Hitting many bases

Been awhile, how's everybody doing out there? Thought I'd grab a few minutes on a miscellaneous day ( a day where I'm basically dotting t's and crossing i's...or something like that) to pop in and see what's shaking.

The Mighty #9 ships this Wednesday, I hope everybody will pick it up and are continuing to enjoy the story. Just four more issues until the end of 'Season One.' I shot my pass at the dialogue for #11 over to Tomasi this weekend, the amazing Chris Samnee has finished up issue #12, #10 is lettered and in the process of being colored so creatively, we're in the home stretch. The fit really hits the shan over the last handful of issues and I hope everyone feels that the long, slow build has been worth the wait.

In other news, Death Valley #1 is solicited from Desperado this month in the giant Previews phone book. It's my first western and I hope you'll come along for the ride and at least try the first issue. I don't think you'll be disappointed, especially if you like famous outlaws, ninjas, or famous outlaws fighting ninjas. A little something for the whole family in this one.

Moving on, I should know the issue number to this week's issue of Green Lantern Corp because I jumped in to ink a handful of pages and help beat the deadline crunch. Lots of fun inking my beloved Patrick Gleason and it's the first time we've worked together since I wrote and he drew our little Corpse story back in GLC #7-9. It's just as enjoyable to ink him as it is to write for him, I'm happy to say! I've inked a couple of pin-ups and covers over Pat over the years but this is the first time I've done interior work with him. Maybe I'll do some more in the future, I was surprised to find myself enjoying inking again.

Let's see...Dean Koontz' NEVERMORE from the Dabel Brothers should be a post unto itself. Not sure when #3 will arrive in stores but I'd imagine soon. Maybe I'll blog more about the behind-the-scenes on this project another time soon.

And lastly, for now, I'm going to accept a limited number of commissions for those interested. I'm often contacted by readers looking for personalized art and usually, I say no because I'm generally doing six hundred things on any given day and really can't squeeze in #601. But as an exercise in stretching my wings, I'm going to say yes to five or six. If you're interested, please email me at keithchampagne@gmail.com for prices/sizes/info for either a pencilled/inked piece or, if you have a previously pencilled commission you'd like inked, we can talk about that as well.

I'll try to pop in later this week to talk further about it but if I get sidetracked, I'll be appearing at Fallcon this coming weekend, Oct 9-11, in Minnesota. It's my third or fourth time being flown out for the show and Nick Post and his crew always put on a top notch convention. By all means, say hi if you're in the area.

More soon.
Keith

The Mighty #7

Such a busy week, I forgot to pop over here to the blog and alert the world that THE MIGHTY #7 is now in better comic book stores across the nation. So get out there and add it to your personal collection, it's what all the cool kids are doing this summer.

I turned 39 a few days ago and had a random thought. According to life insurance actuarial tables, my life is well over half over. Statistically speaking, most men die in their 60's. Women live a bit longer on average, can't imagine why that would be...

Anyway, it's strange to think that possibly over half my time on this ball of mud has passed. I still feel like I'm barely getting started in so many ways. Guess I better buckle down and start living and working myself a little harder while I still can.

Back to The Mighty, if you're inclined to comment on #7, I'm interested in hearing where people think the story is headed. No one is really sure what Alpha-One is up to but he's proven to be devious. But is he devious for the right reasons (if there is such a thing)? Is he doing wrong for the greater good? Let me know what you think.

In other news, I'll be resuming a more frequent blogging schedule come September. Wasn't too long ago that I used to post a couple of times a week. There's quite a bit going on behind the scenes and I should be able to start talking a bit more about it soon.

Introducing...DEATH VALLEY!

Finally, I'm blogging about something other than THE MIGHTY. Not that there's anything wrong with blogging about The Mighty, is there?

Anyway, there's an interview up today on Newsarama introducing my new creator-owned project, Death Valley. If you like old west Outlaws, Ninjas, or Old West Outlaws fighting Ninjas then this is definitely the comic for you.

