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Sorry I've been gone for so long.  I recently lost my father this past summer and this all came on the heels of a new job and migraine-inducing phone calls from the autonomous jizzballs who collect on student loans.  So it's been a rough couple of months.  

Anyway, there have been some bright spots; I've gotten a little better at accepting myself, being more honest with myself, and all of that introspective hoo-ha.  I just came home after having a blast at Virginia State University's homecoming (pics and vlogs coming soon).  My battery's recharged, my pencils are sharp and my inkwell is full.  A lot of this (big surprise) is due to a lady who seriously has no clue how special she is, but that's another story.  

To the heart of the matter, I've had an idea bouncing around in my head for weeks now, I’m looking into getting an art book together for next year and was wondering what company would be best for printing it.  Realize I'm getting ahead of myself.  I honestly do not know how much of an audience I have.  I have no clue how to test the waters and tell if this is what they want, or if they just like looking at my stuff online and liking it on facebook.  

What sort of content would they like to see? Odds are there will good mix of stuff from my gallery as well as new or unseen pieces.  If and when I crank this thing out I'll have to wait for feedback.

Not sure who all is reading this little rant of mine but any suggestions and feedback would really be much appreciated!

-Ryan

@ironlion1914

Iron Lion Studios

SKETCH BOMBING!

Haven't posted any art in a while...

  For more of my work check out http://ironlion82.deviantart.com/

  

Looking through the bin #2

As a collector, it’s always fun to go back and look through the bin and comb through the past issues and series you've amassed.  Not so much to appraise their value, but because it’s just plain fun!  The experience is much more unique as an adult. While pouring through the adventures of the teams and characters of yesteryear you often notice things that weren’t cognizant of as a kid, or maybe didn’t fully understand at the time you initially read it.  I’d like to tell you about a couple of books or rather two consecutive issues that caught my eye in this fashion. 

If you were to pick up Wolverine #105-106, they would certainly appear to be little more than two filler issues, part of the cool down from issue #100 (a supposed landmark issue where the story made absolutely no sense and the titular character gained a ‘new look’.)  But let’s look a little bit deeper shall we? Both issues, Written and drawn by industry veterans Larry Hama and Val Semeiks respectively, offer both covers and interiors that stand in stark contrast to one another. 

WOLVERINE #105

Issue #105 takes place during Marvel’s all encompassing ‘Onslaught’ saga and takes a look at the collateral damage caused the eponymous villain.  It’s a pretty fast story but not hectic that you’re turning the page before you have a chance to understand what you’ve just read.  The premise seems simple enough; a superhero rescues a kid from a burning building.  But the story takes a turn when he goes back save an old man.  I won’t give away the ending.  You’ll have to head down to your local comics store and browse the back issues. 

Wolverine saves the day!

WOLVERINE #106

#106 is a step in the other direction pulling Logan out of the action and sending him on something of a vacation.  The book guest stars Elektra, who is a staple Marvel’s Daredevil franchise and they’re pairing is mention in the previous issue.  The story starts as camping trip in Wolverine’s stomping grounds in Northern Canada, and from there the two travel to her Elektra’s family home in Greece. The tone of the story is rather passive, showing a Wolverine that fans rarely see—laid back, social.  It’s not without its action however as we see a flash back to the hero’s WWII days.

The drawing style of Val Semeiks lends itself to the character’s physical look extremely well, specifically his depiction as quasi-neanderthal type (explained in the above mention issue 100).  His visuals are solid and he presents clear and kinetic illustration that compliments Larry Hama’s dialogue, which had always been a keystone of the books popularity.  Having written the book throughout most of the ‘90’s, Hama’s take on the character is the one many fans have come to know and love.

These stories did not involve the overly hyped up dramatic changes, that we’re  so rampant in the industry in the boom of the 90’s, but if you’re a fan of great writing and wonderful art, then these two issues certainly deserve a place in your collection. 

                

-RYAN

(All images are the property of Marvel Comics)