IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME - almost.

Hey there sports fans, Al here with the latest:

IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME; 

And really nothing in the world says (as if you didn’t know it) like giving comics and receiving them!  And for the kid getting them in the mail long before the promise date is AWESOME!

 And here this sunday I thought that I wasn’t gonna have anything to write about before Christmas rolled around.  

CORPSE COP NEWS:

Corpse Cop "Arctic Wolf" is now HERE!  Now true I only ordered one copy to see how my book had turned out in press and it is now here as well as being up for sale at Indy Planet.com com for both physical print  and digital download. 

This makes me happy as I have another book done and ready to be added to the books that I have up on my walls over my work desk to serve as milestones for Black Box Comix.

AND OF COURSE IT DOESN’T STOP THERE...

Work on “Inhuman Torch” is still going on right now with page 15 out 20 being rendered before scan and lettering to be handed off to my friend Paula for editorial consult.

This doesn't limit Corpse Cop to crossing over into other universes .

WEIRD ATOMIC TALES FEATURING FUTURE COP...

I know sic fi isn’t high on people’s list unless somehow it has a tie in with a film or tv show.  Drives me crazy that there is so much out there people to see and and actual sci-fi comic just seems to get lost in the mix.  Over the years I know that how and what happened with Johnny Vega and Corrax the Seeker.  Of course in talking and getting talked about by my compatriots about the work being a one man work station has it’s advantages and it’s disadvantages.  What job doesn’t?

But I have talked about the creative process and how it can be the addiction for the creator and I have fallen under that little thing.  But for the most part that is keeping me out of trouble.  Though I don’t really go out looking for trouble most of the time.  But Jack Quassar has been tapped to really start this book off but there is several other characters that are going to be brought up in the story.  

I can’t really go farther into this but I can tell you that one the biggest tenants of sci-fi is time travel and this plays a huge part of the story.

I don’t feel that I need to re-introduce characters into this story as they have already seen print from the last ten years plus.

  

   BUT THAT'S JUST my option on it.  Of course with the loss of the computer over the last month tells me how much I depend on it.  

BESIDES THAT... Corpsey is dealing with an old friend of his- Doktor Plutarious!  If you had picked up the Crossover of Weird Atomic Tales (and really there is no reason why you shouldn't ) there s a tie between the two of them.

AND ON THAT FRONT :

I think that this will set up a idea why CC shows up in place and any setting.

But if you wanta play catch up check out this link for the one CC's first adventures at indyplanet.com http://indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4799

AND 

http://www.indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=9328 for issue 2 of Corpse Cop but the book is listed at “#1” on the sight.  

But I hope to have this fixed soon.

COMMISSIONS:

Funny enough as I found so far as I work on one commission and as it begins to wind down with one it seems that another is there to take it’s place.  For me as the artist that is awesome.  Now if I could continue with this that would be fantastic.  So N.W.I.P.A has commissioned me for a poster along about the same time that I have a show there.  Even better.  And if I can get some of the t-shirts that I have contracted my friend Matt for along with the other merch it could be a very lucrative.  

We’ll see...

I should mention that I do commissions. It usually depends size, complexity of the piece, varnished and framed.  I.E. Gilrandree Commission 11"x14" varnished, one subject, no frame- $175.00  Usually half down and half on completion of project.  Easiest way for payments is through Paypal  using my email address blackboxcomix@yahoo.com.

If you are curious about it please email me at blackboxcomix@yahoo.com

"Uncle Simian"

GALLERY WORK:

WELL the BIG 400 is still going on strong for the last week but I have no idea if there any new sales yet but I don’t want to become a gallery stalker waiting for the next sale.  

HOWEVER ... “Uncle Simian Comes Home.”  from the “I think, therefore I am” show.  Personally I am glad that this is back here at the house because I feel that I can actually ask for the right price other than the one that was originally placed upon this and financially cut my throat. 

So come February he going up with the right price.

ODDITIES:

Actual film work being done for webcast show called the Velvet Coffin.  initially I had been brought into the production as story board artist but as continued my association with production I began to wear many different hats.- as story broardist, screenwriter, producer,  props, assistant director, assistant camera man and a zombie extra, second unit camera man, assistant director, producer guy.

