Laughters of Joy

A personal project...

Spectre vs. Madam Xanadu

Sgt. Rock Sketch

Fin Fang Foom

Sinestro

Aftermath of Hurricane IKE

Just wanted to let everyone know that my family and I are doing fine in the aftermath of tropical storm IKE. We definitely don't have it as bad as many people down in the coast. Because we were in the direct path of IKE's north-bound progress, we have been without power since yesterday. I'll post some other news, but for now, I'm doing what I can with the remaining juice of my cell phone. Pray for all the victims.

Red Sonja

Optimus Prime

Get Your Comics NOW! #1 from Amazon

Do you guys remember Comics NOW! Premier Issue which featured my Nova art on the cover and the "How to" features inside? Well, although you can't buy those back-issues from the comic book stores anymore, you can now order them via Amazon.com! Click HERE to go directly to that listing and order your copy if you've missed out. As of this posting, it even showed as being in stock.

JunBob Open for Commissions

UPDATE (8/1): This special offer has expired and no longer valid. Thank you for all of your overwhelming support. I am still taking commissions at the regular rate.

Click on the image to see the details and special pricing. This is a limited time offer with limited availability on the list... To sign up for a commission, please use this Commission Form to sign up for a pencil or inked commission (not sketches). Please fill in "SCSO2008" the notes field of the form to get that special discounted rates. To order a pencil or inked sketches, send me a e-mail junbobkim(at)gmail.com with "SCS02008 Sketch Request" in the subject line.

Fallen Heroes Gains Traction!

A great friend and a fantastic British author Barry Nugent had commissioned me a while back to create the cover to his self-published novel Fallen Heroes. It was my first-ever book cover design and thoroughly enjoyed working with Barry through the process. As dedicated as Barry had been in promoting the book, it is only recently that he is finally beginning to see some forward progress on his book.

After the Branch Manager of Waterstone's Northampton stocked some signed copies in the store, she reports great response. I am so excited for Barry and wish that this is only a beginning to even greater things to come. I do recommend this book highly and suggest you try out some preview pages right here. You can even order your very own copy from the same page.

Here are some photos of the book on the shelf that Barry had taken...

 

JunBobKim to Draw Urusla Wilde!

Steve Bryant of Athena Voltaire fame, working closely with Molly McBride, has asked me to take on the role of pencils and inks for the upcoming project Urusla Wilde! After mere cursory look through the pitch and the scripts, I am on board! Although he had originally intended to do the writing and the art chores himself, with Athena Voltaire being back in regular schedule, he decided to look for an alternative.

Although I don't have the distinct gracefulness in the way Steve draws women, I jumped at the opportunity because I believe I can bring my A-game to the table. I should add that the simple opportunity to collaborate with Steve alone would have been reason enough for me to accept the job. Through each interaction with Steve, my respect for him as a person and a comic creator grows witnessing first hand his humility, kindness & fairness.

As far as the work is concerned, I LOVE the dynamics and the energy Steve, Molly and I have in collaboration. Great things are to come from this, my friends.

I have finished my version of the character sketches for the main team and have already begun work on pages for issue one. The first miniseries is subtitled "Sorcerer Pope" and will be published by Ape Entertainment. Those interested can read up on existing contents  and follow the progress and news by visiting the Ursula Wilde Production Diary. I will be adding some new images in the coming weeks.

JunBob, A Comic Genius?

When your friend knows somebody that knows somebody that is somebody that works at the newspaper... and he drops them story lead... and the paper approaches you for a Sunday paper human interest story... what do you think you'll say? Well, I'd say the idea of getting interviewed by the local newspaper is TOTALLY GENIUS!!! Oh, how little did I know that the Longview News Journal writer Glen Evans would use the word in the actual word in the title.

So as wonderful as the article was with 2 pages chock  full of words and images, that wonderful choice of words for the title just armed my dear friends with enough ammo to give me continual grief for the next decade.

All jokes aside, this was a tremendous honor and helped finally validate my comic art interest with my parents. Thank you ShawnO for hooking me up!

Update [04/03/2007]: The online version of the article has been archived at the Longview News Journal website is only available to people that are willing to pay for it. If you're interested in reading the article (along with the online version's missing images from the printed version), just send me an e-mail for the PDF copy.

