UPDATES

A Glimpse Into Whilce Portacio's Art

2012-01-24T13:31:00.000-08:00

What: Two-day seminar
When: To be Announced
Where: First Target Area: Bay Area, San Francisco
For Inquiries: Email Jo @ portacio@ca.rr.com

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Whilce Portacio: A glimpse into the Artist mind...

Not only will you watch a professional comic artist with 20 years of experience showing you his drawing technique live, but for the first time you will hear in his own words what his mind is thinking as he draws. It is valuable as an aspiring artist to watch how pro's draw and try to glean experience from watching his technique. What you don't get watching a pro draw live in front of you is why he did what he did, and why he didn't do other things. Drawing is all about choices...what pose to choose, what lighting to choose, where to shade and where not to shade, where to add texture where not to hatch, etc. Every moment a professional artist works he is making choices.
Here you will not only see an artist draw, but you will hear what he thinks and how he makes decisions. Thereby learning more about the mind's process of drawing while watching the technique of drawing.

The first day: Whilce will properly begin a drawing and anatomically build it to layout finish...
- The importance of Proportions
- The direct goal of layouts
- Anatomy essentials

The Second day: Whilce will properly finish that drawing...
- The Lighting Process
- The Process of Hatching and shading
- Textures, details, filling in background...how to do them and why and when...

Two days of live demonstrations of the essentials of Comicbook Illustration and numerous tips and tricks of the trade learned thru hard years of drawing comics for more than 20 years which will give you insight as to how you will have to make the artistic choices you will have to make when you too become a professional artist...

SIGNINGS and more: Feb 11 @Anaheim Feb.12 @Huntington CA

2012-01-20T09:12:00.000-08:00

Whilce joins Komikon in San Francisco

2011-11-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

Whilce Portacio joins the Manilatown Heritage Foundation celebration of their first Komikon Expo 2011 this Saturday, Nov. 19, from 1-5 p.m. at the I-Hotel Manilatown Center, 868 Kearny St., San Francisco, Ca 94108
Says organizer Nancy Hom: "It's going to be our own local version of Comic Con! Komiks Expo 2011 is a comic book convention to showcase Filipino and API artists in cartoon, comic book, and graphic novel media. Come out to see artwork from aspiring local artists/groups in the SF Bay Area and beyond!"
Admission is free. Whilce will do a Q & A panel with Dino Ignacio (his long-time friend/artist for Electronic Arts/ EA).

See you at LBCC!

2011-10-27T12:09:00.000-07:00

POSTER, PRINT, ORIGINAL ART and NEW SKETCHBOOK will be available at the Artist Alley, Booth # 1206

New Sketchbook!

2011-10-12T10:26:00.001-07:00

I am launching my new sketchbook at the New York Comicon this Oct. 13-16, 2011. See you all at the Artist Alley T1. I will also have some signing schedules: Friday, Oct. 14 from 4 to 5 p.m. @ Marvel booth for Uncanny X Men #628 and Saturday, Oct. 15, from 11:30 am to 12:30 p.m. at TopCow/Image booth for Artifacts. I will not be attending Sunday show. Thanks!

Journey Into Mystery 628 Review

2011-10-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

http://acomicbookblog.com/2011/09/journey-into-mystery-628-review/

Please grab a copy! Thanks ...

2011-09-23T17:21:00.000-07:00

Journey Into Mystery #628

Story by Kieron Gillen
Art by Whilce Portacio, Allen Martinez
Colors by IFS - Arif Prianto, IFS - Jessica Kholinne
Letters by VC - Clayton Cowles
Cover by Stephanie Hans
Publisher Marvel Comics
Release Date Wed, September 28th, 2011
FEAR ITSELF TIE-IN

There's a story bartenders tell about the devil. That at closing time, he chooses a bar and walks in the door. He'll want to talk about his day. If you listen and survive, he'll give you a tip. The story isn't true, but occasionally it amuses Mephisto to play along. And when he's spent the day spying on all the earthly gods and what exactly they're going to do about FEAR ITSELF, you'll want to hear what he has to say.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=9879

DEMO

2011-08-04T16:51:00.000-07:00

JULY 21-24,2011

2011-07-01T14:13:00.001-07:00

SAN DIEGO COMICON!!!
http://www.comic-con.org/cci/index.php

Artifacts #8 Review

2011-07-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

http://comics.ign.com/articles/117/1179808p1.html#.Tg1uWdwogQQ.facebook

ARTIFACTS # 8

2011-07-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

From Top Cow Universe architect RON MARZ (WITCHBLADE, MAGDALENA) and legendary artist WHILCE PORTACIO (THE DARKNESS, Uncanny X-Men) bring the second chapter of the epic event series to a thunderous conclusion. Featuring a gorgeous cover by Portacio as well as a variant cover featuring Alina Enstrom by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER (WITCHBLADE).
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=9093

JUNE 24-26,2011: Albuquerque, New Mexico

2011-06-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

http://abqcomicexpo.com/

Awesome working for Artifacts!

2011-05-22T16:08:00.001-07:00

http://comicbuzz.com/artifacts-7-review

PHOENIX COMICON: May 26-29,2011

2011-05-22T16:02:00.000-07:00

See you people at Arizona with a Friday sketch off/panel (kindly check out time) and will be auctioning off sketches for charity. Artist Alley table # 444.

http://www.phoenixcomicon.com/guests

Interview: Whilce Portacio Draws Us Into Artifacts at Comic Book News, Reviews, and Previews – The Blog From Another World

2011-04-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

Interview: Whilce Portacio Draws Us Into Artifacts at Comic Book News, Reviews, and Previews – The Blog From Another World

FCBD 2011!

2011-04-12T23:49:00.000-07:00

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2011 Details Revealed!

ON SATURDAY MAY 7TH WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US FOR A CELEBRATION OF COMICS
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY @ Collector’s Paradise Comics & Gallery (7131 Winnetka Ave
Winnetka CA 91306)
COSTUMED SUPERHERO CHARACTERS!
SPECIAL GUESTS, AUTOGRAPHS & SKETCHES!
BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR ON EVERYTHING!
GOURMET FOOD TRUCK!
FEATURED GUESTS:

WHILCE PORTACIO
CO-FOUNDER, IMAGE COMICS
CREATOR: WETWORKS
ARTIST: ARTIFACTS

TOMM COKER
CREATOR: UNDYING LOVE
ARTIST: DAREDEVIL NOIR
FIVE RONIN, UNDYING LOVE

JOSHUA FIALKOV
CREATOR/WRITER: ECHOES,
TUMOR, ELK’S RUN, PUNKS
WRITER: CYBLADE, ALIBI…

RAY FRIESEN
CREATOR/ARTIST/WRITER:
PIRATE PENGUIN vs NINJA CHICKEN
ANOTHER DIRT SANDWICH

GARAGE ART STUDIOS:
TONE RODRIGUEZ
ARTIST: RADIOACTIVE MAN,
SNAKE PLISSKEN CHRONICLES,
MAYHEM!, SHADOWHAWK

TONY FLEECS
WRITER/ARTIST: IN MY LIFETIME
ARTIST: WONDERLOST,
WRITER: …JOHNNY WADD IS HERE

CHRIS MORENO
ARTIST: TOY STORY,
PAUL JENKINS SIDEKICK,
WW HULK FRONT LINE

FREE COMIC BOOKS FOR ALL!!!
Free Comic Book Day would be nothing special without FREE COMICS! And this year, we have a Great Selection of FREE comics for comic book fans of all ages. From kid-friendly Archies, Smurfs, Darkwing Duck and Kung Fu Panda, to Superhero staples like Green Lantern and Spider-man, to more mature titles like Darkness and Locke & Key, there is not going to be a shortage of FREE books for everyone.

SKETCHES FOR HERO Initiative!
Every year, Collector’s Paradise partners with HERO Initiative, an excellent charity that helps comic book industry veterans in need of medical and other help, to do “Sketches for HERO“. All of the Artists that are featured as guests of our store do Sketches, at $10 each, and 100% of the proceeds is donated to HERO. This is our 5th year of the “Sketches for HERO” program and we hope that you participate and get some great Art in exchange for helping out this amazing Charity.

ARTIFACTS # 6

2011-04-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

Written by Ron Marz
Art by Whilce Portacio, Joe Weems and Sunny Gho
Lettering by Troy Peteri
Published by TopCow/Image Comics
Review by Scott Cederlund/Newsarama

Chaos reigns in Artifacts #6 as the first major battle rages. Tricked by Aphrodite IV, Cyberforce attacks Sara Pezzini, Jackie Estacado and their allies. Ron Marz’s story is a standard heroes-mistakenly-fight-each-other story as the usual mistaken identities, wrong assumptions and just some characters general dislike of other characters spur on the battle as unknown forces attempt to gather the 13 mystic artifacts and the Pezzini and Estacado’s daughter. Marz and Whilce Portacio deliver the first big battle of Artifacts where more characters are brought together and join forces to fight the big bad.

The first four issues of Artifacts was pretty dense as Marz introduced a lot of characters and divvied them up into factions, those with the Witchblade and Darkness and those siding with Aphrodite IV and her mysterious master. Those issues moved deliberately and covered a lot of ground. It’s odd that a giant battle issue would be the breather point in the series. Marz has most of his characters where he needed them and it’s a nice nod to Top Cow history to bring Cyberforce into this series. After the patient way he built his plot, it’s a welcome release to have this issue bursting with energy. Every now and then, you need a release and this issue is it as characters hit, punch, shoot and rip apart other characters and demons.

Whilce Portacio delivers some of his best artwork, focusing almost purely on the pandemonium of the artwork. His artwork this issue is a blur of movement, like he’s rushing through the drawing, creating gestural and expressionistic superhero artwork. And when he does get a moment to just stop and focus on an image, such as one scene of Aphrodite IV just stopping to watch an explosion over a double-page spread, he still packs a lot of energy in a still and reflective moment. Portacio is able to incorporate some of original Artifacts artist Michael Broussard’s art style while making the book look like pure Portacio.

Around just half over, Artifacts has been an intriguing story and has featured some lovely art. As Marz and his artists have slowly built the drama and mystery, they let go in this issue, letting the energy they’ve built explode as everyone fights everyone else. For all of the trauma and heartache Marz has put Sara Pezzini in during this series, it’s good to see her be able to fight and have an enemy to focus on. This fight issue was needed; now the characters will be able to focus on their target and find Sara’s daughter and the unknown master of Aphrodite IV.

Happy with the Book!

2011-02-02T12:07:00.001-08:00

http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/02/01/artifacts-5-review/

ARTIFACTS # 5 Review

2011-01-30T14:14:00.001-08:00

http://comics.ign.com/articles/114/1146370p1.html

Artifacts # 5 Alternate Covers

2011-01-30T14:08:00.000-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/photo.php?fbid=159829240734107&set=a.159828727400825.46822.100001210952575

More Artifacts art

2011-01-25T13:52:00.000-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/photo.php?fbid=1828978646777&set=a.1158393362564.2024242.1309669200

Exclusive First Look at Artifacts #5

2011-01-24T22:33:00.000-08:00

The latest chapter of Artifacts begins, and we've got the sneak peek.
by Joey Esposito
LATEST IMAGES

With the closure of the first chapter of Artifacts, writer Ron Marz put the players in position and set up the consequences. Now, with Image co-founder and legendary artist Whilce Portacio on board for Act II, Marz is ready to up the ante even further.

The issue comes out this Wednesday, January 26, 2011, but we've got the exclusive first look at Artifacts #5.

http://comics.ign.com/articles/114/1145702p1.html

2011-01-10T12:34:00.000-08:00

JANUARY 26, 2011 !