More of this info can be found at  www.thevelvetcoffin.co.

OTHER NOTE WORTHY THINGS :

If your wanting to look at some of the older blog for Black Box Comix you can check them out here. Black Box Comix Blog.

There is also Twitter https://twitter.com/blackbox13 to follow and Tumbler The Other Scratchpad

blackbox13.tumblr.com/   as well 

Or if you're interested in purchasing something that catches your eye  check out here on the Big Cartel web site.  Big Cartel.

And of course is always the backlog of comics here at Indyplanet.

And the kid is out of here.

THE BIG 400- 'nuff said!

 

Well Sports fans, Al here with the latest from the Box.

THE BIG 400 has started and that has had most of my attendtion even though I have techincally been done with the pieces of work for a couple months now.  And yes I have shown them on screen through the wonderment of the internet, nothing is like holding a Bennett Original!
Ask anyone.
Selling artwork is a hard deal but if you enjoy the creative aspect then you shouldn't have any issues at all with putting it out there.
Now I know that cranking out artwork can be a pain in the ass and selling it is even more so of a pain but in a group show that showcases 400 artists that have a set size and benifits the Oregon Food Bank it's all worth while.
Besides that you got to make these one off's the best you can.
I know for a fact that last night three of my pieces sold!  Sweet deal but it was the ones that sold that surprised me.  "The Last Astronaut", "Helmet Squid" and "The Hellhound".
But this is not the only thing that surprised me.   After talking to so many of my cohorts. Sales and other people always have different tastes than what you think is going to sell.
So that's basically the short of it for the gallery work and the end of the year.



COMMISSIONS:"The Gentle Giant" has been dropped off and one last commission to do and I'll be done!   And on top of that as I near the last one for this year I got approched by Jackson. One of the owners of N.W.I.P.A. for a poster for a celibration in March for Triple I.P.A.'s

For me that is good news since I haven't been looking for new commission work.

SERIOUS CORPSE COP NEWS:

Well Arctic Wolf has been sent off to the printer and I am expecting the copy to be arriving by no later than Christmas Eve.  Now that's a present!
There has been a lot of talk about Corpse Cop but little in the of actual work being printed.  That's true because like I have said before money is tight and with a little being made on the side from the sales of gallery work is making it possible for me to get the books printed.But there is one vast difference between the books previously put out by Black Box Comic is the fact that digital downloads are now available.   Here is the link to check out the NEWEST addtion to Black Box Comix!  CORPSE COP ARCTIC WOLF!                                                                                   ALSO as an added bonus the first copy of Coprsecile has been reviewed by the tie -ins with the Velvet Coffin production.  And the most current copy of Arctic Wolf was sent out Monday morning.  So two of the books should be reviewed in one sitting.

"Hop Thru the Heart"

"Down With the Weirdness"
2013 Copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

"Gentle Giant"
2013 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

To this I am looking forward to because for all I  know is Holly is not a comic book collector but has interst in the work because of my aassociation with The Velvet Coffin crew.

OTHER NEWS: 

I have been in touch with the gentleman who worked on the N.W.I.P.A hops zombie shirts and found that I know Matt from working on artwork at the Sling as he worked as bar back but now he has gone into busy for himself.    Matthew Mirpourian | Pen & Screen Printing Co. | 971.200.5002 | www.penandscreen.com 
He's a pretty cool dude and easy to deal with.
Small town but it sounds as if I coukd have some different shirts ready to go by the time the Crypticon rolls around.

The Gentle Giant is one the other two are Down With the Weirdness (for lack of a better name ) and Hop thru the Heart.  One of the other things I wanted to bring up is one of the new devices I have aquirred for BBVA.  A PHABLET.  I know a hilarious name but it fits. A multi tasking device for calls, emails, sales in tandem with my Square App.   And also a drawing table for quick ideas for future issuse of Corpse Cop and Future Cop.  Very very cool.

BIG SHOW NEWS:

A recent development has just occured here in the City of Portland.   Namely the Stumptown Comic Fest is no more.  According to the news coming oit from the local news magazine here called the Portland Mercury, organizers of the show have merged in with the Rose City Comicon.

