Friday, August 31, 2012

"That Looks Cool" Sketch Blog Week 12: "Alien Apu" from the Simpsons


Week 12 of the "That Looks Cool" Sketch Blog is upon us and up at bat is: "Alien Apu" from Bongo's The Simpsons Comics.



I've always loved the designs of the Kang and Kodos aliens from the Simpsons and once I saw the alien version of Kwik-E-Mart czar, Apu, I knew I had to draw him. Super fun!

If you'd like to take a crack at Apu and share it on the blog, email me at matt@grindhousecomics.net

-Matt
aka Dr. G

PS, since it's a 5 week comic book month, my shipment of books (and my Previews Catalog) might nit make it for next week, so next week is "Dr. Deemo" from the 90s Kenner Swampthing toy line.
DR. DEEMO image search

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Vintage Store Photos featuring "Kiddierama Cartoon Theater" machines





  I was looking around for info on the old "Kiddierama Cartoon Theater" Coin-op machines and came across a guy restoring one at
billyseven.net/

To anyone unfamiliar with these, they were movie booths that for a quarter, you could watch one of 3 loaded 7 min cartoon shorts. I have vivid memories of one of these in the catalog pick-up area of the lower level of Sears at Crossroads Mall in Omaha, NE. My mom must have catalog ordered alot of stuff because I remember those trips to the basement of Sears, a Woody Woodpecker, Mighty Mouse or Deputy Dawg cartoon and then a trip to the Sears Candy and Nut counter for chocolate covered orange sticks every time we went to the Mall.

Back to Billy. This guy, Billy's got some great photos of his machine, a link to a youtube video of it in action and coolest of all, a PDF download of the original Buyer's Manual. As a vintage store nut, this was a jackpot, since there are a couple of dozen photos of the machines in stores with the stores and towns listed. Plus a great color photo and some advertising. Check out his site for the PDF. To save some hunting and to get the images out online, I've take screencaps of the vintage store photos and have typed up a list so other vintage discount store fans can find them easily.

If you have any memories of these "Kiddierama Cartoon Theaters" please share in the comments. Better you if you have old or new photos of any, feel free to email me at matt@grindhousecomics.net

-Matt
aka Dr. G












 











Stores featured:
"Treasury Discount" Niles, Illinois
"Belscot Discount" Waukegan, Illinois
"Montgomery Wards" Evergreen Park, Illinois
"Montgomery Wards" Deerfield, Illinois
"Montgomery Wards" Mt. Prospect, Illinois
"JC Penny's" Bloomington, Illinois
"Bresler Ice Cream" Northgate Mall, Lafayette, Louisiana
"Woolco" Lafayette, Louisiana
"Dairy Queen" Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville Florida
"Montgomery Wards" Northgate Mall, Lafayette, Louisiana
"Dairy Queen" Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville Florida
"Randhurst Mall" Mt. Prospect, Illinois
"Belvidere Mall" Waukegan, Illinois
"Lakehurst Mall" Waukegan, Illinois
"Deerbrook Mall" Deerfield, Illinois

Friday, August 24, 2012

That Looks Cool Week 11: Eyeball Wrestler

This week's "That Looks Cool" is the "Eyeball Wrestler"
from Jack Teagle's comic "Fight" http://jackteagle.co.uk/



I've always liked Teagle's art and was happy to see he was doing comics. I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for his new stuff. Fight! #2 is listed in this month's Previews. Fight! #1 is available now.

If you'd like to share your take on the Eyeball wrestler, email me at matt@grindhousecomics.net.

Until next week,
Matt
aka Dr. G

Friday, August 17, 2012

Walrusman! "That Looks Cool" Sketch Blog Week 10


Week 10 is here and it features my favorite vintage Star Wars action figure, Walrusman. The inspiration for this week's choice come from Gentle Giant's upcoming 12" reproduction Walrusman figure, which I have no choice but to buy.

I love, love, love the original Walrusman action figure, in all it's off-model glory. As a kid I never really got that he was the dude that looses his arm to Obi-Wan in the bar fight. I just thought he was this bad-ass alien who would lead my armies of aliens and robots against Luke and the Rebellion. An adversary, second only to Darth Vader in his villainy. So here's to you, Walrusman!


Walrusman piloting Mazinga, as he was prone to do during playtime

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

El Esqueleto Issue 4, Page 4!

Another week, another new page in the adventures of El Esqueleto!

Friday, August 10, 2012

That Looks Cool Week 9: Perfect Cell from DBZ and the next 4 themes!

This week's "That Looks Cool" theme is Cell from one of my favorite animes, Dragonball Z.



We've also got the next 4 weeks themes (sorry for posting this a little behind schedule)



Week 9: Perfect Cell
Week 10: Walrusman from Star Wars (my all time favorite Star Wars figure is coming to 12" form!!!)
Week 11: The eyeball wrestler dudes from "Fight2!" from Jack Teagle and Lowbrow press
Week 12: Alien Apu from "The Simpsons Illustrated" and Bongo Comics

As always, if you'd like to share your art for any characters, present or past, please email me at matt@grindhousecomics.net with your art and any URL link(s) you;d like included to your blog, website, gallery, etc.

Until next time,
-Matt
aka Dr. G

Saturday, August 4, 2012

My first piece of "El Esqueleto" fan-art!

Fabulous artist and all around great friend, Jon Frank, surprised me this afternoon with a piece of art of "El Esqueleto: The Skeleton" It blew me away and he was kind enough to let me post it here. 




Love it, love it, love it!

Thanks again, Jon. This made my day
-Matt
aka Dr. G

Friday, August 3, 2012

"That Looks Cool" Sketch Blog Week 8: "Purple Superman"

This week's "That Looks Cool" Theme is "Purple Superman" from the new kids DC Comic.


No clue about the character of Purple Superman, but he looks fun. I get a heavy "Parasite" vibe based on the color scheme. Fun stuff. I think I might try to grab a few of these for my nephew.



Here's my drippy, purple take on the Plum of Steel



If you'd like to share your take on Purple Superman or any of the past weeks characters, emal me at matt@grindhousecomics.net

later,
Matt
aka Dr. G