Ideas to Life

Things are moving along steady here on the south side of Peoria. Outside it is still HOT, even though the local QT tells me the summer is over (they stopped their summer refill special price). I just need it to drop 10 more degrees so I can start production on figures again. It's just too hot during the times when I have time to work.

 - -- With that said I was able to stay up a little later last weekend and woke up early a couple of mornings to start production on something I have had in mind for a while. My day job is as a mild-mannered high school mathematics teacher. I decided that this year I was going to bring more of my outside of school life into my classroom. One of the things I thought that I would do was make a figure to hand out as an award for the student of the month in my classroom. Our school mascot is the worlverine, so I made a Wolverine Graduate trophy to hand out to those students. Handed out my first two this week to Phillip and Jazmyn. They both seemed to be very happy to receive them. Several other students shared a photo of the statues on their social media and told me how cool everyone thought it was. My social media accounts were blowing up with likes and messages about the idea, including a couple of teachers who want to borrow the idea for their classrooms and change the head to match their mascots.

- -- Not sure how much I have shared here, but I have been invited to contribute a page to the Ravage 2099 Redux project that Brad Dwyer, Damon Begay and Wil Hines are putting together. The page is almost done and coming up super nice. The page will eventually be on display in a gallery show about the project and printed in a comic edition of the project, later this year. More info to follow.

- -- Sticker Mule keeps sending me discount offers and I keep printing stickers with them. The latest Spac eMummy sticker. First time I tried the Kiss Cut style, really like this will probably be doing some of this with a couple other images.

- -- Comic production. I finished drawing the interiors of Cousin Harold 14 and I'm already 2 pages into issue 14. Hoping to get back into the Space Monstas universe next week end (now that the Ravage 2099 page is out of the way).

Hope everyone is having a good time and is in good health.

Take care,

- denny!

Always Grinding

Out here on the south side of Peoria, it is still HOT! And I'm always grinding, although there might not be much to talk about each week.

- -- I print my stickers through Sticker Mule and they send out a lot of special offers on what seems to be a weekly basis. I thought that I would start taking advantage of these offers and print up stickers. This was the first one. 

- -- Yesterday I wrote the final page of Cousin Harold 13, which is the 2nd part of the circus storyline. Very excited with how this story is filling out. Last year the story was just an idea and now I'm over halfway through making it. When people ask me how you make comics. I tell them one page a week, which is still the grind I'm on. The one page a week method, lets me work on other projects. Planning on a Kickstarter to help distribute this book in late September, early October. 

- -- The figure above, is something that I recently purchased. The Iron Goth (Night) by Kosrobot. I ordered this figure for a couple of reasons. The first is because it was a little different than the 3.75 figures that I usually purchase and I wanted to see how it was made. The second is a little more serious. As a kid I grew up being told that America was the country where you can do anything you want because of freedom and in other countries things were not the same. As I became an adult I have found out that this was not true, that people in other countries have the freedom to do the same things that I have the freedom to do. In this case, Kosrobot (who lives in Russia) gets to make bootleg figures and sell them to people around the world (the same as I do, living in the United States). I would then assume that his life is very similar to mine and not a horrible prison that I have been led to believe. I'm not sure why this bothers me so much, but I feel like I have been lied to by adults and society regularly throughout my life.

- -- On the super down low, Shawn Demumbrum and I have been recording a podcast where we talk about the comics we have recently purchased/read. This really is just us feeling things out. I feel like the show is a person getting to be a fly on the wall, listening to two guys talk about comics. Both Shawn and I are well read. I purchase comics from around the world (even if I cannot read them). My friends joke that if aliens arrived on the earth the first question I would ask them is "Do you have any comics?" I'm not sure where we are going and what our goals are, but I'm having fun.

Thanx for reading this week.

Take care,

-denny

  

Another Day, Another Dollar

Out here on the south side of Peoria it is still HOT! Also my summer of being a creator is over because my day job started this past week. And as Murphy's Law states, things are finally starting to happen as I'm now at a loss for time.

- -- Wrapped up a couple of new Space Monstas figures this week.

Zack Zombie is now out there in the world. The character will be featured in the next Space Monstas storyline. He is also one of the original 7 planned figures.

