Dangerbirds Are Go!

I've just been watching a bunch of episodes of the late Gerry Anderson's awesome sci-fi puppet adventure series Thunderbirds, and found myself wondering what would happen if you hybridized it with Gundam-style giant robots to create a team of international rescue super-robots. Here's a first installment...

Dangerbird-2 is for airlift and evacuation. It can hover in place under any conditions, and its legs house giant manipulator claws for hoisting cargo. This is the one you'd call for sea rescues in Deadliest Catch.

Dangerbird-3 is designed to deal with fires, radiation emergencies, biohazards, nuclear meltdowns, and so forth. Its fireproof outer armor is filled with cooling systems, and can be jettisoned and destroyed to prevent contamination.

Dangerbird-5 is for excavation, clearing debris, and destroying obstacles. Its tracked lower base can be configured with a variety of heavy equipment.

This Year's Cards

Here's this year's traditional holiday greeting from me and Julie, for those of you who aren't on our e-mail list. Yes, there is an explanation for the trans-polar crossover; the polar bear is delivering his own message to Santa, and made the mistake of following us.

I also did some custom cards for relatives. Here's one for my in-laws John and Chris...

...and a birthday card for my nephew, featuring the ever-popular bunny rabbits.

The Whisperer in Markness

Lost my voice about four days ago, and I've been spending Thanksgiving weekend basically lying in bed watching monster movies. But as long as I have my sketchbook and a handful of lurid highlighters, at least I have some means of communication.

Dragons, eels, rubbishy three-legged Martian space crickets...

Then on to sea monsters, as a reaction to Leviathan, which features perhaps the worst Stan Winston creature I've ever seen.

I also watched a rather excellent H.P. Lovecraft documentary.

New Monsters

It's time to admit we have a monster problem. How can you spin a harrowing yarn about a bloodsucking vampire or slavering werewolf, when any grade-schooler could identify the telltale symptoms of an attack and advise you of the proper countermeasures? Our monster-savvy age demands new beasties; here are some possible candidates.

The Inspector lives in the basement. He has a key to your house. He has a key to every house.

The Canker is transmitted via airborne spores. Try not to inhale.

Wild animal attacks aren't really a contemporary hazard, but our streets are full of marauding vehicles. I played around a bit with beast-shaped machines, but then decided that a machine masquerading as a person was more interesting. The Junk-Man roams the streets, wrapped in a shabby raincoat, looking for unwary pedestrians to trample.

Space Krampus

It's way too early for Christmas greetings, but this idea came up in a discussion of Prometheus and I couldn't resist drawing it. Enjoy your space terror, naughty children of Earth!

Costume Carnival 10/2012

Some life drawings from the Academy of Art's traditional pre-Halloween Costume Carnival. This year's theme was "Barbarella and the Wild Things," with a soundtrack to match!

Let's start with my best drawing of Katie Longua.

Sarafina, the mistress of the revels and planner of the event, made a fabulous cave princess.

I didn't get around to finishing Ashton's arms - too busy drawing the crazy helmet.

 

Bob and his space hookah.

Liz and her awesome crazy wig.

Lunch break!

Tendai in jungle girl outfit.

 

If I'd known the angel would come out so well, I would have drawn him on a clean page.

A couple of reverso-combo pages...

And we'll finish up with one more of Sarafina. Thanks for another great Costume Carnival!

Touch A Truck Day 2012

Time for the most excellent annual event hosted by the Star of the Sea School, quite literally on my doorstep!

And now, the return of the sewer inspection robot. I had to include this for Julie.

All too soon, it was time to pack up the exotic vehicles and head home. See you next year!