otisframpton.com

San Diego Comic-Con 08

Well, it's that time of year again . . . the San Diego Comic-Con approaches.  I can't believe it's already time to fly off to San Diego.  I'm really not ready for the con season to start . . . too much work to do . . . but it's here, so I'll be there.

This is my last blog post before taking off for the con, so I wanted to remind everyone about where I'll be and what I'll be selling at the con one last time.

Unlike last year, I will be attending every day of the con, including Preview Night.  I'll be spending most (if not all) of my time at my Artist Alley Table, CC-17, sandwiched between friends and fellow sketch card artists Grant Gould and Cynthia Cummens. 

 I'll also be selling copies of my brand new convention sketchbook:

Once again, here are the specs:

• 16 interior pages
• 144 scans of personal sketch cards that were drawn by me over the previous year
• Full color
• Space on the cover for a FREE sketch (in the same dimensions as one of my sketch cards)
• All for the low, low price of ONE BUCK

Can't beat that deal with a stick.  I'm bringing 190 copies to the con, so there should be enough for all that want one.  Or maybe not, who knows.  Better get to my table as soon as you can.

I'd just like to reiterate that my con sketchbooks are for CONS ONLY.  I will not be selling them online.  I will not be shipping any out to buyers.

I have had many requests to purchase them and have them shipped to the buyer, and while I appreciate the interest in my work, I must stand firm and say "no".  These books are meant to be a low-priced "extra" for my con appearances, not as a stand-alone product, even though I could make more money by making them the latter.

I may (and I stress "may") eventually offer the books as free extras along with sketch card sales on eBay, but only if I have any left over when the con season ends (and only if I still have any personal sketch cards left to sell, which I probably won't, since I only have 10 left to sell).

I thank everyone for their interest in the con sketchbooks.  As I said before, the best way to get one if you're not going to be attending a show that I'll be at is to get someone to buy one for you.

And if that weren't enough, Viper Comics will also debut Josh Howard's new series, T-Bird & Throttle, at the show.  The inaugural issue is #0, an origin special, and I drew the "comic-within-a-comic" inside.  So be sure to pick up a copy of that, as well!

See you at the con!

-Otis

Vlog: Free Comic Book Day 2008

Free Comic Book Day 2008 from Otis Frampton on Vimeo.

Free Comic Book Day

I'll be appearing at both of the Amazing Fantasy comic book stores in the Hampton Roads area on Free Comic Book Day (Saturday, May 3rd, 2008) along with pals Marc Deering and Drew Moss.  I'll be selling copies of Oddly Normal 1 and 2 for $5 each, as usual.  If you're in the area, stop by between the hours of 11am and 6:00pm!

-Otis

MacGuffin No More?

MacGuffin is one of the coolest comic shops I've ever had the pleasure of visiting.  It is located in my old stomping grounds of Newport News, Virginia.  It's a beautiful little shop that specializes in graphic novels, and it has the feel of a miniature Barnes & Noble, with comfortable lounge chairs, jazz and big band music playing in the background and copies of coffee table-sized graphic novels freely available for browsing (such as  Absolute Dark Knight, usually hidden behind plastic wrap in other stores).  Check out these store pictures to get an idea of what I'm talking about.

I recently appeared there on Free Comic Book Day and I was reminded of how wonderful a comic book shop can be when the product is given respect and displayed in an area devoid of trading cards or toys.

Unfortunately, I woke up to this news yesterday at The Beat.  Sad news, indeed.  And it says a lot about MacGuffin that it got a mention on The Beat.  The news was later confirmed by a series of e-mails between me and my pal (and inker extraordinaire) Marc Deering, who still lives in the area.  Apparently, Sam (the shop's owner) is having some trouble keeping the store open.  In fact, according to Sam, the doors are currently locked and he does not know when they will open again.

But when they do, I would ask anyone living in the Newport News/Hampton Roads area with an interest in comics or graphic novels to stop by and give Sam your business (here's a map showing the store's location).  I'm certain that once you experience MacGuffin, you'll find yourself making it your weekly stop for comics.  Comic shops like the one that Sam has created are rare in this industry . . . don't let it fade away.

Good luck, Sam.  And like I said in those e-mails . . . if you need any help, just let me know.  I'm more than happy to come down for a store signing or launch party for one of my books.

-Otis

Free Comic Book Day

Free Comic Book Day is just two days away!

I'll be appearing at two Amazing Fantasy Comics stores and MacGuffin in the Hampton Roads, VA area.  I'll be joining my pal, inker extraordinaire Marc Deering, along with other Hampton Roads comic book creators.  I no longer live in the area, but I'm going back to spend the day with friends and visit my old comic book shop, Amazing Fantasy.