Correspondence with Bob Layton

Having experienced such an incredible experience as having dinner with the legendary comic book creator Bob Layton, I sent him an e-mail totally geeking out. He chose his website as the place to respond to my e-mail. You can read my e-mail and his response by clicking here. Scrolling down to mid-page, you should find my e-mail and his response and in addition, his reply to Half Hour Wasted guys' e-mail.



What a great guy! He even checked up on me afterwards... Now I gotta get my butt cracking and send him some new drawings...

We're MOVING...

Sorry for the inconvenience, folks. I am discontinuing the update of this Blog and will be continuing the rant over at http://journal.junbobkim.com.

Ok... Nothing to see here, folks... come on... let's keep it moving... ;)

Korean Dinner with Bob Layton Video

Thanks to the efforts of Half Hour Wasted podcast hosts Brad and Frank, here's the video capture of the unforgettable dinner with Bob Layton.

Comics NOW! Issue 1 on the Shelves

A labor of love by the Comic Geek Speak co-founders & its community, Comics NOW! is a magazine made  "For the Comic Book Fans By the Comic Book Fans". It will feature in-depth articles on comic book  and comic book related topics, and many other features that should set it apart from all other pop culture related publications in print. The premier issue will also feature my rendition of Marvel's Nova rendering as the cover art and enclose several pages inside that reveals the cover art development in stages.

So what ya waiting for? Go get your copies NOW! :)

Dallas Comic Con - A Weekend to Remember

Dallas Comic Con... it's a small size, family environment convention that usually serves as an "excuse" for me to be able to go out of town and hang out with a group of guys. Not only a chance to spend some needed time with my homie Shawn Ormes, and the Half Hour Wasted hosts Brad Milyo and Frank Rincon. I was planning on doing some 50 cent bin diving and meeting a few comic book celebrities such as Steve Niles, Terry Moore, Tim Bradstreet, Bob Layton, Cully Hamner, Scott Kurtz, etc. The show was a blast and getting to meet fellow HHW listener Bob Heine was great too.

What I did not know was that on Saturday evening I would be given the honor of getting to know better the comic legend himself - Bob Layton! Not only was Bob generous enough to spare his time to critic my portfolio but gave us (Shawn, Brad, Frank, and I) a chance to dine with him and his assistant, the fabulous Sorah Suhng, at the Korea House restaurant that evening. To top it off, my lovely wife Krista joined us later that evening.

I'm Proud to be an American~

Well, today marked the day! It was my long-awaited Naturalization ceremony, during which I officially became a U.S. Citizen! It was 1985 since we left my birthplace of South Korea... and it truly has been a long road! I have so much to be thankful for... and so many people to thank that made this possible. Many of you that have commissioned me for artworks have played a part in my accumulating the necessary funds to pay for the process. THANK YOU. This is a happy day!

If We Knew the Future...

I was having a conversation with a friend this morning... and I had a thought: "Would we pray differently if we knew the future?" Of course, this wasn't the issue of whether or not we'd do something drastically different if we knew the future... I am of the opinion that praying is an ACTION verb.

Open for Commission

I am opening the last list for commission for '07. I am also offering a significant discount from my regular rates... So if you were considering a commission from me and also wish to qualify for the free commission giveaway contest, this is the perfect time to do so.

For the special pricing and other info, please click here (you'll be taken to CGS forum ).

Happy Holidays & 2 Giveaways!

I love this time of the year! God has been truly good to me this year in many countless ways. As a thank you to many of my friends that have played a great part in this, I am giving away 2 things.

First contest...WIN A NEW WITCHBLADE ANIME SEASON 1 DVD! I am giving away a Brand New, Still Shrink-wrapped Witchblade, the Anime Season 1 DVD. All you have to do is between now and New Years, signup for my newsletter. Your e-mail address will NOT be used for any other purposes than to send out occasional e-mail newsletters from me. One lucky e-mail will be randomly selected to be the winner. Please, we're all friends here... so no more than one e-mail per household. [updated 11/25] Boys and girls, the DVD is TV-MA rated, BTW... so please do be advised that the winner will have to be at least 18 before I mail this DVD to you. I am also informed that it contains possible strong sexual themes and other "adult" materials... so please be advised. I do not wish to offend anyone.

