Sire, SDCC, Smokey Bear & SPAWN!!
I've been MIA because, well, comics!
Hey folks,
So much to catch you up on. First off, I pledge to return to my weekly musings and announcements. (Really, I do – it’s like going to the gym – I just gotta make the time!)
But f’real it’s been a while because I’ve been BUSY. Three weeks ago, I joined DREN Productions publisher James Mascia in Las Vegas for the Licensing Expo and I’ve been playing catch up ever since. We’ll hopefully be announcing some cool new projects that are materializing thanks to that show, but first, let’s play a little catch-up!
The Big News: My Colors Featured in Latest Issue of Spawn!
If you picked up the Spawn #365 in stores yesterday and flipped to the back you might notice an entire page devoted to artist Will Torres and Spawn Creator Todd McFarlane. You’ll also notice a pin-up Will drew as well. If you dig it – especially the colors – well, that’s because they’re MINE!
Honestly, I don’t do much comics coloring anymore, even though that’s one of the ways I first broke into the industry. But when Will asked me to render his awesome art, how could I say no? Behold as it graces his new convention banner as well:
It is truly an honor to have my art featured in one of the most iconic comic books of all time! Big thanks to Will for the opportunity and here’s to hoping it isn’t the last time my work is there!
SIRE San Diego Comic Con Panel Announced!
Speaking of conventions, I’ll be a part of San Diego Comic Con again along side Mariano Nicieza and the fine folks at APEX Comics Group. We’re cooking up a deluxe version of our Sire/Phazer crossover for 2026 along with some other goodies.
Here’s the info if you are planning on attending:
THURSDAY
4:00PM - 5:00PM Apex Comics Group 2025-2026 Exclusive Previews
Writer/Artist/Publisher, Mariano Nicieza introduces S.G. Blaise, Jessica Court, Wilson Ramos Jr., Ariel Olivetti, Scott Hanna, Al Milgrom with Comic Con exclusive premiere announcements of exciting new comic book and action figure projects! ColecoVision Air Raiders, Venture and Cosmic Avenger. Rudy Nebres - Phazer: Time Force, Seven Galaxies, Greg Hildebrandt - Phazer: Time War, Michael Dolce - Phazer/Sire: Lost in Time, Phillip Russertt - Biomek/Breath of the Dragon, Steranko - Talon the Timeless and Phazer action figures! Also, Agent Three Zero, Blackray, Blue Sultan, The R.I.G.H.T. Project, The Outer Space Men and many more surprises!
Room: 23ABC
The Sire: Aftermath Issues 1 & 2 Available to follow on Kickstarter
And speaking of SIRE, we’ve got a new issue of The Sire: Aftermath available to follow on Kickstarter. The project will launch this month and believe me, fans don’t want to miss this issue as it takes SIRE in a completely NEW direction!
The Sire is a critically acclaimed throwback to 80s and 90s superhero comics about a superhero FORCED by his own costume to fight evil. In the course of his many adventures (15 issues to date!) he's battled super villains, tech moguls and the U.S. Government – all in the service of an alien life form ready to arrive on Earth and bring forth our next evolution.
But has this alien been lying the entire time?
Has The Sire actually been the BAD GUY all along?
The Sire: Aftermath flips everything we thought we knew about this series on its head. Cover artists and custom rewards to be announced soon!
Smokey Bear Coming To Kickstarter
And finally…only you can help bring Smokey Bear back to the comics page!
Dren Productions is proud to announce the official launch of its Kickstarter campaign for Smokey’s Junior Rangers, an all-ages comic series starring one of America’s most iconic heroes. This marks the first officially licensed Smokey Bear comic book in decades, created in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to inspire a new generation of readers to care for the environment and prevent wildfires.
The Kickstarter page is available now:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/drenproductions/smokeys-junior-rangers
Smokey Bear has long been a symbol of conservation and fire prevention, and now, with Smokey’s Junior Rangers, he’s taking on a new mission: leading a group of enthusiastic kids on adventures filled with action, education, and heart. Together, they’ll explore the wonders of nature, face the dangers of careless behavior, and learn what it truly means to protect our forests.
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Whew! Was that enough announcements? Do you want more? We’re not even close to the tip of the iceberg, baby!
-Mike