Dan Cooney Art

Snarky Wedding Commission

2012-01-19T08:41:00.000-05:00

Pen & ink - 9" x 12"

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T21:00:00.000-05:00

Have a safe and Happy New Year! I can't wait to share with you all the new artwork coming out in 2012! Let's make it rock!

2012 Preview

2011-12-24T09:29:00.000-05:00

Hey folks, I know you're all busy with the holidays, but we wanted to post a little preview of what's to come in 2012 for Valentine. Happy Holidays!

Meet Dana Valentine: young, beautiful, and deadly. But can violence be a force for good? Find out, as novelist Noel Hynd and artist Daniel Cooney team up to take you on a breathless trip across the world’s hot spots and bring you something new: the illustrated action-adventure novel. The zip and pizazz of a comic meets the literary style of a novel. Hang on, and stay out of Dana’s line of fire.

WIP Preview

2011-12-03T11:06:00.002-05:00

WIP piece for instructional book, due out next year from Barron's Educational Series.

Preview Friday!

2011-11-11T14:49:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I posted, I guess that's a good thing being so busy these days as a family man, art teacher, authoring a new instructional book on figure drawing for comics and this cool project Bad Ass Girls graphic novel created by Christopher Ameruoso & written by Tom Malloy. I can only share a small bit of the project, but can say production of the film begins in 2012 with the graphic novel completed by June 2012.

Head Studies

2011-09-20T10:34:00.002-04:00

Posting some preview work in progress for my follow up book to Writing and Illustrating The Graphic Novel. This book will focus on a step-by-step approach to figure drawing for drawing comics and graphic novels. The work I'm sharing with you here is a preview for the facial expressions portion of the book. I'm having fun with these for all the various expressions I can draw, though some of them need a bit of polishing up before they see print. The book is due out from Barron's Publishing the latter part of 2012.

Exciting Announcement!

2011-09-15T11:47:00.000-04:00

I'm thrilled to announce I'll be illustrating the graphic novel Bad Ass Girls based on the screenplay by Tom Malloy. Trick Candle Productions is producing the film along with Chris

Ameruoso, which starts pre-production at the end of 2011 with filming slated in 2012.

I'll keep you posted with updates as the graphic novel develops. The story rocks and I can't wait for you to see both!

http://www.trickcandle.com/

Daniel Cooney is represented by William Morris Endeavor Entertainment

The Atomic Yeti - In Full Color!

2011-08-10T11:33:00.000-04:00

I couldn't more pleased of how this promo piece for The Atomic Yeti pitch turned out by artist Bill Reinhold and colorist Paul Mounts. Bill's ink work made my pencil work that much better -- such a talent! Paul's color work just leaves me in awe. I'm lucky to have friends like them to work with in comics.

The Rocketeer -- Once more, with color!

2011-07-19T08:49:00.000-04:00

The incredible Paul Mounts did a kick ass job on The Rocketeer, one of my favorite characters. Thank you Dave Stevens, for creating an inspiring hero.

The Rocketeer!

2011-07-14T22:29:00.000-04:00

The Atomic Yeti Cover

2011-07-11T10:43:00.002-04:00

Bill Reinhold did a phenomenal job inking the cover for the The Atomic Yeti. More of this comic series will be revealed soon! I'll be exhibiting at Comic-Con International July 20 - 24 -- stop by the Dan Cooney Art BOOTH 5530 right by the front entrance of LOBBY B2.

Batgirl!

2011-07-10T20:00:00.000-04:00

Batgirl Pen & Ink - color prints will be available at Comic-Con - Dan Cooney Art BOOTH 5530 / Aisle 1900

Valentine Promo Piece

2011-06-27T22:20:00.000-04:00

This pen & ink piece was produced for a prose book Valentine series written by author Noel Hynd (Ghosts, The Russian Trilogy) based on an unpublished Valentine story I wrote. It's gonna rock folks.

Preview of Atomic Yeti Cover for pitch in progress.

2011-06-21T17:52:00.001-04:00

UPDATE: The AMAZINGLY TALENTED BILL REINHOLD will be inking this cover work. So excited to be working with Bill again! I'll post when it's completed.

