Reed Gunther Signing!

Apparently, there's a big snow storm headed for Southeast Michigan Wednesday night but don't let that stop you from getting your hands on the latest Reed Gunther stories! ;D

BEAR RIDING COWBOY SPOTTED AT DEARBORN COMIC STORE ARTIST CELEBRATES NEW PRINTING OF COMICS WITH SIGNING AT GREEN BRAIN COMICS

[MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, DEARBORN, MI] Green Brain Comics is proud to announce an appearance by cartoonist Chris Houghton on Wednesday, February 10th at 4pm. Chris will be signing copies of his comic book series REED GUNTHER, which features the adventures of Reed and his best friend Sterling the bear.

Chris Houghton is a student at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and a freelance illustrator. Along with his brother Shane, the two have created a big buzz around their comic series REED GUNTHER. "Chris was a guest at Green Brain on Free Comic Book Day in 2009 when REED GUNTHER was just a gleam in his eye." says event coordinator Dan Merritt "And since then he and his brother Shane have self-published three issues of the series which has become one of our best selling all-ages comic books."

Reed Gunther is a goofy and exciting all ages comic book independently created and produced by brothers Shane and Chris Houghton. Follow Reed Gunther and his trusty bear, Sterling, as they ride through the adventurous Old West! Whether they're battling supernatural monsters, tracking down slimy villains, or catching a runaway train... you can bet they wish they were doing something else!

Among the comics available at the signing will be new printings of the first two issues "Reed Gunther and the Steak Snacking Snake!" and "Reed Gunther in a Stalac-TIGHT Spot!". Not only are these great fun and essential parts of the Reed Gunther mythos, but they also feature brand new covers.

Chris Houghton will be signing from 4pm to 7pm. The signing will be followed by the Green Brain Comics Jam, a monthly gathering of local cartoonists. If you're an aspiring cartoonist, bring your favorite pen and join in the fun of improvised comic pages. All are welcome and light snacks will be provided by your hosts.

Green Brain Comics is located at 13210 Michigan Avenue in East Downtown Dearborn. For more information check the website at http://www.greenbrain.biz or call 313-582-9444

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Chris Houghton is a freelance illustrator living in Detroit, MI. He has had the pleasure to work with some great people from companies like Mighty Play, MGA, and NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports to name a few. Chris also draws a lot of goofy cartoons and comics like “Reed Gunther,” the comic book series about a bear-riding loudmouth cowboy.

Green Brain Comics has earned several awards including Metro Times readers' pick, "Best Comic Book Store," four years in a row.Owners Katie and Dan Merritt are very proud to build on the legacy as May 2010 will mark 25 years of continued business in Dearborn. Their focus on service, selection and community involvement has earned them a worldwide reputation for excellence in comic retailing.

New Reed Gunther Covers!

Hey guys!

Shane and I are happy to announce that we needed to do a second printing of issues #1 and #2 of Reed Gunther! With the new printing, we decided it'd be fun to offer new covers. They were a lot of fun to do and the more I draw Reed and Sterling, the more I feel I get to know them. It's a pretty bizarre and fun "relationship." I can't imagine how syndicated cartoonists must feel towards their characters after drawing them for decades; probably like family!

The second printing of the first two issues with new covers won't be available for another week or two but I'll post here when they are.





Wohoo! It's Friday!

New Heeby Jeeby Comix!

I've got a new comic up on Heeby Jeeby Comix called "Good Stew." It's kind of gross so obviously it was really fun to draw. ;)

Signing at Green Brain Comics!

Hey everyone!



I'll be doing a signing at Green Brain Comics in Dearborn, Mi on February 10th from 4-7. I'll have Reed Gunther issues, buttons, and free mini-comics. So if you're in the area, stop on by!

Some Reed Gunther News!

Hey everybody!



Issue 3, "Reed Gunther in Trains, Reigns, and Pains!" will be available tomorrow! To kick it off, Shane is doing a signing at The Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach, CA this Wednesday (the 20th) from 6-8. So if you're in the area, stop by to say hello!

From the Reed Gunther blog:

Come hang out, snag the latest issue and chat me up! I’ll have free mini-comics to give away, Reed Gunther posters for sale, as well as Reed Gunther back issues!

