2010, Here we go...

This is looking to be a very exciting year for me. I have a lot of great gigs planned! Lets kick this year off with the first colored page of Deadpool Team Up 896. Colors by John Rauch! Wait until you all see what he's doing on this book!

Where have i been?

I've been so so so busy, working on this issue of DP team up, and knocking out these cards. The next few weeks are going to be a bunch of LONG days and grinding. I'll try and be better about posting during that time, if not, next year, i'll be posting A LOT more... when this book is done! I've already got 3 or 4 GREAT projects lined up, so stay tuned!

Ramos revealed...

I said this before, now that i can show the image, i'll say it again!

So, yeah, when i was young (which i was at some point,) Ramos was my all time favorite. His work gave me "permission" to use my cartoony style. He could obviously draw on a very skilled level and used that knowledge to develop his cartoony style. Unlike many of his contemporaries, who were all flash with no skill. So here i am now, working for Marvel, with Ramos drawing a cover for one of my books. If that wasn't cool enough, he's drawing my designs. He obviously worked really hard to stay TOTALLY true to my designs, which BLOWS ME AWAY. Thanks Ramos, you're out there somewhere. I can't believe you treated my designs with so much respect, as you can obviously draw me under the table. You've made this an experience i'll never forget.

Here's the CBR solicit

Ny Times Best Seller

As weird as it sounds, one of my books is on the NY times best seller list. There is a hardcvoer collection called Deadpool: Suicide kings. This book collects the mini series of that name, AND my annual, Deadpool: Games of Death. Both stories were written by Mike Benson, teaming with Adam Glass on the Suicide kings book. These writers have become good friends. Jew Crew in da house!


My name isn't on the site BUT i have the book in my hand and my story is in it. So Ny Times...You Betta Recognize!

Signing and interivew

As some of you know, i was Indianapolis this past weekend doing a signing at The Hero House. I had a blast, and the shop was awesome. Wayne and Mike are running a great store. As part of this weeked, i condcted an interview for the Indianapolis Examiner. I've done a few interviews now, and this is the first one where i feel like i didn't come off as a complete babbling idoit :)

Part 1

Part 2

Ramos brings the fire!

So, yeah, when i was young (which i was at some point,) Ramos was my all time favorite. His work gave me "permission" to use my cartoony style. He could obviously draw on a very skilled level and used that knowledge to develop his cartoony style. Unlike many of his contemporaries, who were all flash with no skill. So here i am now, working for Marvel, with Ramos drawing a cover for one of my books. If that wasn't cool enough, he's drawing my designs. He obviously worked really hard to stay TOTALLY true to my designs, which BLOWS ME AWAY. Thanks Ramos, you're out there somewhere. I can't believe you treated my designs with so much respect, as you can obviously draw me under the table. You've made this an experience i'll never forget.

I'll wait to post the image, i can't steal Marvel's thunder.

Hero House, Here i come!

I'll be doing a signing in Indianapolis, at The Hero House, November 6th and 7th. If you're in the area come on by and show some love for this AWESOME shop.



Indianapolis Newest comic book store The Hero House is proud to announce Shawn Crystal ( artist on Marvel Comics' Deadpool series) will make a rare Midwest appearance to sign autographs, and meet with fans on November 6th and 7th.

He will be appearing as part of The Hero House grand opening celebration which will include a storewide sale on all back issues and Graphic novels.
The Hero House specializes in Comic Books, Movies, Anime and related merchandise and is located in historic fountain square.

Shawn Crystal has been the artist on Marvels red hot Deadpool , the Resident Evil comic from Wildstorm Comics series as well as an upcoming stint on Marvel Team up.
Whether you're a fan of Deadpool the comic character, or enjoyed Ryan Reynolds turn as the “Merc with a Mouth” in the Wolverine movie, or maybe a budding comic artist seeking advice and tips you're encouraged to come out and meet this superstar artist.
The Hero house is located at 1112 prospect St Indianapolis IN. You can reach them with questions and details at 317 636 7990.
Visit Shawn here:
http://inkpulp-shawn.blogspot.com/

Take a tour of the Hero House here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4uyBiyKnRg

Deadpool 900, out now!

