Tags

  • Published on

    Spotlight on Charles Butler

    Batman Charles Butler Godzilla

    Monster Maker

    Today we shine the spotlight on a UK artist and writer who typically thrives in the dark: Monster Maker, Charles E Butler.
    Picture

    Dynamic Duo Pinup

    Butler made a name for himself ten years ago as the author of The Romance of Dracula, a book chronicling 85 years of movies featuring Bram Stoker’s creation.

    Since then, Butler has built a massive cult following of Twitter fans who devour his daily, gothic portrayals of classic monsters. His art frequently features Count Dracula, as well as Werewolf, and Monsters of Frankenstein.
    Picture

    Count Dracula features prominently in Butler’s art and writing

    At a young age, Butler developed a taste for the fantastic through comic books and movies. He dreamed of being a full-time artist, a dream he achieved two years ago.

    But being a full-time is hard work. “I literally work 24 hours a day sometimes,” says Butler.
    But the demand is high for Butler’s commissioned work, which he promotes on his Facebook page. His buyers include actors Susan Penhaligon (Count Dracula 1977) and Ron Scribner (Salem’s Lot).
    Picture

    Salem’s Lot’s Kurt Barlow painting in mixed media

    When he’s not drawing, Butler is writing books and appearing at conventions. Last year he spoke at the Vampire Film Festival on the film history of Count Dracula.

    Butler’s own short films have shown at festivals around the world.
    Picture

    Promotional ad for Butler’s horror novels and film histories

    Batman Meets Godzilla

    The Batman TV series informed Butler’s view of the character. “The Batman TV series was born the same year I was. It was my first exposure to the Dark Knight, thereby setting my standard. I'd never read a DC comic,” says Butler.
    Picture

    Butler beaming over his comic’s appearance in Yeet Magazine

    When asked about building an online following, the artist says, “I'm not sure about an online following? I've been on the internet for 10 years now and been involved in all sorts of creative endeavours. I think my enthusiasm for my projects draws people to my platforms as regards anything else. It is in your promotional aspects that keep you afloat and that is the hardest work. If you nail that, you're onto a winner.”
    Picture

    This Maleficent tribute is one of many Butler posts daily to Facebook and Twitter

    You can find more of Butler’s work on his Twitter and Instagram pages.
    Picture

    Couldn’t end the article without giving you one more Dracula

    You can also keep up with the latest Batman Meets Godzilla news on Twitter and Facebook.
  • Published on

    Spotlight on Ian Miller

    Batman Godzilla Ian Miller

    Comic Book Entrepreneur

    This week we shine the spotlight on a young and talented entrepreneur who turned his passion into a business. New York artist, Ian Miller, is the co-owner of Triple Threat Comics and creator of the Codename Hunter comic series.
    Picture

    Miller delivers his patented action to Batman Meets Godzilla

    Miller began drawing comics at the age of seven. He was introduced to comic books by his godfather, who used them to help Ian with his reading.

    Regarding his early reading Miller says,
    “My favorite comic was Batman. Always Batman. Then I got into Superman comics, Green Lantern and The Flash.”

    He fell in love with the art form and eventually earned a degree at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

    He counts among his influences Bruce Timm (Batman: the Animated Series), Frank Miller, and Jim Steranko (Nick Fury: Agent of Shield). Sterankos’s take on the spy genre inspired Miller to pursue his own secret agent comic.
    Picture

    Miller’s initial sketch for Batman

    Codename Hunter

    Last year, Miller released his first comic, Codename Hunter, through his indie comic company, Triple Threat Comics.

    The sci-fi thriller follows the adventures of Sean Wade, an intergalactic spy charged with protecting the allied planets from internal and alien threats in the year 3039.

    Issue one finds Wade pursuing an arms dealer who is selling more than just weapons.
    Picture

    Batman Meets Godzilla

    Miller says that he was a fan of Adam West's Batman before he became a fan of Godzilla.

