ULTRAIST STUDIOS

SPY GUY: Minis got a review by ICR’s Alex Haas. Read below (or click here)!

Review: In approaching a comic that admits to offering a reflection on the events of September 11, 2001, a reader could be excused for groaning audibly. There is an endless supply of preaching one may offer to the choir, consisting of the same conspiracy theories, political rhetoric, and issues regarding American foreign policy. I’m pleased to report that Spy Guy: Minis very gracefully avoids this trap. While much of the information that was being released as this comic was created is (as of 2008) quite vintage, there is almost an element of nostalgia. I was reminded of the naivete displayed on both ends of the political spectrum, the conclusions we all managed to reach which later seemed so far-fetched, and the slight chill the odd news update would induce.

For all of that, this comic manages to capture that atmosphere without becoming OF it. The characters alone do an excellent job of encompassing elements of stereotypical reactions of the time without coming across as heavy-handed or overwrought. They manage to walk that tight-rope between fluff and harsh without falling into either extreme. The thoughts are voiced without judgment or editorializing - they are simply stated. Like a good Eddie Izzard piece, you are simply presented with the idea in context and left to draw your own conclusion.

While there are likely to be those who would question the worth of a comic dealing with events nearly a decade old (frighteningly enough), it is refreshing to see something that can approach the time immediately post-9/11 and add both character humor and a bit of wit and grace to an incredibly scary and trying time. Well done.

Overall: 5 stars.

Alex Haas

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My review of Alex’s review: I’ve gotta admit, after reading the first sentence, I was bracing myself (despite having seen the 5 star rating). But by the third sentence, there was an overwhelming “phew” relief as the tone shifted from ominous sense of foreboding negativity to an upbeat swing of praise. It’s interesting to hear, because those things you mentioned were exactly what I was going for, and that was exactly what I was concerned wouldn’t work: The intent with SPY GUY has always been about offering commentary on what is happening in the NOW. Many artists will shy away from this approach, thinking that their work will become dated, however by taking the time capsule approach, there IS a very real sense of nostalgia in reading an old comic. It’s that same excitement as seeing Star Wars and Sea monkey adverts in comics from the late 70’s. You can’t beat it.

As for the second paragraph: This is what I was referring to on the inside cover editorial with the quote by Chuck Palahniuk. I had no idea how far was too far. It really felt like walking a tight-rope while making these comics. In the end it became a leap of faith, where my actions were guided by the thoughts “don’t get too preachy” and “just be honest”. So far that strategy seems to have worked. I had to use Google video to get the “Eddie Izzard” reference (his comedy is hilarious, and his wardrobe is terrible - but that’s another review).

In the end, I’m just glad you liked this comic.

It was interesting to check out your other reviews on ICR, and seeing so many of the books I was able to trade with other artists at the 2007 SPX. Talk about nostalgia! Good times.

I’ll have to get you an issue of SPY GUY #1 once I finally get around to finishing it.

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While there have been quite a few good comics done over the past few months, none have excited me as much as these ones.

Thieves & Kings: Apprentices part one, by Mark Oakley.  After years of hiatus, we finally get the follow up to issue 48 of the old comic series, and it hasn’t lost any of it’s magic.  Thieves & Kings has consistently been among the most captivating and well written comic books out there.  Available for $15.00 from I Box Publishing.

Lethargic Lad 2007, by Greg Hyland.  This is the book I’ve been waiting for since Lethargic Lad went online back in (what was it?) 1999.  Nice big reprints in FULL COLOUR!  By my reckoning, now we need to see the remaining 8 years published as well.  The best laughs and best parodies in comics today!  Check it out for $20 from Lethargic Comics International.

Kiskaloo, by Chris Sanders.  From the man who brought you Lilo & Stitch comes an all new comic strip series staring Ogo and Sesi.  Reminds me of Calvin & Hobbes, only it’s slightly less whimsical, and the imaginary sequences are real.  Published by Sanders, you can get this one for $20 from Bud Plant.

Interesting to note that none of these are traditional saddle stitched comics, all of them are repackaged collections, and all of them are self-published.

Hopefully these will give you something enjoyable to read while you wait for the imminent release of SPY GUY #1.
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Hey, this is neat: G. Edward Griffin gave SPUD & HARRY a plug in this weeks edition of Unfiltered News!

To anyone from Freedom Force International that has clicked on over, I’d like to take this moment to say “hi”.

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SPY GUY: Minis showed up in Geeking Out Comic Peek O’ The Week 9/12/07
I just found out now. Click here for the full video.

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Click for slide-show.

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Below is my piece for The 2008 Shuster Awards Visions Of An Icon exhibit on the drawing board just before I sent it off to the Lillian H. Smith Library Auditorium, 239 College Street, Toronto.

If you’re in the neighbourhood, be sure to drop by this Saturday June 14th and see the original art, along with work from all the other fine contributors! Blair Kitchen (of The Possum fame) and myself should be making an appearance for the first hour of the show. Room B Exhibit opens at 10 am and runs until 4-4:30 pm.

Click the image above for more details.
Maybe we’ll see you there.

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Last October when Hawley Anderson contacted us on behalf of Dimension Films for comics, product, and signage to use in the upcoming feature film called SUPER HERO, I got the idea to create a life sized cut-out of SPY GUY.

The following documents the “creative process”.

Originally I was going to use existing artwork (due to time constraints) however there wasn’t anything in existence that matched what I envisioned in my head - so it was back to the drawing board. In a last minute rush, I hacked out this sharpie sketch.

I’ve started using sharpie markers to force myself to commit to a gesture rather than endlessly chicken scratching with pencil.

Next I used the Dave Sim tracing paper method to pull an actual drawing out of my sharpie sketch. I find that drawing on the mirror image helps to quickly tighten up the drawing, and then enables an easy transfer to the S-172 Bainbridge.

Once the pencils are transfered, the inking process begins, using primarily a Hunt 102 nib and a Windsor Newton #2 (not to mention some form of white out).

At this point I scan the artwork into the computer, and in this case I realized that I had drawn SPY GUY’s head too small. D’oh! For a moment I thought about redrawing the whole thing, however instead opted to just scale the thing in Photoshop.

Then I added some colour (doing my best to ape the Anime cell animation style) and voila! I had a final image.

This was then sent off to the fine folks at The Lot to be turned into a life sized cut out. Here is the final product!

Look for it in the background of the SUPER HERO movie coming soon to a theater near you!

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I’m looking forward to inking this one.

This shows my new work process of roughing out the page on 11″ x 17″ paper using pencil and sharpie marker (and whiteout) before doing a tracing paper transfer to bainbridge s-172 illustration board.

Photo was taken while on public transit commute.

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