exemplifies one of the things I love most about the NHL: its unpredictability. For most of the season it seemed (to me, at least) as if we were locked in an inexorable march toward an inevitable finals between the Bruins and Blackhawks. I should have known better, because it happened the way it almost always does: the playoffs got here, and everything went crazy. As annoyed as I am that the Penguins managed to piss away a 3-1 lead against   a Rangers team it had on the ropes, I'm glad New York is still around, 'cause runs like theirs certainly keep things interesting. All logic points to the Kings winning in a laugher, but honestly, who the hell knows anything? Kings in five.

Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 – Conference Finals

I've been so busy staring dumbfoundedly at my computer screen, marveling at what an utter disaster my favorite team has become, that I almost forgot to post my conference finals picks!

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Rangers

The Rangers took advantage of a Pens team that completely took their foot off the gas and let them storm back from a 3-1 series deficit. The Habs, meanwhile, stunned their biggest rivals, winning game seven in Boston to send the President's Trophy winning Bruins golfing. This series is a story of two amazing goaltenders, and the one who can steal the most games will win. Canadiens in six.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Kings

At this time last week, we seemed destined for an identical final four as last year, but only the Kings and Blackhawks were able to seal the deal. Last year's matchup between these teams didn't live up to the expectations, as Chicago rolled to a fairly easy win in five games, but I'm betting this year is different. Kings in seven.

Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 – Pacific Division Finals

(1) Anaheim Ducks vs. (3) Los Angeles Kings

You gotta figure the Kings are awfully tired out from having to come all the way back from a 3-0 defect to win their first-round series against the Sharks, but the idea of a dialed-in Jonathan Quick has got to be terrifying for the Ducks. If Anaheim can get a jump and get a big lead in the series early,they might be able to advance, but I'm betting on the Kings in six.

HEY, YOU...WANNA BUY SOME ART?: All of the original, hand-drawn art for this year's Stanley Cup picks will be on sale soon...but much of the art from previous years is currently available at my Etsy store, and on sale for 30% off through the end of the playoffs in June, when you use the code CUP2014 at checkout!

Of course, if you'd like to go the extra mile and get a personalized, one-of-a-kind uni-girl illustration of your very own to your exact specifications, that information can be found here.

Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 – Metropolitan Division Finals

(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (2) New York Rangers

Of the matchups the Penguins could have drawn in the second round, the one with New York is by far the the more favorable. Which is not to necessarily say they'll win, given their duplicitous play thus far in the postseason...but the Rangers, divisional rivalry be damned, do not come close to the Flyers in their ability to rankle the Penguins and get them focused on anything but playing hockey.

That said, the Rangers are no easy out. The Rangers power play sputtered in the first round vs. the Flyers, but if it gets going, it'll cause problems for a Penguins penalty kill which has fallen off precipitously in the last month. New York might actually be more dangerous when on the PK themselves, as the Pens surrendered a short-handed goal in three games against Columbus.

No idea what to make of Pittsburgh. It all seems to be lining up for them, their two most recent games to close out the Jackets being by far their best of the postseason. Even so, they nearly gave it all away in the last 10 minutes of Game Six, letting Columbus turn a 4-0 shutout into a 4-3 nail biter. The Penguins have traditionally made Henrik Lundqvist look mortal, and if the real Pens' leaders can show up and score, they should be able to take advantage of and put away a weary Rangers team. Pens in six.

A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR: All of the original, hand-drawn art for this year's Stanley Cup picks will be on sale soon...but much of the art from previous years is currently available at my Etsy store, and on sale for 30% off through the end of the playoffs in June, when you use the code CUP2014 at checkout!

Of course, if you'd like to go the extra mile and get a personalized, one-of-a-kind uni-girl illustration of your very own to your exact specifications, that information can be found here.

Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 – Central Division Finals

(3) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild

It took the Blackhawks a little while to get rolling in the first round against the Blues, but once they did so they quickly began to look again like last year's champions. The Wild, who lost to the Hawks in five games last year, has revenge on it's mind...but the amazing depth and ability to score from all over the place will likely pace Chicago to another fairly quick victory. Unless Matt Cooke actually physically kills somebody (and maybe even if he does) it's the Blackhawks in five.

