tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86110874935594683892012-01-10T00:32:53.921-05:00The Future on the Horizon!M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.comBlogger261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-25856698322560690732012-01-03T08:01:00.003-05:002012-01-03T08:04:18.881-05:00

Let's see who is still reading this... For most of the last year my blog posting has been sporadic at best, but that's changing soon. I've been telling people that I'm going to have more free time on my hands by the end of the month (if you're at the epicenter of this news, you already know why; if not, be patient and all will be revealed soon), but that isn't necessarily so. I'll actually just

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-1068656557952616742011-10-13T11:14:00.002-04:002011-11-02T10:56:11.259-04:00

Well, this post is coming a little bit later than I'd promised Ron Frenz, but now I'm glad it is, so I can include the video below. First, a warm and heartfelt THANK YOU to the staff of the Pittsburgh ToonSeum for the hard work they did putting together the second annual Pittsburgh Independent comic-book eXpo a.k.a. PIX! It was much appreciated, and I think what those of us in attendance enjoyed

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-49853205151531307192011-05-07T09:15:00.000-04:002011-05-07T09:15:49.895-04:00

Come join M.L.Walker and friends at PHANTOM OF THE ATTIC in Pittsburgh's Oakland to celebrate FREE COMIC BOOK DAY! Phantom of the Attic Comics in Oakland411 South Craig StreetPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaSaturday, May 7 · 10:00am - 7:00pm Guests this year include several local small press artists, including; M.L.Walker - creator of HERO CORP., INTERNATIONAL  Seth Fronzoli & Shawn Atkins - writer and

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-76055877542127186882011-03-11T23:37:00.000-05:002011-03-11T23:37:41.228-05:00

Our friend Paul Houston over at Renderwrx Productions was kind enough to feature an interview with M.L. Walker back in October, coinciding with the release of HERO CORP., INT'L #1. Once again Paul comes through with a shout-out announcing the online sales debut of our first issue. We can't get anywhere without the help of our comic-support squad, so every bit of outside promotion helps. In the

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-51456914557972851852011-03-05T13:49:00.080-05:002011-04-01T20:38:23.384-04:00

Great news: CLIFFHANGER BOOKS today announced their list of short stories and writers to be included in their upcoming anthology GODS OF JUSTICE, slated for release later this year. Amongst them is a self-contained HERO CORP., INTERNATIONAL prose adventure titled "...HEROISM IS OUR BUSINESS!" It features The Pro, RedGlare and other main characters, and will offer new insight into company

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-82362439923424568352011-03-04T09:39:00.000-05:002011-03-04T09:39:31.995-05:00

Followers! Yes, It's been a while since our last update, but we're going to make up for it! We've got some exciting news to announce about HERO CORP., INTERNATIONAL, so come back tomorrow, Saturday March 5th. Trust us, this is good.  "What is it?" you're asking yourselves. You'll just have to wait and find out...!

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-32472273417900268522011-02-28T00:01:00.007-05:002011-03-08T10:38:01.641-05:00

Using the time-bending powers of it's Hourglass Class agents, HERO CORP., INT'L now reaches back to last month to let everyone know that QRD was gracious enough to post an online interview with M.L.Walker as part of its February edition (#48). In conjunction with S.P.A.C.E., it focuses on Indie/Mini Comic Creators, including Nick Marino (Superhaters), Bob Corby (organizer of S.P.A.C.E.), Ross

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-5773706397935824752011-01-26T11:30:00.001-05:002011-01-26T11:32:25.094-05:00

[Following are excerpts from the transcript of today's Annual State of the Universe Address from Hero Corp. Academy, given by The Pro. The proceedings began with a five minute standing ovation as The Samaritan of Heroes flew into the Presentation Hall, greeting students, fellow agents, leading politicians and executives from H.C.I., eventually taking to the main podium.] Fellow Citizens of the

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-31523218546744349852010-09-27T03:21:00.001-04:002010-09-27T21:28:55.230-04:00

