No Drawing Friday Due To Wizard World Anaheim

Well, the Hit Girl drawing wraps up the Attack! for this week. Friday marks the beginning of Wizard World Anaheim, so I'll be packing up my suitcase full 'o' goodies and scrambling southeast for all the action.

I've got a swell spot in Artists Alley where' I'll have books, original art and convention exclusive prints on hand. I'll also be doing commissioned drawings, for all you hardcore collectors. If you're in the SoCal area and looking to replenish your arty-nerd-entertainment gland, come see me. I think I've got the medicine you need!

For location, show hours and more info, visit www.wizardworld.com

"Yes, I know it will be there. Just give it some time."
- David V. Gum

"Katana Kid"

Brutal language and unflinching ultra-violence is nothing new to comics. But having it stem from a button-eyed, adorable little girl? Now THAT'S something else. Which is probably why Hit Girl from Kick-Ass has won the demented love of nerds worldwide.

Of course, the accolades are well-deserved. After all, I can't think of many preteen comic characters with a body count (or a potty-mouth) to match hers. I wonder if she'll ever get recruited by the Teen Titans. Isn't it about time for them to add some edginess to their crew?

9 x 12" / mixed media on watercolor paper
Not For Sale

"Jumbo Jughead"

If you've read a Marvel comic in the past 30 years, then you probably know The Juggernaut. And I'm not sure why, but the child in me simply adores this gargantuan sonuvabitch. He's an impenetrable force of nature, a biped bulldozer, and a constant megaton pain in the ass for a variety of superheroes. From Professor X & his freak brigade to Spidey & his Amazing Friends, it seems like everybody has had to deal with Juggernaut at one time or another.

And to top it all off, he's Charles Xavier's brother. I know every family has a black sheep, but damn.

9 x 12 / mixed media on watercolor paper
$156 for US / $165 for international (includes shipping)
To purchase, email Dave Crosland

"Ironclad Invincibility"

Iron Man is yet another superhero I never paid much attention to, until I finally read The Ultimates. That reading -- coupled with seeing the first Iron Man movie -- totally sold me on this billionaire bad boy in a robot suit. For me, Tony Stark is like a more cynical, self-loathing version of Bruce Wayne. He's even got all the insane gadgets. And Iron Man's"wonderful toys" come in a handy-dandy, all-in-one, body suit format. Top that, Bat-face!

Oh, and I should admit -- all of Ghostface Killah's references to Iron Man and Stark Enterprises play a big role in my enjoyment of the character. I mean, seriously... have you heard Supreme Clientele, lately?!

9 x 12 / mixed media on watercolor paper
$156 for US / $165 for international (includes shipping)
To purchase, email Dave Crosland

"Hornball Heroism"

Today's illustration is a shout-out to my boys Mike Huddleston and Joe Casey for their outstanding new title, Butcher Baker, The Righteous Maker (Image).

I've only read the first issue, but I can already tell that this twisted, surreal take on superheroes and their villains is about to turn the medium of comics on its ass and head at the same time. I don't wanna give anything away if you haven't checked it out yet. But I'll say this: considering how wonderfully decadent issue one is, I can hardly imagine where this is all gonna end. If I were you, I'd be damn sure to catch every issue of this from start to finish. This is some gritty, real-deal, truly original comics shit, and it's happening right before our eyes.

To learn more about the book, peep this Comic Book Resources interview with Joe Casey.

9 x 12 / mixed media on watercolor paper
Update: SOLD!

"Gruesome Gunslinger"

Hideous as he may be, Jonah Hex is a fun character to draw. I mean, just look at that mug! And I think his back story only adds to my scribbling excitement. The guy was sold into white slavery by his dad, in trade for safe passage through Apache territory. Ouch! Then, after being accepted by the tribe, he ends up crossing the chief's son. Daddy issues! And after a crafty betrayal, the tribe mutilates Jonah's face with a hot tomahawk and banishes his ass. Daaamn! I tell ya, crispy clean heroes are fine and good. But these fractured protagonists are where it's really at!

9 x 12 / mixed media on watercolor paper
$106 for US, $115 for international (includes shipping)
To purchase, email Dave Crosland

"Feline Felon"

Catwoman has been one of Batman's greatest foes, from the minute she hit the Gotham City criminal scene. The nimble Selina Kyle always seems to know just how to get under The Bat's cape. Of course, it's gotta be a huge turn-on for Batman... coming up against a nubile, acrobatic, ninja-cat-burglar who can kick his ass AND is drop-dead gorgeous. In some twisted, BDSM way, the attraction makes total sense. I mean, c'mon -- skin-tight vinyl and a whip?! It's so obvious!

