and she was like,

Handsome (by halves)

2012-11-25T00:53:47Z

Two-Face, my love.
by ~mysteryming

I love you, Harv. <3

Video interview!

2012-10-01T19:22:16Z

My pal/tablemate/fellow artist Erica Henderson and I sat down for this run and rambling video interview at SPX '12. It was our first time at the show, and after hours we even got to hang out with spillingvelvet at P.F. Chang's! :D

Hi guys!

2012-07-09T03:20:21Z

Sorry I've been so silent on the LJ front. There's a cavalcade of confusing and jostling options when it comes to social networking these days, though I may secretly still love this place best (shh).

Gosh, what's happened since I last posted? I am a for real, full time comic book artist now! I've drawn two full length graphic novels for Candlewick Press, am currently working on an Image miniseries, and have had short stories published by both Marvel and Vertigo.

This isn't an entry for the brag logs, and I hope it doesn't come across that way. Just a message to all of you dear LJ pals I don't see much on Twitter/Tumblr/Facebook, and kind of a cosmically reassuring message to my younger self represented in previous entries in case she was still worried about what the heck would become of her. ;)

Back to the drawing board for me, forever and always!

Online shop now open! :D

2012-02-09T23:30:07Z

After almost a decade of meaning to put this together, my online shop is finally open! I’ve put together a selection of brand new items just for the occasion, each lovingly hand-signed and packaged:

• Wonder Motif Tote Bag

• “Girl Reporters” Print Set

• “Flashbacca” Print

• “Pop Culture” Print Set

Shipping anywhere in the US is fulfilled via USPS Priority Mail and costs only $4.70, no matter how many items you buy. International orders will likewise be sent via USPS First Class International Mail for a flat rate of $6.00 USD.

I had a lot of fun designing both the prints and the tote bag, and I hope I can come up with even more neat products in the future! Thanks for looking, LJ. ;)

Music for Bats

2011-11-23T22:18:08Z

Hey pals, I am such a huge, huge fan of this musical project that I am going to post about it. At length. It's seriously worth a quick, casual listen, and it's downright delicious for people who are into backstory.

BLACKOUT SHADES
An album of music inspired by Batman,
his acquaintances, loves, and foes
by Maiden Names

♪ Listen to and/or purchase Alexa and Mark’s Batman-inspired album, Blackout Shades, at the Maiden Names’ Bandcamp!

♪ Learn about Alexa's inspirations and thoughts on the Dark Knight in a special installment of the Make Believers podcast!

♪ Watch the Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow music video, directed by my boyfriend Neil Cicierega, at yoursuffering.com or below:

This is a project that's been over a year in the making. Alexa is a talented visual artist as well as a gifted songwriter and singer, who happens to have an abiding interest in the cast of characters who populate Gotham.

Here's a track listing, along with who/what the songs are about:

1. Love Your Enemy (Joker)
2. American Hero (Two-Face)
3. Your Suffering (Scarecrow)
4. Stop Bleeding (Batman)
5. Blackout Shades (Alfred)
6. Come Down to Earth (Poison Ivy)
7. Eyeblack (Bruce Wayne)
8. I'm Your Bitch (Harley Quinn)
9. No Slack (Catwoman)

Come to my signing/costume contest!

2011-09-30T22:27:53Z

If you’re looking for something spooky and comics related to do this weekend, swing by Brookline Booksmith this Sunday, October 2nd, for a Tantalize: Kieren’s Story signing and costume bash!

I’ll be talking about what it was like to adapt Cynthia Leitich Smith’s YA novel into a graphic novel as well as doing some live art demos, plus prizes will be awarded to the dark souls brave enough to come dressed as a vampire or werewolf!

Brookline Booksmith, Oct. 2nd, 2 PM!

279 Harvard Street
Coolidge Corner
Brookline, Massachusetts
02446-2908

Afterwards at 3 PM, I’ll also be attending the BosKidLit meeting at the Panera down the block. Please swing by if you’re interested in meeting like-minded YA/children’s literature enthusiasts. We’ll sip pumpkin lattes together, it’ll be a graveyard blast! :D

Tantalize: Kieren's Story on Amazon

Make Believers #5: Anarchy 99

2011-05-12T18:59:56Z

Wonder Woman, Wonderella, women in comics, Vin Diesel, Vin Diesel in Fast Five, Vin Diesel in xXx, Vin Diesel in Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s company, and more in Make Believers #5: Anarchy 99!

