Dear Friends,
I’m a little too burnt out to say much, except that I am deeply saddened by the news today of Al Williamson’s passing. I pray that his family, friends, and fans…of which I am one, will feel less and less the sting of his passing in the coming days and just treasure the great works he left behind. More later.
Thanks,
Dave.
Dear Friends,
Thanks to all who stopped by to say “hello” during HeroesCon this past weekend in Charlotte, NC. As always, it was a lot of fun and the show really emphasizes comics. I procured a few more surprise guests for my podcast, which you will all really be excited to hear speaking uninhibitedly, which we tend to encourage on our show, “It’s Comic Book Day,” free to you on iTunes. To link to our podcast, or as Denise calls it, “Radio On Demand,” click here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id373866909
As promised, here is some more Buckaroo Banzai art I did for Moonstone Comics, based here in Chicago. Can you tell I really love painting tentacles?
Dave Dorman's Buckaroo Banzai
This painting is up for sale for $2,500 at this link: http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryRoom.asp?GSub=78979
For Doc Savage fans, here’s a piece of art I did that I hope you’ll enjoy:
Doc Savage by Dave Dorman
I hope you all enjoy the art and as always, I welcome your comments.
Thanks for reading,
Dave.
Dear Friends,
Many of you probably recall that I lived in Shalimar, Florida for 25+ years, which is sort of in between Destin, Florida and Pensacola, Florida. Shalimar is almost like of a suburb of Fort Walton Beach. It was the only “home” I’ve ever known for that length of time, growing up as a military kid. As you can imagine, I am watching the oil spill situation with a heavy heart, as those sugar beaches — literally bright white, powdery sand–are about to be hit by the ugliness of the oil spill.
My friend Tom Roush started the Pensacola TV and Film Festival, along with the help of Pensacola’s former film commissioner and a great supporter of the arts, Denise Daughtry. (A special thanks to the 501st Garrison down there for ushering me into the film festival that year…) For Tom and Denise, I created this piece, which they used as their promo poster a few years back. This shows the real color of the water on the “Emerald Coast,” which is how it gets its name. Again, this is a rarely-seen look at some art that I created that didn’t really get released beyond our local film festival. It will be in my new book, “Rolling Thunder: The Art of Dave Dorman” (IDW Publishing/Desperado Publishing) as well. You can pre-order my new book here:http://www.amazon.com/Rolling-Thunder-Art-Dave-Dorman/dp/1600108229
Let me know what you think of this piece. For those who have often suggested/insisted my wife Denise was the inspiration for this piece (Steve Baker), yes, it’s true.
Pensacola TV and Film Festival Poster by Dave Dorman
For the Buckaroo Banzai fans reading this, I will be doing some more Buckaroo Banzai work in the next few months, and I will keep you posted on that. I will have my original Buckaroo Banzai paintings with me this weekend at HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC.
Thanks for reading & please pray for the animals, beaches, people & their livelihoods on the coastal region,
Dave.
Dear Friends,
By now, you’ve likely read about the horrific, potential demise of comic book writer Stephen Perry. For those who don’t already know, here is the terribly sad and grisly news, as posted today by Comic Book Resources: http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/.
As famous as Stephen Perry was for ThunderCats, he was also a great writer for the Alien property, and I did a few covers for the Dark Horse books that he wrote. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own life this past 24 months, I was saddened to learn I missed an opportunity to help Stephen. My friend and fellow Kubert School alum Stephen Bissette was raising money for Stephen Perry through Hero Initiative (a worthwhile organization helping out comic book legends in financial need that you must check out at http://www.heroinitiative.org ) and I was unaware of it. I would liked to have helped him in any way that I could. Stephen Perry was suffering from bladder cancer and struggling financially to raise a son, literally homeless at times. I’m in awe and admiration of how he and Hero Initiative proactively helped Stephen Perry.
I met Stephen Perry a few times at shows and he was a terrific talent and one helluva nice guy. We respected each other’s work immensely. I ask all of you reading this, please pray to whichever deity you honor, and send positive energy and prayers to his survivors.
Thanks for reading and sorry for such sad news on a Saturday,
Dave.
Dear Readers,
This weekend I will be exhibiting, signing autographs and doing sketches at C2E2 in Chicago at McCormick Place; I will be located in Row F, Table #6 in ARTISTS ALLEY. As you can imagine, since I’ve made Chicago my new hometown, we have high hopes and expectations for this inaugural comic book convention. From the artists’ perspective, this show has gotten great buzz for the past year. I respect the people who are behind it, and that makes a world of difference.
