Here is a sketch-cover commission I just finished.

I am part of the first annual Arizona Comic Mini Expo. A one day event happening on Free Comic Book Day. I’m super excited about it and will continue to post more about it as it gets nearer.  On the work front, I am wrapping up an 8-page story for Image Comic’s Outlaw Territory Vol.3, I am continuing to contribute to Red5 Comic’s Atomic Robo Real Science Adventures mini-series anthology (order info here), I am wrapping up colors on the Failsafe one-shot and still working full time on a mystery project that I can’t talk about yet. Keeping busy here, hopefully I’ll have some new art I can post soon.

Yesterday an article ran on Comicbookresources asking some comic professionals what they were most looking forward to in 2012, and what they had cooking for the new year. I’m reposting my entry here, for anyone who missed it. I have also included a sneak peek at a couple pages from my Sparrow story for Red5 Comics.

“One of the things I am most looking forward to is some of the BPRD projects coming out. Scott Allie and Mike Mignola have picked some great artists to add to their roster. I’m excited for books by James Harren and Jason Latour. I am also really looking forward to Punk Rock Jesus from Sean Murphy. I hope that makes it out in 2012, it’s probably the book I am most looking forward to right now. Sean’s work is always amazing and I think it’ll go up another level working on his own book. Polly and the Pirates Vol.2 I have been waiting on for a long time. My kids and I love the character and Robbi Rodriguez’s art on it looks fantastic. Other than that, I tend to follow artists so I jump around a bit. Give me a solid story with great art and I’ll read it regardless of publisher or character. One thing I hope to see is more diversity in the type of art showcased by the Big 2. There are a lot of energetic, exciting and very talented artists just on the fringe right now, and I’d like to see them pushed forward instead of much of the bland, boring art that is at the forefront in most high profile books.

For me in 2012, the only thing I have that I can announce is a Sparrow short story I am doing for Red 5 comics as part of their Atomic Robo anthology. My story takes place in 1944 and is written by Brian Clevinger. It’ll be a full 24 page story, broken up throughout the six issues. I am currently working on a five issue series that has not been announced that should be out in 2012 as well, hopefully sometime around summer. I’ll be relaunching my creator book ICARUS as a webcomic as well, sometime in late spring.”

Here is where I post about where the winners and losers go from here after UFC 141.

Nam Phan – Bellator. I don’t know how much name power he has right now and his biggest, and only, UFC win is against Leonard Garcia. The only reason he might not get cut is that the UFC’s featherweight division needs bodies. If he sticks around, then how about feeding him to Dennis Bermudez.

Jim Hetes – How about Chan Sung Jung? He just beat former title contender Mark Hominick and he always comes to fight. If that’s too far a step up in competition, and the UFC wants to groom him, then let’s try Mike Brown.

Vladimir Matyushenko – He’s been fed to the UFC’s young lions lately, I say give him Stephen Bonnar or Forrest Griffin and let the veterans go at it. I’ll say Griffin

Alexander Gustafsson – Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Little Nog and Gustafsson are both coming off big wins, it makes sense.

Jon Fitch – Yikes. A 12- second KO. I say give him Charlie Brenneman. One of them will need to get back on track.

Hendricks – He proved he’s the real deal. I say give him the loser of Diaz/Condit. I know the UFC does not like to pair up a guy coming off a win against a guy coming off a loss, but either of those guys will be the right challenge for Hendricks right now. I’m sure Josh Koscheck will call Hendricks out though, so if Kos gets past Mike Pierce in February, let Hendricks have him.

Donald Cerrone – Give him some time off and then give him the loser of Pettis/Lauzon.

Nate Diaz – A rematch with Gray Maynard. If he can get past Gray he is a legitimate threat to the UFC lightweight belt.

Brock Lesnar – Mir/Lesnar III is the only fight that makes money. It’s winnable for Brock and still makes the UFC a ton of money. It’s too soon for a rematch with Cain Velasquez and Brock gets paid too much to not take on a top contender.

Overeem – Already penciled in to fight for UFC Heavyweight strap against Junior Dos Santos.

For a limited time only, if you order a commission from me –  or buy some original art from my shop –  I will include a copy of my sketchbook at no charge. Original pages starts at only $20 and commissions as low as $50 so this is a great deal. If you’re interested you can reach me at hurricanekids(at)gmail(dot)com. – Thanks and feel free to pass along this anyone who may be interested!

I’ve uploaded some pages that I have for sale right here on the site – They are very affordable and would be a great start to any collection (or a brilliant addition!)

If you’re interested in getting some original art as a gift for someone this holiday season, I’m running a limited time special. 11×17 black and white commission for only $60 (includes shipping within the US and up to two characters with a minimal background). Slots are limited to 5 total, once those are gone commissions will be closed until after the holidays. Your commission will be guaranteed to be mailed out by December 9th to ensure it’s arrival for the Holidays. Note me or send an email to hurricanekids(at)gmail(dot)com if you’re interested.

Donald Cerrone vs. Dennis Siver – Cerrone continues to impress though Siver is no pushover. I still think Cerrone wins this by decision.

Jeff Curran vs. Scott Jorgensen – Jorgensen 

Hatsu Hioki vs. George Roop – Roop.

Mirko Filipovic vs. Roy Nelson – Big Country lost some weight, he weighed in in full clothes and a fat suit and still came in 8 pounds lighter than his last fight. So I’d guess he shaved at least 20 pounds off his frame since the Frank Mir fight. I think Cro Crop is done and is retiring after this fight no matter what. I’m picking Roy by decision.