The Invisible Astronaut. I came up with this figure idea after I started making the Space Monstas figures. I had planned on holding off on making him, but then I got several other ideas and I realized by the time I got around to making this figure I would have a couple handfuls of other ideas. So I was a little stuck because I needed to get through the original 7 figures that I had planned. Then I remembered how the Boba Fett figure was introduced into the world, as a FREE figure. So I decided to make the Invisible Astronaut my first free figure. All you have to do is purchase 3 Space Monstas figures at one time and I will include an Invisible Astronaut for FREE (while supplies last).

These figures were released on Instagram and in person yesterday and already 2 people took advantage of the buy 3 get IA FREE deal. The figures will be up in my online store by the end of the day today.

- -- Working hard on Cousin Harold. The Harold at the circus storyline starts up again shortly and I'm very excited about it. Many pieces of this storyline were inspired by the Japanese manga magazine Coro Coro. Check out what is happening with Harold and friends 5 days a week here. 

Those are the projects that I'm working on personally at the moment. However I have been invited to start working on a podcast (today we record the first episode). I have been invited to contribute to a redraw project (hopefully doing my page next weekend). And there are other things in talk.

Take care,

- denny

SDCC is this Week!

Out here on the south side of Peoria it is still HOT! Good thing I'm heading out to San Diego on Wednesday.

I will not be tabling at SDCC this year. I'm a comic fan at heart and SDCC is the only show I attend as a fan. Last year I tried to table, but it just wasn't for me. With that said I will still be promoting my comic and resin figure work at the show this year with 2 special giveaways.

         

- -- First up is the Cousin Harold SDCC Special. This book is a collection of 3 of my favorite stories. I will be handing out copies of this book outside the convention center on Friday (Probably in the morning hours. Check my Instagram for more info on Saturday morning.

- -- Second up is the Space Mummy Figure Drop figure.

I will be hiding these figures around San Diego as I travel. Both inside and outside the convention. I will be sharing hints on Instagram about where to find them. Also I will be hiding 2 in Arizona before I leave.

- -- Wrapped up production of the Space Mumm (Black Matter Variant). This figure came out of my greatest discovery from earlier this year, photocopying on black paper. This figures will be in my online shop by the end of the day Sunday - $40 each.

- -- I'm wrapping up production on Zack Zombie and the Invisible Astronaut. Trying something new here, the Invisible Astronaut will be available for FREE with the purchase of 3 Space Monsta Figures or for purchase. Hoping to having these finished by the end of July.

Okay that is all for this week.

Take Care,

- denny

Always Something Going On

It has been HOT out here on the south side of Peoria, record breaking HOT! And this heat has been messing with my productivity. Hoping to get on my grind a little harder this last few weeks of summer. Thinking about pulling some late nights.

- -- I'm so thankful that my family puts up with me. I do not have actual space for my creative energies, so I have to take space where I can find it. This is 1/3 of our kitchen table.

There are at least 4 different figures at some point in the creation process in these piles. Seriously though I'm working on way too many projects at one time.

- -- The San Diego Comic Con is coming up and while I'm not tabling this year I'm still putting together some stuff for the show. First up is the Cousin Harold SDCC Special. This is a collection of 3 of my favorite stories.

 

Sent this off to the print this past week and if all works out, I should have them to hand out at SDCC. Probably somewhere out front during the show Thursday or Friday. I will let you know via Instagram when the book is being handed out.

- -- Also I have made up these Space Mummy resin figures to do some Figure Drops (Art Drops) during SDCC.

Again I will be letting you know during SDCC via Instagram when and where I'm hiding the figures for you to find.

- -- In addition to this stuff I'm working on the Cousin Harold webcomic each and everyday/ Plus putting in some work on the next Space Monstas comic. 

Hope you are out there creating also!

take care,

- denny

I'm a Bootlegger!

It has gotten really HOT out on the south side of Peoria.

So this week I attended a mold making seminar at Reynolds and they had us introduce ourselves and state what our interest was in mold making. i said "Denny and I'm a Bootlegger!" I really like that title, Bootlegger. Makes me feel a little sinister. Oh well on to what I have been doing, which is mostly Bootlegging.

- -- The stickers arrived for my Invisible Astronaut release.

So when I originally conceived the Space Monstas figures/universe/idea, I came up with 7 figures and stories that went with those figures. These stories were going to take me 3-4 years to complete. As I started to make figures I began to get addition ideas for figures and stories. How would I add these figures in befor I even got through the original 7? Well how did they add Boba Fett to Star Wars? He was a FREE send away with 5 proof of purchases. 

