I have opened an Etsy store. eBay was a necessary evil that I put up with too long. On my Etsy store, you’ll find…

-Prints

-Sketchbooks

-Original sketches

-Commission spots

More to come! Head over and check it out! http://www.etsy.com/shop/HodgesArt

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We’re at the end of another year and things have been good this year. Could things have been better? Yes.

I truly wanted to get Midknight back out there before the end of the year, Sadly I was unable to do that but it’s OK. I am hard at work on it for 2013. I think that it’s poetic to get it back out there 10 years after it was initially optioned for an animated series that never happened.

But seriously. This past year, I dramatically cut my Con appearances down to a 3rd of what it normally is. A lot of people have asked why and the short answer is, I’m tired. And that’s no lie. 90% of the time I’m at a Con, I’m away from Terri and my Puppies and my Kitties and I’m usually either in Artist Alley or in a Hotel room. Always working. I’ve come to realize that if I don’t have anything new to offer folks, that less people give a crap I’m there. For the exception of the big shows (SDCC, Phoenix Comicon, WonderCon… etc), if you’re not offering something new to people, there’s no point in going. The past 2 years since the Clone Wars comic ended, I’ve had little to promote. The RUSH stuff only happened recently and I wasn’t even allowed to discuss it until well after my last Con appearance for the year.

And don’t get me wrong… I LOVED working on the 2112 Graphic Novel and would gladly do another project with RUSH and/or UMG. It was awesome. The problem is, that book won’t be sold at Comic Shops. And yes, the Album will sell well over 100,000 copies, likely 2-3 times that. It’s RUSH, how could it not? But the likelihood any of those were sold in a Comic Shop is EXTREMELY unlikely. That sucks. So while I essentially have a best selling graphic novel, I really don’t. And let’s face it, 80% of the folks buying that set are getting it for the music. LOL

It was the curse of the Clone Wars season 1 trade paperback. It was only sold at shows and not at shops. We had a huge readership online with the 3 seasons we did, but many people want either a straightforward digital comic to read on a device or the paper in their hands.

In a nutshell, back to the original point (Remember, I ramble), I have nothing new to offer folks at the moment so appearances are again going to be minimal in 2013. Could that change? Yes. My ideal release for issue 1 is April, but if I can push it, i would love for it to come JUST before WonderCon so I can start the push at my first Con of the year. Midknight  has become something bigger in my mind then I previously imagined. I’m hoping what I put out there is enjoyed. I’m not worrying about what I think you guys might like but what I want to do with it. If my ideas and direction get people reading and digging the art, awesome. It’s my goal to make this something special. So let’s see what happens.

“SKETCH OF THE DAY”: Now, this is the slow time for me. I just had a massive eBay sale that went pretty well. I sold a LOT of artwork for a fraction of what it would normally go for. I’m OK with that because it’s old art in my eyes. I threw in a few newer pieces in that were sitting still, but most of that art is from the past 2-3 years that has been sitting in portfolios and a part of what I was as an artist then. I like to think that as I move forward as an artist, the old stuff that’s taking space needs to also move forward. But in order to stay afloat and get Midknight done, I’ll be selling new art Monday-Friday in 3 forms:

1 -  sketch card (Pen-Ink-Accent Colors): $30 plus S&H (January will be Star Wars Fan Days cards)

2 -  Sketch Cover (Bust sketch: Pen-Ink on Sketch Cover): $80 plus S&H (I have many variants and the art will reflect the title)

3 – 11″ x 17″  Full Character Sketch (Pen-Ink-Grey Tones): $150-$200 plus S&H (I’m planning the two weeks, starting this Monday and it will be “Star Wars Villains & Scoundrels”) **These will be first come first serve, BUT if have a suggestion for a piece connected to the theme going on and want to buy it outright, feel free to make suggestions)

NOTE: I will NOT being doing prints on a regular basis anymore. If I do a print, it will be something special.

These prices will be set in stone for the “Daily Sketches”. The Sketch cards won’t go over $30 and the 11″ x 17″ will not go over $200 UNLESS there is a special request involved and it’s worked out in advance. Doing these 3 sketches every morning will get me ready for an afternoon and evening of Pages for Midknight. If you guys wind up buying the art I am putting out each day, that’s going to make it a lot easier.

PENDING PRINTS: I know a bunch of you are awaiting prints, they will ship sometime in January. I apologize for the delays.

ART CAST: I will no longer be doing a Daily Art cast. I will bring back the weekly art cast in January, BUT I won’t be taking new commissions, I will be working on Long Standing Commissions and Midknight pages during them until further notice… but I will do the art cast with sound so we can chat. I will be posting all new art cast information on January 1st.

KICKSTARTER: I can’t believe I’m saying this but I still have rewards to scan and ship. They are coming and everyone has been extremely patient with me on this and I thank you, seriously. I am working right now to get them out this week. Everyone of you waiting have something extra coming in those packages for being awesome!