The Rocketeer - Heroes Con Art Auction

2011-06-05T10:21:00.000-04:00

I worked on this pen & ink of The Rocketeer for the Heroes Con Art Auction on Saturday at my table. I was happy that it sold for $350 and went for a good cause. Heroes Con is becoming a favorite show to do because it's comic book centric and the down-to-earth vibe is a welcome contrast to the crazier shows like Comic Con. I'm looking forward to returning again next year -- it's been a blast!

Heroes Con

2011-06-01T10:22:00.002-04:00

Hey folks,
Big prep day before leaving for Charlotte tomorrow for Heroes Con. Signing books, art prints & Commissions - Small Press AA57 June 3 - 5th
www.heroesonline.com/heroescon

Excuse me, Miss...

2011-04-18T11:46:00.002-04:00

Preview page from The Tommy Gun Dolls -- Detective Sullivan interviewing Rouletta Lockhart.

My New Book Is Now Available To Buy

2011-03-23T12:34:00.005-04:00

The book I spent over a year authoring Writing and Illustrating The Graphic Novel is now available to buy. I worked with a fantastic group of editors and staff in the UK for Quarto Publishing who oversaw the production of the book published by Barron's Publishing and couldn't be happier with the results. Several writers, educators, and artists contributed to the book, Chad Hardin, Joko Budino, Brian Schirmer, Eric Trautman, Matt Silady, Dan Wickline, Mark Simmons, John Heebink, Walden Wong, Jason McNamara, Rahsan Ekedal, Jeremy Saliba, Adam Wallenta, Mark Schultz, Dave Stevens, Nate Piekos, and more!

You can purchase it here through Amazon for a good deal.

I'll have a limited number of copies for sale at my table in Artist Alley #53 during Wonder Con April 1 - 3 Moscone Convention Center in SF. See you there!

Sketch of the Day

2011-03-03T09:23:00.000-05:00

Kill Bill inspired sketch drawn first with pencil, scanned and changed to blue line printed out on Strathmore 500 series 2ply vellum. Inked with Winsor & Newton Series 7 Sable #2, microns for details, white gouache for effects.

Figure Drawing Workshop

2011-02-25T10:37:00.001-05:00

I attended my first drawing workshop here on the island at Featherstone Center for the Arts. I hadn't drawn with a live model in quite sometime and was a bit rusty at first and by the second hour I was getting into a bit of a groove. I'm pleasantly surprised how these drawings came out, but definitely need to improve in some areas of my life drawing skills.

Marvel Dames - Sketch Card Style

2011-02-10T20:07:00.001-05:00

These are some of the sketch cards I recently completed for Rittenhouse Archives who like many other companies, holds the license for Marvel characters for publication. This set is titled "Dangerous Divas." I suggested dangerous dames but there was no reply about it, joking, but a good title yes?
I've included some of my favorites from the job.

Sketch of the Day - Tommy Gun Dolls / Blood Never Lies ;)

2011-01-29T21:04:00.000-05:00

Writing and Illustrating the Graphic Novel

2011-01-28T10:54:00.001-05:00

I'm excited to announce my book I worked on for over a year will finally be coming out in April, titled Writing and Illustrating The Graphic Novel from Barron's Publishing.
This was a dream come to have authored and illustrated a book geared toward the academic mindset for creating comic books. Several artists and writers contributed their wonderful work for the book. You can preorder the book now and I've provided a couple of links.
For retailers, libraries or academic institutions, I'm available for workshops and book signings. For schedule information - dancooneyart@gmail.com

Preorder:
Diamond Distributors
http://diamondcomics.com/public/
Item Code - JAN11 1453

Comic Shop Locator - 888-comic-book
http://www.comicshoplocator.com/

Sketch of the Day - Detective's Desk

2011-01-27T20:29:00.000-05:00

Sketch of the Day - Tommy Gun Dolls

2011-01-26T12:41:00.001-05:00

Tom Baker Doctor Who

2010-12-28T23:41:00.000-05:00

This one was inked entirely with a Pentel Pocket Pen Brush and highlighted with Pro White with a synthetic brush with Delter pens for details.

Zatanna

2010-12-28T23:39:00.000-05:00

The hand drawn logo is from the old comic series and hand colored.

