The Ink Stained Wretch #180 4/9/25

Huckleberries, Windy City Cons, and Virtual Artist Alley Tables!

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the O.K. Corral, here's comes another of the klutzy, knavish, knuckleheaded knots of kibitzing that are these newsletters! This week our caricature begs to differ, we head to Chicago for a big con, and get our semi-annual "Virtual Artists' Alley" event started early for you lucky subscribers! ... on with the 'Wretch!

Sketch o'the Week: Val Kilmer!

Click here if you are interested in this original sketch.

Last week we lost actor Val Kilmer, who among many other memorable roles played John Henry "Doc" Holliday in the 1999 classic western "Tombstone".

Kilmer’s portrayal of Holliday always fascinated me. It's a study on what a true art great acting is. His every mannerism and expression creates a character that comes off as both a sophisticated and refined gentlemen and a cold blooded killer. There is something unsettled and "off" about him, from the way he stands and moves to how he holds and smokes his cigarette, that makes you feel that despite the cultured demeanor here is a man that is unpredictable and dangerous. On top of that the character was also sick and vulnerable. His final showdown with Johnny Ringo might be the best gunfight ever put to film, even as short as it was.

Everything Kilmer did to create Holliday’s character was calculated and intentional. A wonderful piece of acting.

Chi-Town Bound!

I don't do many comic cons, mostly because I can't afford to spend more time away from the studio than I already do. That said there are three I do every year that I would not want to miss, San Diego Comic Con, New York Comic Con, and C2E2. The latter one is taking place this weekend at its usual venue at McCormick Place in Chicago.

One thing that is a little different with my booth at C2E2 as opposed to the other I do is I drive down to Chicago as opposed to flying, so I can bring as much stuff as can fit into my vehicle. That means I have originals from MAD and other jobs I ordinarily don’t haul around. It’s the one show where you can walk up and buy that type of original art on the spot.

You'll find The Lovely Anna and I in Artists Alley at table Z-20, hawking my usual crap and drawing my usual lame commissions. If you are a subscriber to the 'Wretch, make sure you stop by and say the secret password "potrzebie" and get a free gift!

Virtual Visit

Can't make C2E2? Never fear, it's time for my semi annual "Virtual Artist's Alley" table event, so you can stop by my table in cyberspace instead. You'll be missing out on the overrated Chicago pizza and overpriced convention hot dogs, but everything else is the same including the types and prices of commissions I only do at comic cons.

What are those, you ask? Well there are a few different ones:

Live Style Caricatures

These are caricatures I do of you, your mom, your plumber, some celebrity, or anyone you want me to draw done in the same quick draw style I used to do when I drew at the theme park or other live events. They are done in graphite and shaded with a stomp on 12x16 paper. The price is $50 per face, as many faces as you want (my record is 22). I'll get in touch about getting photos and specifics. Details here.

"Sketch o'the Week" Style Caricatures

These are done in pencil using the same cross hatch technique I use for my "Sketch o'the Week" on 9x12 paper. Like the live caricatures, I can draw you or anyone you want and I'll get in touch about getting photos and specifics. Details here.

Mock "MAD" Covers

These are by far the most fun. I have special 9x12 Bristol boards produced with the "MAD" logo printed on them, and can create your very own cover of MAD. This can be in any theme or subject you like, can include you, your family or pals, some celebrity, or all of the above.

What works best is you give me some subject and I make up a MAD cover gag to suit. Pencil, only, inks and grays or full color... it's up to you.

One thing I can do when I do these in the studio as opposed to on site at a comic con is I add a MAD style gag header above the logo at home courtesy of my studio printer. The prices vary depending on the type and complexity of the concept. The order page has all the details.

"Alfred as..." Sketches

Done in the same "live caricature" style, but these are strictly of Alfred as... something. I've been challenged before to do some pretty weird ones. Like this:

Same $50 per face price as the live style drawings. Details here.

This “Virtual Artists Alley” thing doesn’t officially start until 10 am on Friday, but you lucky subscribers get to jump in early and be the first in the queue! Just click on the links above for whatever flavor you fancy. FYI I only do these twice a year, once during C2E2 and once during New York Comic Con, which takes place in October. The rest of the year I will not do these types of commissions via the website.

One more thing... the Premium Subscriber 20% discount works on these commissions! Whatadeal!

Thank you for being a subscriber! As always, if you liked what you saw please share it with others. Remember I'm always looking for feedback, questions for the mailbag, and suggestions for future Sketch o'the Week subjects. Just reply to this email with any of the above, or leave a comment on Substack! And always remember... it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide!