As a reviewer of movies and content creator, I get a lot of comments like “Don’t hate me…” or “Don’t come after me for this…” because people are seemingly afraid I or others will disagree with them or go after them for their opinions.
I’m not going to go after anyone for having a different take on a film or art than me. In fact I truly love that with art in general, not everything is for everyone.
It makes for great discussions and revelations, when two people don’t see art the same way. We all like different things and that’s what makes art and pop culture so great.
If we all loved the exact same films or fandoms, it would be dull to talk about.
Think about this. How many times have you and a friend both loved the exact the same things about a film? Did you go on and on about it or did you both say, “liked that part” or they just agree and the conversation kind of ended?
This has happened to me countless times, especially when watching comedies or films with simplistic plots. This seems to happen less when the plot is more complex or the topic is more than surface deep.
Now don’t misunderstand, I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t enjoy the simplicity of those types of films, but unless there is disagreement, the back and fourth ends quickly in my experience.
Some of the longest and most fulfilling discussions I’ve had about film, were when there were descenting voices in the conversation and we didn’t all see things the same way.
The Problem
The problem I see most often with film and art is people make it a part of their personality or they think that other peoples views will impact how they feel about the film, song, show or whatever is being critiqued.
This means if you say you don’t like something or would have changed something it’s taken as a personal attack. Viewers and critics alike need to take a step back and realize art is subjective and the closest person to match your film preferences will not be an exact match and that is a beautiful thing.
How I view a film will always be dependent on my mood, the day I’ve had, who I’m watching with, the reviews or spoilers I’ve heard, other movies I’ve seen as well as many more factors.
I assume from my experiences and watching people throughout my life this is true for everyone. We are social creatures that are influenced by the world around us and no one is watching movies in a vacuum.
This means there is no set standard for taste. This is why remembering the subjectivity of art is so important.
I think Roger Ebert said it best when he said “In my reviews, I feel it’s good to make it clear that I’m not proposing objective truth, but subjective reactions; a review should reflect the immediate experience.”
I’d like to think I take this approach, on my podcast or doing TikTok film reviews as well as in my approach to talking about art overall.
We need more discourse and far more nuanced discussions. We need less of people thinking art is objective or can be defined by specific people or groups. We need to help people understand why art is subjective and help bring more people into the discussion.
At the end of the day, each of us is going to feel what we feel. I am going to love the art I love and I don’t care if people hate it. I hope everyone can do the same.
It’s been a week since D23, so let’s look back and give an honest analysis of the big Disney convention and what we loved and what maybe could be better.
Cosplay
First, let’s tackle the good. I will say that the cosplay is the best I have EVER seen! Hands down. I have been to Comic-Con and D23’s cosplay was beyond epic.
So, when it comes to cosplay, if that’s your thing, then start planning for D23 in 2024! It will NOT let you down!
Let’s dig a little into the downsides of the convention.
They still don’t have the merch down. There were 5-8 hour long virtual lines to buy merchandise, then on Sunday, you could just walk in and buy what you want.
On the first day, fans were walking out with 10 or more lightsabers, on the second, collectors were getting multiple copies of the special Spider-Man comic given out at the 60th anniversary panel, and the whole process was kind of a mess.
I wish there was a lottery system to possibly get merch blocks of time, so that we didn’t have to sit on our phones for hours looking to get into one of the dozen of rooms where they sold exclusive merch.
Also, once we did get into one of the rooms, it was just a bunch of t-shirts. It would help to know more about what’s offered ahead of time.
Preferred Passes, Scheduling and the Learning Curve
We picked up the preferred passes so that we could more easily get into panels. They are much more expensive than your regular weekend passes.
We later found out, those passes only really helped for Hall 23, which is great for the Marvel panel, but what about the Spider-Man 60th or some of the other exciting panels that weren’t at Hall 23.
My advice to those going in the future is to plan out your weekend and make sure something like preferred passes is right for you.
There are a lot of overlapping panels happening all at once and don’t try to do to much.
Also join some fan groups on social to learn how to navigate the convention.