Dashiell's 1st Birthday Art

2010-11-17T11:51:00.000-05:00

I had a lot of fun drawing up the artwork for my son Dashiell's one year birthday coming up. Quite the change up from my usual work. I'm so intimidated by color and I think I'll more of this type of work to see what happens. I used Dr. Ph. Martins colored ink, india ink, Copic Marker and white gouache for highlights.

Boba Fett

2010-11-06T21:09:00.001-04:00

To draw this trading card, I used a mechanical pencil .03mm 2h lead, an F lead pointer pencil, Pelican Ink, Dr. Ph Martin's colored ink Crimson, Copic markers, Deleter gray markers and Pro White for the highlights.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

2010-11-06T14:34:00.000-04:00

Obi-Wan Kenobi - I used a mechanical pencil .03mm 2h lead, an F lead pointer pencil, Pelican Ink, Dr. Ph Martin's colored ink Crimson, Copic markers, Deleter gray markers and Pro White for the highlights.

2010-11-06T01:52:00.001-04:00

C3PO - I used a mechanical pencil .03mm 2h lead, an F lead pointer pencil, Pelican Ink, Dr. Ph Martin's colored ink Crimson, Copic markers, Deleter gray markers and Pro White for the highlights.

Darth Vader

2010-11-05T22:10:00.000-04:00

I used a mechanical pencil .03mm 2h lead, an F lead pointer pencil, Pelican Ink, Dr. Ph Martin's colored ink Crimson, Copic markers, Deleter gray markers and Pro White for the highlights.

Portfolio Update

2010-11-05T00:43:00.000-04:00

New commission posted for X-Men artist proof sketch card for Rittenhouse Archives. Storm vs. Sentinel -- who you got?

APE This Weekend in San Francisco

2010-10-13T16:10:00.000-04:00

After going to Los Angeles and New York City the past couple of weeks, I'll be wrapping up my convention season this weekend at the Alternative Press Expo this weekend. Stop by table 254 and say hi. http://www.comic-con.org/

Valentine: Reloaded

2010-09-18T12:15:00.000-04:00

Hey folks,
Valentine: Reloaded Chapter 3 is now available for your iPhone or iPad using the Comixology app.

You can read Valentine one of two ways:
ONLINE - https://comics.comixology.com/#/issue/2591/Valentine-Reloaded-1
iPhone / iPad - itunes.com/apps/Comics

- Download the Free Comics app
- Open Comic app and choose browse to search by creator or series
- Download the free preview and Enjoy!

Please give VALENTINE: RELOADED a rating when you're finished reading, and thank you for your support!

Valentine: Reloaded the book is now available for purchase through my store -- signed with a sketch! http://valentinecomic.com/store/ Act now for special web special price!

Valentine: Reloaded Pedicabs

2010-07-20T10:50:00.000-04:00

Hey folks, here's a preview of the pedicabs that will be hitting the streets during Comic-Con 2010 with some great looking ads for Valentine. The new book debuts at Booth 5530 during Preview night at Comic-Con. Stop by and pick up a signed copy.

Commissions

2010-07-11T23:11:00.001-04:00

Here's a three card Star Wars Galaxy 4 set of The Bounty Hunters I completed for a commission. I had a lot of fun on this one.

VALENTINE: RELOADED Ebooks on Comixology

2010-07-09T14:45:00.000-04:00

Hey folks,
I'm excited to announce Valentine is now available for the iPhone and iPad through the Comixology app. The first chapter offers a FREE preview of the soon to be released VALENTINE: RELOADED book. Future installments will include the all-new full-color "Plan B For Blonde."

You can read Valentine one of two ways:
ONLINE - https://comics.comixology.com/#/issue/2591/Valentine-Reloaded-1
iPhone / iPad - itunes.com/apps/Comics

- Download the Free Comics app
- Open Comic app and choose browse to search by creator or series
- Download the free preview and Enjoy!

Please give VALENTINE: RELOADED a rating when you're finished reading, and thank you for your support!

You can buy the book available exclusively at Comic-Con International July 21 - 25 at my booth "Dan Cooney
Art" #5530 or through your local comic book retailer the following week.

C2 Entertainment Presents: Who is Dana Valentine?

2010-07-06T16:24:00.000-04:00

Who is Dana Valentine?

Dana Valentine: Beauty, Brains and Bullets is set to be an action-packed film based on the comic-book by Daniel Cooney about a female contract-killer with a penchant for risk and violence.

