Atomic Kid Cartoons

Someone Alert The Once-Ler

2011-12-19T08:25:00.000-08:00

This got posted a while ago, and I completely forgot to put it up on here.

With the release of the animated Lorax film coming in March I felt like I should try and cash in on the popularity in some way.

'Call of the Lorax' Trailer - watch more funny videos

New short coming Christmas Eve! Thanks for watching! Follow me on twitter @Atom_Murray

Currently Listening To: Fuck the Police - N.W.A.

J'accuse Rite Aid!

2011-11-09T15:18:00.000-08:00

Do you have those neighbors who starting putting up inflatable snowglobes and wireframe reindeer the day after Halloween is over? Yeah, they are the worst kind of people. I don't care if you think they're pretty Debra! I don't want to see icicle lights until at least Black Friday! Here is another video from my Funny or Die page showing how some people can get confused by all the early decorating.

A Christmas Carol: November Edition - watch more funny videos

Animation stuff still in the works. More stuff coming soon. If you have a facebook give my Funny or Die page a like. All for now!

Currently Listening To: Deathbound - Mastadon

Ghouls and Jackello-Lanterns

2011-11-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

I apologize to your three people who were anticipating more Halloween drawings. I was unable to get my hands on the necessary equipment to draw digitally, but my new wacom pen has arrived in the mail so production on all projects can start up again!

Mainly 'Scott the Mighty'.

Thinking of putting up another preview soon. But than again I don't want to give too much away. So if you want any of the latest updates on the short go on over and 'Like' the facebook page. Link right HERE!

Halloween has come and gone. But to fill the void Laika studios has put out the teaser trailer for their newest film 'Paranorman'

I'm excited. And I'm not just saying that because Donovan was the music for the trailer either.

Also, this is the pumpkin that I carved for this year.

Currently Listening To: Asleep - The Smiths

Thank You Caroll

2011-10-24T18:40:00.000-07:00

Halloween sketch for Monday is here. Little back story. My mom once suggested to me a book to read. That book was 'Salem's Lot' by Stephen King. Immediately after reading it I watched the film at my good friend Rob Paramonte's home. The combination of the two have caused me to have an aversion to small towns. So in honor of my fear of this story/film here is a drawing of the vampyr that terrorizes the town.

Thanks Mom for the nightmares. New sketch tomorrow...hopefully. My lack of tablet pen has made me have to resort to renting equipment so I'm drawing digitally when I can.

Follow me @Atom_Murray on Twitter and give me more suggestions for more horror icons.

Currently Listening To: Baltimore Blues No. 1 - Deer Tick

My Brother Makes Great Head Cheese...

2011-10-23T20:59:00.000-07:00

Halloween is coming soon! Easily the best holiday. So I'm going to attempt to produce a sketch of horror movie icons each day the week leading up to All Hallows Eve. A little upset that I'm too old to go trick or treating anymore. "What, no ma'am, I'm not with my child. I just came dressed as a storm trooper by myself. Please don't shut your door."

First one off the trigger is Leatherface.

Taking votes for tomorrow's drawing. Find me on Twitter @Atom_Murray.

Currently Watching: 'The Howling'

Really Enjoy Carl Sagan Specials

2011-10-20T11:14:00.000-07:00

Another new short is up on Funny or Die! Please give it a look and a click of the FUNNY button.

The Incredibly Tolerant Southerners - watch more funny videos

More animation updates coming soon! Also, follow me on Twitter for even more updates!

@Atom_Murray

Currently Listening To: Landed - Ben Folds

Oh! You're Still Here?

2011-10-03T20:57:00.000-07:00

I really need to stop neglecting you blog. You've always been so good to me.

In case you're wondering what I've been up to here is a quick run down.

Been working on new shorts lately that are up on Funny or Die and getting really positive attention. Give it a look.

Night of the Awkward Dead - watch more funny videos

Also, just released a new preview of my Senior thesis which will be out May 2012!

I promise I will start updating more frequently!

Currently Listening To: Echoes - Klaxons

Step One: Voices!

2011-09-18T14:13:00.000-07:00

As I said pre-production has started on my thesis. So here is a quick video of some of my voice actors performing their important duty.

Stay tuned for more behind the scenes videos coming soon.

Currently Watching: The Ninth Gate

Man of Steel & Sadness

2011-09-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

Uploaded a brand new video to Funny or Die. Watch Kal-El struggle with the pains of not signing on for likeness rights and the wake of sadness that it erupted into. Give it a look and a thumbs-up and send it to your friends. Because I judge my worth in this world by approval ratings.

Strung Out Superman - watch more funny videos

Currently Listening To: Brook & Waxing - Why?

BEHOLD...er!

2011-09-06T07:22:00.000-07:00

Just like the tubby child animation here is a preview of another character, which will appear in my senior film 'Scott the Mighty'.

A possible preview coming in a few weeks.

Currently Listening To: Cat People - David Bowie

Six Hour Lunches

2011-08-17T22:11:00.000-07:00

Hello loyal followers. All like...six of you.

I am calling upon you to assist me.

A casting call contest to have a walk-on role on AMC's Mad Men has come to my attention.

I have entered and already 30 votes within 2 hours. Please go to this link HERE! and vote for me!

Simple to vote. Just log-in through your facebook account and click vote. And you can vote once a day, so keep checking back every day!

Please and thank you!

Currently Watching: Winter's Bone

I Would But I Can't Pull Off Sweater Vests.

2011-08-08T19:08:00.001-07:00

I feel like I've been posting alot of Con and costume stuff. But this is just too good of a coincidence. [adult swim] just posted a video of the Venture Bros. Costume Contest from SDCC. Hosted by Dock and Jackson.

The same day this came online was the same day that my awesome Henchman t-shirt from Teefury.com arrived.

Counting down the days till NYCCC to hopefully discover the premiere date of Season 5.

Currently Listening To: Get Me Home - Japanther

Shameless Self Promotion Time:

Follow me on Twitter @Atom_Murray

How About You Just Don't Say Anything? Please?

2011-08-04T13:28:00.000-07:00

There has been a large change in the Marvel Universe. Well, the Ultimate line at least. Peter Parker is no more and taking up the mask of Spider-Man is Miles Morales. A half-Black half-Puerto Rican 14 year old.

I'm not even a big Spider-Man fan and I'm even excited for this. It takes serious chrome plated balls for a company like Marvel to kill of such a top tier character like Peter Parker, and than layer that chrome scrotum with titanium for making the character Black/Latino. In my honest opinion it adds a brand new dimension to the character, and opens up so many more story lines for Spider-Man.

But all is not well in the decrepit forest of Republican Land. The Goblin King known as Glenn Beck blames Michelle Obama for the character change. I'm going to repeat that, because it is a statement that requires repeating as to make sure you didn't read a typo or black out. Glenn Beck blames Michelle Obama.

Click play on the embedded video to hear Beck give you another reason to wonder why he is allowed to speak in a public forum.

It's really incredible how he constantly says he doesn't care about comic books or Spider-Man, but continues to complain. It's just another topic for him to fire off on and express his distaste for Democrats, and also to show what a douche bag he is.

Enough of the Spider-Man news already. We know there's a movie coming out. When is someone going to make a 'League of Extraordinary Gentleman' movie already?

Currently Listening To: Montreal - Adam Ant

Much Better Than 'Batman Forever'

2011-08-03T07:37:00.000-07:00

The delightful chaps of the band 'Powerglove' who so kindly allowed me to use their music for my junior film have put out a music video for their cover of the theme for 'Batman: The Animated Series'. Drink it in!

And just because I crave attention and measure my video views as my worth as a human here is my short 'New High Score'...again.

I'm gonna go play 'Golden Axe' now. I'll see you guys later.

Currently Listening To: Fashion Zombies - The Aquabats

Broken Bat Guaranteed!

2011-08-02T15:50:00.000-07:00

More and more Bane images from 'The Dark Knight Rises' keep finding their way onto the interwebs.

Tom Hardy thankfully did not get to Jeep Swenson size, but my girlfriend is slightly disappointed since he doesn't look large enough to break Batman over his knee so I drew a version accordingly.

Here is a shot of Tom Hardy on set in full Bane...kevlar and Kurt Russell's jacket from 'The Thing'.

More photos from the set HERE!

Currently Watching: 'The American Astronaut'

(yeah, changing it up!)

Pre-Production Has Started

2011-07-31T19:10:00.000-07:00

Small amounts of pre-production on my senior thesis 'Scott the Mighty' have begun. Here is a very small sneak preview of what to expect in the film.

Enjoy.

Currently Listening To: Letters to Nouns - Eugene Mirman

Murdersaurus Rex!

2011-07-29T18:54:00.000-07:00

My very good friend Max Sterling has been working feverishly and without end on his horror film 'Gory Days'. He asked me to make for him an opening title animation for his production company 'Murdersaurus Productions'.

So, I animated a little opening for him as good friends do.

Get ready for some good old fashioned slasher film action in 'Gory Days'. Coming soon to horror fests and bars.

Follow Murdersaurus on Twitter HERE!

