Never made it to the Ball...

Here is a sampling of a design program I created and pitched. The idea was a spoof on the old "soap opera" romance comic strips from the '50s.

For a while it looked like Europe was going to use these images on product. Then Stationery got involved and asked me to direct a color version, as shown here.

The visuals were intended to be B & W, so I've included one of them.

If anyone in Europe has ever seen these visuals, please let me know.





























All images are
TM & (c) 2007 Disney

Not-So-Great Moments in Animation History...

New York City, 1917... Max Fleischer signs Koko the Clown to an iron-clad contract.

Gee Whizz!

Almost lost my blog while switching to the newer version. Very scary, sheesh!

More Alex Toth art...

Toth Covers discovered!

Courtesy of one of my dearest friends, Brian Postman. I first met Brian in the early '80s at GEM Studios in NYC. I was a big fan of his Spider-Woman artwork for Marvel Comics. Brian was responsible for creating the visual look of one of my favorite S-W villians: Daddy Longlegs! For some reason I assumed that Brian was British when I saw his byline. Who knew he was a nice Jewish Kid from Queens?!

Brian pulled my butt out of the fire many times when I was fighting short deadlines producing "The Honeymooners" comic book with Triad Publications in the mid-'80s. I hope we get to collaborate again some day.

Thanks for the Toth images, Big Guy.

Alex Toth '59

Illustrated adventure by Alexander Toth, and available at the nearest Variety Store!

In 1959.






I'm not sure if the cover art is by Alex, but it's pretty nice. I got very lucky when I picked up this copy for $3.95 a few years ago in a local bookshop.






I'll post more illustrations from the book in the next few weeks.

More Mickey Mouse on Mars...

One of my rough concepts for the Mickey on Mars program. Jeff's version leaned toward the exploration of Mars, I was ready to get him into trouble on the red planet. The creature sneaking up behind him was inspired by Jiminy Cricket.

I've always preferred the "Adventurer Mickey" over the domesticated version that's been dominant since he started wearing Fedora's in the early '50s.

Mickey goes to Mars!

This is a concept piece done for presentation. The original idea and rough layout was created by Jeff Shelly, Character Art Director for the Mickey team. I did the color sketch in markers, with Prismacolor linework and a little gouache accenting.

Our deadlines are usually tight, so marker renderings are a quick and efficient way to work. Especially when you need to bang out two of these in a day.

The secret lives of 'toons...

Tattoo's & T-Shirts...

rough
concept
art




















































All Images
TM & (C) 2007 Disney