It's been a while again since I've talked you guys again. I've been up to my ears in stuff and am behind I know,...so if you're waiting for something I promise to make it worth the wait.

It seems, my buddy Justin Carmona, entered me in a contest without my knowledge and it paid off. The PHOENIX CON Badge art Contest to be exact. It's a small contest for a large comic book Convention but in a nutshell if myself and the Colorist win, they will use the our art as THE Official Badge for the Con. That would be cool right?

Well, the voting is now open for about a week (It ends April 1st), so get on over to this link and VOTE! You do have to pick 10 in order of your preference but it's a fun way to kill some time. Keep in mind I'm not asking you to vote for me, I'd never do that. Vote Honestly for whomever you like best. I just hope it's mine. In case you don't know the piece that has SPIDEY and the Lizard is mine and Goran's the colorist. I don't think I would have been considered without those amazing colors!

So get on over there and VOTE!! Thanks a lot guys!! Here's the link: http://www.phoenixcomicon.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=341&Itemid=71

RV

One-Eyed Jack! Issue 1 Reviewed

I'm reviewing this book for my buddy Jon Castaneda. Obviously it's hard not to have a bias but keep in mind this book is the reason we're such good friends today. I was handed what is now the first issue by writer Justin Carmona (Hired Gun). At the time it was nothing more than an ashcan sized photocopied version of the first issue that is now available. Even though it was rough looking in every respect the story at the core of this book is what cemented my respect for Jon's storytelling ability.

One-Eyed Jack! is the story of Jack a strange creature even on a world of strange creatures. Or is he? Don't we all feel like we don't belong somehow? Jack, is a being with possible ties to the Greys. Classic Aliens that are constantly described by us humans after purported abductions. The first issues explains the reason he loses an eye and gives you a sense of the world Jack lives in and manages to inject subtle philosophy in the process. The battle in which Jack loses his eye isn't what you might think.



One of the biggest components of the story is the use of lucid dreaming or astral projection, all brought forth by meditation. In this plane is where Jack makes his first discovery about himself and his inner self more notably. The story succeeds in touching higher concepts like, spirituality, philosophy and existentialism while still layering fun fanboy genre's like Kung-Fu, Science Fiction and Super-Heroism.

The design of the book and it's characters is eclectic and surreal. Jack's father is a feline/canine humanoid with spiky hair and Jack's mode of transportation is a giant Bee!




If there is anything Jon Castaneda could improve upon it's the illustration itself and yet, he is. The second issue has grown astronomically art wise. The evolution ranges from the illustration to the colors. Here you get to witness not only Jack discover himself and grow but the creator as well.

I suggest you treat yourself or someone else and order this book on indyplanet.com The second issue is also available and the story is picking up steam!

If you're not reading this book, you don't know Jack!

Order here: http://www.indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1807

Paint the Town Red

Here is my interview with KVIA News Channel 7 promoting The Hal Marcus "Paint the Town Red" Exhibit with Kelly Foss. The exhibit is open till Jan. 29th 2010 so come down take a look. The gallery is on the corner of Yandell and N.Mesa here in El Paso, TX. If you're a big art fan, these original pieces are great for a Christmas gift.

The more I teach the more I learn.

Before I get started boring you, here's something I found interesting. I had researched my genealogy and names origin in school and decided to redo my research to see if it was accurate. It was correct and thought I'd share it with you.

VASQUEZ-From the root VASCO; son of.

From the medieval Spanish name Velasco, which came from the Spanish surname Velázquez, which possibly meant "CROW" in Basque. A famous bearer was the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, the first person to sail from Europe around Africa to India.

Alternate meaning-"SHEPHERD" of-from the Basque region (Southern France to Northern Spain)

RUDY:

Old Germanic in origin. Rudolph; meaning- FAME WOLF

I thought it was cool. So, I guess I'm a famous Wolf that Shepherds Crows/Ravens. I had some acquaintances that believed in tossing some black magic at people, via the Raven. I imagine if I put stock in that nonsense it wouldn't affect me much.

The stuff I write will be both philosophical and practical so take what works for you and disregard what does not.

I will be doing this in a very specific way by using the book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi as translated by Stephen F. Kaufman (Hanshi 10th Dan) as a template. Like before I will liken the martial arts with the art of comics. I want to emphasize that Miyamoto Musashi is Japan’s Sword Saint and possibly the greatest swordsman that ever lived. He lived in a time when killing was a way of life. Just like the old west so his ideals are extreme and uncompromising. For the few of us that choose this “art” of comics as way of life and not just a hobby we must view it in an uncompromising way. If not, the quality of the art suffers, our paychecks suffer and the efficiency of reaching our goals will suffer.

DEATH

Musashi was a warrior. To a samurai, achieving perfection was death. Or in death we finally realize perfection. We recite that perfect poem as we relinquish the graspiness of life that clouds our minds. For us, admitting perfection in our own skill or art is a rare if not completely unattainable thing. In fact if we begin to view our work as without flaw then, we are indeed dead. (Value your Editors) There will be no chance of improving upon perfection and so what will be the point of continuing? That is not to say that we cannot view someone else’s art as perfect. That is the nature of “subjectiveness”.

MASTER

“Warriors understand the only real measure of his ability lies in being able to beat men in fights.”-Musashi

This is true for a warrior because that is what he does. His occupation is rooted in combat. We as artists, more specifically comic book artists may in theory compete with one another in an over crowded market but in truth the only person we need to fight is ourselves. Be aware of those that make exclamations of superiority. Those that bark more than they bite like the Chihuahua. Those that seek rivalries and conflict in an industry like ours are simply insecure. Fame seekers that are done before they begin. Beating others makes you a fighter, but conquering yourself makes you a Master in the only way that makes sense. Every time you are working on something, try to beat yourself. Study and push yourself. Friendly rivalries have there place, the other kind only distracts you from defeating the only thing you need to be concerned with. Your own limitations.

For instance, I learned a new word this week: Mary Sue. Or for a male, Gary Stu. This is a character, or a style of writing that is created for one purpose: Wish Fulfillment (Of the writer/creator) I’m plugging this subject in here because this occurs a lot in this market where it’s so easy to do. With a publisher as big as Marvel and DC with so many editors and fans it’s hard to get anything by that is selfish to the writer because rest assured an irate fan that feels a good story is taking a back seat to the selfish wishes of a writer will be heard and acknowledged. They are paying for it after all.

In a smaller market where we can pretty much publish whatever we want with Print on Demand and even old style photo copy comics, we don’t have those checks and balances as much. So unless you have honest friends or editors with balls, we can get caught up in our Mary Sues and create and write characters that only serve us. Now, if we don’t care about what others think or don’t care about pushing ourselves as creators it’s ok. However; if we want to push ourselves, avoid creating all powerful, generic characters or hollow stories that push the limits of the generic. (Hence my NAZI-ZOMBIE-NINJAS in my Fan Girl piece) It was tongue in cheek.

It’s not easy writing something original these days, or creating something completely original but it’s not impossible. Quantity is not quality so as long as you keep trying to say something honest and evaluate your self you have nowhere to go but up.

Thanks for listening,

Humbly yours,

Rudy V.