Currently Listening To: American Slang - The Gaslight Anthem

Nerds In Nerd Uniforms

2011-07-28T13:50:00.000-07:00

Because I couldn't attend this year I'm going to keep posting stuff from Comic-Con to make-up for my absence. So here is a whole link dump of photos of the best Con costumes. I never see a Cyclops amongst the crowds so I'm hoping to change that this upcoming NYC Comic-Con. And for my own enjoyment here is a picture of a girl dressed as Finn and myself from last year.

Lots-O-Boobs!

Comics Alliance "Best Of"

From the Halls of Gamma-Squad

Currently Listening To: Atlantic City - Real Estate

And We Owe Them Money?

2011-07-28T05:56:00.000-07:00

My list of why 'World of Warcraft' ruins lives just got a new addition. Fresh out of China comes a story that should be reserved for a nerdy future version of Dickens. Chinese couple Li Lin and Li Juan have a powerful WoW addiction. So much so that to fuel their raid filled nights in internet cafes that they SOLD THEIR CHILDREN. I put that in caps because it needed to be.

As if being a middle child wasn't hard enough. Ask my sister Jaclyn, they sold their middle child for $500. Now the five of you that read this blog are probably thinking "what awful people!"

Wait, there's more. Apparently there must've been an Artisan Riding Skill up for sale (researched that joke) because the $500 was not enough. The couple then sold their other two children for $4,200. Which makes me think two things. Number one, how ugly was the middle child that they only got half a grand for it. And two, what the fuck is wrong with these lunatics?!

Thankfully these two will be spending the rest of their lives behind bars and their kids have gone to parents who only play Stratego.

Currently Listening To: SDCC '11 Nerdist Podcast #109

Digital Sketchbook

2011-07-26T18:44:00.001-07:00

Decided to start making a digital sketchbook just to help increase my skill behind the Wacom.

This one is from this morning. My friend Anthony doing what he normally does to our friend Paul.

Currently Listening To: At Fifteen - Title Tracks

Assemble! And So On...

2011-07-25T19:06:00.000-07:00

Other Comic-Con news. Posters for the upcoming 'Avengers' movie were released.

Click the image for a larger version.

Currently Listening To: Light My Fire - The Doors

SDCC 2011 Blog Dump

2011-07-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

No, I did not attend San Diego Comic-Con this year. So for those of you who didn't attend as well here is some of the big news that you might not of heard of.

A crazed fan dressed in a poor quality Spider-Man costume grabbed the mic before the 'Amazing Spider-Man' panel proclaiming that Spider-Man saved his life. The lunatic turned out to be Andrew Garfield in disguise, which explains why he wasn't tackled by Con security. Video right HERE!

The DC reboot took a real blow from...sorry, I meant nothing happened to change the DC reboot. A handful of Jokers and Harley Quinns stood awkwardly outside the Con, with people not really knowing what they were protesting. Video and more pics via Comics Alliance HERE!

Speaking of "reboot". No, not the 90s show about computer games. Images of the unlettered panels of Jim Lee's 'Justice League' #1 have been released. A comic that might get me interested in DC titles again. Aside from Secret Six, that is still awesome. Panels HERE!

A pedi-cab outside of the Con allowed people the chance to sit in the iron throne from the show 'Game of Thrones'. The driver had to stop however when a small blonde boy sitting in the throne was mistaken for Joffrey and hit with a thrown bottle.

On the topic of small blond boys, the trailer for the film 'Knights of Badassdom' premiered at Comic-Con.

The film stars Ryan Kwanten of 'True Blood' Steve Zhan, Danny Pudi, Summer Glau of 'Firefly' and Peter Dinklage from 'Game of Thrones'. How can it not be good?

The Oni Press Supernatural Western comic 'The 6th Gun' will be coming to your television soon via the Sci-Fi channel. I still will not call it by its fake word name.

All for now! If you want to see some photos from the Con Filmdrunk has an excellent photo diary up on their website. You can jump straight to it HERE!

Currently Listening To: Chain - School of Seven Bells

Get Ready...

2011-07-22T21:55:00.000-07:00

I don't feel like I have to say anything else.

Currently Listening To: China White - He Is Legend

Martin Sheen Sense Is Tingling!

2011-07-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

Granted it 'Spider-Man 3' was released in 2007 and 4 years seems kinda early to reboot a franchise, but I'm looking for anything to wash the image of Toby Maguire with emo bangs swing dancing out of my brain. So I'm sort of excited to see the character get a shot of adrenaline in the up-coming film 'The Amazing Spider-Man'

This cast seems almost too good to fail, and aside from the 'Mirrors Edge' footage that snuck into the end there the rest of it looks solid. Also, Web Shooters!

Can Andrew Garfield display more emotion than Maguire in this role? Yes, the answer is yes.

I don't think sweater vests are getting a reboot anytime soon.

Currently Listening To: Ray Gun - The Bird And The Bee

Whacky Antics and Parliment

2011-07-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

Breaking News!

Rupert Murdoch was just partially pied during an evidence hearing!

The only thing better than that cartoonish corporate villain from an action film getting hit slightly in the face by a shaving cream pie is the random orchestra conductor that comes rushing in for the resuce.

Currently Listening To: Waste - Foster The People

Deliciously Creepy!

2011-07-18T09:45:00.000-07:00

If you don't read Cartoon Brew, or keep an open eye for new animations coming out of NYC than you probably haven't seen the senior thesis of Zach Bellissimo.

Well, here it is!

You can see more of Zach's awesome work on his blog 'SNAGGLETOOTH SALAD'

Currently Listening To: 'Doug Loves Movies' Podcast

Thanks Swamp Fox!

2011-07-04T07:20:00.001-07:00

Two post kind of day. Mainly because it is the 4th of July. I am greatly upset that for the first time in my life I am not able to watch the fireworks display that goes on right outside of my sister's house on the river in my hometown back in New Jersey.

But I'm going to make the best of it by pretty much hanging around all day and then going to BBQ with some good friends after several incredibly draining days of work. So in honor of America, for those of you who haven't seen it, here is the newest trailer for 'Captain America: The First Avenger'

God Bless America!

Currently Listening To: Beercan - Beck

A Circus For Your Eyes and Ears

2011-07-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

Really not sure whether or not I've mentioned it or not on here, but I am a huge fan of the band of Montreal. I had to add extra words in that sentence as to distinguish the name of the band. If you haven't seen them live, you're really missing out on a show that is constantly changing and too fun to put into words.

Honestly, how could you not want to see these guys perform music?

The band recently released a new EP called 'Thecontrollersphere' earlier this year and their latest music video for the song 'L'age D'or' has just been put on the interwebs. Give it a look. Also, it has a [NSFW] tag over it. But aside from breasts covered in glitter paint and some graphic lyrics it really isn't that risky.

Click HERE to give it a watch!

Currently Listening To: She's In Parties - Bauhaus

Commercials And Bucket List Accomplishments

2011-06-28T06:50:00.000-07:00

New video for the week! An idea I came up with a few days ago and put it into action with my friend Noah Ross behind the camera. Behold!

Also, my good friend Kelly Webb put out business cards for her photography services. I came across one of them the other day.

I can finally cross "be on a business card holding a pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes off of my bucket list.

You can find more of Kelly's work HERE!

Currently Listening To: Poison - Bell Biv DeVoe

Happy Birthday Bruce

2011-06-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to the man with the mightiest of mandibles.

Bruce Campbell.

Currently Listening To: The Daily Show from June 21st.

Brought To You By...

2011-05-26T06:03:00.000-07:00

Finally animated a small chunk of a 1950s Sex Education film reel script that I wrote last year. I tried my hardest to nail down some of the looks of old 1950s educational films, which for the most part are insane. So here it is!

Currently Listening To: Good Friday - Why?

Mutual Entertainment

2011-05-24T16:57:00.000-07:00

Just a quick blog mention.
My good friends Ryan Cox and Joe Giff have started a blogspot where they will review Co-Op games for those of you who don't have another friend to play with.
The link to the blog is HERE!

Currently Listening To: The Prayer - Bloc Party

In This Corner

2011-05-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

Unlike the cruel Batman trailer joke I posted this is an actual photograph of actor Tom Hardy as Bane in the upcoming Batman film, 'The Dark Knight Rises'

Filming started literally a few days ago an already images are leaking out onto the interwebs.

To beat him all Batman will have to do is switch his controller to the 2nd player port.

(If you get that reference you get nerd points)

Currently Listening To: Nerdist Podcast #90

32 Bits of Raw Fury

2011-05-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

Here it is! My Junior thesis dubbed

'New High Score'

Currently Listening To: The Stars of Track and Field - Belle and Sebastian

It's Been So Long

2011-05-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

This blog is full of digital cob webs and pixelated dust. I have returned to clean it out.

After nearly a month (more if you don't include my poor Batman joke) I have finally come back to post something of worth again on my blog.

