From The Crypt Halloween, 2: First Cuts

12/20/89. Cause, you know, nothing says 'Christmas' like Freddy Krueger. Nightmare Before Christmas, indeed.

Looking back at these old pictures, I've come across a number of Freddy Krueger drawings. Now, before you decide I need medical attention (or reaffirm your initial opinion), let's take a look at another thought in play here. Essentially, Freddy Krueger, star of some hard-R movies, had by this time become a superhero. Okay, supervillain, to be precise, but hardly a horror movie monster. Sure, he killed kids in their sleep and terrorized a generation of teens, but let's take a closer look. Horribly damaged as a young man? Check. Virtually impossible to kill? Check. Long metal claws? Check.

He's not a monster.

He's Wolverine.

Alright, a bit of a stretch there. But, hopefully you take my meaning. By this point, the late 80's, the horror of Freddy (not even sleep is safe) had been replaced by a joking, nearly cartoon image of the original- the later episodes were practically action movies with more blood and makeup effects. Where had all the horror icons gone?

Looking at this pic, evidently Freddy took them out. I forget where I'd first heard the mention of a team-up between Freddy and Jason (one of those fanboy dreams that never, EVER live up to the hype), but this was a little idea that I put down on paper. I never did see the movie. I'm betting whatever I was thinking here was probably better than what made it to film.

Music: "One, Two Freddy's Coming For You"

A boy and girl and their love story...

This is one of my favorite commissions. I was asked to make a "fill-in" picture for one of those big "autograph" mattes for a wedding- you know, the one where the guests sign the matte rather than a guest book? A lot more fun and much easier to look at than digging out the ol' guest book. It wasn't easy to do- as I've said, I suck with likenesses, and the added pressure of doing my best work made for some serious brainstorming. However, it came together pretty sweetly in the end. The original is just a black-and-white inked line drawing; lacking the ability to leave things alone, I decided to color this one.

Five years ago Saturday, Jason and April were married. They're two of my dearest friends, and I was incredibly honored to be asked to make this picture for their wedding (not to mention being a groomsman).

Anyway, this is my way of saying 'Congratulations!'

(and my way of getting out of posting anything new...)

(but mostly 'Congratulations!')

Jason and April are fans of black-and-white and sepia-style photos, so this one's for them-

See you all Monday- I'm headed back home to hang out with the family, including my brother and younger nephew. Good times!

Music: "Storybook Love" - Willy DeVille

Come my love I'll tell you a tale,
Of a boy and girl
And their love story.
And how he loved her oh so much,
and all the charms she did posses

Now this did happen once upon a time,
When things were not so complex.
And how he worshiped the ground she walked,
And when he looked in her eyes
He became obsessed.

My love is like a storybook story,
But its as real as the feelings I feel.
My love is like a storybook story,
But its as real as the feelings I feel.
It's as real as the feelings i feel...

His love was stronger than the power so dark,
A prince could have within his keeping.
His spells to weave and steal her heart
Within her breast but only sleeping.

My love is like a storybook story,
But its as real as the feelings I feel.
My love is like a storybook story,
But its as real as the feelings I feel.
It's as real as the feelings i feel...

He said:
"Don't you know I love you oh so much,
and lay my heart at the foot of your dress."
She said:
"Don't you know that storybook loves
Always have a happy ending."

Then he swooped her up just like in the books
And on his stallion they rode away.

My love is like a storybook story,
But its as real as the feelings I feel.
My love is like a storybook story,
But its as real as the feelings I feel.
It's as real as the feelings i feel...