Joseph Kubert
(September 18, 1926 - August 12, 2012)
(September 18, 1926 - August 12, 2012)
Sunday, August 12, 2012
We salute you, Joe
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Maraming salamat po, Ninong Tony
I didn't consider it fate or mild serendipity, but that day so long ago at Cosumnes River College when Emilio Soltero brought you in as a guest speaker for our comic art class was a sub-textual milestone in my artistic path. At the time I had not considered my abilities of any real consequence or value, since I compared myself to many other colleagues locally and internationally. You observed me sketching and, with your unerring wisdom and talent, gave me a quick critique that pointed out the technical flaws before I completely inked the drawing. I still have that sheet of the character drawing with your indicators. After that period, I can easily notice that the discipline I lacked in suppressing those consistent flaws have receded over time, freeing me from a contractual, visual loop in expression. And then you gave me a couple of your art books! There is no doubt that I am eternally grateful.
Tony DeZuniga
(~1941 - May 10. 2012)
Monday, April 02, 2012
MOAR!
Add freestyle maneuvers and I think there is a wicked story to explore... I can already envision the characters; healthy doses of "sass," vicious custom bikes, and octane drama should round out the concept. At the very least, these sports allegories should take place in the Retropolitan world. But let's build one myth at a time.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Merci pour tout, Monsieur Giraud
Your work has inspired countless others and has greatly informed my own, adding nuances by your example that could not have been fathomed otherwise. Each work produced will celebrate your mastery of line, each work will honor your immortal hand.
Jean Henri Gaston Giraud "Mœbius"
(May 8, 1938 - March 10, 2012)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sepaktakraw: Servers, Passers, and Killers
I think I just found my sports comic book inspiration. The next time I go to the south-east Asian world, I promise myself to witness this sensational activity.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
RETROPOL: Sgt. Albus "Buzz" Lug
Sign: Libra
Height: 5‘11”
Weight: 200lbs
Retropolitan native that served the city as a tireless enforcer of justice. Buzz knew the violent dark side of the city, and resolved to make it safer for his family and future generations. He was also very aware of the level of corruption within the police force, but those odds were his kind of challenge. Criminals and officers alike feared his brand of justice, but the city could not ignore his noble contribution to the welfare of the citizenry. Buzz has countless accolades, officially and infamously, and was known across the nation as a stoic hero in a dismal age. The breaking point came when the Pirates arrived in Retropolitan. These extra-national criminals seemed to be completely exempt from the laws he enforced. With each arrest on the street of a red-striped mercenary, Buzz believed he was chipping away at the arrogant façade of the Pirate fleet. However, these privateers seemed to possess unlimited funding and influence that allowed their lower ranks to be quickly bailed out of incarceration and dodge the conviction of law. Buzz was certain the shadow government that cooperated with the Pirates abused the system to cover their illegal activities. After the release of Capt. Wolfram’s subordinate (Dankey), he finally quit the force to exact true judgment outside of the code that hindered his convictions.
Height: 5‘11”
Weight: 200lbs
Retropolitan native that served the city as a tireless enforcer of justice. Buzz knew the violent dark side of the city, and resolved to make it safer for his family and future generations. He was also very aware of the level of corruption within the police force, but those odds were his kind of challenge. Criminals and officers alike feared his brand of justice, but the city could not ignore his noble contribution to the welfare of the citizenry. Buzz has countless accolades, officially and infamously, and was known across the nation as a stoic hero in a dismal age. The breaking point came when the Pirates arrived in Retropolitan. These extra-national criminals seemed to be completely exempt from the laws he enforced. With each arrest on the street of a red-striped mercenary, Buzz believed he was chipping away at the arrogant façade of the Pirate fleet. However, these privateers seemed to possess unlimited funding and influence that allowed their lower ranks to be quickly bailed out of incarceration and dodge the conviction of law. Buzz was certain the shadow government that cooperated with the Pirates abused the system to cover their illegal activities. After the release of Capt. Wolfram’s subordinate (Dankey), he finally quit the force to exact true judgment outside of the code that hindered his convictions.
RETROPOL: Jaa Kwang Ramasoon "Jaguar"
Born Jai Kawee Ratchata
Birthdate Unknown
Height: 5’ 6 ½”
Weight Unknown
The few things that have been found about this mysterious fighter is that he was once a circuit kick boxer in Thailand. At one point, Jaguar was an undefeated champion for two years until he was expelled from the sport after killing his opponent in the ring. However, Jaguar was only interested in the martial art and not the sporting aspect. For a time, he participated in underground cage fights throughout Thailand, Laos, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia. The warrior actively sought more dangerous opponents, in an effort to prove that his mastery of kick boxing could defeat any person. Jaguar witnessed the brutality of Captain Toothy’s legendary bar melee and decided to stalk Pirates, in search of their greatest champion. Upon trailing the Pirate league to Retropolitan, Jaguar understood that some of the world’s most fearsome warriors may be participating in this Rumble City tournament.