Since Vimeo has a megabyte limit to what you can upload I stupidly put my demo reel up instead of my finished Jr. Thesis. Come Monday it will be uploaded, but until then watch my Demo Reel and show it to your friends. Do that 'Pay It Forward' thing, except don't have a burned face like Kevin Spacey, but somehow stab Haley Joel Osmet. He's not doing anything anymore, he'll probably welcome the death.

And since I'm a complete attention whore here is a commercial that my good friends Cameron Sizemore and Mark Cambria directed and filmed. Starring Kyle Hamilton, Cameron, Michael Englisis, myself, and a mob of extras.

Currently Listening To: Make Some Noise - Beastie Boys

New Batman Trailer!

2011-04-19T06:47:00.001-07:00

I don't apologize.

The Cake Would Literally Be On Fire

2011-03-06T04:49:00.000-08:00

A quick Happy Birthday to 'The Spirit' creator and artist, Will Eisner.

Happy 94th birthday ya old bastard.

Currently Listening To: French - Tyler the Creator

Agent Elrond Vendetta

2011-03-03T12:35:00.000-08:00

A picture of Hugo Weaving as The Red Skull in 'Captain America: The First Avenger' hits the internets.

Well done make-up crew.

Currently Listening To: In Your Mind - Built To Spill

All Rats Have North Jersey Dialects

2011-03-03T07:37:00.000-08:00

A quick lip-sync I did the other day within the span of 6 hours. Not a huge fan of animating in After Effects, but meh.

Currently Listening To: Winter Is Coming - Radical Face

Funny Tie Day

2011-03-02T09:59:00.000-08:00

For your viewing pleasure.

"Business 101: Hostile Takeovers"

A short film directed by Cooper Klineyoung and myself, and written by me.

Help yourself to Cooper's Viemo page.

Currently Listening To: Up The Punks - Ghost Mice

With A Mouth And Such...

2011-02-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

New sketch of the week. A little late I know. But it got here. I'm going to aim for Sunday nights for when I post them. This week's winner was Wade Wilson/Deadpool/The Merc with a mouth.

As I said before, I do not enjoy drawing characters that wear full-face masks, but it was the winner of the votes the past week so my hand was forced.

Also...new font!

Currently Listening To: Pain - Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse

Vacation...From Heck!

2011-02-17T15:33:00.000-08:00

Deep Silver. Not the cologne, has put out a trailer for their newest video game that is due out...I have no clue. The game takes place on a resort in Papua, New Guinea where a zombie outbreak has taken place. Here is the teaser trailer, which, and I'll be honest, disturbed me slightly.

You can't blame zombies for wanting to get away from it all once in a while though.

Currently Listening To: Jonny Quest Episode #1 "Mystery of the Lizard Men" while working in Flash

In Brightest Day...

2011-02-12T17:39:00.000-08:00

New thing I'm starting. Every week on my facebook page I will be asking people via status post which comic book hero or villain they'd like me to draw. And come saturday a new drawing of the most requested character will be posted. This weeks winner is Hal Jordan, also known as The Green Lantern of Sector 2814.

This will give me more work to help me practice character design.

Currently Listening To: Hunchback - Kurt Vile

January Sizemore

2011-02-10T16:43:00.000-08:00

Just arrived today! The trailer for the film X-Men: First Class.

Pretty excited to see how they portray the Hellfire Club and Emma Frost, played by Mad Men actress and Cameron Sizemore's future wife January Jones.

To see some of Cameron's work check out his Vimeo page HERE!

Currently Listening To: Hot Knives - Bright Eyes

Thanks For The Extra Sales

2011-02-10T12:37:00.001-08:00

Fox News has declared that the soon to be released game 'Bulletstorm' by EA and Epic Games is "The worst game ever".

Making it instantly cooler and going to jack up the sales of the game. FOX News is disgusted with the idea that when you shoot someone in the balls and then shoot a grenade infused rope of barbed wire around that person's neck and he explodes taking out multiple targets, you get a bonus labeled GANG BANG...sorry I just blacked out from awesome.

Any game where a character says "last train out of explosion town." is a buy in my book. FOX News also forgets that their average reader is 65 years old. So yeah, this kind of video game would probably melt their brains, but last time I checked septuagenarians aren't playing alot of Black Ops either.

'Bulletstorm' will be on shelves Feburary 22nd, probably oozing blood from its case.

Currently Listening To: Song For Dennis Brown - The Mountain Goats

A Battle Has Begun...

2011-02-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

Between Sean Glaze and myself. Not a battle of words or laser guns.

A battle of caricatures. Sean is jealous. Yes, jealous of my beard so in response he drew this picture the other day.

So in response to this cruel drawing I did this.

Let the games begin.

Currently Listening To: Human Out of Me - Bottomless Pit

Uncle Muscles Presents...

2011-02-09T04:54:00.000-08:00

Took a break from animating last night to draw up a quick sketch of one of the most outstanding musical performance duos of our generation.

Casey and his Brother.

Currently Listening To: Echoes - The Klaxons

Formerly Known As The Half-Time Show

2011-02-07T04:48:00.000-08:00

I didn't watch the half-time show of the Super Bowl last night, mainly because I don't like the Black Eyed Peas, and seeing them ruin football wouldn't change my mind on the matter. But if you did sit through what was apparently a horrendous performance cleanse your ears with this awesome half-time show from 2007.

He's this tall. I'm holding my hand just below my armpit.

Currently Listening To: This performance

Super Teaser!

2011-02-06T18:17:00.000-08:00

Ha! Tomlin just accidently spit out his gum on the sidelines. The Super Bowl is about to head into the 4th quarter, but I feel like I need to post this immediately

The first movie footage of the upcoming Captain America movie.

And can Donald Driver please get back on the field so Rodgers can have his confidence and security blanket back? Get your head in the game for Christ sake.

Currently Listening To: One Touch - LCD Soundsystem

The End Of An Era

2011-02-06T06:55:00.000-08:00

In my lifetime I never experienced a bands farewell tour. Or at least a band that has significance to me. Until now. Come April 2nd James Murphy and his band LCD Soundsystem will be shutting it down.

The final show will be at Madison Square Garden, and in a statement that James released on the band's website they will be playing a marathon of tracks with tons of guest musicians. You can see the statement HERE.

Even though this is the final show for the band, it most definitely will not be the last music project for Murphy. But after a monster album like 'This is Happening Was' you can't blame the guy for going out on top.

Currently Listening To: Glass Arrows - Circa Survive

Cross-City Teamwork!

2011-01-31T14:40:00.000-08:00

During my time off from school I was itching to do something outside the realm of animation. After my return from my booze sabbatical to Key West and several weeks of settling back into the cold and harsh tundra of Philadelphia I was given the chance to plunge into the realm writing for my friend Ky DiGregorio's fantastic music website, Sound System NYC.

My first album review for the site is the excellent new album by Chicago lo-fi/glam rock band Smith Westerns.

You can read my review HERE as well as the other awesome reviews written by excellent writers and get the latest news on upcoming shows throughout the five boroughs.

Also do yourself a favor and check out Ky's other websites. They're healthy for your eyes and brain.

Sound System NYC

K. DiGregorio Photography

You can also follow her on Twitter!

Currently Listening To: Decatur - Sufjan Stevens

You Are The Hugo

2011-01-30T08:05:00.000-08:00

The Twitter account 'Batman on Film' posted a very vague tweet recently. Simply saying "RW as Strange? Hmm..." MOVIE WEB may have jumped the gun a bit on this one, but they came to the idea that the mystery initials means Robin Williams.

'Hellloooooo! Mr. Wayne."

Could Robin Williams pull off Hugo Strange? Absolutely. Is it likely that he is playing Hugo Strange? Not very. I'm still not ready to rule out Rasheed Wallace.

Currently Listening To: From A Buick 6 - Bob Dylan

Suck Monkeys Beware

2011-01-25T21:16:00.000-08:00

I am currently working on a project for one of my animation courses where I need to design a character and do a turn around for said character. And of course I have way to many characters both in my head and roughly designed in sketchbooks to chose from. So I re-visited and re-designed a character in a script from Season 1 of 'Near Mint'. My slowly growing project made out of immense love, compassion, and boredom that attacked my brain while going to school in NJ. But instead of launching into the premise and the road that lead to the idea of writing a show I'll just post up the 3rd or 4th rough draft of a favorite character of mine. Gabe Van Helsing.

The character of Gabe Van Helsing is a mix of Corey Feldman via 'The Lost Boys' and the famous Rowsdower from the classically bad film 'The Final Sacrifice' physically. Character wise he is a little deeper than that, but it's not hard to believe that there is little below the surface and his Foreigner T-shirts. Like I said this character has been drawn and drawn again multiple times, and probably will be again. But he fills his purpose for now.

Currently Listening To: Panic - The Smiths

A Towering Inferno Of Spoiler

2011-01-25T14:18:00.000-08:00

If you're a Fantastic Four fan (I'm not) than you probably already heard the sad news. But for those of you who aren't fans of the comic (like me) you'll be impartial to hear that Johnny Storm AKA The Human Torch has died.

Blaze of glory.

