This is just a part of a larger Christmas card proposal for a company. There were three i drew. if it gets rejected, I’ll post the entire card here.

These are a few inked drawings that are last minute replacements for a set of buildings for a map I’m working on. I just couldn’t get the buildings to work and these figures probably better showcase the wares of the businesses involved.

Here are the inks for the editorial cartoon that will be out Friday. It’s another rather harmless cartoon so maybe I can share that final color version here again.

When worlds collide! – I usually never post any of my editorial cartoons here , or anything political for that matter, on this personal page. But since this is a bit innocuous, I figure I can post this one.

Phoenix Rising: Firebase Freedom by William W. Johnstone
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I went from the first of the series to the second book, this one. The first was disappointing and hoped the second would get the story’s act together and get some teeth in it. It didn’t.

This one really stumbles in the inability of the writer(s) to put a good story together. There was clearly an end and a continuation of the series in mind. What wasn’t focused on was a feeling of care for characters or a depth of story to make the novel worth the time of the reader. Most of the writing just goes through the motions of getting the book done.

Before I started reading any Johnstone book the first of this year, i approached in fear this kind of book would be what I would run into. It very much wasn’t the case. Almost all of the other eleven books I’ve read this year by the Johnstone clan excel in character development and a want to read more about them. This book is the first that meets my fear. I really am surprised it took so long to find a Johnstone book so bad, but I figured I might eventually come across one.

The major problem is that so many characters wear the lone hero label and succeed at their task without hardly an obstacle. None even get hurt in their efforts. Where are those great scenes in the Mountain Man series or Home Invasion where not everyone survives or breaks a leg or takes a bullet?

The most unbelievable scene in all of the Johnstone books I’ve read so far involves a character that goes in to rescue someone in a top government area and runs into about as much trouble as breaking into an unlocked candy store in a desert.

The series goal is to show how Americans can get their country back. Basically this series treats the world as two islands: The ones who took over and the ones who want to bring the country back. It’s easy to ignore the rest of the world, but intellectually dishonest to believe there would be no repercussions to the actions of those who took over. There’s also the issue of how so many were enlisted to become soldiers of those who took over. Where did they come from? Why are they so prevalent in some areas and missing in others? None of this makes sense.

The overall writing is subpar. This book is written more in mind of a comic book than a novel. That’s not all that unusual in a Johnstone book, but it usually fits well into a strong story that’s also present. The writing also goes off on tangents in some areas, specifically of descriptions, then pulls back, such as the rescue scene mentioned above which could have been a real nail biter.

On a side note, i love the patriotic theme. There’s a ribbon of realization that comes over the characters that hey have something to fight for. I love that, but a writer could just as well written a treatise about patriotism.

I certainly am not giving up on the Johnstone clan based on a series book. Since January I’ve acquired more than fifty books of various series. I might even visit the third in this series down the road sometime. There are certainly better books ahead and I look forward to those.

Bottom line: I do not recommend this book.

View all my reviews

Here’s he cartoon all inked with both Rob Ford and Alec Baldwin in it. I’ll post the final color cartoon tomorrow.

Phoenix Rising by William W. Johnstone
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Oh my! Another Johnstone book that’s getting low marks from me. It was just a couple months ago I was wondering if I would find one. This makes about four.

Thee problem in this book is the premise that America could crash and burn so quickly. It completely ignores the economic forces that would not let this happen and the political ocean that would also not let this happen.

It’s a reason I’ve told so many friends not to worry so much about the current president and what they feel is some sort of takeover. It’s possible – though i think extremely unlikely – that Obama has tried some sort of takeover as some suspect. But the actual forces that move our country along would snap into place and stop any attempt like that. It’s the only rope I’ll give to the theorists of a takeover: It might have happened, been stopped and we’ll never know there was even an attempt. As I wrote earlier, i don’t believe this has, or will, happen.

This book is clearly riding the wave of those thinking that Obama is a muslim and is out to doom America. The names have been changed, but the intent is almost as much satire as an action/ adventure story. It’s also clear that the TV/radio fellow depicted is based upon Glenn Beck, who, to a lesser extent than portrayed here, has been very vocal about actions taken and the possible results. His views are grounded in facts. This book takes those views and propels them to melodramatic levels – as this book generally is throughout.

As the takeover business settles, about 250 pages in, the book also starts to settle and become more practically readable. Basically what makes the westerns so good comes into play and the rest of the book is good.

This book is another of the survivalist books that is part of the Johnstone cadre. I’m no fan of science fiction or fantasy. This fits well in the genre, but isn’t packaged that way. It should be.

Despite this review kicking the book around, I’m moving on to Part 2. Hoping the latter part of this book will be found in the second of the series.

Bottom line: I don’t recommend this book.

View all my reviews

Performed at a community event today at Jones High School in Orlando and above is one of the drawings I did. Had fun drawing the werewolf. CAn’t even recall the last time I drew a werewolf.

Below are more drawings I did.

Janice collects elephants and loes to cook and furnish food at family reunions. The elephant’s ear was an artistic tactical issue.

No Questions Asked by Oliver Bleeck

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very good and engaging mystery. Thomas does and excellent job of painting the scenes and interacting the characters. The “Go-Between” is very well thought out and the mystery is solid.

This is also a tight book that tells the story with little extraneous scenes. There is one sex scene that seems odd in the context of the rest of the story. Wondering if the publisher pushed for the scene and that it was later added.

The extra characters kind of makes the bad person, or people, an easy choice, though there are a few shifts in the story that keeps the reader guessing and that makes a great mystery.

Bottom line: I recommend it.

View all my reviews

To all American veterans out there – Thank you for all you’ve done, are doing and will do to keep our country free!

Been playing an enormous of Catch Up after a very hectic five days. Almost didn’t draw a thing. The #DailyInks got me to ink the pencils I did for this a few days ago. This will be the next Swampy’s Florida webcomic next Sunday. You’ll have to wait until then to se what the exchange is between Swampy and Pasco Pete.