 Cheick Kongo vs. Matt Mitrione – I buy into the Mitrione hype, he looks leaps and bounds better every fight. I think he wind via TKO, possibly early in the 2nd.

Nick Diaz vs. B.J. Penn – No surprise here but I’m picking Penn, he has fought better competition over his career and been more dominant. I don’t see where Nick hold a significant advantage against Penn. Also, they got a bit into it during the weigh-ins and whenever Penn is angry, that’s when he’s at his best. I hope he’s mumbling to himself during his walk out tomorrow.

No comics today folks, but I do have plans to return to posting some artwork daily. Today I want to talk about some of the upcoming MMA fights that I’m really looking forward to in the next month or so.

GSP Vs. Carlos Condit (Postponed, due to GSP’s injury) – Condit has finished his last 3 opponents in knockout fashion and has garnered post-fight bonuses for each bout. He is a beast who is always looking to finish strong. The same cannot be said for the champ GSP. He fights smart and safe, but not always with the finishing instinct. GSP’s plan is probably to out-wrestle Condit, looking for a decision win or submission. Condit’s plan is to knock out the long time champ. I read that Carlos has already said he would not win a decision against GSP, so he’s going out there to finish him. I cannot wait for this to happen down the road, obviously Carlos is one of my favorite fighters.

BJ Penn Vs. Nick Diaz @ UFC137 – BJ is another of my favorite fighters. I think he takes out Diaz, I believe he can outbox and out-grapple Diaz and I expect him to take a decision. Diaz likes to prove how tough he is and he can surely take a hit, but he hasn’t fought anyone the caliber of BJ Penn while he was in Strikeforce and lost to most of the elite fighters he has fought in the past. Sean Sherk, Diego Sanschez, etc. BJ beat those two to a bloody pulp when he fought them.   If the BJ who defeated Joe Stevenson, Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian, Matt Hughes, & Diego Sanchez shows up,  Nick is in trouble.

Cain Velasquez Vs. Junior Dos Santos (UFC Heavyweight Title Fight) @UFC on FOX – Cain out-wrestled and beat the living crap out of Brock Lesnar to take the belt, despite the height and weight advantage of Brock. Cain is undefeated and looks remarkably better every time he fights. He has been on the shelf rehabbing a shoulder injury so I am a bit worried about ring rust. JDS is no joke and is one of the best pure boxers in the division. His jab is fast and his knockout power is something to be feared. I’m hesitant to pick a winner here, but I think Cain can put JDS on his back and finish him from the top. Either way, this is a great fight for FOX. 

Ben Henderson vs. Clay Guida @ UFC on FOX undercard (shown via Facebook stream I think) – Ben Henderson was supposed to lose to Jim Miller in his last fight and instead he out-grappled, out-struck and plain out-fought Miller. Henderson always puts on a show and is a joy to watch. Clay Guida is a tasmanian devil who never quits and this may go down as the most energetic LW battle of the year. Rumor is whoever wins this one gets the next shot at Frankie Edgar’s belt. I think Bendo takes it in a tightly contested decision. Ben is the better striker and has the better jiu-jitsu, if he can stop Clay’s takedowns then he should win this. If he can’t stop Clay ‘s wrestling then he has little chance against Edgar. 

Ben Saunders vs. The Bellator Welterweight division (fights shown on MTV2) – Another of my favorite fighters, Ben loves to fight, has fun, and always looks to finish. He also lists his fighting style as Jeet Kun Do, as in Bruce Lee badassness. I don’t understand why he is not in the UFC still, he fought really good fighters there and lost a decision to Jon Fitch after taking the bout on short notice. I’m sure if he beats Douglas Lima on Nov. 12 and gets a crack at Ben Askren’s Bellator title, he will be welcomed back, win or lose that title fight. 

* All photos used without permission, if they belong to you, I’ll gladly take them down.

Here are my picks for tonight’s UFC card, going down in Houston.

Pettis v. Stephens – Pettis takes this one, Jeremy Stephens is no Clay Guida and won’t outwork, out-strike or do anything better than Pettis in this fight. He is very well rounded, but I still think Pettis takes this.

Maia v. Santiago – I think if Demian fights smart, this is his to win, and I think he needs this win to have any shot of a second title contention run. I am biased though, I always pick Maia.

Guillard v. Lauzon – I really like Lauzon’s jiu-jitsu but the Young Assassin Guillard will take this, probably in knockout fashion.

Garcia v. Phan II – I think Garcia will go out there and just brawl like he always does, especially in front of a Texas crowd and Phan will beat him by being the more technical fighter. If Rogan interviews him after the fast, Garcia will apologize and say “He just wanted to put on a show for the fine people of Texas.”

Sonnen v. Stann – I wish Stann would knock Chael back to reality, but Chael probably wrestles his way to a win here. Still, I’ll pick the upset and go with Stann.

Aldo v. Florian (FW Championship)- Florian may have to drop to 135 after Aldo beats him tonight, but I don’t think he could beat Cruz either. Florian is great for the sport and very well rounded, but he is not championship material and this may be his last shot. I think he takes a beating while trying to take Aldo down, very similar to his fight with BJ Penn. Aldo via TKO.

Edgar v. Maynard III (LW championship) – I cannot wait for this to be over and for new life to brought into the title picture here. Maynard beat Edgar in their first fight and then beat him senseless in round one of their last fight, but The Bully has finally run out of steam against the champ. Edgar showed he could defend Maynard’s take-downs better last time, and no doubt even better this time. I think Edgar outpoints Maynard en route to keeping his belt.