Who I Am

[Bruce Lee]

Well, since this is a mini-forum showcasing some of my work, I suppose it'd be a good idea to tell everyone who I am. So here goes:

WHO I AM:

I was born in a small town in Virginia, where I lived for the first 24 years of my life. I attended the JOE KUBERT SCHOOL OF ART in Dover, New Jersey from '94-'96. 1996 was a big year for me. It was my last year at the Kubert School, the first year I began working as a professional, and the year I got married to my wife, Carolyn. A pretty big year, indeed!

The first four and a half years of my pro career were spent providing illustrations for over roleplaying games and products, where I was very prolific, producing artwork for over 65 different role-playing books. I've since moved on to working in licensing publishing--specifically children's books. DC Comic Book's License-Publishing has been my main employer since 1998.

I joined Penciljack's forums in 2001, and was a former co-moderator of two PJ boards, THE SEQUENTIAL ART board and the now defunct CRITICAL MASS board.

MY INTERESTS:

In my teens, I was a martial artist, competing in many martial arts tournaments. At the age of 18, I became a black belt in Shao-Lin Karate Do (which is Kung Fu in disquise, if truth be told).

Obviously drawing was always more than just a hobby, and I have now made it my career. My interest in drawing stems from my childhood interest in collecting comic books. My father bought me my first comic, an issue of BATMAN, when I was four years old, and I've been hooked ever since. My favorite comic artists include such talents as Alex Raymond, Hal Foster, Wally Wood, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Will Eisner, John Buscema, Berni Wrightson, Neal Adams, John Romita, Don Newton, Doug Wildey, Steve Rude, Mark Schultz, Bruce Timm, Herge, Alex Toth, etc. It's a very long list. My favorite comics are Silver Age Comics. My favorite comic runs include: 60s Lee/Kirby FANTASTIC FOUR, Lee/Romita AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, and EC Comics' WEIRD SCIENCE, WEIRD FANTASY, WEIRD SCIENCE-FANTASY/INCREDIBLE SCIENCE FICTION. Warren's b&w magazines like VAMPIRELLA, CREEPY & EERIE are at the top of my list, and I'm a huge fan of the Thomas/Buscema CONAN THE BARBARIAN and THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN books.

In addition to collecting comics, I also have a modest collection of pulp magazines from the 30s and 40s like THE SHADOW, AMAZING STORIES, WONDER STORIES, and WEIRD TALES.

I have more than a passing interest in classic horror and science-fiction films, and I also seem to accumulate a lot of toys, statues and similar comics, horror and sci-fi memorabilia.


WHAT I'VE DONE IN MY CAREER: I worked as an illustrator on various core RPG rule books and supplimental books/boxsets/modules for such games as follows:

DEADLANDS: THE WEIRD WEST
STAR WARS
INDIANA JONES
BATTLETECH
SHADOW RUN
GURPS
ROLE-MASTER
ALL FLESH MUST BE EATEN

In 1998 I began freelancing for DC Comic Book's licensing and publishing department, primarily penciling BATMAN ANIMATED and SUPERMAN ANIMATED coloring/activity books. I somehow found time to pencil a 40-page, one-shot comic book for Basement Comics called, CAVEWOMAN: KLYDE & MERIEM. I have also managed to pencil other comics from time to time. I penciled several stories for Claypool Comics' ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK.

In 2002 I got to step in as a guest penciler and draw a Sunday of King Features famous FLASH GORDON newspaper strip.

Shortly thereafter, I provided some illustration for the DC coffee table book, CATWOMAN: LIFE & TIMES OF A FELINE FETALE.

I have maintained a steady working relationship with DC's licensing over the years, working on coloring/activity books for KRYPTO THE SUPER DOG, DC UNIVERSE, and the JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES.

In 2006, I illustrated "THANK YOU, SUPERMAN!", an official SUPERMAN RETURNS tie-in storybook.

Following that, I illustrated the official SPIDER-MAN 3 DELUXE SOUND BOOK for Meredith and Marvel Entertainment.

More recently, I illustrated the DC SUPER FRIENDS: FLYING HIGH storybook (part of the STEP INTO READING series) for DC and Golden Books, and I have just completed illustrations for DC/Meredith storybooks called, BATMAN: RACE AGAINST CRIME. This book will coincide with the release of the BATMAN: DARK KNIGHT film, but is not an official movie tie-in (the movie was deemed to be too dark for childrens book adaptation).

Other works by me include Magazine illustrations for WEIRD NEW JERSEY MAGAZINE and WEIRD U.S. hardback books.

UPDATE: I am currently pencilling and inking LORNA RELIC WRANGLER a one-shot special comic that will be published by Image Comics, and should be available in June '09. A second SUPER FRIENDS book, DANGER FROM THE DEEP is due out in January '09.



Loston

[bindlestitch]

Loston,
I've said it before and I'll say it again, you are the man. You're help on this forum is always top notch and you share it freely. Thanks for hosting this forum and expanding on the work you already do here. It's much appreciated.

[benrosa]

very cool man, now I know who I want to be when I grow up

[SpawnSC]

yay loston! this will be exciting!

[Bruce Lee]

Thanks, guys. I hope I can figure out ways to keep this board interesting, informing and entertaining. Please feel free to ask questions about me, licensing, my art, etc. This board is the place to do that. I think I might start an "Ask Loston" thread, or something.

Loston

[benrosa]

For me, I'd like to know what areas you struggled to excel in. What did you do (apart from practicing) to overcome the areas you struggled in. Career wise? artistically?

[Ugga Bugga]

A truly impressive list of accomplishments.

This forum is a fantastic idea. I know it will help many people.

I can't wait to see what you have in store.

[Bruce Lee]

A truly impressive list of accomplishments.

This forum is a fantastic idea. I know it will help many people.

I can't wait to see what you have in store.

Thanks, Ugga. I'll try to make this board fun. I know that I want to do some tutorials and things of that nature on this board.

I have also started an official "Ask Loston (AKA: DR. STUPID JR.)" thread. Benrosa, that's the place to receive an answer to your question, so if you wouldn't mind posting it there, I'll try to give you a decent answer.

Thanks again, folks.

Loston

[NickRocks]

you are a great artist and also an extremely classy fellow. i will be checking up on your forum indeed!


does this mean you wont update your sketch blog as much?

[Bruce Lee]

you are a great artist and also an extremely classy fellow. i will be checking up on your forum indeed!


does this mean you wont update your sketch blog as much?

Thanks for the compliment, dude. As for the sketch blog, I'll keep it updated as much as I usually do. I hope you'll continue to visit it and post there as well.

Loston