Oh, My Stars and Garters.

Here's the other Marvel/Upper Deck trading card I painted last year–Hank McCoy, aka the Beast. I'm actually a fan of the current, more leonine appearance of Dr. McCoy. To be specific, I am a fan of said leonine Beast as written by Joss Whedon and drawn by John Cassaday in Astonishing X-Men. But Upper Deck had their reasons for wanting the old simian/Sasquatch look, so I relented.

Fish

It was the Monsoon Season, a spell of two or three weeks when central Arizona received nearly all the rain it would it get the whole year. Today it had rained for three hours in a neighborhood with no storm drains, and the streets ran like rivers.

"What are you doing?" his older brother asked him. For a moment he considered the question, sitting on the edge of the curb, his pink hand submerged in the fast, filthy water, and wondered the same thing. Certainly his Mother would wonder, later, when she learned he'd spent the day with his hands and eventually feet in floodwaters thick with garbage and pulverized worms. She'd look at him like he was the dog from that urban legend, the one about the woman who rescues a stray only to learn later that it's a Tijuana street rat. Why had she thought this was her son, when it was clearly some sort of hairless trash monkey?

"I'm fishing," he said finally. "I'm going to catch a fish." He then turned his attention back to the river, cupping his hand in the current.

"There's no fish," said his brother. "You're not going to catch anything. Just 'cause the street looks like a river doesn't mean there's suddenly fish in it now."

He silently agreed that this was probably true, though the constant barrage of tiny objects (pebble, twig, something soft, pull-tab) against his hand in the cloudy water kept his hopes alive and then bump, his fingers closed suddenly around something big, the biggest thing yet, and he pulled it from the water.

It was a fish. A plastic fish, blue, a toy from something. He turned it over and over in his hand.

"I told you," he said, holding the fish up for inspection. "I said I would."

His brother leaned over, then looked unbalanced, like he'd leaned too far. His mouth opened and shut.

"That's not a real fish," he said finally. "It's just a toy fish. Not a real one. That's just a toy."

The younger brother thought this was a fantastically petty thing to say. He knew it wasn't real. But he'd said he was fishing and not ten seconds later had a plastic fish and wasn't that amazing? Didn't that deserve something? Something more than this poisonous spite? His brother was petty, and he wanted to tell him so, but he didn't know that word yet. So he said:

"You're a turd-boy. You smell like turds."

Then he left, feeling just like God, and looked for a bowl of water to put his fish in.

I Commend You For Your Punctuality!

I haven't actually posted many images lately, so here's a painting I did last year of Professor X for Marvel and Upper Deck's VS Trading Card Game. Comics fans will notice I got all Kirby with the nimbus.

Big in Japan

I've mentioned this before on my website, but the link listed there seems to be broken. So I state once again that I am an author, illustrator, and also some sort of Japanese software application:

http://www.zetta.co.jp/products/adam_rex/

My friend Reiko explained to me once what this thing is, but I've forgotten what she said, and the mystery is more fun than the answer anyway. According to Google's beta-tested Japanese-to-English translator,

[Adam-Rex allows] The multidimensional reporting
of the cross list OLAP cube there is no special knowledge,
with GUI based intuitively know operation speedily!

So I hope my high school algebra teacher is reading this. She said I'd never amount to anything.

EXCERPT OF AUDIO COMMENTARY WITH MOTHER GOOSE AND LEONARD MALTIN

MOTHER GOOSE: Okay, right off the bat we can see that…uh…well you know and I think everyone knows by now that I had a very different vision for this. Especially this first rhyme, which was supposed to be more of a light, Nora Ephron-style romantic comedy, in the vein of "Shop Around the Corner" or "You've Got Mail".

LEONARD MALTIN: Both of them classics.

MG: Right. And ours was meant to be a real "opposites attract" kind of funny kind of sweet sort of story. So I knew I wanted Tom Hanks in the title role, because, um, I think we can all agree…

LM: He is the Jimmy Stewart of his generation.

MG: And any other. And in fact I'd never considered anyone else for the role, which had essentially been written with Tom in mind. If you look back at early production notes you'll see the rhyme as originally written went

Tom Hanks could eat no franks

His wife could eat no beans.