HEY, YOU...WANNA BUY SOME ART?: All of the original, hand-drawn art for this year's Stanley Cup picks will be on sale soon...but much of the art from previous years is currently available at my Etsy store, and on sale for 30% off through the end of the playoffs in June, when you use the code CUP2014 at checkout!

Of course, if you'd like to go the extra mile and get a personalized, one-of-a-kind uni-girl illustration of your very own to your exact specifications, that information can be found here.

Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 – Atlantic Division Finals

(1) Boston Bruins vs. (3) Montreal Canadiens

This is a classic, timeless rivalry, and this year's edition of the familiar matchup will feature what may be the two best teams in the Eastern Conference right now. Each dispatched their first-round opponent with relative ease, both essentially winning in a sweep after a game one loss by the Bruins against the Red Wings. Montreal can get under the skin of the Boston players perhaps better than any other team, and if the rascally Habs can get the Bruins whining about dives and thinking with their fists in addition to worrying about a rock-solid  Carey Price in net, le Bleu, Blanc et Rouge will have a really solid shot at the upset. Canadiens in six.

PDA

I created this image last week for my old pal Jandos at the Washington City Paper. He believed enough in a young Rob Ullman years ago to assign me a regular gig illustrating spots for Savage Love, a professional courtesy whose importance to my career is impossible to overstate. Working on this silly, sexy story brought back some good memories!

Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 — Central Division Semifinals

WESTERN CONFERENCE – Central Division Semifinals

(1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild

Wow, who thought the hiring of Patrick Roy as coach would have this big an effect on the Avalanche? Though I suppose the arrival of Nate McKinnon was a pretty big deal too. Colorado was good right out of the gate and simply refused to ago away all season, and then swooped in to take the division crown after Chicago and St. Louis couldn't stay atop the perch. The loss of Matt Duschene will no doubt hurt the Avs in the scoring department but they should be able to hold off the Wild, who again come into the playoffs as a low seed with little chance of advancing past a powerhouse team. Avalanche in six.

(2) St. Louis Blues vs. (3) Chicago Blackhawks

It's hard to believe that one of these teams, each of whom seemed a shoo-in at times for the President's Trophy at some point, is not going to get past the first round. Such is NHL realignment, I suppose. Up until two weeks ago, the Blues looked like a lock for the conference finals, until a brutal swath of ill-timed injuries struck, causing them to lose their last six games and the top spot in the West.

Chicago has seen many of it's bright stars sidelined over the course of the season, but they seem to have weathered the worst of it, finally getting healthy and looking to oust their old foes. It's imperative on the Blues to pile it on early and end the series quickly, because if it goes the distance, Chicago's experience will win out and it'll be Blackhawks in seven.

CRASS COMMERCIALISM DEPT: All of the original, hand-drawn art for this year's Stanley Cup picks will be on sale soon...but much of the art from previous years is currently available at my Etsy store, and on sale for 30% off through the end of the playoffs in June, when you use the code CUP2014 at checkout!

Of course, if you'd like to go the extra mile and get a personalized, one-of-a-kind uni-girl illustration of your very own to your exact specifications, that information can be found here.

Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 — Atlantic Division Semifinals

EASTERN CONFERENCE – Atlantic Division Semifinals

(1) Boston Bruins vs. (WC2) Detroit Red Wings

Detroit managed to extend its streak of playoff appearances to 23 years. They've been banged up and missing many of their stars at various points this season, but the young players they've called up have ably carried the load in their absence. As the veterans return to the lineup and bolster an underrated offensive attack, goalie Jimmy Howard should be able to hold the fort, build upon the success the Wings enjoyed vs. Boston earlier in the season (3 wins in 4 games) and pull off the upset of the heavily-favored Bruins.

(This is totally a homer pick, not just because I despise Boston and every player on the Bruins roster, but also because some bum from Boston stiffed me on a commission recently. So, no more free art for you, Beantowners!)  Red Wings in seven.

(2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Montreal Canadiens

Offense isn't a concern for either of these teams...they can score, and in bunches. Who wins may come down to who has the better goaltending. The Habs' Carey Price has had a stellar season, and already has a gold medal around his neck to show for it, but his playoff resume is mediocre. For the Bolts, the great play of Ben Bishop helped the team keep winning when superstar Steven Stamkos missed four months with a broken leg, but his injury late in the season will likely thrust the up-and-down Anders Lindback into the spotlight. I think that will be the difference, and that it'll be the
Habs in six.

