Tarantino Comics - Issue 31

 

Happy New Year!  To kick off 2014, I present to you Tarantino Comics # 31 illustrated by Larry Watts at C2E2 2012.

Inspired from Kill Bill, Larry perfectly captures the fluid motions between the Bride and Gogo.  The action is crisp and clean and I love how the background pushes the image out of the page.

Larry is a fellow Floridian I hung out with at C2E2.  He's an awesome artist and a great guy, so if you ever see him at a con, be sure to say hi.  He's currently working on Robyn Hood at Zenescope.  You can also check him out on his blog at http://larryewatts.blogspot.com/

Tarantino Comics - Issue 30

I'm very excited to share this latest issue Tarantino Comics!  Even though it has some bloody violence, it's the most hilarious cover to date.  So without further adieu, I present Tarantino Comics #30 drawn by Craig Cermak at C2E2 2012.

Inspired from Pulp Fiction, Craig drew one of the  most shocking scenes from the film.  As the hitmen drive away from their latest hit, you're utterly surprised when Vincent shoots Marvin in the face!  Tarantino puts us into total shock, but you can't help but laugh because the trigger was pulled by accident.  Knowing Tarantino has a great sense of humor, Craig captures the trait in this image.  Craig is able to do this with Jules' expression and Vincent's terse word balloon.

As you can tell from the image, Craig has an awesome and detailed art style.  He's currently doing some work for Dynamite, so be sure to check him out.  You can also find him at http://craigcermak.tumblr.com/

Tarantino Comics - Issue 29

Continuing the awesome Pulp Fiction arc from C2E2 2012, Gavin Smith really upped the ante with Tarantino Comics #29:

I've previously met Gavin at an earlier CGS Supershow.  Besides having a very loose and indirect connection with him (he lived in Peru, Indiana, a city not far from where my dad was born in), Gavin drew me an awesome Batman & Daredevil piece.  Since he had a very pulpy art style, I had to get him to draw something for Tarantino Comics.

As expected, Gavin captured the essence of an EC comic.  He designed a beautiful title banner and an iconic cover image.  Gavin shows his knowledge of Tarantino by showing the band-aid on the back of Marsellus' neck while he's giving the ultimatum to Butch.  To add to the Film Noir vibe, the comic's title ("The Dive") is fitting of those stories involving crime and boxing.

Gavin was the first to introduce the idea of a back-up feature to Tarantino Comics:  "A Night With Vincent Vega" featuring Mia Wallace.  I really love this comic book convention (meaning a practice established by usage, not a geekfest) because some of the greatest superheroes were established from back-up features including Green Arrow, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter.

If you want to see more of Gavin's awesome artwork, checkout his blog at http://gavinpatricksmith.blogspot.com/ .  If you see him at a comic book convention, be sure to stop by because he's an extremely talented artist (graduated from the Kubert School) and a cool guy.

Tarantino Comics - Issue 28

All the covers from Tarantino Comics have been awesome thus far, but Chicago really inspired some fantastic images, particularly from Pulp Fiction.  Starting with last issue's comedic depiction of Captain Koons (anyone else spot the connection in Django?), Tarantino Comics #28 ups the ante with one of the most horrifying scenes from a Tarantino flick:  "Bring out the Gimp!"

Illustrated by Brent Schoonover at C2E2 2012, the likenesses of Butch and Marcellus are spot on.  Having seen Brent's talent on other pieces of art before, I knew I had to get him in this sketchbook.  Brent has a true talent of creating pulpy characters.  Ranging from the noirish Dick Tracy to the Silver Age of Marvel, his work really carries a classic comic book sensibility.  As perfectly shown in this cover art, Brent replicated the true essence of an EC Comic.  With overtones of a Val Lewton film, only the shadowy outline of the Gimp is ever shown to the audience.  The expressions on the characters faces display true terror (as also seen in the Title Bar), an emotion purely captured in comic book fashion.  Also of note, The Band Apart Logo is more like the classic DC Logo rather the typical boxy emblem pictured from previous issues.

I highly recommend checking out Mr. Schoonover's artwork.  As I said before, he really captures the nostalgia of classic comic book characters.  He recently had a unique mix and match between modern funny books with pulpy comic strips in Mr. Murder is Dead published by Archaia Entertainment.  You can also check for Brent's latest work and blog posts at:  http://brentschoonover.com/