Golden Guest of Honor for Mid-Ohio!

Ohio-- Co-creator of the X-men’s Rogue character, Michael Golden has been called "a legend" in the comics industry, and is sought after for his unique style, while conducting classes in sequential art storytelling worldwide! Now, he also has the honor of being named Co-Guest of Honor along with contemporary and comics legend, Bernie Wrightson, for the 2009 edition of Mid-Ohio Con.

Golden's pivotal and groundbreaking work can be seen in and on such books as "The 'Nam," "Micronauts," "G.I. Joe Yearbook," "Dr. Strange," “Nightwing,” “Detective,” “Heroes for Hire," "Hulk," "Spiderman," "Uncanny X-men" and “Iron Man” among much, much more-- Golden, modestly never says which is his own personal favorite project... However, according to one art dealer, "Everybody in the business has been influenced by Golden’s Dr. Strange.

Michael, no matter on which character, is indeed known for his unique art style that at various times seems detailed and at other times seems to be amazingly streamlined--cutting away the excess and maintaining the true essentials of a piece. Thus the title of his recent top-selling art book, "Excess: The Art of Michael Golden," from Vanguard Productions! These techniques, coupled with his signature storytelling construction garner Golden a legion of devotees that number not only comic readers, but other artists as well.

Other milestones in Golden's career include the co-creation of "Bucky O'Hare," with writer Larry Hama, which led to an animated series and toy line designed by Michael, as well as the creation “Spartan X” with the input of Jackie Chan and editor/writer Renee Witterstaetter.

Current projects include “Manga Bucky O’Hare” from Vanguard Productions; “Michael Golden Monsters” portfolio from Eva Ink; “Heroes and Villains Sketchbook” from Eva Ink; “Modern Masters in the Studio with Michael Golden" DVD and trade from TwoMorrows; “The Creator Chronicles : Michael Golden” DVD from Woodcrest Productions, and Michael's new sketchbook "MORE Heroes and Villains," due out in the fall.

As a conceptual cover artist, Golden has penciled everything from Batman and Captain America to Vampirella-- and "Virtually every character in the industry at some point or another. I'm the one they come to when they want one of those covers with a thousand characters on them," he laughs.

Honored with gallery shows in places as diverse as New York, Brussels, Antwerp, Gijon, Paris and Barcelona, Golden is sought after for his signature art class in storytelling, which he has conducted throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and now China. Michael has served as an Editor at DC Comics as well as Senior Art Director at Marvel Comics, and has worked on scores of movie production projects, including some currently in development. As well as design work for both Universal and Disney.

Guests joining Golden, Oct. 2-3 for Mid-Ohio include: Joe Jusko, Steve Scott, Mark Texeira, Renee Witterstaetter, Robin Dale, Gary Friedrich, Ron Frenz, Jay Fife, Mike Grell, Barry Kitson, David Mack, Todd Nauck, Chris Sprouse, Herb Trimpe, Billy Tucci, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, and many more!

For more information on Mid-Ohio Con visit: http://midohiocon.blogspot.com

For more information on Michael Golden and his work, contact: evaink@aol.com; www.evaink.com

Will Marvel Ruin Disney? ;-)

Okay, so we all know now that Disney just bought Marvel. I personally don't look at this as necessarily a bad thing. No doom and gloom here. :-)

Disney can perhaps help expand our market and bring more readers into comics, something sorely lacking right now as we continue to shrink in readership. Disney also certainly has avenues into animation, marketing, and product manufacturing which will get more product out there, hopefully good stuff.

The things I don't like tentatively haven't come to pass yet, and may not! They are just fears swirling in my brain. But issues like artist's ownership of original artwork, art being done in house instead of freelance--as it is historically at Disney, being able to get interesting story lines green lighted that may not be PC particularly, artist's rates going up not down, etc. etc. come to mind.

But again, if Disney is hands off, nothing to worry about! They say they will let Marvel continue to do their thing, and perhaps that is true. No reason to think otherwise. As someone pointed out, aren't they hands off with Pixar and Miramax? And hey, one of my friends that works for Disney always compliments their good health insurance--wouldn't it be a dream come true for freelancers to actually get some decent coverage!?

Conversely, in my mind, what I always liked about Marvel, is even though it was a corporation--that nasty word-- it was a relatively small one, and one had the impression that if you had a particularly cool or inventive idea, you could still get someone to bite. There were still just a few folks you had to convince. Now with the monolith that is Disney behind it all, there are more than just a few--again--if they are hands on that could be a fear. But--They may not be.

We don't know what's going to happen right now. But one thing is for sure--the company that Stan and Jack started is gonna change in some ways. We just don't know how yet.

But let's face it-- it's ALWAYS been changing. This is nothing new!

When I first started working at the "House of Ideas," I felt like Marvel was a family. I loved every second!! We had Mark Gruenwald there as our captain of hi jinks and morale boosting, office parties, Assistant Editor's School, field trips to scriptwriting classes, Halloween hoedowns, and lavish Christmas gatherings where we dressed to the nines. It was an atmosphere where you felt we were being creative and having a great deal of fun all at the same time.

I saw it start to change.

After the company was taken over by Pearlman, the corporation began to set in and there were more rules, less fun and certainly MORE angst. A few years later, heads began to role, but I had left by that time to join my friend Jim Salicrup at Topps Comics.

I remember what Mark Gruenwald said when I asked him about if I should make that jump or not. He said, "Renee, things are changing around here. It's not the same place it used to be, and there's nothing I can do about it. I'll miss working with you, but Topps is offering you more money and different opportunties, you should go. I don't know what's going to happen here." A few months later, Mark was heartbroken as he started to fire folks he thought of as friends...I don't think he ever got over that.

So, yeah, things change. Marvel included.

