Exhibit: Mike Mignola at Society of Illustrators

I recently attended the opening of The Art of Mike Mignola: Hellboy and Other Curious Objects at the Society of Illustrators. Here are my thoughts from that evening, along with some favorite images.

The rich complexities of Mike Mignola's art disguised as simplicity in B&W have been a calling card throughout his career. Utilizing few tools beyond pen and ink, he transforms pages into cinematic masterpieces that combine the best of horror, film noir and classic comics - never leaving a negative space or light source to vanquish without careful thought or consideration.

It’s what makes Mignola and Hellboy one of my favorites, and I had a bonafide nerdgasm being so close to so many iconic originals of his. Few pieces of art can make my heart race the way these did. I suggest y’all check them out while you can.

A more complete gallery can be found here. The Art of Mike Mignola: Hellboy and Other Curious Objects will remain open at the Society of Illustrators until April 28, with the man himself coming back to SOI on April 13 for a special talk with Karen Green, Curator for Comics and Cartoons at Columbia University.

For more info, head to www.societyillustrators.org

Simon Bisley and the Art of Subversion

Since today is artist Simon Bisley's birthday (at least according to his seemingly-official Facebook fan page), I thought would be cool to give him a shout-out and reflect on what his most popular title did for me as a kid.

When I was 14, I wasn't reading comics. But my then-boyfriend was, and he'd take me to the comic shop with him on his weekly runs. During one visit, the guy working at the shop - having seen my black-clad frame enough times - handed me a promo pin that dictated, "Bite Me, Fanboy."

What was this? Was this a vampire thing? I didn't know what any of it was about, but I did know I wanted to wear that pin on my MC jacket without seeming like a "poseur," so I bought Lobo's Back #1, the comic it was promoting. That began not only my love affair with comics outside the realm of friendly superheroes, but in poring over the art of Simon Bisley, I discovered that he too was a metalhead. How? The band names he drew (Ramones, Slayer) as graffiti on various walls throughout the mini series among the other gems hidden in plain sight within the pages.

That was when I first began to understand subversion. From then on, any piece of sequential art I came across became subject to such scrutiny, and the habit stayed with me for life - when appreciating with any art form. My permanent takeaway: look past the obvious; seek out hidden meanings; and do something similar when you can. For sparking that inquisitive spirit, I'll forever be in Biz's debt.

More on Lobo - my favorite comic character to this day - can be uncovered by reading THIS. Now frag off!

Fall Into The Rabbit Hole

First off, a shout-out to all the friends, acquaintances and random folk who commented (formally or otherwise) on my last post. I received phone calls, suggestions, links for the male Real Dolls—even an invitation to visit our boys serving in Iraq by someone currently stationed there. I'm glad to know that I can write about music and pop culture 'til my fingers fall off, but I'll only elicit a response by admitting that I can't get laid.

Now, to something cool and very important (like Trick Daddy and ODB, this one's for the kids). Friday night is the opening reception of The Grind 2.0 at Atlanta's Rabbit Hole Gallery, and if you're anywhere in the vicinity, I highly suggest you check it out. The Grind 2.0 is an exhibit and live auction of custom, one-of-a-kind, hand-painted and/or laser-etched skateboards by artists ranging from local legends like Charlie Owens to international superstars like Tara McPherson, and a ton of others in between. And all of it goes to benefit the completion of the Swift-Cantrell Skate Park in Kennesaw, GA—the only free park of its kind in the area.

If you don't live in the A (people, please stop asking me how I enjoyed "Hotlanta," no one calls it that down there), you can still join in on the action by bidding online before the reception starts. Last year, I absorbed plenty of free PBRs while admiring work from Bethany Marchman (an amazing Atlanta artist everyone should know), Todd McFarlane and Tim Biskup, and eventually picked up this exquisite Scott Campbell etched board.



This year's showing looks even better. I will definitely not be mad if someone decided to buy one for me.