DO NOT TRY TO JUST WING IT. That’s what we did and while we had a blast, we def missed out on some things I would have loved to see. I’m still bitter about not getting that Spider-Man comic.
All in all, I’d give D23 a 7.5/10 – It’s a great time, but a little pricey and a little confusing for the average convention goer. But I’d still go again!
Hasbro continues to shine the warm light of nostalgia upon us with the Marvel Legends X-Men Animated Series VHS wave of action figures. Today they opened pre-orders for a fan favorite of the X-men, the mutant shape-shifter Mystique!
The VHS cassette inspired box includes amazing original artwork, inspired by the 90’s Animated series! Inside you’ll find the 6-inch scale Mystique figure with the iconic cell-shaded paint application and 5 accessories: 2 firearms, 2 alternate hands, and… A BABY NIGHTCRAWLER?! How cute is that! It really feels like that it makes this character figure a one of kind in and of itself!
Inspired by the 90’s X-men Animated Series, the figure has a unique sculpt and painting to recreate the character’s classic animated show appearance, including her gold skull belt, white dress, blue skin, and yellow eyes! Fans of the show, as well as the comics will be pleased with the look of this figure!
Hasbro has already produced several figures in the line such as Wolverine, Storm, Jean Grey, Jubilee, Morph and Mister Sinister. This specific figure retails for $27.99 and can be pre-ordered from Hasbro Pulse
When I announced the series on TikTok, I got a lot of recommendations of which classic / retro comic I should read, and I’m very grateful for all of the suggestions. So I did what anyone would do when they try to decide which one to read first – I started with the first recommendation posted and worked my way down.
The first recommendation was from a mutual of mine, who goes by “BumpkinsTV” on TikTok and social media:
I wholeheartedly recommend Amazing Spider-Man. There are quite a few Silver Age books I don’t love but ASM is consistently good.
BumpkinsTV
So after reading Amazing Spider-Man #1 (1963), here are my thoughts and discoveries about everyone’s favorite web-slinger
Amazing Spider-Man #1 – At A Glance
The Amazing Spider-Man, #1 – Marvel Comics
Although Spider-Man’s first appearance was Amazing Fantasy #15, his second appearance would be in his first solo issue. In this issue, it contains a four-part mini series: Part 1 is the recap of his origin story, Part 2 is Spider-Man springing into action by saving a space shuttle launch gone wrong (the pilot being the son of the infamous J. Jonah Jameson), part 3 is the rescue of the pilot and our first look of Jameson painting Spider-Man as the menace, and Part 4 (although the comic does not list it officially as a “part 4”) is Spider-Man trying to join the Fantastic Four then facing off with the Chameleon. This is one heck of a first issue!
As I read through this issue, here are some interesting details that stood out to me.
Spider-Man Is Peter… Palmer?
Panels that identifies Spider-Man as “Peter Palmer” in Amazing Spider-Man #1
Yes, that’s right – in this issue, Spider-Man was mistakenly named “Peter Palmer”. And this was a mistake – it wasn’t retconned or anything. What’s interesting is that in the first 3 parts, Spider-Man was identified as Peter Parker, but it was Part 4 (and the bulk of the story) where Stan Lee, to his own admittance, mistakenly writes “Peter Palmer”.
Spider-Man or Spiderman?
Panel examples of the user of “Spiderman” and “Spider-Man” – Amazing Spider-Man #1
Even though the cover and title pages of Parts 1-3 lists the character name as “Spider-Man”, inside the story itself he is referred to as “Spiderman”. This happens in thought bubbles, dialogue, narration, and printed press! It is Part 4 where the name changes to Spider-Man. So far, it seems like one team wrote Parts 1-3 and another team wrote Part 4!
Uncle Ben’s Death Is A Little Different
A panel describing what happened to Uncle Ben – Amazing Spider-Man #1
In the movies and popular media, we know the story; after Peter Parker competed in a wrestling match to get money for his family, he could have stopped a burglar but decided not to intervene, which led to Uncle Ben getting shot and killed outside in the streets of New York, and then Peter blames himself for his death, right? Well in this issue, that’s not exactly what happens.
