Mjonlir Returns!

While growing up in the 80's many of my favorite comic book artists where the likes of John Romita Sr. and Jr., John Bryne and Ron Frenz.  They all had a simpler style to their work.  Had it not been for a high school friend I would have never been exposed to the work of the great Walter Simonson.  My friend "Young", suggested for me to read "The Mighty Thor".  I knew about Thor, just like the other heroes but I never felt like reading the book.  So I asked him, "What about the art?  It doesn't appear that I will like it."  My friend reassured me that I would love it.  So I gave it a try and I bought Thor.  I came back the next month and then the next. I was hooked.  Simonson's work was different from the other artists I was used to.  But it still maintained the raw energy and dynamic style superheroes are accustomed of having.  I never missed an issue of Thor after that.  On top of his art, Walt was a great storyteller!

Mjolnir Returns!

In 8th grade I read about Greek and Norse mythology.  So seeing Thor in epic battles with trolls and frost giants was very familiar to me.  And who could forget Loki! He was just as dastardly.  And then to culminate his epic run, Walt did the biggest battle prophesied by the ancient Norse legends. Thor went to battle with the Midgard serpent!!  That particular story will go down as one of the greatest stories ever told in the annals of comic book history.  If you have never read that story, it is a MUST!! In this story Thor battles the serpent to the death.  I also loved it because the allusions of the battle were very biblical.  To me Thor was Jesus Christ, battling the Dragon foretold in the book of the Apocalypse.

My seven year son old lent me a helping hand with the finishes.  Incidentally his middle name is "Mjolnir".

And that is why, I felt very adventurous and inked as a tribute to Walt, one of his drawings of Thor in his armor.  I call it "Mjolnir Returns!" Walt Simonson is one of the best artists there is.  I believe his legacy is at the level of Jack Kirby himself. I hope you like it and by all means please feel free to share.

When a Superman Cries

I recently came across a sketch from the great comic book artist Ron Frenz featuring Superman. In his sketch you see Superman crying. I felt that it is a very powerful drawing. I then started thinking, What would make a Superman cry? I don't think there are many things that would. But some of those things would have to be: 

 #1. The constant random attacks perpetrated by madmen who go to churches, schools or dance clubs to shoot innocent men, women and children. That is what would make Superman cry. Just last week a 59 year old gunman killed five journalists of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis. 

 #2. The social discord affecting the entire country where two extreme political forces are accusing each other of wrong doing. There is a lack of love. Too many people are easily offended. And in turn this causes violence that ends up hurting so many people.

#3. The lack of love in families, and friends. Where strangers' love waxes cold, it should not be like that in families. 

The last time I saw Superman crying was in a comic book commemorating 911. 

Growing up the great Ron Frenz was one of my favorite comic book artists. In the 1980s he replaced the Romitas when they finished their run in Amazing Spider-Man. Ron Frenz brought a uniqueness to the Spider-Man comic book. And his stories are very memorable. Such as when he drew "the Kid Who Collected Spider-Man". Reading this comic book as a 13 year old made me cry!! I also remember how he drew Spider-Man defeating Firelord. A cosmic villain who was a herald of Galactus!! Ron was also there during the introduction of the black costume. 

I can't say enough how much I respect and admire his work. He blazed his own path in comic book history. That is why inking his crying Superman was extremely fun!  So hear is that awesome splash page, with credits to its original artist Ron Frenz!! I hope you like it and feel free to share this article!

Superhero Art

Growing up I always aspired to become a comic book artist.  But destiny had other plans.  That still does not mean I don't appreciate the art form.  I do.  From time to time I still draw a comic book art piece here and there.  Recently I started drawing again.  I tried my hand doing digital drawings, such as using the Wacom tablet.  It is a great medium I highly recommend it.  I am a paper and pencil kinda guy.  I get greater satisfaction doing hand drawings.

