Comic Artists Direct

There are a couple of comics I think are worth your precious reading time. One is solicited in the June '04 Previews and one will be off to the printer very soon. I have worked on both in some capacity, but don't think I would let my pride stand in the way of honest review. I really do think these are solid efforts by these publishers and great entertainment to help us break free from the megapublishers who dominate our reading habits.

Terry Cronin, independent filmmaker, writer and self appointed Student Body President of Students of the Unusual solicits "Students of the Unusual" in June's Previews (www.studentsoftheunusual.com). The full color book is independently published by 3 Boys Productions, a group of filmmakers who also direct the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival in Florida.

My part was coloring Artist Jorge Calamato's excellent illustrations for ÒUnder The Bridge,Ó one of five different stories in this EC-styled horror anthology. Ideas Terry and his cohorts had storyboarded for short films make up the majority of the book. I was impressed by the compact storytelling and Jorge's realistic but not overworked drawing style. Expressions are dead on and settings are fully realized (a colorist's dream).

Terry and his crew prove the short story is not dead in comics - who needs a six issue crossover? I'm looking forward to reading the rest of "Students of the Unusual."

Alonzo Washington's Omega7 publishing house (www.omega7.com) will be featuring "Omega Man - Current Events and Celebrity Injustice" at the upcoming Comic-Con International in San Diego. Artist Johnny Johnson's work here is top shelf, allowing me to go into special effects with the coloring with confidence. I also lettered the issue. But the real charm here is the comedy.

This is NOT "Animal House" or the Three Stooges. Don't expect slapstick. What "Current Events and Celebrity Injustice" IS is commentary on being famous in America and the second-class status of black superheroes, all wrapped up in a plausible adventure storyline.

Meet Michael Jackson, young and old. Meet a black superhero in green with a powerful ring "impersonating" the book's hero, Omega Man. The antagonists here are both scary and a parody of a certain green alien race in '60s Fantastic Four comics. We feel the jokes, but writer Alonzo keeps the dignity of his main character intact. Does he go too far criticizing? Readers of parody wouldn't have it any other way!

If your local comic shop misses them, visit Students of the Unusual at www.studentsoftheunusual.com and Omega7 at www.omega7.com to purchase these books. Then bring them back and show your shop owner what he missed!

Two different projects require two different coloring styles - superhero and subtle, gothic horror. Above, the cover for "Omega Man - Current Events and Celebrity Injustice" (left) and the splash page for "Under the Bridge" from "Students of the Unusual" #1 (right). Coloring and lettering on both is from Gary.

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