Even though I am not a F4 fan it still is a little sad to see a classic hero like The Human Torch kick the bucket. On Comics Alliance you can read an interview about the latest issue, with current writer of the comic book, Jonathan Hickman (Pax Romana, Nightly News) right HERE!

Currently Listening To: Marching Song - Esben and the Witch

The Night Of The Sketchbook

2011-01-24T07:40:00.000-08:00

With all the recent Batman movie news I went ahead and did some sketches just out of nostalgia.

So here is a 1 minute sketch of the detective.

And as a counter-balance here is Killer Croc and Two-Face portraits.

Currently Listening To: Laughing Gas - Neon Indian

Last Sticky Post Of The Day

2011-01-20T17:20:00.000-08:00

Final post today. I'll make it quick.

Here is a clip from what is obviously a stunt-man on the set of the new Spider-Man reboot, chasing down and front flipping into a bed of a truck. Go on, click THIS!

Sadly, no.

Currently Listening To: Two Planets - Bat For Lashes

That Funny Guy From 'Inception'

2011-01-20T16:45:00.000-08:00

More movie news. If you haven't heard the news, Anne Hathaway has been added to the cast of 'The Dark Knight Rises' in the role of Selina Kyle. And Nolan has finally announced Tom Hardy (Inception, Bronson) as Bane. No, not that Bane.

We miss you Jeep. Ha, no we don't.

Now if you're not familiar with the inner workings of Bane's brain read THIS write-up iO9 did, which dives deep into the creation and history of Bane. Bane is more of an onion than you think.

As for Anne Hathaway. Meh. She is more pleasing to look at than Maggie Gyllenhaal's weird Cabbage Patch face. This does raise questions however about the "leaked" villains from a few months ago. Will Black Mask, Killer Croc, and Hugo Strange all be making appearances? Probably not.

Currently Listening To: Limb From Limb - Protest The Hero

Sebastian Bacon

2011-01-20T09:07:00.000-08:00

As I've said multiple times in the past, X-Men is my favorite comic of all time. Ever since I started reading them at Sal's Barbershop on Main Street when I was 8. And over the years movies have done what they could to take my love and compassion for the comic as a whole and try to burn it to the ground.

Not lasers.

Now FOX and Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass, Layercake) are in the tail-end process of finishing the latest in the X-Men movie franchise, 'X-Men: First Class'. A film focusing on the first (not really) team of mutants back when Xavier still had hair and Magneto wasn't Gandalf. The film has no continuity at all with the other films (danke) though. A few days ago a horribly rendered and crudely produced image of the mutants in their uniforms leaked. But according to the studio they did not make that picture, and Matthew Vaughn was furious over the entire ordeal. You can read the whole article at Gamma Squad!

Even though an X-Men team with no Wolverine, Cyclops, Gambit, or Storm does lack appeal for non-nerd audiences, I am kind of excited for it. Despite being filled with doubt when I first heard about the film. And even if it doesn't go over well, you still get to see January Jones in skin tight white leather.

Oh and Kevin Bacon is in it too.

Expect a few sketches and such soon before things at school start getting out of hand.

Currently Listening To: Dr. Crash - Yo La Tengo

New Calendar Time!

2011-01-01T14:04:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone on this late afternoon!

Too tired to type much. I'll let this animation I put together in two days to do the talking instead.

The Morning After from Adam Murray on Vimeo.

Back to sleep!

Currently Listening To: The Suburbs - Arcade Fire

The 2010 Atomic Kid Comic Book Awards

2010-12-28T10:09:00.000-08:00

Snowed in and animating. Figured what better time to do this then.

There are going to be less categories this year than last, but still going to cover the big ones.

Best Writer:

Jason Aaron

Jason Aaron edged out my original pick (Mike Carey, writer of 'Unwritten') immediately after I read 'Scalped'. The comic about crime in a meth riddled Indian reservation. Aaron is also doing an excellent job of bringing grit and drama back to mainstream comics like his 'Punisher MAX' series, and is doing Wolverine the way its supposed to be done. Full of violence and cigar smoke.

Best Artist:

J.H. Williams III

What can I say about Mr. Williams III that I haven't already said when he won last year? Only that he keeps getting better and better. Hands down the number 1 artist in the business. It's to the point that he makes some artists look downright awful. Hear me Greg Land? Honorable mention to Darwyn Cooke and his latest masterpiece 'The Outfit'.

Best Comic Series of 2010:

The Walking Dead

The champ keeps his belt. We all know why. Kirkman is in a league of his own. And the TV adaptation is just as good. If you're not reading it you're truly missing out. Moving on!

My Choice for Comic of the Year:

Uncanny X-Men

Doing battle with Norman Osborn and his Dark Avengers, Magneto returning from space with his powers, Hope emerging as a mutant messiah, New Atlantis resting as a pillar underneath the island of Utopia. Yeah, they have a fucking island now! And of course, the return of Kitty Pryde from her journey inside a giant space bullet. These are just a few of the events that have been taking place within the pages of Uncanny X-men. I know it may come off as biased since Matt Fraction is my favorite writer and X-Men is my favorite comic, but seriously it is that good. I cut my teeth on X-Men comics and this is easily one of the greatest runs ever. Granted, whenever Greg Land comes on to do pencils it makes me want to call Marvel and rant about how tracing isn't artwork, the writing overshadows it. Deaths, re-births, strange bed fellows, Cyclops becoming a bad-ass, and the possible saving of the mutant race. Fraction is really pulling out all the stops, and I feel sorry for whoever tries to pick up where he leaves off.

also...

R.I.P. Nightcrawler

There you have it. I really apologize for the lack of posts, but I am extremely busy, even during my break from school. But I do have two things to post. Really just one, but the other is part of the sum. I've made a vimeo account, which you can find HERE! I prefer it over Youtube, and if you have an account as well, please feel free to add me to your contacts. And I will have a new animated short up on New Year's Day.

Currently Listening To: Courthouse - Sisters

Excelsior To All!

2010-12-25T05:15:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

That's pretty much it. I'm currently working on a really short short that will be out on New Years Day. But for now I am going to go enjoy beer batter pancakes and open some gifts with the family.

Well that's boring. I can't just end it like that...I know! You can watch (or listen to) this video of Stan Lee (every nerd's surrogate Grandpa) reading a timeless Christmas classic.

Currently Listening To: Afraid of Everyone - The National

P.S. I am going to do my run down of the top "things" in comics this year. Coming soon.

The Enemy Is Everywhere!

2010-12-15T06:48:00.000-08:00

Wanted to take a quick moment and just give my bid for best album of 2010.

It hands down has to go to Mahwah NJ based band Titus Andronicus with their epic Indie-Punk opus 'The Monitor".

I stumbled across this album back around late March, and was pretty much punched in the ear hole. The opening track "A More Perfect Union" opens with a re-recording of Lincoln's 'Free Men' quote and then jumps like a shotgun into the song with heavy guitar and almost marching drum percussion. Ian Graetzer's vocals grind along in the songs (in a good way) and then explode into chorus' and scream, creating a beautiful hybrid of 80s underground punk similar to Fugazi with a hint of grunge.

The best thing about this album is that every song leads into the other. Making this 10 track album seem like one solid and extravagantly long song, with quotes and speeches working as transitions into songs. The range of composition is not limited at all to the punk genre. Tracks like 'Titus Andronicus Forever" with its repeating and pounding group vocals is nicely complimented by introspective ballads like the song "To Old Friends and New".

Titus also had alot of guests on to help with this album. Ponytail, Vivian Girls, and Spider Bags are just a few of the bands that lent their expertise to this amazing record.

The best way to describe this album is a major graduation from their 2008 album "The Airing of Grievances", which is no slouch. It is as if you took Bruce Springsteen's early albums and blended them with razor blades, indie rock, and piss and injected that into an angry child with a busted guitar who grew up in New Jersey in the early 90s.

There are definitely better reviews than mine out there, but for certain "The Monitor" is one of the top 10 albums of 2010. If you do not have this, you are severely missing out on something amazing.

Currently Listening To: Theme from Cheers - Titus Andronicus

Roll For Stupidity

2010-11-27T20:09:00.000-08:00

What happens when you give a nerd with a love for pot and 1980s fantasy films the means to make a new movie. You get a 1980s fantasy film with pot jokes and Danny McBride.

Already better than Spider-Man 3.

The latest film from director David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express) comes a fantasy movie co-written by Danny McBride. So expect a pretty hilarious film crammed with dick jokes and more usage of the word "fuck" than you'll know what to do with. Also, Natalie Portman in an iron thong. No complaints.

The jokes and overall feel of this trailer are eerily similar to the D&D game that I engage in whenever I am back home in Jersey with several of my good friends. Like this past week for example.

Expect a podcast of the latest delve sometime this week.

Currently Listening To: Postal Blue - The Softies

Operation P.R.O.M.

2010-11-23T21:26:00.000-08:00

Wanted to make a quick mention (not quick) of the Venture Bros. finale for season 4. Well 4.2 if you're being technical. Doc and Jackson really poured their souls into this. They managed to wrangle enough money from adult swim to have an hour long episode, complete with 3D vehicles, licensed music, and enough action to fill 4 Jason Stathams.