EXCEPT! We have sold out of issue #1, Reed Gunther and the Steak Snacking Snake! Chris and I have decided to return to the printers for a second edition, complete with a brand spanking new cover! Once we receive those new #1’s we’ll be sure to let you know and have them back on the website for sale.

Thanks to everyone who bought an issue from our first run!

Also, issue 3 has received some nice reviews from The Comic Book Bin and The Pullbox. Thanks reviewers! Andy Frisk from The Comic Book Bin even included the Reed Gunther series in his "Frisk's Picks: 2009" as the Best Small Run/Indie Series!

Here's what he had to say:

A Bear Ridin’ Cowboy, a Steak Snackin’ Snake, a Stalac-Tight Spot, and some Trains, Reigns, and Pains combine to comprise the best quirky, off beat, funny, and all around enjoyable indie comic since mutated, pizza chompin’, teenaged turtles proved that off the wall characters and stories, if well drawn and written, can be more fun than a barrel full of “dead” Batmans.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support and be sure to drop by reedgunther.com tomorrow to order your copy of issue 3!

Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship!

Attention all eligible college students! It's time to apply for The National Cartoonists Society Foundation's Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship!

From the NCSF Website:

Jay Kennedy Scholarship

The annual Jay Kennedy Scholarship, in memory of the late King Features editor, was funded by an initial $100,000 grant from the Hearst Foundation/King Features Syndicate and additional generous donations from Jerry Scott, Jim Borgman, Patrick McDonnell and many other prominent cartoonists. Submissions are adjudicated by a panel of top cartoonists and an award is given to the best college cartoonist. The recipient is feted at the annual NCS Reuben Awards Convention attended by many of the world’s leading cartoonists.

Applicants must be college students in the United States, Canada or Mexico that will be in their Junior or Senior year of college during the 2010-2011 academic year. Applicants do not have to be art majors to be eligible for this scholarship.

Along with a completed entry form, applicants are required to send 8 samples of their own cartooning artwork (copies only); noting if and where the work has been published, either in print or on the web. (See application for details.) DO NOT send original artwork.

DEADLINE: ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED BY FEBRUARY 12, 2010

The applications will be judged by the National Cartoonists Society Foundation (NCSF) and the number of scholarships given out and their amounts will be at the discretion of the NCSF.

I was extrememly honored to win the scholarship last year and had an incredible time at the Reubens meeting some of my biggest cartooning heroes. So if you're going to be a Junior or Senior in the 2010-2011 academic year, send in your stuff!

Art Sale!

Hey everyone!

Recently, after rearranging my studio and going through a bunch of my more recent work, I decided it was time I got rid of some of it. So, if you're interested in owning some original work, I've re-scanned in 14 pieces that are now available for sale!

Each piece here is shown untouched by any kind of photoshop tweaking. I draw out most of my inked drawings with non-photo blue pencil first. Because the blue pencil lines are not picked up by the scanner, I usually don't erase them.

If you see a piece you'd like to purchase, email me at chrishoughtonart(at)gmail.com and I'll send you an invoice through Paypal. Plus, I'll be sure to include a couple complimentary Reed Gunther mini-comics with each order I mail out! ;D


"There's Never a Good Day to Lose a Dog" 11" x 11"
Ink and Watercolor on Bristol Board
$50


"Sittin' in the Rain" 10" x 14"
Acrylic and Colored Pencil on Illustration Board
$50


"The Metamorphosis" Approx. 11.5" x 17.5"
Ink on Bristol Board
SOLD


"Smart Car Gag" 11" x 14"
Blue Pencil and Ink on Bristol Board
SOLD


"Fortune Teller Gag" 11" x 14"
Blue Pencil and Ink on Bristol Board
$30


"Where the Wild Things Are" 11" x 14"
Blue Pencil and Ink on Bristol Board
SOLD


"Space Girl" 11" x 14"
Blue Pencil and Ink on Bristol Board
$40


"Dirty Mouth" 9" x 12"
Blue Pencil and Ink on Bristol Board
SOLD


"Man Talk" 12" x 9"
Blue Pencil and Ink on Bristol Board
$35


"Cement Truck" 12" x 9"
Ink and Watercolor on Bristol Board
SOLD


"Poison Ivy" 11" x 14"
Blue Pencil and Ink on Bristol Board
$45


"50 Years of Barbie in an Arranged Marriage" 12 3/4" x 15"
Blue Pencil and Ink on Bristol Board
$35


"Botobit Cover" 11" x 17"
Blue Pencil and Ink on Bristol Board
$45


"Middle School Kids" 12 3/4" x 16" (including black foam core, 15" x 18")
Blue Pencil and Ink on Bristol Board
$50

(An extra $5 will be added to each purchase for shipping and handling.)