Today is my best friend Steve Smith’s birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEVE!
Since I’m based here in Chicago, I do catch wind of some wild rumors. One of the more recent rumors is that the Obama Administration had hidden in the recently passed debacle of a healthcare bill the multi-million dollar funding subsidy for a feather pillow factory here in the Midwest. Their master plan is to replace the now worthless nuclear warheads (thank you, Mr. Obama) with the “Deadly Snuggly Missiles of Comfort” (DSMoC)–the lighter & fluffier, the better–to defend against our enemies in the event of biological or chemical attacks. Their hope is that these pillow missiles will create great allergic sneezing attacks amongst our enemies. I sure do hope they’re successful in this innovative, new defense maneuver. My beloved and sorely missed parents, USAF Lieutenant Colonel Jack Dorman and Phyllis Dorman, are spinning in their graves over this news, I can assure you.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the many people who helped us with our new home logistics: Platinum Plumbing in Elburn, IL, Glenn & Marge McDonald, Tom Turner & Eddie Caceres, Nancy Reilly, Coralina Bouvier & Randi, Darlene Nauman, Christina Bouvier, Mary Lawson, Jan, Ben, Daria, Kathy Drommerhausen, Bill Domenz, Amber Edwards & Marco Frigini & Celia Kruse de la Rosa. For those of you in our inner circle who have always been there for us with a supportive and willing heart, please know that we appreciate you.
I thank you all for reading, as always, and I hope to see many of you this weekend at C2E2 in Chicago.
Hi Everyone,
I hope you all had a great Passover and Easter holiday. We celebrate Easter, and this year our son was the right age to appreciate it. It was also my wife Denise’ s birthday, and I’m working on an art deadline, so it was quite the jam-packed weekend. I did manage to catch “How to Train Your Dragon” with our son and we both give it high marks – be sure to catch it. The animation is wonderful.
I see my quote was posted in BusinessWeek today regarding how the iPad will affect the comic book industry. In my humble view, it will grow our audience for a new set of serialized storytelling fans who are not collectors, so a new audience is always a good thing for our industry. Here’s that BusinessWeek link for you: http://bit.ly/aK3O4k – my quote is on page 2 of 2. A special thanks to Charlie Athanas for finding it for me – our Google Alerts always show up way too late. Of course, special thanks goes to my publicist Denise Dorman at WriteBrain Media for putting it together for me.
For those of you who follow child development, you might have some insight to share with me. I think that my son may have inherited some creative talent from Denise and me. He has an attention to detail and an ability to draw from memory, rather than copying, that I find remarkable. I just hope that I’m not seeing his artwork through “daddy goggles,” but here it is, and keep in mind, he just turned 5:
Perry the Parrot
Dave Dorman's Son Draws the World of SpongeBob
You can see here where he started to draw Mr. Krabs on the far right, and then bailed at the last moment, losing his confidence. I was particularly impressed with how he drew Squidward and Gary, and even remembered the antenna on Patrick Star’s little rock house.
In other news, if any of you are watching Celebrity Apprentice, like me, you must be left puzzling over how anyone ever voted such a smarmy and witless wonder as Rod Blagojevich into the Governor’s office here in Illinois, where I’m now living. For the record, I didn’t vote for him. Basic skills, like typing, using a computer and text messaging, should be an assumption, not a struggle for someone in the Governor’s role. It is frustrating to us watching how far clueless narcissism can go toward convincing people of someone’s competence. Perhaps the next IL governor’s race should be voted on after watching all of the contenders in a similar reality TV program. At the very least, I want the next governor to know how to use a computer. It’s no wonder our state is bankrupt. I’m sure he couldn’t even open an Excel file, let alone analyze it. This brings me to my next topic, which is, at some point, I’m going to apply to go on Celebrity Apprentice. This season, there are folks on there who, frankly, are not household names to everyone, yet they’re famous within their own niches. That pretty much sums up my fame, so I think I should qualify. I am an Eisner Award winner, which is the Oscars of the comic book industry – similar to a gold medal in the Olympics. Like those Olympiads, I committed to my Malcolm Gladwell 10,000 + hours of hardcore training. I would certainly have nailed it as project leader on any of this season’s creative tasks…
My wife Denise and I did record Episode 1 of our podcast, “Wednesday is Comic Book Day” with special guest Scott Hampton, and once I know when it’s on iTunes and posted on Farpoint Media, I will let you all know here on my blog. I thank producer Denise Gideon and tech advisor Andrea Smith, two new media experts who do a superb job of leading the reluctant Luddites into the digital age.
