Fanzine Days- Carl Potts interview

Back in late 1989, my pals Phred, Mike and I wanted to do something to show our love for comics. The thing to do back in the day was a fanzine! We didn't have the internet yet and digital pre-press was in it's pupa stage. The three of us put this little magazine together with an old Mac 2 and our imaginations. 

All I can say was I was a lucky dude. My pal Phred went to art classes with Carl Potts, who at the time was the editor of the Punisher books, and also in my opinion, the greatest talent coach there was. Carl is the guy responsible for putting together a group of guys who would later form Homage Studios, and later Wildstorm.  Carl not only knew talent, but also knew how to cultivate and grow the talent. Needless to say, as a young comic book artist want-to-be, I was so stoked when Carl agreed to do an interview with me on the subject of breaking into the business. His advice is as good now as it was then. 

Enjoy the interview. I've also thrown in a few bonus pics. One by my pal Mike Gomez and me, another by me, and last, a rare ad that Jim Lee drew for Flying Colors comics.

 It's been a minute...

~FRAGABOOM!!

I Love Chocolate

In 2007 I was fortunate enough to do some boards for Hershey's. The campaigns we so successful and the relationship I have with the product made for a lot of work over the past 5 years. Since 2007, I've been fortunate to be involved with almost every single Hershey's commercial. (the only ones not, being for Hershey's Kisses. I think it may be at another agency) So far, I've done several spots for Hershey's Bar, Drops, Air Delight, Miniatures and some new products that I can't talk about yet. Below are some of the campaigns that made it and some that didn't. Regardless. I consider myself lucky to be able to be part of all of them.

Until Next Time...

~FRAGABOOM!!!

Maroon 5 Video Shoot

In May of 2010 I was up in my hometown of Martinez to help clear out stuff from my Grandparents place. It was bittersweet because I use to hang out there everyday when I was in Junior High (it was on the same street as the school) and I also learned from my Grandpa how to draw there. All of the best Christmases were there....I could go on. "What's this got to do with Maroon 5, buddy?" I'm sure you're asking... One morning around 7 while I was there in Martinez I got a call from my producer friend Mary Ann Tanedo, that Joseph Kahn was shooting back to back Maroon 5 videos and needed me there by 1PM to shoot second unit. A little geography lesson for those who give a damn. Martinez is around 40 miles north east of San Fransico, the video shoot was in downtown LA. 400 plus miles away. So I told Mary Ann that I was up in the Bay and couldn't make it unless I dropped everything (I was eating breakfast at the local diner with my Uncle Jim and Aunt Nancy) and drove there immediately. This would be tough since I had a car full of stuff from my Grandpas (art supplies, painting and the like..) She said that production would put me on a plane and then fly me back later that night so I could drive back with my car and the stuff..... I explained that it wouldn't work because I had a job boarding the next day... Long story short, I ended up dropping everything and drove to downtown LA to help out my pals Mary Ann and Joe. 

Here's the rundown:

Driving down the 5 (yes the 5)

Capitol Records Building (almost there)

Arrive on set with 7 minutes to spare

Mo n' Joe

Mary Ann's butt

Adam on drums

Our multi cultured crew

Extras

Zoolander

Ready to shoot

Shoe

Joe n' Adam

Yes, I did just get hipstamatic for my phone. 

Until the next time.....

~FRAGABOOM!!!