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Adventure Time Comics #21

| Aaron McConnell

This issue is a surprising delight. “Ricardio Arrythmia” turns a simple concept into something simultaneously unusual and slightly moving. McConnell’s art and lettering is a unique twist for Adventure Time, and while some panels almost look like something out of Aqua Teen Hunger Force, that only adds to the charm.

— Jenna Anderson (for Comic Book Reviews at Comicbook.com)

Adventure Time Comics #21 has been available at comic shops for a couple weeks now.  This is the first comic work for a licensed property that I’ve written and illustrated.  I wasn’t too familiar with the expansive universe of Adventure Time a year ago, but my son and I watched many episodes and had a good time following Finn and Jake through the rich tapestry of the world and its various dimensions.  The Adventure Time Comics series, for those not familiar, is a monthly comic book anthology that allows contributing creators to play with the source material and interpret it in any manner they prefer.  Once my pitch concept was approved, I was given cart blanche with very little editorial interference.  I’m grateful to Matt Levine the assistant editor at BOOM! who thought I’d be a good candidate for the book.  I’m also thankful for my sounding boards during the writing process, Jim Berry and Dan McConnell, both of whom contributed ideas to the story.

Now for some preview pages from the 12 page story, and below the color art are some of the original pages for those interested in the process.  Further below are some sketchbook drawings that were done in the early stages of development along with rough layouts and miscellaneous scribblings.  Cue the intro song to Adventure Time and “come along with me…”

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13 to 1

| Aaron McConnell

Here’s the conclusion of the 13th Age countdown in one swift post.

13…Attack on Boltstrike Pillar: the color version and the original charcoal drawing.

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12…Unpublished early concept drawing of Sorcerers of The Three (see the 13th Age GM Screen for an updated version)

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11…Pencil drawing of 2 halflings sharing a pipe in Twisp (toned final art on page 280 of the core book)

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10…The drawing for the cover of the core book on toned watercolor paper and a detail from the concept sketch.

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9…Detail of the original charcoal art for the Gnome class in the core book (page 68)

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8…An unwelcome guest in the king’s court. The painted version by Lee Moyer (found in 13 True Ways) and the original drawing.

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7…Adventurers went to heaven…after some faerie trouble. (Illustration on page 121 of 13 True Ways)

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6…Original drawing on toned paper (color version in 13 True Ways)

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5…Dance of the Dead. A drawing from 13 True Ways with some recent color alterations.

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4…Revised color on an illustration in the core book (page 40) and detail of the original drawing on toned paper.

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3…Kobold guardians of Drakkenhall.  Original acrylic painting for the illustration on page 127 of 13 True Ways.

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2…Darkness Horses from the forthcoming 13th Age in Glorantha.

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1…Unused concept drawing for the Battle Captain  seen on page 29 of 13 True Ways.

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Day 17

| Aaron McConnell

Day 17 of 13th Age at bundleofholding.com. The Island of Omen original charcoal drawing and the final art found on page 276 of the 13th Age Core Book (with some unusual yellow streaking in the photo…I can’t explain it other than to say strange things happen when you’re dealing with the Island of Omen).

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NYCC Artist Alley A4, (“A” for Aaron, “4” for four double letters in my name)

| Aaron McConnell

 

If you’re in New York and headed for the Comic Con, you can find me in the Artist Alley at Booth A4.  I plan to be at the booth all 4 days interrupted only by a few events scheduled (see below).  Mike Smith, the co-author/brewer of The Comic Book Story of Beer will be joining me Saturday and Sunday. Come talk drawing and beer with us!

  • Saturday 10/8

I will be signing The Comic Book Story of Beer with Mike Smith at the PRH/Crown Booth #2210, Time: 3:30 pm

  • Sunday 10/9
Comics in Real Life
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location:   BookCon @ NYCC – 500 W 36th Street

  • Monday 10/10

Post-NYCC Author Coffee Klatsch

Time: 11:00AM-1:00PM (revolving door event)
Location: Random House offices—1745 Broadway, NYC 10019 (between 55th and 56th streets)
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The original ink drawing of this image of Dr Strange, the Home Brewer, will be included in the NYCC Charity Art Auction benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  The details are available at this link along with images of all the other contributions:http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/Events/NYCC-Charity-Art-Auction/

The Charity Auction is Saturday night (10/8) at 6:45pm in room 1A18. Below is the B/W original:

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In addition to selling books and original artwork at my Booth (A4), I also look forward to the opportunity to draw commissions.  Below are some examples of 13th Age drawings. Thanks for your time and attention.  Hope to see you at NYCC!

Pallet Magazine

| Aaron McConnell

The latest issue of Pallet, a journal for people who like to think and drink, is available now.  I’m very impressed with the quality of this magazine, and it features articles about everything from science to art to beer..well, mostly beer!  And no surprise that’s where I come in.  I was invited to contribute a beer label for this issue’s themed feature “Shakesbeer.”  To quote the magazine:

He’s the greatest writer in the English language, but one honor yet to be bestowed upon William Shakespeare was for us to invite four breweries and artists from around the world to create an original recipe and label artwork inspired by one of his plays.

I was paired with Ommegang Brewery, but I’ll let the label tell you the rest…Cheers!

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Charlie Who?

| Aaron McConnell

Here’s a piece of fan art celebrating the subject of Sonny Liew’s graphic novel The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye that is sending shockwaves through the very medium of comics itself!  You gotta check this out, but don’t take my word for it, take it from NPR:

At once dizzyingly meta and deeply heartfelt, the book spans 80 years and in its complicated layering remind me of everything from “Maus” and “The Tin Drum” to, believe it or not, “Ulysses.”

Link to Listen to the Story at NPR

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