As you may already know, Series 2 of Alphabet Attack! wrapped up earlier this week. It's been insanely fun, churning out these works for your regular enjoyment. This blog originated as a way for me to sharpen my illustration skills, speed up my decision making, and exercise some old fanboy demons. But it's been a special bonus finding so many new fans & supporters along the way. With that in mind, I thought I'd let you know what's in store for the future of this ongoing project.
Prints & Collections
I've had a lot of people contact me, asking if I plan on creating prints of these works or collecting them into a book. Well after some long consideration and counsel from my menagerie of birds, I've decided that I WILL be reprinting these illustrations in one of those formats... maybe even both!
Right now I'm exploring my options and how I may best cover my ass legally. After all, this is a huge jumble of copyrighted material. Considering how much bootleg merch of mainstream properties I've seen circulating at comic conventions, I'm guessing there has to be a way for little ol' me to make this happen. But realistically, all it takes is one Cease And Desist letter to bring the whole thing crashing down around me.
So keep an eye out for updates. My goal is to have the goods on hand for TR!CKSTER and Comic-Con, schedule and legality permitting.
Series 3
The first two runs of Alphabet Attack! both consisted of fan art... homages to the wonderful assortment of stories and characters that have inspired me throughout my life. But for Series 3, I plan on strictly doing creator-owned subject matter.
Don't get me wrong -- I love doing my own interpretations of other people's stuff. But I believe most artists truly glow when expressing their own concepts and imaginary worlds. And it's about time I got down with some of that action!
I'll also be switching from the daily format to something a bit more spread out. There will be more time in between finished illustrations, but with progress shots and in-the-works updates in between.
Essentially, Alphabet Attack! is about to become a themed process project. And I'm making room for some fun new aspects, including fan participation/voting, prints, and prizes!
With San Diego Comic-Con & TR!CKSTER on the horizon, I'm going to be pressed for time between now and late July. But I'll keep you guys posted on the developments with Series 3, as well as future merchandise from Series 1 & 2. In other words, "stay tuned."
"What a fool believes, he sees."
- Dave Crosland
Lord of Letters
Last but not least, we have the letter Z, represented by the omega of Series Two -- Zarana! Her punked-out villainy has held a special place in my heart, since I first saw her on the after school cartoon scene. Guess I've had a thing for tough chicks since I was a kid.
This G.I. Joe baddie is a Dreadnok enforcer, master of disguise and all-around rude girl. With her Australian accent, guttersnipe attitude and hot-pink hair, Zarana comes off like an evil, gun-toting Cyndi Lauper. And not only does she score extra points for being Zartan's sister. She gets a mad bonus because -- believe it or not -- she replaced The Baroness as Destro's main squeeze for a time, after that whole Cobra-La fiasco. Seriously. Now that's some Queen Bee shit right there!
9" x 12" / mixed media on watercolor paper
$206 for US / $215 for international (includes shipping)
To purchase, email Dave Crosland
Well, my admitted appreciation for Blade of The Immortal has blossomed into full-on obsession. This is proven by the fact that I've actually trolled the Internet for sneak peeks at issues of the comic that haven't been translated into English yet. Yeah... I'm hooked. But addiction be damned, I am in love with this series. And even though she isn't a natural born warrior, Asano Rin is an incredible central character.
A teenage girl determined to avenge her murdered parents, Rin is constantly chased, threatened, ripped-off, attacked and kidnapped. But as the books go on, she undergoes an amazing transformation. Though she doesn't exactly evolve into a steel-wielding death machine like Manji, Rin does toughen up. She finds the courage to take charge of her own life, and accept the ills of the murderous path she's chosen. And thanks to some brilliant character arc work, Rin actually grows up a bit. It's like every challenge she overcomics takes away a piece of her innocence, but leaves her with the physical and mental tools to become a legend in her own time.9" x 12" / mixed media on watercolor paper
$206 for US / $215 for international (includes shipping)
To purchase, email Dave Crosland
As I've mentioned before, a lot of my Nerd Powers were inherited. And today I decided to honor my Father before me, with a drawing of one of his faves -- Xena: Warrior Princess.
I'll admit, I never really understood why my Dad was so into this show while it was on the air. But after recently seeing a few episodes, I totally get it -- it's a bunch of tough, busty, smart-mouthed women kicking evil's ass all across an Old World fantasy landscape. And the main heroine is doing it all in studded-leather Grecian bondage armor. What's not to love?9" x 12" / mixed media on watercolor paper
$206 for US / $215 for international (includes shipping)
To purchase, email Dave Crosland
Whether you know her from her days running with the Hellfire Club or her time teaching at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, it's clear that Emma Frost (aka The White Queen) has always been a cool customer.
I got into Miss Frost during the pilot run of Generation X, being drawn in by Chris Bachalo's incredible illustrations. But I quickly became a fan of this smart-mouthed, telepathic educator in white dominatrix gear. I was amazed that anyone would let this woman near children, dressed like that. But I also enjoyed the fact that Emma seemed to downright loathe the kids/teammates she was sworn to aid and protect. It made for some classic villain-turned-good scenarios that totally played to my deep appreciation for baddies. And Generation X, overall, helped maintain my interest in superhero comics, during my transition from high school to college.9" x 12" / mixed media on watercolor paper
$156 for US / $165 for international (includes shipping)
To purchase, email Dave Crosland
In my continuing love affair with all things villainy, tonight's drawing features a true master of depravity -- Shira, the loathsome murderer, torturer and all-out madman nemesis of Manji in Blade of The Immortal.
The raw brutality of Shira's actions earn him high marks among doers. But the nonchalant, almost playful way in which he operates is what really chills me to the bone. He's like a modern serial killer, set loose in Feudal Japan. And with his penchant for carving the flesh of his enemies, young girls and even himself, Shira makes the perfect foe for the undying antihero of the series. And just like Manji, he's got a knack for coming back from seemingly certain death, again and again.
9" x 12" / mixed media on watercolor paper
$156 for US / $165 for international (includes shipping)
To purchase, email Dave Crosland
As you may already know, Series 2 of Alphabet Attack! wrapped up earlier this week. It's been insanely fun, churning out these works for your regular enjoyment. This blog originated as a way for me to sharpen my illustration skills, speed up my decision making, and exercise some old fanboy demons. But it's been a special bonus finding so many new fans & supporters along the way. With that in mind, I thought I'd let you know what's in store for the future of this ongoing project.