Second contest... WIN A FREE JUNBOB COMMISSION! Everyone who had commissioned me for artwork ( Penciled or Inked on 11x17 counts. Sorry, penciled or inked sketches on 8.5x11 do NOT count ) so far this year 2007 will be eligible to win a choice of either Penciled or Inked Commission of his/her choice. If you've already purchased a commission from me already this year, there's nothing you have to do. To those of you that have commissioned me more than once, I will increase your chance by the number of commissions you've purchased. One random winner will be selected around noon December 24th.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy this wonderful holiday with your loved ones and don't forget the food.

Marvel/DC ZombieFest in Technocolor!

Alright, a few of the fellow posters from Comic Geek Speak forum took up the challenge. For a while, pocosong seemed to be the only one that making any real gain... it seems though even he was bitten by the lack-of-time bug. Out of no where, a DC colorist jumped in and rose to the occasion. His name? Allen. aka angryf. aka graphics84. His site? http://www.angryf.com. In his blog, he showcases the color image that he knocked out of the park.

Here's the preview of the image in its full color glory! (Click on the image to launch a larger image)

Fairwell, CBI3!

Well, I have permanently decided to put aside the CBI3 assignments. All the controversies over voting improperly reflecting true talents at the main contest... I don't think that the "Play-at-Home" threads are really getting any real attention from the editors and judges. Not that I'm complaining about that aspect... as it's only fair that the main attention needs to be given to the guys in the competition.

The decision really came more from me finally stopping myself from this personal emotional roller-coaster of an event and get my butt back in gear with some real offers already on the table for me by guys like Kevin Grevioux (Underworld, New Warriors, etc.), Mike San Giacomo (Phantom Jack) and Steve Bryant (Athena Voltaire).

CBI3 Round 3 Submission

Robert Kirkman's Invincible script! With Ryan Ottley as the judge! I did enjoy how loose Kirkman's script was. Here is what thread on Comic Book Resources forum with my submissions. You can follow up on some reactions and critics from the other Play-at-Homers.

Click on the image to view a larger version.

CBI3 Round 2 Submission

C.B. Cebulski's Wonderlost script! Nice! I had a lot of fun on these entries. Here is what thread on Comic Book Resources forum with my submissions. You can follow up on some reactions and critics from the other Play-at-Homers.

Click on the image to view a larger version.

CBI3 Round 1 Submission

Well, the 1st set of script was from Aspen... and it was a 3 pager of Fathom in action. Well, I was really depressed after not getting nominated... I almost didn't participate in the "Play at Home" contest. At the last minute with regained hope, I drew up 3 pages of what I could. Here is what thread on Comic Book Resources forum with my submissions. You can follow up on some reactions and critics from the other Play-at-Homers.

Click on the image to view a larger version.

Finally, an Update!

Well, I know that this may come as a shock to those of you returning to my site... but I've managed to finally launch an updated site. I've had some complaints from some visitors that the old Flash-based interface caused problems. Hopefully, the new design with the updated, separate Gallery is easier to navigate for most people.

So, here's goes nothing, folks. Let's hear it. Is the re-design a keeper?

Why did I do this to myself?

Oh, well... I guess I should have known. With over 190+ entries, I was NOT one of the ten (nor top 12 or so) selected to participate on CBI3. Kinda depressed... thought I really had some real chance this year. Gosh, this sucks... kinda sucks the will out of wanting to continue drawing. :( I guess I should have listened to Kevin Grevioux's advice to just stay away from the contest. Shucks!

CGS Coloring Contest

Well, my fellow CGS artists were having a grand-ol'-time with coloring contest of various sorts... I don't know what came over me... but I thought I'd create some ripples on their calm pond... I threw out a challenge for them to color my submission to the CGS300 special edition comic book. For those unfamiliar with the submission, here's the preview:


For more detail interactions and even hi-rez images you can download for your coloring fun, visit this thread on The Comics Forum.

Comic Book Idol 3?