Make Believers, Episode #3

2011-04-11T18:58:35Z

Make Believers - A casual pop culture/philosophy/fashion podcast, featuring the sonorous tones of Alexa Rose and the harsh cackles of Ming Doyle.

Episode #3 - Insects and Personae

Chocolate milk wine, tentacle river monsters, immortal bee properties, teenage vigilantes and the mysteries of Online Life await you!

Make Believers, Episode #2

2011-03-30T00:24:08Z

Make Believers - A casual pop culture/philosophy/fashion podcast, featuring the sonorous tones of Alexa Rose and the harsh cackles of Ming Doyle.

Episode #2: Face Building - Cocktails, beauty rituals, Batman, Victorian sleuths, and moribund acceptance abound!

Make Believers is also on iTunes, so please listen, rate, rant, subscribe, eschew, etc.!

Makeup and Make Believers

2011-03-16T23:53:52Z

Two things! First, I went off the wall bonkers for the special edition Wonder Woman themed makeup line by MAC Cosmetics, featuring product art by the amazing Mike Allred of Madman fame. So bonkers, in fact, that I felt compelled to show off my purchases and demonstrate my favorite look from the collection. Silly, I am aware! But all in great fun. I am a fan.

Second, I've started a podcast with my good friend and occasional cosplay cohort, Alexa Rose! If you're a fan of art, esoteric minutiae, ghost stories, hijinks, and all other manner of bizarre topics, please give Make Believers a listen!

*** Make Believers is also on iTunes, if that's how you prefer to catch your podcasts. :)

Aquaman, Redesigned.

2011-03-02T04:06:20Z

Character: Aquaman
Rating/Warnings: A strong helping of commanding, imperious presence.
Media: Pen, ink, & CS5
Artist's Note: An Aquaman redesign inspired by (but not submitted to) Project: Rooftop's "Sea Change" contest. Check out the winners, up now!

Sea King

2011-02-27T01:20:35Z

An Aquaman redesign inspired by (but not submitted to) Project: Rooftop's "Sea Change" contest. Still pondering colors, but I'll share those too... whenever they coalesce! *g*

Line Art - Aquaman Redesign by ~mysteryming

Additionally, heck yes. Still. What a way to rock.

deviantArt dump!

2011-02-15T01:41:18Z

Hi guys! Remember me? I like superheros and stuff, so here, I drew a few.

Aquagirl by ~mysteryming
Tula, AKA Aquagirl, a former Teen Titan.

Invincible and Atom Eve by ~mysteryming
Atom Eve and Invincible! This pinup was featured in the supersized Invincible #75 issue. Also, it wants to wish you a happy Valentine's Day. ♥

The Amazing Joy Buzzards by ~mysteryming
I drew this pinup for The Amazing Joy Buzzards way back in 2008, and here it finally is! If anyone knows what issue it was published in um that would be cool.

PUMA MAN by ~mysteryming
"Puuuma, Man! He flies like a moron!" Some MST3K fun.

Orion by ~mysteryming
Hotcha, how did this Orion slave girl get here?

Anyway, that's it from me for now! Hoping to do a bit of a review of some items from MAC's amazing Wonder Woman makeup line, since you know I gorged myself on that consumerism like nobody's business. And I have comics stuff to talk about too! But all for another day. :)

Batman: Flying Blind

2010-12-27T04:49:14Z

Hello friends! Here's a bit of an update from the art vortex. I'm busily finishing up work on Tantalize: Kieren's Story, a graphic novel for Candlewick Press adapted from the book by the talented Cynthia Leitich Smith.

January's going to be completely devoted to getting every last one of the 188 pages looking ship shape before sending them off to my editors. It hasn't escaped my notice that I've allowed updating my personal sites to fall by the wayside this past year in favor of working away on my first full length graphic novel, so I thought I'd try to post some goodies here for anyone who's still hanging around.

First up, the first four pages from a Batman fan comic I started back in March, 2007 that unfortunately never got off the ground. It featured Batman, Robin, Alfred, and Poison Ivy, and that's basically all I managed to come up with.

And here's one of the Batcomputer background files I made for good measure:

Ah, the realm of could've-beens! Someday I'll manage to sit down and put more than two words together in my head again and it will be grand. ;)

"Human After All"

2010-11-16T20:45:46Z

This week's THE LONELIEST ASTRONAUTS is the best ever, and this is why. This is why.

Star Trek uniform (TOS)!