    “I first saw Batman '66 when I saw the movie,” says Miller. “Then they started showing episodes of the TV Show on TV Land. I wanted to drive the Batmobile. I did get a chance to sit in the driver's seat but that was later in life. I saw the first Godzilla film on TV one night and never looked back.”
    Picture

    Ian Miller feels right at home in the Batmobile

    Miller is a regular at local comic conventions like Eternal Con and Wintercon. He loves meeting fans and drawing sketches. You can follow Miller on twitter or pick up the latest issue of Codename Hunter here.
    Picture

    Miller sketch of a modern Batman

    You can also keep up with the latest Batman Meets Godzilla news on Twitter and Facebook.
  • Published on

    Artist Spotlight: Josue Cubero

    Batman Godzilla Josue Cubero

    Call Him Young Gun

    This week we shine the Spotlight on a young artist we’ve come to love and appreciate, Josue Cubero.

    Growing up in Costa Rica, Josue Cubero, loved drawing. As long as he can remember, he wanted to be an artist. He eventually set his sights on being a graphic designer.
    Picture

    A mysterious villain lays a trap for Batman.

    But Cubero never considered a career in comics until he attended a local comic book convention. There he met Marvel comics artist and fellow Costa Rican, Dan Mora. Mora inspired Josue to try his hand at comics, leading to Cubero’s first comic series, Zyrk.
    Picture

    Zyrk features Cubero’s ambitious take on the superhero team

    It wasn’t long before Cubero’s talent was recognized in Costa Rica and the comic conventions started inviting Josue as a guest artist himself.

    ​Cubero is also an experienced writer, penning his own stories. In his upcoming book, Blackbird, Cubero delivers his own take on the urban crime fighter.
    Picture
    Blackbird features Cubero’s hyper-kinetic style.
    Picture

    Batman Meets Godzilla

    Cubero’s Deviant Art page tells the story of an artist who is intimately familiar with American comic books. Thanks to his Grandfather, Josue was steeped in American culture as a chitold.

    “My childhood, I spent a lot of time looking at those series that my Grandfather watched and he was very big fan [of the Batman TV series],” says Cubero.
    Picture

    Cubero’s modern Batman tribute

    Regarding the Batman Meets Godzilla project, the artist says, “This is my first project with this kind of team and idea. To bring back this idea of the crossover of Batman and Godzilla is amazing.”
    Picture

    Cubero drafts another exciting page of Batman Meets Godzilla

    For more of Cubero’s work, follow him on Twitter.
  • Published on

    Artist Spotlight: Stephen Schilling

    Batman Godzilla Stephen Schilling

    The Monster Mashup

    Today we take a look behind the scenes with Batman Meets Godzilla artist, the wise, the awe-inspiring, Stephen Schilling.

    Schilling’s credits are as varied as they are unique. He has storyboarded for Jack Films, illustrated charity graphic novels, self-published his own graphic novel, and recently relaunched Red Panther for Lucky Comics.

    Schilling counts John Byrne, Arthur Adams, George Perez, and Jack Kirby among his influences. But just one look at the artist’s Deviant Art page, and you know he is perfect for this project.
    Picture

    Just one of many Godzilla’s gracing Schilling’s Page

    Schilling resides in Hollywood and can be seen at local conventions like Wondercon and Comic Fest where he sells art and performs commissions. He is currently working on the relaunch of Crom the Barbarian for Lucky Comics.
    Picture

    Schilling brought Red Panther back to life, with a little Kirby crackle

    Schilling has a fondness for Mash-ups. In fact, he worked on his own version of the Batman-Godzilla mashup.

    “Basically its a noir-ish take on Batman having to take out Godzilla because Clark is off planet. And he ends up getting assisted by a very surprise cameo,” says Schilling.
    Picture

    Batman Meets Godzilla

    The artist also grew up on the Batman TV series.

