Ben Hansen does BellCon 2011 and more!

Hey there, my faithful ones! Time for your blogmaster to drop some knowledge on you, with some news you should have. Today, it's all about our own Ben Hansen.

First off, if you will be in Ferndale, WA this Saturday, you'll have to be sure to stop by the Bellingham ComiCon. They've got some really good guests this year, not least of which is Ben Hansen. He'll be there with his usual array of prints and comics, as well as doing sketches for the masses. This is Ben's last appearance for the year, so you don't want to miss your chance to see him, if you can. He can be found at table #50 (in the artist alley section) and the show runs from 10 am to 5pm. You can get all the necessary information at their website.

Next, I hope you've all been keep tabs on our Facebook page. If not, you are missing out on a set of sneak peek images from Ben's upcoming story from Moonstone Comics. The preview images are from the pages of Zombies vs. Cheerleaders #5. Based from the 5finity card set, the series blends teen angst with undead horror. This is the first part of a two part story. I'll be adding more previews later this week. So, make sure to check in with the page and get a gander at what Ben has in store for you. Think of it as an early Halloween treat. Part one of the story is due out later this month. I'll be sure to let you all know when it's ready to drop.

Lastly, I wanted to throw out a last minute reminder that the Marla Bea Breast Cancer benefit art auctions are ending later today. As you know, Ben Hansen (as well as Randy Kintz, Mike Vosburg, and Matt Haley) donated a piece to this wonderful cause. Many of the pieces up for grabs are still are very reasonable prices, so you have no reason not to throw on a bid on some of the great art that is available. You can view all the donations right here. Do your part to help a very worthwhile cause.

Well, that's all for now. I'll back again soon, as I'm expecting some new art shipments in shortly. Until then, peace out!

Hitting The Shelves: Batman and Robin #1

Hey there, faithful one! Well, things are really picking up around the old Sequential Treasures H.Q., which is just how we like it. There's lots of news to let you all in on, so let's get right to it.

First off, we have some new work hitting comic shops this week. DC Comics big relaunch has taken the comic world by storm and our own Mick Gray is a part of the proceedings. Due out on Wednesday, is the Batman and Robin #1 relaunch (which features Mick's inks over the pencils of Patrick Gleason). Bruce Wayne is now teamed up with his son, Damien, but what will be harder for this new dynamic duo: the villains they face, or trying to work together? The only way to find out is to pick up a copy. But do so fast, as this book is one of several that has had a sellout at the distribution level and later printings, while forthcoming, will be tough to come by. Just look for the cover shown here, when you pick up your weekly stash.

But that isn't all, as Mick is going to be doing some local shop signings to further promote this debut launch. On the 15th, you can see Mick at Illusive Comics and Games in Santa Clara, CA. He'll be there from 5pm to 8pm, autographing copies of the book, as well as doing some sketching and talking comics with those who attend. Then, on the 17th, he'll be doing the same at Flying Colors Comics in Concord, CA from 12pm to 3pm. So, if you'll be in the area of these shops during these times, make sure to drop by.

Shifting from comic in shops, to comics on the web, we have Randy Kintz's work on Columbia's Underbelly for Darkbrain Comics. Columbia’s Underbelly is a 116 page story that will be told in 5 chapters – first one starting this week – and then with bi-monthly issues to its completion. So, make sure to join up at Darkbrain's website (linked here) and check out what craziness Randy will be bringing to you. You can see a sample page of it right here.

Lastly, if you haven't joined our Facebook page you are missing out on some fun stuff. Of late, I've been putting up "sneak peek" art from upcoming works by our array of talent. A few weeks ago, I gave you glimpses into Batman and Robin #1. This week, I've been putting up some teasers to Ben Hansen's upcoming one-shot from Moonstone Comics called Air Vixens. So, make sure to "like" us and you'll be able to check out some interesting tidbits on yet to be released works from our roster of artists.

Well, that about does it for now. But there's more to come very soon. I have some new art expected in from some of our artists (including some Richard Moore work I've been asked about more times than I care to remember), plus some convention appearances within the next couple weeks. So, don't expect things to quiet down here for some time. Until next time, peace out!

