Mellon blog!

am

2012-02-17T13:43:00.003-06:00

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Scrap Paper Girl 37

2012-02-16T01:45:00.001-06:00

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Creator Owned Heroes

2012-02-13T22:40:00.002-06:00

Coming soon from Steve Niles, Kevin Mellon, Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, and Phil Noto.

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Scrap Paper Girl 36

2012-02-13T19:28:00.001-06:00

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Archer

2012-02-04T01:51:00.002-06:00

I haven't really talked about it much, but since last September, I've been doing storyboards for Floyd County Productions on their FX cartoon, Archer.

Those of you that know me, know that this is pretty much one of, if not my absolute favorite shows of the last few years. To be able to work on it in any capacity, let alone be able to storyboard scenes and what-not, has been really fun and badass.

The first ep I worked on aired this week, and I gotta say, it was pretty fucking dope to have my name in the credits. :)

I worked on all (I think) of the episodes after this, for the rest of the season.

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Scrap Paper Girl 35

2012-02-01T09:30:00.000-06:00

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Scrap Paper Girl 34

2012-01-30T10:30:00.000-06:00

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Scrap Paper Girl 33

2012-01-29T10:45:00.001-06:00

THIRTY THREE AND A SALE!!!

2012-01-24T18:59:00.003-06:00

~~I turn 33 on Friday so my art dealer and I are having a 33% off sale on all my pages/sketches on Cadence Comic Art.~~

Sales over! Thanks to everyone who bought pages, tweeted and RT'd this link and wished me a happy birthday! I'm grateful for all of you.

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I Make Comic Books

2012-01-24T02:09:00.002-06:00

I draw comic books for a living.

I have yet to be ashamed of this. Neither should any of you who do the same.

When people correct themselves from saying "comic books" to "graphic novels" or whatever other bullshit someone is trying to sell them on that week that is meant to "elevate" the "medium" when talking to/with/about what I do, I laugh. I say "whatever you want to call it. I draw comic books. It's all the same to me."

Call it whatever makes you feel better about yourself, or makes you feel like you look better to your family who don't understand who you are and what you do. Whatever. Narrative developer, sequentialist, graphic novelist, illustrator, whatever. Who cares.

Comic. Books.

Cartooning.

The quicker you accept it, the better your life gets. The more you reject it, the harder you'll have to work to be accepted by people who will never accept you to begin with.

Trust me, I know.

I make comic books for a living.

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Random sketches 1/23/12

2012-01-24T02:02:00.002-06:00

from a few weeks ago:

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Scrap Paper Girl 32

2012-01-23T16:30:00.002-06:00

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Scrap Paper Girl 31

2012-01-22T22:40:00.002-06:00

Been a while...

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Previews world interview with me and TDWP

2012-01-13T09:54:00.001-06:00

Previews world recently interviewed me and The Devil Wears Prada about the ZOMBIE comic and the ZOMBIE SLAY game.

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Heart original art for sale.

2012-01-11T19:23:00.002-06:00

You can pick up some sweet HEART original art at my art dealer, Cadence Comic Art

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Heart 3 process

2012-01-11T17:22:00.003-06:00

Since Heart 3 is out today, here's some pencil to ink comparisons.

Pencils in Manga Studio and Sketchbook Pro. Ink on Strathmore 11x17 300 series Vellum Bristol.

Heart 3 preview on cbr

2012-01-10T12:11:00.003-06:00

Massive preview of Heart issue 3 is up on Comic Book Resources right now. Peep the pages, kids.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=11076

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Rooster by Joe Eisma

2012-01-09T10:58:00.001-06:00

I'm a huge fan of Morning Glories by Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma, and I feel fortunate to have gotten to know Joe a bit over the last few months during Skype chats with he, Nick Pitarra, Juan Castro, Charles Wilson, Robert Atkins, and Jason Baroody. (Yeah, that's some name-dropping. What. Do something).

So needless to say, I'm humbled and flattered and just plain awesome'd that Joe decided to do this sketch of Heart's Oren "Rooster" Redmond as a warm-up the other day:

Check Joe Eisma out on DeviantArt

And if you're not buying Morning Glories already, get on it.

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Heart 2 process

2012-01-07T23:23:00.002-06:00

Haven't posted regularly in a month, if not longer. Sorry about that. I usually am good to do about 3-5 posts a week and the last few months it's gotten harder to do so as I wind down to working on more and more stuff I can't show.

So here's some pencils and thumbnails from Heart # 2, with Crank!s letters. Done in Manga Studio and Sketchbook Pro and in my sketchbook.

Issue 3 is out this month. Get on it, kids.

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We're In This Together.

2012-01-02T10:00:00.000-06:00

I don't have any plans to share with you going into 2012.

I have a few ideas, though.

I can only hope you all will stick with me and help me see them to fruition.

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Joplin

2011-12-31T12:05:00.003-06:00

Just a reminder.

Photo by Aaron Kafton

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Eleven things about 2011

2011-12-31T11:20:00.000-06:00

No particular order.

1. Second year in a row completely freelance.
2. The Weeknd "Balloon Trilogy" (House of Balloons, Thursday, Echoes of Silence)
3. LoveSTRUCK
4. I wasn't reckless enough with my heart.
5. Another year where it seems like not nearly enough was accomplished, both personally or with work.
6. Life is good.
7. SuckerPunch
8. ReWORK
9. Friends, whom I'm not around often enough, but keep me grounded and sane.
10. Heart; working with Crank! and Blair.
11. All of you. Thank you.