This is a big deal since the idea of a independent comic venue is no longer availible what is sense in putting books together?

Cause there fun to do, thats why.

The policial comic book landscape of the Northwest came under attack last year as promotors of Wizard World swinging through and wanted to wipe out all competion with ECCC.

WELL there has been a huge blow back because of that and Rose City Comic Show only in it's second year now merged with the promotors of ECCC have absorbed Stumptown like a hungry amoeba. But in the process of being brought in the idea of independent seems lost now.  Being stuck in artist alley again and further away from where once you were front row has been stuck out in the boonies.   Stumptown had been plauged with problems for years and showed no sign of ever really getting it together.  But us little guys may pay the ultimate price for that.  

We'll see how things go.
Read the article and judge for yourself.

A SUDDEN R.I.P.
In my working with the production of the Velvet Coffin and writting the scripts and the like there has been a serious blow to the production crew with the loss of our friend Julie Koppy.  It is unfortunte that I only got to know her through my friend Randi and her husband Jason but what I did get from her was dedication to working with other people and comeing up with a few ideas along the way.
She will be missed.

OTHER NOTE WORTHY THINGS :

If your wanting to look at some of the older blog for Black Box Comix you can check them out here. Black Box Comix Blog.

There is also Twitter https://twitter.com/blackbox13 to follow and Tumbler The Other Scratchpad

blackbox13.tumblr.com/   as well 

Or if you're interested in purchasing something that catches your eye  check out here on the Big Cartel web site.  Big Cartel.

And of course is always the backlog of comics here at Indyplanet.

And that is it for the kid and I am out of here.
http://www.indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=9328

CORPSE COP : AS IN YOU AND ME.

Hey there sports fans, Al here with the latest:

CORPSE COP NEWS:

Corpse Cop "Arctic Wolf" is now completed and ready to be sent off to the printers back in Florida at Ka-Blam.
Again like I said in my last entry I would love to have it printed here in Portland but the cost is over the top.  Once again the monkey of money changes everything. 
And being a independent I have to throw what money I have at the things that will show the biggest return.
Mostly the gallery shows have been showing me that.  But the sales of Corpse Cop in the past have showed me that I can do well with comics that people want to buy and I still retain the creative freedom over the character.  And that is HUGE with a capital "H".

AND AS IF THAT WEREN'T ENOUGH... Corpse Cop continues onward in "Inhuman Torch".

Corpse Cop "Inhuman Torch" pg.10
2013 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

   This epic story starts off simply like any Corpse Cop story but with a twist set in the jungles of South America.

Corpse Cop "Inhuman Torch" pg.11
2013 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

The title should say it all. AND it is nearly twice as long as the pervious Corpse Cop story, "Arctic Wolf".  
If you take a look at the two instagram photos I have posted here of both pages 10 and 11 I think that this book may outshine the scratchboard copy of "Corpsecile" and equal it in  sales or even overshadow the previous books. Of course I take some serious pride in making these guys because each so much better than current copy out there.

But there is still more Corpse Cop to come. 

"VIRUS TECHNOLIS"  is next story where bone meets metal. 

AND OF COURSE ...
This doesn't limit Corpse Cop to crossing over into other universes.
And this all begins with the introduction of the the newest character to come out of Black Box Comix- FUTURE COP!  
In this  second massive addition of Werid Atomic Tales this story will focus upon the Future Vega Universe and involve a lot parallel universe jumping.  You could say that this story would cover everything that the Condo of Concepts has ever come up with in one form or another.  You can blame me for watching Fringe and reading a lot of Micheal Moorecock's "The Eternal Champion" series.  I've been reading them since I was 16-17 and there is so much out there I have yet to read!
Eventually there will be and ever shall be an anthology of some kind of Corpse Cop and Weird Atomic Tales is the place for that to happen.  

  As things move forward like the sun through sky the creative process pushes me forth and sometimes that means physical pain to show for it.   My hands and lower back ache as try to make these projects happen.