WHAT'S FOR 2011!!!

2011-01-03T16:25:00.000-08:00

Calendar: Upcoming Comics
Title: Artifacts #5
When: 26.01.2011
Description: Artifacts #5 (of 13)
(W) Ron Marz (A) Whilce Portacio (Cov) Nic Klein, John Tyler Christopher

Your Second Chance to Jump In!
The first chapter of Artifacts concluded with a shocking cliffhanger and the second chapter shows no sign of letting up! With all of the players on the board, the antagonist manipulating the Bearers of the Artifacts moves to complete his plan for utter annihilation of the world. But how do the members of Cyberforce fit into the machinations of the supernatural?

From Top Cow Universe architect Ron Marz (Witchblade, Magdalena) and welcoming legendary artist Whilce Portacio (The Darkness, Uncanny X-Men) comes an event series, which will literally shake the Top Cow Universe to its foundation. Featuring a gorgeous cover by Nic Klein (Viking) as well as a variant cover featuring Michael “Finn” Finnegan by John Tyler Christopher (Witchblade).

Each issue will also feature a Top Cow Origin backup written by Marz and drawn by a superstar artist.

Full Color 32 pages $3.99 limited series
Location: your local comic shop

Read more here: http://www.topcow.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=483:usa-today-whilce-portacio&catid=43:latest-moos&Itemid=50

Uncanny X Men #529

2010-11-19T14:27:00.000-08:00

Thanks everyone for picking up Whilce's Uncanny X Men. Watch out for Whilce-Ron Marz-Joe Weems collaborations on ARTIFACTS!

SOCAL COMIC CON SATURDAY NOV. 6

2010-11-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

Join us at the 1st SoCal Comicon in Oceanside, CA. Whilce will be there between 1 to 5 p.m. today, Saturday (Nov. 6). Venue is at the Boys and Girls Club of Oceanside. Whilce will join Bob Layton of Iron Man and the whole gang of Wildstorm artists. For other details, check their site www.SoCalComicCon.com or www.facebook.com/SoCalComicCon

LONG BEACH COMICON OCT 29-31

2010-10-26T17:40:00.000-07:00

Hey, happy Halloween everyone! And Happy Long Beach Comicon!!!

Yes, bring your best costumes with you as we all celebrate Halloween in the Long Beach Convention Center starting Oct. 29-31 for the LONG BEACH COMICON.

Whilce will kick off his Friday with a panel with the Image Comics group @ 3 p.m. Then signing/sketching for the Hero Initiative @ 5:30 pm.

Long Beach put him on signing too @ 3:30 pm. Saturday;

Then Sunday @ 1 p.m. he will join LBCC panel courtesy of Phil Colligan.

For specific venues of these skeds, I will try to update it as it comes on my inbox. Hope to see you all at the Artist Alley as well.

Looking forward to a spooky celebration!

WHILCE at NYCC 2010

2010-09-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

Whilce Portacio guests at this year's New York Comicon, Jacob Javits Center, October 8 to 10. Drop by the Artist Alley area when you get the chance as well as the Image Comics booth to check Image United # 3. Co-Image founders Todd McFarlane and Jim Valentino are guests of the show, too.

WHILCE IN FAN EXPO CANADA

2010-08-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

Whilce Portacio joins Fan Expo Canada this weekend Aug. 27-29, 2010 in Toronto, Canada (Metro Toronto Convention Center).

Whilce kicks off his Friday @ 6 p.m. with the Sketch Duel with Image buddy Jim Valentino, Room 206C. He will also have signing and Marvel panel after the sketch duel, Signing Area CC and Rm. 205B.

On Saturday, Whilce will have signings @ 12 nn, Marvel Booth #1027 and @ 5:30 p.m. Signing Area CC.

Sunday signings are @ 12:30 p.m. - Signing Area CC and @ 2:30 p.m. Marvel Booth # 1027.

Check us out also at the Artist Alley.

Thanks Tim!

2010-08-20T12:33:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Tim Boal, Suzie and Tim's brother Rick for the wonderful time we had in Couer D'Alene, Idaho. My kids had a blast and as they said, what a great time to end summer vacation. Girls are now back in school. Thanks to all who came to Hayden Library and to Karen. Girls loved the books! To those who showed up at the signing at the Lightning Comics store - you guys are great! Hey thanks Chef Chris Chung for the great sushi boat at Bonsai. Thanks to all the cool peeps I met. Your place is so beautiful and serene. - Whilce

Book Signing in Idaho

2010-08-07T10:04:00.000-07:00

If you are from this area or from Spokane and around here, please don't forget to check Whilce Portacio's signing at Lightning Comics & Games store (located @ 411 W.Haycraft Ave. Suite C1. Coeur D'Alene, Idaho). Signing is between 1 to 4 p.m. this Saturday, AUGUST 14,2010.

Whilce will also visit Hayden Library on Friday, AUGUST 13 between 6-8 p.m. For details, call Tim Boal @ (208) 667-2400.

Don't forget to pick up your copies of Uncanny X Men Heroic Age and #526 @Lightning Comics.

SAN DIEGO COMICON 2010

2010-07-17T23:17:00.000-07:00

Don't miss Whilce Portacio and Francis Manapul in Comic-Con How To Session:

Acclaimed artists Whilce Portacio (Uncanny X-Men, Image United) and Francis Manapul (The Flash, Adventure Comics, Superman/Batman) will demonstrate how to create and draw characters for comic books at Room 18 on FRIDAY,July 23.
Also drop by the Artist Alley to check on Whilce (EE-18) and Francis (EE-17).

Wishing You The Best!

2010-07-08T00:29:00.000-07:00

HaPPy BIRTHday WHILCE !!!

In case you miss this:

2010-07-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a tidbit from Newsarama's Vaneta Rogers worth reading:

MagnusBane wrote: When the future Image boys were taking over Uncanny X-Men and Adjectiveless, did they have a character in mind as The Traitor when they created Bishop?

Rogers: We went to two of the Image founders who worked on those comics to find out: Jim Lee (DC co-publisher) and Whilce Portacio (Image United artist).

Lee: "The answer is 'yes.' But to elaborate, there were a couple possibilities that would work depending on which fandom was guessing. The choices we had would work with the hints we were laying down."

Portacio: "As I remember it, Bob asked me to come up with a new strong X- Man to balance out my team against Jim's X- Men team. The conventional wisdom was my team needed someone who had no problem doing anything that needed be done to counter Wolverine on the new team. It was only weeks later that we started thinking about a traitor in terms of Professor X. And yes there was discussion on Bishop being that traitor, though to my recollection, no decision was ever made. I never drew a page to that effect."

VOTE HERE!!!

2010-06-30T10:35:00.001-07:00

CAST YOUR VOTE FOR WHILCE

Last day to cast your vote for Whilce to bag the 2010 Asian Heritage Awards art & literature category award. Show your support by voting here: http://www.asianheritageawards.com.

Thanks a lot to all of those who voted already. Whilce definitely appreciates it.

TEXAS COMICON

2010-06-16T16:40:00.001-07:00

Whilce will be at the Texas Comicon on June 18, 19 and 20 - San Antonio Event Center - together with other comic book creators and Garfield who will be celebrating his birthday the same time that Texas Comicon honors Whilce with the 2010 Texas Comicon Creator In Excellence Award. Because of this, Whilce is looking forward to this trip and greatful to the organizers for such honor.
The three-day con will surely be lots of fun so see you all in Texas!!!

2010 ASIAN HERITAGE AWARDS

2010-06-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

Comic book artist Whilce Portacio was overwhelmed to hear from one of the heads of the 2010 Asian Heritage Awards Dennis-Michael Broussard that he was chosen as one of the nominees in the category of Art & Literature.
As Broussard mentioned in his email : "We received hundreds of nominations in our 12 categories and our... nominee selection committee has chosen you as one of our finalists for your category. The Asian Heritage Awards is among the premier events in the Asian Community in southern California, and is taking place on Saturday, July 10, aboard the USS Midway in downtown San Diego."
But in order for Whilce to be honored as a winner in his category, AHA has set up a voting site to cast your support. You can go to this site to vote: http://www.asiamediainc.com/site/c.enJNKQNlFiG/b.5105387/k.6B31/ASIA_Facing_East_Front.htm
or directly to this link: http://www.kintera.org/AutoGen/Contact/ContactUs.asp?ievent=428337&en=gqIHLPMvFcJIKOMzEeKFKOPAJlIXI3OyFgKQJVMCJnLUKYNFIlJNJYOBLfLSK5MQG
If you get the time, please join us to support Whilce's nomination. Thanks!

Above Cover Art is Whilce Portacio's internationally-released comicbook STONE based on Filipino mythologies

THANK YOU PHOENIX!

2010-06-10T17:52:00.000-07:00

We just wrapped up another con for the year - the 2010 Phoenix Comicon. And congratulations are in order for their new home in the Phoenix Convention Center. Bigger area and more activities to include because of the huge floor the Convention Center can actually offer. The date was fab too, from January in the past to Memorial Day weekend. There were so much ongoing in downtown area which made the whole place lively and fun. Nope, Arizona people did not go out of town because it was Memorial Day. They actually made the most of it that Monday was non-working holiday so no reason to rush home. Sunday became the new Saturday for that particular date. So again, congratulations Matt Solberg and Joe Boudrie and thank you!

First con day - Sketch off! with Tony Parker and Todd Nauck

With best pals Philip Tan n Brian Haberlin; Proud to be w/ Spawn big man Greg Capullo

The talented Owen brothers (Whilce's daughter Kami is James' no.1 fan); and with another Pinoy talent Mr. Jo Luna

The newest Comicon baby Noah with proud Dad Kandrix Foong, head of Calgary Entertainment Expo in Calgary, Canada. Proud mom of course is artist Laurie B! Whilce's now 9-year old daughter attended her first con this age : D

Of course, sketching... drawing....

Uncanny X-Men Heroic Age #1

2010-06-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

Coming JULY 2010!

"Written by MATT FRACTION Penciled by WHILCE PORTACIO, JAMIE MCKELVIE & STEVEN SANDERS. Cover by MARK BROOKS.
Hot on the heels of SECOND COMING, see how the X-Men fit into the Marvel Universe as a whole. Three stories by Matt Fraction and artists Whilce Portacio (UNCANNY X-MEN), Jamie McKelvie (SIEGE: LOKI) and Steven Sanders (S.W.O.R.D.) taking you all around the Marvel Universe! 40 PGS./One-Shot.

Wolverine sketch Whilce did for Phoenix Comicon 2010 auction!

PHOENIX CON 2010

2010-05-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

If you happen to be in Phoenix, Arizona tomorrow until Sunday, Whilce will be attending the Phoenix Comicon Memorial Day Weekend, Phoenix Convention Center & Hyatt Regency.
Join us tomorrow for the Southwest Quick Draw showdown starting at 8 to 10:30 p.m. (CC155) together with other creator-artists. This will be a funfilled two hours of artists sketching and bantering as they produce killer creations for the art auction, according to Phoenix head.

You can also find Whilce at the artist alley - T65 for the rest of the week. So drop by to say hi or to grab our sketchbook and check on some of his original work.

FCBD

2010-05-01T06:41:00.000-07:00

See you all today at 4 Color Fantasies FREE COMIC BOOK DAY. 4 Color Fantasies is located at 7172 Archibald Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701. The store phone number is 909-563-8751. Whilce will be there between 1:30-3:30 p.m. Check out today's event:
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs088/1101891327204/archive/1103332424100.html

STARFEST 2010 in Denver!