In this issue, we’re shown a snippet of the origin and death of Uncle Ben that resulted in a burglary inside the Parkers’ home, which is where Uncle Ben was shot. The issue doesn’t mention anything Peter Parker not intervening earlier, nor does it allude to Peter Parker feeling responsible for his death.
Now to be fair, in Amazing Fantasy #15, it does give those added details, so the origin story is still the same with what we’ve seen in popular media depictions of Spider-Man (with the exception that Uncle Ben was killed in his own home), but it was left out here in this issue.
Spider-Man Thought About Turning To A Life Of Crime
One of the most noted reasons why Spider-Man has been popular is because he’s relatable as a human being, and I think this adds to that experience. In this issue, we see that he and his family are struggling financially and he feels like he’s limited in what he can do with his life circumstances so he contemplates turning to a life a crime. Thankfully, he talks himself out of it quickly!
Peter As A High School Kid In The 1960s Is… Interesting
Peter Parker Being Picked On At School – Amazing Spider-Man #1
So this was the ’60s and one of the most common tropes was that high schoolers who were smart and wear glasses were considered “nerds” and an outsider. Peter Parker here fits that mold perfectly. With the current MCU Spider-Man films, however, you can see that changes a little bit. Most notably because it’s no longer “weird” to be smart, which is why the film shows him being part of Midtown High, a school specifically for the gifted and talented.
But I think the oddest thing about this issue is that he looks… odd… as a high school student. In a lot of the drawings, he just looks awkward and actually looks more like an adult than a teenager.
His Spider Powers
In this issue, we see a lot of his spider powers beyond the traditional web-slinging and wall-climbing abilities. Apparently, he could use his senses to “tune in” to find and track the location of something. It’s unclear what exactly he can track (in this issue, it’s a helicopter, so maybe technologies?), but it’s a pretty neat sense he has there.
I also added one more panel here to show that in this issue, he describes his spider-sense as a tingle, which if you recall from Spider-Man: Far From Home, that’s how Aunt May described it! I love seeing these connections between the comics and the movies.
Spidey Has A Web-Glider!
Again, I love how Spider-Man has these neat technologies from the very beginning! But if you know me, you also know that I love playing Fortnite so when I saw this panel, it reminded me of the web-glider that came out in the game when Spider-Man was part of the Battle Pass.
So those are the details that I picked up from reading this issue and I loved it. It’s been really fun going back to some of these first issues and getting a sense of how they started and how they changed and remain the same over time.
Below is my TikTok video going over these details. If there is a comic issue you want to suggest I read, feel free to reach out to me on social media (@CaptionedLife) and let me know!
If you went back in time to 2001 and asked my 10-year-old self what my favorite series was, I would have said Harry Potter. If you asked me, “Well, do you like Lord of the Rings?” I would have responded with “Absolutely not!” and told you it was stinky and lame. Little did I know that Middle Earth would soon cast its spell on me.
Concerning Hobbits … and A Fan of Such Folk
I didn’t watch The Fellowship of the Ring until about a year after its initial 2001 release. Like many, my best friend had the biggest crush on Orlando Bloom and Legolas, while I suddenly became fascinated with Middle Earth itself. In the end, it kicked off a growing love for the entire franchise.
I was enamored with the scenery, especially the Shire, and desperately wanted to become immersed in a world of elves, dwarves, wizards, and hobbits. At one point, my Legolas-obsessed bestie lived near an area filled with immense amounts of green foliage and tall trees, and we declared it the Shire.
Every chance my parents were able to, they bought me physical copies of each soundtrack, and extended edition DVD’s of each movie in the trilogy. Eventually, I got my own copy of the books and had two bookmarks: One that could be unfolded to unveil a map of Middle Earth, and another that had the One Ring tied onto the tassel.
And remember those Noble Collection catalogs filled with nerdy memorabilia you could buy? I calculated the total cost of every Lord of the Rings item and tried to convince my parents to get them all. Spoiler Alert: …the total cost was just under $10,000 USD and I was quite unsuccessful with my parents.
Nevertheless, my love of the Lord of the Rings grew and grew, and to this day, it has become one of my all-time favorite franchises. And while The Hobbit trilogy wasn’t necessarily on the same level, they were still enjoyable and I learned to have an appreciation for them. But even the excitement for those movies came to an end in 2014.