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Hey.

2011-12-25T02:23:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas.

Hope you all have a lovely day and enjoy the people you're with.

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Instagram Dump 12/11/11

2011-12-11T00:52:00.001-06:00

haven't done one of these in a few months, and it shows.

I tend to neglect the bullshit blog posting more than I used to since I use twitter for so much of that. Trying to re-think my approach to this space and how to better integrate it (or not) into a more complete online presence, since the audience on here, Facebook, and twitter don't have a lot of overlap. There's a few of you who follow me on all 3, but you're creeps. Especially you.

Also, for those of you getting this in your RSS feed, sorry. I didn't feel like reformatting the jpgs to take up less space and blogger is actually quite shit for blogging images now. Whatevs. You'll deal.

Love you all. Thanks for one of the best years I've had in my career thus far. Look forward to making 2012 even better.

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Comics Astonish

2011-12-08T23:34:00.001-06:00

The nice gent (and local chap) who runs Comics Astonish was kind enough to chat w/ me and listen to my ramblings the other day.

Comics Astonish Interview w/ Me.

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iFanboy

2011-11-17T14:39:00.001-06:00

Josh Flanagan talks to Declan Shalvey and me about making comics and a bunch of varying and meandering topics in and around making a life making comics.

iFanboy Talksplode 47 with Shalvey and Mellon

Heart #4 Cover and Solicit

2011-11-16T17:12:00.001-06:00

HEART #4 (of 4)
story BLAIR BUTLER
art / cover KEVIN MELLON
FEBRUARY 15
32 PAGES / BW / M
$2.99
MINISERIES CONCLUSION!
It all comes down to this. The shocking outcome of a pivotal fight forces M.M.A. brawler Oren "Rooster" Redmond to reconsider his future inside – and outside – the cage. Don't miss the conclusion to this violent tale from artist KEVIN MELLON (LOVESTRUCK) and writer BLAIR BUTLER (G4's "Attack of the Show").

Strange Talent Indeed

2011-11-15T11:25:00.001-06:00

Warm up drawing of one of my favorite new books from a couple of badass creators.

Go check out Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore and tell them how awesome they are.

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Third Eye Comics - HEART Edition

2011-11-13T20:16:00.001-06:00

So you read all the awesome things I had to say about Third Eye Comics previously; I'll try not to retread too much, but it's going to be hard not to repeat myself when talking about how good the signing went and everyone at Third Eye Comics are.

Steve, Trish, and Torma worked very hard to make sure that the signing was not only a huge day for their shop, but a huge day for Blair and me. Since this was Blair and my only other signing together this year (aside from NYCC) and our only in-store signing for Heart #1, it was so great to have it be such a big event and for it to go so well.

People started lining up outside the store (in the cold!) at 7am, and we ended up with a line that wrapped around the inside of the store that lasted for at least the first 2 hours of the signing. It was great because Blair loves to chat with fans and they got a chance to talk with her in a relaxed setting without the fear or hassle of any time constraints or pressing con lines pushing to move things along.

So many great people came out to get the book signed and Steve, being the selling machine that he is, turned many customers who just happened to wander in, on to our book. As with the LoveSTRUCK signing, it was like watching a master at work; as Steve (sometimes literally) ran around the store taking care of customers and pitching them on Heart and us.

And you guys, holy shit, you guys! Everyone we met was phenomenal. You Maryland kids are really great, and we really appreciate that so many of you stood in line for a really long time just to get Blair and me to scribble on your books. That means so much, I can't properly express it. It was also really wonderful that so many people who came to the LoveSTRUCK signing were there again and that you all really enjoyed that book, too. Many of you came up to tell me how much you really liked LoveSTRUCK, and that means so much to me. To have two books that I've put so much into (Heart and LoveSTRUCK) come out this year and be well received by fans has been utterly amazing. I'm so grateful.

After the signing, we had a lovely dinner and then watched the debut of the UFC on Fox. For me, personally, this was a great cap to a fantastic day, because Blair and I have never really gotten to hang out that much and to be able to just chill with Steve, Trish, and Torma and watch MMA was awesome. For the record, the Henderson/Guida prelim on Fox Deportes was fucking phenomenal.

Anyways, enough blathering. Here's some pics.

Special thanks to the 501st for showing up and being great representatives of an always awesome group.

Torma the Destroyer (TORMA! ATTACK!)

That Hulk, he's a ball-buster.

(me, Torma, Blair, Steve, and Trish)

Photos courtesy of:

Jay Smith

Derick Jones

League of Hot Geeks

Kevin Mellon

Blair Butler

Bonus Stokoe:

Okay, so Steve knows James Stokoe and Marley Zarcone from way back. I guess when you know James, you sometimes get amazing fucking art. (Plus, Steve had a bunch of great Marley art from Forgetless on his walls).

Holy crap was this awesome to see in person. Each part is about 10x15ish. That James Stokoe is a fucking boss, lemme tell ya. Seriously, click to embiggenate (and it still won't do it justice).

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The Pitch Questionaire

2011-11-09T08:18:00.002-06:00

The Pitch asked me some questions, and I answered them with my usual style and panache.

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HEART - Third Eye Comics - 11/12/11

2011-11-07T14:04:00.002-06:00

This Saturday, 11/12, Blair and I will be at THIRD EYE COMICS, in Annapolis, MD; to sign Third Eye's very own Heart #1 variant!