So, who IS the face of Dana Valentine? Which actresses do you see as filling the part of this femme fatale? What sort of plots and effects do you want seen in this movie? C2 Entertainment wants to hear what you think over at their Facebook page. Become a fan, comment with your thoughts, and spread the word. We're looking to hear from you!

http://www.facebook.com/WhoIsDanaValentine

Valentine: Plan B For Blonde

2010-06-26T00:22:00.000-04:00

Here's a teaser page of the awesome color work of Steve Buccellato on Valentine: Plan B For Blonde! Due out next month in the Valentine: Reloaded edition. Story and art by me and colors by Steve. There's still time to order this deadly gem from your local comic book retailer or if you're at Comic-Con, stop by Booth 5530 for a signed copy.

VALENTINE: RELOADED

2010-04-30T10:58:00.000-04:00

VALENTINE: RELOADED
AVAILABLE JULY 2010
Order Your Copy in Diamond May Previews
Page 335 • Red Eye Press
Item Code MAY10 1112 – PREVIEWSWORLD.COM
Preorder Valentine Now

Collects Valentine Issues 1-9 Revised & Re-edited

Plus ALL NEW FULL-COLOR ONE SHOT “PLAN B FOR BLONDE”
256 PAGES • $19.99

An edgy and stylish action series that explores the dichotomy of a killer on the job and the crippling psychological after-effects.
Written and illustrated by Daniel Cooney for Red Eye Press.

Soon To Be A Major Motion Picture!

Noel Hynd Pairs with Daniel Cooney for Valentine Adaptation

2010-04-03T12:29:00.000-04:00

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Noel Hynd, bestselling author of the highly acclaimed novels The Enemy Within, Conspiracy in Kiev, and Ghosts has teamed with comic artist and writer Daniel Cooney to adapt Cooney’s signature series, Valentine, into an original prose novel.

Valentine, a comic book series written and illustrated by Cooney for his own publishing imprint, Red Eye Press, features Dana Valentine as a female contract killer whose addictive attraction to risk and violence in the deadly world of murder-for-hire makes her a liability to everyone she has ever met. The edgy and stylish action series explores the dichotomy of a killer on the job and the psychological after-effects of a woman who has chosen a morally questionable profession.

Cooney enthuses, "I'm so excited to be working with Noel, whose work I have long admired, on a novelization of my character Valentine. I've been producing Valentine comics and graphic novels for more than 13 years now, and having it turned into a prose novel is like a dream come true. We've got a riveting, hard-hitting story in the works that's going to blow your mind!"

Hynd and Cooney’s novelization will be a prequel to Cooney’s three previously published graphic novels, Fully Loaded, Red Rain, and The Killing Moon. The story will focus on the never-before-explored origin of the title character, and will reveal the fateful first hit that turned Valentine into a contract killer.

“I’ve been a fan of graphic novels for many years and am currently collaborating with some of the best writers and artists in Europe, also. Dan is up-and-coming and a future American star in the business. His Valentine art work is a knock-out. I greatly look forward to working with him,” Noel adds.

Cooney and Hynd are both represented by William Morris Endeavor Entertainment.
For further information or press inquiries, contact WME agent Kirby Kim at kkim@wmeentertainment.com.

About Noel Hynd
Noel Hynd has been a widely read author for many years. He is best known for novels of espionage and suspense, but his novel Ghosts is considered a classic in modern supernatural fiction. He has been on The New York Times Book Review’s New and Recommended lists and has more than four million books in print in seven languages around the world. Two of his recent novels, Conspiracy in Kiev and Midnight in Madrid were top sellers on Amazon Kindle in 2009, hitting positions number one and number two in December of last year.

About Daniel Cooney
Daniel Cooney is the accomplished comics writer and illustrator of books such as Valentine and the soon-to-be-released graphic novel The Tommy Gun Dolls. Cooney has established himself as an illustrator for various book publishers, as well as licensed properties of comics, television and film. Cooney resides in the San Francisco Bay area with his wife and newborn son, where he teaches writing and drawing comics at the Academy of Art University.

