Artists Spotlight

K.R. Whalen by Marcus Fusilier  

 

Well, Mike or myself were going to come up with something witty about K.R., but it seems he beat us to the punch line. So here is the new artist of Night Club in his own words:

 

             When I was at The Maryland Institute College of Art a group of friends from "Comic Creating 101" and I planned to stage a "coup" at Marvel Comics. The plan was to get all our work together and barge in and demand our work be seen. Yes we were that egotistical. The day of the trip I soon realized that out of the six of us, I was the only one at the bus stop to New York. My first trip there.
             I hopped the bus alone took out my map and went down to Park Ave. I walked in and told the receptionist I had an appointment with the sub-editor. I waited 30 mins and soon Darren Auk strides out. He did realize my ruse but after seeing my work decided to work with me to iron out my stuff. Long story short I eventually was slated to do an issue of Deadpool.
             Disaster. The regular artist jumped ship for a better deal, the editor who made his career Matt Idleson, (he is now the second in command at DC) didn't want to take a chance on any unknowns anymore and so I lost my opportunity. After that Marvel went bankrupt (!!) and I couldn't get back inside to start over again.
             I stopped drawing comics for a long time and only started again in the last 4 months. I didn't think I'd ever get the opportunity to create a book.

Nick Runge by Mike Baron

 

            Fort Collins is a ski town.  Fort Collins is a dog town.  Fort Collins is the skatin’ist, boardin’ist, bikin’ist town on the Front Range, pace Boulder.  Fort Collins is a writers’ town.  Two years ago I was invited to Poudre Valley Author’s Day.  I was excited until I learned there were six hundred authors on the list.  Fort Collins is an art town, with numerous galleries and an “Art Night,” in which the gals lay out white wine and brie and the patrons sniff at Baron Wolman’s photographs of Jimi Hendrix.  I was in one of these galleries when two paintings of deep sea creatures caught my eye.  They had the sort of color and vitality of middle-period Frazetta, although there were no people in them.  I asked the gallery owner to give the artist my card.

            The next day the gallery closed.  The artist got my card when he went into pick up his unsold paintings.  His name is Nick Runge and he’s nineteen years old.  Both his parents are art teachers, but Nick was working in an assisted living facility when I met him, with no plans for the future.  I asked him if he was interested in comic book illustration.  Sort of.  He hadn’t thought about it.

            I had a project lined up with the Attainment Corporation of Verona, Wisconsin to produce a series of books on high school kids struggling with bullies, sexual awareness, friendship, and responsibility.  The original artist dropped out.  Nick said he’d like to give it a try.  

VAL MAYERIK by Mike Baron

           Another great artist who just keeps getting better and better. Be sure to check out his Western art.  Val and I have collaborated on many stories including Badger, Shadowman, Bruce Lee, and the Escapist.  Val is an accomplished martial artist and horseman.  His wife is a Russian rocket scientist.

Dean Zachary by Mike Baron

 

             Terrific artist with whom I did Hawk & Dove.  The writing was not memorable-it was one of those concepts produced by committee.  The art was spectacular.  Dean is no longer in comics but his art is as compelling as ever.

Mike Norton and Mike Baron have a series debuting in April from Image. The duo had previously worked on three issues of Badger. Mike is a freelance illustrator and professional comic book artist. He watches bad movies and listens to power pop.

Gabe Eltaeb by Mike Baron

             I was sitting in Marshak's (Fort Collins, CO) signing Detonator, wondering what I was going to do for an artist for the final issue.  Mel Rubi had moved on to Red Sonja.  A guy who looked like a nose tackle approached the table with a laptop.  Set the laptop down, showed me some stuff.  Gabe Eltaeb.  Gabe instantly accepted the assignment in exchange for a dozen Krispy Kremes.  
           A native of San Diego, Gabe used to hang around the Wildstorm offices waiting to sandbag unsuspecting pros.  Gabe is now working on a new book, my lifelong attempt to meld science fiction, action, and rock. Remember SONIC DISRUPTORS?  No?  Good!  It took me twenty years, but I found the key.  The results will be forthcoming.