I don't want to give a lot away for anyone who didn't see it, but there are several events that will significantly change the Venture-verse. Characters dying, double-crossers being double-crossed, positions of power switching. Certain henchman discovering their true calling in life, and the boys growing up in their own socially awkward way. As well as so many other great parts.

The scene that stands out the most to me is the very dramatic/comical "rescue" at the end where Brock rushes frantically back to stop impending chaos. It does an amazing thing, which is taking a show that is 99% comedy and pumps a whole lotta' heart into the episode.

It shows that despite his absence from bodyguard duty and his emotion towards the other characters that Brock is the moral compass of the show, and that above all the depression, insanity, and flaws that they have, he is there to protect his family.

Venture Bros. will return for a 5th season. And if this episode is any inkling to the growth the show I honestly cannot wait.

Currently Listening To: Like Friends - Pulp

To All Those Who Have Served

2010-11-11T13:25:00.000-08:00

Thank you for everything you've done in keeping our country safe.

At least I could do is draw up a 2 minute sketch of the good old American boy Steve Rogers.

Currently Listening To: Treehouse - I'm From Barcelona

Sugar And Spice And Savagery

2010-11-08T09:34:00.000-08:00

I like to believe that I blog things that are relatable to both genders. But this post is mostly Y-Chromosome.

Recently while lurking about the webs I came across the video-cast "I Hit it With My Axe".

If you enjoy watching an alternative hairstylist, a stripper, two adult film starlets, and a pin-up model play a hybrid version of 3.5 edition D&D in LA as much as I do, than this is definitely for you.

The veteran player of the group is model/illustrator/gamer/geek Satine Phoenix.

Most likely natural.

You can see more of her and her sexy/nerdy ways at her website. Sex, Food, and Comic Books.

Roll for initiative!

I've been fleshing out some rough character designs for my short and some of them are coming along nicely. Check out the zombie businessman a couple posts down.

For a scene that is taking place in a 1930s night club of course I need some female characters to pepper into the film, so here is one that I drew up in my sketchbook last night and inked up really quick this morning in PS.

I'm still fleshing out the Succubus Bar Fly.

I'm going to take a break from posting until I go home to New Jersey for Thanksgiving and actually have some downtime. Keeping with the theme of this post I leave you with the latest music video from Ingrid Michaelson.

Currently Listening To:

A Tall Pale Cup Of Coco

2010-11-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

So I'm on break from drawing a red-headed model in one of my studio courses which reminded me to relay this message. If you have cable in your homes you are obligated to watch the return of Conan O'Brien tonight at 11 pm on TBS. Instead of posting a funny promo picture of Conan here is a picture of Tommy Hogg and myself. If you know him you get the joke.

Check out his website HERE!

It has a soul unlike most Gingers.

That is all. Expect some new art tomorrow.

Currently Listening To: Young Men Dead - The Black Angels

R.I.P. Ian Berry

2010-11-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

On Friday the entire UArts student body received an extremely upsetting e-mail that Ian berry had passed away. Ian was one of the nicest and most genuine people I've ever had the chance of meeting and spending time with. He was an amazingly talented dancer who left this world way too early.

Rest easy Ian, you touched more people's lives than you'll ever know.

Currently Listening To: Winter Bones - Stars

Rumors of My Laziness Are Exaggerated

2010-10-23T10:07:00.000-07:00

It has been over a month since my last post, and I apologize. With a hefty class schedule and an even heftier work load alot of my personal projects are sitting on a shelf staring at me with indifference. They're going to have to wait till I sweep clean my slate of current workshop projects.

Again sorry for the fall off in posts. So here's a quick summary of what the month of October held. First off NYC Comic-Con was a blast. Another great Con with great friends, and got to meet some awesome people. Including several voice actors from the show 'Ugly Americans', the amazing band Powerglove, and my idol Jackson Publick. Who gave me some great advice and was overall an awesomely nice guy.

Side note: if you're not watching season 4.5 of Venture Bros. you are missing out on some of the best writing and cartoon work on television.

My roommate and I also talked to the incredibly friendly members of the Boston based band, Powerglove.

Guaranteed to take every childhood melody you remember and make it melt your face. Yes, they were there in full Dino-Bone Battle Armor.

There are plenty of pictures from NYC CC on my facebook page.

Now enough about New York. I haven't been totally lazy. Quite the contrary. As I said before my classes are piling work on me, which doesn't give me much time to post personal sketches and illustrations.

My latest class project was an interdisciplinary piece where we had to find a student from a different major to work with. Thankfully some of my best friends are dancers, making the second part to this equation very simple. Check out the final product below.

Special thanks again to Amanda Hill. If you do meow and claw at our front door again though I'm gonna spray you with water.

I'm starting another project for class in a couple days, so I managed to squeeze in a quick animation of a character that is going to make a quick appearance in my junior film.

Look for him and several other paranormal creatures that will be turning up in my short. Also backgrounds, there will be backgrounds.

All for now. I promise I will update more frequently.

Currently Listening To:

Visit Poweglove's official site HERE!

I'm Back B*tch...With Webs!

2010-09-02T12:06:00.000-07:00

I am back, after almost a month long absence from updating my blog here. I have cleared out the digital cobwebs and am officially moved back into the city I missed so much, Philadelphia. New house, new classes, new projects, new year. I'm going to kick off this year with a few drawings of some of my favorite Spider-Man characters.

As Spider-Man characters go, Spidey is easily the most boring of them costume wise. Also I hate drawing characters who were full head masks. It doesn't allow me to draw expression or emotion, so I drew him first to get it out of the way to make room for better characters.

Now I know you're saying that is not Spider-Man's costume at all. Agreed. But Peter Parker is a broke and struggling college student (or was). So he would lack the money needed to create a fully functioning and professional super hero suit. It would most likely be made up of blue sweatpants, tube socks, Reeboks, and a sleeveless shirt he swiped from Gold's Gym. The Mask? Masks are easy to buy, and yes that's sharpie for the webs.

In "Internship is over" news, I have wrapped up my summer internship with Augenblick Studios in Brooklyn. It was an awesome experience, and I will definitely be sending in a resume to them after I graduate. They did give me a very nice parting gift as well.

Currently Listening To: Little Kids -- Deerhunter

Gold Fiddles Are For Hicks

2010-08-07T13:31:00.000-07:00

Was listening to the album 'Salvation is a Deep Dark Well' by the band The Builders and the Butchers and was reminded of my friend Victoria Cook's animated music video for the song 'Devil Town'.

Give it a gander and be filled with as much adorable body juices that will be allowed by your immune system.

Devil Town - Music Video - The Builders and the Butchers from Victoria Cook on Vimeo.

Currently Listening To: Venture Bros. Commentary for episode "Love Bheits"

Do Bad Things

2010-08-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

If it's no surprise to anyone I'm a huge True Blood fan. It is a vampire show that is doing it right. Extremely gory, vicious, and intense vampires. And it's filled with sex, violence, vampires dying in sunlight, amazingly gorgeous women, and werewolves that don't rough house shirtless with a bunch of Native American dudes.

Oh, yeah. And savage backwards head sex. Its got that too.

This season in particular has been way more brutal than it has been in the past and I am in full support of that. Sadly though one of my favorite (and the most attractive) characters Jessica was not in last nights episode, which is just wrong. I did draw up a quick little sketch of her today in my tiny sketchbook while taking a break from riding around the neighborhood today.

If you did watch the latest episode you witnessed the morbid and incredibly messy staking of a character within the first 30 seconds of the episode. Aside from it being awesome it did make think of the proper tools for snuffing out Le Vampire. Here are some fancy prop sets that I found on Super Punch.

Both have been tested and approved by Corey Feldman.

Currently Listening To: No -- Wedding Present

Live Every Week...

2010-08-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

It is the first week in August which means two things. 1) Only 17 more days until I move back to Philly and 2) It's Shark Week.

In celebration of this week long holiday of chum and cartilage I drew a little picture at the beach today.

Gotta include this.

like a doll's eyes...

Currently Listening To: Don't Haunt This Place -- Rural Alberta Advantage

San Diego Comic Con Notes

2010-07-26T06:26:00.000-07:00

I have returned home from camping and SDCC 2010 has been over since Monday. Here are some of the highlights from Nerd Prom.

Number one stunna from the Con were the counter-protesters. I did a post about a week ago about how the lunatics from the Westboro Baptist Church (not really a church as much as it is a family business that manufactures crazy and racism) were going to be protesting at SDCC because it promotes the worship of false idols. In response to this a mob of nerds stood across the street offering their own protest signs.

There are plenty more hilarious photos of the nerdy counter-protesters and a quick interview with Gail Simone and Jesus right HERE!

The precursor post about Comic Con that I made was about the cast of 'Avengers' being revealed, bringing closure to the rumors (now fact) that Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo will be playing Hawkeye and Bruce Banner. Also, the incredible Joss Whedon is the official director and screen-writer of the film. There was a collective expansion of boners in Hall H when this was announced, along with the reveal of the official logo.

