Ok. I know that you’ve seen these before but the site blew up and I’ve been working to repair the damage ans add new features. Let me know what you think

During Rob’s time as an independent creator he’s introduced and played with several incarnations of patriotic characters and his best, to date, has to be Free Agent! While I loved the Avengers film, I thought that Captain America looked a little silly so I took some liberties with the design of Free Agent, giving him a more military combat look than the Superhero spandex aesthetic. I’m not sure that you can see it here but I tried to give him less of an all business expression on his face as he pears off into empty space. His stance and fist to his chest are meant to convey aspects of his military discipline and heart, and I think that he stands out well from the rest of the group.

To his left is Thor, and his figure is still a work in progress as I’ve had a really hard time nailing down some good reference for the character. His appearances in the Extreme Universe have him looking different from the design that I remember him with and so I’m not really sure how to finish his figure up. I don’t really know a great deal about the character or his mannerisms but if you’re a Norse God of legend I bet the common interpretation of him is pliable here. So there he is, yelling and screaming, beckoning battle and glory as only he can. I thought that this expression of him creates a nice contrast to Free Agent.

To Agent’s right is the beast behemoth Smash! Not very much is known about this character except that he doesn’t play well with others much like his Hulking inspiration. His raging temper and indomitable power make him an unlikely addition to the team. Perhaps Vogue’s delicate touch is all that’s needed to ply the brute against the enemy as needed! Again, I’m not sure if you can tell in this posting but Smash is directing the intensity of his gaze in her direction as she has a hand on his arm.

Shaft makes the cut as the doppelganger of of Hawkeye for the roster. I’ve always loved this dude and Rob’s design was always kick ass! If Thor and Hawkeye looked like this in the Marvel Universe, I would have been all over these books in a heart beat. The bow is not quite finished on this piece as it’s the first time I’m ever drawing one, I wanted to get the nuances of current archery technology in there but man, it’s a pain in the ass! Here too is something that I’m not sure you’re going to be able to make out, as he’s directing his look towards Free Agent to imply a little bit of a leadership challenge or friction between the characters. See I’m trying to tell a little story here

Diehard and Vogue round out the roster here also lobsiding the team in Youngblood’s favor, perhaps government watch dogs for this assembly of power? I thought Diehard would fit well here to give you the Man/Machine angle the Ironman delivers in to the movie, but Diehard is more mystery than either man or machine so there’s lots to play with regarding his character.

Vogue closes out the roster in place of Black Widow. When it came to Rob’s characters I couldn’t this of anyone to fit the bill better than Vogue. Deadly and sexy with a little hint of crazy, you have to wonder what that touch is really all about for the keeper of the beast in this ensamble cast . . . see . . . I’m trying to tell a story here!

Here’s a little extra trimming for the dreamer in me. I hope you dig is so far and I hope to finish it one day.:)

This book is filled with detailed illustrations and sketches, concepts and notes about the drawings and so much more.  Erik’s style harkens back to the 90′s era of comics that I loved so much with the reminiscent flavors of Sam Keith and Tod McFarlane (jut to name a few) but yet a unique dynamic that Erik can call his own.

Each page is filled with so much energy that is ignites the creative juices! The most inspiring of the segments of this book for me was the section dedicated to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Erik draws the dudes with such passion that you have to wonder whay Kevin Eastman hasn’t been banging on his door to get him to draw some serious Turtle hack & slash in the printed format!

Check out his stuff at these fine locations and let him know that E.J. sent ya, you’ll be better for it!
http://www.phour-nyne-guy.com
facebook.com/phour9guy

So the convention season is winding down this year and I’m hoping to add my bit to contribute to the wonder and mayhem that is the New  York  Comic Con! To help insure that happens, I have plunked down some cash for a table in the Artist Alley this year and I would like to invite everyone to come out and share the experience with me!

You can find me at Booth 16, at the Back of the Artist Alley, sketching and passing out copies of my Convention Book! This one is 36 pages and a full color cover of my JSA dream team, a complete Homage to Justice League #1 cover by Jim Lee! Just $10 each and the for the first person to make a purchase, that book is yours to take for free!

Every Convention Book purchased will receive a free head shot sketch of their favorite comic character on the back, making every book unique and every book special!

Avengelyne fans, I’ll be signing issues of the first issue which features my 2 page back up story “Avengelyne: Extreme Origins” with Writer Mark Pulton and colorist Dexter Weeks.  So Bring your issues by and get them defaced! That would be awesome!

For those of you that can’t make it to the show to get a Convention Book, don’t forget that you can order one here on the site, complete with your free head sketch of your favorite comic character!

I hope to see you there and I hope that you have a great time at the show! I’m hoping to make this an annual event so keep your fingers crossed for me and perhaps something great will come from this!

Thanks for lookin’,

E.J.