So I have decide to take that idea and play with it. Each year I will be adding a figure to the Space Monstas Universe via FREE with Purchase. Sure you can buy the Invisible Astronaut when he is released, but you could also just get him for FREE if you purchase 3 other Space Monstas figures from me (while supplies last). What a deal, right? I also have a short story featuring the Invisible Astronaut, that I'm hoping to get to after I wrap up the story I'm working on now.

- -- Production on the Zack Zombie figure and Invisible astronaut is happening daily, This heat is killing the amount of pours that I can do at a time because the resin is curing so fast. So I'm pouring 3 parts at a time, which means I'm getting about one figure poured every hour.

I did have a chance to finalize the card backers for both of these figures.

Zack Zombie and the Invisible Astronaut are scheduled to be release the last Friday of July at this point.

- -- Cousin Harold strips are being produced at a rate of about 5 a week. Really enjoying Fester and Lea's first case together storyline. The strips will start running later this week or early next week. Also started producing a Cousin Harold book to hand out at SDCC this year. More information on this book in the next couple of weeks.

Okay that is about it for now. Have a GREAT week!

Take care,

- denny   

Things are Not Always as They Appear to Be

It's getting HOT out here on the southside of Peoria in Arizona. Expecting 120 degrees on Tuesday. Looks like I will be spending a lot of time inside making comics and figures.

So this week I had an experience at the gym that reminded me that "Things are Not Always as They Appear to Be!" The nice elderly woman on the elliptical never to me told me that she does not like to workout next to me because of how fast I go and the amount of calories that I burn. Those that know me, know that I'm a big man with a weight problem. I'm over 100 lbs over weight. I would like to lose about 75 lbs and I would be happy. I go to the gym 5-6 days a week and workout really hard (I'm a beast, really), but I love sweets. So every pound that I work off I put back on eating donuts, cookies and ice cream. This summer I'm doing a little better and actually losing weight because I'm eating less sweets. However I'm not happy with myself at the gym and I always feel like I could have worked out harder. So where this lady sees someone who is successful, I feel like I'm not even close to being there.

The same could be true for comics and figure making. I make a ton of things each year and people make comments that they wish they could produce like I do. However I'm always thinking I can do more. This has been my main thought this summer so far, becaus eI have been a little lazy in the creation department. But things are still getting made at a fairly steady pace. I have 2 figures in production, with a third/fourth starting soon. I'm about halfway through Cousin Harold 13. I also have a few pages of the next Space Monstas book drawn. So while many people see what I do and think that I'm successful, I feel like I'm not even close to being there.

- -- Production is in full swing on the Invisible Astronaut and Zack Zombie.

Hoping to drop these figures at the end of July. Both will be $40 or there is a special deal for the Invisible Astronaut figure.

The Invisible Astronaut will be FREE with the purchase of 3 other figures (while supplies last).

- -- Cousin Harold comic production is in full swing. I making 5-6 strips a week. About halfway through issue 13. If you have not check out the strip lately there is a ton to read here.

- -- Some big plans are in the works for Space Monstas. Working on a FCBD edition fpr next year, which will guest star someone else's character. Very Excited about this, but probably will not be able to share anything until early 2018.

Also working on the next Space Monstas story, where the Space Mummy fights a bunch of asteroid zombies. This story is going to be a little long (the goal is a 100 page mini-comic), so I'm planning on dropping some preview mini-comics along the way. More info to come.

Okay that is about it. I still feel like I should be doing more, maybe that is what makes me look a bit more successful than the next guy (even though I do not think this). I do however think that I'm a BEAST when it comes to creating things and at working out.

Hope you all have a great week,

- denny

Stay TRUE to You!

Things have been moving at a slow pace out here on the south side of Peoria, Arizona. Although things are happening and plans are being made well into 2018 already.

This week I realized something. It is something that I have always known, something that I always say, but still I found myself working against these core beliefs. Let's rewind a little...

People know how I feel about prints, - "You do not own that character, so why are you trying to make money off of it?" "Why not just do your own thing instead of Deadpool prints?" These are things I have said over and over, but yet I found myself in a small catch-22.

A year ago I started to make bootleg figures. Although my original figures just used parts of other figures and were modified to look like my characters. It wasn't going to be long before I was purely bootlegging.