The Return to Middle Earth
Fast forward to the present where just a week ago, a new streaming series on Prime Video premiered: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. I had the amazing opportunity to watch the first two episodes in theaters, and it was quite a thrilling experience. To see Middle Earth on the big screen again, to be introduced to new characters, strange mysteries, and exciting adventures.
The thing about the fantasy genre, though, is that it has always been locked in a box, preventing better representation in a fictional world. Many fans, myself included, always wondered why we could suspend our disbelief for dragons, wizards, and otherworldly beings. And yet, we couldn’t imagine someone who looked different from the norm in a fictional setting. So, you can imagine how much more worthwhile it was simply seeing so many new and different faces represented in such a massive world.
And that’s the beauty of fantasy that we’re now seeing in The Rings of Power. I will always love The Lord of the Rings films, and the wonder and imagination it gifted me. It is precious to me (no pun intended), so much so that it has become a holiday tradition to watch every movie before the New Year. But I am immensely grateful for a new and refreshing batch of characters and the perilous journeys that await them.
Changing the Course of the Future
With characters like Galadriel, Arondir the Silvan elf, and even the Dwarves and Harfoots, old fans are cheering for The Rings of Power while intrigue has sparked within new fans. It’s always difficult to find ourselves represented or seen in fantasy-based media, and even harder to feel welcome in the spaces of such fandoms. It warms my heart to see people like myself be able to enjoy a new chapter for an already beautiful franchise, knowing how far it has come.
If there is anything I’ve learned being part of the Lord of the Rings fandom, it’s that our inclusive and welcoming voices are louder than those who refuse progress. After all, as my favorite Obscure Lord of the Rings Fact Guy says, “You are all welcome here.”
Autumn, the season of falling leaves and comfy sweaters is upon us! And that means it’s time to get cozy with some love-filled anime.
Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry, but all of them will make you appreciate the ones you love most. Here are three of my favorite romance anime I recommend watching this upcoming season!
Quintessential Quintuplets: For the Love of My Sibling!
Futaro Uesugi is an intelligent and gifted high schooler whose primary goal is ensure the well-being of his family. Any anime could survive off just that story line but this anime we’re talking about.
So instead, Futaro is suddenly hired one day by a rich family to tutor their five quintuplets. Sounds like a dream until Futaro realizes the task is going to be much more difficult than expected.
With only two seasons, Quintessential Quintuplets isn’t just about several of the girls being romantically interested in Futaro. There are several comedic aspects, especially considering each of the siblings tend to the butt heads with Futaro and would rather play around or have cooking competitions instead of study.
But under the surface of comedy, there are quite a handful of dramatic as well as touching moments. One could say that Futaro manages to bring the sisters closer together than ever before as their sibling love grows. And that is quite a feat when dealing with a troublesome set of quintuplets. More likely than not though, you’ll probably find yourself identifying with one of the sisters, unless, of course, you identify best with Futaro!
Kaguya-Sama: Love is War: No, YOU Hang Up First!
A war amongst our student council leaders? That’s exactly what happens when president Miyuki Shirogane and Vice President Kaguya Shinomiya turn out to be quite the perfect match.
Except neither of the two wants to be the first to admit their feelings to one another. This sparks a series of schemes and games to provoke the other to admit how they feel.
Kaguya-Sama: Love is War is a hilarious, knee-slapping romantic comedy. It may either get you to reflect on how you gained the affections of your partner or get you to plot against them now. Either way, the constant back and forth scheming will make you giggle and burst out laughing as each episode gets wilder each time.
With three seasons out currently, now is the time to get all your snacks ready and get binging. Oh, and maybe stay wary of your partner. You never know what they’re plotting!
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Senpai: Selfless Acts Go A Long Way
What happens when you combine romance with supernatural and psychological elements? You get a riveting story about Sakuta Azusagawa whose life is greatly impacted when he meets Mai Sakurajima. After Mai’s encounter with Adolescence Syndrome which cause her to existence to fade, Sakuta sets out to help others who are impacted by the strange phenomenon. All the while, he grows closer and more in love with Mai.
