From the MARDL YouTube channel, the second hero-pulp video essay:

From the Youtube MARDL channel, a brief history of The Shadow. It’s the first of my hero pulp video essays.

It’s definitely been quiet around here. I’ve been dealing with some personal issues regarding the writing of the book. The world continues to intrude upon the creation of “Challenger Storm: Isle of Blood”. Hopefully, these are past and the writing will continue. I’m near the end of the book, and am sure that once past the current barriers, I should be done soon. Please stand by…

Dave Stevens has passed away.

Forgive me if this seems odd, but his death has definitely affected me. His style, dynamic and yet so classic, was one of my all-time favorites. But more than that, The Rocketeer comics were one of my prime initiations into the world of pulp-style adventure. Stevens’ “good girl” art introduced me to the classic pin-up style of days gone by and Bettie Page.

He’s been a part of my pop-culture life since it crystallized… I drink coffee from a Rocketeer mug, for cryin’ out loud.

Look, I could write volumes about Dave’s work and his passing. I’ll just leave it at this: he will be missed, and there won’t be many more like him.

I’ve been toying with the idea of some kind of MARDL poster using vintage industrial-style illustrations. Gabriel threw together this great and gritty piece showing that direction. Good on ya’, Gabe!

Not 100% satisfied with the length vs. music thing, but I think I did OK, with some help from the lovely Annie.

Well, as I always threatened to do, I have taken steps to put some of my artwork online.

A word of warning: I did these at work, on yellow lined paper. At the end of the day we shred our notes, so these were torn from those notes (hence the rough edges). Also, the pics were taken with our digital camera, in a rush… hence the non-scanner quality. And some wouldn’t re-size too well, so you have to click the link to see them. Excuses, excuses…

And now, for your viewing (dis)pleasure:

First, some illustrations of my pulp character projects-

The Black Wing.

An early attempt to illustrate my characters The Cipher and Challenger Storm (note the pre-hood version of The Cipher).

Another early pic of The Cipher (pre-hood again) and Clifton “Challenger” Storm, in action this time.

A “title card” of sorts, illustrating the opening prologue from “Isle of Blood”

Next up, some horror stuff-

Foul Lich Priest (see it here.)

Robert W. Chambers’ “The King In Yellow”

Lovecraft’s Egg- a tattoo design (I’m proud of this one… see it here.)

HPL’s Mythos Babies. They’ll steal your soul… and warm your heart! (See ‘em here.)

And finally, something wistful-

“Dream”

“Dream” (detail)