2010-04-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

Three days to Starfest 2010 - http://starland.com/wp/?page_id=572. April 16 to 18 at the Marriott & Hilton Denver Tech. Con starts 5 p.m. Friday. Whilce is scheduled for two panels.

Saturday - April 17, Panel Room 1 at 11am: X-men: Past and Future-tense. X-men artists Whilce Portacio and Jon Meyers are joined by Keith Boyle as various era’s of the team are discussed along with the work of the artists.
Sunday - April 18, Panel Room 1 at 11 am: Best of Image Comics 2010. Join Image Comics Co-founder Whilce Portacio (Image United, Wetworks, and Uncanny X-men) and Image Creator Dan Brereton (Nocturnals,Punisher) as well as fellow Image Comics creators Jason Martin and Armando Durruthy as we discuss Image United, Nocturnals, and the founding of Image Comics.

Also, don't forget to drop by the Hilton Garden Inn on Saturday night for a night of food, drinks, conversation and fun with Comicfest special guests. This is a DrawerBoxes™-sponsored event benefitting the Hero Initiative. Artists-guests will help raise funds for this charity. Tickets are limited so advanced purchase is suggested.

So see you all there!

10 For The Pros

2010-04-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

Fun Q & A interview with InvestComics' Jay Katz. Thanks Jay!

http://www.investcomics.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1748&Itemid=1

The celebrated artists returns to...

2010-04-10T01:45:00.000-07:00

Whilce Portacio Returns to the X-Men
The celebrated artists returns to Marvel’s mutants for an exciting arc beginning in UNCANNY X-MEN #526
Posted: 2010-04-09

By Marc Strom

Whilce Portacio made his triumphant return to UNCANNY X-MEN last month, helping series writer Matt Fraction bring Kitty Pryde back to Earth in issue #522; now he will usher the X-Men into a new, post-Second Coming era when he illustrates an arc on the series beginning with July's issue #526.

The artist, who first co-wrote and drew Marvel's mutants in a brief but definitive run on UNCANNY X-MEN in the early 90's that introduced the character of Bishop, attributes his journey back to the fans.

"Every time I go to a convention fans are constantly asking when I'm coming back to the book that sent my career into warp drive," relates Portacio. "I am constantly bombarded by stories of how one of those issues [I drew] was the first comic book they ever read and got them hooked into comics. So, for the last few years, it has always been in the back of my mind floating there: what would I do if I ever got the call to come back to my favorite book?

"Then one day [writer] Jeph Loeb would not take no as an answer [when he asked me] to draw an issue of HULK, so I did. He got me talking with [Executive Editor] Axel Alonso to draw an issue of DEADPOOL CORPS, and that got me on the phone with [UNCANNY X-MEN editor] Nick Lowe who asked if I would like to draw Kitty's return to the X-Men. I hadn't really drawn her in the past, but she is so important to [Colossus], and Peter is part of the team I cherish, so I had to say yes. And here we are. I am now drawing a 13-page story that leads [Cyclops] and his family of mutants into the aftermath of Second Coming and [into] my arc. Where that leads, time will only tell."

The team has gone through a number of changes in the nearly 18 years since Portacio left the X-Men, but the artist sees those differences as presenting a dynamic new environment for him to work with.

"Back then we wanted to keep the books fast paced and moving forward," he remembers. "Wolverine was only starting to draw the team into the dark side, [but] now the team has and is going through dark times. They are now banded together as a family of mutants and are used to the darkness. But it's time they took back some of the glory, time to do what they all trained to do and for the reasons they trained so hard to do it."

Portacio plans to reflect his view of the team and their present circumstance in his art style:

"I will alternately play with shadows-my natural element as an artist-and the light as [the X-Men] regain their heritage as heroes. Having said that, even though so much time has passed and so many events are now part of their collective past, [their character remains] the same to me. For instance Scott is still unsure of his right to the mantle of commander. He is still uncomfortable with it, but of late seems to be realizing he was born to [do] this. The only real major change is the inclusion of Emma Frost and Magneto into this hero society. That contrast [between] who they were and who they are now, or who they appear to be now, is very interesting to me. With these two characters I will be playing the most with shadows and light alternately when called for by the plot. Whether I use a lot of darkness or not with these characters will foretell a lot of who they really are now."

Portacio has enjoyed working with regular series writer Matt Fraction, whose scripts give the artist exactly what he looks for.

"I very much like working with Matt," he shares. "His knowledge of the characters explodes in every detail he instills into his plots. He respects these characters, he understands who these people are to the last detail. Detail, whether it be in pencil lines or character nuances, is what interests me the most these days. Artists, like actors, are constantly asking, 'How would this character react differently compared to another character?' We're constantly looking for differences [in the] details between characters, and Matt provides me with that info."

Whilce Portacio Joins Uncanny X-Men

2010-04-07T01:25:00.000-07:00

The Image co-founder makes his way back to the series that made him famous.
by Richard George & Jesse Schedeen

April 5, 2010 - Depending on your experience with comics, you may or may not know Whilce Portacio's name - particularly when it comes to the X-Men. Though Portacio's work has been seen recently in Hulk, Spawn and a recent issue of Uncanny X-Men, the artist made his biggest impact in the industry some 20 years ago. It was back then that Portacio made a somewhat short but very memorable impact on Uncanny X-Men, helping co-create characters and plotlines as well as pencil the mutant adventures. He was then part of shaking the industry to its core by leaving Marvel to co-found Image Comics.

The rest, as they say, is history.

But as we noted, Portacio has returned to Marvel for a variety of assignments, and today the publisher announced that he'll be back on Uncanny for a full upcoming arc. We had the chance to chat with the industry veteran via e-mail for his thoughts on returning to the X-Men franchise and what's been happening lately.

IGN Comics: Whilce, you recently returned to Marvel with an issue of Hulk. What led you back to the publisher after all these years?

Whilce Portacio: Right after I had said "yes" to draw Spawn, Jeph Loeb asked me to draw Red Hulk for him. I'd always wanted to work with Jeph and felt bad about turning him down. So I promised him that right after I finished with Spawn he would be the very first person I would call. So I did, and he had this gritty Hulk/Doc Samson story perfect for my moody style. With the Hulk I worked with Mark Paniccia, through that I was put in touch with Axel Alonso, and there I did an issue of Deadpool Corps. Axel handed me off to Nick with Uncanny and here we are...

IGN Comics: What was it like to return to Uncanny X-Men for the "return of Kitty Pryde" issue? Is it almost surreal to work on a book after being away for a couple *hundred* issues?

Portacio: It actually isn't... not really. Ya see when I first was working in the X-Office I just had my hands full getting to know the X-Men, then we were thrown into the hopper helping out with the story creation, then throw in character creation too. So it was all go, go, go and get it out.

This time around, already knowing the characters and Matt having full control of the writing chores its actually relaxing just worrying about all the visual problems. How I want the book to look. Emotionally there doesn't seem to be too much if any difference in the characters so it is like just coming home after an extented vacation. It's all same same.

Plus the fact that every convention I go to, the fans are constantly reminding me that I use to draw Uncanny. So I have to admit, consciously or not, I have been thinking about these characters. So being asked to draw them again was semi-anti-climatic... I knew/hoped this call would be coming and it came...

IGN Comics: Can you clarify what issue you'll start with, and are you planning on being on Uncanny for the foreseeable future or is this a limited engagement?

Portacio: All I can say is I am doing a special lead-in story, then a four issue story arc right after Second Coming...

IGN Comics: In terms of visuals, can fans expect a tone similar to the one you set with Uncanny #522?

Portacio: Yes, and with more and more shadows as the story ramps up. When I first did Uncanny we were told not to be too moody with the drawing style, hence all those hatches and cross hatches. That was a way to do shadows while not doing full black shadows... fill-in lighting. This time around I think people expect darkness when the mood calls for... and let's face it I artistically am comfortable in the darkness....

IGN Comics: The X-Men tend to receive new costumes every couple years. Will you be redesigning the looks of the characters?

Portacio: Drawing the Kitty issue I had my hands full just trying to keep up with all the new costumes of the characters in that one issue. To redesign all of mutantkind... that would take me years. I'd first have to get comfortable with all the main characters and sub characters personalities before I even contemplate wanting to redesign anyone.

IGN Comics: You helped co-create Bishop almost two decades back – seeing where the character is now, what are your thoughts? Do you agree or understand Bishop's actions? Is it tough to see a character you helped create become such a pivotal enemy of the X-Men?

Portacio: I don't know all the details of what actually is going on now, but the character was originally built to be a killer. I have to clarify not a bad guy or an assasin. But, hey, he came from the future where his job was to capture all mutants.

Actually someday I would love to do that story of how the Prison started, and that means bringing back Bishop's two best buddies. I set up Bishop to be a product of his times... a killing machine in a time of killing machines. He killed and was trained to kill because that's just what happened all the time. It was just his job. That meant that "after-hours" he was just a regular guy with regular motivations. Take him off the battle field and he is a charmer. Give him an order to kill and he will do it while charming you.

But that is his real personality, the charmer - his job is that of a killer. So that is his real dilema here in our present time where killing is not so common. Here he has time to think of what he has done in his life. Here, like most soldiers when retired off the battle field, he must deal with his demons whether he wants to or not. The only way to delay thinking is to constantly get into killing situations...

IGN Comics: In addition to your recent Marvel work, you had been working on Spawn. Is your commitment to Spawn over? Will you be working on both titles simultaneously?

Portacio: My last page of Spawn went to [Todd McFarlane Productions] about a month ago.

WHILCE PORTACIO On His UNCANNY Return to the X-MEN

2010-04-05T11:15:00.000-07:00

by VANETA ROGERS, Newsarama

Iconic X-Men artist Whilce Portacio is returning to Uncanny X-Men in July, joining writer Matt Fraction as the title goes into a new direction after "Second Coming."

The artist is best known as a creator of the X-Men character Bishop, and as one of the Image founders, the group of six artists who left Marvel in 1992 in order to found a new company for creator-owned properties.

After a debilitating coma in 2000 that hindered his artistic abilities and kept him on the sidelines for a few years, Portacio returned to comics two years ago and recently began drawing Spawn with series creator Todd McFarlane writing. He's currently working with five of the six Image founders on the "jam-session" project Image United and also recently introduced Fortress to the Image Universe.

Newsarama spoke to the artist about his return to Marvel and why drawing the X-Men appeals to him because of his Asian heritage.

Newsarama: How did you find out about the opportunity to work on Uncanny X-Men?

Whilce Portacio: Well I was working with Axel Alonso on an issue of Deadpool Corps when he e-mailed me saying Nick Lowe would like me to call him. He needed someone to draw the issue where Kitty returns to the X-Men and I didn't need to think twice so I said I'm your man. I read the plot and was instantly hooked on Matt's words. Funny, this issue wasn't really written with me in mind, but the story is so appropriate for me and my history with the original X-Men team, so I took it as an omen of what could come to pass...my return to the book.

Nrama: And what did you think when it first came up?

Portacio: In the past few years my wife and I have been taking advantage of the many convention invites to travel together, and at all conventions I am constantly reminded of my connection with Uncanny. So leading up to the call with Nick I have been constantly thinking about the possibility of returning to this book. So, when I was asked to do first one issue then one arc I can say I had no immediate reaction to Nick on the phone because I felt it was right timing, and after doing an issue of Hulk, and then an issue of Deadpool I knew we were heading in this direction...

Nrama: Why did it appeal to you?

