Your Guide to the World of Furry Fandom
Also new from Action Lab: The Adventures of Miru, a new full-color comic book series written by Rick Laprade and illustrated by J. McClary. “Miru the dragon crashes on Gaia—a realm where dragons no longer exist—and swiftly becomes the most wanted creature around. Without a memory, a past, or an inkling why he’s here, he and his new allies begin a journey that holds the key to the survival of all realities.” Check out the preview over at Flickering Myth.
image c. 2016 Action Lab
Disney animator Tom Bancroft (The Lion King, Brother Bear) has helped to bring out a new book that fans of fire-breathing winged reptiles should definitely notice: It’s called The Art of Disney’s Dragons. “Imagine if one sketchbook had been passed down through the decades from one Disney artist to the next, with each one making a contribution before leaving it in the talented hands of another. That idea was the inspiration for The Art of Disney’s Dragons. The drawings contained within this volume represent the entire range of dragon-themed development art from animators, live-action studio artists, and Imagineers. Inside find playful pencil studies of Mushu; color concepts on Figment (who was green before he became purple!); bold pencil layouts on Maleficent, and the latest character explorations of Elliot from the new Spring/Summer 2016 live-action film Pete’s Dragon. Tom Bancroft, often recognized in Disney circles as being lead animator on Mushu the dragon in Mulan, writes the book’s introductory essay.” It’s available now in hardcover from Disney Editions, and there’s a sneak peak over at Stitch Kingdom.
image c. 2016 D23.com
A little while ago we made mention of Nelbert the Introvert, the first children’s book written and illustrated by Disney Animation lead character designer Shiyoon Kim (Zootopia, Big Hero 6). A recent article on Cartoon Brew said that the book is now available at Mr. Kim’s web site. In fact Mr. Kim actually went so far as to direct an animated ” teaser trailer” for the book. Inspired by the likes of Disney animator/illustrator Bill Peet, Nelbert tells the story of a shy dragon who likes to play chess. Mr. Kim created a set of custom “brushes” in Photoshop to use in the creation of his book. They’re also available for sale on his web site.
image c. 2016 by Shiyoon Kim
Alan F. Beck is an artist who created a series called The Mousopolitan Museum of Art — “classical portraits by the mice masters”. In other words, world-famous works of art re-imagined as anthropomorphic mice. He has also written a children’s book (available through Create Space) called The Adventures of Nogard and Jackpot, which details what happens when a young kitten hears a noise within the closet and discovers a baby dragon. Both of these (and many other items) are on display at the artist’s web site.
image c. 2016 b y Alan F. Beck
Here’s a book we missed from last year. J.C. Stevens is an author as well as an artist — she has displayed at various fan cons. As such she is both the writer and the illustrator of her first book, Dragon Lad. It’s published through her own imprint, Dragon’s Egg Books. “Hatched into a world where dragons are on the verge of extinction, Dorg seems the dragon least likely to succeed. A magic curse has left him the size of a sparrow in a time and place where dragons are merciless predators. And Dorg is not just tiny. He has a different heart and soul than the rest of the dragons. He wants to be friends with the other creatures in his world, not eat them. He even empathizes with the humans that those of his species loathe. At first, all Dorg wants to do is to end the curse so he can be like the other dragons. But as he sets out on that quest, he encounters both friends and enemies who make him realize that being a big, mean dragon isn’t what he wants at all.” Find out more at the official Dragon’s Egg web site.
image c. 2016 by J.C. Stevens
Sarah Clemens is an all-around artist (being a medical illustrator pays the bills) who has chosen to focus her talents on creating oil paintings that are almost photo-realistic. Not only of friends, family, and landscapes, but also of numerous fantasy topics. If you visit her web site you’ll find a special fantasy gallery — and it doesn’t take long to notice that she has a special affinity for both cats and dragons… often in the same picture! Her two favorite characters — named Magnus and Loki — even have their own special web site. Ms. Clemens displays at art galleries and convention art shows throughout the US, but of course many of her works are also available as prints on her web site.
image c. 2013 by Sarah Clemens
Found these folks at WonderCon too: The Brothers Uber describe themselves as “… an independent, creative publishing company specializing in children’s books. Focusing on art as a gateway to another realm, we pride ourselves on finding the best illustrators and working with them to bring the best books to life.” To that end they have already published several books which you can find at their web site. Of immediate note to furry fans are two: The Dragon and the Princess (written by Erik Peterson and illustrated by Mina Sanwald) is a counting book that also tells the story of a magical friendship between, yes, a dragon and a princess. Then there’s Critters Fantastique, a coloring book by Dusty Catlett featuring a variety of legendary creatures and monsters.
image c. 2016 by Dusty Catlett
Writer Carlo San Juan and Eisner-Award nominated artist Rod Espinosa have combined their talents to bring us a new 4-issue full-color steam-punk fantasy comic mini-series, Immortal Wings. “Deep in the wild wastelands of the cosmic frontier, bounty hunter Blaze and her draconic partner, Gruffyd, combining fighting prowess and magical might to stay alive as they make a living. Now they dodge the forces of the Galactic Shogunate, as they have partnered with the greatest threat to the empire’s reign…a bunny named Mortimer. ” We think it makes more sense if you read it. Regardless, it’s on the shelves now from Antarctic Press. There’s an interview with the creators over at Two Geeks Talking.
image c. 2016 Antarctic Press
Previews magalog was kind enough to point out some new upcoming kid-friendly comic book titles — several of which are definitely anthropomorphic. First up is The Mighty Zodiac, written by J. Torres and illustrated by Corin Howell and Maarta Laiho. “When the Blue Dragon dies, six stars fall out of the night sky! Ailing Master Long, leader of the Mighty Zodiac, orders his warriors to gather the stars, lest they fall into the hands of the malevolent Moon Rabbit Army. With the stars, the Mighty Zodiac may yet revive their master, rescue their world, and restore the light. Without the stars, the darkness threatens to divide the tribes and destroy Gaya… ” Got all that? Look for it from Oni Press in early April.
image c. 2016 Oni Press