So I wrapped up my sabbatical Sunday having (finally) finished inking Page 14. With ten more pages left to ink, not to mention the lettering, the cover illustration (in color!), and the actual assembly, I've still got some work cut out for me. The plan to have everything completed by the time I appear at P.I.X. in mid-October is still in place. It was suggested to me by a coworker that I hold to

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-32539838604979300452010-09-22T03:52:00.002-04:002010-09-27T02:54:45.015-04:00

We interrupt this sabbatical to bring you this special bulletin: Today is my birthday. Number 40, to be exact. So here's how we celebrate, hero style... ...sorta speaks for itself, I think! THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM COMIC-BOOKS: With great power comes great responsibility. Criminals are a superstitious, cowardly lot. In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight...if I'm

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-31935297142579334332010-09-19T23:53:00.007-04:002011-03-07T08:43:17.832-05:00

Being tireless in Pittsburgh is dangerous, especially in the winter. Our roads get pretty bad if you ain't got good treads. That was a little joke. 8^) *yawn!* But no, seriously folks, I've been logging in a bunch of hours on this book, and I'm not done yet. I've done something or other on HERO CORP. EVERY SINGLE DAY of my sabbatical so far. I say this not to brag, but to make sure it's

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-9536572902665156802010-09-19T03:30:00.000-04:002010-09-19T03:30:12.174-04:00

Before we jump back on the train of thought from the previous blog, you may be wondering...how well did that two-page spread turn out? I finished it at an ungodly hour, but I couldn't stop until it was complete. I was experiencing flow like you want to when you're at the drawing board, so I just let it happen and went for broke. Once I was finally broken (but completely satisfied!), I turned in

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-76432423646818354332010-09-17T13:25:00.001-04:002010-09-17T13:26:15.575-04:00

I remember when this used to be a daily blog. *sigh* I have been busy though. (Excuses, excuses...) I just finished inking page seven, and after finally taking my shower and getting something to eat, I'll also attempt to complete my double-page spread. If I can get it done today, that will make it my highest productive day since this sabbatical began -- a whopping 2.25 pages in a day! We'll see

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-35936647386701085022010-09-12T03:50:00.005-04:002010-09-12T10:09:09.945-04:00

Yes, I know, it's been a while since my last post. Sorry about that. I've been busy...and as a result, Friday I finished the final page of pencils for the story. So here's what we've got so far: Not bad. But I had an internal debate over whether to show this to you. It all comes back to my thinking on Mystery and the Artist. When I was a kid just starting to read comic-books (some thirty-five

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-83605965365551296972010-08-31T09:03:00.003-04:002010-08-31T19:12:41.635-04:00

I'm no speed demon at the drawing board by any stretch of the imagination. I'm very methodical and exacting, at times to a degree that even I find maddening, so my own personal challenge is always to simplify, simplify, simplify! But I don't just sweat the details, I LOVE the details. It's often the details that pull you into worlds that exist only in two dimensions on paper. So there's my daily

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-74263459070284846072010-08-29T23:56:00.004-04:002010-08-31T09:07:02.210-04:00

"Well, there's such a thing as talent. And, yeah, I would say that's true...For instance, with an artist, he can draw anything you look at -- he can draw it. And then you take [someone else], who can't even draw a stick person. So look at the difference." - Michael Jackson To paraphrase a line from a 1980s movie: I don't work on August 29th...'cause that's M.J.'s birthday! Sunday's Music: King

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-2060837375784023832010-08-28T23:55:00.012-04:002010-08-29T00:48:53.731-04:00

I find myself thinking some pretty loopy thoughts at the drawing board, day after day. As previously mentioned, there are moments when I'll swing from total self-confidence while rendering something to complete and total dissatisfaction with that self-same thing within milliseconds. There's not a lot of warning, although this reaction is more extreme when I'm not as overall happy with a page or

