My site devoted to Toys, Art, Music, and whatever - theSpeakEasy.com - This one has just recently been re-launched (April 2008) but I'd be happy to get some feedback on it!

My site devoted to U.B.Funkeys - U.B.Funkeys @ theSpeakEasy - This is a sub-domain of theSpeakEasy that has become a destination for fans of the collectible figure computer game. It's the success of this sub-site that prompted me to get the main theSpeakEasy site running again...

My personal site/blog - Augiewan.com - Likely pretty boring to most of you, but there's a HUGE Invader Zim screen shot gallery there, as well as a much more complete Yahtzee Doodles gallery...

Recent Gallery Updates:
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The Sculpture Gallery has finally been updated a few times recently with a bust I sculpted of my character Norman Chase and a few custom painted U.B.Funkey figures...

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Have I mentioned enough recently how much I love the Copic markers I've been using recently? There are some more color tests and stuff up in the New Stuff Gallery, the latest of which I'm pretty happy with. It's not as "cartoony" as I tend to work, but I think it worked out well...

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The Sketch Gallery has been updated with some sketches both new and old including a little color play with my Copics. The latest is a little character design for Petri, an alien from my "in proccess" comic.

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The Yahtzee Doodles continue to trickle in. We haven't been playing as much recently, so my production is down.

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The Sculpture Gallery has been updated with a few more HeroClix customs I made a few years back (Invader Zim and the Flaming Carrot) as well as some "in process" images of the Maxx figure I made (as requested)...

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The Ancient Stuff Gallery has been updated as I've managed to get things scanned over the past week...

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Cool Stuff:
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As I discover new comics and talent on this site, I want to share some of the really cool stuff. Here are a few I have recently found...

* Persuit of Mandy - This is a great all-ages strip that captures a lot of the same magic that Calvin & Hobbes once did. The fluid black & white art is an added bonus!

* Here there be Robots - This comic book is exactly what comics should be. It's FUN! I started reading and couldn't stop. I'll be ordering my copies soon!

* Cruel Irony - This one's cute and "gothy" at the same time. Its creator Julia Sage has done a great job making this a fun little read. Definitely worth looking!

Me:
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I'm a comic reader who started reading in the mid-80's. As a young guy I was initially drawn to Marvel titles like X-Men, Spiderman, and so on. A few years later I discovered the world of the "indy" market (at the time, not Marvel or DC). I quickly jumped to reading primarily Dark Horse, Caliber Press, 2000AD, and others. I still love black & white comics. They just seem to have a feel to them that I love. I'm always a bit disappointed when I see a title get colored that wasn't that way to begin with.

I've always wanted to create a comic, but I've always fallen short of the needed time and effort. I give kudos to all of you who have actually finished a comic project, and even more so to those who have actually found a way to make a living at it. I’m hoping this little page as well as the rather active local group of creators might help give me a little momentum.

Favorite Comic Titles: (in no particular order) Nexus, Concrete, Bone, The Tick, Liberty Meadows, The Flaming Carrot, Calvin & Hobbes, The Far Side, The Boondocks, FoxTrot, Dilbert, Bloom County, The Mask (original DH series in DH Presents), Bad Company, Judge Dredd, Tank Girl, The Escapist, 100 Girls... Other great short runs, Imaginaries, Oz/Wonderland Chronicles, Judo Girl, Daisy Kutter...
Favorite Comic Creators: (also in no particular order) Art Adams, Frank Cho, Sam Keith, Jeff Smith, Frank Miller, Bill Watterson, Berk Breathed, Josh Howard, Alex Ross...

Websites: I make a living as an Online Consultant, building and maintaining websites for other companies. My personal sites are listed at the top of this section. Back in the mid to late 90's I co-founded a web deisgn company called Dancing Ink Media (for which I'd love to have the domain back as a comic publishing title) and some side projects back then were theSpeakEasy, AardvarkAvenue, and the Internet Cantina - most of which are just shrines these days as I've moved on to more traditional business clients.

My Local Comic Shop: I have to say that I get most of my comics at my local shop, which happens to be one of the best shops ever. BuyMeToys.com has been a part of the local scene for quite a few years. The owners have continually gone out of their way to encourage the local artists and writers. Not only do they carry their titles, but they hold regular meetings and donate their time and location after hours to get everyone together to encourage the creativity. Free Comic Day and 24 Hour Comic Day are just a few of the standard events that they go all out for. One of the owners (Casey Heying) is currently supplying the art and a local writer (now working for Marvel) Ben Avery is supplying the writing for the Oz/Wonderland Chronicles series which is shaping up to be a really cool story. They all obviously love what they do.