Corpse Cop -Time Bike
2013 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

With that being said a  new story of Corpsey is coming together on the form of "VIRUS TECHNOLIS".
This will give one of  the reasons why Corpse Cop shows up at all these "events". 
And with Doktor Plutarious involved nothing good can ever come out of it.
To me, there is almost nothing more despicable than technology- even though I have to use it all the time.
As everyone does.
   But the I have to get use to it in this day and age in order to get my point across.
   BUT THAT'S JUST my option on it.  Of course with the loss of the computer over the last month tells me how much I depend on it. 
BESIDES THAT... Corpsey is dealing with an old friend of his- Doktor Plutarious!  If you had picked up the Crossover of Weird Atomic Tales (and really there is no reason why you shouldn't ) there s a tie between the two of them.

AND ON THAT FRONT :

Another story is being developed for CC right now amiss all the busy work for the O.M.S. and the BIG 400.  

But if you wanta play catch up check out this link for the one CC's first adventures at indyplanet.com http://indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4799

AND EVEN FURTHER MORE ON CORPSE COP :
I know this sounds flogging a dead horse but I have a cop of the undead here to deal with that!
As some characters are recycled and others are created from the ashes of old "The Mother of All Crossovers" with the creation and introduction of Future Cop. 
This is epic story where time travel is forbidden by the HUB and takes place easily over hundred years since the time of Vega.

Future Cop cover prototype
2013 Copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

And of course Corpse Cop is involved because he has to deal with reprecussions of a time line being changed and altered.  This might even change the origin of what we know as Corpse Cop!

ALAN'S SOAP BOX THIS WEEK:

Love of Comics.  In all of the art that has been produced this year for gallery shows and the commissions there is still the need to let the little kid play and read comics.  That's me.  I love them.  They were around to help me take care with dealing with the problems and ills of being a teen.   Though I will say that there hasn't been many titles of late  that I have  really got into since almost everyone that I have seen on the comic stand, THEY ALL LOOK THE SAME!

I guess in that sense might be the reason I have been working hard to make the comics that I have been creating look much different than that of the typical Marvel or DC comic. The scratchboard Corpse Cop or the Maker Corpse Cop books as well.  

I'll see if I can make the Future Cop books look different than what I have done traditionally with pen and ink.  The look will be very stark in contrast with Corpse Cop addition to the copy of Weird Atomic tales.  I just want the book to stand out.  And it goes back to an idea that I had a while back when I was doing the Vega  books too at the time.  We'll see.

COMMISSIONS:

"The Gentle Giant"commission for Rose H. of the Slingshot Lounge is now finally done and ready to be handed off to her as a present for her daughter Lola.
The Re-Scrubs third and final thumbnail has been sent off to Shaun to see which one they want to go with.  But it has been sounding like the second thumbnail I sent off might be the one to modify.  
COMMISSION UPDATE; THE RE-SCRUBS.
Well as it has come no surprise that when a commission is actually agreed upon nothing gets done for free unless you have the carrot out there.
That metaphorical carrot is called cash.
Sean (proper spelling for him) had finally dropped cash on the cover for his his band cover so now I have to do it and it will awesome!

I should mention that I do commissions. It usually depends size, complexity of the piece, varnished and framed.  I.E. Gilrandree Commission 11"x14" varnished, one subject, no frame- $175.00  Usually half down and half on completion of project.  Easiest way for payments is through Paypal  using my email address blackboxcomix@yahoo.com.

If you are curious about it please email me at blackboxcomix@yahoo.com

ON TOP OF THAT..

ODDITIES:

Actual film work being done for webcast show called the Velvet Coffin.  Initally I had been brought into the production as story board artist but as continued my association with production I began to wear many different hats.- as story boardist, screenwriter, producer,  props, assassiant director, assassiant camra man and a zombie extra, second unit camera man, assistant director, producer guy.

More of this info can be found at  www.thevelvetcoffin.co.

OTHER NOTE WORTHY THINGS :

If your wanting to look at some of the older blog for Black Box Comix you can check them out here. Black Box Comix Blog.

There is also Twitter https://twitter.com/blackbox13 to follow and Tumbler The Other Scratchpad

blackbox13.tumblr.com/   as well 

Or if you're interested in purchasing something that catches your eye  check out here on the Big Cartel web site.  Big Cartel.

