Here Comes Series 3!

This coming Monday marks the long-awaited start of Alphabet Attack! Series 3. So I thought I'd let you know what's in store....

No More Fan Art
Series 1 & 2 consisted entirely of "fan art" -- illustrations based on science fiction and comic books that are well known in the realm of Pop Culture. But for Series 3, I'll be dealing entirely with creator-owned subject matter. I had a blast and learned a lot with the first two runs of Alphabet Attack!, drawing some of my favorite characters from Star Wars & Battlestar Galactica to G.I. Joe & Transformers. But getting to work with people & worlds of my own make & design is a big part of this next phase of the blog.

A New Format
Rather than the Monday through Friday, daily rush to bring you fresh drawings, Series 3 will be presented in a weekly format. Basically, Alphabet Attack! is about to become an in depth process blog, with updates three days a week --

Monday - I'll post the alphabet alliteration phrase for the week, along with sketches of the illustration I plan on making to go with the words.

Wednesday - You'll get to see the work-in-progress, and read notes on my creative process as I forge ahead.

Friday - The finished illustration will hit the blog and shine for all to see!

So instead of 26 days of art, you'll be getting 26 weeks. To quote Kool Aid Man, "Oh yeah!"

The Future
Alphabet Attack! has been a huge success, mostly because of fan/collector support & enthusiasm. With that in mind, I've decided to add an interactive aspect to Series 3.

Every four illustrations I create for the blog, I'll ask viewers to vote on their favorite one. Whichever of the four pieces wins will go on to be released as a limited edition print. This is the chance for fans to play a pivotal role in deciding which of my works goes on to a second collectible life!

So that's how it's all going to shake out, more or less. I'm so glad you've decided to stick with me and my artwork for this long. And I'm ecstatic to begin bringing you even more delicious eye candy and creative insight through this blog, in the weeks to come.

"Feel good to relax it, shake it on like me! Loose booty!!!"
- Dave

Last Week to Purchase Series 1 & 2 Drawings...

I'm rapidly gearing up for Alphabet Attack! Series 3. With that in mind, I'm giving collectors one last week to purchase remaining pieces from Series 1 and 2.

The works below are still available. They are 9"x12" and range in price from $125 to $215 (with shipping). If interested, please contact me directly via email to inquire about a specific piece. Drawings will be marked "SOLD" as they go.

These pieces will be kept up until Friday, August 5th. After that, it's off to the archives. So don't sleep on this opportunity to own original art from the mixed-media, daily art whirlwind that's revolutionized the way I create illustrations and entertained the worldwide masses!

"Zarana"

"Yearning Youth"

"Xena!"

"Wintry Woman"

"Vicious Vivisector"

"Unscrupulous Usurper"

"Teenage Turtles" SOLD

"Scoundrels"

"Ronin Runt Rearing"

"Quacky Quarreler"

"Properly Puffed"

"Occult Operator"

"Miami Mobster"

"Katana Kid"

"Jumbo Jughead"

"Ironclad Invincibility"

"Gruesome Gunslinger"

"Feline Felon"

"Cunning Cobra Couple"

"Bushido Bloodbath"

"All American"

"Zealous Zionite"

"Xerophile"

"Virtual Vixen"

"Unbeatable Underdog"

"Terrible Twos"

"Oppressive Overlord"

"Necromantic Ninja"

"Murderous Machinery"

"Lethally Leggy"

"Killer Keepsakes"

"Frankenstein's Freak"

"I've got a Chevy with a Mopar cam. I'll be your Johnny on the spot."
- Dave, aka King Gum

Prints & Books, Series 3 and Beyond!

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

"Zarana"

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

"Yearning Youth"

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

"Xena"

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

"Wintry Woman"

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