You don't have to be at the signing in MD to get the variant, you can order it from Third Eye Comics by going to www.BuyHeartNow.com

I'm pretty sure that Blair and I will sign most of the copies, so I don't think you have to worry about ordering one and not getting it signed.

Hope to see any of you that can make it!

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Blair talks HEART at NYCC

2011-11-07T13:56:00.004-06:00

via www.comicbookresources.com

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Heart Original Art for sale

2011-11-05T15:00:00.000-05:00

The original pages for Heart issue 1 are for sale via www.CadenceComicArt.com

Go buy 'em all up, kiddies!

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Heart 1 Review Roundup

2011-11-03T19:22:00.000-05:00

They like us! They really like us!!!

(via Blair Butler and Image Comics)

AINT IT COOL NEWS: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/51813

“If all…sports comics out there were as well written as HEART is, superhero comics would have some tough competition.”

“This story has enough grit and punch to put any comic to shame, making you root at the right times while offering a glimpse at the humanity underneath all of the machismo.”
“…an enthralling and humanistic drama…”

“HEART is a comic worth taking a chance with. It ain’t superheroey, it ain’t colored, and it ain’t your run of the mill comic. What it is is some powerful reading.”

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=4096

“Blair Butler delivers a story that reads like a peek into the main character’s brain…. Mellon’s work on the fights and the quieter moments is consistent and strong. “

“This comic may not feature superheroes, but there is enough action and dynamic storytelling to make this a very readable book.”

“This is a compelling story with a very human protagonist who is relevant enough that I’m going to come back for more. “

IFANBOY: http://ifanboy.com/articles/review-heart-1/

“Heart is a truly promising debut with sharp writing and especially coherent visual storytelling.”

WEEKLY CRISIS: http://www.weeklycrisis.com/2011/11/post-crisis-comic-book-previews-for.html

“This book is a gem.”

“The story is really interesting, and the storytelling is even better. The fights…are incredibly well done, and I can't wait to read through…again.”

FANDOMANIA: http://fandomania.com/heart-1-comic-review/

“I really want to see way more than a miniseries worth of work out of Butler and Mellon. With their powers combined, they’ve snapped me out of my cynical grouch attitude about comics and got me back into the “comics can be so much more than what it’s being reduced to lately” state of mind that made me want to draw comics.”

NEWSARAMA: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-extra-avengers-academy-111102.html

“poignant and cohesive”

COMIC BUZZ: http://comicbuzz.com/?p=26256

“The fight scenes are also handled well, with fluidity and brutality”

THE FRIGHT CHANNEL: http://horrorhavenreviews.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/at-the-heart-of-it-all-beats-a-rooster/

“The action is rendered perfectly. The submission holds will have you tapping out by the end of the book.…..You don’t have to be an MMA fan to enjoy this book, just a fan of good storytelling in all aspects. If you are looking for a break from superhero comics, give Heart a chance.”

COMICS ASTONISH: http://comicsastonish.com/2011/11/02/ca-reviews-heart-1/

“5 out of 5”

“MMA has simply become a proxy here, a proxy for reclaiming your life and the very act of feeling. Feeling alive, in control, human and free to live and die on your own terms. Rooster uses MMA to rebel against his benumbed existence – he uses it by allowing himself to get the shit kicked out of him in a ring in a desperate, last-ditch effort to feel something immediate, something real and explosive in his life – he uses it to feel anything at all.”

“This isn’t a story about MMA at all… it is simply a story about the absolute need to experience catharsis and freedom. These are the rudimentary and universally primal themes the story works upon, and as such, the story works beautifully.”

GUERILLA GEEK: http://www.guerrillageek.com/2011/11/review-heart-1/

“fantastic debut issue”

“Mellon’s art…jabs, grapples, ducks and weaves with a hell of a lot of spirit. His dynamic pencils will keep readers on their toes.”

“There’s a fascinating story being told here and I can’t wait for the next installment…”
“I recommend it to everyone who has ever stepped into a comic shop, especially if you haven’t given anything but the Big Two the time of day lately.”

“Butler and Mellon have constructed an almost perfect first issue. It accomplishes the one vital thing that every #1 needs to; it makes me want to pick up #2. It’s hard not to want the next chapter when the first is this good. I’m ready for the next round. Let’s hope that Butler and Mellon have the stamina and the, ahem, heart to keep competing at this level.”

GRAPHIC POLICY: http://graphicpolicy.com/2011/10/14/image-comics-early-reviews-%E2%80%93-heart-1-and-last-of-the-greats-2/

“Capture(s) the excitement of a MMA fight -- but it’s not the up and down of the action on the cage that’s the focus; instead it’s the desire and drive of those who put their body on the lines for our entertainment.”

COMICS ALLIANCE: http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/11/02/heart-1-preview-blair-butler-kevin-mellon/

“[Oren] is the everyman of Generation Y who just so happens to come of age by beating strangers senseless for a paying audience.”

INDY HUNTER /THE OUTHOUSE: http://www.theouthousers.com/index.php/reviews/comics-reviews/16994-indy-hunter-reviews-image-comics-heart.html/

“With high-quality artwork by Kevin Mellon, who actually knows how to draw what a triangle choke looks like, readers and MMA fans alike can step into the crossover world of MMA comics.”

BLEEDING COOL: http://actioncomics1000.com/2011/08/why-blair-butler-and-kevin-mellon%E2%80%99s-heart-reminds-me-of-watchmen/

“It’s a harsh tale but one that’s centred on the human condition, and the way we react to the problems life throws at us, and the directions we can find ourselves tumbling towards.”

