Here’s looking at you, kid! Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

Green Arrow & Black Canary #5 is on sale this week! Green Arrow… no more? Following his son’s tragic accident, Green Arrow contemplates leaving the superhero life altogether. But what does that mean for Black Canary? You know the drill: click on the image for pencils and inks.

Here’s a cover I did for the Hawkman Companion from Twomorrows Publishing, which will be out in May 2008. Click on the image to see the original cover, along with pencils and inks. I always dug Joe Kubert’s Hawkman, even though he never wore a shirt. Hawkman, I mean. Dunno if Joe draws bare-chested, but he can do whatever the hell he wants cuz he’s mighty Joe Kubert. Me? I wear a skinny suit and tie and drape my jacket carefully over the back of my drafting chair before I roll up my shirtsleeves and start drinking — I mean, drawing. Anyways, Joe’s Silver Age Hawkman and Hawkgirl go front and center, and there’s a bunch of fine feathered friends I never would’ve known about if not for writer/designer Doug Zawisza. I’d love to keep yapping but you’ll have to excuse me, Baby’s meeting me for lunch over at the 21 club. Now, scoot!

I know, I know, it’s serious. Green Arrow & Black Canary #4 is on sale this week, and marks a turning point for the Arrow family. Connor’s been shot thru the heart, but who’s to blame? Who gives love a bad name? It looks grim, but the story ain’t over yet… This was a difficult issue to draw, partly because Judd’s script was so effective and moving, and partly because it reminded me that I’ve spent too much time around hospitals this past year. The plus side is that it was pretty easy to get reference — check out the Foley bag on Connor! So worth it.

In other sad news, with this issue our colorist extraordinaire, Trish Mulvihill, is moving on to other projects. We’ll miss her terribly, but wish her the best. I’ve seen little peeks of her next big book (with Lee Bermejo!) and it’s a beauty.

Christmastime is here! While you’re all out doing your holiday shopping, I’d like to take a moment to remind you of what’s really important this season: me making money. Perhaps one of your loved ones might appreciate a page of original artwork from yours truly? Or, more likely, is there some holiday money burning a hole in your pocket? Well, there’s a big sale on my older artwork over at Splash Page Art! Up to 30% off! Scroll down to their news section for more deets. For every dollar you spend, an angel gets its wings and I’m that much closer to a new spoiler for my 2nd Ferrari. Happy holidays!

There is thunder in our hearts! Green Arrow & Black Canary #3 is on sale today! Check out the variant cover, and click on the image for a peek at the pencils and inks. As a bonus, here’s the original sketch. I was going for that Indiana Jones feel, with Green Arrow in his classic costume holding onto his hat. Unfortunately, no one seems to like that damn hat. At the end of the issue, I did get a chance to tweak Ollie’s costume a bit. I’ve tried to combine the classic Neal Adams costume with a slightly more modern flair. While not drastic, I think the new look should pair up well with Black Canary’s — it’s more about how you handle the fabric and the little details. Designers, make it work! ~spins and exits room~

UPDATE: The regular cover (seen here) was named “Cover of the Week” by the fine folks at WizardUniverse.com. Thanks, guys!

Green Arrow & Black Canary #2 is now on sale! Here’s the 1-in-10 variant cover. I wanted Black Canary coming to the rescue here — a reverse damsel in distress — and I put Ollie in the classic Neal Adams costume because it matches the high adventure tone of it all. I know people hate the Robin Hood hat, but for me it’s part of his charm. (More about the hat next month…) Click on the image for pencils and inks!

Green Arrow is dead! Long live Green Arrow! The 30-page, super-sized Green Arrow/Black Canary #1 is in stores today, October 10! Here’s the fancypants 1-in-10 variant cover. Click on the image for pencils and inks versions, too. Following up on the shocker ending of the Wedding Special, this issue will answer all of your questions! Okay, most of your questions!

UPDATE: I’m a bit late with this but WizardUniverse.com deemed this “Cover Of The Week!”

If you’re in New York this weekend, I’ll be signing at Midtown Comics in Times Square on Saturday, October 13 from 5-7pm. With the recent release of the Doctor 13 trade and Green Arrow/Black Canary #1, I thought it might be a good time to show my face in public again. Special thanks to the fine folks at Midtown for pulling this all together on short notice. After the signing, I’ll put my trenchcoat on and I’ll be selling dvd’s, “gold” watches, and “Prada inspired” handbags downstairs, so it should be a fun time for all.

But, you ask, what if I’m nowhere near New York? What if I’m from, say, Toronto? Well, then you’re in luck, my convenient fictional friend — I’ll be at the Toronto Comicon on October 21! When I got a note from Kevin Boyd asking me to attend this special 1-day show, how could I say no? I’ll have some small pieces of original art for sale, and I’ll be doing free sketches at the show and commissioned sketches in the afternoon as time allows. This’ll be my first time away from U.S. soil in a few years, so please bear with my ugly American tendencies. You guys have McDonald’s right? Whew!

The first five pages of Green Arrow/Black Canary #1 are previewed over at Newsarama. Check it out and sound off! Initial reaction to the art is pretty positive, and I’d like to point out the efforts of Eisner Award-winning colorist Trish Mulvihill. Rawk on!