Sketch of the Day

2010-03-24T21:19:00.001-04:00

Maggie Montana from The Tommy Gun Dolls

VALENTINE: RELOADED

2010-03-15T05:33:00.001-04:00

VALENTINE: RELOADED -- Collecting issues 1 - 9 Revised and Re-edited including an ALL NEW FULL COLOR ONE SHOT, VALENTINE: PLAN B FOR BLONDE.
256 BIG PAGES Debuting at Comic-Con July 2010.

Sketch of the Day

2010-03-14T17:21:00.001-04:00

It's been a while but here's a warm up sketch for today. Poppy Harlow, Betty Royale and Rouletta Lockhart from The Tommy Gun Dolls.

Sketch of the Day

2010-02-28T21:45:00.000-05:00

Betty Royale from The Tommy Gun Dolls.

Sketch of the Day

2010-02-26T11:47:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Johnny Cash!

Sketch of the Day

2010-02-21T22:06:00.001-05:00

Ms. Marvel

Sketch of the Day

2010-02-20T21:53:00.000-05:00

Socialite Victoria Francis Montgomery from The Tommy Gun Dolls

Sketch of the Day

2010-02-09T02:58:00.000-05:00

Photographer from The Tommy Gun Dolls

Sketch of the Day

2010-02-06T16:14:00.001-05:00

Rouletta and Rosa from The Tommy Gun Dolls

Sketch of the Day

2010-02-05T02:39:00.000-05:00

Ricochet Rosa from The Tommy Gun Dolls.

Sketch of the Day

2010-02-04T02:58:00.000-05:00

Assassin Dana Valentine.

Sketch of the Day

2010-02-03T02:45:00.000-05:00

Boss Buck Shotwell

Sketch of the Day

2010-02-02T02:53:00.000-05:00

Mother Hipps from The Tommy Gun Dolls

Sketch of the Day

2010-02-01T02:44:00.000-05:00

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-31T02:13:00.000-05:00

Cheri Lovejoy from The Tommy Gun Dolls

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-30T01:52:00.000-05:00

Rouletta Lockhart from The Tommy Gun Dolls.

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-29T02:55:00.000-05:00

Woman on the telephone while reading the newspaper.

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-28T02:59:00.000-05:00

Woman at Bus Stop - 1930's.

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-27T02:53:00.000-05:00

Police man from The Tommy Gun Dolls.

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-26T02:51:00.000-05:00

Socialite Gordon Astor Montgomery from The Tommy Gun Dolls.

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-25T02:55:00.000-05:00

Betty Royale taking a "break" between performances.

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-24T02:26:00.000-05:00

Schuster, newspaper reporter from The Tommy Gun Dolls

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-23T02:37:00.000-05:00

Elmer "Red" Rose from The Tommy Gun Dolls

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-22T02:54:00.000-05:00

Teddy "Two Sticks" Jordan

V's Inkwork

2010-01-22T02:49:00.001-05:00

Preview of new cover art for Valentine: Red Rain 2nd Printing. Pen & Ink, Winsor & Newton Series 7 Sable brush #2, technical pens on background, toothbrush splatter (white gouache & ink)

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-21T02:55:00.000-05:00

Jesse Townsend, bass player from The Tommy Gun Dolls.

Valentine: Russian Roulette Graphic Novel

2010-01-21T01:17:00.000-05:00

Revised cover for soon-to-be released fourth installment of Valentine. The title design is consistent with the 2nd printings of volume one and two title design. It's all about the branding folks!

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-20T02:50:00.000-05:00

Johnny Filmore, trumpet player from The Tommy Gun Dolls.

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-19T02:41:00.000-05:00

Betty Royale from The Tommy Gun Dolls Graphic Novel due out in Fall 2011.

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-18T02:29:00.000-05:00

Rouletta Lockhart from The Tommy Gun Dolls

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-17T00:34:00.000-05:00

Our son Dashiell Addison Cooney.

Finished Cover Design

2010-01-16T13:26:00.000-05:00

Here are two versions of the cover for the 2nd printing of Valentine Vol. One. I'm not sure which cover I like better. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Valentine Vol. 1 2nd Printing Cover

2010-01-16T11:42:00.001-05:00

This is the second time I've use screen tones with the software program Manga Studio Debut 4 trial version. I used to tone my work by hand using the an X-acto and screen tone sheets applied over the inked artwork. Although I love the hands-on process, the digital way is much faster and yielding results closer to the old formula. I'm a bit late to the game with this digital rendering but the coloring was done by hand and adjusted in Photoslop. The horizontal speed lines were applied with an X-acto blade and correction pen.