A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR: All of the original, hand-drawn art for this year's Stanley Cup picks will be on sale soon...but much of the art from previous years is currently available at my Etsy store, and on sale for 30% off through the end of the playoffs in June, when you use the code CUP2014 at checkout!

Of course, if you'd like to go the extra mile and get a personalized, one-of-a-kind uni-girl illustration of your very own to your exact specifications, that information can be found here.

Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 — Metropolitan Division Semifinals

EASTERN CONFERENCE – Metropolitan Division Semifinals

(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (WC1) Columbus Blue Jackets

Of all the matchups Pittsburgh could've drawn in the first round, Columbus is seemingly the most fortuitous by far. The Pens have dominated this series traditionally, and never more than in this first season as division rivals, which saw the Jackets lose all five games.

It's been an odd year for the the Penguins...they've been dominant at times, and have had one of the best seasons in club history in terms of wins and points...but as an admittedly far less than impartial observer, they just seem to lack the element of grit and mental toughness that will enable them to go very far in the playoff. Part of that is because they've been decimated by injuries all season...and the fact that they're finally getting healthy at the perfect time, coupled with their substantial playoff experience. should be enough to propel them past Columbus. Still, I fear it'll be a short run.

Honestly, I'm super disappointed that the Jackets have to go up against my team. They're fun to watch, and I'm loving the way the city of Columbus has become enthralled with them. Should they manage to squeak past the Pens and win this series, I'll be with them all the way. Still, I'm thinking it's Pens in five.

(2) New York Rangers vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers

These two teams stumbled badly out of the gate but managed to find their way mid-season, thanks to strong play by their forward lines. The Rangers and Flyers split their season series 2-2, each team winning both games at home. New York will break that trend, winning in Wells Fargo Center and giving the series to the Rangers in six.

PS: Don't forget to check out the previous Stanley Cup and Cheesecake posts and enter the ATOM-BOMB BIKINI PLAYOFF CHALLENGE!

Finally...

A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR: All of the original, hand-drawn art for this year's Stanley Cup picks will be on sale soon...but much of the art from previous years is currently available at my Etsy store, and on sale for 30% off through the end of the playoffs in June, when you use the code CUP2014 at checkout!

Of course, if you'd like to go the extra mile and get a personalized, one-of-a-kind uni-girl illustration of your very own to your exact specifications, that information can be found here.

Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 — Pacific Division Semifinals

The 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs are here, and it's time for this year's edition of pinup girls, picks to win and of course,the Atom-Bomb Bikini Playoff Challenge! Read through to the bottom of this post to see how you can win some art, books, stickers and other great stuff!

WESTERN CONFERENCE – Pacific Division Semifinals

(1) Anaheim Ducks vs. (WC2) Dallas Stars

The Ducks tore through the first half of the NHL season, and looked fairly unbeatable as the calendar flipped to 2014. They came back to earth a good bit, and lost their bid for the President's Trophy before gaining steam and finishing strong. They can score in bunches, and are very deep in net. The Stars finally broke back into the playoffs after some close calls the last several years. New coach Lindy Ruff, jettisoned by Buffalo, seems to have brought a winning attitude to Dallas, along with a ton of playoff experience.

Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau has had a rough time of it in the playoffs despite a sterling regular season record. All the pressure is on Anaheim here, but they should have the stuff to best a less-talented (if scrappy) Stars team.  Ducks in six.

(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (3) Los Angeles Kings

These teams are really similar..they both play a puck-posession game, and like to take a ton of shots... and it'd probably mean a really high-scoring series if both teams' defenses weren't so damn good. Add to that the Kings' season-long difficulty in scoring and the recent playoff dominance of LA goalie Jonathan Quick, and you could very well be looking at a slew of 2-1 games.

It'll be imperative on the Sharks to do just enough to get that extra goal, and I'm betting they will. More importantly, if the rumors I hear are to be believed, San Jose is going to dress in their regular teal jerseys at home, rather than those black alternate monstrosities they've insisted on sporting the last few playoffs. You know what they say... “look good, play good!” Sharks in seven.

Now on to the contest...

