The Energon Pub

For my sketchbook, I generally just ask artist my personal favorite character they worked on. I should be more adventurous and ask for something they've never done... we'll see how that goes

I've posted these before but some highlights...

Comic-Con 2007

Spidey by Tom Beland of True Story - Swear to God. Insanely fun to talk to.


Kabuki by David Mack


The Astounding Wolfman by Jason Howard


Mini-Daredevil by Chris Giarusso!


Snake-Eyes by Tim Seeley


A stunning Superman sketch by Ivan Reis. Green Lantern's great... but I miss his Action Comics stuff. Awesome all around.


Walking Dead's Charlie Adlard didn't do a zombie sketch... he did a friggin portrait! It's gruesome. It's gorgeous.


Michael Gaydos' Jessica Jones. Simple & cool.


Savage Dragon by Erik Larsen


Quick Groo doodle by Sergio Aragones


Quick Goon doodle by Eric Powell


lilformers.com's Matt Moylan drawing Optimus Prime!


Invincible by Ryan Ottley! Hands down the best looking sketch I have and I'm truly happy to have it...


Though one page takes the cake. I saw Paul Dini at the DC booth and I was kicking myself I didn't have Detective Comics or the Batman DVDs on me (not enough time to run to the car). So I settle on getting a signature in my sketchbook which I was perfectly happy with. But a minute later Bruce Timm walks up behind me!!! Even though he didn't have a booth he was more than happy to do a super quick sketch. Needless to say, I geeked out!


Wizard World LA 2008

Ben Templesmith doing what he draws best He did that at Comic-Con and Steve Niles added his signature/doodle at the bottom.


I'm so behind in cartoons, I've yet to see the new Spidey cartoon. But I met Sean "Cheeks" Galloway, the character designer on the show.


Quite possibly the coolest sketch of the trip... Darick Robertson's Wolverine! I love his Wolverine run with Greg Rucka and The Boys. Though I've yet to read Transmetropolitan (I'll get to it soon!). Nonetheless, pictures of this sketch can't do it justice. I seriously waited an hour & a half and was last in line but so worth it!


Comic-Con 2008

I had the pleasure to meet Seibertron.com's very own Joe Ng and he did a wonderful Akuma sketch for me.


I love Mike Bear's stuff in GI Joe: America's Elite so I just had to ask for a Scarlett sketch.


Top Cow's Stefan Sejic who's doing spectacular work on Witchblade...


I was really excited to meet Phil Hester because he drew Green Arrow: Archer's Quest with Brad Meltzer, easily one of my favorite stories of all time. I was about to ask for a Green Arrow sketch when he did this simple yet beautiful doodle in my book. After that, I asked for Wonder Woman.

You met Erik Larsen? I think I hate you

Hate's a strong word, I think jealousy is a better one

I love Savage Dragon!

Final Crisis #7 - I honestly didn't care what was going on until the very last pages... which was actually pretty cool.

Since I spent the last month reading Alias and The Pulse, I have a new found perspective on Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. Which is why it made New Avengers #48's last page so devastating. You really think Luke hit rock bottom aligning with Norman to get Danielle back.

Then in today's #49, just when you think it's going to be a depressing journey to find Danielle there are plenty of F*** YEAH moments. Luke fights back using Wrecker's crowbar... a call back from the second or third arc! Easily the best thing I read this week.

Supreme Convoy wrote::BOT: Luke fights back using Wrecker's crowbar... a call back from the second or third arc! Easily the best thing I read this week.

he still has that crowbar? He last used that in the Sentry arc, the second storyline on New Avengers with McNiven on art.

As for Final Crisis, where did Mandrakk came from? If I didn't follow Superman Beyond, I'd be confused.

olokin wrote:

Supreme Convoy wrote::BOT: Luke fights back using Wrecker's crowbar... a call back from the second or third arc! Easily the best thing I read this week.

he still has that crowbar? He last used that in the Sentry arc, the second storyline on New Avengers with McNiven on art.

As for Final Crisis, where did Mandrakk came from? If I didn't follow Superman Beyond, I'd be confused.

Eh, I have no clue what happened in that book other than Batman's plot.

I'm currently re-reading #1-7 in (hopefully) one or two sittings. With most Grant Morrison's books, it'll probably read much better in a bigger story.

Supreme Convoy wrote:I'm currently re-reading #1-7 in (hopefully) one or two sittings. With most Grant Morrison's books, it'll probably read much better in a bigger story.

Thats what I'm hoping too. I hope the collected edition features the original scripts and plot. I enjoyed the first issue better when I read the director's cut version.

Outside of Arkham Asylem and his run on JLA I haven't like much of Morrison's other works.

Cyberstrike wrote:Outside of Arkham Asylem and his run on JLA I haven't like much of Morrison's other works.

Personally, I really love We3, All Star Superman, parts of New X-Men, and JLA: Earth 2.

Not surprisingly, he is magic when he pairs up with Frank Quitely.

