Dick Beals 1927-2012

When I was a kid, some of my favorite Warner Bros cartoons were the ones with Ralph Phillips, the little boy with the overactive imagination. Since there were only a couple of those cartoons made, they didn’t pop up very often during the Looney Tunes Show, but when they did…oh boy! Sadly, Dick Beals, the voice of Raplh, passed away this week at the age of 85. Many will also remember him from his work for Hanna-Barbera, or the Alka-Seltzer commercials where he portrayed Sspeedy” their mascot. I’ll always remember his voice as Ralph, and the following cartoon pretty much sums up why.

Granted, in this one he doesn’t have many lines, but his delivery is essential.

Thank you Mr. Beals, you set the standard for daydreaming.

Animation— 2012

I’m looking forward to a few animated films this year, and even the wife is excited about some. From the Lorax adaptation (which she’s wanting to see) to the Pirates: Band of Misfits (From Aardman), of course almost everyone wants to see Pixar’s Brave (which apparently some idiot in the Atlanta Braves organization has issue with), and I’m even looking to the animated version of Frankenweenie from Tim Burton (which looks more like a mash up of the original film, Family Dog, and Vincent). One flick I found out about really caught my eye, it’s called “The Suicide Shop“, directed by Patrice LeConte (Hairdresser’s Husband).

The trailer will explain the plot, and honestly, it’s not the most fluid animation, it looks a bit “pasted-together-in-Flash” more than anything. But they’ve used drawings that are as elaborate as a Ronald Searle image, and that makes the film appear more fleshed out than I think it would have normally.

Is it double coupon day?

There’s something about this approach that really seems to work for it, so between that and the odd nature of the subject matter… I’m sold. There’s no American release date yet, but it’s scheduled for the spring. Keep your eyes open!

Oh, just hanging around.

A special thanks to Cartoon Brew for keeping me in the know— What? You think I’m smart enough to find this stuff on my own?

Reminder- Baltimore Con~!

Just a little note to remind people that I’ll be at the Baltimore Comic Con this weekend, so come by and chat a spell. I’ll be signing books, and doing sketches of your favorite characters. Something like (but probably not as elaborate) as the commission seen below, which I’m delivering to a friend this weekend.

 

Derrick- don’t look! It’s a surprise!

 

 

The ladies of G.I. Joe in Slave-Leia outfits- of course- why wouldn't you?

DC Comic Con : June 19th, 2011 – Fairfax, VA

Hey gang,

I’ll be appearing with Larry Hama (creator of G.I.Joe: Real American Hero) at the one day DC Comic Con on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, VA on June 19th (Father’s Day). Other guests include Frank Cho, Todd Dezago, and Jim Starlin!

If you’re looking for something different to do for dad, then bring him out there and buy him some comics! They’re cheaper, and more fun, than a crummy old tie!

Hope to see you there!

 

Plane ticket, hotel room, terrorist leader in latex = √

OK the title alone will probably get me on every FBI watchlist available (as if my internet searches haven’t done that already), but I’m getting ready, for in a month I’ll be at the HeroesCon in Charlotte. Every year two things happen there– they have an auction of original art to help off-set the cost of the show, and Shelton Drum (organizer and owner of Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find) never remembers my name. I figure if I start pulling in a little money at the auction, maybe… just maybe, he’ll start to recognize me and call me “Shane? Sam? Shamus? Sean? (God no!)” — well it would be a start.

Below is the pencil work for the image I’m putting in the auction this year, to kickstart that recognition from Shelton. The piece is larger than I normally work, at 11 x 17; and those of you who know me will vouch that I usually draw my pages, sketches, commissions, and other auction images at 8.5 x 11. If you’re in the Charlotte area the first weekend of June, come by the show and bid on it.

I’ll post the inks and gray washes for this image as completed… that is if I don’t end up doing them the night before I leave for the show! ;¬P

Remember, Shelton knowing me is half the battle!

Pencils for the HeroesCon auction!