The Greatest Cartoonist Of All Time!

Meet President Obama, Colin Powell, and Kyle Baker on Monday!

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:35:15 PDT

The NAACP will hold it's landmark,Centennial Convention, this July 11-16,
in New York City.

Speakers slated to appear include:

President Barak Obama
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder
New York Governor David Patterson
New York Representative Charles Rangel
Ret. General Colin Powell
Rev. Jesse Jackson
Rev. Al Sharpton
Republican National Committee Chairman
Michael Steele

Also on hand will be our own Kyle Baker, who will participate in a distinguished
Forum of Black Authors.

Kyle also has a new graphic novel in the pipeline, for publisher Harper Collins,
covering the life of Barak Obama, and his rise to the Presidency of the United States.

For more information, visit http://www.naacp.org/events/convention/

Kyle Baker will be at the Author Pavilion Monday, July 13^th, 4-6pm.

The location is:

The New York Hilton

Hall of the Americas II
1335 Avenue of the Americas (btwn. 53^rd & 54^th street)

New York, NY

Bad boys, Nasty Girl

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:34:44 PDT

Like many cartoonists, I have more ideas than time to execute them. When deciding what my next project will be, I often go to my files and choose a great unpublished idea from years ago. Today I was working out my production schedule for the next three animated cartoons of 2009. I decided it was time to shoot a cartoon I wrote a story for in 2002.

These drawings were in that file from 2002, and I'd completely forgotten I did them! They're idea sketches, and I've changed the story a lot since 2002, so these characters probably won't be in the cartoon. It seemed a shame to let these drawings go to waste (I like them!), so I'm posting them on the blog for your amusement.

He's The Best At What He Do.

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:18:30 PDT

Still Marveling this week. Almost done with the story. Such things they tell me to make!

Some Marvel Deadpool Pages

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:29:18 PDT

Click the images to enlarge.
While I'm waiting for Bob Morales to deliver the Captain America script he's writing for me, Marvel editor Axel Alonso assigned me a Deadpool story to illustrate. Charlie Huston wrote the script, and it's one of the weirdest cool stories I've had the pleasure of working on. A special Marvel No-Prize will be awarded any True Believer who can identify the big green Monster. The pirate hat was in the script. As a matter of fact, everything in the illustrations was in the script, including the bidet.

That Tigra design I spent so much time on a few days back ended up being only an inch tall in the finished art, and also naked (it was in the script!). Maybe I'll do a Tigra story in the future so I can use the design. I like the way she turned out. There's also a naked She-hulk and Shanna on the same page, although if Shanna's naked, I'm not sure how anyone will know she's Shanna. But it was in the script.

It's fun to be doing so much Marvel work lately. They were really impressed by the Hawkman job I did for DC recently, and Axel asked if I could do some work for them in the same style. I used a similar photo-realist approach on my recent Obama bio for Harper-Collins, which has been well-received by the folks over there, so I think I'll stick with this style for a while as long as the job offers keep pouring in.

Judging from the fan mail I've been getting, readers like the new style, too! Thanks!

More Marvel Character designs

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:40:30 PDT

Here's some more character sketches for a Marvel job I'm working on.
It's a different job from the Captain America art I posted a couple days ago.
I'm doing a lot of Marvel work right now.

Character Sketch

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:59:45 PDT

For an upcoming Marvel gig.

SPECIAL FORCES PAPERBACK IN STORES NOW!

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:01:06 PDT

The Comic Book That Ended The Iraq War! Finally in a convenient 200-page paperback from IMAGE COMICS! This is your first opportunity to read the entire story in one sitting without having to wait months between chapters. Digitally remastered to showcase some of Baker's most detailed labor-intensive artwork in years! The individual issues have long been sold out, and now's your chance to find out why! Don't miss it!

You can read the opening chapters online for free! Then, run out to your local comic shop and grab your own copy!

HOOAH!

BAM!

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:39:32 PDT

Art from my upcoming Harper/Collins graphic novel, "BAM! The 44th President". I just turned it in this week to my editor. I had a great time doing the book. The president's life story is truly inspirational, and through my research I came to understand that it's his positive attitude that makes him successful. Most people who grow up surrounded by poverty with no father let the experience make them cynical and pessimistic. This crazy guy saw no good reason to believe his past was anything but past. I realize now that if a guy like him could make it through Harvard and become president, I can attain any goal I focus on with faith.

