American Virgin #9

Yep, it's Wednesday. That means another issue of American Virgin I inked is available in your grocer's freezer, right next to the frozen peas. Go get it!
Solicit info:

Written by Steven T. Seagle; Art by Becky Cloonan and Ryan Kelly; Cover by Joshua Middleton

The epilogue to "Going Down" spins American Virgin into all-new territory. Adrift in a sea of seething sexuality, sworn virgin Adam Chamberlain is out of his element, out of his comfort zone, out of time, and from the looks of things, close to coming out of the closet. But why isn't he running away from the land down under and its string of temptations? His one true love, Cassie, thinks she knows the answer…but she's dead…isn't she?

Vertigo|32pg.|Color|$2.99 US|Mature Readers
On Sale November 29, 2006

The Baggy-Eyed Bolsheviks

Or, as I also like to call them: The Flying Burrito Brothers.

I normally find posting pictures of your offspring on the International World Net a little dicey, a little “iffy”, a little not-so-such the best idea. But I was inspired by my co-worker, Brian Wood, and his baby-blogging and well, my Common Law wife already has them on--curse this word—MySpace. So, what the hey.

But don’t worry, I’m not going to get all “James Lileks” on everyone and coo over my child™’s every action (“™”—Get it? Comedic Genius!) This is strictly an art blog—I SWEAR!

This the last and only time I do this. It's all ramped up, in-your-face art sucking on a Jolt cola in a leather jacket with attitude after this. I'm serious.





Harold and Jax at 3 days old.



Jax doing his thing.




Harold doing his thing.




The baggy-eyed burritos today.


In the last 5 years, my life has gone from wanting a stable occupation in the graphic arts to wanting a one-week vacation per year (atleast) to just wanting a child to stop crying for more than 10 minutes.

Candy Of The Month: November

AirHeads: White Mystery
"Out of Control" is all that needs to be said , and is all you need to know, cilvilian. What kind of flavor is "White Mystery"? What is the mystery? Is it some kind of secret code for racial superiority over other Air Heads candies? Will I vomit white puke when I eat this?

To further probe the inner workings of "AirHeads Nation" and their parent company, Perfetti Van Melle, go to airheads.com. You can learn how Airheads are made (if you're into that sorta thing), play some imbecilic online games, or go to "Parent info". Being a parent, I naturally follow blindly down this alley, no questions asked, to seek advice in their own "Web Safety" instructions:

While this new media emerges. The Internet doesn't fit into our previous policies and mindsets. The Internet is a totally new outlet without the checks and balances of TV, cable or traditional publishing, and there are some risks to children using it. But for the most part, the good stuff online far outweighs the bad stuff, and cutting our children off from Internet use can deprive them of a wonderful means of communication, as well as a future job skill. The best way to really protect your kids online is to get involved - to become part of their Internet adventures.

Yeah.

Interviews Archived

Google my name (not like I do) and things happen. I'm listing and archiving every substantial media interview of me online. May as well. It's for my own organization, really, if not for people who are actually dying to know what I think. But be warned, My life is rather boring, so i'm known to make up fantastic lies in interviews and you will catch contradictions from article to article.



THE RAKE Mise en Scène (Reality is the New Fantasy) A St. Paul artist finds twelve kinds of local in a new comic series. by Keith Pile

July 2006

THE ONION Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly on Local. by Christopher Bahn

January 2006

NEWSARAMA Local Boy: Ryan Kelly On Local by Chris Arrant

December 2005

THE PULSE Ryan Kelly and Giant Robot Warriors by Jennifer Contino

February 2004

CITY PAGES Ryan Kelly Battles the Giant Robots: A comic book artist takes on America's military machine by Peter Ritter

January 2004

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES That Other Devil: Ryan Kelly Talks Lucifer by Arune Singh

October 2002

Amy Triumphant

©Ryan Kelly
A few years back, I had a huge art display at my art school's annual Art Sale. I spotted newly elected Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobachar there checking out my work. She seemed to like this painting of mine and checked out the price on the back and moved on. If I knew then that she would become a United States Senator today, I would have given her the darn thing for free. It would have looked cool on my resume. I want no political favors in return. No insider contracts. No favorable legislation for artists named Ryan Kelly. No crony appointments to cozy government positions. Give me another chance, Amy. You can have any painting you want. It's yours.

I'm dropping the gauntlet right now. I want to paint your official Senate portrait. I'll depict you in full battle gear, mounted on your steed, gallantly fighting back drooling Republicans with your rapier as fires rage on the steps of the Whitehouse. In the distance, sun-splashed clouds drift back to reveal giant mutant eagles shooting acid on the front lawn of the capital as shamed legislators flee in terror. In the painting we can see NeoCons drowning in quicksand. Dick Cheney hiding in a foxhole with his hunting rifle! Bush Cabinet members being forced to actually answer questions!! Donald Rumsfeld muttering something about "Old Europe"!! Turd Blossom squished!!! Explosions! Rampaging killer robots! Dogs and cats living together!!! A bearded Grandfatherly God in the upper right-hand corner shaking his head in displeasure.
You are triumphant, Amy, Warrior Princess!

Weekend Distractions

Here, laid bare, are my official distractions for last weekend. Name them all and win a prize (well, not really, but come by my house and I'll make you some coffee). Notice that the Vikings-49ers "football game" is not listed here.

Local #7 "Hazardous Youth"

"...Each page is a lush, inky image to be savored."-Variety

Available in stores today.

Local #7: Tempe, Arizona, "Hazardous Youth" 32 pages $2.99 Oni Press
By Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly. This issue focuses on Nicky, Megan's Cousin.

Also available today:

American Virgin #8
Written by Steven T. Seagle; Art by Becky Cloonan and Ryan Kelly; Cover by Joshua Middleton
Part 4 of the 5-part "Going Down." Adam Chamberlain has been raked through a thicket of emotion and finally stands toe-to-toe with the singular object of his immortal sadness. But with more than one life on the line, will Adam tighten the noose and get the vengeance he so desperately needs? Or will he answer to a higher power instead?
Vertigo 32pg. Color $2.99 US Mature Readers
On Sale November 1, 2006

So, How's Your War Going?

art©Ryan Kelly

So(), How's() Your() War() Going( )?