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-16T02:46:00.000-05:00

Maggie Montana

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-15T01:57:00.001-05:00

Poppy Harlow of The Tommy Gun Dolls

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-14T18:25:00.000-05:00

Tron = Fail. They're warm up sketches, sometimes you can't win them all. Meh. Time for a nap, more later folks!

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-14T02:36:00.000-05:00

Cheri Lovejoy from The Tommy Gun Dolls. See the promo trailer at http://tommygundolls.com/

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-13T02:52:00.000-05:00

Cheri Lovejoy from The Tommy Gun Dolls. See the promo trailer at http://tommygundolls.com/

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-12T02:44:00.000-05:00

Red Sonja!

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-11T02:45:00.000-05:00

Richochet Rosa in her "nighttime" element.

Valentine Vol. 4 Cover Art

2010-01-10T23:17:00.001-05:00

Cover Art for Valentine: Russian Roulette Vol. 4 due out this summer.

Ricochet Rosa

2010-01-10T02:13:00.000-05:00

Ink sketch fleshing out an "attitude" for Rosa from The Tommy Gun Dolls.

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-09T02:57:00.000-05:00

Detective Frank Sullivan discovers a clue about Maggie's murderer.

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-08T02:54:00.000-05:00

Dave Steven's Rocketeer

I'm always inspired by Dave's work and just blown away by IDW publication of The Rocketeer Complete Adventures Deluxe edition. Wow, Dave. Wow.

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-07T02:39:00.000-05:00

Detective Frank Sullivan from The Tommy Gun Dolls.

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-06T00:48:00.000-05:00

Valentine concept layout for new book due this summer. If I want to become a faster artist without compromising my work, I need to look at the middle ground between a gesture more organic style than the streamlined slick graphic look I've been doing the last few years. At least in terms of how I illustrate Valentine. I have a few more stories I'd like to tell but there are some opportunities for my other stories to finally see fruition. I think the forthcoming book might be my last for a while.

I've been sketching, drawing and inking for five days straight now, something I haven't done in a LONG time at this level. I really like this piece, it feels fluid and captures the spirit of the character. Something I find that has been lacking in my work the last few years. I think I've been TOO REFINED and my work has lost something in the process.

We'll see how it continues to develop.

Sketch of the Day

2010-01-05T02:51:00.001-05:00

Detective Frank Sullivan from The Tommy Gun Dolls.

Frankie Broadstreet

2010-01-03T22:03:00.001-05:00

Character study for upcoming graphic novel The Tommy Gun Dolls. Set in San Francisco’s notorious Barbary Coast during Prohibition, a group of bawdy women set out to break free from their tarnished lives by disguising themselves as bank robbers. Historical Fiction.

Desire Has Its Price

Genre: Historical Fiction
http://tommygundolls.com

Ms. Marvel

2010-01-02T20:54:00.001-05:00

Quick Sketch 2010

2010-01-01T16:19:00.000-05:00

If I have any New Year's Resolution, it is to scan my warm up sketches. I follow through on resolutions I make but my goal is 365 warm up sketches this year -- one a day. I have Marvel 70th anniversary sketch cards due at the end of the month. So I'll be sharing work from my sketchbook which don't necessarily reflect the final work I'm not allowed to share until approved by Marvel.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T16:04:00.000-05:00

Since the last post, I've become a father to a healthy baby boy, Dashiell Addison Cooney weighing 8.4 lbs and 20" long on December 8th -- my 40th birthday! My wife, Carolina gave birth the natural way (what a birthing goddess!) Both my wife and son are doing well. Fatherhood is an adjustment but so rewarding on so many levels.

Alice In Wonderland

2009-11-02T18:22:00.000-05:00

Alice In Wonderland

2009-11-02T17:08:00.001-05:00

Cameron vs. River

2009-11-02T17:06:00.000-05:00

Silk Spectre II

2009-10-13T01:25:00.001-04:00

Silk Spectre II - Ink and Pro White. Tools used: micron 005, 1, 2, 8, Brush Pen, Faber Castell (S), Hi-Tec -04, 05 (don't use these if you plan on using ink wash, watercolor or marker, pen ink runs), toothbrush for white and black ink splatter effect.