I read both of his books, and even though this guy encountered many things folks would view as obstacles, he doesn't write a single complaint. By contrast, I read a long interview I gave for a recent book called Modern Masters, and I must have used the word "problem" on every page at least twice! I mean, I'm living my dream job, the title of the book I'm interviewed in is called "Modern Masters," a real compliment to be sure, and all I do is complain for a hundred pages! Wow! The illustrations in Modern Masters are great, by the way. The editors picked some fantastic illustrations from the last 25 years.

But I digress. This Obama story inspired me to clean up my attitude. From now on, I'm staying positive! I have no complaints!

Here's another illustration from the book. Enjoy!

SPECIAL FORCES 4 PREVIEW AT NEWSARAMA

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:28:07 PDT

NEWSARAMA has an exclusive preview of SPECIAL FORCES 4 from Image Comics. IN STORES TOMORROW! Be astounded!

SPECIAL FORCES 4 IN STORES THIS WEEK!

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:19:27 PDT

That's right! The long-awaited conclusion to the first story arc is finally here! Enjoy some preview art below!
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SCREEN PLAYER

Also, if you're new to the series, please enjoy these FREE digital editions of the super-rare and out-of-print First Two Issues of SPECIAL FORCES, published by Image Comics.
CLICK HERE TO READ SPECIAL FORCES #1
Read SPECIAL FORCES ISSUE TWO!

Coming Soon

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 22:45:38 PST

KB, Interior Decorator.

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:54:46 PST

I was too busy to update the blog lately, so here's a background test for the Obama bio I'm doing for Harper.

Hip-Hop Yalta

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:44:09 PST

George Clinton - Martial Law

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:01:10 PST

My pal Overton Loyd sent me this video today. If you've ever wanted to see me assaulted by a swat team, enjoy 1:01. I'm not sure who's a finer actor, me or Flea as camcorder guy.

Read SPECIAL FORCES #2 For Free!

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:02:53 PST

The Kyle Baker New Deal economic relief program continues with
SPECIAL FORCES ISSUE TWO! Read it now, Absolutely Free!

Another quality gift from Kyle Baker, the Cartoonist Who Cares.

By the way, your friends would think you were so cool if you sent them the link.

INT. THE WHITE HOUSE - INAUGURATION DAY

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:50:46 PST

The small murmuring crowd of Secret Service agents and Joe Biden parts to make way for Barack Obama. He knocks on a closed door.

Knock Knock.

"Dick? It's the President. Unlock the door."

Silence.

"Come on, I know you're in there, Dick. Unlock the door so we can talk."

A muffled voice is heard through the locked door. "You have to call me Mr. Vice-President. It's the law."

"It's not, Dick. I looked it up. Just open the door."

"I'm not leaving."

"It's time."

"I have a gun."

"I've seen how you shoot, Dick. I'm not scared. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here."

KABOOM

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:33:35 PST

Another Double-page spread from SPECIAL FORCES 4.

Let's Go Waterboarding!

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 09:08:49 PST

From SPECIAL FORCES 4. Feel the comedy!

Thank you, Andrew Wyeth.

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:41:13 PST

Celebrate the life of one of the greatest American painters. Enjoy this beautiful ANDREW WYETH SLIDESHOW.

Scott Christian Sava's THE DREAMLAND CHRONICLES

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:43:45 PST

One of my New Year's resolutions has been to blog more often. Since I've been working on the end of SPECIAL FORCES, and I can't post the pages without ruining the ending for everyone, I figured I'd link to somebody else's cartoons today.

Scott Christian Sava first caught my eye with an innovative "Spider-Man" graphic novel a few years ago. His creative use of 3d computer graphics inspired me, and I felt like I was seeing the future of comic books. His more recent book, The Dreamland Chronicles is even cooler He also has a funny book called "The Lab".

Seeing his books inspired me to use more 3d tools in my own work. I look at his stuff for ideas and techniques I can steal for my own stuff.

Anyway, instead of reading one of my cartoons today, enjoy THE DREAMLAND CHRONICLES!

Coming Soon From Harper Collins!

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:08:53 PST

My publisher told me to stop work on my Toussaint biography and make a comic about our new president. We know there are already Obama comics out there, but trust us. This book will be a totally different take on the material. This is just a quick rough sketch. I'm still working out the story.

More on this as it develops.

Read I DIE AT MIDNIGHT for free!

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:20:33 PDT

One of my favorite stories, I DIE AT MIDNIGHT was originally published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint in 2000. It's a romantic comedy about a man who has taken poison which will kill him by midnight. Will he find the cure in time?
This was the second book of mine to use 3d graphics, and my first to use art drawn entirely on the computer. Since the technology has advanced considerably in the last nine years since the book's debut, I've redrawn some of the pages for the new version.
Click here to enjoy your complimentary edition of I DIE AT MIDNIGHT!

