Flight 5 was released right in time for the Comic-Con and if you’ve not seen it yet check out the preview. Flight books are a great collection of stories wonderfully written and illustrated by some talented folks including: JP Ahonen, Graham Annable, Chris Appelhans, Bannister, Matthew Bernier, Scott Campbell, Svetlana Chmakova, Tony Cliff, Phil Craven, Michel Gagné, Kazu Kibuishi, Kness, Sonny Liew, Reagan Lodge, Made, John Martz, Sarah Mensinga, Ryan North, Richard Pose, Paul Rivoche, Dave Roman, Kean Soo and Joey Weiser.

I met up with Kazu again this year at the Comic-Con and he’s been busy (on Amulet 2), but is doing well. He’ll be heading over to Europe soon on business. (He’s got a lot of fans on the other side of the pond.) For you Flight fans, you can expect a Flight 6 sometime in the future. I asked him what else he was reading and he said that I should check out Three Shadows by Cyril Pedrosa. It’s got fantastic visual style as Pedrosa is a marvelous illustrator. I always enjoy good graphic novel recommendations and this one looks great! I think I need more bookshelves though.

Have any of you grabbed a copy of Flight, Daisy Kutter or another graphic novel you enjoyed and would like to recommend? (I know I’ll definitely be getting the Watchmen graphic novel shortly, as I do have a birthday coming up.)

I Am 8-Bit returns for its fourth installment in August. The annual group art exhibition will have its grand opening extravaganza on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery in Hollywood, California from 8 p.m. to Midnight. The show will run until September 7. (Having gone the last couple of years I can say without a doubt that if you like games and art, this is the show to go to!)

Lead by Jon M. Gibson, the show will feature 100+ artists with diverse styles and backgrounds including Joe Ledbetter, Scott C., Jim Mahfood, Ashley Wood, Amanda Visell, Jose Emroca Flores, Luke Chueh, Bigfoot, Yoskay Yamamoto, Kofie One, Angry Woebots, Gerald de Jesus, Tessar Lo, Gabe Swarr, Jorge R. Gutierrez, Carlos Ramos, Joe Vaux, Joe Shea, Benjamin Marra, Deseo, Mr. Jago, Jude Buffum, Michelle Valigura, Suckadelic, DGPH, Jim Stoten, Tanner Goldbeck, Scott Belcastro, Tony Mora, Nate Frizzell, Elizabeth Ito, ZOSO, The Chung, Ray Frenden, David Goldberg and many others.

Update July 31: PaperMonster has two neat paintings on display at his site. One called “Mario- The Original Banksy” and the other “The Return of Samus”", both of which are a stencil collage on canvas.

Happy days are here again this August 22 with another Crazy 4 Cult art show at Gallery 1988 in LA. It’ll be hosted again by filmmakers Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier. This time around they’re holding a contest at Aint It Cool News, giving a chance to cinema-loving artists everywhere to participate in one of the most talked about annual art shows worldwide. So if you’re interested in creating an art piece for this hip and happening show, be sure to submit your unique entry by August 3 of your favorite scene, character or cult movie. Good luck!

MyLifeInaCube.com - If you’re one of the millions of lucky cube dwellers, like me, you might appreciate this comical little web comic. First Shane Johnson goes to work, then he draws little pictures about it. (Usually on scrap paper or napkins.) His doodles are lighthearted and silly. Perhaps you’ll enjoy his comics while you are in your very own cubicle farm. Now get back to work and finish that TPS report!

I don’t know if you’ve caught the new Hellboy II trailer/commercial on TV yet, but it looks sweet! The official production site for Hellboy II: The Golden Army has updated with a fourth TV spot for the July 11 movie release. The first movie was great and Ron Perlman does a super Hellboy! I can’t wait to see this one and I bet it’ll be better than the first. What do you think and will you be going to watch the movie?

