Happy Birthday, Ramone Cologne! Three Years and the Journey Continues...

Celebrating Three Years of Ramone Cologne today! Thanks to all the readers and fans who have been with Ramone since the first comic strip launched on May 9, 2010. Thanks to all the new readers who have joined Ramone's journey along the way. The first Ramone strip was called "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" and Ramone has certainly received that respect from fans around the country, and even in other parts of the world. It has been an amazing time and I've enjoyed it all. 

A few days ago I was at a comic book event, painting and sketching for a line of kids. I was getting all kinds of requests for superheroes and video game characters, when the next young man in line asked for a sketch of Ramone Cologne. He said he read every Ramone story that came out and was a big fan. It made my day to see Ramone in the line-up of requests with characters like Spider-Man and Archie Andrews. And it showed me how far the little skunk has made it in his quest for respect.

This cover is from the FREE special edition 3rd anniversary story available to read online here:
Ramone Cologne: Seeking Treasure Free Online
 

Free Comic Book Day Superhero Team-Up!

For this year's Free Comic Book Day, on May 4, I teamed up with the local Library and Spider-Man! Together we helped introduce kids and new readers to comic books. The library's event offered a large number of free comics, and I painted free pictures of superheroes and a variety of other characters. Meanwhile, Peter Parkour entertained the kids with his spider-like agility and acrobatics. We had a great time!

It was so much fun to see new readers come in throughout the event. Although some of them hadn't read comics before, I noticed them leaving with a good selection of free comics. I promoted Archaia's Mouse Guard to many new readers, and noticed that title was gone by the end of the event. Archie Comics and Top Shelf were favorites, too. Thanks to all the parents who brought their kids out for the event!

Free Comic Book Day Event, Saturday May 4, Madison County Library (Richmond)

I'll be signing books, and painting FREE comic-themed paintings this Saturday at the Richmond Library starting at 10 a.m. Stop by and pick up some free comics, and see the Library's excellent collection of graphic novels that are always free to check out with your library card!

If all goes as planned, there will also be a new Ramone Cologne comic book available for FREE, to celebrate the day's festivities. This will be an exclusive book never published before, featuring a new story and characters. Watch for more updates here!

Ramone Cologne, Issue #2, Interior Preview Artwork

A few sample pages from issue #2 of Ramone Cologne. The porcupine henchmen are introduced here and a high-speed chase ensues! I love the phrase, "Aggghh! Angry skunk on the loose!"

These pages gave Ramone a chance to show off his agility a little more than the first issue. And Daze the Dragon, a character from an old comic strip of mine, makes his debut as a co-star in Ramone's world.

Introducing Kids to Books and Creativity

I just scheduled my next book signing for my new children's book, Eleven Chickens in a Boat. I'll be at the Madison County Library in Richmond. I love these events for many reasons, but one big reason is because of the opportunity they provide to introduce kids to comics, books, and art. An amazing teacher changed my life when I was in second grade by helping me develop a love for reading and creative writing. I want to do this for as many kids as possible.

New Commissions Coming In...Vertically Challenged

Commission requests are still coming in from the Lexington Con. That really was a great show and I only wish I had taken a wider variety of Vertically Challenged Artwork. If you didn't see something you were looking for that weekend, send me an email at rev4jlm@gmail.com and I can arrange to do a custom painting with the characters of your choice. Original artwork commissions are $10. Prints are $5 each and can be ordered on the VC Page here: Vertically Challenged Online Store
Pictured here are some of the popular paintings from the Lex Con. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to pick up artwork that day!