Portacio: I grew up on the original X-Men, and every time I have ever been asked to do an X-book my first consideration has always been "is the original team involved?" Having grown up in an Asian family where I was the eldest I have an emotional attachment to the concept of rising to fill the shoes laid before you. I see Scott that way, someone who is born with all the attributes of leadership but someone who is emotionally not up to the job, but the job is his and no one is better at it so he must go forward regardless. I realized reading "Kitty's return" that Matt was trying to put Scott in his place of leadership and getting comfortable with it...I need to be there as that happens to Scott. I have no idea where Matt is ultimately taking Scott but I hope it is to a good place for Scott...

Nrama: How might your art be different from the last time you were on the comic?

Portacio: This is technical, but back then we were told not to use too many "shadows." "Don't draw this book too dark." This time around I intend to use those blacks I am so fond of. Of course, only if the scene requires it. Another thing that is different with me this time is I am more and more interested in quiet and/or emotional scenes and "acting" out those situations. Fortunately for me Matt can deftly handle both emotional scenes and epic/action scenes that the Jack Kirby/Stan Lee influences within me always crave to do. Fortunately with me on ink duties is an old student of mine Edgar Tadeo. Like Scott Williams before him, Ed knows me inside out as an artist. I can count on him knowing exactly where I want to go. Especially when I get in the mood (as I often am) to experiment with new techniques and styles. I know Ed will keep up with me and not get confused.

Nrama: What characters are you looking forward to getting to draw?

Portacio: I never really drew Magneto before. I don't really count this last "Kitty" issue because in it Magneto is uncharacteristically not Magneto. So I am hoping he has a major role in my coming arc. I am planning some epic shots of him. Also, Warren, I have always handled him as the Avenging Archangel, I am just now collecting my thoughts on handling him as the original Angel. The wings won't be too different because when I did Arch's steel wings I based them on real wings. Having spent most of my time drawing the elegant Jean Grey, it'll be interesting to draw in her place Emma Frost. I've never really handled many, let's say, "Bad Girls" so this will be it. Though it seems Matt is "softening" her up a bit. Let's see if that progresses and then I might inject a little bit of Jean into Emma...

Then of course there is the multitude of new X-Men...I am only beginning to "meet" them one by one...

Nrama: Have you had to do research on some of the new characters and costumes? Are you having to catch up on what's happened?

Portacio: I've told Nick that a lot of my time with the "Kitty" issue was either in Google searches or e-mailing Daniel Ketchum for reference for everybody's new costume. From a design standpoint I am amazed at the different teams and the variations of the basic new costume design. I'm gonna have to buy a new memory stick and fill it just with costume reference.

Nrama: Are you aware of what's going to happening with Second Coming, which you'll follow?

Portacio: I am now only drawing a special "set-up" story before I draw the arc proper. This first story only deals with preparing character motivations for my arc. So no consequences yet of what went in the issues before. It's actually a nicely personal story, and therefore smaller story, kind of like the quiet before the storm type thing. It deals almost solely with Scott. Wait until you see his co-star in the story, who is a major star in his own right. So, right after this story I will be reading Second Coming before I actually start on the first issue of my actual arc.

Nrama: Have you discussed the comic yet with writer Matt Fraction? What do you think of working with him on the comic?

Portacio: Matt and I haven't had much time to talk properly yet (except for e-mails) because the office is entangled with getting Second Coming out. What with Matt tying that up and at the same time feeding me story, its understandable we haven't yet had time to yap...soon...

Nrama: Will you still have time for Image United and your other projects?

Portacio: Fortunately, my other projects like Image United, I am able to ink my own stuff. When I ink my own work I don't actually draw, I quickly lay out and then "draw" with the ink. Anyone who has done this knows it is kind of liberating doing this. It changes my style making it looser and tighter at the same time because I can add or subtract from the drawing whenever I want to. So drawing Uncanny with my usual tight pencil style and then in between inking my own stuff here and there is the best place to be right now. Having "come back" to comics, so to speak, there's so much I want to do and this seems to be a smooth way to do just that.

Nrama: Anything else you want to tell fans about your new gig on Uncanny X-Men?

Portacio: To me, a good Uncanny book is full of epic situations that Scott must figure a way out for the team, all the while dealing with the huge amount of emotional baggage everyone collectively has together. Kitty's back (though unphased, but what's new about that...), so that means Peter is energized again and raring to show off for his Lady Love. Scott has Emma for support and he sees the problems to solve ahead of them all, for Scott, fun puzzles to solve. (Now how do we figure out how to bring back Bobby's Japanese girlfriend?) Scott has the whole of mutantkind behind him in all of its crazy iterations/power configurations/sizes and shapes...all just waiting for direction. And in the middle of it all on the inside we have our arch enemy/friend Magneto...ahhh fun times ahead.

Whilce Portacio's "UNCANNY" New Assignment

2010-04-05T10:25:00.000-07:00

By DAVE RICHARDS, CBR staff writer

Longtime fans of Marvel Comics' "Uncanny X-Men" fondly remember the early '90s. Back then, the book starred the X-Men's "Gold Team": Archangel, Colossus, Iceman, Jean Grey, Storm, and Professor X. Their adventures were chronicled by writers John Byrne and Scott Lobdell and featured the dynamic penciling of acclaimed artist Whilce Portacio. Eventually, the Gold Team's ranks would grow by one when they encountered the time traveling mutant known as Bishop, a character designed by Portacio.

In 1992, Portacio left Marvel to help co-found Image Comics, where he would create the series "Wetworks." In 1996, he returned to Marvel for a run on "Iron Man" during the "Heroes Reborn" era of the title, and in 2000 he drew a run on "X-Force." Just this year, Portacio returned once again to the House of Ideas with a new art style designed to please his old fans and win him some new ones. Readers have been treated to hints of that style in February's "Hulk" #18 and "Uncanny X-Men" #522, which is in stores now and features the return of Kitty Pryde. In July, they'll get to see what Portacio can do with a longer story as he returns to the X-Universe first with penciling duties on the "Uncanny X-Men: The Heroic Age" one-shot before stepping onto "Uncanny" to pencil an entire arc from #526 to 529. CBR News spoke with the artist about his return to the book that helped launch his career and what people can expect from this run.

CBR News: So, after 16 years, how does it feel to be coming back to do not just an issue, but a story arc of "Uncanny X-Men?"

Whilce Portacio: It feels great - the best thing is, the team I know is still relatively intact. Every decision I have ever made about working on an X-book was predicated on working with the characters I grew up with, the original X-Men. In this case Scott, Warren, Bobby and Hank. And what an issue to start this new chapter of my relationship with the X-Men - the return of Kitty Pride to the team. Now, I have never really dealt with her, but I have an affinity to Peter, and bringing Kitty back allows for a more developed approach to Peter in future stories. So, in a true sense, even though there is a new status quo, not only for the X-Men, but for all mutants, coming back with this issue and this coming arc is very much like coming home for me.

As you mentioned, the X-Men cast still contains plenty of old favorites from when you were drawing the book, but it's also grown quite a bit in recent years. As an artist, which of the newer characters do you find most interesting?

To tell you the truth, I can't wait to get to know them all. After all these years in the industry, it is less and less about finding a character that I can easily think about what I might like to do with visually and it's more and more getting to know the character first, and then figuring out what to do with them visually that goes hand in hand with their exact character; finding a look and feel that fits the actual make up of the character itself. So it'll be a fun time getting to know as many of the "new" characters as they'll let me.

On another note, most of my time with the team in the past has been with Warren when he was Archangel, so it'll be interesting to feel my way with dealing with him as the original Angel.

The character that's changed and grown the most since your time on the X-Books is probably Cyclops. Which of his qualities do you want to capture and emphasize in your art?

To me, the line that has always stuck in my mind to describe Scott was what Hank called him in an old Neal Adams issue of "Uncanny" - "our dauntless leader." Scott has all the qualities, physical and mental (in terms of strategy) to be a leader, but, he just never actually wanted to be a leader. I always saw him as a guy who loved to figure out strategy and figure out how to deal with any situation because it was a puzzle to solve. He loved solving the puzzle; he just balked when he realized that that means you have to "boss" people around. I really think he sees giving command decisions as bossing people around and is uneasy about, in his mind, pushing people around, regardless of whether those people are counting on him to have the correct solution or not. Which is why, as much as I am personally attached to Jean Grey, he is an interesting match with Emma Frost.

She is a strong personality that you can argue doesn't always makes the correct decisions all the time, but she is always sure of herself, right or wrong. Whereas Scott always doubts himself. Which I think is a great characteristic in a leader - flexibility, not to be locked into only one way. That is the path to being predictable and therefore to your future downfall. I wonder if Scott can learn from Emma how to make decisions. How to make a decision, and then if it is wrong, adjust. Don't worry if it is wrong, just go with it...

In terms of art, with Scott's new sense of command, I want to draw him more iconic. Maybe posing a little too much. Trying out the concept of the bold, confident leader... In Uncanny X-Men #522 you employed a style that seemed to incorporate your signature elements of very detailed action, but it was also incredibly expressive. Can readers expect a similar style from you for your story arc that begins in July, or does the story call for a different approach?

As you can see with also the "Hulk" issue, I am, and have been recently in this frame of mind of hitting mood moments. I am still wrapped up in the whole epic visualness of superhero action, but you are right that I am more and more into smaller moments, which you can argue are really the big moments, especially being that these are superheroes, so epic action is a natural part of their lives. I have always loved writers that can write a good conversation. I actually enjoy reading natural conversations out loud, enacting them as I read. If I can read a written conversation and sense the emotions and motivations as I read it the first time through, then that to me is a conversation that is natural and can really happen. Those, I love The story in the coming arc, as it is unfolding for me, is grand and epic, and promises to take Scott and the team and the whole related mutant family to the "big" that I have always been drawn to artistically, yet still give me moments to flex my more subtle skills.

Speaking of your coming story, since it begins after "Second Coming" wraps, I imagine you can't reveal too many plot details, but can you tell us what type of story this is? Is it an action packed tale or a more mysterious one? Does it involve Earth based elements, or does it pick up on the story that you and Matt Fraction told in #522, revealing more of what happened to Kitty Pryde while she was in space?

I've only seen the front end of this story so far, and that lead up promises a strong Scott and therefore a proactive team and story. I remember reading the first script the first time through and putting down the plot as though I had just read a great sci-fi novel. To me, that is a promise of big things to solve and overcome, with a heavy sense of emotional consequences in tow, which I think has always been a hallmark of a good "Uncanny" book. That emotional sense that it means something to these characters the situations they have to survive through.

I love drawing epic and fantastic situations, and also now more emotional scenes, Matt has a great grasp of both these worlds. I am constantly amazed with how he can handle so many characters with each of his plots. I myself would waste so much time just trying to figure out which character of this current cast of thousands would be just right for any particular scene. Also, you can sense in his plots that he actually visually "sees" his words, so to speak. That, I think, is the best skill set a writer can achieve; the ability to "see" how much "space" his words need to breathe in the visual world. I never feel constricted for space to properly "show" his words visually.

How many parts is your story arc on "Uncanny?, and when your story is finished, will you become part of the regular rotating art team on the book?

I think we'll need more time to figure this one out. For the time being, I am handling it as if this is the only thing in front of me - in other words, I'm gonna thoroughly enjoy what time I have with these characters I have been so artistically involved with for so long.

I can't think of a better art team than Edgar Tadeo on inks and Justin Ponsor on colors to carry me through this new adventure with Matt Fraction on the "Uncanny" team I love so much. Thanks to Axel Alonso and Nick Lowe for making it happen.

Thanks iFanboy!!!