2010-10-22T07:13:31Z

This year's Halloween costume is something I've been wanting to dress as since I was nine years old. Something so amazing, so neat, so fearsomely cool that only now, 17 years later, have I mustered sufficient courage and steely reserve to attempt the look. What could be so screamingly, scarily superb?

A Star Trek: The Original Series female officer, of course.

The dress was pre-made and purchased online (outrageously on sale!), but I think it does a fairly good job for what it is. I picked up the insignia patch, phaser, and earrings in stores as well, but I gave them all their own custom paint jobs to amp up the authenticity.

Here's a before/after shot, for those interested.

The boots were a full price splurge, but since I found them in the little girls' section of Target for $20, I can't feel that bad. A US women's size 6 1/2 is about a girl's size 5, by the way! Neat discovery.

I'm going to wear this costume to Youmacon, an anime convention in Detroit that takes place Halloween weekend. The Lemon Demon/Potter Puppet Pals crew goes every year. This'll be their fourth year as guests, I believe, and my third time around. It's always a fun time, and I'm looking forward to seeing trapezzoid as a Starfleet science officer. :)

Neil and I bought the official uniform patterns from Roddenberry.com, so hopefully someday I'll have an even better looking spacefaring red dress. For now, happy Halloween, friends! Hope you all dress up and have fun. :)

1909

2010-10-12T03:56:04Z

I've finally posted my college thesis online in its entirety! If you want to read the prologue to a grand steampunk adventure that never was, dating back to the misty, murky days of 2006, then click on the pretty pout below to proceed to a world of magical, mechanical alchemy. It's 1909!

Bullet point procession.

2010-10-03T23:35:54Z

• So this went up last week but I am only now posting it here for anyone who might have an interest in my thoughts on Rob Liefeld, werearmadillos, and superheroes.

Interview w/ Ming Doyle: A Miasma of Paint, Pencil and Ink, via Fuel Your Illustration.

• Oh hey, also. Did you know that you can now like me on Facebook? Well, you can! If you want.

Like "Ming Doyle" on Facebook!
• Another neat development is the creation of The Official Potter Puppet Pals YouTube Channel! Neil felt it was finally time to give the puppets some freedom... or did the puppets claim that freedom for themselves? Check the channel out and decide for yourselves! Here's a sampling of some of the mayhem within.

Portraits.

2010-09-26T20:04:22Z

To celebrate our second anniversary, I made a quick pair of portraits depicting Neil and myself in our almost American Gothic if-Gothic-is-the-new-indie stateliness. The paintings are hanging in our living room, and they're really not at all creepy in real life. It's just the digital camera that's lending them such a Tower of Terror air, I swear!

Anyway. Happy anniversary, Neil! You are a joy to know and the most wonderful friend. <3

San Diego Comic-Con 2010 and MEEE.

2010-07-20T08:03:13Z

Hey pals, if any of you are going to be going to SDCC this week, I'd love to see you! Drop on by Table N11 in Small Press where I'll be representing Agreeable Comics with Kevin Church and Tracie Mauk.

THE LONELIEST ASTRONAUTS books will be on hand, along with copies of "This Journal Belongs to..." and a small assortment of original art.

!

If I'm not at N11, chances are I'm hanging around Table DD10 in Artist Alley with Eric Canete and crew or lying in a miserable puddle of expired exhaustion somewhere near the exit. ;)

Hope to see some of you soon!

A secret on the shelves.

2010-07-06T20:34:10Z

So trapezzoid left a little innocuous comment on my Facebook wall yesterday.

"Look what I found at the library!" it read.

The library indeed! He is very crafty and wily and resourceful and great. Are you seeing this, Kevin? Under the Vulcan Sun is already a for real book! In our minds and in our hearts.

Amanda + Sarek = ♥4EVER♥

Under the Vulcan Sun

2010-07-05T20:47:13Z

Sarek and Amanda, AKA the future Mr. and Mrs. Spock's parents. Drawn because space is the greatest romance novel, and I want to get my friend Kevin Church to write that novel someday, by gum.

Under the Vulcan Sun
by ~mysteryming

Head on over to Kevin's blog to see a larger color-only version of this image!

I remember watching an old worn out VHS copy of this episode countless times as a kid. Spock's family dynamics were endlessly interesting to me and I was happy to see his parents in the reboot film last year, even if, you know.

Fiery finales.