As you all know, smaller independent titles like Death Valley are often overlooked in favor of the larger selling titles. So I'd appreciate it if you'd remember this little book when placing your comic book orders. It's a good one, I think you'll like it.

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/070917-DeathValley.html

Mighty #6...plus Scoobysnacks!

Friends, nobles, and countrymen--

I come before you today--you, those stalwart men, women, and children who continue to read my blog in spite of the fact that I haven't updated it in far too long, to say thank you for checking back in. Now go out and buy The Mighty #6, on sale today, and watch the mystery of Alpha-One continue to grow. Is he good? Is he evil? Is he doing bad things for good reasons? Is he doing good things that appear, on the surface, to be bad? All these questions--and more--will be teased in front of your very eyes. Maybe some of them will be answered. Maybe you'll be left to come up with your own answers. Either way, hope you continue to enjoy the ride.

And if you happen to be looking for something a little more straightforward, check out the latest issue of Scooby Doo, also on stands today, where I've written a story called "From Russia With Glove." I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out and I enjoy writing Scooby and the gang quite a bit. It's a nice way to cleanse the pallet, free from choking continuity and massive crossovers. Had my fill of those for a while and, while I miss the royalty checks, I don't miss the headaches.

Thanks for checking in, enjoy the 4th, and let me know what you might think.

The Mighty #5

As sucky of a blogger as I've evolved into being over the past few months, I'd be even suckier if I didn't mention that The Mighty #5 arrives in stores tomorrow, June 3rd, a day that will forever be remembered in history as MIGHTYDAY!

When last we left off in the world of The Mighty, it looked an awful lot like Alpha-One caused a massive car accident and then, under cover of the ensuing fire and conflagration, kidnapped a young girl and left a dead body in her place. Did we really see what we thought we saw? Or did we interpret Alpha-One's actions the way we've wanted to since first meeting him? After all, people have been saying he's "off" all along. And if he really did do something so horrible, could there be a justifiable reason for it? Who's to say Alpha-One wasn't saving the world from that girl in the car. Maybe she's a Skrull, did anyone ever think of that? Huh???

Only time will tell.

#5 marks the debut of new series artist Chris Samnee, who is ridiculously awesome and talented. If you're a fan of artists from the Toth school, you're going to fall in love.

#5 is also my personal favorite issue of the run to date (we've dialogued through #9 at this point). Which isn't to say that I don't like all the issues, because I've been really satisfied with everything up to this point. Just that #5 is when I really felt like we shifted into high gear. Here comes all the twists and turns, by all means enjoy the ride and let me know what you think.

And remember the name Taylor Rhines, first mentioned in #1.

The Mighty #4

Before I get started working this morning, I should probably point out that THE MIGHTY #4, America's favorite little comic that could, arrived in stores yesterday. Don't have my copies yet either, let's have a race to the comic shop!

Some people are going to say that they saw the end of #4 coming a mile away, I'm sure. But just because you may have seen something happen doesn't mean you know why it happened. The direction of the book shifts pretty radically over the next four issues, then again over the course of the final four. So hang on tight and by all means, let us know what you think!

Thanks!

Nevermore

Oh, my poor, neglected blog...

I have in my hands, at long last, a copy of Dean Koontz' NEVERMORE #1, written by yours truly with art by Andy Smith, which arrived in stores last Wednesday. The first issue is 30 pages (instead of the usual 22 ) based on an original premise and characters created by Dean Koontz.

I think the first issue sets the stage pretty well for the series. First issues are always tough because there's so much stage setting to be done, it can leave little room for anything aside from pointing out who everyone is and what they want. I think we hit a nice balance by telling a complete story while still setting up the bigger picture.

Great coloring job over Andy's lush visuals, too.

I've got lots of blogging to catch up on, solicits for upcoming work to point out, Mighty thoughts to share etc. I should be back in the swing of updating fairly regularly again so if you're inclined, feel free to check back. And if you're a generous soul, try to find a copy of Nevermore #1.