I am really proud of this work. it's the best work i've done to date. I was able to do what i do best on this one...

Reviews

Comic Bulletin

Also, an interview with A Comics Blog

I'm deep on the shelves...

The reprint for issue 14 is on the shelves, with a page of my interiors on the cover...WOO!
Also check out the reprint for issue 13 and the hardcover collection for Deadpool:Suicide Kings, which also has Deadpoool:Games of Death inside (the annual i drew.)
Next week, issue 900 is out!!!!

More on the Team Up

I will be draing The Highwayman as well, based on Tony Moore's design of the character. Tony's a friend and a monster talent. Can't wait to play with this one.!

Empire State of Mind

Can't get enough of that song. It must be nice to be walking through NYC with that song playing in your headphones. One can dream...

Here's some more designs. I can say this, i am working on an issue of Deadpool Team-Up, with writer Stuart Moore. The script is an amazing ride of action and comedy.

Deadpool 900, preview of my story, link below..

Newsarama!

Colors by the sexy, and amazing, Lee Loughridge.

More designs and I'm not too old!

Here's another design. I should be able to talk about it soon.

ALSO! I now have a Deviant Art page. It turns out i'm not too old to have one ! :P

Design Week!

Werkin on Designs for my next gig...

Sell out...

Deadpool 13 and 14 both sold out and are going into a second printing. The second printing of issue 14 will have a cover by (some of my interior art)
Article here. It doesn't say anything about 13, but it know for sure it's got a second printing.
YAY!

Synchronicity...

Great things tend to happen together. So do bad things, but we don't need to be negative, right? The stars are aligned or something, new music and a new gig. This autumn is looking great!

Jay Dropped Blueprint 3, Rae dropped Cuban Linx 2, and I'm doing design work for my next gig.

The reason i mention these albums and my gig is because they keep me going. Inspiration. I listen to these and i just want to draw. So my new gig is starting (Can't say what yet) and these new albums drop. A perfect combo. Here's some designs to start off this Early autumn...

Pat Quinn!

My old friend Pat Quinn is now taking commissions here. Pat is an AMAZING talent who's commissions are a great addition to ANY collection. Check out his blog here. GO! NOW! BUY!

Interview!

Andrew over at "A Comics Blog" threw some questions my way, which was awfully nice of him!

The Deadppol Bugle links the interview as well!

Another one down.

Just finished my short for DP 900. I'm onto my next gig, which i should be able to talk about soon. More fun to come!

More Inks...

Deadpool 14, Out today!

CBR Review

IFanboy Review

Inks...The Beginning...

Deadpool 14, Preview and Cover

CBR Preview

Jason Pearson ROCKED this cover!!! Then again, he rocks everything.

One more penciled page before i start showing some inks....

CBR Buy Pile

We Made the Buy Pile!

More Pencils...

Today, Deadpool 13!

Some Reviews...

Comics Bulletin

IFanboy

And PLEASE, all you Deadpool fans, stop by The Deadpool Bugle, a great fan site!

Breaking ground on the pencils...

CBR and IGN, Sneak Peak

Preview for Deadpool 13 is up at IGN.

CBR also

It's out this Wednesday!

It's all about design...

I've been really pushing myself on these breakdowns. Working hard on Storytelling and page design, i think that's where my strengths lie. My editor has taught me so much over the past 6 or so months. I feel pretty lucky to have had him take me under his wing.

warm up sketch...

Some Designs...

For my Deadpool short. I'm working on bringing a little more realism to my work. I like to push the cartooning for a while, then bring it back in. I think for Marvel work, this may be more suitable. I know it can be pushed farther.

SDCC and on...

Had a blast at San Diego Comic Con. I Did my first signing at the Marvel booth, which was awesome! Thanks to all who stopped by and showed their love for Deadpool. This month i should be MUCH more active here, working on Deadpool #900. Stay Tuned...

Deadpool #900 solicitation...

CBR announces, click here

Off to San Diego....

Tyring to nail down another character for this DP short....Be back in a week!

Rusty...