A couple of weeks ago I shared the above picture on Instagram and talked about my secret project that I was working in. That secret project was going to be my first mash-up bootleg figure. The Picachewie, pictured below.

I thought it was an awesome idea. Everyone loves Picachu and everyone loves Chewbacca, I would sell them all without a problem. This might be true, but there was still a problem - I was really not interested in doing this figure. The whole time I was molding and pulling figures, I could not wait to be done and get back to making Space Monstas figures. 

So I scraped it.

Through trying to make this figure, I rediscovered why I make figures, comics, trading cards, t-shirt, etc. - - - I make them for ME! I'm glad that people enjoy my work, but I make the work for me first. And I believe that is why people enjoy my work, because I enjoy it and I'm passionate about it.

Not sure if all that make sense, I could go on an on about some things here, but I wanted to make it quick this week so I can finish molding the newest addition to the Space Monstas Universe, the Invisible Astronaut.

The picture above is a sneak of the body for this figure. I have something really special planned with this guy. He is not one of the original 7 figures I created for the Space Monstas Universe and was not going to get to him for a while, but then it hit me, the perfect way to add him into the universe. Hope to share more about this plan next week.

Take Care,

- denny

PS. If you check my Instagram, you will see a picture of a Pink Wookiee or Pookiee (as I call him) I'm still making this figure, but it probably will never be for sale. It is a gift for my friend Gary, who dresses up as a pink wookiee for conventions.

Back on the Grind

It's not like I ever stop, but man I have been slacking a little (at least in posting info here). Out here on the south side of Peoria things are always hoping.

The goal is to start posting about once a week again. There are a few things that I wanted to post, but never got around to it. Hopefully I will get some of that stuff posted, but for today I'm going to stick to current events.

 - -- First off I released a NEW figure at Phoenix Comicon, the Time Master.

     

The Time Master is like an alter ego figure for me. People always ask if I have a time machine because of all the work I get done. I'm also a big fan of the Kang character, so this seemed like a perfect fit. If you interested in adding one to your collection get them now in my store, I only made 5 of each face color.

- -- The long awaited Space Monstas trading cards made there debut at the Phoenix Comicon. 

These packs sold like hot cakes. Super happy with the way they turned out and the response the cards got. I have already started working on the next set.

- -- My NEW convention banner! Shouts out to Custom Teez for doing an AWESOME job on this for me.

- -- The Cousin Harold Kickstarter was a huge success, this issues also debut at the Phoenix Comicon. If you did not snag on at the convention, they are now up in my store. 

This issue features the first part of the circus storyline (which will run through issue 14). Super excited about this storyline and how it's coming out. 

- -- This week I was on Killer Bootleg's Resincast Podcast.

We talk about toy making and comics for an hour. Super honored to be on the show. Killer Bootlegs is one of my favorite figure maker. 

Okay, that is it for this week. I'm working on a secret figure right now. Hopefully I will be able to talk about it more next week.

Take Care,

-denny 

Things are Happening

Out west here on the southwest side of Peoria, AZ things have started to heat up already this year. Temperatures in 80's hit for most of last week. We expect the temps to go back down, but this winter has been relatively mild. Good thing too, because I'm busy making figures, comics, cards and other things.

- -- First up; My Space Monstas figure was reviewed by the Sucklord.

Really wish he would have read the comic first. I think he set up the package breaking. I had to open 8 figures to re-card them because of some issues with the cards. To break them open (without peeling them) we really had to swing them about pretty hard. I have changed glues however because I am aware of at least one other package coming open. As for the "f*ck You" attitude that he wanted to see. I might be the only bootleg figure maker that does not come from that school. I treat my work as a serious art form.

I appreciate the positive comments about the trading cards (should have the set done for Phoenix Comicon). I also appreciate him noticing how realized the project is. I have spent a many hours planning out Space Mopnstas and this is proof that those hours were well worth it. Kind of sad to see the Sucklord closing up shop on his part of the bootleg figure business, but I guess that opens more space for me.

- -- I really have been busy doing things but nothing is at a stage where I can show you. I'm about halfway through Cousin Harold 12. I expect to release this book in May maybe April. I have been planning out some figures, but that got put on hold to complete a secret commission project for the AZ Eventure Con.

- -- Speaking of the AZ Eventure Con. I will be there Saturday with the new Cousin Harold comic, the first Space Monstas comic and the new Jenny Spookawski mini-comic. Plus figures, t-shirts and the AZ Eventure Con will be selling a secret project that I created for them. Should be a super fun time. Tickets have to be purchased before arriving at the show, there will be no tickets sold at the door (at least that is what I have been told) and tickets are limited.