Birthdate Unknown
Height: 5’ 6 ½”
Weight Unknown
The few things that have been found about this mysterious fighter is that he was once a circuit kick boxer in Thailand. At one point, Jaguar was an undefeated champion for two years until he was expelled from the sport after killing his opponent in the ring. However, Jaguar was only interested in the martial art and not the sporting aspect. For a time, he participated in underground cage fights throughout Thailand, Laos, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia. The warrior actively sought more dangerous opponents, in an effort to prove that his mastery of kick boxing could defeat any person. Jaguar witnessed the brutality of Captain Toothy’s legendary bar melee and decided to stalk Pirates, in search of their greatest champion. Upon trailing the Pirate league to Retropolitan, Jaguar understood that some of the world’s most fearsome warriors may be participating in this Rumble City tournament.
RETROPOL: Oryan Hunter
Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 6’ (1.828M)
Weight: 180lbs (81.6Kg)
Retropolitan native, born into a wealthy lineage. As a child, Oryan was unparented, but always chaperoned. Living in a mansion surrounded by the ghost of a family he did not know, Oryan lived securely and was well-pampered. He began physical training at the age of five, learning various sports and conditioned as an athlete. By the time Oryan entered private school, he had already learned several forms of martial arts. This created a rebellious, hyper-active, and extremely bored individual that was not satisfied with a coddled existence. Before matriculating out of K-12 education, he violently fought with peers as a form of entertainment. Instead of entering an Ivy League university, he secretly prowled the street with a gang of Bedlam Row youths. On the night of their first attempted robbery, he was defeated by an unknown figure and woke up the next morning in his bedroom. The butler informed him that his father dropped him off after preventing him from committing that crime. At this point, he was compelled to research his family history. His investigations only revealed the existence of an older sister, a deceased mother, and a father with a highly classified background. Recalling only fragments of that encounter with his father strengthened his resolve to become a better fighter in order to match the expectations of the Hunter name. He left Retropolitan before the Rumble City tournaments began, on a nation-wide journey to find traces of his family and to train with the best martial arts schools in the country. His search for family led him back to Retropolitan, after learning that his long-lost sister is a member of an outlaw motorcycle club that will enter the tournament.
Height: 6’ (1.828M)
Weight: 180lbs (81.6Kg)
Retropolitan native, born into a wealthy lineage. As a child, Oryan was unparented, but always chaperoned. Living in a mansion surrounded by the ghost of a family he did not know, Oryan lived securely and was well-pampered. He began physical training at the age of five, learning various sports and conditioned as an athlete. By the time Oryan entered private school, he had already learned several forms of martial arts. This created a rebellious, hyper-active, and extremely bored individual that was not satisfied with a coddled existence. Before matriculating out of K-12 education, he violently fought with peers as a form of entertainment. Instead of entering an Ivy League university, he secretly prowled the street with a gang of Bedlam Row youths. On the night of their first attempted robbery, he was defeated by an unknown figure and woke up the next morning in his bedroom. The butler informed him that his father dropped him off after preventing him from committing that crime. At this point, he was compelled to research his family history. His investigations only revealed the existence of an older sister, a deceased mother, and a father with a highly classified background. Recalling only fragments of that encounter with his father strengthened his resolve to become a better fighter in order to match the expectations of the Hunter name. He left Retropolitan before the Rumble City tournaments began, on a nation-wide journey to find traces of his family and to train with the best martial arts schools in the country. His search for family led him back to Retropolitan, after learning that his long-lost sister is a member of an outlaw motorcycle club that will enter the tournament.
RETROPOL: Oswald "Oz" Chiang
Year of the Dragon
Height: 5’7” (1.7M)
Weight: 165lbs (74.84Kg)
Former Retropolitan native of Chinese descent. Only son/last heir to a prominent school of Southern Kung Fu based in the Bronze. At the age of nine, he attained expert proficiency in the Wing Chun discipline mastered by his father. After completing university studies, he chose to pursue an academic career, causing a disagreement with his father over the future of the family’s martial arts school. Unbeknownst to Oswald, the school had been the target of the Heaven and Earth Society over an old grudge that started before the Hsinhai Revolution of 1911. After the father-son schism, Oz left the city and moved to Seattle for a teaching position. Shortly after, the Triads attacked the school, killing his father and destroying much of the property. Oz immediately returned to the city for the wake, and that same night acted against his uncle’s wishes and went in search of the Triad members responsible. His vendetta quickly led him to a local Triad front, where he smashed through the Blue Lantern guards. The only officer he found could only point him in the direction of the Rumble City battles, where his one chance of finding the killer would be in the pit fights.