Read SPECIAL FORCES #1 For Free!

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:12:59 PST

As a special "thank you" gift to you, dear reader, please enjoy this digital edition of the super-rare and out-of-print First Issue of SPECIAL FORCES, published by Image Comics.
CLICK HERE TO READ SPECIAL FORCES #1

I'll be uploading issues #2 and #3 over the next few weeks leading up to the bookstore release of issue #4 from Image Comics. Enjoy!

Kyle Baker Teams Up with Webcarzz to Drive Original Comic Series

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:00:55 PST

I'm really psyched about this project. I've been wanting to do a virtual world/social networking thing for kids, and this idea knocked me out. Kids, gaming and racing cars!

I love entertaining kids. It's why I got into cartooning. This is going to be a blast.

Here's the official Press release:

Acclaimed Cartoonist to Bring the Webcarzz World to Life

Las Vegas, Kids@Play Summit at CES, January 8, 2009 – Webcarzz, Inc., the company developing the upcoming virtual world targeted towards boys and their affinity for cars and racing, today announced it has entered into a partnership with world-renowned cartoonist Kyle Baker. Baker will develop a comic book series based on the signature Webcarzz world, an isometric playground populated by original cars that kids are creating. The announcement was made in a press conference today as part of the Kids@Play Summit at CES.

“The world of cars and racing – from a kids perspective – is something that I am very interested in exploring,” remarked Baker. “As both a father and an artist, I can appreciate the imaginative design of the Webcarzz world with its bold shapes and colors. It is the perfect setting for a new comic book.”

“Comic books and graphic novels are increasingly used to fuel new brands and intellectual properties in the video game space – and our relationship with Kyle is sure to spark the interest of consumers all around the world,” said Nique Fajors, Executive Vice President, Webcarzz Inc. “Kyle’s talent, combined with his exceptional sense of humor, will no doubt deliver an outstanding comic book that captures the vision and quality of the Webcarzz world and further entertains our consumers.”

An accomplished cartoonist, comic book writer, animator and artist, Baker has authored thirteen graphic novels, including You are Here, Why I Hate Saturn and King David. He was a writer and artist on Disney’s PHINEAS AND FERB, and penned two Plastic Man books for Vertigo/DC Comics and Nat Turner, Cartoonist Volume 1 & 2 and The Bakers collection.

Baker is world recognized and the recipient of eight Eisner Awards, including four wins in the “Best writer/Artist: Humor” category. Baker has also won five Harvey Awards, several Glyph Comics Awards and three awards for his comic series Nat Turner (Best Cover, Best Artist, and Story of the Year); in 2007, he won Best Artist for The Bakers.

In addition to his comic work, Kyle Baker cartoons have been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Vibe, Esquire, BusinessWeek, Rolling Stone, The Village Voice and many other magazines, newspapers and books. His work in animation has appeared on MTV and he contributed to the Shrek and Looney Tunes movies.

Webcarzz is an integrated game experience that combines the depth of a massively multiplayer online game (MMO) and the competition of circuit track racing in a casual environment where all roads lead to fun. Webcarzz’ environment is comprised of shapes and structures that are constructed in real-time 3D as the players explore and interact through the game’s cities. The game is currently in closed beta. For more information on the closed beta test, email info@webcarzz.com.

About Webcarzz, Inc.
Webcarzz™ (www.webcarzz.com) is the next evolution in casual massively multiplayer online games. Targeted towards boys ages 6-12, Webcarzz offers the competition of circuit track racing in a casual environment where all roads lead to fun. Webcarzz.com is a COPPA-compliant site (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) and offers safe chat services. The company is funded by Meakem Becker Venture Capital (www.mbvc.com). Webcarzz was formed in 2007 and is based in San Rafael, CA. To learn more about Webcarzz, visit us at www.webcarzz.com.

About Kids@Play
Kids@Play Summit is a conference and exhibition held at CES in Las Vegas that explores how kids, from toddler to teen, play, learn, communicate and entertain themselves in the digital world. For more information visit http://www.kidsatplaysummit.com

We Found 'Em!

kylebaker@kylebaker.com (Kyle Baker) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:34:37 PST

Felony battles the notorious Desert Wolf among the Weapons Of Mass Destruction!This will be published as a double page spread in the book, so you really have to see it big to appreciate it. CLICK TO ENLARGE See them fighting on the catwalk?
This one's a full-pager too, so CLICK TO ENLARGE.

Boy, that was lot of work and research. No wonder the book's so late.