While the anime tends to take on a more serious and dramatic turn, it’s absolutely one of the most emotional romance titles. It only has one season but the follow up movie, Rascal Does Not Dream of Dreaming Girl makes the entire ride worth all the tears shed. And oddly enough, this anime isn’t just about romantic love. It also discusses platonic and familial love, and appreciating those who are in your lives.
Whether you have a partner, siblings, or just want to hang with your besties, Rascal Does Not Dream is a must-watch with your loved ones, especially with cozy autumn weather coming up.
You can catch all three anime on Crunchyroll and Hulu.
Forrest Gump is hailed as one of the most beloved films of the 1990’s with Tom Hanks portraying the titular character. Most are familiar with the famous line, “Life is like a box of chocolates.” And many love the contagious feelings of hope and positivity that Forrest spreads.
After nearly 30 years after the release of Forrest Gump, Bollywood studios Aamir Khan Productions and Viacom18 Studios decided to create their own take on the movie. Just recently on August 11,Laal Singh Chaddha starring Aamir Khan was finally released.
There are some major similarities with minor differences to the original film but Laal Singh Chaddha succeeds in standing on its own to tell a vibrant tale. So, let’s dive into parallels between both films and what makes them both unique.
While both movies are identical in mind, I want to warn you that there may be a few minor spoilers ahead for Laal Singh Chaddha. Be sure to proceed with caution if you mind spoilers!
The Titular Leads: Forrest Gump and Laal Singh Chaddha
Forrest and Laal share so much in common, from the miracle of being able to run despite their disability to joining the military and saving the lives of their comrades. It’s no surprise that both have a tendency to have a positive effect on those around them whether they realize it or not.
Their good-hearted natures cause them to have a naïve outlook on life, it has always resulted on doing the right thing to help others who are in need. And whether it’s the affectionate relationship they share with their childhood best friends or the love they have for their caring mothers, Forrest and Laal are incredibly impacted by the women in their lives.
However, the major difference between the two is how much younger Laal is when history begins to impact his life. While Forrest’s biggest trial as a child is overcoming his disability and finding the strength to run, Laal is hidden from a frightening and violent world, and is ultimately forced to detach himself from his cultural identity.
Love At First Sight: Jenny and Rupa
In their eyes, Forrest and Laal’s childhood best friends, Jenny and Rupa respectively, tend to primarily be positive forces. However, as they grow apart from our main characters, Jenny and Rupa tend to live very different albeit reckless lives whilst treating Forrest and Laal differently.
As they grow older, Jenny doesn’t have much presence in Forrest’s life and only shows up occasionally. While Jenny seeks to be part of the anti-war movement, it’s clear that her unhealthy lifestyle has taken over her and affected the type of person she becomes. While running from her problems, she ends up less of a friend to Forrest and more so someone who pities him.
Rupa, on the other hand, remains a long-term friend to Laal as her presence greatly impacts him in positive ways. While Rupa is often miles away from him, she remains honest and upfront with Laal, while chasing her own dreams. She faces her problems head-on and consistently protects Laal from the consequences of her own risky actions.
A Delicious Lesson: Box of Chocolates and Golgappas
“My mama always said, life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” One of the most famous quotes from Forrest Gump, it discusses the unpredictability of life and adapting to the circumstances you end up in.
Most of your life is outside your control and it’s up to each individual to make the best of it. With this mindset, it’s how Forrest manages to utilize his well-intentioned heart to help others, only to end up succeeding in the end as well.
“My mother used to say life was like golgappa*. Your tummy might be full but your heart never is.” A new and nuanced rendition of the original quote doesn’t quite touch upon how unexpected life can be but always having the ability to do and the capacity to love more. It’s as if to say you can accomplish all that you want in life and fulfill your list of dreams.
But it’s more important that what you do is out of the genuine goodness of your heart. Throughout the course of his life, Laal has been sheltered from the trauma of violence and conflict, and never thinks about what he can get in return for his actions. Instead, he remains innocent and genuine, and believes everyone is worth helping, no matter whose side they’re on.
