Gods Own Work! Mike McMahon

Bloody hell, I've been wanting to show these for ages, but have been waiting for Owen Watts to works his magic on the colours. Since Owen has recently turned pro, obviously he has to put the paid jobs first.

Mike McMahon has probably been one of my all time top 5 comic-book artists since I can remember. Mike has worked extensively for 2000ad for over 30 year, and was one of the original artists who helped give Dredd 'his look' and his big boots! As well as illustrating Judge Dredd, he's also worked on the the ABC Warriors, The VC's and Slaine. And for me, Slaine was probably his greatest work to date.

A while ago, Mike posted some character designs that he has done for Animation City  on his website which just cried out to be inked. Ming over on the 2000ad forum was kind enough to ask Mr McMahon is I was OK to ink them. I have to admit I did have a little geekgasm when I got the OK!

He's also recently been commissioned by Steve Sterlacchin, the writer of the excellent Judge Minty fan film for a piece of artwork too. So again Mike posted the pencils on his site and I asked permission firstly from Steve and then Owen sought permission from Mike (I bottled it!) to ask if we could show our version in the internet.

It has been a real pleasure to work with a true legends pencils and I would like to thank both Mike and Steve for their permission and for Owen for taking up the colouring challenges on two of the pieces.

GODS OWN WORK!

McMahon Warlock pencils

Inked by me, colouring by Owen Watts

McMahon future police pencils

Inked and coloured by me!

McMahon witch pencils

Inked and flat colours by me

Judge Minty commission pencils

Inks by me, colours by Owen

You are Legend - Thank you Ron Smith

Two updates in a week. Aren't I spoiling you.

The 2000ad forum has been put together a one off print for legendary comic-book artist Ron Smith.

Ron's getting on a bit now and has worked in the British comic book industry for over 50 years. He first came to my attention when he took over the art duties for The Day the Law Died back in 1979 and his artwork blow me away! Since then, the majority of his work was illustrating Judge Dredd, The Daily Star Judge Dredd and Rogue Trooper (Friday). He's not shy about doing the odd crown scene either.

Here's the page that I've done, just to say 'Thank You'. It's also the first script I've written too. Cheers Ron, you are a Legend!

Horrible Histories.... Frightful Futures

For this months 2000ad Forum competiton

The Brief: A Children's book adaptation of 2000 ad.


"Choose a well known children's book and adapt it to a 2000ad story or character. You could draw the artwork in the style of a certain children's book or pick a scene in a children's book and change it to suit the 2000 ad universe. Anything goes... the sky's the limit."
I wish history was taught like this when I was at school. And probably the funnies program on TV... Horrible Histories.


So I give you not just a single book, but a whole frickin series.... Frightful Futures!! I could have gone on and on with Dastardly Droids, Galactic Gladiators, Barmy Berserkers , etc etc.

Can you draw a terminator/judge with a trombone in front of a christmas tree holding a present with a stick of C-4 stuck to it?? Aye, go on then!!

Another illustration for the 2000ad advent calendar. Dirk gave me this sort of strange brief of what he wanted. For once I'm quite glad how it has turned out. There are 20 odd artist who are participating in the story, so if you want to see how this fits in, here's the linki Party Crash

It's very much like the old Ian Livingstone Dungeon & Dragon books from the 80's

The Christmas tree in the background is ours, which has been decorated by my wonderful wife Kim. It was also her idea to have my Judge Dredd action figure as one of the decorations.