HOLLYWOOD JESUS: http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?p=8868

“With Butler and Mellon at the helm, Heart is a one-two punch that is sure to delight fans of independent comics and MMA…”

“There are so many ways in which this story could have been done wrong, but Butler manages to give an engaging premise with just enough information to ground us in this world… but leaves us asking questions that I quite frankly want to see answered.”

“Mellon’s anatomy and figure rendering shows much attention to the ways in which MMA fighters tangle, making for some more believable fight sequences with nothing too over-the-top or “comic booky.”

TEAM HELLIONS: http://teamhellions.com/2011/11/02/heart-1-review/

“I walked in the door, read the book cover to cover before I had a chance to sit down. Then I got myself a soda and read it all over again. Here is a brand new writer, a new character, a new title, and I tore into it like this was the death of Superman or the reveal of the Thunderbolts.”

MIND-TRICKED MEDIA: http://mindtrickdmedia.com/2011/11/02/a-mindpickd-comics-review-image-comics-heart-1/

"Heart isn’t just a comic for people who are into MMA-style fighting, but for people who enjoy a good story overall. Go get yourself an issue from your local store, you won’t be disappointed in your choice to do so. An interesting story, great character and kinetic storytelling. It’s a win-win for its creators and readers alike."

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Just gonna put this here for a second

2011-11-02T18:44:00.001-05:00

Look, Blair's awesome as all fuck, Kevin Pereira is awesome, BUT THAT'S FELICIA DAY. OMG THAT'S FELICIA DAY.

Ahem.

Carry about your lives.

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Loikamania!!!

2011-11-02T17:32:00.000-05:00

Pat Loika was kind enough to interview me about Heart and LoveSTRUCK, and the episode went up today.

Thanks, Pat. You're a true gentleman.

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NYCC: Comic News Insider with Butler/Mellon

2011-10-26T10:26:00.002-05:00

Both Blair and I had conversations with the awesome Jimmy Aquino for his show, Comic News Insider, while at NYCC.

http://www.jimmyaquino.typepad.com/comicnewsinsider/2011/10/episode-366-more-nycc-w-blair-butler-g4tvs-fresh-ink-blair-herter-g4tvs-x-play-kevin-mellon.html

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Third Eye Comics - LoveSTRUCK edition

2011-10-23T20:21:00.001-05:00

Sad gorilla., originally uploaded by kevin mellon.

MORE AFTER THE BREAK

Hopeless and I had an amazing whirlwind of a time in Maryland at Annapolis' fine THIRD EYE COMICS. They sold through over 100 (ONE FUCKING HUNDRED) copies of our ogn, LoveSTRUCK.

You guys.

Guys. Seriously. This kind of shit doesn't happen at every shop. If it did, this industry would be in a much better place.

Why did it happen here? Cuz the owner and his employees run an amazing store and they HAND-SELL like crazy. They take the time to find out what you're into and walk you around the store (which has a deep deep commitment to back-stock and trades) and shows you everything you could possibly be into.

I watched Steve and Trish and Torma move a metric fuck-ton of books on Saturday, and I was only in store for about 5 hours.

Just fucking incredible.

I was stoked for the signing on 11/12 with Blair to begin with, but now? I can't fucking wait.

We need more shops like this, more owners like this. People who actively work to MOVE the product they stock OUT the door in a way that brings customers back wanting and salivating for more.

Overheard as Hopeless and I were packing up for the day:

"Thank god you're not a drug dealer, Steve"

Best compliment you can give a retailer, ever.

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NYCC sketches

2011-10-20T17:14:00.002-05:00

Featuring Buster Moody's head

Me, Blair, and Heart on G4

2011-10-20T16:51:00.002-05:00

Heart 2 cover

2011-10-20T13:00:00.000-05:00

Heart 2 cover, originally uploaded by kevin mellon.

story BLAIR BUTLER
art / cover KEVIN MELLON
DECEMBER 7
32 PAGES / BW / M
$2.99

OCT11 0552

The evolution of cage fighter Oren "Rooster" Redmond continues – but will a fist to the face stop his momentum before it starts? If you like dudes punching each other in the grill, this one’s for you!

Heart Issue 3 Solicit and cover

2011-10-20T11:22:00.003-05:00

HEART #3 (of 4)
story BLAIR BUTLER
art / cover KEVIN MELLON
JANUARY 11
32 PAGES / BW / M
$2.99
M.M.A. fighter Oren "Rooster" Redmond steps into the cage for the biggest bout of his career in the shocking, penultimate chapter of this brawl-filled comic. If you bought the first two issues, this one should be a no-brainer.

The Devil Wears Prada: Zombie Slay

2011-10-11T09:39:00.001-05:00

Something I spent a good portion of the summer working on just dropped:

http://www.zombieslay.com

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zombie-slay/id468539355?mt=8

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NYCC: Where I'll Be.

2011-10-09T13:40:00.000-05:00

Artists Alley
T7
(with Kyle Strahm and Dennis Hopeless)

(click image to embiggenate)

My art dealer, www.CadenceComicArt.com will have my originals for sale at Small Press booth # 3153

I'll be signing at the Image Comics booth #1346:

Friday: 12:00 - 1:00

Saturday: 1:30 - 2:30 There is an Image panel with Blair and I right before this signing time. I will try to update this post with the info for it.

Sunday: 3:00 - 4:00

Sketches:

First come first serve.

$40.00 USD (I do accept credit/debit cards)

9x12, ink. 1 figure only.

(Not sure how many I'll have time to do over the show, and I won't be taking any of them home with me).

I'll have this posted at the booth, but should anyone want anything and I'm not at any of the above locations, please @ me on Twitter.

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Heart # 1 NYCC variant

2011-10-06T11:01:00.002-05:00

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/10/06/the-100-copy-variant-of-blair-butlers-heart-for-nycc-alert-alert-alert/

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LoveSTRUCK on comixology

2011-10-06T10:36:00.000-05:00

For those of you who do your reading on a tablet or phone, Dennis Hopeless and I's LoveSTRUCK is now available for purchase on Comixology.

I suggest supporting your local comic shop retailer and looking there first, as the printed book is the format that Dennis and I created LoveSTRUCK for, and we want comics retailers to order our books as much as possible.

You can also order the physical copy from Amazon in the "buy my books" link above.

HEART Issue 1

2011-10-05T17:32:00.001-05:00

Heart Issue 1 will be in comic shops the first week of November. Our numbers on it (initially) are okay, but I'm concerned that most comic book shops won't have enough available to hand-sell to MMA/UFC fans just walking in off the street because they heard about an MMA comic book.

Please ask your retailer / local comic shop to order an extra copy or 2 to have on hand for such people.

The Comics Direct Market is not built for "regular" people who just wander in off the street, unfortunately. The system of pre-ordering works for those in the know, but can be detrimental to those just looking to find something cool they heard about, like HEART, that might not have been ordered heavily enough for people who are not shop regulars with pull-lists.

RETAILERS: You should have gotten an email from IMAGE COMICS with preview pdfs of issue 1. If you didn't, hit up the twitter button the right and let me know. I'll make sure you get a preview of what you're ordering so you know first hand it's something you can believe in. If you don't have twitter, email me at kwmellon at gmail.com

Blair and I are working very hard on this series, and we believe it's very accessible to non-comics readers and want to make sure everyone who wants it, has the easiest time finding it. We'd also like to help turn them into regular customers for you.

Diamond Previews September

page 168 (2 page spread in the Image section)

Order code: SEP11 0360

Story: Blair Butler
Art: Kevin Mellon
Design/Logo/Lettering: Crank!
SRP = $2.99

Blair Butler talking to Newsarama about HEART: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/blair-butler-has-heart-110830.html

Image Comics Publisher, Eric Stephenson, on Blair and HEART: http://it-sparkles.blogspot.com/2011/09/heart-and-soul.html

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The Kill quick sketch

2011-10-05T00:15:00.001-05:00

Quick sketchbook pro drawing of "Mai" from my very very long in gestation project, The Kill.

Did this to chill out and make my brain think about other things for a bit after working today.

I'm back to working on 2 things at once. Been a while since I had to divide my time in such a way. Not like riding a bike, unfortunately. Fortunately, both projects are things I really enjoy, so that's always good.

LoveSTRUCK signing at Third Eye Comics

2011-10-03T10:43:00.001-05:00

Saturday, October 22:

www.thirdeyecomics.com

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LoveSTRUCK Reviewed

2011-10-01T14:37:00.000-05:00

Via Dennis Hopeless

LoveSTRUCK Reviewed:
LoveSTRUCK has been out for a few days and our first reviews are starting to come in. They're not all perfect tens but the reviewers all seem to get what we were going for. Kevin and I certainly appreciate their taking time to review the book.

Check them out:

Newsarama's Wendy Holler

Biff Bam Pop's JP Fallavollita

Fandomania's M.C. Shumaker

Comics Forge's Dan Morrill

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LoveSTRUCK out this week!!!!

2011-09-26T09:29:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone, Dennis Hopeless and I's graphic novel, LoveSTRUCK, is out in finer comic shops across the nation this week.

It is still available from Image Comics and Diamond, so any retailer that does not have it in stock can easily order it.

You can also get it from Amazon.com. See the "Buy my books" link above.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

LoveSTRUCK in ST. LOUIS!

2011-09-25T14:00:00.000-05:00

The flyer's a bit hard to parse, so here's the details:

We'll be signing at all the St. Louis area FANTASY SHOP locations.

9/28 - Florissant 11am - 2pm

9/28 - St. Charles 4pm - 8pm

(The above will be with Brian Hurtt and Cullen Bunn).

9/30 - Maplewood 12pm - 3pm

9/30 - South County 5pm - 8pm

www.fantasyshoponline.com

CHALLENGERS presents: LoveSTRUCK

2011-09-19T20:24:00.001-05:00

Dennis and I will be in Chicago this Friday at Challengers Comics + Conversation for a release party commemorating our book, LoveSTRUCK.

View the event details here.

And on Facebook.

Come out and say "Hi" and get a copy of the book before it goes on sale the next week!

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Crankcast with Heart

2011-09-19T20:03:00.002-05:00

Blair and I were guests on the Crankcast last week. For those who don't know, Crankcast is a show done by my 2 friends, Mike Norton and Crank! (Who is also lettering/designing/pre-pressing Heart and a bunch of other things I've done). I've been on a number of times and if I have my way, I'll be on a number more.

http://crankcast.net/2011/09/crankcast-week-310-20110914/

We talk about a lot of things, mostly relating to Heart and MMA/UFC, so give it a listen.

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Foo Fighters 9/16/2011

2011-09-17T13:27:00.001-05:00

Foo Fighters 9/16/2011, originally uploaded by kevin mellon.

Phenomenal show.

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LoveSTRUCK promo print

2011-09-15T21:30:00.001-05:00

LoveSTRUCK promo print, originally uploaded by kevin mellon.

Word Balloon The Comic Book Interview Podcast: Double Feature The Bendis Tapes Pt1 and G4's Blair...

2011-09-14T10:57:00.000-05:00

Blair and I were on Wordballoon w/ John Siuntres recently to talk about our upcoming Image book, HEART. I think we kick in a little over an hour or so in. We have a great opening act in the form of some fellow named Brian Bendis.

Word Balloon The Comic Book Interview Podcast: Double Feature The Bendis Tapes Pt1 and G4's Blair...: Download The MP3 Here In part 1 of the latest Bendis Tapes we go over Brian's Summer vacation. You'll hear about the Powers TV pilot s...

Blair Butler / Heart on Comic Book Resources

2011-09-08T20:50:00.001-05:00

The awesome Blair Butler had a chat with Comic Book Resources about our upcoming (November) Image Comic, HEART.

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Blue Girl

2011-09-03T01:07:00.000-05:00

Digital, CS5

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The Mort Numbers

2011-09-02T16:12:00.000-05:00

1 - 210
2 - 105
3 - 70
4 - 53
5 - 42
6 - 35
7 - 30
8 - 26
9 - 23
10 - 21
11 - 19
12 - 17

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The long road...

2011-09-01T16:52:00.002-05:00

October 2006

September 2011:

Long road to get to this point. Many many many ups and downs.

Worth it.

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REBOOT!!! - Love & Rockets

2011-09-01T15:43:00.000-05:00

You know how this works by now.

Peep the context and the color at COMICS ALLIANCE

Process after the jump.

Layout and pencils done in Photoshop CS5.

PRESS!

2011-08-25T17:12:00.001-05:00

First:

Blair Butler (G4, Attack of the Show) and I had a lovely chat with John Siuntres the other day, you can listen to it here or look for Wordballoon in iTunes and get it there.

I'm a huge fan of John's and I count him as a friend in this business, so it was nice to finally be able to talk to him as a part of his excellent podcast. Plus, getting him and Blair together to talk MMA/Boxing was something I was really looking forward to, and they didn't disappoint.

Second:

Dennis Hopeless chatted with Comic Book Resources about our forthcoming OGN, LoveSTRUCK.

Third:

iFanboy spotlights Heart in their November Image solicits. Thanks, boys!

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REBOOT!!! - Bone

2011-08-24T13:36:00.001-05:00

Same deal as the last ones

click through for the color version of Comics Alliance INDIE COMICS REBOOT: BONE

Layouts and pencils after the break.

I thought I understood the joke Laura Hudson (Comics Alliance Grand Master) was going for, a Bone man, lots of bones, wielding a sword. A reboot of Bone as Conan-esque, totally opposite and not getting the point of the original comic. So I drew a dude with a skeleton head, lots of skeleton heads below him, skeleton head bra on the lovely lady. I'm clever like that.

She very kindly asked if I could make the head look more like the Bone characters.

My reaction was: "D'OH!"

And then I got the joke as intended. Sometimes, it takes some prodding.

And then she asked for the skull pile to be Bone character skulls and for the loin cloth to be of one of the rat characters.

To which I thought "Oh, that's smart. I wish I'd thought of that."

Thankfully Laura doesn't mind holding my hand through these at times. How I leave the house on my own is a mystery.

Initial sketch was done in my sketchbook and scanned in and edited/drawn over in photoshop. Inks were done on 11x17 bristol with brush and sumi ink. Some elmers paint pen in there as well.

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Forest For The Trees: pg 017

2011-08-24T12:45:00.000-05:00

Forest For The Trees: pg 017

REBOOT!!! - Scott Pilgrim

2011-08-17T14:38:00.001-05:00

And another Indie Comics Reboot cover for Comics Alliance.

You can see the color version over on Comics Alliance and the initial thumbnail and pencils after the jump.

I struggled with Ramona's face on this one, as you can see from the difference between the thumbnail, the pencils, the inks and the final color version over on CA. That's how it goes some days. I like what I inked below, but it's not the face the piece needed. I redrew it in Photoshop, so there was no 'on the board' adjustment.

Ink and brush on 11x17 bristol.

Layout and pencils in Manga Studio:

Forest For The Trees: pg 016

2011-08-17T12:31:00.000-05:00

Forest For The Trees: pg 016

Children of 'men

2011-08-15T16:52:00.001-05:00

Why Blair Butler And Kevin Mellon’s Heart Reminds Me Of Watchmen

This comic does not look like Watchmen. Mellon’s rough and ready artwork is about portraying action on the panel rather than the stroboscope precision of Dave Gibbons. This comic tells the story of a cage fighter and how he came to be in the position he is now, both in life, in location and in motivation. The fight is always moving, and the lines of the action, the blood streaks, the impacts, all flow, working together, every move already seconds away from you, somewhere blurring into the future.

Kitty and Colossus

2011-08-14T00:13:00.001-05:00

EDIT: quick color pass.

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REBOOT!!!

2011-08-11T14:21:00.000-05:00

Comics Alliance has graciously asked me to participate in their awesome yet again.

Inks here, you can see the colors on COMICS ALLIANCE.

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Remake/Remodel: Sekhmet

2011-08-11T11:41:00.002-05:00

Done for the Whitechapel Remake/Remodel Thread

Interesting exercise. Not sure I did anything of note, but as a warm up for the day, it worked.

Lines in Manga Studio, colors in Photoshop. Texture from Lost and Taken

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Forest For The Trees: pg 015

2011-08-10T11:58:00.000-05:00

Forest For The Trees: pg 015

Sketching 8-5-2011

2011-08-06T00:30:00.001-05:00

And the video of me drawing it.

I truncated the video down to the four minutes of the song, mostly because I didn't have any more music I'd made that was finished to an appropriate length to add on. Means I need to finish some songs and make some new ones. I've used quite a bit of the snippets I've made in the last few months in these vids. Now that I think about it, I'm not altogether unsure I haven't used this beat on a previous vid. Whatevs. Fucket.

So, sorry for the short/fast vid, the actual drawing (according to the recording) took about 30 minutes.

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LoveSTRUCK! Remember to pre-order!

2011-07-28T08:34:00.003-05:00

Retailers are turning in their orders for September today/this week. There's still time for them to make adjustments, but for the majority of them, the order they place today is what they'll get come September.

For the few of you who maybe order online or just happen by here for the art/witty banter, there's a handy website that can help you locate a comic book store near you.

http://comicshoplocator.com/

JUL11 0453

LOVESTRUCK GN

09/07/11

PAGE 183 diamond catalog

LOVESTRUCK OGN
story DENNIS HOPELESS
art KEVIN MELLON
cover ERIK JONES

SEPTEMBER 7
192 PAGES / BW
STANDARD SIZE
$16.99

It's a love story, but not like you think. There's no boy meets girl or star-crossed soul mates. Love is a billion-dollar industry. Cupid's the megalomaniac CEO. And Kali Monroe gets paid to break your heart. Love is all around us. These are the pricks who control it.

www.ImageComics.com

PREVIEW PAGES ON COMICS ALLIANCE

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Fracture

2011-07-28T00:22:00.000-05:00

There are less than a hand full of artists who's work caught my eye at a young age that still continue to influence and challenge me today.

Michael Zulli is one of them.

I found his work through Dave Sim and Cerebus. I was buying the reprints and back issues in every dusty shop I could find as a 10-12 year old in Kansas City. I started noticing ads for this strange looking book called "The Puma Blues." Pictures of pumas, or sometimes vague posters of Zulli and Stephen Murphy served as these weird windows into something I had to discover. Fortunately for me, KC MO/KS was a treasure trove of odds and ends back issues at the time and I was able to (through fortitude and parents/grandparents who didn't know better) to spend hours wading through said stores and back issues to find these things that had captured my imagination.

As a Pre-Teen/Teen, I was enraptured by Zulli's line-work and these anarchic/post apocalyptic images I was seeing in each new issue I would discover, always out of order (I would not read the whole series in order for another 20 years). The newsprint and faded ink were tools in his arsenal to assault my senses. I was catching on too young and too late to something I desperately wanted to understand, but knew I was years away from grasping. The Puma Blues meant something bigger than I could understand.

The Puma Blues continues to be a formidable influence on me as an adult.

I still re-read the single issues I've managed to track down over the years (after having lost/sold/misplaced the ones I got when I was a kid). I have digital copies (thanks, internet) on my iPad. I study the lines, I ponder the themes. I think about how I can create a work that's as moving and affecting as this is on me and I wonder if it's too late to do so.

Michael Zulli has done many amazing works since 1989 and the end of Puma Blues (seek out his 3 issue run on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles if you want to have your fucking mind blown), but the closest (for me, to me) in spirit of continuation is the recent release of Fracture of the Universal Boy.

It's a beautiful and amazingly crafted piece of work that, while I don't claim to understand it all, speaks to me in a way that not a lot of things have over the last 20 years. I was around 10 when I first discovered Zulli. I'm 32 now. To have someone's work speak to you consistently and truly over that long a period of time is a unique and rare thing. At least, for me, it is.

I can't do Fracture justice here, nor Puma, nor any of it's effect on me and my work and my attitudes on life and nature and politics and the economy and art and life.

What I can do is say thank you.

Thank you, Michael Zulli for being a constant inspiration all these years. Thank you for fighting the good fight and thank you for creating things that are beautiful and challenging to me as a person and an artist. Thank you for proving that one's voice can be just as powerful and effective later in life as it is during those early formative and angst-ridden years.

http://www.michaelzulli.com/
http://www.eidolonfinearts.com/

- Kevin Mellon
Kansas City, Missouri. 27 July, 2011

Jubilation Lee

2011-07-26T22:34:00.000-05:00

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Butcher Baker sketch

2011-07-25T11:40:00.000-05:00

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Instagram roundup 7242011

2011-07-24T23:16:00.000-05:00

In no particular order:

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Desk Shot 433

2011-07-20T23:46:00.000-05:00

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Forest For The Trees: pg 013

2011-07-20T16:56:00.000-05:00

Forest For The Trees: pg 013

Sketchbook Pro sketches

2011-07-19T23:19:00.000-05:00

Some quick doodles to mess around with the latest Sketchbook Pro update.

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The Goon

2011-07-17T14:00:00.000-05:00

Done for Steve Niles as a part of he and Eric Powell's twitter "war" between their characters, Cal McDonald and The Goon, respectively.

Domino / Cable

2011-07-16T19:55:00.002-05:00

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LoveSTRUCK interview on COMIC BOOK PAGE

2011-07-16T11:47:00.002-05:00

Bob from Comic Book Page was kind enough to interview me about LoveSTRUCK. Click to listen.