Spider-Man Sketch Cards

2009-10-09T15:47:00.001-04:00

Comic Con 2009

2009-07-30T16:01:00.000-04:00

A week ago today I was in the trenches of the pop culture frenzy of what most nerds refer to as Comic Con International. This is my 12th year exhibiting at the show and I felt this is the first year there was something noticeably different than years past; the majority of the folks who attend come for film and television. I know, shocking isnt' it? Chalk part of it to denial over the last few years, but where are the nerds? The hard core comic fans were few and far between with the exception of Sunday (I'll get to this in a moment) and readers familiar with my work stopped to pick up the latest offerings from me.

My wife and I also celebrated our 1st year anniversary at the show July 25th. We met at Comic Con and married near the convention center a year ago. Maybe the show was different in this aspect given the craziness of planning a wedding AND being present for Comic Con last year.

The debut of The Tommy Gun Dolls went over better than expected and look forward to releasing the web comic in October - www.tommygundolls.com

It was a good show, but not a great show. We still had our best year to date thanks in part to a solid Preview Night, Thursday and unbelievable Sunday as well as a solid group of friends who helped out at the booth. I didn't have a new book out this year, but will release Valentine Vol. 4 and The Tommy Gun Dolls graphic novel next summer.
The big ticket items like the skateboard decks and art prints did well. Friday was okay and Saturday was unbelievably slow. Saturday has traditionally been THE day you can count on having stellar business but not this year and hence my acceptance that Comic Con has seen a shift to more pop than comic.

For example, many attendees (especially Sat.) asked if my books, tees, art prints were free. Free? Free? Again, FREE? I offered sketches for free who paid for something and promotional postcards that were free, but not the merch folks. I didn't get upset with anyone of them but at the system to which folks are groomed by the big studios to lure them to their booths with FREE GIVEAWAYS of bags large enough to stuff a body in and books, posters, etc.

As an independent self-punisher -- er self-publisher, it's difficult to compete with the big boys. I'm not talking about Marvel or DC, but Warner Bros., Sony, 20th Century Fox, Universal, etc.

I'd like to think as an optimist rather than be pessimistic about where Comic Con is going. I still had a lot of kids come by to buy a Spider Man or Green Lantern print and a slew of new readers pick up Valentine who never heard of it before.

Traditional book vendor Bud Plant, now Bud's Art Books is 60% of what it was last year and Lee's Comics was absent from the floor as well. It's cyclular in nature and the con folk and the con itself will return to its old self one day. This is not a rant of some disgruntled artist, but merely an observation. My experience at the show this year was positive. Yeah, we get geeked out at celebrities still and fun to get pics with them. I just like to think people are still going for the comics. The competition is tougher than ever with video games, tv and film. I understand why teens rather be Spider-Man in a video game than read about it, but maybe one day they'll be curious to pick up a book and the game controller down for a moment. Not to digress, but the "wow" factor is with said media at a booth and not the comic book itself at the moment. At least with the crowds I saw in a frenzy at the larger venues that had nothing to do with comics.

I'm thankful for so many readers returning this year and asking about the next book. I too, am looking forward to sharing the release of two new books in 2010 and thank everyone who stopped by this year at Comic Con. For more pics check out facebook.com/dcooney

Some of the highlights were meeting one of my favorite contemporary crime fiction authors Max Allan Collins and Jorge Garcia (who plays Hurley from Lost). My wife met Morgan Spurlock of Super Size Me who bought one of my skateboards and books. I was back at the hotel catching up on sketches when he came by. I regret not having the chance to meet artist Leonard Starr, I even brought some of my books for him to sign. That's how it goes sometimes. If it wasn't for a couple of my friends running around and getting things on my list, I would've missed out completely. I'll be at APE Oct. 17 & 18 in San Francisco.

I'll be posting commission sketches the next few days -- stay tuned!

The Escapist

2009-07-18T14:13:00.000-04:00

I penciled and inked Luna Moth and The Escapist about two years ago. Recently pulled it out of the archives to touch it up a bit and had colorist extraordinaire Lisa Gonzales do a fantastic job on it.