NEW KICKSTARTER: Yes, I am planning a new Kickstarter, but this will be more focused and the rewards will be ready to go as soon as it ends! I made the mistake of offering so many original sketches. It was a great offering, but to balance everything else in your life with it was difficult, so I have learned from my mistake and expect a new Kickstarter in the coming weeks! I hope to get many of your support on this one as it will revolve around Midknight!

OVERDUE COMMISSIONS: I’m almost through them. It’s one of the things I’m working to get squared away in January. If you have a pending commission, please email me directly at info@tomhodges.com so we can get you straightened out. Even if we have spoke recently, I want to hear from you. When I don’t, things fall by the waste side and I’d rather hear from you guys then you think I am ignoring you. If I do anything right, I hope it’s communicate with you. Remember, YOU ARE NOT BOTHERING ME… I OWE YOU ART, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR ART!

Lastly on a more personal level, I will be attempting again to lose weight in 2013. It’s time. My last few trips to a fast few joints has made me feel horrible. It’s gotten to a point where I think if I don’t, I’ll be dead by the time I’m 45. I can’t have that. I’ll be getting up early everyday to exercise and eat better. The fact is, when I’m eating better and exercising, I work much better. I’ll likely post each weigh-in on my site with a bit of a blog post about what I’m doing. Not going to lie, I need the encouragement and hopefully I’ll pass that on to someone else.

I THINK I covered everything. I hope 2013 is a good year for everyone! Be safe and Happy New Year!

-Tom

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The Media is saying we’re desensitized to violence in this country. I would have agreed with them before Friday. I think we’re all pretty horrified at what happened and I think it was that wake up call for there to be stricter laws concerning the purchase of certain types of weapons and weapon accessories.

I also hope it puts stronger regulations on the “Gun Show” loophole, which is out of control.

One other issue that seems to keep being brought up is Movies/TV, Music and Video games. I don’t think that Studios are the whole problem with this, it’s parents and the outlets selling the Movies & Games… let me explain

-I’ve seen theaters sell tickets to kids under 17 for violent, R Rated films. I see plenty of Ticket sellers NOT sell to kids, but then I see Parents buying those tickets for their kids.

-I’ve seen plenty of kids walk into a GameStop and buy violent video games, and when they do ask for ID, they get their Mom out of the car to buy it.

-I was having Dinner at Wahoo’s with Terri the other night where we heard a child, MAYBE 5-6 years old, quoting “Family Guy”. I’m sorry, but I don’t think a kid that young should be watching FG and I LOVE that show. It’s not for kids.

Sure the studios will likely become stricter on the rating system. I think they should. I don’t care. I’m 40 years old. And yes, I was guilty as any Parent letting Logan see movies with us that were violent and Rated R, but I also know my kid is responsible and understands right and wrong and has from a young age.

I’m 110% sure he’s not going to walk outside with a gun and kill because he saw it in Game or Movie. Why? Because he’s a responsible person and has been given the common sense and decency to know it’s just not what you do. If you have a problem, you talk about it or find help. You also don’t ignore it. Which is something plenty of parents do these days.

The same people screaming it’s a mental health issue are the ones screaming against “ObamaCare”.

The same people screaming it’s the NRA and Gun Laws are the ones “totally cool” that buy their 7 year old “Call of Duty” and “Grand Theft Auto”.

Most people think nothing will change. I disagree.

I think when someone, obviously with problems, shoots his Mother FOUR TIMES in the head then drives to a local Elementary School, shoots his way in and then proceeds to gun down 20 Children, ages 6-7 years old… and their AMAZING Teachers, Counselor and Principal several times over… I think things will change. I hope things will change.

And I hope people who start screaming from the rafters how they were given the right by our “fore Fathers” to bear arms realize they also gave us the right to own human beings. And yes, we have the First Amendment for a reason. We should be able to speak our minds freely and NOBODY should take that away, BUT when it comes to violence on film and TV, we need to be responsible adults and not allow kids to see the things they shouldn’t. That’s just common sense.

And yes, my comic “Midknight” will be violent. As violent as say a X-Men or Batman comic. It’s going to be up to the Parents to decide if it can be read by their kids. In my eyes, PG-13 will be the best way to describe it.

Things change, folks… they’re suppose to. We’re suppose to evolve. Nobody is going to take away your Hunting Rifles. Nobody is going to stop cool movies from coming out. But shit has to be straightened out. If it doesn’t, we may as well come to an end on Friday because what’s the point? What’s the point of moving forward if we can’t do just that… MOVE FORWARD.

-T

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Top: 2112 album cover. Above:A small portion of a Panel from the “2112″ graphic novel.