Marvel also revealed exhibits displaying Captain America's Shield, Thor's Hammer, the Infinity Gauntlet, the helmets of Thor, Odin, and Loki, and plenty of other film goodies. Marvel Studios did release a small bit of rough footage from the upcoming 'Captain America' movie showing Hugo Weaving portraying the Red Skull with such amazing skill and charisma that it creeped people out. Maybe not as much as the Human Centipede cos-players. No I will not post a picture. Those people are sick in the head.

On the DC film side much of the buzz was around 'Green Lantern' and its actors.

Abin Sur, an alien being made out of frosting

There was a Comic Con exclusive release of the trailer, which you won't get to see on here because they actually smashed people's cameras before the screening (may not be true).

There were some interviews of attendees who were lucky enough to see the trailer and reaction seemed positive, despite Ryan Reynolds is in the movie.

Quick but exciting news from Astro-Base Go! Venture Bros. Season 4.5 is will be premiering September 12th on Adult Swim. Go Team Venture!

If you like spies and Adam Reed the second season of 'Archer' will be making its return to TV soon as well...Danger Zone.

The Scott Pilgrim Movie panel was packed to the rafters with people to see Michael Cera answer questions while dressed in a Captain America Halloween costume. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost came out on stage, getting people excited by the idea that they might be in the film, but Edgar Wright killed everyone's mojo by saying they were just there as a teaser. FACE!

Sadly San Diego has become more of a film festival and not alot of actual comic book news makes its way out onto the internet pipelines. There is news about a new X-Men series hitting stores soon. Oh and Wolverine is getting 4 new comic books to flood the market with. We get it, people like Wolverine. He doesn't need 15 different comics!

The 'Green Hornet' movie did offer some pretty attractive booth babes this year. But aside from that I didn't bother to read anything else about the film.

On a more hilarious note there was the first ever Comic Con stabbing. A man wearing a Harry Potter t-shirt attacked a fellow attendee who took his seat at the panel for Resident Evil: Afterlife. Really? You stabbed a guy in the eye with a pen for a seat at that panel? Up your standards a bit man. At least save the Bic equipped assault for 'Tron: Legacy' or even 'Sucker Punch'.

And in the latest news Marvel has just released the 'Thor' trailer they previewed in the infamous Hall H. Here's a look.

Currently Listening To: Cinco -- Ruby Suns

Quick Comic-Con Post

2010-07-24T22:22:00.000-07:00

Instead of waiting until the San Diego festivities wrap up completely before I make my nerdy assessment on what was revealed I felt that this little bit of news was needed.

'The Avengers' official cast took the stage at SDCC the other day. Here is a snap-shot.

There'll be a full SDCC evaluation later in the week.

Currently Listening To: Deafkids -- The Books

Technological Age

2010-07-22T20:55:00.000-07:00

When it comes down to it I'd much rather use good old pencil and paper over animating digitally. Despite the convenience that animating digitally offers. So I've been trying to ween myself onto Flash animating and leave paper as my second string. It has been a rough transition, especially while trying to work on my Wacom. Don't get me wrong, my tablet is a wonderful piece of technology, but after being spoiled by the $5,000 Cyntiques that they have in the Augenblick Studio I'm probably going to have to wait till I get back to Philadelphia and use one of those instead.

This entire thought comes about because several weeks ago I started working on a teaser promo for my very good friend Mikey Mullen, who is working on a monster movie in the coming months. This quick little clip is something I came up with by slaving over a warm Cyntique screen for a few hours. Be sure to watch it in full-screen.

Again, just a really dry run and this is pretty much the most work I've done animating directly in Flash. Practice makes perfect.

Currently Listening To: Ice Dogs -- Man Man

Yes, Decomposing Meat Snacks. Just What I Want.

2010-07-19T14:07:00.000-07:00

Remember that disgusting neon green Zombie Blood drink that I poisoned by body with? Well the evil candy corporation Harcos that put out that insipid fluid is now putting out a brand of beef jerky.

Yeah, and if the gimmicky allure of raw-dried zombie flesh doesn't appeal to you maybe this picture of a strip of it will wet your palette.

Mmmm, yeah. That's exactly what I want from my beef jerky.

On the topic of green zombie epidermis' my friend and fellow animator Frank Giggleboots informed me about a teaser trailer for an animated adaptation of Eric Powell's comic 'The Goon'! Huzzah! And it looks like we're finally going to get an American computer animated film with at least a PG-13 rating. Give it a look.

Currently Listening To: Home -- Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes

Inception Review

2010-07-17T19:26:00.000-07:00

Normally I don't really enjoy reviewing movies, despite my love for cinema. I don't know what it is...I just don't enjoy it. Until now.

Me and my good friend Christopher 'Gustav' Saksa went to the theater today to have our minds blown.

It took my brain several hours to finally settle down after the tempest of delta brainwaves that 'Inception' caused. Things have been bleak at the multi-plex lately aside from one or two decent movies. Christopher Nolan's (Dark Knight, Memento) latest movie is like a shining beacon of hope made out of gold and chocolate standing high above the ocean of mediocre films that we've been swimming in for several years. I'm going to give a brief synopsis of the film, mainly because alot of people who talk to about it are confused entirely about the plot. But I'll try my best not to give anything away. Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) is a man who has trained his mind to be able to invade other people's dreams with the help of a strange device mainly kept in a silver "blade runner" briefcase. He enters their dreams as a sub-conscious manifestation of himself. Cobb has been away from home for an ambiguous amount of time due to a mysterious crime or occurrence, and has been trying to buy his way back home by taking jobs of infiltrating the dreams of important and powerful people and stealing vital information from them that they keep in their dreams.

Cobb is approached by a new employer. A Mr. Saito (Ken Watanabe), who offers Cobb a job, and in return he will find a way to get him home. However the job does not involve the extraction of information, but the impossible idea of planting an idea in the target's mind. The feat of inception (Ha! that's the title).

Cobb takes the job and along with his team they try to perform the insane feat inside the dreams of a man who has a dangerously trained sub-conscious. Cobb's crew is made up of Arthur "the muscle" and Cobb's partner (Joseph Gordon-Levvit), Ariadne (Ellen Page) "the architect" who creates the landscape of the dreamer's lucid world while she herself is present in it, and Eames (Tom Hardy) the "forger" and comic relief of the film. I'm going to stop explaining the plot there before I give too much away.

Everything about this film was perfect. DiCaprio and everyone else gives an A+ performance. The visual and special effects were incredible and mind-boggling at times. Especially the zero gravity fight scene. Being able to take the real world and have characters bend and twist it like a dream was literally jaw dropping. And Christopher Nolan seems to be the only person in Hollywood with original ideas anymore. The man can not only write a flawless script but also direct the hell out of it. And when I say flawless script I mean it in every sense of the word. There were moments that tugged at the short and curlies with intensity, and others that made my brain do gymnastics.

An illustrated depiction of a "braingasm"

I don't do number scores for movies, or anything I rate. All I'm going to say is go see this movie immediately. Hands down one of the best films of 2010. Also it's good to see Tom Berenger working again.

Currently Listening To: Dawn -- Midnight Movies

Russians & Rednecks

2010-07-16T21:03:00.000-07:00

So I know it has been about a solid month since the discovery of the Russian spies living amongst us in the North-East area. One of the most famous being a Miss Anne Chapman (not her real name). I discovered this when I picked up a New York Post in Brooklyn several weeks ago and read an article that seemed to have been written by an editor for Playboy in 1977.

The words "vivacious" and "bombshell" appear quite often

Sadly the red-headed Russian spy (you may be able to see where I'm going with this) who is easily not only the most attractive but also the most interesting of all the spies is being deported back to the snow mines of Siberia.

Which brings me to a quick mention of the newest Black Widow comic. Read it, it's quite good.

In more comic book news, apparently the Westboro Baptist Church is going to be protesting outside of San Diego Comic Con, because we nerdy heathens worship super heroes as "false idols". Check out this link to Gamma Squad for more of the story.

The lunatics of that "Not-Really A" Church have turned from insane/evil fucking people (I'm serious, these people are the scum of the earth) to insane high school jocks mocking geeks. The thing is is that we are used to mockery, so having a picket line making fun of con attendees is pretty mild. I sadly will not be in San Diego, but I will be at NYC Comic Con for several days and if they do show their toothless ignorant heads there hopefully an overzealous Manhattan cop will choke out one of them with his nigh stick. We can only hope.

Currently Listening To: Great Ghosts -- Mount Eerie

Cooler Heads Prevail

2010-07-11T04:38:00.000-07:00

As I've stated I think twice before, Batman's rogues gallery is packed with characters that will challenge and expand your drawing skills. It has been maliciously hot in New Jersey lately (my friend Kayla has coined the phrase Satan's Rectum as a way of explaining the heat), so I figured I'd draw Mr. Freeze in the hopes that it would cool me off a bit. It didn't.

Sadly, Mr. Freeze was one of several characters to fall prey to Joel Schumacher and his horrible Batman films. I'm pretty sure a good amount of us remember this.

