Jaime Hernandez pencils for New Stories #2 found on the backside of the original art for the upcoming Free Comic Book Day comic.

UPDATE: Jaime dropped a note to mention that this is from an old L&R issue. The guy's right! I saw Angel (not shown here) and thought New Stories but this would have been the end of the L&R2 run. And, of course, that's Frogmouth. Tempestuous Vivian Frogmouth.

This post comes very late (I'm sick) but at 8pm TONIGHT in LOS ANGELES:

In what should be the final Beasts-related event (I'm tired), the classy joint that is the Secret Headquarters comic shop is hosting a huge bunch of artists kindly marking up books of whatever sort you put in front of them. This is the only joint signing for both Beasts! books and it's a huge and remarkable line-up of confirmed artists. Well worth a visit to the shop if you're anywhere near LA. And who knows, maybe even Richard Sala will surprise us and show up. Anything could happen on Friday the 13th.

Also note: SHQ has on hand literally the very last available copies of the first edition of Beasts Book Two from our distributor's warehouse; Tessar Lo will be there. Derek Albeck can not make it; SHQ have a new record store opening up nearby. Ask them about it! 

Distressed type the new old-fashioned way.

Giant Robot in San Francisco is hosting a show of original art and prints for sale from the artists of BEASTS! Book One and Book Two. 100 artists have contributed their work from the book or new versions of their creatures for the show. I've been posting a number of previews elsewhere but even these only touch on the massive show. Many artists have both prints and original art in the show.

Some comics-related highlights include Tony Millionaire's original art (here), Peter Bagge's original painting, the intense double page art from Brian Chippendale, a new layered acetate drawing from Kazimir Strzepek, a new drawing from Dash Shaw... I don't know exactly what all has come in but I believe we have original art from Anders Nilsen, Paul Hornschemeier, Leif Goldberg, Levon Jihanian, Tom Neely, Taylor McKimens, Mr. Ed, Stephane Prigent, Brian Ralph, Jason Robards, Olivier Schrauwen, Kevin Scalzo...and a lot more. It will be amazing. 

Easy to read artist list here.

Okay, yeah, I GET why the TMNT have a bad name. I do. But not all fans are looking to depict Raphael nude with towel, or Leonardo "brandishing his Katana." I feel very sick about this.

I recently purchased this original art by Jefferson Machamer, whom I first disliked, then loved. And here I talk about my impressions of his approach in general and this piece in particular in both analytical and personal terms, should the Flog reader be interested.

[PS: Are there any great comics writers out there who want to do a book on Machamer?]

San Francisco, you will be overwhelmed. Details at the Beasts blog.

There are a lot of great prints in the current Fantagraphics BEASTS! print show but I have to give a special nod to the craftsmanship of S.britt's Gocco print of the troll. I haven't used Gocco but I know that this kind of registration is hell to achieve. ...And, of course, it's just charming as all get out.

Meanwhile Aya Kakeda created a nice effect by using charcoal over the top of her screenprint. Tom Neely watercolored his letterpress print. Keith Warren Greiman was awesome to do a small 2-color screenprint that sells for 5 bucks, making it affordable for most anyone. Just a lot of cool work going on. More on the Beasts blog.

Are you familiar with "Stinckers"? Vending machine stickers made by Weissman, Johnny Ryan, Jeff Roysdon, and the man known as Mats!? Check out the website for all the great art and incidentals. I just had to post this new work of Mats!? that he's making with a mouse, no ink. Really smart use of 2 color.