Wrapping Up 2016

Out here on the west side of town, I type this in my bedroom on the south-side of Peoria. At this point I'm wrapping up my 2016 projects as I plan my 2017 project. I'm a little behind, but I should finish everything I planned before the end of the year.

- -- Today I'm putting the finishing touched on the 1st Space Monstas comic. I had hoped to have this finished in October and run a Kickstarter for Space Monstas products, but that just did not happen. So I'm putting out a very limited edition version for The dennmann 2016 Subscription Kickstarter backers and planning the big 2017 launch. Below is the cover for the limited edition version.

The Space Monstas series (comics, toys, cards and t-shirts) has really recharged me. One of my big plans for 2017 involves this series. More info to come in the last post of the year.

- -- Had a GREAT time at this year's DesignerCon (though I wish I had a table). Had a great talk with the Sucklord (one of my idols in the toy game). He had some nice comments about me toys when I showed them to him. I gave him a Cousin Harold mini-comic, which he also complimented. Picked up a couple of his figures, wish I had the money for more of them.

My Savior 7000 figure was for sale at the DKE booth during the show. I think there are some left, hit up Dov with DKE Toys if you are interested in picking one up. It was an honor to be on display next to many of the other figures that I have been collecting.

- -- My picture was in the newest issue of Echo Magazine. I think this is a freebie magazine that is available at local coffee shops. This reminded me of the great time I had at this year's PHX Zine Fest. I cannot wait for next year. (I do not have a copy of this magazine yet. The picture was shared with me by a friend.)

- -- Also wrapping up Cousin Harold 11 this week. Wish I had a cover to share with you at this point, but I still cannot decide what to do with it. I'm sure I will figure it out before I have to send it off to the printer.

- -- Comic of the week, 2001 a Space Odyssey #10 by Jack Kirby (featuring Machine Man). I have been looking for a copy of this book for a year and have not been able to locate it until now (or at least a copy that does not have the white from the back cover rolled onto the front cover). Those that know me know that I'ma huge Kirby fan. I have been wrapping up my collection of his late 70's Marvel work. I think I have all of the interior work. Now onto Kamandi.

Well that is about it for now. I'm sure I will be back next week with more info on Cousin Harold 11.
Until then, Take Care!

-denny

Back on the Grind

Out here on the southside of Peoria, AZ the weather is still hot, but that is not stopping me from producing. Comics, Toys - Toy, Comics - I don't ever stop (even when I claim I'm not working).

- -- This past weekend I tabled at the 1st Annual PHX Zine Fest and had a great time. I was shocked at the amount of books that I moved and how the majority of people that came to my table had books in their hands. Super Cool Vibes from all venders and attendees. I'm looking forward to doing this show again next year.

A Cousin Harold mini-comic that I put together for the PHX Zine Fest and gave out FREE with all purchases. I ran out about half way throught the day (it was a Good Day!)

My tables is to the right in this picture. I seriously hand a good time. My wife even pointed out that I came home with a much better attitude than the last couple of shows that I have done.

My friend Lorenzo films his adventures around Phoenix and today he stopped by the PHX Zine Fest and did some filming. He even caught a bit of my interview for a ASU Student's project. 

- -- Okay, I told you I was working on comics. Space Monstas is coming, slowly but surely. This book is quite different from what I have created in the past. It's coming along nicely and I'm really proud of this work. I cannot wait for it to be available for you to read and enjoy.

- -- The Tucson Comic Con is this coming weekend and I will be there. I will be in their Independent Press area IP-2. I will have my latest comics and figures included the brand new Vinny Vampire figure (limited to 13). I also believe I'm on the Toy Making Panel, Sunday 11:30am-12:20pm in the Cochise Room. Look forward to seeing you there.

- -- Comic of the Week, Cave Carson has a Cybernetic Eye #1. I'm really enjoying these Young Animal books. Cave Carson I think hints at many of the plans for the future of the Young Animal line of books. I really enjoyed the Metal Men cameo and hope that there is a Metal Men book planned in the near future.

Okay that is all for this week. I hope to have a couple of Space Monstas pages to share soon, but until then - Take Care of Yourself and be Good to Each Other.

-denny!

The Toys Have Taken Over

Well out here on the south side of Peoria it has been almost nothing but toys this week. But before I get to that I wanted to talk for a second about a rough day I had this week.

I was making the cards for my figures and everything that could go wrong went wrong. It was a rough day, but I kept telling/asking myself "You get to make these figures, how bad could life be?" By the end of the day I had the cards made and started carding the figure. The cards did not feel perfect this time but I thought "These are hand made items, they are not going to be perfect every time1" I made it through. The thing I learned from this day is that I have to remember I'm very lucky to get to do the things that I do. Not everyone gets to draw comics and make a figure line based on those comics. My life is pretty AWESOME!

- -- Okay so I surprised many people when I dropped pictures of the finished Savior 7000 (the 1st figure in my Ratchet Robots line). People had heard me talk about these figures, but I do not think anyone know how close I was to having the 1st one completed. The idea of this line is for my to make more politically/socially charged statements about the world around us using my favorite Star Wars figures the droids. I have several ideas for the next figure and will hopefully be dropping another one sooner than later, but first we have to see how this one sells.

Oh and did I mention that this figure is available only through DKE Toys starting at Designer Con? Yep that's right a Designer Con exclusive, limited to only 10. So make sure you stop by the DKE Toys booth first and pick one up before they are all gone.

- -- Also on the toy front, I wrapped up production on my second Space Monstas figure, Vinny Vampire. Super proud of these figures, the head has some major sculpting work by me as well as cloth cape made by hand (also me). I could not be happier with the way they turned out. These will be available at PHX Zine Fest and Tucson Comic Con, limited to 13. So swing by one of those shows and pick up one before they are gone.

- -- And speaking of the PHX Zine Fest it's this coming weekend, October 23rd from 11am-6pm at the Icehouse. Hopefully you can make it out, should be an awesome time. Check out the link to see info on a bunch of the zinesters that will be attending.

- -- So with all this toy talk, you are probably wondering if I still make comics?

Yes I do! I have been hard at work on the Space Monstas comic. I originally planned to have this done by now, but you know how life works and I have learned to just roll with life. I think this book is coming along great and cannot wait to have it completed. At this point we are looking at late this year.

- -- Oh and I'm still working on Cousin Harold. Just wrapped up the stories that will be issue 11 which I will send off to the printer over Thanksgiving weekend. Oh and I completed an 8 page story (25 strips) during 24hour Comics Day. The story has Harold snacking on some real cheese and turning into a real rat for a panel or two, It will go up on on the Cousin Harold site starting in mid-November.

- -- I really should do this thing weekly again. I felt like I did not really have that much to talk about, but now I realize that I waiting to long and there is too much to talk about. Oh I almost forgot --

- -- Comic of the Week. Shipwreck #1 by Warren Ellis & Phil Hester. Man this book has some super weird stuff going on. Feels like a amnesia mystery with a little sci-fi on the side. I was a little shocked because I did not know what to expect and now cannot wait for the 2nd issue.

Okay well that is all for now. I will try to get back to weekly or at least bi-weekly with these post.

Take care,

-denny