Currently Listening To: Pigeonhold -- Port O' Brien

Take That Creationism! More Proof That You're Stupid.

2010-07-07T14:35:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has seen the horror movie 'Jesus Camp' knows that extreme Evangelists who believe in Creationism are not only stupid but they're not to be trusted.

Any kid with a rat-tail that long and an extreme Christian background is bound for Grand Dragon

I stumbled across this amazing video, which features the dream team of art and science. Proving again that evolution vs. creationism is like a gorilla fighting a blind kid that wandered into its cage wearing a suit made out of whatever gorillas eat.

BIG BANG BIG BOOM - the new wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

In the spirit of evolution I'm trying to expand my drawing styles, and 'childish' has been the latest one I've started to tackle. That explains the adorable dinosaur with a book for a torso.

And most importantly I want to say rest in peace to my Grandfather, Jack Murray. A man who taught me the meaning of strength. You taught me more than anyone could even try to.

Currently Listening To: Old Haunts -- The Gaslight Anthem

Shop Smart

2010-06-27T14:48:00.000-07:00

Not alot of text or jokes to go with this post. Just a caricature I did a while ago of one of my heroes, Bruce Campbell.

Sorry about the strange lighting, if you haven't guessed by now majority of my work is taken with photo booth for means of putting it on the webs.

Groovy.

Currently Listening To: Libraries -- Seabear

Buster Cannon...Of Deliciousness!

2010-06-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

On my never ending journey to give myself kidney failure I have tasted a new energy drink. Again I must thank my friend Joe Glading, a Hot Topic employee for giving me the inside information on all the new and tasty drinks that they get on their shelves. I try to go before 6, that's when the scary Scene children arrive and stare into my soul. Seriously, go ride a bike or something you shady 16 year olds! There's plenty of hoops that need pushing down a dirt road with a stick, get on it! Enough of my old man rage, here is the latest drink.

Yeah, you're eyes don't deceive you. That is a Mega Man E-Tank energy drink! Pow! How may I explain the flavor? Hmmm, how does blueberrys and a slight hint of monster sound. But it comes with none of that stingy after taste that you get with Red Bull, yeah, I hate Red Bull. It was so good I bought two. And in my E-Tank fueled state I came up with a list in my head of the 3 craziest Mega Man bosses. Well Crazy in my opinion.

3. Wood Man

I don't see the tactical or functional idea behind creating a cyborg killing machine out of stumps. Doesn't Mega Man shoot concentrated energy? Good luck Wood Man, you're made out of kindling.

2. Bubble Man

Aside from looking like a shitty Gundam suit his choice of weapon is just poor. Bubbles? Yeah, bubbles. My nephew was playing with bubbles the other day, and to my surprise he was not horribly mangled or maimed during the experience. I'm just going to have to guess that Bubble Man is mixing his soap with Arkansas water. They have hard water there.

1. Boomer Kuwanger

What the fuck? Alright, Mega Man X is my favorite Mega Man game. Every boss has some sort of connection between their animal appearance to their powers. Except Spark Mandril, but that can slide. But what the fuck is Boomer Kuwanger? More importantly...just Boomer Kuwanger?! Did you black out and knock your head on the keyboard while coming up with this guys name Capcom? I get it, he's a weird bug-bot, but why not like Steel Beetle? See, just did what you should've done over a decade ago.

Currently Listening To: Fell Down The Stairs -- Tilly and the Wall

Supreme Flavor!

2010-06-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

Doctor Strange is one of the few super heroes who can get away with wearing old man pajamas and sporting a mustache that was only in style thirty years ago. Actually he is the only one. The sorcerer supreme is high up on my ladder as far as awesome characters go, even though some people do not enjoy the good doctor's existence. I'm looking at you Jim Semple! You know what I'm talking about!

A powerful sorcerer with an unorthodox costume, who lives in Greenwich Village, and has had multiple involvements with several different dimensions. It's about time that they made a felt black-light poster.

Space-Wizard. The Unreleased Steve Miller Album

I would make a joke that somehow involved Dormamu, but just referencing it is nerdy enough for the geeks reading this to chuckle. To accompany this AWESOME poster I did a quick little sketch of Doctor Strange myself.

Currently Listening To: Brother -- Murder By Death

N00b Moose!

2010-06-08T10:07:00.000-07:00

Hans Jørgen Olsen (destined to be either a death metal singer or a golfer), a 12 year old Norwegian boy defended his sister from a moose attack using tactics and strategies he learned from playing World of Warcraft. Suck it Guild Wars!

(May not have actually happened like this)

The Olsen children were taking a shortcut through the woods on their way to school, apparently they live in the same town as Hansel and Gretel, when they came across an angry moose. The moose charged at the tiny Scandinavian children, and to save his sister Hans waved his arms and taunted the moose to distract it and have it come after him instead. A tactic that WoW players use to lure monsters away from weak or injured party members. The moose charged Hans and head-butted him in the back, with most of the force being absorbed by his backpack, which was probably full of reindeer steak and Dimmu Borgir CD's. The little viking then played possum after being knocked down by the beast. This excerpt from Topless Robot explains.

'The idea to play dead, he had learned from playing online role-playing game World of Warcraft. “When you reach level 30, you learn a trick called the ‘fake death’. That’s what I did – I pretended I was dead, and then the moose lost interest,” says the brave 12-year-old.'

Congrats Hans for having chrome plated and newly descended testicles that Odin would be jealous of. Sadly I don't think that any American WoW nerds would have the athleticism or quick thinking that Hans "Elg Manndrapere" Olsen showed out in the wilderness. The only possible way to find out is release some onto a game reserve and see how they fair.

Let's just be thankful that he didn't play Everquest. Yeah, I'm saying Everquest sucks.

Currently Listening To: Black River Killer -- Blitzen Trapper

A Keystone Of My Creative Process

2010-06-06T15:56:00.000-07:00

Now it will come to no surprise to anyone that my list of influences is about the length of a roll of toilet paper. When it comes to creating characters, mainly super heroes and villains, several comic books/characters come to mind as catalysts of inspiration. X-Men, WILD Cats, The Authority, and the Batman rogues gallery (which if you want to increase your drawing ability take time and draw each of them).

But one book stands above the rest when it comes to a cavalcade of original characters. That book is Top 10.

Top 10 (the first volume) was drawn by the excellent Gene Ha and written by one of my heroes. Alan Moore. Now I’ll be the first to admit that the dark wizard of comic books can get a little wordy with his books. There are giant sections of Watchmen I just skipped over. I don’t care about your pocket watch Doctor Manhattan! But Moore tones it down for Top 10 and let’s the cavalcade of creative characters run the story. If you’re looking for diversity in your super heroes you’ll be hard pressed to do so. Let me clear up the plot for you. After World War II the super scientists left over were commissioned to create a giant metropolis to live in instead of returning to normal life. The city is soon filled with not only super scientists, but super powered humans, cyborgs, aliens, monsters, and pretty much the collective works of L. Ron Hubbard (proof that the book is fiction. Take that scientology! Sting a little? And no I will not go see Knight & Day!)

The only way for a city of super heroes and villains to be policed is by super heroes. The Top 10 are the most skilled members of the police force. Aside from the fantastic story and incredible art the layout of the comic panels are really something to behold. I can’t do it justice through text, so just take a look at some page scans.

Google does not offer any images that due this book nearly enough justice. If you like comedy and super heroes portrayed in a light to make them seem like everyday people...no. Not even that. Just go pick this book up regardless of what you like. It has something for everyone.

Currently Listening To: Where You Want To Go -- La Strada

Culinary Quality Of Grey Matter

2010-06-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

Thankfully for Horror nerds the Zombie genre hasn't been turned into a pathetic mass of regret and mediocrity like Vampires have over the past couple of years. If 'Twilight' Body Shimmer isn't big enough of a sign of that.

I don't think Bram Stoker imagined that this would be the future of Vampires in literature

Everything Zombie wise from books, movies, comic books, and now TV shows are helping keep up appearances for the flesh feasting crowds.

Hey! I work on that show!

But upon one previous trip to a store in the mall that features topics of a warm nature me and my good friend Gus came upon this horrific drink.

Made by the same company that brought the previously tasted Blood Pack Energy Potion, comes the "Lime" flavored Zombie Blood Energy Potion. I use the word lime loosely. Instead of explaining how bad this drink was I made a little video instead.

To keep with the theme of this post here are a few sketchbook pages of zombie sketches I did over the past couple days. Sorry for the poor quality of the image, but I do not see myself buying a scanner anytime soon.

Also, I would feel like a failure if I didn't make note of the newly released image of zombie make-up for the upcoming mini-series 'The Walking Dead', based off the best comic book on store shelves of the same name.

I approve. Be ready for the next post that is loaded with Frankensteins'!

Currently Listening To: Infinity Guitars -- Sleigh Bells

Let Me Tell You About Cult Status

2010-06-03T11:40:00.000-07:00

It's a shame when good ideas are cancelled or never given a shot and horrible ideas are given TV spots in the middle of the day. I'm looking at you Garfield Show!