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MMA K-O

2011-07-15T15:43:00.007-05:00

via Image Comics:

Blair Butler and Kevin Mellon Team Up to Show Fans Heart

Berkeley, CA -- 15 July 2011 -- G4tv's Blair Butler announced yesterday that she's making her professional comics writing debut at Image Comics this November, with a four-issue miniseries called HEART. Featuring art by LOVESTRUCK artist Kevin Mellon with lettering and design by Crank!, HEART combines Butler's love of both comics and mixed martial arts for a story that's both full of action and emotionally gripping.

"I think it's safe to say that writing this book was hugely intimidating. It's scary to think that you might fail horribly at something you love!" exclaimed Butler. "But this is a story I've been dying to tell. I know it's set in a world that may seem esoteric or overwhelmingly brutal to a lot of people, but I hope both comics and MMA fans will find a lot to relate to inside. HEART is about the initial rush of joy that comes with discovering something you love, finding a purpose, and what happens when you reach your threshold and have to question your own heart and dedication."

HEART chronicles the struggles and victories of a spirited young fighter named Oren as he forges ahead through a difficult, frequently painful career path. Even though Mellon is illustrating pages chock-full of fight scenes, he has described the story of HEART as like nothing else in comics right now.

"Before I had even read the script, I wondered how one could do a comic book taking place in the mixed martial arts world," explained Mellon. "But I have to admit, I was intrigued by Blair's notion of going deeper and doing a more emotive story about a person's inner journey that happens to be set in that world."

Mellon continued: "I was immediately taken aback by how much I related to the voice and the character of Oren. There are a lot of cool (and complicated!) fight scenes in this book, but I was amazed at Blair's ability to choreograph a wealth of character, as well as punches, into them."

"I've been incredibly lucky to work with artist Kevin on this," Butler added. "The first page he sent in just looked incredible -- and he's been consistently kicking ass ever since. So if you're down for dudes punching each other in the face -- please give us a shot!"

"Blair and I first started talking about HEART at Comic-Con last year, and I'm thrilled that readers will finally be able to read the wonderful story that's been percolating in her mind over the last year," said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. "Her passion for the material is undeniable, and in Kevin, she's found the perfect artist to bring that passion to life on the page. Get ready for a really special series!"

HEART #1, a 32-page black and white comic book, will be available to order in the September issue of Previews, and goes on sale in stores in November for $2.99.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

HEART

2011-07-14T19:46:00.001-05:00

So, this was just announced on G4's Attack of the Show...

Game Reviews - E3 2012 - The Feed

I'm working on HEART with Blair Butler (writer) and Crank! (lettering/design).

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Westfield Comics Interview with Hopeless/Mellon

2011-07-14T12:23:00.000-05:00

Roger at Westfield was kind enough to interview Dennis Hopeless and I about our upcoming Image graphic novel, LoveSTRUCK.

Read the interview here, and pre-order LoveSTRUCK from Westfield and get the book signed with a free print from Hopeless and Mellon!

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Wolverine sketch

2011-07-13T22:59:00.000-05:00

Done to chill out after working today.

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Forest For The Trees: pg 012

2011-07-13T16:46:00.000-05:00

Forest For The Trees: pg 012

Blood On The Dance Floor

2011-07-08T18:21:00.002-05:00

This is my story from Hack/Slash: Trailers 2. Figured it's been long enough since it came out (almost a year since I drew it), that it's okay to put up by itself.

Open publication - Free publishing - More cassie

BUY MY BOOKS!

2011-07-08T00:12:00.001-05:00

Pretty simple, I added a page in the toolbar above so anyone perusing this site can purchase products available on amazon.

Almost everything I've been a part of is on there, and the few things that aren't were super-limited and not available through Amazon in any capacity.

BUY MY BOOKS!

Forest For The Trees: pg 11

2011-07-06T18:01:00.000-05:00

Forest For The Trees: pg 11

LOVESTRUCK OGN PRINT PROMOTION w/ WESTFIELD!

2011-07-02T12:09:00.000-05:00

Westfield Comics were kind enough to contact us about doing a promo with them, so every copy of LOVESTRUCK ordered through them will be signed by Dennis Hopeless and myself and will come with a limited edition print.

Also, if you order through Westfield, they're offering LOVESTRUCK at a discount!

I'll post a jpg of the print image in the next week or so.

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Django inks

2011-07-01T13:28:00.000-05:00

Penciled this as a warm-up a month or two ago, inked it this morning as a warm-up.

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Screamland #1 Invisible Man inks

2011-07-01T11:15:00.001-05:00

Since the first issue is out, getting rave reviews and has SOLD OUT at the distributor level, I'm posting up my inks for the SCREAMLAND backup story.

Story: Sipe/Sebela
Art: Mellon

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

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Forest For The Trees: pg 010

2011-06-29T09:17:00.000-05:00

Forest For The Trees: pg 010

Lovestruck Preview Pages

2011-06-23T14:49:00.000-05:00

The preview pages previously posted on Comics Alliance:

Forest For The Trees: pg 009

2011-06-23T11:07:00.000-05:00

Forest For The Trees: pg 009

LOVESTRUCK! THE PRESS RELEASE!

2011-06-22T23:53:00.002-05:00

Image has put out a lovely press release and you can wash in it's glory on Comic Book Resources

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Dracula Inks over Gene Colan for sale on EBAY

2011-06-22T10:18:00.000-05:00

Those of us that did the Dracula inks a few months ago are auctioning them off to benefit the HERO INITIATIVE.

Mine are up now, so go bid for a worthy cause!

KEVIN MELLON Dracula inks on EBAY