 - -- Also available at the show in the goodie (swag) bags the latest edition of the Comics Never Stop newspaper. Yess it is back and better than ever. Don't fall for the imitation, get the original comic newspaper.

I will also be handing them out at the March First Friday event.

Well that is about all for this newsletter. I'm going to try and get back to weekly (or bi-weekly) after the convention. I really have a lot of things planned for this year and would like to use the newsletter to keep my on track.

Thanx for your support,

-denny 

Space Monstas Mini Tour - Reflection

First I would like to say Thank You to Jesse James Comics, Ash Avenue Comics, Samurai Comics and Drawn to Comics for letting take up space in their stores and sell my books without asking me for a dime. Arizona has some of the classist comic shops in the world.

I came up with the idea of doing a little mini tour to celebrate the release of my Space Monstas comic last November. I had originally intended to release the comic at the Tucson Comic Con, but things just did not get done in time. The next convention is not until the end of February and I did not want to wait that long. I had also talked with some of the local comic store owners about how people only release their books around conventions and have really been forgetting that the stores have new releases every Wednesday. 

A light bulb popped in my head, why not release the Space Monstas book on a Wednesday at a local store. Now which one? The answer was not which one, but how many would I be able to hit in one day.  Why go to multiple stores, because I have done in-store appearances and they tend to drag on. I felt if I was at a store for only a couple of hours, I would get a change of scenery when I needed it.

So I asked the 4 stores that I shop with the most if they were down with me setting up a small mini tour and stopping at each of their stores for 2 hours. All 4 were done and suggested some type of cross promotion (that is where the idea of the flyer came from.)

Next I needed to figure out what order I was going to visit the stores. For this I used Google to see when different stores had their peak times. I got to tell you, Google seemed to be right on. Each store had a steady flow of customers while I was there. The order was set and placed an hour between each appearance to help with travel time.

Now a little bit about sales. I sold about 4 books at each shop (plus 1 figure and 1 shirt) throughout the day. For each odd number of books that I sold I gave 1 book to the store to sell as a thank you for

the use of their space (if I sold 1 book, I gave 1 book to the store, if I sold 3 books, I gave 2 books to the store). This plan came together because my goal with my comics is not to make a ton of money, but get a ton of readers and I figured the books left at the stores would generate new readers (I will have to see how this works over the next few weeks as I stop at the store.) I moved a total of 27 books during the day (16 sold, 9 given to the stores and 2 sold wholesale). Money wise, I made over 170% of what it cost me to produce the books that I moved (this figure only includes printing costs).

One thing I should have picked up one earlier in the day was that at Jesse James Comics, Jesse had me put some books up by the register. Jesse's shop was the place that I sold the most books all day. This did not hit me until I was looking at numbers after I got home.

Another great thing about the day was the excitement from the people who were purchasing the book.

When I got home there we several Instagram posts about the days events. 

So overall this was a good day and I plan on releasing future books in a similar fashion. Next Up: Cousin Harold #12 in April or May.

- denny

2016 - the Good and the Bad

Well 2016 was a year. I think it might have been my most successful year creatively. It was also filled with the biggest heartbreaks and failures creatively.

I created the Space Monstas figures, but have failed more times than I have been successful. I put out some really awesome books, but sold very few of them. I tabled at some big shows this year, but made the less money this year than last year. I put out 4 volumes of the Comics Never Stop newspaper, only to have the whole thing implode on the biggest stage.

It seems with every success there was a failure holding it's hand. The best thing that happened this year though was that I DIDN"T GIVE UP!

And because I didn't give up I brought this awesome book Space Monstas into the world.

Another issue of Cousin Harold (issue 11, but actually the 13 comic).

The Spacer Monstas figures (I mentioned these earlier) are probably the things that I'm second most proud of (after not giving up this year.)

Also I'm hard at work on a new Cousin Harold storyline that will run most of 2017. These are the circus guys that Harold meets up with.

Harold becomes a clown. Seriously having fun making these stories. I hope it is showing.

So for all the good stuff that happened in 2016, there was bad stuff. But hey if making comics and figures was easy, everyone would be doing it.

- denny!

Update - Just made this 2016 is not over yet!!!

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