I guess you're eagerly awaiting Morrison's next Batman arc. i heard its going to have Quitely on art.

Yesterday, I received Watching the Watchmen with the Comedian variant cover. I first looked at the exclusive cards and thought they were okay. They're pretty much in the Absolute extras. I thought "I spent extra money for these?"

Then I opened the book and saw the autographed page by Dave Gibbons and when "ooooh... aaaah..." Classy!

I re-read Final Crisis and it reads much better. Though I still don't understand Mandrakk the Dark Monitor.

He appears briefly as Nix Uotan's sketch in the beginning of the story and appears in Superman Beyond... but I still don't get why he was a threat.

That and I really wish the art team was consistent.

I thought Darkseid was a compelling villain. And it's neat how it's really a tribute to Jack Kirby's DC work more than a Crisis sequel.

In the end, I really don't know what could've made the book "better." Obviously I have mixed reactions.

Lots of good books recently!

I picked up Mini-Marvels: Secret Invasion which is the second volume collecting these awesome strips.

Scott Pilgrim Volume 5. If you haven't read Scott Pilgrim you're missing out. It's a blend of comics, music, and video games but at it's heart a romance story. I'm sure lots of people can relate to this book.

Incognito #2. Another great installment by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. We get deeper into this supervillain world and it ain't pretty!

And my favorite issue recently? Batman #686 byNeil Gaiman and Andy Kubert, part 1 of Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? After everything that happened with Batman RIP and Final Crisis, this is a great change of pace. Characters like Alfred, Gordon, Two-Face, Joker, and Catwoman show up to Batman's funeral and tell stories of him... but is it real? Hell, we know Batman is narrating the story and watching this "funeral." With Neil, I know I'm in good hands

Some quick hits...

I'm a huge Michel Gondry fan so I went bananas trying to find We Lost the War But Not the Battle comic book. $12 later and it's one of the best purchases in a long time! Absolutely love it.

GI Joe: Cobra by Christos Gage and Mike Costa is also a great book starring Chuckles (yes, Chuckles!). It's a dark take on the GI Joe mythology... much different than the other books. Lots of gritty espionage!

Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? wrapped not too long ago. And I consider it my favorite read of the year.

I also bought Absolute New Frontier and paid $140... but a month later, DC solicited that they're reprinting it so on Amazon, it'll probably be around $45. Even after banging my head, it's still one of the most gorgeous books I own.

Batman & Robin #1 is pure Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely fun. Highly recommended!

At Free Comic Book Day, Jim Lee drew me Daredevil!


I'm absolutely stoked for Captain America #600... I'll have to try hard and avoid spoilers.

Some books I bought that I'm digging...

Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man #1 - I use to dislike Bachalo's art, especially on New X-Men but now I've come to appreciate it since his pages on New Avengers. Plus, Bachalo's art fits Venom, aka Spider-Man of the Dark Avengers team. It's shaping up to be a fun mini-series. And there are strippers!

Simpsons Comics #155, Bart Simpsons Comics #48, and The Simpsons Spectacular #9 - These issues were part of a Simpsons crossover called "The Great, Extreme, Ultimate, and Totally Awesome Radioactive Man Event!" It pokes fun of all the major publishers crossovers and events. It's hilarious! I haven't picked up many Simpsons books even though I love the show so it's a real treat to read this crossover.

Secret Warriors #6 - This continues to be one of my current favorite comics. I loved Stefano Casseli's art on GI Joe: America's Elite and it's great to see him back in a comic booky military action book. Nick Fury and his Secret Warriors plus Howling Commando private army storm a HAMMER dock to steal Helicarriers. Along the way, they fight HYDRA and recruit ex-SHIELD agents, thus adding to the Howling Commandos army. Dum Dum Dugan has the coolest lines of the year...

"You give me a month and I'll deliver you the baddest bunch of evil bastards this world has ever seen.

I'll give you Howling Commandos ready to bark at the moon and bite at the sun.

Nick, you give me a month and I'll raise you a damn army."

I cannot recommend Secret Warriors enough!

I checked out Wednesday Comics #1 but opted to wait for the eventual hardcover... which was just announced! A $50 hardcover capturing almost the same size. It's going to be glorious.

Dark Reign: The List specials are turning out the be samplers for series but I'm really enjoying them. Especially New Avengers: The List. Though Secret Warriors: The List is my favorite. That series continues to kick ass.

Recently bought Fables Covers by James Jean. The book is out of print so the prices have been out of control. Fortunately I got it for cover price! That and I recently met James Jean and he drew me this awesome sketch of Snow White.



Umbrella Academy Volume 1: The Apocalypse Suite. Even though there's that weird bias against Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance, he writes one hell of a comic! It's just so much fun. Plus art by Gabriel Ba is great!

And I recently purchased Garth Ennis' Punisher omnibus. That is going to be an incredible read...

Irredeemable TPB vol. 1 Mark Waid's dark tale of a powerful Superman-like superhero who becomes the world's greatest super-villain.

