So we’re looking for an artist to handle a backup in the new Middleman book. Here’s a press release:

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Jason M. Burns
burns.viper@gmail.com

Viper Comics Announces Artist Search for Latest Installment of ‘The Middleman’

Winner of Pin-Up Contest to Draw an Excerpt of the Upcoming Graphic Novel!

March 5, 2007: If you’re an artist in search of your big break, it’s time to pull out your pencils and put on your game face with the announcement of Viper Comics’ latest pin-up contest. The brainchild of The Middleman writer/creator Javier Grillo-Marxuach and artist Les McClaine, aspiring pencilers will compete for the chance to draw an alternate ending in the upcoming third installment of the critically acclaimed series due to premiere at San Diego Comic Con later this year.

Those artists interested in participating are asked to submit a fully colored pin-up featuring characters from existing Middleman storylines as well as two pages of sequential samples by March 28, 2007. The top three submissions received (as judged by Grillo-Marxuach and McClaine) will be printed in the pages of the The Middleman: The Third Volume Inescapability. The grand prize winner will receive masthead credit alongside of the creators and will be chosen to draw the alternate ending to the latest installment of the series, which has been scripted by Grillo-Marxuach, writer/producer of NBC’s Medium and former writer/producer of ABC’s Lost.

“This is a huge opportunity for an aspiring artist to get noticed and hopefully, jumpstart a career,” says Viper Comics President Jessie Garza. “The Middleman has been so well-received throughout the industry that we think this is a great way to expose new talent that, for whatever reason, has yet to been given a chance. It’s our hope that we can give someone the break they’ve been looking for.

In the third installment of the series, The Middleman and Wendy return in an all-new adventure that redefines “shocking destiny” — and NOTHING will be the same after the uncompromising finale! Including a dizzying alternate ending (as drawn by you), a stunning sketch gallery and a twisting collection of fan art, The Third Volume Inescapability will change The Middleman forever!

Those interested in submitting a pin-up to the contest should send jpg or pdf files to middleman@vipercomics.com by March 28, 2007. Winners will be announced on April 2, 2007 at www.vipercomics.com.

The Middleman: The Third Volume Inescapability will ship to stores in July.

For more information on The Middleman and Viper Comics, visit: www.vipercomics.com.

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So I’ve been coming up with some concept work for a short story I’m planning to do in the next week or so for an anthology. The idea is a sort of a fantasy western where everyone’s a rock musician and duels are fought with guitars instead of guns. I drew this panel to get a feel for the kind of style I want to use. I want to go with a stylized color palette like this one. What do you think? I like the chalky texture I got there. There’s also supposed to be a big “BRANGGG” sound effect there but I didn’t put it in because I’m tired. I’m also trying to decide if I want to go with a pen style like the one I used in this panel or with a brush. Brush might make it a little rounder? But the designs are kind of stylized. Help!

I also did up some character designs. The plot involves a lone guitarist coming to town to take care of a band of outlaws. I like most of them, but I think the bassist and the lead guitarist need a little work. The fun part is getting reference and drawing all these neat guitars. The hard part is striking a balance between rock ‘n roll and cowboy styles.

edit:  I’m looking at this after posting and I think the problem is that the two guys on the right look like sort of filthy rock ‘n roll dive-bar types and the two on the left look like clean studio-musician types.  I need to grunge them up a bit.  Work on that after some sleep.

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