And so betwixt the two of them and so forth,

but we were having scheduling problems with Hanks, and when he finally had some free time he was already obligated to do "Tom, Tom the Piper's Son," so…

LM: So you found another leading man, a relative unknown.

MG: Jack Sprat. So immediately the rhyme is shot, and we ended up compromising with the "no fat, no lean" solution, which I don't think really resonates with kids these days.

LM: Opposite Jack Sprat was Joan Lunden in an uncredited role.

MG: Yeah, working with Joan was great. She's a treasure. Oh--funny story--about halfway through production Jack comes to my trailer and says "You know, it's pronounced 'sprah'."

LM: …What is?

MG: His last name. It's not "Sprat", it's "Sprah!" (Laughter) Well, I wasn't about to change anything at that point.

...and a sketch.

Here is, by the way, my sketch for the previous post, for people who are interested in that stuff.

SPECTRUM Preview 3

Here's the third of my illustrations that were accepted into this year's Spectrum annual, to be published this fall. Actually, I suppose it's not technically an illustration at all, as it was created to be auctioned off to benefit the Society of Illustrators' student scholarship fund. But I think we can all agree that it IS a big robot with a lady inside it.

The Saga of SuperLincoln

Are you familiar with 826? It's an orginization that runs kids' writing workshops and tutoring centers. There's one near you, if you live in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Seattle, and Ann Arbor.
My friend Mac Barnett runs the one in Los Angeles, and recently one of his students named Tucker wrote and drew a great short-short about our very own Abraham SuperLincoln:

SPECTRUM Preview 2

Some of you might recognize this next guy.

The second piece of mine that will be appearing in the Spectrum 14 annual is this depiction of my version of Frankenstein from Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich. This image never appeared in the book, however. I painted it to be a tabletop standee that Harcourt distributed to booksellers as an in-store advertisement. The blank menu board was printed with selected titles of poems from the book.
Here's a bit of the painting in progress, shot by a spectator at the second Art Out Loud event at the Society of illustrators.

SPECTRUM Preview

I found out recently that four illustrations of mine will be featured in Spectrum 14–the 14th annual of "the best in contemporary fantastic art." I hear you saying, (again, please don't look for the secret microphone. It embarrasses us both.) "Well, of course you got work in. You were one of the judges this year." I did indeed have that honor, and it may alarm you to know that judges even have their entry fees waived. But judges are also forbidden to vote on their own work, so all judges' work starts with a slight disadvantage. I had to depend on the other five judges to vote for me, and three of them were unfamiliar with my work going in. I think it's a good system, but if you disagree you are naturally invited to comment below.
Anyway.
I thought I'd show the pieces that got in, none of which can be found yet on my portfolio site. The first was created for a Magic: The Gathering promo card called Eternal Dragon:

The poor fellow is guilt-stricken over some past wrong, and bites his own tale in a symbol both of penance and eternity. The makers of Magic chose a version without the decorative border for their card, but I put it back in when submitting to Spectrum, 'cause that's how I roll.

Interviews With ME, If You're Into That Sort Of Thing.

Kelly Phillips Erb at Tiny Treasury just posted a very nice interview we did recently. You can read it here.

At this point I can hear you (No, don't try to look for the secret hidden microphone. It's a secret. That's the point.) asking, "Yes, but what if, after reading that interview, I want to read an only slightly older interview, preferably one conducted by an entirely different person named Kelly?" And if that is the case then I suggest you direct your browser here. Thank you.

Dancin' Pogo

Some time ago I animated my clown Pogo from TREE RING CIRCUS with the easy and fun online animation studio Pictaps. For some reason, in this small version his face doesn't look right. See the full-size version here.

Ask Your Parents For Permission, Kids

I was recently honored by legal adult Roxy Riot, who had Frankenjunior from my poem "The Dentist" permanently rendered on her arm.
Roxy has hinted that her other arm might be similarly defaced (dearmed? disarmed?) in the future, so more news on that if it comes. Thanks, Roxy!

MONSTERS!

Here's a look at the busts I sculpted to use as models for my story collection, FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH. From left to right: the Phantom of the Opera, Frankenstein, and my zombies Zorba and Zeus. These were made with Sculpey and various other materials, and painted with acrylics. Frank's sweater is the toe of an old gym sock.