There’s a major storm brewing here, so I will sign off now before the power goes out – it’s flickering and I don’t want to lose this post.
Thanks for reading,
Dave.
Every once in a while, you think you’re over your sadness from the death of a friend, and then you read something that catches you unaware and that lump in your throat returns unexpectedly. Today I was reading Ken Tucker’s review of my friend Dave Stevens’s graphic novel in Entertainment Weekly. In a few short words, Ken did a great job of explaining Dave Stevens to those who may not have known of this quality person and brilliant illustrator.
Apparently they’ve reissued his book “The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures” by Dave Stevens. You see, Dave was the creator of “Rocketeer.” I have the limited edition collector’s version of this book. If you don’t already have a copy, run out and get one, and be sure to get it from art book dealer Bud Plant – they are the best. You’ll be so glad this is part of your art collection. Dave was also a famed storyboard artist in L.A., doing everything from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video. When I win the lottery someday, I will pay to have those storyboards in my collection.
Dave Stevens and I became friends back in 1987. We were always together at San Diego Comic-Con, we hung out together and we shared painting techniques. In 1989, Dave sent me his sketch for “Rocketeer Adventure Magazine #2” for me to paint. (Now I wish I’d kept the sketch, but I sent it back with the artwork.) It was an honor to be involved in his project. I painted that cover and when you see it in the book, those of you who really know my style will recognize that it’s me. After that, Dave, whose medium of choice was acrylic, would hang out with me and I would help him understand how to paint with oils and create the look and feel he wanted to achieve. Again, it was an honor to be in the same constellation with this shining star.
There was a palpable pall over San Diego Comic-Con in 2008 for those of us who knew Dave Stevens. That was the year he died from leukemia.
One of the greatest disappointments for all of us illustrator’s was watching the evolution of Dave’s relationship with Disney. That which held such promise resulted in such colossal waste and disappointment. Dave never recovered from it. He even wrote about it in his book (another one you must add to your collection) “Brush With Passion: The Art and Life of Dave Stevens” by Underwood Books.
When I start my podcast (be patient, folks, it’s coming…), I will share some of my memories of Dave Stevens and interview those who shared those fond memories with me.
Thanks for reading,
Dave.
Hi Everybody.
Dave here. I just wanted to say a belated “Happy Thanksgiving.” I know I’m almost a week late, but at least I got it in. I have a lot to be thankful for this year, including being thankful for those of you who take an active interest in my art and my career.
Magazine Interviews: I’m very honored to be featured in the December issue of Imagine F/X, and the good folks there were kind enough to give me a two-page spread teaser ad in the 100th Anniversary issue to promote my upcoming interview. For those of you who have subscriptions to Imagine F/X, you will see my artwork on a special subscribers-only cover.
SPECTRUM: As you may have heard, I was a judge for Spectrum this year, so I couldn’t compete, but I had a GREAT time, and you can see 2 pieces of my artwork in the new Spectrum annual.
Upcoming Appearances: As you may have heard, I’m a featured guest at MegaCon this year in Orlando – that show happens in March. I will also be in Artist’s Alley during C2E2 in Chicago in April. We are all very excited about the new Chicago show and we want to do all that we can to support them coming to my (fairly) new hometown.
Upcoming Art Book: I am very pleased that my old friend Greg Goldstein is with IDW, and that Desperado Publishing is now partnering with them. Desperado Publishing was kind enough to invite me to do a nice cocktail table career retrospective art book, and I have flooded them with images from my past 30 years. If you have seen my friend Joe Jusko’s book, then you’re familiar with what mine will be like in terms of format, etc.
Current Projects: I’m working on some cards for the new World of Warcraft set, a paperback book cover, and a two-part female barbarian adventure cover for an up-and-coming comic publisher in Michigan.
For those of you who, like me, collect all of the cool busts, action figures, etc. 2 friends of mine started a Web site called http://www.BossBid.com. This site was programmed to always show the lowest prices first from auction sites like eBay, Amazon, uBid, Overstock, etc. so it’s a great resource for anyone holiday shopping. They are now offering really inexpensive online stores for folks who want to sell their wares. Be sure to check them out. They were in my booth at Comic-Con this past year, so you may have met them if you stopped by.
