Part Two of Mark Schultz’s interview with Dwight and Swain has been posted at the Sidebar website. Scroll down to the December 17, 2008 entry for the link to the sound file.
John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Mark Schultz interview by Dwight and Swain at Sidebar!
There’s a new Mark Schultz interview available online at Sidebar. The cool thing about this talk is it is a sound file, so you can download and listen to it. I spoke with Mark about his experience being interviewed by Sidebar hosts Dwight Clark and Swain Hunt, and he told me they instantly made him feel comfortable, and asked smart atypical questions. He really enjoyed the experience. As a result, Mark feels this is his best interview to date.
Part one is online at their site and runs about one hour. This covers much of Mark’s influences. Part 2 will be posted in the near future, going into his upcoming projects, such as Storms at Sea, and Various Drawings Volume Four, both being published by Flesk.
Besides Mark’s interview, Dwight and Swain post informative and fun to read news on upcoming and new books, movies, comics, animation topics, and more interviews, such as one with Jim Starlin.
Sidebar: Four Color Conversations on Comics, Art & Pop Culture is definitely worth checking out on a regular basis.
John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Gene Colan Event at Lee’s Comics a Success!
I was happy to make it to Lee’s Comics signing event with Gene Colan. Gene and Lee posed for the picture above. Lee has a solid reputation for organizing a fun day. Two last minute guest additions were Steve Leialoha and Joe Rubinstein.
Gene Colan, and his wife Adrienne, were friendly and a pleasure to meet. Colan is one of the few living legends of comics, spanning nearly 60 years in the field. Gene’s career at Marvel Comics alone is legendary. His artwork for Daredevil and Tomb of Dracula are personal favorites of mine. I was thrilled to get a few comics signed. I’m amazed at how good his art continues to be, despite his well-publicized health issues. You can help support Gene Colan by visiting the Lee’s Comics website for special signed items in which the proceeds go to directly to Gene.
You can read more about the event at Lee’s blog.
Also, the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco has a retrospective of Colan’s work going on from November 15, 2008 to March 15, 2009. On hand are an amazing gathering of some of Colan’s key original artwork, including his cover for Iron Man #1 and Iron Man Sub-Mariner #1, and over forty other examples spanning his career. I picked up their exhibit catalog of the show during the signing at Lee’s comics, Gene Colan: Visions of a Man Without Fear. You can order copy from the museum bookstore at their website. It’s worth picking up. The design and reproduction are both very attractive.
Be on the lookout for news about a future signing at Lee’s Comics with William Stout. This will be in conjunction with the release of our upcoming book, Williams Stout: Prehistoric Life Murals. In the meantime, you can visit Lee’s store to see the entire line of Flesk Publications books.
John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
James Bama Interview in SoutwestArt Magazine – December 2008!
The new issue (December 2008) of Soutwest Art Magazine features an interview with James Bama in their “Legends of Fine Art” article. This is a rare opportunity to read Bama’s own words, as he usually turns down interview requests.
You will notice James mentions a new book coming out on his “realist paintings in other countries” in 2010. Flesk Publications will publish this collection of mostly unpublished works, ranging from his travels to China, Mexico, and Turkey, among others. These pieces are my personal favorite paintings of Bama’s. Brian M. Kane, James Bama, and myself started working on this collection just recently. Full details and a street date will be announced by fall 2009. Until then, you can pick up a copy of our retrospective art book on Bama’s illustration career, James Bama: American Realist.
John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Flesk Catalog Posted Online!
I’ve posted an online version of our Flesk Publications catalog on our website. It’s a quick download, being only a 1.7 MB PDF file. This catalog features samples from each of our available books, and news on upcoming titles. Please feel free to share it with your friends and favorite retailers!
Click here to download. Thanks!
John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Jack Kirby Collector #51 Available from TwoMorrows! Cover Story
John Morrow, of TwoMorrows Publishing, sent me a copy of the new Jack Kirby Collector #51. The cover looked familiar, but I wasn’t quite sure why, until I looked inside and saw my name included with the cover credit.
Back in 2004, while attending the San Diego Comic Con, I was walking by the TwoMorrows booth. John Morrow was talking with a gentleman while admiring the original art, now used for the cover of TJKC #51. Turns out, John had never seen this artwork before, and was talking to the owner of the artwork about getting it photographed for a future cover. I happened to have a Hasselblad camera with me that a friend let me borrow for the show. I was on my way back to my Flesk booth after shooting a few portraits. I’m a huge Jack Kirby fan, and love what John Morrow is doing with his magazines. John asked if I was willing to photograph the art. I was more than happy to help. I shot the art using natural light in the back area of the convention center, and then sent him the negative after the show. I’m glad to see he was able to use it, and to have had the opportunity to contribute.