2010-03-25T08:49:00.000-07:00

iFanboy
Uncanny X-Men #522
WRITER: Matt Fraction
PENCILS: Whilce Portacio & Phil Jimenez
INKS: Ed Tadeo & Andy Lanning
COLORED BY: Justin Ponsor & Soto
LETTERED BY: Joe Caramagna
COVER BY: Terry Dodson

Publisher: MARVEL COMICS

Oh come on, like you're surprised?

The return of Kitty Pryde is something that could have gone in any number of directions and I'll be honest, ever since they announced it was happening, I was worried about how it would play out. You see, if I'm honest with you (and I try to be, always), the fate of Kitty and the ending of Astonishing X-Men never really sat well with me. I loved Whedon's run, and understood from a story standpoint after getting Kitty and Colossus together, they had to be ripped apart. But something about Kitty being trapped in space in that damn space bullet just hurt. I hated the fact that she's been gone from the pages of the X-Men, but I also knew that bringing here back meant revisiting the space bullet, and that meant being reminded of that ending...a vicious cycle that, again to be honest, I've been trying to avoid.

I have to hand it to Marvel and to Matt Fraction. In this day and age of advanced solicitations and spoilers, I do commend them for being open and honest about this and just coming out and saying "KITTY IS COMING BACK." The day and age of the surprise cliffhanger at the end of a comic book is long gone, especially when it comes to the death or return of a character. As far as the idea of bringing her back at all, it's comics. I knew from the moment I finished reading Astonishing X-Men that someone would bring her back eventually. So knowing that she was returning and that it was Fraction doing it, it became less about the fact that she was returning and more about how and what the ramifications would be.

Given the situation of the X-Men currently, I don't think that Matt Fraction could have written a better "Kitty Returns" story than the one was published here. I have to give him some more credit with the dead simple concept that Magneto is able to use his powers to pull the metal bullet back towards Earth. It's a concept that's devilishly simple and one that even with Magneto's return to the fold, I didn't think of, which is why I don't write comics. I find it interesting that it's so simple that it only took one issue to lead up to this. One day Magneto just went to the top of a mountain and started concentrating and made it happen. It's so simple, it's elegant.

The elegance of the simplicity of the story allowed Fraction to write a story that is just about as pitch perfect when it comes to X-Men as it gets. This issue had so much emotional resonance that I found myself reading the issue slower than I normally read a comic. Taking in every page and every panel and then slowly turning the page, my stomach in knots as I watch the events unfold.

Having Whilce Portacio on pencils for the issues was another sentimental hit, at least for me. You see, my first exposure to Portacio was in the pages of X-Factor, and then eventually Uncanny X-Men, before he left for Image Comics. Seeing Portacio draw these characters that nearly 20 years ago I fell in love with was breath-taking to me. Now this is a reaction I can't imagine anyone else in the world to have besides me. It's a very personal connection that I happen to have with a group of characters and a group of artists (Romita Jr., Silvestri, Jim Lee and Portacio) that define those characters in my mind. So to have such a emotional story with one of those artists was almost more than I could stand.

I can't speak for other X-Men fans, but for me, it's hard to put into words how important Kitty Pryde is. She is the heart of the X-Men. She's the girl that I related to as I read of her introduction to the team and as she grew up through the years. I fell in love with her, I felt brokenhearted when she did, I cheered for her as she fought alongside her teammates. Basically Kitty Pryde represented what we, as kids at least, thought we could be if we were in the X-Men, all the while doing it in a way that was impossible not to fall in love with her.

In the pages of Uncanny X-Men #522, we're able to feel that connection that Kitty Pryde has with her other teammates. There's one specific panel featuring Cyclops, Wolverine, Colossus and the other X-Men as they watch Magento bring Ktity back down to earth and I swear, I could feel the tension as they watched. And then to see Colossus run to his love and then to see how Fraction was going to make this return interesting was just gut-wrenching. FInishing the issue up with a series of silent panels showing the aftermath of the issues events, followed by snapshots of the X-Men living their lives was just a fantastic ending. If this were a TV show, I could hear the music as we see these scenes transpire, ending with Cyclops embracing Emma as the sun rises over San Francisco and the X-Men's Utopia. Classy.

I was worried about the return of Kitty Pryde but Matt Fraction and Whilce Portacio delivered without a doubt one of the best issues of Uncanny X-Men I've read in a long while. Throw in an excellent back up story by Fraction with art by Phil Jimenez and Andy Lanning, and this issue was $3.99 well spent. This issue marks the first step towards the next chapter of the X-Men, and who knows if it will live up to the expectations that 20 years of X-Men comics have built up inside of all of us; probably not (as sometimes I think we're self destined to never have the kind of X-Men comics that we want, but that's another story completely). But for right now, Kitty is back, and while of course there are complexities and problems, she's back and for a brief moment, all is right in the world.

Ron Richards
No, I don't read Scalped
ron@ifanboy.com

Watch and support Pinoy film producer

2010-03-23T11:19:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=TW&v=EbDGLmudVM0
An independent Filipino movie produced in Asia by a friend of mine, Gus Adapon(whose family owns the very cool Balete House in Quezon City, Philippines, where I started the school with Leinil Yu, Gerry Alanguilan, and Gilbert Monsanto and shared good times with some ghosts).
This is his entry to Taipeh Film Festival. Sorry no translation yet. Pinoy actors Bayani Agbayani and Epy Quizon fit this movie to a T. Epy is Dolphy's real heir to his throne. - Whilce

DENVER COMIC CON

2010-03-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

This is going to be fun because Whilce has never been to Denver. So he's looking forward to this trip. Snow or no snow, it surely will be an awesome travel to this event. APRIL 16-18, Marriot & Hilton Denver Tech, Denver, CO.
WHILCE PORTACIO: Image Comics co-founder and X-Men Artist is Coming to ComicFest 2010!

ComicFest Guest List is Growing to Galactic Proportions!
Special Guests:
Artist Whilce Portacio (Image co-founder, X-Men, Image United, Superman/Batman.)
Artist/Writer Dan Brereton (Nocturnals, Punisher, Thor: God-Size, Secret Invasion Aftermath)
Writer Matt Sturges (Jack of Fables, House of Mystery, Shadowpact)
Artist Amy Reeder Hadley (Madame Xanadu, Fool’s Gold)
Artist Fiona Staples (North 40, Done to Death, Secret History of the Authority, Astonishing Tales.)
Artist Tim Lane (Happy Hour in America, Abandoned Cars, Hotwire anthology)

http://starland.com

EMERALD CON - Seattle WA

2010-03-11T14:06:00.000-08:00

...Fortress shirt design ...Watch out for Fortress book !!!

See you all people in Seattle, WA, Saturday and Sunday (March 13 and 14). Lots of things to do, comicbooks to collect when Emerald City Comicon begins at 9:45 am March 13, Washington State Convention Center.
Whilce will be at the Artist Alley Saturday and Sunday. Look for him at B-16. Whilce and fellow Image guy Jim Valentino will be neighbors. Check him out also at the Hero Initiative (booth 907)between 1 - 2:30 p.m. to help raise funds for fellow comicbook artist in need.
On Sunday, don't forget to drop by Top Cow (booth 303) between 12:30 - 2 p.m.. He will be signing Darkness books. Check out Top Cow's Darkness # 83 exclusive for Emerald Con.
See you all guys!!! http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/

CHARITY AUCTION IN MANILA

2010-02-18T11:29:00.001-08:00

Don't forget to attend the Renaissance Charity Auction in Manila this Sunday, Feb. 21. Mark your calendar!!!
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/2421

MARCH EVENTS

2010-02-17T09:09:00.000-08:00

Busy busy March ..... But is loving it. Despite the lack of sleep, more coffee to keep awake, more pages in front. Things are going GREAATTT!!!

MARCH 10
Prelude To Deadpool Corps #2 (of 5)
Written by VICTOR GISCHLER
Penciled by WHILCE PORTACIO
Cover by DAVE JOHNSON
Witness the birth of the most important super hero team ever in a universe-spanning event that will rock the month of March! Wade Wilson has been tapped to save the Universe, and to do that he's going to need help. Enter: The sexy-but-insecure Lady Deadpool! The devious-but-lovable Headpool (a.k.a. the Zombie Deadpool Head)! The bratty-but-brilliant Kidpool! And the irascible mutt known as Dogpool! Individually, they're, well, kind of messed up, but together, they're the unstoppable force know as DPC.

MARCH 13-14
8th EMERALD CITY COMICON
Washinton State Convention Center, Seattle WA

Don't forget to pick up your Monsters & Dames 2010 Charity Art Book!!!
http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/

MARCH 17

UNCANNY X-MEN #522
Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils by WHILCE PORTACIO
Cover by TERRY DODSON
Variant Cover by TBA
She’s been gone for a long time, but she’s coming back. This isn’t a hoax. This isn’t a joke. CLASSIFIED is back in this over-sized special issue of UNCANNY X-MEN.

Watch out for SPAWN 197, DARKNESS, and more .... .... ....

ONE DAY COMIC EXPO IN LONG BEACH

2010-02-07T22:41:00.000-08:00

Three weeks or so ago, Long Beach, Ca was badly hit by the storm. Two days ago, there was flooding again after a heavy rain. Hopefully two weeks from now, there will be some nice sunshine for comic book lovers as LBCC holds it One Day Comic Expo, Feb. 20 from 10 am to 7 pm at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Lots of cool goods, superb line up of artists and anything comic books await you in this event. So come and join us before the Big Event in October!

Coming March 17 !!!

2010-01-22T21:27:00.000-08:00

Fraction Brings Back the Pryde of the X-Men
by Dave Richards, Staff Writer
Posted Jan. 15, 2010/ CBR

It's the Return of Kitty Pryde in "Uncanny" #522.Since her first appearance in Marvel Comics' "Uncanny X-Men," #129 Kitty Pryde has operated under a variety of different heroic monikers, such as Sprite, Ariel and Shadowcat. Throughout the years, the young mutant's costumes and code names may have changed, but the qualities that made her a hero, like her kindness and her courage, never did. One of Kitty's most heroic moments came at the end of writer Joss Whedon and artist John Cassaday's acclaimed run on "Astonishing X-Men," when she used her mutant phasing power to save the Earth from a giant bullet that an alien despot had fired at it.

This act of heroism separated Kitty from her teammates, and for some time now, she's been trapped inside the gigantic bullet as it continued its journey through space. This March, after spending several years in her interplanetary prison,Kitty comes home in "Uncanny X-Men" #522. CBR News spoke with writer Matt Fraction about the return of the fan-favorite character.

Kitty's exile into space occurred in 2008's "Giant Size Astonishing X-Men" #1, but plans for her return were in the works even before that issue hit stores. "It's been at least two years, maybe even longer. I want to say it was my first X-Summit, where I brought up the idea," Fraction told CBR News. "I knew very early on that Magneto was coming back and would become part of the dynamic of the X-Men. I knew what he was up to and what his personality would be. I also knew how that would complicate and and challenge personal relationships and, ultimately, he would have to demonstrably make good.

"The X-Men may not have reacted by thinking, 'He's here. Let's punch him!' But they still don't trust him. So I wanted to build that [trust] by having him give a gift to the X-Men, who are now his people, in the form of Kitty. It felt very right in this weird, full-circle way," Fraction continued. "It brought all these people back and made sense; especially with the way things are with the current 'Nation X' storyline and the emotional and character arcs we've been telling for the past eight months."