2010-07-05T04:23:00Z

Happy Independence Day, my fellow Americans (and happy belated Canada Day, my fellow Canadians!). I was lucky enough to catch two awesome fireworks displays this weekend. The first was yesterday, when trapezzoid and I headed down to the suburbs to spend the 3rd on my dad's boat, the Celtic Sea. My parents treated us to a lovely aquatic cookout, and one of my dad's friends and his family rafted up next to us, so we had a nice little group. The fireworks went up around 9:45 from a barge moored in the middle of the harbor, not more than a couple hundred yards away from us.

Then about an hour and a half ago back in our Bostonian apartment, Neil and I heard a few huge, thunderous booms and remembered that the city's fireworks were happening tonight! Imagine that, on the Fourth proper. We put on our shoes, ran outside, and were able find a good vantage point to catch most of the show from on Beacon Street. Everyone was lined up along the Charles and the party atmosphere was both laid back (at least on our particular block) and electric. Nice way to end a night!

I COULDN'T ENJOY FIREWORKS MORE. Kahblooie, pals! Hope you're all doing well. :)

This bigot's perspective.

2010-07-02T07:19:42Z

I have personally encountered many comments regarding my negative stance on The Last Airbender's (and countless other productions') casting policies. These comments have ranged from combative to quelling or dismissive.

One such comment:

Hmm... Seems like a lot of the voice actors are white. So why aren't we upset about this? Sure an all white movie is upsetting, but we take the white voice actors with a grain of salt.

And my reply:

The history of yellowface, blackface, and whitewashing in entertainment is long and varied, and you can read up about it at many sources. If you don't feel that TLA's casting is any cause for concern then that is of course your prerogative, but I would hope that you would take some time to investigate that reaction. Perhaps it has something to do with the institutionalized nature and pervasive presence of racism in our culture.

As to the matter of the white voice actors, that is a very different thing. Certain liberties can be taken in the production of a cartoon while still being culturally sensitive and authentic. The drawn faces of the cartoon characters are the characters' final identities in the show, and the voice actors are a faceless component of bringing those characters to life, just as the animators are. So because the cartoon characters are drawn as Asian in the show and live in an Asian world, they are definitively Asian. Everything else is production, and there is no sense of "masquerade" or inappropriate appropriation.

But when the transition is made to live action and so many cultural indicators are lifted from the animated source material -- almost all, in fact, except for the actual races of the main characters -- then that is a betrayal of source material's spirit, identity and intention, and it feeds into a longer history of "default to white" choices in media that have had generations' worth of negative consequences.

Again, it's heartening that you're so interested in discourse on this subject. Look online, look in your local library, and learn all that you can stomach.

There is no final say on this matter, but all that I can say for now is that we do not live in a post-racial world and that disagreeing with injustice is not an over-reaction. It is the right reaction. Yes, I am going to make the moral judgment that reacting negatively to harmful, ignorant behavior is correct. And I'm not sorry if you disagree. Because I want you to examine why you disagree.

Peace out.

ETA: If you have any examples of media (comics, books, movies, TV shows, anything) that feature strong, well-rounded Asian characters, please drop them here!

I'll start by saying that my friend Kevin Church writes She Died In Terrebonne, a 1970s noir with Japanese American private detective Sam Kimimura, as well as The Rack and Lydia, both of which feature Korean American pop culture connoisseur Lydia Park.

Diana of Themyscira

2010-07-01T05:49:11Z

So there's a lot of controversy surrounding the new Jim Lee Wonder Woman redesign.

There are elements of it I really like, but I always wished DC would do something more like the below with Diana's character. What makes her interesting to me are her mythological roots. A woman who can behead a gorgon in one scene and then swing by a local police precinct on the next page is a woman I want to know more about.

Diana of Themyscira
by ~mysteryming

I went with the "beige" palette because I was trying to "down-design" Diana here -- take her back to her utilitarian Amazonian warrior roots. I think an outfit like this would be truest to the core of her Themysciran nationality. However, if she wanted to punch up her image for PR purposes, it would be easy enough to make her breast plate dark, blood red and dye her leather shorts/back brace navy! Just depends on how flashy she wants to get in the field.

For the record, I'm not against pants. But Diana's fairly impervious, and pants aren't too culturally or chronologically important to her. I'm not saying she'd wear hi-cut bikini bottoms for the thrill, but nudity probably just doesn't concern her much. She'd be considerate about how her image might make people uncomfortable and don a robe if need be! But she's practical, too. And she's an Amazon through and through, so I chose to highlight her background with a Themysciran nationalist aesthetic.

She's taking her culture to the world, and her culture is utilitarian and will eviscerate you.