Amazing Fantasy Comics
Denbigh Village
14346 Warwick Blvd.  Suite 444
Newport News, VA   23602
12pm-2pm

Amazing Fantasy Comics
Vilage Shops at Kiln Creek
209-C Village Ave.
Yorktown, VA    23693
3pm-5pm

MacGuffin
340 Oyster Point Rd.  Suite 103
Newport News, VA   23602
6pm-9pm

Viper Comics is putting out an anthology/sampler of upcoming titles for FCBD, and there will be a preview of Oddly Normal: Family Reunion, so be sure to pick up a copy!

-Otis

Top 10 Graphic Novels for Youth 2006

The American Library Association has named Oddly Normal Vol 1 as one of the top ten graphic novels for youth that were published during that last twelve months.  I would have used an exclamation point in that previous sentence, but I'm still too numb to truly gauge my level of joy.  But you better believe it's made today a very happy day for me and mine.

Here's the announcement and the full list of all ten books.

I knew that libraries were beginning to review and even suggest Oddly to their young readers, but this honor was completely unexpected.   Thanks go out to the ALA and their judges for making me a very proud graphic novelist.  Here's hoping they enjoy the second book in the series just as much.  Thanks also to fellow Viper Comics creator David Hopkins for making me aware of Oddly's place on this list!

In other library review news, the book also received some very kind words from Lynn at Hypothetically Speaking.  Lynn is a librarian and recently wrote a thoughtful piece about the book.  Here is an excerpt:

"This is one of the few graphic novels for children I have read that really is for children. It is fun, full of color and imagination, and has a believable story line. Frampton nails the culture and language of middle school children; Oddly's droll sense of humor, irritation with her parents, and intrinsic need to have friends and belong are well done (not overdone). The illustrations and graphics are wonderful, especially Oddly's first view of Fignation. Various colors and hues are strategically present throughout the novel to designate mood (grey's, red's, and blue's) and the school scenes are priceless. Additionally, an "Oddly Normal History" is included at the end of the book for more information. All in all, I am ready for Oddly Normal: Family Reunion."

Thanks, Lynn!  And thanks again to everyone at the American Library Association!

And for those eager for a print preview of Oddly Normal: Family Reunion, be sure to stop by your local comic shop on Free Comic Book Day (May 5th, 2007) and pick up a copy of Viper Comics Presents 2!  There will be a 5 page preview in the comic, along with previews of other upcoming Viper Comics titles (including Josh Howard Presents: Sasquatch, The Underworld Railroad, Karma Inc. Vol. 2, The Middleman Vol. 3, and future excerpts of the Dead@17 ongoing series)!

Okay, back to work for me!

-Otis

Caveman Mode

I'm deep into what I like to call "Caveman Mode" . . . deep into work on multiple projects, all with deadlines looming and coming within weeks of each other.  When project saturation hits, I usually let my beard grow out and the barber shop is not a place I make time to visit.  The picture to your left may not be far off.

Luckily, I have a very forgiving wife who thinks all of this is "cute".  I think she's "odd".  But it's an arrangement that seems to work.

So, what is on my plate right now?

• Finishing Oddly Normal: Family Reunion is priority number one right now.  Luckily, the work that Sergio and I are doing makes me happier and more confident as we approach the end of the book.  I'm exceedingly proud of the work we're doing.  I only hope that Oddly fans will follow us into the new style of this new book and keep on reading as the style is altered for each new book.  As the creator, this variety of styles is exciting and keeps the material fresh and fun to spend time working on.  But I know that comic fans can be prickly about a change in style, so I can only cross my fingers, tell the best stories I know how to tell and hope for the best.  And based on the talent line-up for the next few books, I'm very hopeful.
• The second priority is the DC sketch cards.  I now have the blanks for DC Universe: Legacy in hand and I've started doing some sketching.  I've only done about 20 cards (out of 100), but I already feel like I'm going to have more fun working on this set than any other set that I've worked on.  These characters are simply fun to draw.  I wish I felt that way about every property, but sometimes it's more work than fun when it comes to these sketch card projects.  I've enjoyed them all to one degree or another, but the list that DC gave the artists is just pure gold.  All the major characters are involved and we can do any version we want throughout their respective histories.  I'll post scans of my finished cards when I can.
• I'm waiting for the blanks for another sketch card set that has a similar deadline to the DC set, but I have yet to receive them.  Bust considering how busy I am right now, I wouldn't have time to draw them even if I had them.  But I am looking forward to announcing my participation of this set, because it's a special one.
• I'm also trying to finish up some long overdue commissions.  I've already completed some of them and I'll post scans when I'm done with my entire list.
• I also have my entry in the Oddly Normal anthology comic to complete and I may be participating in two more anthology books for other writers, but I'm not sure yet.  Time willing, I'd like to do them.  But right now I have to focus on my own projects.  When more details surface, I'll post about them.
• If all of that weren't enough, I'm about 20 pages into penciling my new graphic novel, Zeek!.   I'll be posting a lot more about this in the future as well.  It's a very personal project and I hope to finish it by year's end.  The pages look pretty good so far (in other words, I don't hate them) and more importantly, I'm having fun drawing it.