And of course is always the backlog of comics here at Indyplanet.

And the kid is out of here! 

HAPPY BELATED THANKSGIVING!

Hey there sports fans, Al here with the latest:

BIG 400 EVENT

THE ONE MAN SHOW:
Is here and nearly gone as within a weeks time or so O.M.S. will be coming down from the Slingshot Lounge.   I would have to say it has been a very exciting and nerve racking learning expertise  for the Kid.
Lots complementary things from friends and family as well as other comments  from complete strangers.
And the sale of these pieces of work again tells me I'm on the right track for making this style of artwork.
BUT as one show ends another begins- The BIG 400!
Again this is a great group show that I have done very year  over the last three and that I have been proud to be apart of.
And from talking via emails with Chris Haberman one of the owners of the Galley I might have a chance for another OMS the in the future at one of their locations here PDX.
That would be perfect for the Kid.

CORPSE COP NEWS:

Corpse Cop #3 "Inhuman Torch"
2013 copyright BBVA and Alan Bennett

Corpse Cop #2 "Arctic Wolf"
2013 copyright BBVA and Alan Bennett

"ARCTIC WOLF" is going through the paces as edits are being placed on it for the future printing and placement on the Indyplanet website and hopefully digital downloads as well.  I had wanted to print up here in PDX but time constraints and cost just isn't making it possible for me to do it.

"Inhuman Torch"  final script maybe have been completed BUT that doesn't mean that Corpse Cop out of the picture.  And I mean that literally. 
With that being said a  new story of Corpsey is coming together on the form of "VIRUS TECHNOLIS".
This will give one of  the reasons why Corpse Cop shows up at all these "events". 
And with Doktor Plutarious being involved, nothing good can ever come out of that.
Just ask Jason Pott the writer of Weird Atomic Tales or Jonny Morbid and Johnny Vega about that guy.  In writing that story
to me, there is almost nothing more despicable than technology- even though I have to use it all the time.
As thats like  everyone does these days.
   BUT THAT'S JUST my option on it.  Of course with the loss of the computer over the last month tells me how much I depend on tech. 
BESIDES THAT AGAIN... Corpsey will be dealing with his old friend- Doktor Plutarious!  If you had picked up the Crossover of Weird Atomic Tales (and really there is no reason why you shouldn't ) there s a tie between the two of them.

AND ON THAT FRONT :

But if you wanta play catch up check out this link for the one CC's first adventures at indyplanet.com 

Corpse Cop- Time Bike!

AND EVEN FURTHER MORE ON CORPSE COP and FUTURE COP :

As some characters are recycled and others are created from the ashes of old "The Mother of All Crossovers" with the creation and introduction of Future Cop!
This is epic story where time travel is forbidden by the HUB and takes place easily over hundreds of years since the time of Vega and far into his past.
And of course Corpse Cop is involved because he has to deal with repercussions of a time line being changed and altered.

This book will cover many of the pulp story ideas that had been kicked around as well as including characters from the Vega time line that had been printed and those stories that work into the cannon of Vega.

Many ideas are being kicked around the Condo of Concepts TM.  

Gentle Giant Commission 9"x12" Scratchboard

COMMISSIONS:

"The Gentle Giant" commission for Rose H. of the Slingshot Lounge is now finally done and ready to be handed off to her as a present for her daughter Lola.
The Re-Scrubs third and final thumbnail has been sent off to Shaun to see which one they want to go with.  But it has been sounding like the second thumbnail I sent off might be the one to modify.   

I should mention that I do commissions. It usually depends size, complexity of the piece, varnished and framed.  I.E. Gilrandree Commission 11"x14" varnished, one subject, no frame- $175.00  Usually half down and half on completion of project.  Easiest way for payments is through Paypal  using my email address blackboxcomix@yahoo.com.

If you are curious about it please email me at blackboxcomix@yahoo.com

ALAN'S SOAP BOX THIS WEEK:

Nothing really to say other than the computer that is on loan to me but I will use it to the best of my ability!