While each quote has its own meaning, both utilize a popular and delicious treat to convey a strong message about life. It’s enough to always get you to question your purpose and path in life, while reminding you that things will happen whether you expect it or not.
*Golgappa: Also known as panipuri, it is a popular street food item consisting of bite sized puff balls, often filled with chickpeas, potatoes, onions, and spices, along with a tangy and spicy water.
Iconic Idols: Elvis Presley and Shah Rukh Khan
It’s an odd part of the lives of Forrest and Laal but it seems they consistently cross paths with people and opportunities that they never expect to be larger than life later on.
For Forrest, he meets the well-known and beloved Elvis Presley, whom he happens to teach some signature dance moves. That iconic dance move is one of the ways we remember Elvis best.
On the other hand, Laal comes across the younger self of a very famous Bollywood actor that we’ve all come to love and respect. Though his disability limits his moves on a rooftop in Delhi, Laal opens his arms to the rhythm of the music, and the legendary Shah Rukh Khan* mimics and adapts this iconic move.
*Shah Rukh Khan: An iconic Bollywood actor. His most notable movies include Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Mohabbatein, and Kal Ho Naa Ho.And yes, he does open his arms in every…single…slow musical number.
A Promise Kept: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co and Rupa Corporation
Everyone who’s seen Forrest Gump is familiar with Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, and maybe has even eaten there. The company and restaurant was founded in memory of Forrest’s late best friend and ally in the US Army, Bubba, whose love of shrimp inspired the name behind it all. With its surge in popularity thanks to the help of Lieutenant Dan, Forrest not only becomes financially stable but gives half of the profits to Bubba’s family.
Similarly, in Laal Singh Chaddha, the character of Bala, the counterpart to Bubba, has a long family history of designing and manufacturing undergarments. It’s an odd tradition compared to shrimp. But it makes sense when you realize the company is made in honor of Bala but renamed to Rupa Corporation, which is currently one of the largest undergarment companies in India. No, really, look it up! In this particular rendition, however, the man who helps Laal in ever-growing investments is Mohammad, an ex-enemy soldier whom Laal rescues during his time in the army.
Forrest and Laal Living Through History
The majority of the political climates and history events in Forrest Gump are pulled from the 60’s and 70’s, when monumental events like the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s were ongoing. Meanwhile, in Laal Singh Chaddha, it touches upon very sensitive moments in India’s history, from Operation Blue Star to the beginning of the Indian-Pakistani War. The presence of war and domestic conflict run deep within both stories, especially once both Forrest and Laal join the army and see upfront the horrors of war. While loss and trauma are inevitable for those around them, Forrest and Laal never lose their hopeful attitudes, and are both awarded for their terms of service and heroic actions.
Running Across America vs Running Across India
One of the most bizarre, hopeful, and inspiring scenes from Forrest Gump is Forrest running across America until he reaches back home again. As his run becomes more noticeable with crowds of people joining him, Forrest never gives a clear answer on his reason for running. But one thing remains true: His impact on society and even pop culture stay positive as he spreads hope throughout the country.
Laal Singh Chaddha follows the same formula, with Laal instead running throughout the different states of India until he stops one day because he is “tired” and returns home. Hoards of people followed him for the same reason as Forrest: He gave them hope, whether they thought he was running for environmental reasons, for international conflict to end, or perhaps for his own personal reasons.
One more thing remains the same: Both runs occur after spending an evening with the love of their lives, only to find that they’ve left by morning.
Films of Inspiration
In many ways, the remakes or renditions of movies we’ve seen don’t always meet our expectations and don’t capture the essence of the original. The same cannot be said for Laal Singh Chaddha as it gives the same energy that Forrest Gump does with its familiar tones and heartfelt messages. While both films share many similarities, on their own, they tell a story that is enough to inspire anyone.
I immediately contacted him and ordered a Miles Morales print, followed by an original art commission.
What I got in the mail just a couple weeks later would surpass any expectations. The attention to detail, the mixed media page, the Peter Porker remark — it was instantly one of the coolest pieces I owned.
I’ve since had the pleasure at gettin to know the man behind the art and so, we sat down with Branflakes to talk about his early days creating!
