Turok Dinosaur Hunter Debut

Turok Dinosaur Hunter #9 has just landed in comic stores and Comixology, which marks my Turok, and Dynamite, debut.

A few sample panels from the book below...

Drawn from a script by Greg Pak and Paul Tobin, and the issue also features art from Ruairi Coleman and Lee Ferguson, with colours Luigi Anderson and lettered up by Marshall Dillon.  Edited by Nate Cosby!

Look for the cover below by Bart Sears on the shelves  (nice to see my name on the cover treatment too)!

Now back to drawing Flash Gordon...!

Noe #2 launch

It's finally here! Noe: The Savage Boy #2 is launching at Forbidden Planet Belfast on the 15 November.

Mal, Rob and I will be in hand for doodles and signage, so hopefully we'll all see you there!

Dynamite! Turok! Flash Gordon!

I was able to announce at DICE that I've been working on artwork for the Turok: Dinosaur Hunter comic for Dynamite Entertainment.

I'm working alongside writers Greg Pak (Planet Hulk, Action Comics), and the Eisner Award winning Paul Tobin (Bandette, Colder), fellow local artist Ruairi Coleman and a few others who I'm not sure have been announced. I have pages in #9, arriving in October, and #10 in November.

Bart Sears Covers for Turok #9 and #10. Yes, that is Robin Hood

For December I was recruited by Dynamite and Turok editor Nate Cosby to hop over to the Flash Gordon: Holiday Special. The story is written by Elliot Kalan, lead writer on The Daily Show with John Stewart and tells a pretty awesome holiday story. The covers and Diamond information have just been released, so feel free to order via your local comic shop!

Flash Gordon Holiday Special Covers by Evan Shaner, Jordie Bellaire and Ken Haeser

DICE 2014 Prints

I've just picked up the proof for the first official Atomic Diner prints featuring my covers, made specially for DICE at the weekend

They feature in a limited run, so I'm opening up pre-orders.

Pre-order price:

A4 - €10     (3 pack for €25)
A3 - €15      Includes A3 poster tube (3 pack for €40) 

Email: Stephen {@} stephendowneygallery.com to order.

There's also a couple of spaces left on the Sketch Pre-order list (scroll down for details). If you want a few items bundled, send an email and I'll add some discount.

See you at the weekend!

Noe Black and White version is VERY limited.

DICE 2014

I have a table at DICE 2014 (Dublin International Comic Expo) on the 27th-28th September!

Last year my sketch list was completely full for the weekend, so although I won't have much time to prep any sketches before the event, I'm opening up my A4 sketch list now with pre-order prices.

Scroll down to previous posts for sketch examples.

Character head sketch - €20
Full figure/elaborate sketch - €40 
Comic Bundle: €40 Head sketch + choose any 5 comics from Jennifer Wilde #1-3, Wilde Hunt, Noe #1-2 or Black Scorpion

Contact me stephen [@] stephendowneygallery.com to be added to the list.


I'm also attending NYCC (New York Comic Con), though as a PRO rather than exhibiting, so if any American readers want to arrange to pick up a sketch or any comic bundles, send me an email and we'll arrange it.  

Doctor Who

A just-for-fun piece of Doctor Who artwork, in celebration of Peter Capaldi's new Who.

I'm still not sure how Capaldi's look will settle down this season, even in the PR images he's had different haircuts, so can't decide if I captured the likeness. I'm happier with Matt Smith at least.

The folks over at The Chronicles of Time Facebook page are hosting a just-for-fun (and a prize) competition to colour the piece. Head here if you want to try your hand.

MCM Comic Con Belfast

This weekend coming (7th/8th June) is the very first MCM Belfast.

I've had tables before at the MCM London and Manchester shows, so it's nice to have them show up right across the street.

It looks like the show is already a success with Saturday and weekend pre-order tickets sold out (though there are tickets still available at the door, if I'm correct).