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-7039233435821513682010-08-27T02:11:00.001-04:002010-08-27T02:14:31.117-04:00

After having worked every single day - and not just a few piddling hours here or there, mind you, but full days - since my sabbatical began, including weekends and not counting tons of pre-sabbatical hours spent working on scrolls of artwork and detailed thumbnails, I played hooky today. Kinda, sorta. I went to the Pittsburgh Zoo. And it was a perfect way to recharge. Not that I was in danger

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-38428121048064970092010-08-26T01:34:00.002-04:002010-08-27T02:17:07.156-04:00

Prepare for some rambling conjecture. You've been warned. I think most mainstream comic-book artists fall into one of two categories: graphic or naturalistic (what some might call "realistic"). There's a lot of fuzziness there, because so many comic-book artists - primarily pencilers and inkers - work together with their own varying styles, meaning there's all kinds of weird amalgamation that

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-63326928461501623342010-08-25T01:36:00.001-04:002010-08-25T01:40:15.939-04:00

I awoke this morning to a punch in the face. That was literally the first thing on the page I drew today: my character, The Pro, getting laid into by one of the big powerhouse bad guys of the story. Gotta say, even when I thumbnailed this one out, I really felt like I captured a good punch. It looks like he almost took my head off. Usually punches in comic books are so perfunctory that even the

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-66292622214989594952010-08-23T23:47:00.002-04:002010-08-24T00:04:05.558-04:00

I completed pencils for page ten today, and light-boxed page eleven, so I've got a head start on tomorrow. Not bad. I'm now into double-digits! There's something wonderfully Machiavellian about drawing a story that uses your close friends (and yourself) as main characters. The two illustrated today know each other, but I'm playing fast and loose with their real-world employment histories, as

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-19181933437986920242010-08-22T23:51:00.003-04:002010-08-24T00:03:08.535-04:00

There are days when it all goes well, and there are days when it all goes REALLY well. This was one of the latter. I officially completed my first ever two-page spread today...and I'm beyond happy with the results! So please forgive me for a few minutes, as I get into the minutia of creating this stuff. The best artists recognize their particular strengths and weaknesses, and play-up the former

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-57773353787842928832010-08-21T00:47:00.001-04:002010-08-23T23:59:40.301-04:00

If I could somehow construct a comic book entirely out of medium-to-close-up shots of characters simply interacting, I'd have a blast. That's my favorite thing to do, get in there and work a person's expressions. Mind you, I like the power of a fight scene too, and tend to enjoy every aspect of narrative illustration once I get into it. But I get the biggest kick out of nailing a character's

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-27464588793577907062010-08-19T04:30:00.000-04:002010-08-19T04:30:01.359-04:00

Today, page four beat me. Sort of.I wasn't up by 6:30AM, but it was close. I got up around 7, and managed to be at the drawing board by 8. However today's page was particularly involved - possibly the most detailed page in the whole issue - and I had left entire panels blank on the thumbnail. At the time I just wasn't able to imagine what they should be, and thought, "Eh, I'll think of that when

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-75278014280698119782010-08-17T23:49:00.002-04:002010-08-23T23:57:06.470-04:00

I was determined to finish last night's second page before packing it in, and it cost me a little bit this morning. I want to be up by 6:30AM and at the drawing table by 7:30AM every day, and wasn't there until 9AM. Not that big a deal, except the page I was working on was more complex than the two that preceded it, and it took longer to finish. Add to that the fact that for whatever reason, I

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8611087493559468389.post-14571090284550934672010-08-17T00:28:00.002-04:002010-08-23T23:55:56.902-04:00

Haven't done this in a while -- this seems like a good place to get back to it. Today was the first official day of my sabbatical from work, and I formally began work on my next comic book opus, M.L.Walker's HERO CORP. Anyone within earshot and beyond of me knows that I've been building up to this for months - even years - now, and due to a confluence of good fortunes it's managed to come

M.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17537334468133418530noreply@blogger.com0