Before Fraction implemented his plan to bring Kitty back to the X-Men, he sought out feedback from a fellow creator. "I called Joss Whedon and ran it by him. I enjoyed and respected the job he and John did on 'Astonishing X-Men,' so his approval meant a lot to me. I felt like I was asking if it was okay if I dated his daughter," Fraction joked. "I wanted to make sure that the guy who wrote Kitty's exit approved, and when he said he liked what we wanted to do, it fired me up to do this crazy story."

Kitty's return comes at what seems like a busy time for the X-Men. "Uncanny" #522 is the final installment of the current "Nation X" arc, a story which has found the X-Men dealing with Magneto joining their ranks, the threat of a mysterious new set of enemies and the infrastructure problems stemming from the move to their new island home of Utopia. "Issues #520-521 are kind of the wrap up to 'Nation X,' and #522 serves almost as an epilogue or a coda. Everything but the X-Men and Magneto story is resolved by #522," Fraction explained. "In issues #520-521, the other storylines terminate and everything focuses down to just Magneto and Magneto's return. Magneto problematizes the question of what exactly Utopia is. As 'Nation X' progresses, Magneto will realize that it's going to require deeds, not words, from him. So he decides to present a gift to the X-Men."

Kitty Pryde's return isn't just a present for the X-Men - Fraction is excited about the character's return as well. Fraction says that he finds the character very compelling for several different reasons. "I don't want to say too much and tip my hand, but she's the one who started off as a kid. For so many of us who read the X-Men chronologically, Kitty was the one who was our age. She was a sidekick-type character at first, but she was also an advocate for us. And, since Kitty, there have been a number of characters for younger readers to identify with, like Jubilee, Armor and Pixie," Fraction said. "Plus, Kitty was a voice of sanity and sweetness. She was incorruptibly good."

Earlier this week, Marvel released this trailer promoting Kitty's returnThe story of Kitty's return will be fully told in "Uncanny X-Men" #522, but the issue also seeds future plot lines in which the character will figure prominently. "The issue has a cliffhanger for the ages, as we go rocketing into the events of 'Second Coming' [A crossover event between all the X-Titles which kicks off in March and completes the "Messiah" trilogy of X-crossover stories.]," Fraction remarked. "So we wrap a chapter and get a glimpse of a new one before heading into 'Second Coming.'"

Kitty doesn't play a huge role in "Second Coming," but Fraction isn't bringing the character back only to let her recede into the background. "'Second Coming' is really the story of Cable and Hope, but Kitty will be very important after," Fraction stated. "Kitty being back is a big part of our next year. With where we are in 'Second Coming' and then coming out of it, Kitty's return couldn't come at a better time for all involved. So she's coming back right as there's a giant Kitty-shaped hole in the X-Men."

Two artists are helping Fraction bring to life "Uncanny X-Men" #522, and the writer has been very pleased by the work done by both of them. "It's an extra sized issue. Whilce Portacio is doing the main story. An X-Men legend is coming back to tell the story of an X-Men legend coming back," Fraction said. "We also got the opportunity to do an eight page bonus story with Phil Jimenez. This was a very special issue that was really important to me and I'm very proud of the way it turned out."

Kitty Pryde's return comes at a pivotal point for both the X-Men and the larger Marvel Universe. After she and her teammates face the challenges of "Second Coming," they'll find themselves standing alongside the Marvel U's other champions in a new "Heroic Age."

"The coming 'Heroic Age' is fun because it gives us some possibilities that we've not really had in a long time. Issue #526 is our first issue set during the 'Heroic Age,' and we have a couple of guest stars," Fraction said. "The issue is about two characters who have recently had a momentous scene together, and we follow each of them dealing with the ramifications of 'Second Coming' and other stories like 'Siege.' They both encounter characters in their respective halves of the book, and that helps to queue us up with where we're going. So it's fun. I wrote #526 over the holidays and thought it was a blast because you get to see some characters you don't normally see get together. So, in a way it feels like the X-Men have been invited to a much bigger party."

Sketching ....

2010-01-19T20:42:00.000-08:00

Lots of sketching brings you to your goal .....

NEW PLANS FOR 2010:

2010-01-12T18:32:00.000-08:00

Watch out for it!

2010-01-01T22:56:00.001-08:00

Happy 2010 everyone! More comicbook stuff for our New Year!

2009-12-25T04:27:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

HULK # 18 NOW ON SALE

2009-12-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

Whilce Portacio Returns To Marvel To Begin The Fall Of The Hulks
Get your first look at While Portacio's mind-blowing art from HULK #18

Posted: 2009-11-17/ Marvel.com

Whilce Portacio Returns To Marvel As "Fall of The Hulks", the most important event in Hulk history, descends on the Marvel Universe, the man named Samson is either our last hope...or our greatest threat! In HULK #18, a can't-miss prologue to "Fall of The Hulks", from superstar, Eisner Award-winning scribe Jeph Loeb, artistic legend While Portacio, inker Danny Miki and colorist Dean White, the truth behind Samson is revealed! Whose side is he really on? What's his connection to the coming Gamma-charged change in the Marvel Universe? And how does it set the stage for a shocking murder in FALL OF THE HULKS GAMMA? Find out in HULK #18!

Jeph Loeb's interview at CBR:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24080

Artist for a Cause

2009-12-15T10:04:00.000-08:00

Filipino comic book artists unite for heroic cause


Enlarge	By (Clockwise from top left) Baldisimo, Medina, Yu, Tan/Portacio, Suayan, Ibarra, Padilla, and David (center)

Professional artists from the Philippines present art that will help those within their creative community whose lives and homes have been devastated by recent floods.

By John Geddes, USA TODAY

Comic book artist Whilce Portacio is a man on a mission. Actually, he's a man on several missions.

As one of the co-founders of Image Comics and a participating creator in the Image United comic-book series, Portacio has a schedule filled with daily artistic duties and deadlines. He is one of the most well-known and sought-after artists in the comics industry today. He's successful, has a wonderful family, and loves the work that he does. Portacio, however, is compelled these days by a higher calling.

Whilce Portacio was born and currently resides in the Philippines. He is immensely proud of his Filipino heritage and is delighted to talk in lengthy detail about the country, its history, and — most importantly to him — its people; specifically, its artistic community. Within this community, Portacio has, at various stages of his career, been a student, teacher, mentor, pioneer, and now, benefactor.

Portacio has two parallel missions: one, to establish the first professional network of Filipino artists and two, to activate this network for charitable causes. The network's main goal is to unite Filipino artists in order to gain recognition within the creative industries while, at the same time, creating career paths for future generations of art professionals.

In order to advance careers, Portacio insists, roots have to be planted and a legacy of respect has to be established. That respect begins with taking care of influential yet under-recognized Filipino artists of the past. Many of these artists were at the top of their fields in the '60s, '70s and '80s but are now living without insurance, sick, poverty-stricken, and in homes that were ravaged by floods in 2008 and 2009.

"This whole thing started from a charity effort that (Image co-founder) Marc Silvestri and I were involved in for an event called KomiKon back in October," Portacio explains. "Marc and I did a jam (collaborative drawing) for a charity auction. The money that was raised went directly to flood relief in the Philippines."

The event had a profound impact on the artist. "It got the gears clicking in my mind and I thought to myself, why can't we get all the veteran and current Filipino artists together to do things like this on a regular basis?"

Portacio is spearheading the development of this network. He sees it as a necessity if the Philippines ever wants to put itself on the map as being the significant hotbed for artistic talent that it is. "There are professional Filipino artists working in almost every creative industry, from movies to gaming to comics to graphic design. And I'm not just talking at the hands-on production level but really high up in major studios and corporations."

All too often, he contends, once many of these talented individuals find success, they don't feel a need to provide support for younger artists back in the Philippines who might want to follow in their footsteps.

"Nearly every time a Filipino artist makes it at the professional level, he or she feels like they've just re-created the wheel. We're an isolated country; one that's been conquered many times by empires and nations throughout history. I don't want to call it a defeatist attitude, but for whatever reason, there's a tendency in our professional psyche that says you have to leave the Philippines if you want to be successful on the world stage. That produces a brain-drain, so to speak, and leads to talented Filipino artists leaving without establishing a legacy of success for future artists to look up to. I want to change that cycle; change that perception."

Portacio believes it's high time that the creative core of the Philippines came together to provide inspiration to future artists while showing respect and care to past generations. The network, he believes, will help on both of these fronts.

"These older artists are too often forgotten. After reaching the pinnacle of their careers, being as popular as rock stars, they fall from the spotlight. Their talents aren't demanded any longer. That's not to say their work has diminished at all, it's just that times and styles change. These great artists fade into obscurity."

The charity portion of the network will help these artists live more comfortable lives.

"We're working on an event right now called Renaissance. It's a charity auction that's going to be held on Jan. 9 that will provide money to some of these artists who have fallen on tough times. I got the top Filipino artists together to create pieces for this auction. Their mission was to create a Filipino superhero. I told them, 'You're world-class artists, make a character that kids in the Philippines can look up to, can be inspired by.' I want these kids to see artists creating heroes that look like them and that live and interact in local places that they recognize. It's a key part of establishing that sense of history, pride and legacy. If we can do that while providing support for artists in need, then we're accomplishing two worthy goals at the same time."

Portacio would ultimately like to use the network to set up an artistic academy where the older and contemporary artists can teach rising generations.

"The charity work is a helping hand, it's a short-term fix. I like to look at the long-term, though. I want to give these older artists who have all of this skill and knowledge an opportunity to pass on what they know to the kids. I want the modern-day guys to come back and show kids how to make it in today's creative industries. As teachers, they can provide direction. As mentors, they can provide inspiration."

There's a message that Portacio hopes this professional artists' network will provide to future Filipino artists. "These artists don't have to move away to make it big. The proven talent of today and tomorrow exists here in the Philippines."

If the network is successful, Whilce Portacio will surely be seen by artists in the Philippines as the comic-book creator who became a real-life superhero.

IMAGE UNITED GOLD!

2009-12-09T13:22:00.001-08:00

Image United # 1 Collectors' Edition in Gold Foil Embossed Logo. Cool - 24 k gold : )

WHILCE AT GOLDEN APPLE-CBR Holiday Con

2009-12-09T09:25:00.000-08:00

Please join the Golden Apple-CBR Holiday Promotion this Saturday, Dec. 12, from 11 am to 5 p.m. Golden Apple is also celebrating their 30th anniversary.
Whilce will be joining other artists from Top Cow, Boom!, Aspen, Radical, and Archaia in their holiday promotion mini con at the parking lot adjacent to the Golden Apple shop (7018 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles Ca. 90038. Call # 323-658 6047 for details). Whilce will join the Hero Initiative booth for signing.
So please stop by Golden Apple and join the fun!

HERO INITIATIVE AUCTION

2009-12-03T15:42:00.001-08:00

Please help the Hero Initiative raise funds to help our co-workers in the industry by bidding on this item and all other upcoming items by Hero. Check this out:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=290376838438&Category=972&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!!!

2009-11-26T02:55:00.000-08:00

Whilce's interview with USA Today

2009-11-26T02:43:00.001-08:00

Please check out Whilce Portacio's interview with USA Today's John Geddes. http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/default.htm.

HULK # 18

2009-11-13T11:04:00.000-08:00

Whilce Portacio's interview with the CBR on Hulk # 18 coming December 16.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=23703
Thanks to Dave Richards for this interview.

Fortress in Newsarama

2009-11-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

Updates on Fortress and the Image United. Please read here:
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/091111-image-united-whilce-portacio.html.
Thanks to Vaneta Rogers for this interview.

