Slave Leia

Princess Leia in her slave costume. A commission I just did.

Amber

Here's actress Amber Heard based on a photo.

Mike Wieringo

I know a lot of people in comics, but only few of them I consider friends and Mike Wieringo was one of my closest friends and confidant. He died yesterday. He was only 44.

I met Mike early in my career. He was one of the few big name pencilers that requested me as an inker. We spoke to one another often and seemingly endlessly. We talked about what we liked and disliked about the industry, our dreams and aspirations, and a bunch of crazy stuff that had nothing to do with art or comics. Whenever I needed him, I could always count on him.

Mike was an amazing artist and great human being. There is goodness in his soul. He will always be my friend.

Miranda

Here's Miranda Kerr from a photo.

Pineapple Express

Back to back nights for me of watching movies written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and the fellas score again. Pineapple Express (directed by David Gordon Green) is about a pot head (Rogen) and his dealer (James Franco) who are on the run when a major drug dealer goes after them after Rogen witnesses him killing a rival. Amber Heard (who I will draw in the near future) plays Rogen's girlfriend who is a high school student.

Having seen two Rogen/Goldberg flicks in subsequent days I noticed recurring themes: they have a fondness for homoerotic humor (there's a hilarious scene where Rogen and Franco try to escape from having their hands bound and end up in positions that look like they're having sex), male friendship is more important than the love of any woman ("bros before hos"), and they also set both their flicks in the town of Clark County (wherever the hell that is) where incompetent and/or corrupt cops seem to run rampant.

I like the two characters' idiocy and awkwardness in action such as when Franco has to kick out the windshield of a speeding car he is driving and gets his foot stuck instead. I would have liked to have seen that awkwardness applied to their use of guns in the big shoot out, but that's just a nitpick. The movie doesn't come out until next year so they might even reshoot that stuff. Whether they do or not, it's funny and worth watching.

Two Cool Dudes

Who were the two coolest dudes at this past San Diego Comic-Con? Clive Owen and Robert Downey Jr. of course. Since I don't have a photo of them, here's Pierre Bernard and me.

Speaking of cool dudes, I have seen Superbad twice already (one of the great things about living in L.A.). It's written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and directed by Greg Mottola. It's a funny movie about three high school losers trying to get alcohol for a party and score with chicks. Check it out.

Stardust

I have all the Stardust books, but have yet to read them. I did see the movie earlier tonight and I like it. It's about a young man who goes into a magical world in search of a fallen star to give to his unrequited love. In his journey he has adventures and finds true romance. There is also good humor with Robert De Niro and Ricky Gervais. Go watch it.