Rural Jurors*

*Well, not really...I just really dig that joke from 30 ROCK. Anyway, here are a few spots from tomorrow's Washington City Paper, about the intricacies and inconsistencies of selecting a jury for a death penalty case, and the lengths people go to to ensure they don't have to serve.

Girl of Steel

As a result of a blog post a couple weeks ago by Dean Trippe, it seems like everyone is taking a crack at redesigning the girl of steel's costume, in a response to DC's current efforts to whore her up as much as possible. For the record, I've always thought the folks at DC did a pretty good job with her costume, and I especially dug the Timm version that was used in the various animated series, even if it does seem slightly dated, I suppose, ten years on.

Anyhow, I decided to play along and take a crack at it, and I'm pretty pleased with the results. I started with a bunch of sketches, and about halfway across the page I settled on wanting her to have a sort-of "Street Angel meets Supergirl" kind of look, a little more grounded in reality (hence, the hoodie). Also, I tried to beef her up a bit, although I'm not sure how much of that came across in the final version.

Bulleteer!

Long time no post...my apologies. Been working on some fun stuff that, unfortunately, I can't share just yet. Stay tuned.

Anyhow, I do have this to show...Grant Morrison's new and improved Bulleteer from Seven Soldiers. Obviously, I'm no pro at the chrome/metal effects, usually opting for a mor animation-based flat shadow theme...but I figured I could live with this as an embarrassing public "first attempt". If anyone out there has any ideas or insights into how to improve for next time, please feel free to share 'em.

Savages

A few recent Savage Love spots:

Red Hot Blues

I am absolutely hooked on these Garden of Eatin' brand Red Hot Blues tortilla chips. They're organic, and therefore (ostensibly, anyhow) reasonably healthier for you than say, Dorito's, and they've got enough of a spicy kick to 'em that you don't even need salsa to make 'em interesting (although having a glass of cold water nearby is a big help). I swear, I could eat a bag every day.

Some Supergirls

Pretty self-explanatory, one hopes. I apologize for the crappy, slapdash backgrounds.

Guitar Girl

I unabashedly love this drawing I did for BRiCK this week (well, except for a few issues with the color, gripe gripe...). When the kid comes, I'm putting it on a t-shirt for it!

America's Most Loathsome, 2006

Anyone who enjoyed last year's list of the most loathsome people in America will no doubt be thrilled to know the 2006 edition is up and running at the Buffalo Beast website. I'll spare the political rant this time around, and just mention that it's fuggin' hilarious and more often than not, dead on target.

Fighting for Five

Another recent illo from the Las Vegas Weekly, about a bar fight that broke out over a disputed video-poker payout. Had a lot of fun with this gig. Special thanks to Wes for the job, and to Kelly Alder for some great advice on the composition of the piece. It was a subtle observation, but completely saved the day!

Moms

A couple matriarchal spots from Richmond Magazine that ran last fall...one about the mind-numbing mayhem that is a six-year-old's birthday party, and another from a commentary by a woman in her 50s re-entering the dating pool, and her grown sons' protective skepticism about every potential suitor. I'll leave it to you to decide which is which!

Pageant Queens Gone Wild

The blog has been a little on the boring side lately...I'm gonna have to do something to ramp up the excitement a bit.

For starters, how about this piece from this week's Las Vegas Weekly, about the recent spate of Pageant Queens Gone Wild, including the former Ms. Nevada, Katie Rees, whose real-life sinful behavior can be lamped here. All's I know is, people didn't party this way when I was 17. Not in Northeast Ohio, anyway.

So Long, Coach

Photo by Peter Diana, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bill Cowher made it official today, resigning as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers to spend more time with his family in North Carolina. It leaves the Steelers looking for a head coach for the first time since 1992 and only the second time since 1969. One of the many things I've always dug about the Steelers is their consistency...they've been owned by the same family since the beginning, their uniforms have been the same since forever, and they don't have a revolving door for their coaches. To illustrate Pittsburgh's unique situation, since I was born 35 years ago, the Colts have had fifteen coaches. The Browns have had twelve (and they were out of the league for three years). Even the Dolphins, who had Don Shula at the helm for 25 years before he retired in 1995, have had four since then, and are now looking for their fifth. The Steelers have had two.

How do I feel about it? I'm not sure...Cowher could be pretty bull-headed at times, sticking with things that clearly were no longer working. But as I kept telling other fans who were constantly calling for him to be fired...Who else is out there that would be any better? True, Cowher lost more truly huge games than he won...but the Steelers usually played between pretty good and completely amazing during the regular season, and made the playoffs almost every year. And they did finally break through and win that Super Bowl last February...I dunno, there aren't many teams whose fans have been treated to so many good times in the last dozen years. I'll take it.

So so long, Coach Cowher...we'll miss ya. And when you do undoubtedly come out of retirement in the next couple years to lead another team, at least have the decency to not have it be Dallas or Baltimore!

Happy New Year!

Hey, it's 2007! Anyone need a calendar for the new year? Why not pick up this one from Team 8 Design...13 fantastic hand-screened posters, one for each month, including the one pictured below by yours truly. I've seen it, it's beautiful, and well worth your hard-earned cash money!

Chicken of the Sea?

Ah, those feudin' celebrity couples, mashed up and spit out for BRiCK.

If I Were a Rich Man...

If I was one'a them millionaire types, here are a few items I'd buy for all of my friends, Oprah-style.

80 gig iPod: For some reason, I've always loved the idea of buying 25 iPods and handing them out to everyone I know as presents. Nothing beats cracking the plastic and loading up a new iPod! (I'd block you from being able to put The Red Hot Chili Peppers on it, however.)



Absolute New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke and Season One of Justice League Unlimited on DVD: I think even my pals who aren't into comics would appreciate these fanboy treats.



I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass by Yo La Tengo and The Life Pursuit by Belle & Sebastian: These two great CDs from 2006 redefined these bands for me...each of them explode upon the expectations of their previous offerings and deliver full-on pop masterpieces.






$50 Chipotle Gift Card: Cause who doesn't love a burrito?



Well, that was fun, wasn't it? Sadly, until my ship comes in, none of you mofoes get anything!

Sittin' Pretty

Rush Limbaugh is an Obnoxious, Worthless Turd

...but he makes for a funny illustration. From this week's BRiCK:

Happy 57th, Tom Waits!

Holiday Wishes

We're off in the morning to Ohio for the annual holiday trip, so now seems like the perfect time to show off my new Xmas promo card! And in the spirit of the season, if you leave a comment in the feedback section, or drop me an email, I'll send one your way!

Trust