The past couple of months, I’ve hinted at a “Secret Project” on my Facebook Fan Page (http://www.facebook.com/Hodgesart) and Twitter (@hodgesart) about a ‘secret project” I could not say much about but was very excited to be doing. I’ve been chomping at the bit to talk about it, but I was under wraps until Universal Music Group announced it…

… and it figures they would announce it while I was on a Disney Cruise to Mexico… you know, where I have no internet and if I use it, it’s a $20 a MB to check Facebook. That’s just my luck.

But it’s no biggie because here are the FULL details of the 5.1 Deluxe Edition of Rush’s masterpiece “2112″… for which I was honored to provide the art for a graphic novel that would be bound into the box set! Actually, from what I was told, my book IS the packaging!

Specs provided by Rush.com from Monday, November 12th, 2012:

In time for 21/12 celebrations,
Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will release deluxe editions of Rush’s landmark album 2112 that will feature 5.1 Surround Sound Mixes, Unreleased Live Tracks and the First Ever Rush Comic Book, available globally starting December 18, 2012.

There will be 3 configurations of 2112: DELUXE EDITIONS (CD/DVD and CD/Blu-Ray) and a special SUPER DELUXE EDITION (CD/Blu-Ray/Hardbound book case).
The deluxe editions contain a CD/DVD or CD/Blu-Ray material including the remastered 2112 CD with 3 live bonus tracks and a DVD or Blu-ray™ disc with a 5.1 surround sound audio mix and an interactive digital comic book, a new album cover by original album designer Hugh Syme, liner notes and unpublished photos.

The super deluxe contains the CD/Blu-Ray and is meticulously assembled in a hardbound bookcase packed with a 40-page comic book representing every song on 2112.

2112: SUPER DELUXE EDITION

2 DISC: CD + BLU-RAY version
Housed in a hardbound book with a 40 page comic book by story artist Tom Hodges (Star Wars “The Clone Wars,” The Simpson’s “Treehouse of Horrors #17″) and a 24 page book with expanded artwork, liner notes, lyrics and unreleased photos. New liner notes written by David Fricke, Rolling Stone.

2112: DELUXE EDITIONS (DVD Version and Blu-Ray Version):

2 DISC: CD + DVD AUDIO/VIDEO

2 DISC: CD + BLU-RAY

Expanded artwork, liner notes, lyrics and unreleased photos by original album designer Hugh Syme. Brand new liner notes by David Fricke, Rolling Stone.

CD – Digitally remastered plus 3 unreleased bonus live tracks:
– Overture (Northland Coliseum, Edmonton, AB – June 25, 1981)
– The Temples of Syrinx (Northland Coliseum, Edmonton, AB – June 25, 1981)
– A Passage To Bangkok (Manchester Apollo, Manchester, England – June 17, 1980)

DVD AUDIO/VIDEO AND BLU-RAY CONTAIN:
– Digital Comic Book – experience the comic book formatted for widescreen televisions during playback of the album.
– Photo Gallery – unreleased photos and handwritten lyrics by Neil Peart

DVD AUDIO/VIDEO SPECS:
-5.1 Surround Sound mix by Richard Chycki in PCM (DVD-Audio players) and 48kHz / 24-bit Dolby Digital (DVD-Video players)
– 96kHz / 24-bit PCM Stereo (DVD-Audio players) and 48kHz / 24-bit Dolby Digital Stereo (DVD-Video players)

BLU-RAY SPECS:
-5.1 Surround Sound mix by Richard Chycki in 96kHz / 24-bit PCM and DTS-HD Master Audio
– 96kHz / 24-bit PCM Stereo

“Every album is a point in Rush’s history,” Geddy Lee said in 1978. “And if it’s not getting better, something’s wrong. Every album has to be the perfect Rush album.”

“The first record,” Alex Lifeson says about 2112, “where we sounded like Rush.”

“2112 is, more than anything, a record about being Rush: loving music, moving it forward and taking it to the world, whatever the price. And it is perfect.” – David Fricke

Originally released in 1976, Rush’s epic, landmark release 2112 was their creative and commercial breakthrough as well as one of the band’s most highly regarded releases among both fans and critics alike. With lyrics written by Neil Peart, and influenced by author Ayn Rand, 2112 kicks off with the ambitious seven-suite title track (side one), set in a futuristic world run by the “Priests of the Temples of Syrinx” who regulate “every single facet of every life,” which includes books, music, work and play. “2112” conveys the story of humanity’s instinctual, inner need for one’s free will.

After the mythological journey through “2112,” side two brings you back to the present and continues with five stand-alone tracks. From hard-rocking tracks such as “A Passage to Bangkok,” “Lessons,” and a trip to into the fourth dimension with “The Twilight Zone,” to the album’s

I’m going to post more updates as we get closer to the release, but I really wanted to get this out there as soon as I got home!

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