SPAWN-BATMAN FOR SALE

2009-11-02T12:28:00.001-08:00

Now selling this awesome piece of Batman-Spawn team up. It measures in full bleed 11 x 17 bristol comic board. Penciled and inked by Whilce. This piece will be used for the new 2010 sketchbook. THIS WILL BE SHIPPED FREE in the US. I will ship for $ 30.00 outside of the US. Check item on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/XMen-Whilce-Portacio-11-x-17-Spawn-Batman-original-art_W0QQitemZ120489968067QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0dc301c3

Email Jo for questions and whatever queries you have - portacio@ca.rr.com

SUPERMAN/BATMAN on EBAY

2009-10-31T10:27:00.000-07:00

Check out for this item on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Whilce-Portacio-11x17-Superman-Batman-original-art-XMEN_W0QQitemZ120486275802QQcategoryZ972QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp2773.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D12%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63

Thank you Baltimore Con!!!

2009-10-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

Everybody had a nice time. Most of these artists have concluded their convention with the Baltimore show for the 2009 to prepare for some holidays and next year's cons. Everyone's yet to get a Halloween costume because they seemed not to notice that it's the end of October this week : D So the Baltimore show and the Diamond summit, all in the same week were both good events that ended their travelling for the year. Until next year folks!
By the way, just another day for the ebay auction of Whilce and Marc Silvestri. Please reach out for those in need at this time because they really need your help. Thanks as always. This item will be shipped by Whilce himself to the winner. Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280411045326&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

BALTIMORE CON

2009-10-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

I will try to accommodate a little more commission during the con, but if I fail to do so. I will be bringing some original art pages, sketchbooks, posters and some prints. Please drop by to check it out, or even just say hi. Don't forget to get a copy of your Image United preview and Spawn 195 - and bring it for signing. See you all this weekend!

IMAGE COMICS RETURNS TO BALTIMORE COMIC CON WITH THEIR MOST MASSIVE LINEUP YET!

2009-10-08T11:56:00.000-07:00

Image Comics makes it way back to Baltimore with its largest lineup of creators ever!
This upcoming weekend the world's greatest creator-owned and operated publisher, Image Comics, makes a big return to the Baltimore Comic Con including their biggest guest list yet and a very special IMAGE UNITED preview book variant available only at the show! "It's good to be back in Baltimore," Image Comics Chief Operating Officer and IMAGE UNITED writer Robert Kirkman said. "It's one of the biggest conventions out there with a sole focus on comic books. Everybody here at Image Comics is proud to partner up with Baltimore for our biggest convention presence outside of San Diego Comic Con."
Kirkman will take part in two panels at the show including The Image Comics Show on Saturday at 1 PM in the Avengers Mansion room. He will be joined by LIBERTY MEADOWS & 50-GIRLS-50's Frank Cho, GOD COMPLEX & MICE TEMPLAR's Michael Avon Oeming, ELEPHANTMEN's Richard Starkings, UNDERGROUND's Jeff Parker and COWBOY NINJA VIKING's AJ Lieberman. In addition to everyone giving the first look at upcoming comics, Cho will be announcing the finalists to his 50-GIRLS-50 Talent Search.
Sunday brings a very special look at IMAGE UNITED at 1 PM in the Avengers Mansion room with the crossover artists' Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, Jim Valentino and writer Robert Kirkman. The panel will make the final exclusive look at the series before its release this November! Both days will feature a IMAGE UNITED signing events from 3-4 PM at the Image Comics booth with will all creators in attendance signing copies of the Baltimore Comic-Con's IMAGE UNITED PREVIEW variant edition, available at Baltimore Comic-Con's Exclusives booth, #1201.
In addition, the Baltimore Image Island will feature a massive guest list including Mike and Laura Allred (MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS), Ryan Bodeheim (RED MASS FOR MARS), Frank Cho (LIBERTY MEADOWS, 50-GIRLS-50), Jay Faerber (DYNAMO 5), Bryan J.L. Glass (THE MICE TEMPLAR), Greg Horn (THE ART GREG HORN), Ryan Ottley (INVINCIBLE), Cory Walker (INVINCIBLE), Jason Howard (THE ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Luna Brothers (THE SWORD), Richard Starkings (ELEPHANTMEN), Tom Scioli (GØDLAND), Ben McCool (CHOKER) and the teams behind the POPGUN anthology and Shadowline.
Image Comics can be found at booth #1501 during The Baltimore Comic Con, Saturday, October 10th and Sunday, October 11th, at the Baltimore Convention Center.

EXTEND SOME HELP!!!

2009-10-06T11:16:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!
I'm sure that by now you've heard what happened to the Philippines, particularly in Manila with the recent typhoon. So some Filipino comicbook artists are trying to work out an auction to help especially our fellow comic book artists. Gerry Alanguilan of Komikero.com will help facilitate this auction. Please kindly check out this link to extend some help. Thank you very much for all the help you can extend to us.
http://cgi.ebay.com/WILL-EISNER-Tribute-Illustration-by-Gerry-Alanguilan_W0QQitemZ280404075433QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item414962a3a9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/CONAN-Original-Art-by-Ernie-Chan_W0QQitemZ280404437094QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4149682866

LONG BEACH COMIC CON

2009-09-29T11:30:00.000-07:00

Hi again everyone! Whilce will be attending the 1st Annual Long Beach Comic Con this coming Friday to Sunday (Oct. 2-4, 2009) at the Long Beach Convention Center. Please visit us at Table 10 (Artist Alley Area). He will also join the Hero booth on Saturday (4:30 pm.) Please support the Hero Initiative. And on Sunday, join Whilce with moderator Buddy Scalera on a panel.
ROOM A: 3:00-3:45 p.m.
Comic Art Techniques with Whilce Portacio
Learn amazingly creative character design techniques from Spawn artist and Wetworks creator Whilce Portacio. Hands on demos to help you improve as a creator.
I will try to accept a few commission. But original sketches on sketchbook I am selling will be open, please see me at the con for details. Hope to see you all this weekend. Have a safe trip to Long Beach!

TULSA COMIC CON - SEPT 19-20

2009-08-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Whilce will be attending the Tulsa Comic & Anime Expo this coming Sept. 19 and 20, Saturday and Sunday, at the Tulsa Convention Center, Tulsa, OK. For all inquiries on commission, kindly email me at portacio@ca.rr.com. I might be able to take a few commission during the con so please email before the con dates. Also I will be bringing some original art and sketchbooks to sell.

Kindly check out Spawn's latest issue. too. and grab a copy of Darkness # 79 (by Phil Hester and Jorge Lucas). Whilce did a variant cover for this Top Cow issue.

The Image United team during the San Diego Comic Con 2009 - Jim Valentino, Erik Larsen, Whilce Portacio, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, Robert Kirkman and Rob Liefeld.

COMMISSION

2009-07-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!
I will be accepting a few convention commission for Whilce for the SD con. My priority list will be when you reserve sked thru email (portacio@ca.rr.com). You can check on the site for sample commission and price ranges from $ 200 up to what you have in your imaginative minds and on 11 x 14 or 11 x 17. Pick up days Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So let me know.
By the way, here's the latest interview for the Image guys at the New York Times. Thanks to Joe and George. You may want to check it out: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/arts/design/19close.html.
See you next week everyone!

IMAGE UNITED PREVIEW AT SAN DIEGO CON 09

2009-07-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

Twenty days or so to go and it's San Diego Con. We hope to see you all guys both at the artist alley and at the Image booth (#2729). Image will have a preview of the six Image topguns' book together - the Image United (with Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, Whilce Portacio and Jim Valentino).

TMP/Spawn booth will also set up at Image. "Spawn: Endgame 193" is now out, please grab your copy.

I will be selling 2009 Whilce Portacio sketchbook, posters and "Spawn" original pages - so hope to see you all at the con. Hot, hot, hot - summer is here and so is the SD con!

Meanwhile, let me share with you Whilce's recent trip to San Francisco when he attended the Super-Con in San Jose, Ca. May 16 and 17. Some side trips here and there for a little break. By the way, Whilce's Filipino-inspired shirts were courtesy of his brother, Chris, and his shirt business called AKO Apparel. Chris Portacio has been in the shirt business for a while now so he made this for his "Kuya" (older bro) : ). Link: http://www.akoapparel.bigcartel.com/

Whilce guested at a local Filipino show here in Redwood City, Ca. ABS-CBN International's "Adobo Nation" (aired over TFC channel). With him were hosts Karmina Constantino and JC Gonzales.

ABS-CBN International associate producer Bernadette Desuasido

Whilce, a big Star Wars fan, visited ILM (Industrial Light & Magic) in Presidio, Ca. Yes, George Lucas was there but he missed him by two seconds in the elevator. Tom Hodges, also from the comicbook industry, bumped into George two times. Lucky you!

Thanks to John Giang who took Whilce to this tour.

At the Super Con. With long-time friend Dino Ignacio and his wife. Whilce visited Electronic Arts (EA) afterwards where Dino works.

with good pal inker Joe Rubinstein....

Yes, Whilce drew Wolverine in his laptop. Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD9vJciVnZU&feature=related

Joined the legends Alex Niño, Ernie Chan, Pablo Marcos in an after con dinner at the Barrio Fiesta.

Sketches....sketching at the con ....

Whilce and kids visited Pixar courtesy of good friend Burton Siu (below) with Mr. Incredible : )

Who doesn't love Sulley ?!# ......

SUPER CON IN SAN JOSE, MAY 16-17

2009-05-05T15:55:00.000-07:00

SPAWN 191 now available - (R) French adaptation of Spawn

Superman/Batman # 57 and # 58

Just 12 more days for Super Con in San Jose, Ca (May 16-17). Whilce is finishing up an inking piece for Steven Morger's Super-Con auction - so please watch out for it and support the auction. I believe we will be at the artist alley.

Quick promo here - Spawn: Endgame # 191 is now out in the market. Please get a copy and bring it with you to the con. Whilce will be signing Saturday and Sunday. Also Superman/Batman # 58 is also out. Grab yours now.

By the way, I'd like to thank Thierry Mornet of Delcourt Editions (editor in chief of US Comics) for sending out Whilce copies of the French adaptation of Spawn as well as Stormwatch. Hope to see you again in San Diego.

A Quick Visit to Boston

2009-05-05T00:59:00.000-07:00

A short trip to Boston, Ma., last April gave Whilce the chance to meet other artists like Master of Kung Fu artist Paul Gulacy, Marvel inker Norman Lee, and Young Avenger's artist Jimmy Cheung. Thanks to Nick and Jim, thanks to Jason for keeping us company, and thank you to all who dropped by the table.

Batman with the bat kids ....

SKETCHING, SKETCHES ...

Interesting "holographic" wall in the elevator at the Jury's hotel

Blogging and drawing is a good combination : )

A basset hound kept us company in the airport while waiting for Nick to pick us up.

Enjoying Melbourne

2009-04-24T14:33:00.000-07:00

Though a short trip because Whilce needed to fly to Boston, MA after Australia, he enjoyed taking photos of Melbourne and learned interesting things about them. Like the stretch of Laygon street where we stayed is actually a dominant Italian area where "gelato" is offered in 100 flavors -- soooo good that Whilce and Marvel artist David Yardin were not able to resist despite a heavy dinner!
Whilce also found Melbourne's Chinatown located in the interesting street name called Little Bourke "fascinating". As it turned out, according to wiki - this Chinatown is noted as the oldest Chinatown in Australia and the longest continuously running Chinatown outside of Asia.
But did you know that Japanese food is superb in taste here, and their to-go Japanese rolls in the airport is yummy!
Whilce also had a good time with Invader Zim's Jhonen Vasquez, Justin Chon (who is Eric in the Twilight movie), Harrison Chua, Joe, Peter and Iain of Alternate Worlds, Pinoy-Aussie Niño Deomano and his friend, and everyone who dropped by the booth.
As usual Daniel with Felicity and Missy were really good hosts.
Thanks again everyone!

with David amidst the 100 year old or so huge trees in Laygon

with Krome studio's Tasmanian Tiger (you'll be surprised with the sexiest ever person inside it) : )

the interesting Laygon street

fascinating china town

as far as I remember this is part of a school or university

I think this is part of a tourism office

SKETCHING, SKETCHES.......

we didn't know we will have a short stop over to Auckland, New Zealand on the way back to LA. But look this is an interesting piece in their airport.

