The Hayfamzone Blog . . . . . . . . . . by Brian Hayes
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
An Alex Ross Bargain
There was a heyday for Alex Ross painted covers on comics but, for me, that day has passed. Recently Mr. Ross has been painting a couple of covers per month for Marvel Comics but they have been striking me as drab and monochromatic and not particularly heroic-looking.
The painting shown here is more like what I hope to see in an Alex Ross painting: bright colors and contrast and heroism!
This particular painting is currently for sale and, to my way of thinking, the asking price is far less than I would expect to pay for an Alex Ross original!
One gent I showed it to opined that there was not a whole lot of artwork in the piece, but still I like it!
I won't be purchasing the painting, however, so feel free to check over here whether it is still available.
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Saturday, August 12, 2023
Unexpected Art Baltazar
Svengoolie is a Chicago institution, a comedic television host who introduces and comments during broadcasts of horror movies and B-movies.
Last month, with little or no fanfare, a Svengoolie one-shot comic book was published. I believe that most comic fans never saw the comic or knew about it.
But every comics fan should seek out Svengoolie Lost in Time! Because about one-third of this comic book is drawn by the great Art Baltazar and his artwork is never to be missed!
Sunday, July 30, 2023
Comicon Mutts 2023
He's done it again!
Almost every year for a while now, Patrick McDonnell has devoted a week's worth of his Mutts comic strip to having a bit of fun with the characters of Marvel Comics. He does this during the week that the San Diego Comicon is held, which was last week.
Did your favorite Marvel character make the cut this year?
Sunday, July 02, 2023
The New Steve Ditko Mural
Javier Hernandez has designed a mural in Johnstown, Pennsylvania that is dedicated to the artwork and creations of Steve Ditko!
Here is a panoramic view of the entire mural, which is 93 feet wide.
But wait, that's not even the whole story. I turns out there are TWO Steve Ditko murals in that town! You see, Mr. Ditko grew up in Johnstown, so the town wants to celebrate him. A three minute video over here tells the full story of the Johnstown Ditko murals.
CAKE2023 Was Delicious!
The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo is abbreviated CAKE and I found out last month that CAKE is a great deal of fun!
Yes, CAKE is a convention for independent comics creators and this year was my first time attending; the event was held this year in a Chicago Park District gymnasium. The artists themselves man their table and sell their own comics and tell everyone what they are up to. I cajoled some of the folks to pose for a photo. Everybody was so nice!
The room was burgeoning with talent! It occurred to me only after I had left to wonder how these creators view mainstream comics: whether they were or are fans, whether the mainstreams inspired them, whether they aspire to work for the mainstreams. I will have to ask next year!