Height: 5’7” (1.7M)
Weight: 165lbs (74.84Kg)
Former Retropolitan native of Chinese descent. Only son/last heir to a prominent school of Southern Kung Fu based in the Bronze. At the age of nine, he attained expert proficiency in the Wing Chun discipline mastered by his father. After completing university studies, he chose to pursue an academic career, causing a disagreement with his father over the future of the family’s martial arts school. Unbeknownst to Oswald, the school had been the target of the Heaven and Earth Society over an old grudge that started before the Hsinhai Revolution of 1911. After the father-son schism, Oz left the city and moved to Seattle for a teaching position. Shortly after, the Triads attacked the school, killing his father and destroying much of the property. Oz immediately returned to the city for the wake, and that same night acted against his uncle’s wishes and went in search of the Triad members responsible. His vendetta quickly led him to a local Triad front, where he smashed through the Blue Lantern guards. The only officer he found could only point him in the direction of the Rumble City battles, where his one chance of finding the killer would be in the pit fights.
Rumble City: The Brawlers Circuit
Welcome to the future. It is the 20X0 era. “Rumble City” is one of the world’s greatest cities, and its most lethal. Martial law is a mockery of order in a dystopia where the criminal underworld dominates the city. Transport guilds, “Teamsters,” control trafficking of goods in and out of the city-state with ruthless efficiency. Sewer pirates smuggle and claim mastery of subterranean tunnel systems. Crime kingpins puppeteer the inner workings of the city. The many factions of Rumble City sponsor prizefighter tournaments, as a way to recruit new members and determine who is the strongest force in this Retropolitan world.
Welcome to the future. It is the 20X0 era. “Rumble City” is one of the world’s greatest cities, and its most lethal. Martial law is a mockery of order in a dystopia where the criminal underworld dominates the city. Transport guilds, “Teamsters,” control trafficking of goods in and out of the city-state with ruthless efficiency. Sewer pirates smuggle and claim mastery of subterranean tunnel systems. Crime kingpins puppeteer the inner workings of the city. The many factions of Rumble City sponsor prizefighter tournaments, as a way to recruit new members and determine who is the strongest force in this Retropolitan world.
Friday, August 20, 2004
A Day you Love and Hate the Most
It's Friday
Diem, you'll be Carpe'd
Doesn't matter that I'm on the highway
cruisin at eighty, at 5A
'M not worried
The speed is a stimulus
Because
It's Friday
Catchin sun rays
As they creep into the valley
and the road ahead is empty
Only had 3 hours of sleep,
Being tailed by the CHP
or at least was, who cares
Because
It's Friday
Lookin for a partay
Or at least Jaime
Rollin down Parkway
Bumpin some Kanye
Better than a cramped bus
Because
It's Friday
Not just a segue-way
Got paid, no debts to pay
Hurry 2:30, I can't wait
Gas tanks almost at E
Enough to roam this city
Gouged by OPEC and U.S.
don't matter 'cause
It's Friday
Pullin into Jen's driveway
With a 12 pack of Heine
Alex steps out the foyer
Jon tells another great story
It's worth 40 hours of feeling lost
Because
It's Friday
Diem, you'll be Carpe'd
Doesn't matter that I'm on the highway
cruisin at eighty, at 5A
'M not worried
The speed is a stimulus
Because
It's Friday
Catchin sun rays
As they creep into the valley
and the road ahead is empty
Only had 3 hours of sleep,
Being tailed by the CHP
or at least was, who cares
Because
It's Friday
Lookin for a partay
Or at least Jaime
Rollin down Parkway
Bumpin some Kanye
Better than a cramped bus
Because
It's Friday
Not just a segue-way
Got paid, no debts to pay
Hurry 2:30, I can't wait
Gas tanks almost at E
Enough to roam this city
Gouged by OPEC and U.S.
don't matter 'cause
It's Friday
Pullin into Jen's driveway
With a 12 pack of Heine
Alex steps out the foyer
Jon tells another great story
It's worth 40 hours of feeling lost
Because
It's Friday
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