On another note, I happened to see Mike Mignola and Guillermo del Toro together later on. I just happened to still have the camera with me and was able to shoot some pictures of them together. This was right after the first Hellboy film came out, and a very exciting time, I would imagine, for the both of them.
I lug a camera around just about everywhere with me. Sometimes I never use it, but other times it proves invaluable to have around, especially at shows.
John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Read the Latest Reviews for The Prince Valiant Page!
It’s no secret we love The Prince Valiant Page. I was curious how other people felt about the book, so I searched the web. For some unbiased articles, these websites have much to offer. “State of the Art” by Arnie Fenner on Tor.com, Dave Astor’s article at the Editor & Publisher website, “Books about Comics: President to Prince” by Peter Sanderson at the Publisher’s Weekly website, Charley Parker’s blog on his incredible Lines and Colors website, Todd Klein’s blog on his website, and Allan Holtz’s blog, all provide positive feedback worth reading.
John Fleskes
Gary Gianni and Mark Schultz Appearing at the Flesk Booth at WonderCon 2009!
I know we’re over three months away, but WonderCon will be here before we know it. And, I have some exciting news. Both Gary Gianni and Mark Schultz will be signing at the Flesk booth all three days! This will be Gianni’s first appearance at WonderCon.
Gianni’s art and Schultz’s script bring you Prince Valiant each week. We will have copies of Gary’s The Prince Valiant Page, as well as his new graphic novel adaptation “Jules Verne’s Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” available at the show. Also on hand will be a special signed The Prince Valiant Page poster that is free with any purchase.
Schultz will be available with previews of his upcoming Various Drawings Volume Four and Storms at Sea books.
Both gentlemen will have original art for sale! I will not know what art they are bringing until the show, and look forward to being seeing what they have for sale at the same time those who attend do.
WonderCon is held at the Moscone Center South in San Francisco. The show runs from February 27 to March 1, 2009. More information about the show can be found at their website.
John
John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Meet Gene Colan At Lee’s Comics!
I received an email from Lee Hester of Lee’s Comics who wrote:
I’m very happy to announce our next big signing!
Meet Gene Colan at our Mountain View store on Saturday December 6th from Noon to 2:00.
Gene’s legendary career has included definitive runs on Iron Man, Daredevil, Howard the Duck, and Tomb of Dracula.
Gene Colan is one of Marvel’s finest artists. Mark your calendar and plan to attend!
Lee’s Comics
1020 N. Rengstorff Avenue, Suite F
(by Costco)
Mountain View, CA 94043
650.965.1800
This will be a rare chance to meet one of the premier Silver Age Marvel artists. You won’t want to miss this opportunity. Lee’s Comics is the most organized comic book stores in the Bay Area, with the best selection of books and graphic novels, new comics, plus many rare old comics on hand. Lee’s will also have plenty of comics with art by Gene Colan available in case you would like to buy that special comic to get signed. See you there.
John
John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Gary Gianni and William Stout books are at the printer!
Both Gary Gianni’s adaptation of Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and William Stout’s Prehistoric Life Murals are at the printer.
The Gianni book is on the press. I approved the second set of proofs last week. The printing and binding should be finished within the next two to three weeks. With this in mind, I expect to have the bulk shipment around mid-December for shipping to the stores and distributors. This estimated delivery date always seems to have a plus or minus factor of two weeks, depending on the shipping. There can be transit delays, such as the books being held in customs for an extra week.
Stout’s Murals book is in the early stages at the printer. I am awaiting the first set of proofs for review. I rarely approve the first set, as I tend to be particular about shadows, contrast, and making sure colors don’t shift. Or, sometimes proofs can come out too hot, or too warm. All in all, the murals book is in its final leg to completion.
With these two books at the printer, my full attention turns to Al Williamson’s Flash Gordon book. I am going through all of the material on hand, to see what we are missing, and to make a very rough book map to hand over to Randy Dahlk, the designer. This book map will contain the sequential pages, Mark Schultz’s text, and a scattering of sketches and unpublished drawings for Randy to play around with. This is a fun, highly collaborative project between Randy, Mark, and myself, with designs sent to Al and Cori Williamson for their input.
We’ve all decided to print Al’s finished art for his comic material in black and white. They are absolutely beautiful on their own. With almost the entire book scanned from the originals, the reader will be able to see Williamson’s tones, variations in line and shading lost in their comic book reproductions of the past. Our goal is to reproduce his artwork as faithful to the originals as possible. There will also be color works included, many unpublished.
If you are wondering what else is in the pipeline, we have started early development of five more titles. I will have full details posted on our website once the books have been completely fleshed out. Even though I am not ready to talk about the details, I can tell you one book is Mark Schultz’s Various Drawings Volume Four, then a Gary Gianni art book collection, and a new James Bama book! I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to continue working with these fine gentlemen, all of who also happen to be amazing artists!
As always, thanks to everyone for your support.
John Fleskes
Flesk Publications