9 x 12" / mixed media on watercolor paper
$156 for US, $165 for international (includes shipping)
To purchase, email Dave Crosland

"Exceptional Eradicator"

One of the most surreal comics I've ever read has to be Scud: The Disposable Assassin. A friend turned me onto it, way back in college, and my cartoon-addled mind was blown. The comic was funky science fiction, with aliens, the living dead, a hot chick and inter-dimensional travel on horseback. Not to mention the regular references to music and pop culture. AND the hero was a sentient, nearly indestructible, robot assassin. How could I not be into it?!

Since then, creator Rob Schrab's career has exploded into the ginormous realm of screenwriting and directing out here in Los Angeles. You might know his work on The Sarah Silverman Program, Monster House, or Channel 101. All across the board, this dude is kicking out truly original, insanely imaginative jams. Rob definitely remains a steady inspiration in my own creative battles.

To learn more about Scud, visit robschrab.com/scud. Also, check out Rob's new hardcover art book "But I Can't Do Anything Else" on Amazon. So fresh!

9 x 12" / mixed media on recycled bristol board
Update: SOLD!

"Devilish Daring"

Criminals better check their dirty habits when they step into Hell's Kitchen, lest they rile the rage of Matthew Murdock , aka Daredevil! Trust me -- nothing will crush an evil ego like getting the snot beat out of you by a blind lawyer.

I never really got into Daredevil until I picked up Kevin Smith's Guardian Devil miniseries, during my last year of college. Before then, I had no idea that the character was basically your standard rooftop-hopping hero, only with much heavier personal issues. Murdock's drug-addicted lovers, daddy issues and hair-trigger temper put him on the same scale as Batman, when it comes to psycho vigilantes in spandex. He's definitely my brand of good guy lunatic.

9 x 12" / mixed media on recycled bristol board
Update: SOLD!

"Cunning Cobra Couple"

Even in grade school, we all knew something extracurricular was going on between Destro & The Baroness. Those sideways glances during their terrorist mission briefings... their body language when they passed each other in the halls of Cobra's underwater base... the intense make-out session they had after burying Quick Kick under the rubble of The Parthenon -- these were all dead giveaways!

Not that I can blame them, of course. Destro had that baritone voice, fat gauntlets, and shiny head. And The Baroness rocked the skin-tight vinyl, librarian-dominatrix look, with an accent right out of Rocky & Bullwinkle. Something tells me their meeting must have been love at first mass murder.

9 x 12" / mixed media on recycled bristol board

$206 for US, $215 for international (includes shipping)

To purchase, email Dave Crosland

"Bushido Bloodbath"

One of the few comic series that I've been obsessed with for years, is Blade of The Immortal. It's a story of vengeance and codes, wry comedy and brutal violence. And Hiroaki Samura's artwork is painfully beautiful. Seriously, I'll find myself just staring at a page or certain panel, as if it's a framed painting on a museum wall. With its rich characters, visceral action sequences, and gorgeous visuals, the book is a truly engaging read.

And the supernatural element is the cherry atop the awesome pie. The titular character -- Manji -- takes every hack, slash, slice and dice that his foes can dish out. But he keeps piecing himself back together, drawing his 12 blades, and going in for more. I guess you don't get to be the nefarious "100 Man Killer" by being a slouch, eh?

9 x 12" / mixed media on recycled bristol board
$150 (plus $5 for shipping in the US, or $15 for international)
To purchase, email hiredmeat@gmail.com

"All American"

I'm kicking off Alphabet Attack! Series 2 with none other than the original super-patriot, Captain America! A few years ago, someone loaned me The Ultimates graphic novels. That was my first big dose of The Cap, and I was blown away by how much I enjoyed the dimensions of the character in those books. He really came across as this 1940's mega-man with everything going for him, save for the fact that he's trapped in an era that simply isn't his time. And that's something I never expected from a spandex book.

To top it off, I just watched the trailer for the new movie, and WASN'T totally horrified. So somewhere between reading The Ultimates and getting giddy for the blockbuster, I was inspired to create this piece.

Also, it's not hard to like a guy who spends a lot of time beating the hell out of Nazis. Captain America, Indiana Jones, Hellboy... it's a surefire formula for fandom.

9 x 12" / mixed media on recycled bristol board
$150 (plus $6 for shipping in the US, or $15 for international)
To purchase, email hiredmeat@gmail.com

Sci-Fi Alphabet Wrap Up!

Howdy, all. I just want to extend my gratitude to those of you who've been following Alphabet Attack! and helping me spread the word online. And many thanks to the collectors who've invested in owning the original works. I'm proud that so many of the pieces in this series have found good homes.*

The remaining sci-fi themed works will be for sale at their original $100 price, for the rest of this week. After Friday, I'll be repricing them. So act now if you want to score one of the drawings below.

"Frankenstein's Freak"

"Killer Keepsakes"

"Lethally Leggy"

"Murderous Machinery"

"Necromantic Ninja"

"Oppressive Overlord"

"Terrible Twos"

"Unbeatable Underdog"

"Virtual Vixen"

"Wantonly Warlike"

"Xerophiles"

"Zealous Zionite"

Lastly, of course, I'll be following up this first series with another run through the alphabet. The public response has been so positive, how could I not!? Series 1 was science fiction. Stay tuned to discover the wellspring of pop reference I've got to pull from for Series 2.

From A to Z and back again...
- Dave, aka Gum

* If you purchased a drawing and have not received it yet, don't be alarmed. Orders were slightly delayed by my trip to Wondercon. All held-up Alphabet Attack! pieces will ship this week, via Priority Mail.

"Zealous Zionite"

Most folks will instantly pan the hell out of it, when you bring up The Matrix Trilogy. But whatever. There's no denying how unbelievably cool the first movie was. All that flying kung-fu, bullets and patent leather, combined will killer robots and oodles of cyberpunk homage -- it was almost TOO cool.

And of course, the coolest brother in the series was Morpheus. Even without the reflective shades and floor-length, futuristic-flasher trenchcoat, Morpheus was Superfly TNT. And he proved it when he threw himself into a head-on fight with Agent Smith (in a dingy bathroom, no less!). Of course, he got his ass whooped. Punched and kicked into midair, body slammed, head cracked against a toilet bowl -- Morpheus took a thorough licking, for sure. But the fact that he kept getting up and going against a unbeatable opponent? Well, that's some true heroic grit for the ages.

9 x 12" / mixed media on recycled bristol board
$200 (plus $5 for shipping in the US, or $15 for international)
To purchase, email hiredmeat@gmail.com

Almost... there....

Well, folks, it appears we're nearly at the end of the road. Monday, I'll be tackling "Z" with all my might. Hard to believe I've done 25 illustrations in the past few weeks. Feels like it flew by! Thanks to everyone who's been following the blog and reposting pics. Much gratitude for your support and help spreading the word of the Attack!

To all the folks who purchased original works from the series, stay tuned next week for a special announcement. I've got a treat in store for you!

As for the remaining drawings, I'll still have them offered for sale through next Friday, April 15. After that, they're going off the market for a turn. If there's something still available and you're interested, please let me know by Friday at midnight.

Again, thanks for the support and stay tuned... we ain't done yet.

- King Gum.

"Yoda's Yucks"

Sure, you've got your lightsaber-wielding Yoda in the Star Wars prequels. And you've got your animated Yodas, doing their various whatevers in the cartoon series. But I still hold the original Muppet form of Yoda in high esteem. Especially since, when he first appears in The Empire Strikes Back, ALL Yoda does is clown on Luke.

Young Skywalker hit Dagobah, hoping to discover a Jedi Master. Instead he finds a hobbled, green, swamp-town yokel. And he tests the kid's patience at every turn -- breaks his equipment, ruins his dinner, steals his flashlight and assaults his droid. All the while, knowing exactly who Luke is and why he's there. Now that's truly some gangta-ass old wise man shit, for ya.

9 x 12" / mixed-media on recycled bristol board
Update: SOLD!

"Xerophile"

Of all the creatures who adapted to the arid, road rage-inspiring, Outback Steakhouse hell that was the world of The Road Warrior, none was as fearsome and reviled as The Lord Humungus. His was the true language of a post-apocalyptic landscape -- absolute brutality.

With a gang of vicious bastards to back him up, this behemoth ruled the wasteland highways with a studded codpiece and a scarred-up scalp. If you had something Humungus wanted -- be it gas, food, or simply your life -- you could be sure he'd hit the road and come gunning for you, with your friends' corpses on the grill of his car and murder in his heart.

9 x 12" / mixed media on recycled bristol board
$200 (plus $5 for shipping in the US, or $15 for international)
To purchase, email hiredmeat@gmail.com

"Wantonly Warlike"

Sure, in the Star Trek universe, you've got all sorts of aliens. Romulans and Ferengi, Nausicaans and Vulcans... the list goes on and on. But the original badasses of the intergalactic highways were The Klingons! The Earth-based, mostly human Starfleet met its match early on, in these raucous, tough-as-nails, bumpy-foreheaded bastards!