Starting up designs for my next Deadpool job. Here's the first. I'm feeling a bit rusty as i always do when i switch gears from Comics to Design work. WHY IS THAT?!?!?!?!?!?
EDIT! I just added a Spidey sketch. Canete had made me well aware of the importance of doing inked pieces between jobs, keep your tools sharp. I'll post the progress as i go.

Finishing Up...

one of the last panels i've drawn. I'll finish this job up in a few hours...
Shawn

Staying Busy

Been busy as can be finishing up this two ish Deadpool arc. I'll be done Monday. YEAH! The i'll be doing a DP short for Deadpool #900. This book is going to be amazing! I get to share pages with Dave Johnson, Kyle Baker, Jason Aaron, Mike Benson, Duane Swierczynski, and many others. This is one of those books that i just love to see on the shelves. Hopefully i don't look too bad next to that crowd.
Some pencils for the current issues....

Breaking down the next issue...

The Inks come to an end

Due to a schedule shift, i need to turn over the inks for the rest of this story. I'm nin good hands though, i requested my good friend John Lucas. He's an amazing talent. I look forward to seeing what he does, and learning a thing or two. This is the last panel i'll ink for these books...

Today's Panel

Wishing i was on this beach right now...

Snippets

Here's some random inked panels. This is the result of inking some thumbnails...

Schools over, now i can get my draw on!

Alomst done penciling this ish.

Deadpool news on CBR...

Dan Pimps up our issues...

http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21372

Process looksee

Here's some thumbs and pencils. Thumbs are about 2 inches tall and take about an hour. Pencils about 8 inches tall, and take about 3 hours.

Getting my process nailed down...

As you may have seen, i have been doing mu thumbnails/pencils together, and small. That sped me up a good but, BUT made that stage so labor-some. A friend of mine, a cartoonist i respect - Pat Bollin, suggested i to a quick small thumbnail before i do the small pencils. It sounded like a good idea. I could figure out the puzzle of the page, spot my blacks, and spot my word balloons. I gave it a try today, and BAM! I'm flying. Another weight has been lifted. Just hoping it all comes together in the final stage...INKS! Fingers crossed. I'll be done penciling this issue late next week. Inks to follow.

The Cats outta the bag...

CBR is the first to break the news. I'm dong the art for Deadpool, issues 13 and 14.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21238

I'm busy working hard on these books...

My good friend...

A good friend of Mine, Jamaal Bradley, is an animator/ animation director. He's worked for Sony feature and currently works for Valve. Please check out his blog for the latest trailer to Team Fortress, a trailer which Jamaal co directed. I stand in awe of Jamaal's talent and accomplishments. He's a good friend and a great cartoonist. I'm lucky to know people like this...
Enjoy!

http://jamaalbradley3.blogspot.com/2009/05/meet-spy-leaked.html

A Lovely Lady on a Sunday Morning...

Need some practice drawing cuties.

For the Birds...

A little homage to Loony Toons and Pixar's "For the Birds." It's nice to be working on a book where this stuff is acceptable. Thanks to Brunner for the idea swipe:P

Some Pencils...

Dig these small now. I'll post some of these as i go. I'm penciling the whole issue, then inking it...

Creative Loving

From Creative Loafing!

http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/culturesurfing/2009/05/08/deadpool-artistscad-professor-lectures-on-sunday/

Thanks to any and all who came out.

Where have I been?

Working hard. I am finally at the point where i am eliminating a stage in my process. I am combining the thumbnail stage and pencils stage. So, i'm basically inking my thumbnails which are now larger, about 8 inches tall. INks are still 11 X 17. Here's the first results of that..
As long as this keeps going well, my production speed will be FAST. It's also more fun when you can draw in your inking phase...

Grinding to meet my first weekly deadline...

He's BACK!

Now with more meat and attitude to boot. Just finished the pencils on page 1...

NEXT!

Starting my next Marvel job. Can't say much, but it's deadpool. Here's a thumbnail. I'm really trying to eventually eliminate the pencil phase of my work flow, or at least get it down to a minimal mount of time. These thumbs look like they'll only take a few hours to pencil, once i blow em up and light box em. Look CAN be deceiving. Thee things are about 3.5 inches tall. We'll see. I'll post the process as i go.
Shawn