Nerd Initiative – How did you get into art? Do you have early memories creating when you were young?
Branflakes – I started collecting comics and playing DnD at around 8 years old.
The monsters manuals blew my mind. My favorite part of role playing was creating/Drawing my characters along with various beasties. Dragons, ogres, dwarfs, I was quite partial to the Tarrasque as well.
Who would you say we’re and are your artistic inspirations?
As a kid, I was immediately drawn to the works of Sam Kieth, Simon Bisley, Borris Vellejo, Whilce Portacio, Jae Lee, Dale Keown, and the ToddFather of course (to name just a few). Image was brand spanking new at the time and everything they produced had me hooked.
Jim Lee won my heart with Deathblow. It was just so dark! I can’t forget to give writer Brandon Choi some credit for Stormwatch, WildC.A.T.S., Wetworks, Deathblow and Darker Image (I have every variant #sentimentalvalue).
I would have to say though, The Maxx, Pitt, and Cyberforce were probably the GOATs. Don’t get me wrong, Marvel and DC definitely had its moments. I’ve been working on a Thanos Piece so I dug out the old Infinity Gauntlet run to spark some inspiration. I had forgotten just how much this story meant to me. Then there is Lobo! What a fricken immortal bada$$!
It wasn’t until my college days in 2001 that I got obsessed with graffiti. I stumbled upon a website called “Art Crimes: the writing on the wall” created by Susan Farrell. It was anything and everything graffiti and I was obsessed.
I experimented with styles on local spots around campus until I got caught. My short lived adventure foiled by measly porta potty art which was traced back to my other shenanigans. This almost got me removed from school. After that I mostly stuck to black books.
I may or may not have returned a few times overseas. Some tags in my Navy days. It wasn’t until nearly 20 years later it dawned on me to combine a sort of lowbrow comic style with what I like to call “Urban Contemporary” (a fun term I recently discovered). My last key element of inspiration of course being the music. There is never a dull moment on my playlists. Weaving through genres like death metal, hip hop, bluegrass, epic movie soundtracks (Hans Zimmer) and back again.
How did you start doing art involving superheroes?
Comics and DnD is where it all started. I would Flip through Monster Manuals and my favorite comics and just try to achieve that same feel.
Try to dissect and reverse engineer what these artists achieved. Destroying countless bricks of printer paper. Practice, practice, practice. There was no YouTube back then so it was all just kind of like shooting in the dark. This allowed me to find some of my own techniques in the process.
What are some of your favorite pieces you’ve created over the years or even now?
A lot of my favorite pieces were part of my college portfolio until it was stolen.
These days though, My favorite pieces are my more abstract ones. After learning basic fundamentals, its fun to kind of de-evolve and just let creativity take the wheel.
What do you love most about what you do and the art you make?
The freedom of creativity, Inspiring others. The hardest part of the process is starting it.
After time though, there is a moment when everything comes together. All the pieces start to fit. It is at this moment where the work starts to flow smoothly. This is where the fun begins. You’re kind of on autopilot watching this artwork make itself. That moment is the best feeling in the world.
What’s your creative process like? How do you come up with ideas!!
Sleep deprivation and malnutrition are key to the most vivid ideas (JK). Which is quite counterproductive being an avid weightlifter.
In all seriousness though. my best ideas always come at night when I should be sleeping. When I find myself blocked I go back to the old comic collection and just start flipping through or browse social media.
My feed is 90% art, 10% funny dog videos. Once an idea has popped in my head, I’ll start a first draft for composition (usually on my wacom). First, gather all reference material needed. This sometimes means taking photos of myself attempting goofy ass poses.
Once I have my composition down, it’s time to perfect my line work. This line work will be transferred and further rendered over my already prepared final draft paper. Usually consisting of newspaper, comic panels mod podged over heavy duty acrylic paper.
I then like to add a first layer of what I refer to as trash tags. Like many walls of graffiti, you will find years of history painted over each other again and again. I try to mimic this feeling on paper. Layering graffiti and textures over and over. Then The line work is transferred over the top along with the actual words I want to be seen.