Today is a very special day where I would like to share one of my latest drawings with you.  This is only the third hand drawing I have done in many years.  It features the art work of John Romita Sr.  I took his pencils and made a recreation of the Amazing Spider-Man.  Superhero drawings, especially of popular characters like Spider-Man make a great and unique gift!!  Imagine.  You can put it on a frame and gift wrap it.

Jesus Christ More than a Hero

Jesus Christ was more than a hero, more than a prophet, teacher or guru.  This is not an exaggeration. It is the truth.  When Christians say this, it is not to boast or make a wild claim.  We say it so that people may take a second look and ponder the claim.  So what if he is NOT?  BUT, what if HE IS more than what the world ascribes him to be.  The world tells us that he was just a good teacher.  Just a good teacher???

Please do not judge Christianity by what so-called Christians have done in the past.  Judge us by what Jesus Christ taught us.  Jesus Christ is our standard.  Look in the Bible, specifically in the New Testament.  Most world religions and their teachers will command you that when you are pushed too far, you can strike back with the same force or more!!  Most world religion teachers teach that if someone offends you must kill them.

On the other hand look at Jesus.  He taught us to LOVE our ENEMIES.  Pray for those that persecute YOU!.  TURN the other CHEEK!  And give to the one that ASK you, MORE than what they have asked....no other world religion figure said that!!

Jesus Christ is Coming

NOAA, Public Domain

This week it is bitterly cold in Chicago.  It seems as if the fall season was skipped and we went directly into winter.  We Christians know why this is happening.  We know that Jesus Christ is coming back soon.  Unfortunately, millions of people don't believe that.  Millions of people believe that this drastic change in weather is being caused by global warming.  There is a great dispute among scientists about this theory.  Most believe, including President Barack Obama that this is being caused by pollution. I am not a scientist, but if indeed it was global warming wouldn't it be hotter? This entire summer in the Midwest was actually very cold.  The last couple of years it has been that way.  So I do not believe these so-called scientists. Jesus Christ is indeed coming.  It is written in the Bible.  Here are other tell-tale signs that Christ's coming is imminent---

Ebola---North Africa has seen an explosion of this deadly disease.  The bible clearly states that in the last days there will be pestilence.  And there are more.  In the Midwest many states are also reporting the retrovirus infecting a lot of school children.  This is just a small example of the diseases plaguing the earth.

Anti-Christians--There is a very brutal campaign going on in the Middle East and Africa against Christians. But Jesus Christ told us that in the last days there would arise the "spirit of anti-Christ."  Many democracies and global institutions are attacking Christians and Christians values.  So this spirit against Christians is expanding.

Disasters, famines, signs in the heavens.  They are all pointing out to what we deeply know. Throughout the ages all of these things have always been with us.  But this time.  All of this feels very different.  We cannot afford not to look at the message of Jesus Christ.  For Christians it is very good news.  For unbelievers it is the worst news they will ever hear.

The Face of Jesus

This is one of my original drawings of what I believe Jesus Christ looked like.

I created this blog four years ago.  I waited so long to post anything until now because I really did not know how to say what I was feeling about Jesus Christ----the person this blog is dedicated to.  Finally God has given me a clear picture of how to say the things that were locked up in my heart.  One of the most perplexing question millions of people have been asking for ages has been how did Jesus Christ look like?Was Jesus tall, short, long hair or short hair?  Did Jesus have black skin or white?  Did he have blue eyes?Was Christ ugly or handsome?  And how about the popular image of Jesus Christ etched in our minds about Jesus being a tall, long hair, white handsome man?  Is that the real way Jesus looked like?

As an artist and Christian, I have seen thousands of images of Jesus Christ--most depict him as the aforementioned description.  There have been many forensic scientists  trying to answer this same question including producing television specials. What is my take on the whole thing and what do I think Jesus looked like?  To me Jesus was a very compassionate, loving, humble and a sacrificial king.  I believe that we, the entire world, collectively came to the same conclusion through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ INDEED looked like he is popularly depicted.  I believe that he did have a beard and long hair.  As evidence by his spirit, Jesus Christ was the most beautiful person that ever lived!