Dragonfly – A Graphic Novel by Jim Lawson

Well, looks like we’ve got some more original projects coming down the pipeline from our beloved Mirage guys.

Talking with Steve Levigne a few weeks back, he had mentioned that Jim was working on an original graphic novel. Jim explains a little bit about his new project:

I came up with the idea to do Dragonfly about a year ago. I’ve done dinosaur comics in the past, but I wanted this one to be a little different.
Although I’ve just labeled this a dinosaur comic, I don’t really consider it simply that. In the pages of Dragonfly, I knew that I wanted to gather all the creatures, things and characters that I have an affinity for- aliens, robots, funky post-apocalyptic vehicles and then of course, the occasional T-Rex.
Secondly, I made my decision early in the creative process to include both human and anthropomorphized characters in this world. I think that the cast of a story is terribly important and I’ve put a lot of thought into developing characters that work well together and enhance one another. The relationship that these individuals have seems like it could lead to some fun interactions and situations. Along with that, I wanted this new comic to be a little wacky and strange- I didn’t want to be constrained by scientific fact, or things that just wouldn’t be possible in our reality.

I’d not heard of this Kickstarter website before, so I looked into it. To contribute, you can offer Any amount… even a dollar. And Jim’s got all sorts of little treats and privileges to offer as a thank you for helping him reach his goal.

So if you like Jim’s artwork and want to chip in, or if you’re just curious to see what he’s up to, stop in and take a peek:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1056947565/dragonfly-an-adventure-tale-of-dinosauric-proporti

~Machias

You’re gonna Love my Dad: Shellback Artworks, Wells Maine

Happy New Year, my fellow Machines!

Ahh, a new year, new beginnings… one of my personal resolutions being to get Back into drawing again. Unfortunately, I’ve had such a drought of creativity, I didn’t know where I was gonna find my starting point.

Then, last week, I received an e-mail from a pleasant fellow named David, and a link to a ‘commercial’ he created involving his best friend’s dad – Steve Lavigne – and his comic/art shop “Shellback Artworks”.

Needless to say, the commercial inspired me to go to the shop. It’s just over the border in Wells, and it was a nice drive today.

It’s a simple two-level set up, with original artwork on the walls TMNT and Non-TMNT. The main level has plenty of current comics, old swag from the Old Toon days, art supplies and even the full-sized Turtle statues. And they are BIG. They made me feel normal-height. 🙂

The upstairs was part art gallery, part classroom setting. Steve has some short classes where he helps kids and adults learn how to draw their own characters and make their pictures look like comic book covers. Talk about an experience to treasure…

The Mirage guys have taken part in a few signing events there, and they’ve all contributed to the shop in different ways. It’s nice to know that they still get together … like a wacky, slightly dysfunctional family.

Steve was a great host. We ended up talking for two hours about everything from comparing traditional vs digital art, Mirage comics and the current TMNT cartoon, even things like cars, transformers and best of all, the Mirage crew’s original projects.

One project in particular I liked were two children’s books Steve’s illustrated, which have music written by Tim Janis – very well known, if you’re from New England. “Shine like a Lighthouse” and “Twinkle Star’s Adventure”. It’s the tale of the sea creatures that live in the waters surrounding the Nubble Lighthouse in Cape Neddick. The illustrations are cute and colorful, the music is enjoyable (sounds a Lot like James Taylor), and the plushies of the two main characters are sure to become favorites with your little ones.

So after taking a picture and buying a few things, we bid farewell with plans to meet again – next time, with my brother’s antique car and some new artwork – if there was ever such a thing as a creativity transfusion, I received one today.

Be sure to check them out on facebook, learn of the glory that is the Eberhard Faber indigo blue drafting pencil, and stop by the shop and say Hi to Steve. Things are quiet right now, but as the weather warms up, so will the activities and upcoming events.

So Stay Tuned!

~Machias

Flaming Carrot Hardback & Digital Comics; KICKSTARTER & the WEEK’s TMNT NEWS ROUND-UP

** JOIN THE FUN AND INSANITY !! THE Flaming Carrot Returns in this wildly successful Kickstarter campaign to support the next F.C. Hard cover & Digital project !! At a $51 or more pledge CEREBUS & TMNT ARE INCLUDED !! **

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Related notes ::

Rich’s cover breakdown of this week’s FUGITOID micro-series release from IDW.

What a great prelude to the new NICK TM<NT show premiering at the end of the month !! !!

**EXCLUSIVE NICK TMNT Motion COMICS!**

“Flip through and interact with these special TMNT comics. New issue every week!”

Watch as Splinter and the Turtles learn valuable lessons from a creepy & mysterious, ANCIENT Tengu !! !!

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** COWABUNGA CORNER Review: Rob Paulsen’s Talkin Toons TMNT EVENT **

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VIA TVSHOWS ON DVD ::

** “Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation – Shout! Finishes the Live-Action ’97 Series on DVD this December”**

• •

The 25 Greatest Moments in TMNT History from ADVENTURES IN POOR TASTE

~ t

88% HUMIDITY WITH KEVIN EASTMAN (TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES & HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE) & THE FOOT CLAN FLYER MOB

• •

–>> ** AGENT 88 IS FUNDED !!

561

Backers

$104,701

{ OVER- } pledged of $88,000 goal

..on behalf of Agent 88 – Tokka would personally like to thank all of the wonderful backers who helped fund one of the most original & ambitious projects – even from the lower echelons ..this Snapper is so proud to be a part of.

Also a very special thanks to the Foot Clan, after pulling some strings – Tokka managed to gather a small,deranged n’ motley crew of Foot Ninja, Mutanimals, Mutant Meanies, and even a couple’a stinky Turtles. All of whom helped Tokk wallpaper Southern Colorado with Flyers regarding the most awesome web series EVER !! !!

~ t

AGENT 88 :: “88 KICKS A SECOND WITH ERNIE REYES JR !!!”

• •

–>> ** AGENT 88 KICKSTARTS into her final hours for support, raising the last funds needed to finalize post-production on a one-of-a kind, hysterical ACTION-ROMP by Art Asylum founder DIGGER T. Mesch.

The much talked about & anticipated web series about worlds’ deadliest Assassin who also happens to be an 88 British Dame of shopping cart eloquence & an Alzheimer’s sufferer.

88 post-production supervisor & TMNT fan, Santino Ramos will also be acting in the series – and has pulled out the big guns; as mentioned earlier .. Ernie Reyes Jr.!!

For the first time ever these literal BROTHERS-IN-ARMS will be acting and working on the project together !!

** AGENT 88 has some killer incentives for you – including limited edition 88 Mini-Mates, DVDs, Hoodies & Tees, and the exciting “ART OF 88” from Heavy Metal !! With Kevin Eastman, Simon Bisley, David Mack, Kay D’arcy, Peter Mayhew, ( n’ some psychotic Snapper you just might just know & loathe ) and so many more behind the project .. you just can’t go wrong !!

Every little bit helps !! But this is YOUR LAST CHANCE TO JOIN IN !!

~ t