Tarantino Comics - Issue 22

This is long overdue, but it's about time I showcase the final issue of Tarantino Comics from Heroes Con 2011. Presenting an issue inspired from Kill Bill, Tarantino Comics #22 was illustrated by Jay Potts.

There was no better way to end my 2011 convention season with an issue drawn by an artist who totally gets the genre of exploitation. Jay beautifully drew and inked a realistic portrayal of the infamous Elle Driver. Taking place in the close quarters of a mobile home, Jay's line work captures the claustrophobia of the scene. In addition to the fantastic artwork, I love the tagline - "An Eye for an Eye" - foreshadowing Beatrix's revenge for her master Pai Mei.

At the convention, Jay was the number one person I wanted to get a sketch from because he does an awesome blaxploitation webcomic called World of Hurt. Originally I thought he would have chose something from Jackie Brown, but I was pleasantly surprised by his final choice. Jay's artwork is reminiscent of the old Marvel Black and White Magazines and I believe he would make a kick ass Kung Fu or horror book. So be sure to check Jay's artwork, storytelling, blog posts, and opinions at http://worldofhurtonline.com/

Be sure to check back soon as I've got some recent new covers from this year's MegaCon - and these are some of my favorites yet!

Tarantino Comics - Issue 21

Besides not having enough time to write blog posts, I've been trying to spread out my presentation of Tarantino Comics since Convention Season always seems so far away. However, in two weeks, Mega Con will be in town and I'll be able to commission some more comic covers! So presenting an issue from 2011's Heroes Con, Tarantino Comics #21 was illustrated by Doug Dabbs.

Inspired from Inglourious Basterds, Doug depicts the darkness of Colonel Hans Landa aiming his pistol at Shosanna as she narrowly escapes from the LaPadite Dairy Farm. Over the last five years of collecting original art, the art most appealing to my eye has a dark and sketchy tone. In a similar vain to Alex Maleev or Michael Lark, Doug captures this scene as if it's coming from film noir. Doug first drew The Shadow in my Pulp Sketchbook and he knocked it out of the park. I'm glad I came back as he portrayed the essence of Landa in a cinematic manner.

Be sure to check out more of Doug's work at http://www.dougdabbs.com/ . In particular from Oni Press, check out his art in the original graphic novel Holliday, coming out later this year. It's a modern-day and urban telling of the O.K. Corral, so it should definitely fit the spirit of Tarantino's Django Unchained in December.

Tarantino Comics - Issue 20

I've been trying to stretch out these covers for as long as I could since my next con is not until February, but I have to share one of my favorites - Tarantino Comics #20 illustrated by Dave Wachter at Heroes Con 2011.


Inspired from Jackie Brown, Dave created a beautiful depiction of Pam Grier co-featuring Robert Forster as Max Cherry. If I saw this iconic issue on the news stands, I'd most definitely pick it up. Also notice the vertical title bar next to the comic banner, another great homage to EC Comics.

I first met Dave a few years ago at CGS Episode 300 where he did an awesome Yip Yips and Pigs in Space in my Muppet Show versus Sesame Street sketchbook (he actually did a Kermit vs. Cookie Monster piece which inspired the entire theme). Ever since then, I've gotten Dave in almost all my sketchbooks since his art is so beautiful and fantastic. So if you ever see Dave at a convention, grab his art now before he becomes a mega-comic superstar and has commission prices on par with Adam Hughes. Recently for IDW, he did a mini-series called That Hellbound Train, an adaptation of Robert Bloch's short story (also the author of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho). But don't let that scare you from just talking with him because he's fan of comics, very humble, and a super guy.

So if you like what you saw, check out his sketchblog at http://davedrawscomics.com/ . Also, I've been hoping for a revival of Westerns with recent projects such as AMC's Hell on Wheels and my most anticipated movie of next year, Tarantino's Django Unchained. So if you don't want to miss the next "zombie / vampire craze", get on board with Dave's awesome webcomic (Eisner and Harvey nominated), Guns of Shadow Valley at http://www.gunsofshadowvalley.com/ .

Tarantino Comics - Issue 19

"Mmmhmm! This is a tasty burger!" Inspired from Pulp Fiction, Tarantino Comics #19 was drawn at Heroes Con 2011 by Matthew Petz:

I first met Matt at the CGS Super Show. Not only is he a humble guy, but he's a terrific artist. His art style can range from the classic super heroics to the humorous imagery presented above. I've been waiting for Matt to draw an issue of Tarantino Comics ever since he's illustrated Animal tearing Elmo's head off in my Sesame Street vs. Muppet Show Sketchbook. And I don't regret my choice because he wonderfully transposed one of the most quotable scenes in cinematic history into comic book form.

So if you like how he presents Jules biting into a Big Kahuna Burger, be sure to check out his Zuda webcomic War of the Woods at: http://www.comixology.com/digital/series/5123 .

Also check out his website (http://www.monsterislandmedia.com/) and blog (http://matthewpetz.blogspot.com/).

Tarantino Comics - Issue 18

These next couple issues of Tarantino Comics will probably be my last run for 2011. Unless some oddball conventions pop up locally, Heroes Con will have been my last convention for the year. However, I have some awesome covers to share, starting with Tarantino Comics #18:

Drawn by Banky, this cover was inspired from Death Proof. She beautifully drew two of my favorite scenes onto a single cover: The Butterfly Lap Dance and Zoe Bell playing Ship's Mast.

Banky is a Florida artist and I got to know her at this year's Megacon. We ran out of time for her to do a piece during the show, so she made sure to reserve these Death Proof scenes when I saw her at Heroes. She definitely didn't disappoint and I absolutely love her Butterfly dancing at the jukebox (probably my favorite shot of the whole movie). Her color scheme perfectly fits the cover's theme and her 1970 Dodge Challenger rocks!

After personally hanging out with Banky, you should definitely stop to see and talk with her. She is an awesome person, a great artist, and can draw some gorgeous women! So, be sure to check out her deviantART page at: http://bankyone.deviantart.com/

Tarantino Comics - Issue 15

The last two months have been filled with awesome comic conventions and I haven't reported on any of it! For now, I will at least present the latest issue of Tarantino Comics:


Tarantino Comics #15 was created in two parts. At the 2011 CGS Super Show, Miguel Jorge penciled and inked this awesome cover. Miguel saw my sketchbook at the 2010 Super Show and has been waiting to do a cover since then. Before Miguel started the commission, we discussed ideas he could illustrate. When I mentioned the possibility of the Reservoir Dogs crew walking from breakfast, Miguel said he had to do it. And I'm glad he did, as his likenesses of each character is spot on. As I look at the cover, I can hear Little Green Bag by The George Baker Selection in the background. Miguel is a super humble guy and is very talented. He is an artist based out of Portugal, so check out his art at: http://www.migueljorge.com/

The second portion of this cover was just completed last weekend at Heroes Con in North Carolina. At the show, you have tons of artists, including colorists, so I decided to give it a try and had this cover colored by Brian Reber. Overall, his color scheme was simple, but by keeping the characters black and white, their likenesses stand out even more. A lot more work goes into coloring than one may imagine. If you want to see more of Brian's work, visit: http://daikaiju.deviantart.com/

Stay tuned, as I should be back in a week for another issue of Tarantino Comics!