MELBOURNE - MARCH 28-29 SUPANOVA

2009-03-26T14:46:00.000-07:00

Currently in Melbourne, Australia:
Whilce will be at the Supanova Pop Culture Expo tomorrow (March 28) and Sunday (March 29) at the Royal Showrgrounds. Please look for Alternate Worlds booth and that's where Whilce will be for the duration of the con.
Whilce looks forward to seeing Katee Sackhoff. He's a big Battlestar Galactica fan : D

SPAWN PAGES FOR SALE

2009-03-20T16:01:00.000-07:00

Original Spawn pages for issue # 185 is now up for sale. Please check them out!

Three Stars and A Sun

2009-03-07T14:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Pia & Family,

Please accept our heartfelt condolences at the passing of your beloved Francis M. He was indeed one brave soul who've had battled his sickness but never questioned anyone and God why him. Instead he faced his sickness victoriously and used this to share with so many people about leukemia. We know that he is in a better condition now. We share our prayers with you to overcome this in due time.

Sincerely,
Portacio Family

(The artwork above was a gift drawn by Whilce for Francis on his birthday in 2007. Francis was a comicbook lover and a true-blooded Pinoy)

http://whilcedesk.blogspot.com/

APRIL 4-5, 2009

2009-02-21T12:35:00.000-08:00

Boston is one place Whilce loves going back to because of the architectural details of their buildings (which of course is rare in sunny California : D ). So even if we have to cut short our Australia trip to make it home to prepare for Boston, this trip is definitely as exciting. So see you all on APRIL 4-5 at the Boston Comic Con at the Backbay Events Center, Boston, Ma. http://www.bostoncomiccon.com/. I will try to accept a few commission before the show.

Nope! not a church, not a museum ... this is Boston's Fire Department : )

Whilce admires Harvard University Graduate School of Design's building (behind him) which is a studio set up that Whilce himself wants to do for the comicbook industry.

MELBOURNE: March. 27-29, 2009

2009-02-21T11:51:00.001-08:00

Whilce was disappointed that he didn't find enough time to take scenic views of New York when it was actually warming up Sunday of the NYCcon. The sun was perfect for his new camera. But I gave him a little hope for his camera tripping since I've arranged with Daniel Z to bring him to Melbourne, Australia for the SUPANOVA POP CULTURE EXPO. Daniel was on the phone with me before NYcon asking if he could bring Whilce to Australia again despite the short notice. We had good times with Daniel when he brought us to Sydney. He was good with his guests. Whilce also enjoyed his first reunion with David Yardin (whom he took care of during his struggling years in the comicbook industry and of course David is now drawing for Marvel). So after I've shuffled our schedule for us to be able to make it on this 8 day trip, I confirmed with Mr. Z that Whilce will go to Melbourne for the con.
So see you all guys on MARCH 27-29, Royal Showgrounds, Melbourne, Australia.
http://www.supanova.com.au/comics/guests1/whilce-portacio

Whilce enjoying the cleanliness of Sydney : ) one early morning ......

Sketches, Photos, Friends...

2009-02-20T14:55:00.000-08:00

Whilce's recent New York con visit was a bit relaxing because he finished deadline the day before he flew to NY (except for a cover that he mailed out half an hour after he arrived in JFK ). There was a chance, too, for him to play around his new Canon Rebel camera as he photographed some good friends goofing and just having good time like him in the NYCC and did some sketches. He also had a little fun strolling Times Square because it wasn't snowing this time unlike his last visit. Check out some photos:

SKETCHES, SKETCHING.....
Whilce with letterer Richard Starkings at the Image booth

Talented artist doing his art in the floor....

COMIC BOOK ARTISTS.... FRIENDS....

Wildstorm's Eddie Choi

colorist Alex Sinclair goofing around....

penciller Marko Djujervic

writer Marv Wolfman Richard, David Hine and Whilce

DC's Vince Letterio...

with writer/ NYCC coordinator Buddy Scalera

Whilce and Nil

NEW YORK, NEW YORK ..... Times Square...

Jacob Javits Convention Center and a lost boy : D

My kids love Animal Crossing....

ABOARD A FERRY TO STATEN ISLAND

ATTENTION!

2009-02-16T18:36:00.000-08:00

Hi friends,

If you were trying to email Whilce or portacio@ca.rr.com from dates Feb. 11 I think to date - Feb 16, please bear with me and kindly re-email all your queries, inquiries, or hellos again starting Feb. 16 because my computer crashed and is now resting in peace :( Got a new one running now but emails from back then seemed to be in oblivion.
Sorry 'bout that.

Thanks : D

JO

New York, New York

2009-02-02T16:18:00.000-08:00

Hi folks! Whilce is attending the New York Comicon. So if you are in the area, Jacob Javits Convention Center, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Feb 6-8), please drop by the Image booth to say hi or exchange stories with him : )
I am bringing some original pages to sell. I will also sell Superman/Batman poster, Spawn poster and our latest sketchbook (see sample pages here). By the way, the first sketchbook is still available at kwanchang.com.

If you're interested on panel, here's Whilce sked:

Feb. 6/Friday - 1:30-2:30 pm: CBDLF sponsored seminar. Here's the link to it:
http://www.nycomiccon.com/app/homepage.cfm?appname=100453&moduleID=2523&LinkID=31617&submenuheader=15

Feb. 6/Friday - 6-7 pm: Image Panel: Breaking Into Comics (1A06)

Feb. 7/Saturday - 11 am - 12 nn: NYCC panel (1A15)

Here's the detail: NYCC Classes: Page Layout

An interactive discussion by working pros on the importance and role of page layout. Deep insights on how to create believable backgrounds and environments. Panelists include Whilce Portacio, Rich Buckler, Ron Garney, and Rags Morales. Hosted by Dave Devries.

If Whilce is not in the panel, he will be at the Image booth (#1403), so see you all there!

PLEASE PICK UP YOUR COPY OF "SPAWN 188: ENDGAME":

Superman/Batman # 57 March 18

2009-01-16T00:29:00.000-08:00

artwork courtesy of DC Comics

It's here! Whilce's rendition of the man originally from planet Krypton and Bruce Wayne of Gotham City. Available March 18 in your favorite comic book stores, "Superman/Batman # 57" is written by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning and Mike Johnson with Richard Friend inking Whilce's art.

Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning return for a special 3-part story! The Prankster succeeds in creating his ultimate revenge when he makes The Man of Steel disappear forever! It's up to the World's Greatest Detective to find his friend, but to do that, he'll have to embark on a quest to a place that could mean the end of The Worlds Finest Duo! Robin and John Henry Irons guest-star in part 1 of "Nanopolis"!

got spawn?

2009-01-09T12:34:00.000-08:00

Have you picked up your copy of Spawn # 187?

Please do so, and email Whilce for feedback if you get the time.

Also don't forget, comicbook lovers in Arizona. Image guys Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Jim Valentino and Rob Liefeld will be in Phoenix Comicon on Jan. 23-25 at the Mesa Convention Center. Spawn writer Brian Holguin will also be joining Whilce in the artist alley.

See you all there!

Happy holidays!

2008-12-25T01:44:00.001-08:00

May the coming New Year be merry and bright for all of us!

Nice time at the Wizard World Texas

2008-12-12T14:56:00.000-08:00

November 7-9, 2008, Arlington, Texas:

Some commission artwork that Whilce was able to do at the con.....

Speaker at The Guildhall in SMU, Texas

2008-11-02T00:48:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile, Whilce's Texas sojourn will not end at the Wizard World. But on Nov. 10 and 11, Whilce visits nearby Dallas to attend as a speaker/lecturer at The Guildhall of the Southern Methodist University. (Visit http://guildhall.smu.edu/Why-The-Guildhall-at-SMU.16.0.html for info about SMU).
Long-time friend Chad Walker (Lecturer in Art Creation) of The Guildhall-SMU promised to also tour Whilce in this very impressive school. It's been Whilce's ardent wish to go back to teaching (he offered comic book course in Manila, Philippines some years back) and of course, lectures and speaking engagements like this is definitely inspiring him more to return to it.

See you all there!

Whilce first visit to Wizard World Texas!

2008-11-02T00:09:00.000-07:00

Whilce is excited about his trip to Texas. It is his first time to attend the Wizard World which I think is now on it's 6th year. He hopes to see old friends and to meet new ones and gets the chance to promote "Spawn # 185: End Game" as well. Whilce will do a a panel and will be at the artist alley as well. So please drop by the artist alley to say hi on Nov. 7 to 9 at the Arlington Convention Center. Visit http://www.wizardworld.com/tx-whilce.html for more info about the con.

Trick or Treat!!!

2008-10-31T09:19:00.001-07:00

THANK YOU!

2008-10-31T00:26:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all those who have picked up "Spawn # 185: End Game". I will surely give my 100 per cent best to all the upcoming issues! -- WHILCE

Press Release - Todd McFarlane And Whilce Portacio Spawn An Immediate Sell Out!

Posted by Endgame in News Links on October 30th, 2008

Spawn #185’s all-new direction completely sells out!

30 October 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - The comic book event of the season started off with a bang as Spawn’s new direction, courtesy of Image Founders Todd McFarlane & Whilce Portacio, resulted in an immediate distribution-level sell-out!

“Obviously it’s good news to have the initial issue sell out so quickly, but now the bigger task is to continue that momentum in the issues going forward,” Spawn creator Todd McFarlane said. “As a reminder, the first few issues will be a lot of setup before we kick this into high gear. Each issue isn’t meant to be its own stand-alone book.”

As if Spawn #185’s cataclysmic and unforgettable opening wasn’t enough, readers were also introduced to the awakening of the mysterious and comatose Patient 47. In the pages that followed, secrets boiled to the surface and lives were lost, creating one of the greatest mysteries to hit the Spawn mythos. While limited amounts of the first printing may still be available at your local comic book store, a second printing will hit stands soon to meet the additional demand.

Spawn #185 2nd ptg., a 32-page full color comic book for $2.95, will be available in stores soon.

SPAWN # 185: ENDLESS GAME!

2008-10-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

IT'S HERE! SPAWN # 185: ENDLESS GAME IS NOW AVAILABLE IN YOUR FAVORITE COMIC BOOK STORES.

Whilce is tremedously excited to share this project with you as he, Brian Holguin and Todd McFarlane give their best to this endeavor. It's as totally exciting to them as to you when they see the first copy infront of them. So share with them your experience!

ORIGINAL BATMAN PAGES FOR SALE

2008-10-17T01:40:00.001-07:00

Please check out the STORE! I just put out beautiful original pages of Batman Confidential. Don't miss this chance to own an original piece from DC's Batman series where some of the pages come with nice sketches.

Voting ends October 17!

2008-10-07T20:38:00.000-07:00

Vote now for your favorite Spawn art contest winner. Go to http://endgame.spawn.com/?p=299 and cast your vote. Voting ends October 17 and winner will be announced October 21. Don't forget: SPAWN # 185 comes out OCTOBER 22! Hope you get a copy!