Revamped Website!

I recently revamped my website and it's now up and running! Give it a look-see and hopefully everything will run smoothly for you. ;)

Many thanks to Bob for helping me out with some last minute glitches that had me completely stumped.

Hope you guys like the new look and if all goes well, you won't be seeing this message very often:

Green Brain Comics "Covered" Show!

Hey internet surfers!



Green Brain Comics (the coolest comic book store around!) is doing another gallery show, based on Robert Goodin's popular blog, "Covered." Here's the write-up on the show:

Green Brain Comics is proud to announce the opening of a new art exhibit entitled "COVERED" on Wednesday, January 13th. The exhibit will be on display in Green Brain Comics's recently named gallery, HEADSPACE.

Inspired by a similar theme at the Covered blog (www.covered.blogspot.com) HEADSPACE curator Dan Merritt has assembled several pieces by artists that have brought their own touch to famous and infamous comic book covers from several different decades. "The theme for this exhibit has really sparked a creative flame." says Merritt "Each of these pieces has been lovingly recreated in tribute to the original art and the original artists that created them."

Featured in the exhibit will be works from Michigan based comic creators Paul Sizer, Matt Feazell, Sean Bieri and Chris Houghton. Joining them will be other well known local artists Eric Millikin, Bryan Durren and Heather Hansma. As well as many others, including Lizz James, Jesse Hughes, Jennifer Rose Evans, and a piece by Masheka Wood from New York.

The opening reception for the "Covered" exhibit will be Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 from 7pm to 10pm. The art will be on view until Saturday, March 6th.

HEADSPACE is inside Green Brain Comics which is located at 13210 Michigan Avenue in East Downtown Dearborn. More information is available at www.greenbrain.biz or by calling 313-582-9444

I contributed my Milton the Monster cover I did a couple of months ago as well as a more recent adaptation of Airboy #27. Did anyone else read Eclipse's Airboy series from the 80's?



So if you happen to be in Detroit next Wednesday, stop by Green Brain Comics!

The Astounding Wolf-Man Pin-up

Here's a pin-up I did for Jason Howard of his (and Robert Kirkman's) Astounding Wolf-Man! It's a pretty fun series but it's sadly ending with issue #25. It had a great run and some wild art by Jason, who just so happens to be a super nice guy to boot.

Big News for 2010!

So, I've got big news... it's a little over-due but we didn't want to be premature in announcing anything on the web before all of our close family and friends heard but...

Kassandra and I are getting married! Woo!



We figured with 2010 here and our June date just around the corner, there's no better time to shout it out than now. We're doing a nice "small" wedding at my parent's house in the country-side of Mid-Michigan and it should be a lot of fun. My brothers will be home, family and friends will join us, heck I even coaxed my long-time roommate Scott into being my best man. You remember Scott, right? ;)

Kass and I are super excited and have promised each other that once we get through this upcoming busy Summer and get settled into our new place... we're getting a cat.


Illustration by Kassandra

...I'm a lucky guy.

Some sketches to end 2009!

Hey guys and gals!

Spent a great week visiting my parents with Kassandra, eating and sleeping too much... nah, that's impossible!

Last night I gave the blog a bit of a different look. What do you guys think?

Kassandra's been filling up those little moleskin sketch books like a speed demon and she got me inspired to get going on one. It's great drawing in a sketchbook so small and it's been a little too long since I've drawn just for drawing's sake. Of course, that's the great thing about blogs; they can give a home to otherwise pointless doodles! ;)









I hope everyone had a great holiday and will have an even better New Years! Thank you to everyone who continues to follow my blog. Whether you comment or just check the work out, it means a lot to me and your support is much appreciated!