Due to time constraints I won't be able to draw any before the show, and I'll be sketching on Saturday only, but if you want to get on the list early, drop me an email stephen [@] stephendowneygallery.com

£20 for a head sketch, something like so: 

£40 for full body, something like: 

(You can even request legs if you want...)

Plenty more sketches in older posts in you want to browse!

Creator Owned Day 2014

Creator Owned Day returns Wednesday 5th March 2014! The last two year's challenge saw comic creators writing and drawing up new characters, readers celebrating their favourite creator-owned series and a trending topic on Twitter.

A quick recap of the challenge details:

Create a sketch of an original character or concept and and post it on your Blog, Twitter etc on Wednesday 5th March. It should be a concept completely owned by the artist (or co-owned with the writer/collaborators permission to post).

Why? A number of reasons:

1. A lot of reader and creator focus is on characters owned by larger corporations. Let's bring a little spotlight on creating brand new, creator owned concepts.
2. Bringing a little awareness to the business side of co-creating original content. Take a look at Jeff Parker's article and follow up comments on the subject. Co-creators can take this opportunity as a little trial run, just make sure to have a mutual agreement in advance.
3. Fun! A few creators discussed the idea on Twitter and thought it was a great opportunity to create something entirely new, while bringing attention to these sketches. 

The details:

1. Create a sketch of a new character/character you own. We're doing this primarily to get our imaginations running, so a concept specifically created for Creator Owned Day is probably ideal. It should NOT be a character owned by either a company eg. Marvel's Wolverine, OR owned by other creators e.g. Todd McFarlane's Spawn. It also shouldn't take distinct features from characters owned by others e.g. Wolverspawn You must own the character.
2. Post it on your blog, or Facebook, Twitter etc.
3. Share your post using the Twitter hashtag #CreatorOwnedDay.
4. Help us spread the word by retweeting your favourite new characters.

Let's see what we can come up with!

You can follow Creator Owned Day or my own account on Twitter to see retweets of the best from the day. Click the #CreatorOwnedDay Hashtag and flick through the photos for highlights from the last two years did you need a little inspiration.

The Big Update

It's been a while since I updated the blog, so this may be a bit of an info dump. I have some ideas I want to write up, so hopefully posts will become a little more regular. For now...

DemonCon

I'm flying over to Maidenhead, Kent this weekend for DemonCon on Sunday 16th February. I've been invited to attend the annual show for a few years now, after meeting organiser Graham Beadle and his son at a con, but have never really been able to justify the travel expense. The stars aligned this year thanks to Graham's guest sponsorship, generosity and an Easyjet sale. There are really interesting guests and friends attending, so I'm really looking forward to the event.

Comixology

Jennifer Wilde has gone global! #1 is now available digitally on all good Apple and Android tablets and phones via the Comixology app. Rob Curley and I spent a good bit of time setting up the Comixology account, and it's great to see Jennifer available all over the world. #1 is a bargain at $0.99/£0.69

Digital distribution is already finding us a new audience. #1 was featured as New & Newsworthy by the folks at Comixology and we've had a really lovely review from Graig Kent over at his Thor's Hammer review blog 

Interviews

I talk to David Ferguson over at Irish Comic News about my work at Atomic Diner, including some previously unrevealed concept art for the Legion Britannia and the cover to Noe #2.

I also talked to the guys at the 2D cast in their 2013 Year in Review. I think I talk about February and the launch of Noe #1, but the whole episode is definitely worth a listen, and works as a great summary of the Irish comic scene.

RiRa

I have a 3 page strip in the latest edition of kid's Irish language comic Ri Ra #4. It continues the story of Bliain a Haon, following the fears and trepidations of a boy's first year in secondary school. This is the 3rd Bliain a Haon story, if it keeps up, I'll have enough material to fill a collection.

Upcoming

After a few detours to wrap up Jennifer Wilde, Noe The Savage Boy #2 is on the way to the printers. I'm laying out #3 right now, so it shouldn't be too long until Noe's Origin is concluded. 

I also have an upcoming gig working on a big established property, so stay tuned for more on that soon...

Noe The Savage Boy #2, Pg 1