As always, if you are a journalist reading this and would like to schedule an interview, please contact my wife & publicist, Denise Dorman – she’s denise@writebrainmedia.com, and she’s on Twitter at Twitter.com/writebrainmedia. I should also mention, I’m on Twitter, so follow me if you want faster updates on my work. I’m Twitter.com/DaveDorman. If you like my background, that was done by Colin Pritchard at Rocket No. 9. He’s also on Twitter. He designed my Wasted Lands site, as well, for which I get many compliments.
Thanks, everyone, for reading my blog.
Until next time…
Dave
Hey everyone,
Dave here. I just wanted to let you all know that I will be on The Dennis Miller Radio Show tomorrow, Friday the 18th at 10 a.m. Central Time here in Chicago. The station here in Chicago is WIND, 560 AM. However, if you want to hear it streaming via your computer, here is the link: http://560wind.townhall.com/
On Saturday, I will be doing a free oil painting demonstration for Celebrity Chiropractor Dr. G (he does the Emmys, Grammys, Oscars backstage, etc.) for the “Make a Wish” foundation. This will be in the parking lot at the corner of Butterfield Road & Naperville Road in Wheaton, IL. I’ll be there from noon to 2 p.m., so drop by & see me. Bring your comics if you would like me to sign them.
October 24th & 25th, I will be in Plano, TX for Star Wars Days. Here is the link to this event: http://www.scifiexpo.com/DCC/fandaysIII.html
If you’re in the great Plano area and you love anything Star Wars related, this will be a fun show for you.
I hope you’ve seen my Star Wars covers for Dark Horse. If so, let me know what you think of them.
Thanks for reading, everyone,
Dave
I’d like to thank the critics (sometimes it’s hard to find their actual names) who have given me such nice reviews in the past two days online. I have Google Alerts set up so I can track what’s being said about me online. They are as follows:
Buffyverse Comic Reviews – http://buffyversecomics.blogspot.com/
Buffyverse Comic Reviews: Illyria Chats With the Exs
By PatShand
Here’s the exerpt:
Art: You may as well copy and paste my praise for David Messina’s art from #1 in here. One thing you can leave out, though, is my gripes about Gunn’s inconsistent beard. The art in this issue is 100% consistent, and Messina added that he would be fixing Gunn’s beard for the collection.
Covers: Both of these covers are considerably better than the ones from the first issue. The Messina cover is at once brutal and beautiful, featuring an image of Gunn in creepy blue lighting that makes his eyes all shadowy, with an image of Gunn as a vampire slicing through the middle of the issue. The same format is used for the rest of Messina’s covers in this arc, and I love it. And this time, Dave Dorman’s cover is just as great as Messina’s. Over a beautiful blue and purple backdrop, Gunn and Illyria, all promed-out, are dancing. Gunn dips Illyria, and to his horror, demonic tentacles whip up in front of them. That could be collection cover status.
And here is yesterday’s review:
Star Wars Bounty Hunters
By Comic Book Reviews
GenX Comics – http://genxcomics.com/
4 Stars Dave Dorman Is The Best
Dave Dorman rendered the cover art for this work. Mr. Dorman is by no means the only artist that creates the visual work for this and other Star Wars Series, but I have always felt he is one of the best. I wish I could say the same for the collection of short stories profiling some old friends and some new, but that would be a stretch for even science fiction.
I’d also like to thank those critics out there that occasionally give me a negative review, because it emboldens me to work harder.
As for my latest news, I’m looking forward to seeing Todd Rundgren on Sunday in Chicago with The Devil’s Candy Store co-founder Charlie Athanas. I’m also hopeful that I will be a guest on The Dennis Miller Radio Show when he comes into Chicago next week. As many of you know, I am a fan of Dennis’ from more than 20 years back, and it will be a lot of fun to talk with him and his producer Christian in person. My wife ran into Dennis at San Diego Comic-Con, and it all sort of evolved from there. I am donating my Transformers painting, which was the cover art for GEEK Monthly Magazine’s San Diego Comic-Con special edition issue, to Dennis Miller’s favorite charity, http://www.USACares.org. This helps military families financially, and as many of you know, I am a USAF military brat, so that is near and dear to my heart.
I will be attending the Star Wars Fan Days show in Dallas (http://www.scifiexpo.com) the weekend of October 24th & 25th, so please put it on your calendar if you can make it out there. That show should be a lot of fun. (A special thanks to the 501st Midwest Garrison, of which I am an honorary member, for always giving me such great support.)
If you get a chance to visit Windy City Con, be sure to say hello to my friends and special guests Tony Aikens, Mike Kennedy and Alex Wald.
Thanks for reading, everyone. I will do my best to post updates more regularly.
Dave
Dave Dorman 