Even though I'm telling you my own experiences above. People that worked for Marvel before me--perhaps in the Jim Shooter years or the Archie Goodwin years or the Roy Thomas years--think it was better THEN, and that the years after them were when things turned to shit! It all depends on your perspective, you see! From what I hear from folks working there now, it's even a new and different animal today.

Now, it will just be one with Mouse ears.

And ultimately, I don't know if it matters. A corporation is a corporation is a corporation. Their first loyalty is to the shareholders. Period. And that colors every decision. I don't know if it matters which corporation is in control.

Here's a question that hasn't been asked on any of the notes I've seen: Will Marvel ruin Disney? :-)

On a personal note, I for one like Chocolate with my peanut butter. But I don't know if I'm going to like Marvel with my Disney. I'll have to see.

I love both companies in some ways and for different things. I don't necessarily want to see Marvel rides at Disney theme parks and vise versa. They have a different focus and a different feel about them--those parks. I kinda like the fantasy feel I get when I go to Disneyland and leave the outside world behind, and at times I also enjoy the testosterone driven feel of the Marvel rides at the Universal park. But they are different! I like 'em that way. Yeah, it's a small world after all, and I'd like to keep it just the way it is. No change for me! LOL Just like it annoys me when they put Jack Sparrow into the Pirates ride, or make Small World PC. If it was already cool, don't f*C#K it up!

Also, I don't really need to see Mickey in a Spidey costume, or Wolvie and Tigger having a iced mocha together. I hope they will keep the entities separate. Of course that's just me. But... now that I'm thinking about it, that Spidey/Mickey thing might be kinda cute.

I'm sure they are already being stuffed and stitched in Hong Kong even as we type.

For those of you with stock...I wouldn't go selling it just yet. We are starting a new chapter, that's all, but it isn't necessarily a bad one. Just what's next.

Geez I wish I had some Marvel stock!

As Mark told me all those many years ago. It's GONNA change. We may not like all of it. But there's nuthin' we can do about it... Except perhaps....keep making comics and being creative....at whatever company allows you to make the kind of work that works for you.

And probably, someday, if Disney ever sells Marvel, somebody is going to be thinking of these next few years as the time when Marvel was "It" for them.

--R.
:-)

Golden and Scott Pin the Tale on the Dragon!--Two Art Classes/Two Exclusive Prints at DragonCon this Weekend.

Hi Ya'll--

Hope to see some of you at Dragon Con this weekend.

Two of my guys will be giving art classes. Golden's classes have been packed everywhere--and I'll have some exciting announcements about his curriculum next year! Steve recently did his seminar at schools in the Netherlands as well. This will be the first for both of these guys to conduct their classes in Atlanta.

I'll be at the show too, signing books and such. Then I'm off to Spain and China! :-)

More soon!
--Renee

_____________________



Atlanta--Artists Michael Golden and Steve Scott will be spinning Tales towards the tail-end of Dragon Con, wrapping up what is proving to be a fantastic fantasy filled schedule at the paramount Southern show this weekend, September 4-7th.

Co-creator of X-men's Rogue character, Bucky O'Hare and Spartan X, artist Michael Golden is known for his stellar storytelling in sequential art, influencing countless other craftsmen to pick up the pencil. Some of his enduring works include stories for G.I. Joe, Avengers, Doctor Strange, Batman, and much, much more. You can currently see Michael's work on Spiderman covers at Marvel, as well as in the plethora of publications out on the artist including "Excess: The Art of Michael Golden" --the bestselling art book from Vanguard Productions, "Modern Masters: Michael Golden"--from TwoMorrows Publishing, and the "Creator Chronicles: Michael Golden"--DVD and tutorial from Eva Ink and Woodcrest Productions.

The artist has conducted his "Storytelling with Michael Golden" class in places as diverse as Spain, France, The Netherlands, Canada, and in a few short weeks, China will be added to the list! He's pleased to offer a one-hour "essentials class" at this year's Dragon Con on Sunday afternoon of the show--his first in the Atlanta area for this curriculum. Check the Artist's Alley schedule and Comic's Track for details.

Current X-Men Forever artist Steve Scott, is known for his stunning work on "Razor," "Indiana Jones," "JLA," "Batman Dark Knight," and much more. In fact, he is the only artist tapped by DC Comics to do any artwork related to the movie and the only artist to officially render Heath Ledger in his now famous Joker turn. In addition, Steve is known for his dynamic story work and production art for the hit television show "Smallville," as well!

A local to Atlanta, Steve will also be on hand Sunday to conduct his class, "Elements of Drawing a Dynamic Figure," in the afternoon. Here's a great chance to learn positioning of figures and discuss the sign-language conveyance via art, which is unique to our medium.

Both artists will also be offering limited prints for the show, featuring the Dragon Con logo, signed by the artists, and available only at their tables in Artist's Alley while supplies last.

Other talents joining the guys at the convention include: Leo Liebelman (also with Eva Ink Artist Group), Bob Burden, Tommy Castillo, Lou Ferrigno, Francesco Francavilla, Stephanie Gladden, Cully Hamner, Richard Hatch, Eva Hopkins, Joseph Michael Linsner, Georges Jeanty, Renee Witterstaetter, Paul Jenkins, Nathan Massengill, Peter Mayhew, Malcolm McDowell, Mike Mignola, Leonard Nimoy, George Perez, William Shatner, Brian Stelfreeze, Patrick Stewart, William Stout--and do we DARE say it--many, MANY more! In fact, it's one of the best guest line-ups we've seen any time, any where!

Some come on by and help us "Pin the Tales on the Dragon," and we're sure you'll make a few new tales of your own to tell when you get back home! For more information on the show, visit: www.dragoncon.org

For more information on Steve Scott, Michael Golden and Leo Liebelman, contact:
evaink@aol.com