It's neat that, once humanity reached the stars, we ended up going to war with a species even more prone to violence than we are. But I have a soft spot for Klingons. They've got a samurai-like honor system, a fine appreciation for booze and Shakespeare, and they're into rough sex. If you ask me, they're the perfect adversary for the clean-cut, shiny uniformed, imperialistic space nerds of Starfleet.

9 x 12" / mixed-media on recycled bristol board
$200 (plus $5 for shipping in the US, or $15 for international)
To purchase, email hiredmeat@gmail.com

"Virtual Vixen"

Though it took me awhile to get onboard, I ended up thoroughly enjoying the recent revamp of Battlestar Galactica. Having grown up with the old television series, toys and all (I even broke a model viper, while jumping around to a Van Halen video!), I was super-skeptical of the Sci-Fi Channel's updated take on it. But upon the recommendation of a non-nerd BSG fan, I finally decided to sit down and give it a spin.

Of course, I was instantly hooked, from start to finish. And of all the unanswered questions and unexplained phenomena the show's creators conjured up, one of my favorites was the ghostly connection between Dr. Gaius Baltar and Caprica Six. I was regularly amused by the idea of this seductive Cylon woman haunting the guilty, self-serving, slimy genius. The Six spirit guided and consoled him, tormented and punished him. And the whole "proxy of the One True God" aspect only helped to amp up the creepy mystery. Was she a ghost? Was she an angel sent to guide Gaius? Was she just a figment of his depraved conscience and tortured mind? In the end, I couldn't be happier that the show's producers didn't ruin it all by actually telling us.

9 x 12" / mixed media on recycled bristol board
$200 (plus $5 for shipping in the US, or $15 for international)
To purchase, email hiredmeat@gmail.com

"Unbeatable Underdog"

In Escape From New York, not only does John Carpenter give us a doom generation NYC gone wrong. He also gives us the perfect hero for this twisted, bombed-out backdrop -- S.D. Bob "Snake" Plissken. An ex-special forces commando with an eye-patch and a nasty attitude, Snake is a futuristic, degenerate version of Rambo. The resulting brew of anti-hero and simple plot is a sci-fi punk film that's on par with The Warriors. In the span of the movie, Snake escapes roving street gangs, bests a giant gladiator (while nursing a bullet wound!), and survives being in a taxicab that hits a landmine. The man's like a blueprint for Die Hard's John McClane!

Oh, and did I mention that his ultimate nemesis, The Duke, is played by none other than the late Isaac Hayes? So at the end of the movie, Snake goes blow-for-blow with Truck Turner! INCREDIBLE! And you can probably guess who's left a bloody mess, and who struts away with their silken, feathered coif intact....

9 x 12" / mixed media on recycled bristol board
$200 (plus $5 for shipping in the US, or $15 for international)
To purchase, email hiredmeat@gmail.com

"Terrible Twos"

Typically, if you're a hero lucky enough to have a sequel, then you're sure to take ten times the punishment you suffered in your first film. It happens to the Rebels in The Empire Strikes Back. It happens to Marty and Doc in Back To The Future 2. And so on, and so forth.

But no crime-stomping protagonist takes a second movie pounding quite like that lovable cyborg civil servant, Robocop. Sure, in the first movie he gets whooped from start to finish. But in Robocop 2, Murphy is downright brutalized. Fifteen minutes in, he's forced to deny his human side, thus freaking out his grieving widow. Then there's that whole cyborg vivisection bit, that leaves his life hanging in the balance. Once they put him back together, he has to go toe-to-toe with his would-be replacement -- a killer cyborg that's three times his size, and powered by the brain of a ruthless drug czar. Yeesh!

Of course, Robocop handles this like a pro. And unlike Han Solo (frozen) or Marty McFly (stranded), Robo ends his sophomore adventure by seeing his enemy's ultra-violence, and raising him with a Mortal Kombat-style fatality -- ripping out his opponent's brain and smashing it into broken glass-flavored jam.

* It's no wonder Robocop 2 follows this formula so well. After all, it was directed by the late Irvin Kershner, who also directed The Empire Strikes Back.

9 x 12" / mixed media on recycled bristol board
$200 (plus $5 for shipping in the US, or $15 for international)
To purchase, email hiredmeat@gmail.com