    “I loved the Batman TV show as a kid...and I have been a Godzilla fan since the 60s,” says Schilling. “My favorite Godzilla is the less humorous take. basically I like it all...but the Godzilla that speaks to me is Gojira and Shin Godzilla and anything with that kind of tone.”

    When he’s not drawing, Schilling is teaching Shakespeare and Martial Arts. In fact, we like to think of Schilling as our own Batman. He holds 2 blacks-belts and practices Wing Chun, Bujinkan, Tai Chi, and Aikido. He has worked as a stunt fighter and choreographer, and knows his way around most weapons. Hello Batarang!

    ​Schilling’s talents will be on full display     when he kicks off the first four pages of issue one.
  • Published on

    Writer Spotlight: Matthew Dennion

    Batman Godzilla Kaiju Matthew Dennion Script

    I Like Big Beasts and I Cannot Lie

    Today we go behind the scenes with Batman Meets Godzilla writer, Matthew Dennion, a man who really loves Japanese monster movies.

    Growing up in New Jersey, Saturday afternoon creature features were a staple of the Dennion Household viewing diet.

    “Dad got us hooked on the likes of Toho, Ray Harryhausen, and such, at a young age,” says Dennion.

    Matthew’s interest in monsters continued to grow until he began writing about his own. He is now the author of numerous kaiju novels including: Chimera Scourge of the God, Operation R.O.C., Atomic Rex, and Polar Yeti.

    ​Dennion’s monster stories can also be found in the “Kaiju Tales” section of G-Fan magazine.
    Picture

    Dennion’s most popular creature, Atomic Rex, has been featured in three books and a graphic novel.

  • Published on

    Writer Spotlight: Paul Brian McCoy

    Batman Dozier Godzilla Paul Brian McCoy Script
    Today we go behind the scenes with Batman Meets Godzilla writer, Paul Brian McCoy, or PBM as we call him around the office.

    McCoy is the Editor In Chief of Psycho Drive-in, a site that features movie news and reviews. He has written, edited, and contributed to fourteen books, including the Mondo Marvel series that chronicle the creation of the Marvel Universe.
    Picture

    Four volumes of the Mondo Marvel series have been released to date.

    Damaged Incorporated

    Batman Meets Godzilla is not McCoy’s first venture into comics. He recently completed his first comic, Damaged Incorporated, about a team of government psychics who fight evil in the dream realm.
    Picture

    A page from the soon to be released Damaged Incorporated comic book

    Damaged Incorporated spawned out of the dark sci-fi/horror novel, The Unraveling. McCoy says that in addition to the comic, a second novel is in the works.

    McCoy’s influences include Philip K Dick, Robert Anton Wilson, Warren Ellis, and William Burrows. His work is as original and deliciously disturbing as you would imagine based on his influences.

    Script writer, Eric Elliott, says, “Reading a PBM story is like going on a super smart acid trip. You get a hundreds ideas thrown at you but they’re wrapped in a compelling story, with these wonderfully, strange characters.”
    Picture

    The first appearance of Damaged Incorporated was in the novel, The Unraveling

    Batman Meets Godzilla Writer’s Room

    The basis for the comic is the nineteen page movie treatment found in Batman TV producer, William Dozier’s collection. But the treatment contains no dialogue. Plus there are certain plot holes to contend with in bringing the story to the page.

    The Project Batzilla team collaborate in a virtual writer’s room to brainstorm dialogue and to pitch ideas to flesh out the characters.

    “It’s rare to find a project that promises to be this much fun with this much collaboration encouraged,” says McCoy.

    The Project BatZilla team is now wrapping up the script for issue one. Art director, Jorge Luis Gabotto, is working to assign those pages to the project’s artists, with the hope of completing issue one in the first quarter 2020.

    When asked why he joined Project Batzilla, McCoys says, “I love mash-ups and this sounds like an exciting way of combining two distinctly, different worlds that pays tribute to both.”