Free time, I miss thee.

-Otis

DC Universe: Legacy

Now that all of the formal announcements have been made, I can let the cat out of the bag . . . I'll be contributing 100 full-color sketch cards for the upcoming DC Universe: Legacy trading card set from DC Comics and Rittenhouse Archives!

I'm really excited about working on this set.  I had planned on only doing 2 more sketch card sets and then ending my sketch card work completely (one set I've already signed on to and another I know will happen but has not been announced).  But when I was offered the chance to draw icons like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and many other DC big guns, I jumped at the chance.  And the final list of characters we will be drawing is wonderful . . . it's the best list I've seen on any sketch card set to date.  And the artists are allowed to draw the characters in all of their incarnations throughout the years, which is just icing on the cake.  I only wish I had time to contribute more cards to this set.

I plan to approach this set with the same stylistic approach I took on last year's Lord of the Rings: Masterpieces set  . . . toony and fun.  And I can't wait to get started.  But I have to finish work on Oddly Normal: Family Reunion first, then it's "Sketch Card April" for me, as I'll be doing the DC cards and another (yet to be announced) set during that month.  And both have deadlines near each other.  Eek.

And then May gets even busier for me.

I need a break, but I'm not complaining.  I'm getting paid to write and draw my own comics and the icons from the DC Universe . . . life is good.

-Otis

We Got Wii!

Leigh and I stayed up all night on Saturday, waiting in a line at a local Target and got two Wiis (one for eBay), three games, an extra Wiimote/Nunchuck, a classic style  controller and a Wii Points card!  It was a lot of fun waiting with all of the other Nintendo fans.  And Target did an amazing job of keeping things organized once the doors opened.  There was no shouting, no shoving, no mayhem or robberies . . . just hopeful gamers having a great time.  It was definitely worth a night in the cold.

I saw it written somewhere else, and it's true;  the only true next-Gen console out there is the Nintendo Wii. I love my XBox 360, but playing the Wii is a completely new and unique gaming experience.

The first game that I played after setting up the system around 10am Sunday morning, Tennis on Wii Sports (which comes free with the Wii system), is the most fun I've had playing a new game since Mario 64 in 1996. I ended up playing Tennis for over an hour, forgetting completely that I had other games to try.  It's that much fun.  Especially if you stand up and really get into the tennis-style movements.  After hours playing the game, my arm is actually sore.  The other Wii Sports games on the disc (Golf, Bowling, Baseball and Boxing) are all fun and will be great for parties, but Tennis is my favorite game on the Wii, hands down.

The other games we got were The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Call of Duty 3, and Excite Truck.

Zelda is interesting, but doesn't take advantage of the new controls enough and feels like a game that could exist on the Gamecube, IMHO.

Call of Duty 3 suffers from limited graphics (compared to the XBox 360 version) and awful controls.  This is a game that needs a classic-style controller to work.  After playing Call of Duty 2 on my XBox 360, with it's beautiful graphics and superb controls, this was a big disappointment.  I played for about 10 minutes and traded in the game at Gamestop the next day.  I fear that the Wii is simply not made for first person shooters, but time will tell.

Of the three purchased games, only Excite Truck truly takes advantage of the new controls and offers something unique to the Wii.  You hold the "Wiimote"  sideways like a steering wheel to drive and it's the first racing game that I've actually enjoyed.  Along with Tennis, it's the game that I've come back to the most and definitely has potential for constant replay.

Other great features include the Mii Channel (where you create a little avatar of yourself to use in Mii games), the free internet channels with Wi-Fi and the Virtual Console games that you can download from the Shopping Channel.

The only disappointment at this stage is no new Mario game at launch and the lack of online gaming, both of which I understand will be coming in 2007.  Other than those minor nits, the Wii was definitely worth the wait.  It may not be able to compete in the graphics departent with the XBox or PS3, but it offers a unique gaming experience that no other console can give you.

It was definitely worth a night in the cold.

-Otis (and Leigh)

Never Forget

I was going to write something about the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on Monday, but I couldn't find the words until today.  The truth is, writing about 9/11 on 9/11 is as pointless for me as writing about breathing in and out every few seconds.  I think about what happened that Tuesday morning every day.  Every single day.

"Never forget" may be a bumper sticker mentality to some, the kind of thing to gleefully mock and scoff at with a sense of superiority.  That kind of cynicism is easy, but it's not useful.

To me, the words "never forget" are a mark on my heart.  They are a clarion call to action that I have not forgotten since then and will likley not toss aside for my lifetime.

The images, sounds and most importantly the lessons of 9/11/01 are things that I will never forget.

Ever.

-Otis