When I first started collecting comics in 8^th grade, I was all Marvel. Didn’t care much for DC… In 10^th grade, I bought a friend’s comic collection filled with Marvel and DC comics. I was introduced to Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Wolfman/Perez Teen Titans, and Legion of Superheroes… I started coming around to enjoy the DC universe. But I wouldn’t discover my favorite DC comic until years later.

It was 1992 and I was attending the Art Institute of Dallas. Every month, the local comic convention promoter would do a small one-day show.

It cost $2 to get in, but if you brought the flyer you could take 10 free comics from specifically marked long boxes. That’s where I discovered Justice League International. I’d seen the book before. Even read an arc on Justice League Europe. But I just hadn’t paid that much attention to the series until I was grabbing 10 free copies of the comic (along with Ambush Bug… which was awesome!) and started building a new run.

What I really liked about JLI was that it had a great blend of seriousness and “not-taking-itself-so-seriously”. The characters were so distinct: Batman’s determined leadership and disdain for the crazies he’s teamed up with, Martian Manhunter’s nurture and guidance, Blue Beetle and Booster Gold’s scams and shenanigans, Black Canary’s frustration with just about everyone on the team… And Green Lantern, Guy Gardner: the self-absorbed jerk.

I loved the tension and comedy Guy brought to the book. He touted that he could lead the team better than Batman. He was all talk for the most part. He was the hero you “loved-to-hate”. Guy had so many classic moments: Being taken out by Batman in one punch. His feud with Lobo. And his affections for the new teammate, Ice.

And I not only enjoyed how he was written, but I thought (and still think) he has one of the most unique and original costumes in comics. A turtle neck, with a big collared vest, and enormous moon boots… And the only hero that can pull off a bowl haircut.

Here’s to you, Guy Gardner… the biggest jerk in the Justice League!

See the black and white version HERE.

You can now pre-order your own Ignacia action figure released through Shocker Toys Indie Spotlight toy line.

Visit http://www.shockertoys.com/store.php and find her at the BOTTOM of the page!

She is in Wave 2 along with The tick, Dick Tracy, Jack Staff, and Zombie King.

Ignacia is my fire wielding heroine from my creator-owned comic book series about a reality TV superhero team.

Read all the the WildGuard series, WildGuard: Casting Call, WildGuard: Fire Power, WildGuard: Fool’s Gold, and WildGuard: Insider.

Last weekend, I was taking it easy and started noodling on a sketch of Iron Man.I ended up drawing this shot by the time I had to move on with my day.

Last night I decided to throw some color on it via Photoshop.

I really like this Iron Man design.  It’s the armor I first saw him in as a kid in the mid1970’s. I had gotten a Slurpee cup with him on it. (I was pretty disappointed it wasn’t Spider-Man… the only Marvel Superhero I knew of at that time.) I had never heard of Iron Man. Didn’t know if he was a good guy or a bad guy. All I knew was, he looked scary. Crazy scary!

I hated that cup. But loved the delicious Slurpee inside. I would drink it with the image of Iron Man turned away from me so I wouldn’t have to look at that emotionless faceplate.

I remember seeing that cup days later at home. It was like a horrific image that I couldn’t stand to look at yet couldn’t turn away. The question running through my 5 year old mind… “Who are you, Iron Man?”

The cup disappeared (probably thrown away) and was never seen again (unfortunate, because now it’s a pretty sweet collector’s item. Been tempted to track one down for nostalgia’s sake).

Years later, I would rediscover Iron Man as a guest star on an episode of the 1980’s cartoon, Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends. I was now 11 years old and could handle a more “edgy” character. I got to learn who Iron Man was. The scary man was now quite cool. I’d soon get the Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars Iron Man action figure. That led to picking up the Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars comic book series (issues #7-9 in a 3-pack at Target), thus starting my passion for comic books.

Like I said, I really like this design. It’s retro but still holds up today. In my opinion, one of the best superhero designs in comics.

You can see the black-and-white pencil version on my DeviantArt page: http://toddnauck.deviantart.com/art/Iron-Man-pencil-sketch-135303759

I did an interview with Ain’t It Cool News’ Matt Adler about my new project, Spider-Man: Clone Saga. We talk about the new mini-series coming out Sept 30th, working with Tom Defalco and Howard Mackie, and my creator-owned book WildGuard.

Here’s the link: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/41973

Hey, friends and fans!

I’ll be at this year’s SDCC all 4.5 days (Wed. preview night through Sunday). I’ll try to keep updating my convention weekend via Twitter. So follow me at http://twitter.com/ToddNauck

Here is when and where you can find me:

Artist Alley all convention long: TABLE JJ-12

Friday, July 24th Signing at Marvel Booth (#2429) – 9:00 am to 10:00 am (Sketching)

Saturday, July 25th Signing at Marvel Booth (#2429) – 9:00 am to 10:00 am (Sketching)

Saturday, July 25th Comics Experience’s Portfolio Panel (Room 30CDE) – 4:00-5:00

I’ll be doing my usual convention head/bust shot commissions. I’ll have WildGuard back-issue comics for sale. I’ll also have 2 NEW limited edition prints available: a Young Justice print and a Spider-Man print. And I’ll be signing comics as well. So be sure to swing by and say “hey!”