ODDITIES:

Actual film work being done for webcast show called the Velvet Coffin.  initially I had been brought into the production as story board artist but as continued my association with production I began to wear many different hats.- as story boardist, screenwriter, producer,  props, assistant director, assistant camera man and a zombie extra, second unit camera man, assistant director, producer guy.
So FAR a intro has been filmed and a teaser for the show but many changes have taken place within and from without making filming durring the holidays kinda a major pain.  But we move forward.

More of this info can be found at  www.thevelvetcoffin.co.

OTHER NOTE WORTHY THINGS :

If your wanting to look at some of the older blog for Black Box Comix you can check them out here. Black Box Comix Blog.

There is also Twitter https://twitter.com/blackbox13 to follow and Tumbler The Other Scratchpad

blackbox13.tumblr.com/   as well. 

Or if you're interested in purchasing something that catches your eye  check out here on the Big Cartel web site.  Big Cartel.

And of course is always the backlog of comics here at Indyplanet.

And the kid is out of here! 

Apologies For the Lack of Info

 HEY THERE SPORTS FANS,  AL HERE WITH THE LATEST::

WELCOME BACK!
Man I tell you it has been a crazy month and half as the mass completion of The One Man Show was just about ready to go up and hoopla that goes with it, my computer tower crashes and burned. 
NOT FREAKIN' COOL MAN!
But I am surviving until I can figure out what the hell is wrong with it
COMPUTER UPDATE:
As fate had it after taking the beast into the shop it was determined that both the processor and power supply was out of commission.
THERE WAS HOWEVER no loss of digital information on the two hard drives.   THAT'S A HUGE RELIEF!
That being said Super hero Dan DePaolo came to the rescue with another tower almost exactly like the one I had so transfer of the of hard drive was not a problem, the software was a slight change making everything near the same as I had it before. 

SO with anything else a HUGE THANK YOU TO MISTER DAN DEPAOLO!

The Cover for Corpse Cop #2
Prototype Copyright Black Box Comix 2013

HOWEVER the thief known as time did leave certain outstanding projects such as heavy scans of the gallery work and putting the finishing touches on Corpse Cop "Arctic Wolf " on hold for a great period of time.
Being able to barrow a scanner is one thing from a friend.  It is quiet another to barrow time on somebody else's computer with photoshop.
An Kinko's makes way to expensive to use their system.
So unfortunately Arctic Wolf will not be making it to Jet City Comic Show this year.  
Aggravating to say the least.

But everything now seems to be moving into fast gear for next year shows and books.  Corpse Cop should be under way within the next month as well as getting edits ready the "Inhuman Torch" story that I have been busting out and posting via Instagram.

THE ONE MAN SHOW (A.K.A. OMS)

It came off as a huge success for the kid here.  Sold several different little things that were associated with both comics and the art of scratchboard and buttons!  My friend Joey Maas whom helped me get the gig and helped hang up the art complemented me for having other associated merchandise to have and sell if someone could afford a large piece of original scratchiness.  Selling not one large piece but two ("In the Nick of Time" for the Paula Akin Collection and "Deep Sea Calamari" for The Eric and Amy Collection respectively) over the course of last month.  Almost enough to cover  the cost of framing and everything.    

The Copier
THERE IS ONE THING that surprised me:

I know there is a lot of liking for Steampunk material and so on and as it turned out Richard Parker came out of that.  BUT so close after the OMS at the Slingshot I happened along this.
Another deep sea diver being show cased in a window of a competing art retail store closer to home. 
C'mon man, really?   

Well after getting off the phone with my friend George for today that charging into a another art store and showing outrage for an image that mirrors my own work he suggested that I put a positive spin on it and approach the art store to show case my work in their window.
Personally I think this is a much better idea than going after somebody.

BUT  I'm still a little incensed by this, SO Richard Parker is going to get his damn show and anybody who copies it and says "it was just by accident " can suck it!
SO in short, I am still working out what has happened and still plugging away to play catch up.

If your wanting to look at some of the older blog for Black Box Comix you can check them out here. Black Box Comix Blog.

Or if you're interested in purchasing something that catches your eye  check out here on the Big Cartel web site.  Big Cartel.

And of course is always the backlog of comics here at Indyplanet.

And other merchandise here

http://blackboxvisualarts.bigcartel.com/

And I am outta here.
ALAN

Hop thru the Heart