Don't look at it for to long, you'll go sterile.

But some cartoons get the green light, like Adventure Time, which got its time in the sun after it became popular online. Hopefully this show will have the same luck on Nickelodeon.

The Modifyers is a wonderful mixture of British (slightly) humor, steampunk-esque gadgets, and an aesthetic that is a mix between 'Foster's Home', 'The X's' and 'The Phantom Tollbooth' for anyone who remembers watching that in the library in 4th grade when they wanted us to shut up. Give it a look for yourself, and hopefully it will get enough interweb fame to get a chance on the TV box.

Currently Listening To: Oh My God! -- Ida Maria

I'm Back B*tch!

2010-05-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

Wow, there has been alot happening since my last post back in early May. Trucks crashing and releasing hordes of bees in the Mid-West, horrible father's on PCP eating their son's eyes, King Koopa passed away, and fish have grown hands.

I honestly have no idea to begin, or what questions to answer. Why is the show Flashpoint so bad? What's been going on in comics recently? Why is the pink ranger Kimberly in the show Flashpoint?

Well comic book wise, I'm balls deep in the opus that is X-Men: Second Coming. Which has been fantastic on all accounts, which is rare to see when you have multiple writers working towards one main story arc. If you're not reading it, I'm not going to bother explaining it. But for you to understand the photos that are going to follow I need to explain the prologue a bit.

Okay, so think 3 Men & A Baby, but you kill Guttenberg and Danson and Selleck is played by Cable. Well that baby is trained and condition to be a soldier that will be the messiah of the mutant race when the time comes. Well before Second Coming came out Marvel decided to do a little short story written by Duane Swiercyznski and drawn by the incredibly mediocre Steve Dillon (except for Preacher). I came across this comic while helping my good friend Gus organize his collection, and I figured I'd do him a favor and do this.

And yes, this comic got what it deserved. I'm a die hard comic geek, but I'm not above burning horrible work.

So let that book burning be the signal lantern for my official return to my blog for the summer. Expect alot of sketches, comic book reviews, guest writers, animations, music reviews, and the latest going on in the nerdverse.

Currently Listening To: Snake In the Grass -- The Black Angels

Tales From The Road And Last Weekend in Philly

2010-05-13T07:07:00.000-07:00

I'm currently sitting on a bed with not sheets or pillows staring at blank white walls, which means either I'm in an insane asylum or that I'm finally moving out of my apartment. Hold on...nope not an insane asylum. I'm anxiously waiting for 5 o'clock to roll around so I can finally sign out of my building and head to my good friend Zak Parson's GET 1LL t-shirt release party.

Being my last week(end) in Philly, I'm trying to gather in as much city life (which I've come to love) as possible before I officially return home to the sunny suburbs of NJ for the summer months. So of course when there were free Scientology stress tests being given on the sidewalk the other day I had take one. Afterwards the kindly old man in a white coat gave me this.

We have already started working on a Dianetics drinking game.

I also finished my first day at Augenblick on Wednesday, working towards getting my official Augenblick mug. Looking forward to going back again next week.

I've felt like a tri-state area world traveler the past three days, commuting between NYC, NJ, and PA. In the midst of all the hours sitting on buses and in cars I've sketched a few little drawings. Here is one from my trip back into Philly the other morning.

If you're wondering, it's a sketch of Alan Moore. There will be Moore in the future...I hate myself.

I'm going to take a bit of a vacation from posting stuff for a while, once I get all settled in back home I will deliver some A+ material. Until then have a good month of May.

Currently Listening To: Sun -- Caribou

The Man

2010-05-07T15:40:00.000-07:00

I've been in a very character design mood lately, so expect alot of character concepts instead of animations for a while. Mainly because I'm gonna be incredibly busy with work and interning this summer. But anyway...

I was listening to The Nerdist Podcast (created and hosted by the very funny Chris Hardwick) and he was interviewing comic legend Stanley Martin Lieber, or Stan Lee if you're not obsessed.

So I got in the mood to honor the man who was the brain behind some of the greatest comics of all time.

(including my all time favorite comic, X-Men)

Give the whole list of podcasts a listen, especially if you like comedy talk, nerd humor, and constant Doctor Who references.

Currently Listening To: Ghost Moves -- The Octopus Project

The Unmistakeable Man

2010-05-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a once in a lifetime experience Friday night, instead of seeing Iron Man 2 head down to Asbury Lanes and enjoy River City Extension.

The boys and gals from RCE will be releasing their newest album "The Unmistakeable Man", along with fellow Toms River bands Brick & Mortar and Foxes & Lions.

Joe shaved his beard for this! Go and listen to some creamy good tunes.

Currently Listening To: Chimes of Freedom -- Byrds

100 Posts Strong

2010-05-03T17:01:00.000-07:00

Instead of making a big deal about reaching 100 posts on my blog, I'm going to do an Iron Man post instead in anticipation of the upcoming film.

My first time drawing Mr. Stark in a while, and I did a mash-up of his older suit (circa 80s-90s, or the Avengers arcade game if you remember) and a little bit of his latest look.

Who doesn't enjoy franchises? Marvel sure does. Here's some of the latest Iron Man Merch to come out for the film.

1. Limited Edition Iron Man Cologne by DIESEL

Okay, any nerd will argue that Iron Man doesn't run on diesel, but on the charge of the arc reactor powering his heart, which he had to install...blah blah nerd talk blah. Having never smelled this man-grance (fragrance for men) I'm just going to guess that is it a mixture of dry vermouth, motor oil, and massage lotion left over from the June cover model of FHM magazine.

2. Iron Man Operation

Now this is a toy I can get behind. Mainly since it takes away the creepiness of performing surgery on a strange, pear shaped, asexual man who has a body full of objects that should never be inside any human. I only hope they got rid of the ear raping buzz noise that happens when your shaky adolescent hands hit the metal sides.

3. Iron Man Helmet

No banter. No jokes. Do want! $30? I'll see you when I get my first pay-check this summer. Yes, I know I'm 22 years old.

Since it is officially May I'm going to jump into my comic bin rather early. This month's graphic novel is the Iron Man comic 'Demon in a Bottle'.

One of the most quintessential Iron Man comics of all time, 'Demon' crams classic action, a cavalcade of villains, a good handful of the Avengers, casinos, plane crashes, The Sub Mariner, Jarvis' dying mom, and assassination plots into an 8 issue collection.

The writing team of Bob Layton and David Michelinie did an excellent job of injecting a human problem like alcoholism into a superhero, and John Romita Jr.'s art does an excellent job at portraying that. Especially the cover art. If you're an Iron Man fan and haven't read this book then there is something wrong with your brain.

The film comes out May 7th and I'm positive that several of my nerdy friends with blogs will do reviews, saving me from having to write one up. So go out and support Stark Industries this friday.

And yes, I am a stock holder.

Currently Listening To: Love U -- Blitzen Trapper

No, We Are Not Related...Sadly

2010-05-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

So Joe Murray has been the brain behind two major cartoon hits. Rocko's Modern Life, which helped sculpt my young adolescent brain for the cartoon world, and Camp Lazlo. Now he wants to start his own network?!

I'll be sending in my resume soon enough Joe.

Currently Listening To: Daisy -- Fang Island

Definition Of Hard Work Paying Off

2010-04-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

Mazeltov! Huzzah! And or Go team! It is official, after almost a years worth of hard work creating a demo reel that I felt would capture the eye of anyone who looked at it paid off in spades. Come Wednesday, May 12th, I will officially be interning at Augenblick Studios in Brooklyn, NY for the summer.

Thank you Tim Rauch for all the help, my parents for everything they do for me, and of course my girlfriend Erin for supporting everything I do and just being all around amazing. Now it's time to celebrate!

Currently Listening To: Bullets -- Tunng

The Inner Machinations Of My Brain

2010-04-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

The transition from creative process to work process of my brain is very convoluted. It's like a small group of TV executives who keep pitching ideas, and the one that has the most development done gets a pilot episode. That's the best way I can explain it. So the Marvel animation I was planning on has been pushed aside for the arcade project that I have eluded to in previous posts. I do feel bad though, since the good Dr. Strange was next up on the sketch block. But I will do a full color drawing of the man sometime soon.

Here are a few sketches I did at my coffee table the other day. But this is not always a safe bet for this project. So it better pray that I don't have something more developed in my head come walking into cerebellumville.

Currently Listening To: Parallel Lines -- Dear and the Headlights

Can't Stop, Won't Stop

2010-04-21T07:27:00.000-07:00

So despite me completing my demo reel, and still being flooded with a mountain of other projects I am still working on my own animations. Mainly because I am insane. I've started work on background designs and here is what I have to show you so far.

That is as big of a hint as to what it's going to be about I can give you. Also I'm not on a time clock for this project so it's not going to be up until at least this summer.

Also, my interview got switched to Friday. So come the 23rd I'll be in Brooklyn competing for my summer internship.

Currently Listening To: Strange Terrain -- Circa Survive