This cute, little monster is one of many sculpted beastlies by Leslie Levings. She sells these creative critters on her an Etsty shop. Each handmade, detailed creature is one of a kind and looking for a new home. You better get yours quick, because they’re getting bought up fast! Don’t they look humorously ferocious?

Here’s a clever and cute Mario print from a series of illustrations on vintage book pages done by Etsy artist cyberhadji. Check out all the neat game inspired pieces of art, including some of my Nintendo favs Link,Yoshi and Princess Peach.

(via BBPS)

Oompa loompa doompadah dee, if you are wise you’ll listen to me. I really enjoy Dan Goodsell’s themed painting that he did for the upcoming (August 2008) Crazy for Cult show at Gallery 1988. It’s Mr Toast as Willy Wonka and Joe the Egg as the Oompa Loompas. Dan puts a lot of work into each one of his paintings and this one is no exception. (This one in particular took 93% perspiration, 6% electricity, 4% evaporation and 2% butterscotch ripple.)

I’m always impressed with the artwork by Brandon Bird. Here are four of his new paintings: What Nat Saw, Mr. Noodle, Bam Thwop and Pax Cybertronia. They’re from the childhood-themed ‘One to Grow On’ show at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles, which has been extended through June 10th. So if you’re interested in getting a Brandon Bird original, you still have chance.

Isn’t it great to see Jack McCoy playing with the teleporting Decepticon fighter jet, Skywarp! (Insert some ‘pakew pakew’ sound effects to make it complete.)

Sure your kids’ scrawlings are a work of art, but here are some redrawn by professional artists. Some of them are just plain imaginative, what a neat idea!

Cubeecraft papercraft toys are free to download and some assembly is required. Each figure features interlocking tabs for construction so you don’t need for tape, glue or other messy adhesives. Just find the character you like, download and print on a standard piece of A4 letter paper, cut and fold. Lots of creative fun for all ages. Characters like Stormtrooper, Mr.Stay Puft, Kirby, Usagi Yojimbo, Dr.Zoidberg, Strongbad, Bender, Mega Man, 60’s Batman and lots more. With new ones weekly!

(via theBBPS)

I hope you’re ready for the show next week and I hope you have fun. If you’re like me and can’t make it, you can check out their free audio and video podcast coming from the event (April 18-20, 2008). Remember that the show is more than just comic books. It’s the East Coast’s largest pop-culture event with comic and graphic novels, anime and manga, toys and games, movies and TV, video games and art. If you’re going, don’t forget to say hi to Stan Lee, Dan Goodsell and get your Official Iron Man Toon Tumbler!

It’s also only a few months before the San Diego Comic-Con. So you better get ready!

Join Plasticgod this Saturday afternoon, March 22nd from 1-4pm at Munky King on Melrose and identify the most celebrity heads and win tickets to Digitalism as well as a one of a kind custom portrait of yourself as Plasticgod art. I like his Greedo.

Dan Goodsell’s art show at Monkeyhouse Toys was superb and I got pictures! Dan invited his friends to contribute to the show and among them were S. Britt, Todd Franklin, Tokka, Michael Fleming, Jelene, Bubi Au Yeung, Jannie Ho, Todd Webb, Patches and Meomi. Their artwork was top notch. Dan also created lots of colorful, fun artwork just for the show. So there was plenty of Joe the Egg, Shaky Bacon, Clem Lemon and Mr Toast paintings to be enjoyed. Dan does great art.

This show is over, but it might be back next year. If you want to see more of Dan Goodsell, be sure to find him at the NY Comic-Con on April 18-20 (in the artist alley section), LA Times Festival of Books on April 26-27 and at Vinyl Toy Network (VTN) in Pasadena May 4th. So be sure to stop by and say hi.

P.S. Yes, Dan is wearing an official Shaky Bacon t-shirt. It’s all the rage in fashion!

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! May the luck of the Irish be with ye! While you’re looking for yer pot-o-gold, take a peep at some satirical sketches of 21st century leprechauns from some talented illustrators. Makes ye wonder where the world’s heading.