More Legendary West WIP

Good Evening Everyone!  The work week is over and we head in to another weekend.  We hope this weekend has many a good plans and that it treats y'all well.

As promised, we have some more work-in-progress artwork from our upcoming Illustrated Legends of the Old West collaborative art book.  We have exciting news btw!  The proof is in and currently being reviewed, which means we are closer to having the finished book in our hands.  Which means the books will soon be available and in your hands!!  Woot! And now, on to the new art!

Bill Alger (NY-base uber-illustrator and designer) chose to express his love of the Old West by illustrating a nostalgic nod to the original action figure Johnny West and his nemesis Sam Cobra.  Along with G.I. Joe, Johnny West was one of the first in the wave of boy-themed action figures.  Johnny was fully-posable, 12 inches tall and came with western-themed accessories.  And that was in the 1960's which goes to show how lasting an influence the Wild West had.  And continues to have...

Matthew Hill (astounding comic book artist, designer, filmmaker and all-around renaissance man) sketched out Allan Pinkerton, founder of the famous National Detective Agency.  They were the fore-front of law in the frontier and were responsible for tracking and arresting outlaws wherever they were operating west of the Mississippi.  They were hired by banks, train companies and anyone else who thought they could protect their interests.  Allan is mostly famous for trying to apprehend Jesse James but only succeeded in getting negative headlines when his tactics resulted in several civilian deaths.  Oops!

Justin Ridge (amazing animator, director, designer and hand model) is illustrating Calamity Jane.  Yes, we are aware that she made a brief snippet appearance when we first starting blogging about the new book.  But we thought she should get a full cameo.  So here is one of the most famous of ladies.  She was a soldier, tracker, and exhibition shooter who was considered one of the guys.  Probably because she drank, swore and fought just like them.  She was associated with Wild Bill Hickok and the town of Deadwood, South Dakota.  She was trouble, in appearance and attitude which makes for some pretty unbelievable stories.  You should check them out.

There ya have it.  Some more goodness to tide ya over for the weekend.  Have a great one and we'll see y'all here again on Monday with some news, photos of the proof and other goodies.  Adios amigos!