"What's with the Ax?"

Hey there sports fans, Al here with the latest:

New and Improved Cover issue #1 

Proposed cover for issue #2

 ,

CORRAX:THE SEEKER NEWS.
Well currently all the editing for CTS #1 has been completed by my friend Jason Z Pott of NEOtrash Comix.  Thank you Jason!  Couldn't have done it without ya!  I hope this begins to be a pattern for the rest of this story arc if not more.
Now the real cool thing about this news is the only thing left to do is the physical printing of the book!
   AND close on the heals of issue #1 is CTS #2.  The cover you will have already seen but most of the second issue you will not.  Well maybe in only snippets for the next couple of months. 
  ALSO along those lines covers for issue #3 and #4 are being planned out as well. 
  OTHER CORRAX NEWS :
So as the story of the Seeker continues to grow so does the need for Corrax's background and history.  So I began looking through the Vega archives and I think I found a "why" to his existence.  This gives him the necessary reason to do what he does and adds to his already quirky  and dynamic personality.
  I gave you a hint already of what this is.  They both have popped up in a scene or two in issue one already.  What two things show up that are similar?
  This is your "Where is your
Waldo" moment folkes.
  This also falls under the "Indiana Jones Guilt factor" that was talked about two weeks ago. 
  This also plays into the history of Galactic Rangers and the formation of the HUB and why there are so many space fairing races in the book AND a partial why Methusla Kcon is such a bad guy.  And he will show up I promise you.
  Thats a lot to pack into a book but well worthwhile for action and adventure in space.
BESIDES THAT... CTS #1 is at the printers currently!

AND ON TOP OF THAT, WHAT'S WITH THE AX?

Well thats a good question.  The reason is like any comic artist it looked cool.  Since the time when I started looking at moving away from doing Vega and work on Corrax about two years ago.  I wanted to do something different other than just draw a anthropomorphic character.  So during a previous  Stumptown show I beefed up Corrax and cranked out a scratchboard piece with him leaping into action with ax in hand.
It looked really cool.
Why an ax?
I find that even though in the Vega Universe is set in the future, everyone uses blasters and the like of a archaic weapon , like an ax,  really stands out.  And with all the digital coloring work I have been doing I felt like I used could really make it sweet.  But now comes the inevitable question "What's with the Ax?  Why does it look different?"
That guy has some history (meaning the Ax).  Being influenced by books of Michael Moorcock and his character Elric and the rest of the Eternal Champions, I wanted something like Stormbringer to be incorporated into the story line.  But to suit a space fantasy I had to have a sci fi origin for it.  Then there was Larry Niven's animated Star Trek episode called "The Slaver Weapon" I saw as a kid.  I loved the idea that a weapon could change shape and function.  So with both of these ideas in mind is how the ax came onto being.
There will be more surrounding this ancient device whether it to be good or bad has yet to be seen.
  This weapon is also something Corvis is seeking.
 
SCRATCHBOARD NEWS:
As with this post the handoff of the Godzilla piece has met with much enthusiasm and another commission as well.  Though I believe that this second commission will be vastly different in design.
OTHER PIECES that will be done:
Now one of the things that has kept me from showing my talent is the physical size of work.  5"X7"s at comic shows are awesome and I enjoy the fanfare but to be looked upon as a fine artist (and you don't need college accreditation for this because they teach you this) you need bigger work for presentation.
"AI" is one of them.  This was a alternate version of Vega and the Vega Universe.   Think John Carter of Mars and you got it. 

"In the nick of time"  16"x20" scratchboard 2012 Copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

And this leads into 

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ AND WATCH ALL ABOUT IT!  GALLERY SHOW!

Now if you have gotten this far reading you had to ask "What the heck dude, you have a regular blog out all the time and then you have a hiatus for about two weeks.  What gives?"  At the last bit of the first week as I was editing the digital files of CTS #1 I had received an email  invite via Facebook to show three piece of art in the grand ol' style of Sci-Fi/Fantasy!  Boy how i jumped on that ship!  So along with "In the nick of time" there is also "Pygmalion Modern"  from the Portland "Love in the Cloud" Show and "Decimation".

"Pygmalion Modern" 9"x12"
scratchboard 2012 Copyright
Alan Bennett and BBVA

"Decimation"  11"x14"
scratchboard 2012 Copyright
Alan Bennett and BBVA

What's even more interesting to me was the fact that as an artist you go down the list to look at the submissions firstly to see who is going to be in the show and secondly what are mediums that people are turning in.  How many people do you think that turned in stuff in scratchboard?  One, me.  So with large pieces and scratchboard they stand out and all of them are framed!  Sweet!

So if you happen to be in Portland Oregon between Aug. 18th though Sept. 9th Come and check out the FANFARE SHOW.

Now I am beginning to look towards the next and last show for the BIG 200 as well.

And there you go and this kid is outta here.