Hitting The Shelves: Outsiders #34 & Chip: Second Crack #2

Hey there, Sequential Treasures fans! Well, Thanksgiving in almost here and we've certainly got a lot more cooking around her at the old H.Q., than just a turkey. We've got new comic releases due out this week from some of our great stable of comic artists.

First up, we have The Outsiders #34 from DC comics. In it Geo-Force comes face to face with the Olympian. Somehow I don't think things will get settled through some sporting events. This issue features the pulse-pounding inks of our own Mick Gray, on top of the pencils of the legendary Keith Giffen! Just look for the cover shown here. Even better, starting with issue #36 of the series, Mick will be the new regular inker for the book (on Giffen's pencils). Very awesome, no? [Edit Update: Mick just informed me that this issue is the only one he will be doing on the book and will not become the regular inker of it. He says, though, that he has some big news for another project, that made this happen, which he'll let me know about soon.]

Also out this week is Chip: Second Crack #2 from Antacrtic Press. Richard's Moore's latest mini-series, involving his 4-inch high gargoyle, is trucking right along, as Chip continues his hunt for the Jersey Devil. Knowing Chip, it's not going to end up the way he expects it. It's a really fun book, that Shawn Douglas of Cosmic Comix & Toys proclaimed was, "A great all-ages book that will exceed your expectations and possibly make you an instant fan for life!"

Lastly, but certainly not least, your blogmaster spaced it last week and forgot to mention that you should pick up a copy of Zombies vs. Cheerleaders #2 from Moonstone Comics, as it has a pin up piece by our own Ben Hansen (who is no strangers to zombies or cheerleaders himself).

So, now that you know all about this great comic goodness that's out there, makes sure to pick up these awesome books and get a dose of Sequential Treasures talented talents! Also, be sure to come by the Sequential Treasures Facebook Forum (the link is in the sidebar to the left) to see the covers to all the issues mentioned here (plus maybe a surprise or two).

That's all for now, but as I said, we have lots of stuff cooking around here, so I'll be back soon with more news and info to delight, dazzle, and dumbfound you all. Until then, peace out!

Artist Bio: Ben "1314" Hansen

Hey everyone! It's been a bit quiet, but all that is gonna change. You know I've been hinting for a while now, that I have some big news coming up. Well, now is the time to let the cat out of the proverbial bag. Sequential Treasures will now be the exclusive art rep for artist Ben "1314" Hansen.

If his name isn't known to you, that's okay. Ben is a fairly new guy to this hallowed industry, but what he lacks in popularity he makes up for with sheer enthusiastic talent. Your humble blogmaster has had the chance to know Ben for years, and in doing so I've watched his style develop and grow very quickly in that time. Don't believe me? Just look at the sample image here to see the kind of work this guy can crank out. But don't let me blow Ben's horn for him, as the artist is more than happy to give the lowdown on himself:

"In a galaxy not quite so far away, nor a time not long ago, Ben “1314” Hansen was bit by the comic bug. Since then he has been penciling away, honing many comic art styles, from mainstream to the macabre and everything in between. Ben got his first break into comics when his good friend and mentor Drew Hayes of Poison Elves asked him to help out with the inks on the book. Ben then moved up to penciling when he got the opportunity to draw Dark Powers and Vermicide for QEW Publishing Group. We can also find Ben’s unique blend of macabre and mainstream in the pages The Dependents soon to be released by Arcana Comics. But if you don’t want to wait that long, you can find his work gracing the pages of Roger Corman Presents Battle Amongst the Star printed by Bluewater Productions. A prequel to the 1986 Roger Corman film, “Battle Beyond the Stars”, of which the first issue will be out this March. Ben has also been working with the good people at 5Finity doing a wide array of sketch cards ranging from the character of MoonstoneComics, Voltron and His personal favorite Zombie VS Cheerleaders."

As you can see, there is plenty Ben Hansen work coming down the pike very soon. You also will have the chance to meet Ben in person, once the convention season swings into gear. We, also, will have some of Ben's original art for sale at our art gallery shortly and will make sure you all know when it hits. So, make sure you take note of his name. You are going to see a lot of it in 2010 and beyond!

That's it for now, art fans. More to come soon. Until then, peace out!