Test Post

This is a test post. It's just a post too see if the blog's working or not. I don't even know why you're reading it.

Upcoming Events

If you live in the Philadelphia, PA area, please note that Adam will be appearing at Head House Books from 5-7 PM on Friday, March 9th (619 South 2nd Street). He will read, draw, and move objects with only his mind, arm, and hand.

If you live in the Elkins Park/Cheltenham Township area, please come see Adam at the Elkins Park Library on Sunday, March 11th at 2 PM (563 Church Rd.). Adam will draw, read, possibly draw again, and tell fortunes if asked. DO YOU DARE ASK?

ASL

Happy Lincoln's birthday (late), Valentine's Day (on time), and Presidents Day (early), from the Rail-Splittin' Redeemer himself, the ever-honest Abraham SuperLincoln. History buffs will remember that ASL fought the Nazis in WWII with his sidekick Penny, and also served as our 16th President some years earlier. Thanks, ASL!

Happy Holidays, etc.

Adam's been busy as three bees lately, but he had to post an update to say Happy Holidays, and thank you for making FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH a New York Times Bestseller.

And thanks to the New York Public Library for putting FRANK on their 2006 list of Titles for Reading and Sharing.

Small Beauties

SMALL BEAUTIES, by Elvira Woodruff, is now in stores. Adam illustrated it. Here he's signing a copy and making a weird face in the home of the family who posed for many of the illustrations. At left is star Emma, who posed for the book's main character, Darcy. Emma has enough personal charm and energy to power a carnival.

Hat Trick

FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH has officially lumbered, arms outstretched and groaning, out into the world. And this monstrous collection of stories has met not with angry, torch-wielding villagers, but rather with starred reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. To read the reviews, click here.

Adam would also like to thank everyone at Harcourt and the Southern Independent Bookseller's Association for their hospitality down in Orlando this past weekend. You made him feel just like Sally Field must have during the Oscars that one time.

Parent's Choice Award! Blog!

TREE RING CIRCUS has been honored by the Parent's Choice Foundation.

If that weren't enough cream in my coffee, there's a great review of FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH at the excellent blog A Fuse #8 Production, though she does take me to task for my mention of such odious subjects as poop and Britney Spears.

N.P.T.F.I.W.M.F.A. DAY!

Yes, we know it's gotten too commercial, yes, we know it's just a holiday created by pet stores and monster dealerships to make money, but around here we like National Plant-A-Tree-And-Fill-It-With-Monsters-And-Funny-Animals-Day anyway.

We hope that, in addition to all the parades, tree-decorating, and chicken pong, you might consider buying one of our little books. They make great gifts, if you know someone who's into that sort of thing.

Adam will bw signing copies of his new picture books, TREE RING CIRCUS and FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH, at Book Expo America in beautiful bureaucratic Washington, DC on Friday, May 19th. If you're an attendee, please come say hi at the Harcourt Booth on the Upper Level from 11 AM to 12. There may well be free posters.

EDIT–5.25.06–Thanks to all who came out to see me at BEA. I had a great signing, thanks largely to the promotional efforts of my Editor Tamson Weston, and Marketing Director Steve Kasdin. There were not only free posters at the signing, but free stuffed monsters and the occasional free lunchbox. Frankenstein had such a good time he dressed up and everything (see left).

So Many Things. My Goodness.

ART OUT LOUD at the Society of Illustrators was a great success. Here are some pictures of the event, courtesy of Irene Gallo.

Clockwise from top left are participants Julie Bell, Jon Foster, Gregory Manchess, Boris Vallejo, Dan Dos Santos, and Adam. The four hours went by too fast.

Bidding has also begun on the Microvisions paintings created by the artists above and six others. All proceeds will benefit the Society of Illustrators' Student Scholarship Fund. Adam's contribution can be seen here.

Society of Illustrators Student Competition

Adam was proud to help judge this year's Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship Competition last week. He was a beneficiary of this competititon as an undergrad, so it's sort of a Circle of Life thing, but with scholarships instead of baby lions.

UPDATE--Adam also recently helped judge Philadelphia's University of the Arts annual senior competition. My goodness, what a talented bunch that was.