Beauty...and the BEAST? (comic)

"Beauty...and the BEAST"

Fairy Tale Nonsense 001

2012 Ink, Sharpie, and Digital.

Made this to point out how FREAKY original Fairy Tales really are...! (Of course the panda was my personal touch).

This comic is dedicated to my awesome wife.

It's been a few years since I've done a TRUE comic...and I've been meaning to start back up (Now that I've graduated and have a little extra time). I'm thinking about delving more into the ORIGINAL fairy tale worlds and poke fun at them...tell me what you think! And don't hesitate to give suggestions for future comics.

PBM update: The bulk of my energy is being poured into job searching...and the occasional whims I have time for (such as the comic above). I've already set plans up to finish the covers, pick or have you vote on the top 5 and then illustrate one ENTIRE book! It will be my first ebook! (for kindle, Ipad, and maybe .pdf) that I hope to sell on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com.

MCMA 2009 Awards

So my wife and I just attended an awards ceremony held for all Missouri newspaper and yearbooks. Since I did the comics for MCC Longview's 'the current' for all of 2009, I won several awards:

2nd place (story illustration - Division 4)
I honestly was not expecting this to be part of the awards... 0_O haha! The article was written as a joke, and was purely ridiculous, but funny. When they called my name I was like, "Are you for REAL?" haha!

3rd place (entertainment Cartoon - Division 4)
I wasn't expecting this one to one...I had some others in mind, but whatever. ^_^

3rd Place (Editorial Cartoon - Division 4)
Honestly I was expecting this one to win. I knew as long as it was entered it would win, and it did. I really liked it, and especially how it turned out! ^_^


For 2008 I won first place with these comics:

1st place Entertainment
1st place Editorial Cartoon

Looking back at my older comics they had much more heart. Honestly I was a bit disapointed, since last year I won first place in both sections and this year I didn't, however this gives me time to reflect on my mentods and content. Since I am an illustrator, all last year I put the highest presidence to the art, and the content came second...I think that was where my mistake lay. This fall I hope to participate in UCM's newspaper, 'the muleskinner' and will up my content and art because the college is a Division 1, where more is expected of me. My biggest focus, however, will be to turn back to my older roots by cutting out all distractions (color, elaborate formats, crazy dialogue, etc).

Today's Nonsense - January & February 2010

February comic:


Ok folks, I am back on schedule for my monthly comic! In order to conform to my busy school schedule I am simplifying some features of the comic (diverse layouts, elaborate shading and backgrounds), but leaving what matters most (the characters and the event!) Hope everyone enjoys!

January comic:
This comic was made as a desperate attempt to show UCM's newspaper staff that I was serious about doing the comic for them. I still have not heard back... Allwell, I am enjoying the freedom of exploring new realms! As a random fact, I am reading Harry Potter for the first time and learned since making this comic that Ron does NOT say, "Bloody Hell," even once...and yet in the movie he says it as every other phrase...blasted 'Hollywood'.

Today's Nonsense - December

Here is my newest comic for MCC Longviews, "The current."

Today's Nonsense - November

Yes, I know the title says November... It's supposed to be that way because the newspaper will publish in November.

So here is my newest comic! I hope that everyone enjoys this early preview (before the newspaper comes out, or they publish it online at: http://en.wordpress.com/tag/mike-blake/ ) Thanks for your support!

41,3,3,2

Today's Nonsense - October

In order to line up with the newspaper schedule I havta be a little ahead. I've been working on this comic (at least the idea) for about a month! Haha! I've broken from alot of my traditional ways, but yet sharpened some of my others! I usually wait to post the comic until the newspaper is published...but I was excited to get this one posted...and also decided to do it while I remembered. :P

This idea stemmed from the seemingly growing epedemic of the swine flu at Longview...all the teachers are nervous and some have even caught it! So everyone... don't forget to "Wash your hands!" ^_^

Today's Nonsense - September

This is my newest comic. I definitely used a new approach... It seems that each semester with the first comic I dangerously branch out in new directions! Haha! Hope everyone enjoys.

August Comic

Not much to explain. This is the new comic for August! It's a bit late (Due to my wedding) but hope all enjoy it!

July Comic

I just completed this today for MCC Longview's newspaper, "The Current."

May/June comic

Not much to say about this except that it is my latest comic for MCC Longview's newspaper, "The Current."

I will say that it is partly about me right now! haha! (I'm getting married in August! ^o^ wow!!!)