Well, the first one I missed the cutoff for nominations. The second, I was never considered for the nomination. I'm almost torn whether I need to try it again for the third contest much like the comic artist contest version of the TV's American Idol. However, the free trip to New York Comic Con and a chance to get to meet some editors and pros alike was worth the effort, I'd figure... Here goes nothing.

Packing the essentials...

Okay... Getting ready for my trip to Redding, PA. Can't forget to pack the essentials to Episode 300, right?

We have arrived!

Despite the unattentive shuttle service at express parking and crazy lines at airport security, Brad, Frank and I have mde the flight. Smooth flight with a few quirks of people grabbing whatever seats they want. It's sunny and around 70 degrees here at 11AM. After the rental car, we're gonna kill about an hour or two before picking up Austin.

We have arrived!

Despite the unattentive shuttle service at express parking and crazy lines at airport security, Brad, Frank and I have mde the flight. Smooth flight with a few quirks of people grabbing whatever seats they want. It's sunny and around 70 degrees here at 11AM. After the rental car, we're gonna kill about an hour or two before picking up Austin.

CGS Episode 300, here I come!

CGS Episode 300, here I come!

Okay. In a mad rush, I gathered together the things I would need for the historical recording of Comic Geek Speak's Episode 300. I plan on traveling somewhat light... only carrying supplies I would need to do pencils and inks. This is the first time in a long time I'm traveling WITHOUT my laptop. With each moment, I'm getting more nervous about not having my laptop with me. I am also forgoing my high-end digital camera... Man, what a slacker!

Anyways, here's a preview of one essential I cannot forget:

JunBob First Podcast Interview!

Well, my first ever interview in this ever-growing digital world of podcasts! The awesome padres Brad Milyo and Frank Rincon that I met via Comic Geek Speak forum started a podcast of their own called Half Hour Wasted.

Unfortunately, due to some insidious plan on Frank's part, I didn't get to be the first ever comic book creator to be interview on HHW, as was promised to me by Frank. To make matters worse, the recording of Brad and me punkin' Frank during the show was lost to an unfortunate (too convenient for Frank if you ask me!) technical glitch. The only salvaging part was that the first interview was with Erica Hesse artist and co-creator of "The Key" and a super-kewl kat from Jersey. Good times would be had for the next hour or so as they kindly extended 2 episodes for me to join them.

Go to http://www.halfhourwasted.com and check out the cool podcast... My interview can be found on Episode 14 & Episode 15.

JunBob First Podcast Interview!

Well, my first ever interview in this ever-growing digital world of podcasts! The awesome padres Brad Milyo and Frank Rincon that I met via Comic Geek Speak forum started a podcast of their own called Half Hour Wasted.

Unfortunately, due to some insidious plan on Frank's part, I didn't get to be the first ever comic book creator to be interview on HHW, as was promised to me by Frank. To make matters worse, the recording of Brad and me punkin' Frank during the show was lost to an unfortunate (too convenient for Frank if you ask me!) technical glitch. The only salvaging part was that the first interview was with Erica Hesse artist and co-creator of "The Key" and a super-kewl kat from Jersey. Good times would be had for the next hour or so as they kindly extended 2 episodes for me to join them.

Go to http://www.halfhourwasted.com and check out the cool podcast... My interview can be found on Episode 14 & Episode 15.

Superman versus Captain Marvel

Inked commission for edit_this on CGS forum. I enjoyed the clash of these two titans... reminiscent of DC's Kingdom Come, which is still my favorite comic book of all time for me.

Superman vs. Captain Marvel

Inked commission for edit_this on CGS forum. I enjoyed the clash of these two titans... reminiscent of DC's Kingdom Come, which is still my favorite comic book of all time for me.

Kingdom Come Superman & Alan Scott Green Lantern

2 penciled commissions for c.k.clark of CGS... Of course, I enjoyed drawing one of my favorite versions of Superman once again.

KC Superman & Alan Scott Green Lantern

2 penciled commissions for c.k.clark of CGS... Of course, I enjoyed drawing one of my favorite versions of Superman once again.

Alien Invasion - Kilowogg vs. Beta Ray Bill

A 3 piece commission for BrandX at CGS... I believe he plans on framing these pieces all in one frame.