The Third Annual ATOM-BOMB BIKINI PLAYOFF CHALLENGE

Again, the rules are simple...pick the final four teams you think will be left standing, the conference champions, and the eventual Stanley Cup winner. One point will be awarded for each correct final four pick, two for each final two pick, and three for picking the champion. Whoever has the most points when it's all said and done will take the big prize! 

Here's what you're playing for: The big winner will receive a custom piece of original artwork of a pinup girl wearing the jersey of his or her favorite team, along with a copy of my collection of hockey-themed commissions, Bluelines, a copy of Old-Timey Hockey Tales, a pack of Atom-Bomb stickers and a free t-shirt of your choice from the wonderful folks at Original Retro Brand!  Two runners-up will just get the books and stickers...and in case of a tie, I'll put all the names in a smelly old hockey helmet and select a winner at random.

How to enter: Write your picks in the comments section of this here blog post. Not on Facebook, not on Twitter, not in an email, but in the comments section of this post. 

You have until the pucks drop on Wednesday night to enter!

And please, remember to check in as the playoffs progress...I'll post the winner's names here, and at that time I'll look to get in contact with you. And please, do remember to check back! I don't want to have a prize go unclaimed because I had no way of getting in contact with the winner...If you have a Twitter handle or something like that that you wouldn't mind adding to the post, that'd be great. So, enjoy the hockey, and good luck!

Finally...

CRASS COMMERCIALISM DEPT: All of the original, hand-drawn art for this year's Stanley Cup picks will be on sale soon...but much of the art from previous years is currently available at my Etsy store, and on sale for 30% off through the end of the playoffs in June, when you use the code CUP2014 at checkout!

Of course, if you'd like to go the extra mile and get a personalized, one-of-a-kind uni-girl illustration of your very own to your exact specifications, that information can be found here.

Vampirella

Sketch and final:

Nordique

Bettie Page

Another entry in the Trinquette Weekly Drawing Challenge over on Facebook. I don't draw Bettie Page very often, mainly because it always leads to my comparing myself to Dave Stevens and I end up feeling really bad about my lack of talent. But I'm happy enough with this image, facile enough in conception and execution, to let it escape into the world! Lamp them gams!

On the Boards

Bruins Cup

A slightly more complicated illustration here, commissioned by Andrew to give to his dad, a lifelong Bruins fan, as a Christmas present. These requests are never boring!

Rrrip

More cops in trouble, from The Stranger:

Go Team USA!

USA vs Canada Friday morning for a berth in the gold medal game. Go Coach Bylsma and the boys in Red, White and Blue!

Pat Patriot

The Patriots may be a better team since ditching Pat Patriot, but they sure haven't looked as good!

Wonder Woman Redux

Here are a couple behind-the-scenes images leading up the Wonder Woman piece I posted recently, my original page of sketches and the inked line art. As I mentioned, this piece was created for the Trinquette Weekly Drawing Challenge on FB. Trinquette head honcho posts the theme and about a half-dozen images as reference, and you go to town. My initial idea was to tackle Power Girl, a character I like and have been drawing for years, but wearing her "New 52" costume from the current DC Universe. I realized as I was sketching this, however, that a lot of the New 52 costumes are overly-detailed, needlessly ornate and rather boring, so I scrapped the idea and just went with Darwyn Cooke's beefy, brawny, brick shithouse Wonder Woman. Zaftig!

Finally Making the Scene

I've been reading Cleveland Scene since 1987, at least... it's the very first weekly newspaper I ever saw. Still, having moved away from NE Ohio in 1995, I've never had an opportunity to work with them before...which is why it was so nice to get the call from Vince, the current EIC,  to provide the cover for the magazine's 2013 Year in Review issue!

Pens Pals

I've Been Saving for a Custom Van

An awesomely fun assignment from Boing Boing here, showing a myriad of fun and different ways in which Ford's Transit wagon can be made to fit any lifestyle. I don't know abut you, but I'd drive the one with the babe and the barbarian around town til the wheels fell off!

Suspended

From a Stranger piece, about a cop who got himself a few days off by threatening a reporter.

Wonder Woman

I recently took the time to participate in another Trinquette Weekly Drawing Challenge, this time with a Wonder Woman/Power Girl theme. Much to my own surprise, I picked WW, and gave her sort of a Darwyn Cooke/New Frontier vibe. Great Hera, indeed!