Read the Old Man Logan hardcover last week. Great read. Really fun Wolverine adventure and I hope Millar & McNiven do a sequel.

Cyberstrike wrote:Irredeemable TPB vol. 1 Mark Waid's dark tale of a powerful Superman-like superhero who becomes the world's greatest super-villain.

That's on my want list. Can't wait to read it!

I have lost my mind. I recently bought...

-All of the Preacher paperbacks
-All of the 100 Bullets paperbacks
-Astonishing X-Men Omnibus
-The Ultimates Omnibus
-The Immortal Iron Fist Omnibus
-Absolute Justice
-All four volumes of Absolute Sandman

I already have the single issues of Astonishing X-Men and The Ultimates along with the Sandman paperbacks... expensive double dip. Though the Absolute editions of Sandman does feature new coloring on selected issues and they are gorgeous collections.

I did burn through Preacher and 100 Bullets in 2 weeks recently...

100 Bullets is a great crime comic. I honestly didn't know there was a mythology in the series. I picked up the first trade years ago and thought it was an anthology with Agent Graves as the framing device. So I'm pretty thankful that I knew nothing about the series thus everything was a surprise.

I should've figured the series wouldn't end on a happy ending.

I loved Preacher the most as I burned through the two series. I found its absolute black humor hilarious. I don't want to give anything away because there are too many good moments. Highly recommended.

Recently I bought Absolute Authority Volume 2 for $40, really good price. Of course, the collector in me wanted Volume 1... and I had to pay $150 for it. Ugh.

Still, well worth searching out. Really dug Volume 2 a lot.

Being a complete Robert Kirkman junkie, I sought out the out of print Walking Dead Deluxe edition volume 1. Don't ask how much I paid for it. Double ugh.

Though I do enjoy revisiting the series from the beginning. It's been forever since I read the first paperback.

Recently, I had a chance to dig through The Immortal Iron Fist omnibus and it is glorious. It's a great kung fu epic, seriously one of the best comics I've read in a long time. I really wished Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction did more but at least they ended on a high note.

Well, I ordered All Hail Megatron TPB, parts 1 & 2 from an online store since the physical shops don't have them. I'm still waiting 12 days later. -_-'

3 & 4 I can pick up from the shop.

Right now, I'm extremely excited about SHIELD #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Dustin Weaver. It deals with the long secret history of the SHIELD organization and the Marvel Universe. The issue features Imhotep, Zhang Heng, Galileo Galilei, and Leonardo Da Vinci and how they stepped up to face threats such as the Brood, Celestials and Galactus.

It's phenomenal. SHIELD is nothing like any of the monthly books I'm currently reading. This must feel like when Jack Kirby introduced The Fourth World or The Eternals.

Recently, Amazon and Barnes & Noble's websites had a major glitch pricing graphic novels between $10 to $15... even if the cover price was $100!

Needless to say, geeks took advantage of this and picked up all the luxurious comics they could for cheap until Amazon and Barnes & Noble put a stop to it.

I made out like a bandit and picked up...

-Nextwave
-Death of Captain America (a $75 value!)
-Invincible Iron Man by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca
-Popgun Volume 2 and 3
-Marvel Zombies Return
-Rising Stars Compendium (a $100 value!)
-Strange Tales

Mass Effect: Redemption #4-If you love both of the Mass Effect video games then this series is a must!

Dragon Age #1-I'm giving this series a chance.

Nemesis #1-Mark Millar's take on "what if Batman was a murdering psychopath" is worth a look.

The Astonishing X-Men Omnibus-I stopped reading X-Men after Morrison came on board I didn't like his take on the characters. I decided to give the series a chance when Joss Whedon who wrote a spectacular character-driven story that payed tribute to X-Men stories of the past but didn't feel like a fan boy's wet dream. This is the first X-Men I've read in years where Wolverine was actually cool. John Cassaday is the best artist in comics today.

The Road to War of Kings TPB-Havoc has always been one of the most-underrated, and misused characters in the Marvel Universe and for the first time since Meltdown mini-series we get to see him as a genuine bad ass and do things that his brother would never do. A fun read.

War of Kings HC-I liked the first half of this book, the rest of it dealing with Darkhawk, Skaar, and the rest felt forced and unnecessary.

X-Factor vol.1 and vol.2 IMHO Peter David is the best American comic book writer in the business and this series is a prime example why.

I went to the LA Times Festival of Books to meet Ed Brubaker, Mike Mignola, and Duane Swierczynski. I brought all of these to be signed by them... I have officially lost all sense of self control.

Apparently I decided to get comics in almost every size possible today.

Transformers #7 and #8
Transformers: The Last Stand of the Wreckers #5
Transformers: Ironhide #2
Nemesis #2
The Amazing Spider-Girl #1
X-Factor #200, #201, #204, and #205
Irredeemable vol. 3 TPB
Transformers vol. 1: For All Mankind TPB
X-Men: Messiah Complex TPB
Iron Man: Extremis HC