Hey Gang!

Wow. Things have been super busy around here, with a lot of new projects in the works and in development, and as soon as I can start sharing some of the news with you I will.

But until then let the Fan Art roll!

It’s been a while since I’ve had time to post any fan art here, but that doesn’t mean it has stop coming. Far from it. So, to start us off, I thought I’d share the piece that twelve year old Super Fan, Natanael S., from Lawrence, Massachusetts sent it. It’s a great pen and ink, colored pencil drawing of Chuck transformed! (I’m so digging the shirt by the way!)

A big thank you goes out Nate for this drawing!

Going on thirty years now, Stan Sakai has shown us the epic saga of Miyamoto Usagi, a samurai rabbit, living in the feudal Japan. It has always been a favorite comic book of mine. Perfectly blending cartoon style animals handled with serious emotion and feeling, in the drama that unfolds in each issues 24 pages. IF you’re a comics fan, or a fan of Samurai films you owe it to yourself to search out and find these amazing stories.

In celebration of Usagi Yojimbo’s Thirtieth Anniversary, CAPS (The Comic Artists Professional Society) and Dark Horse Comic’s have gathered together a collection of comic industry professionals to help with the celebration, and pay tribute to Stan’s most beloved creation, Usagi, and in a time of need for Stan and his family. All proceeds from the book will be donated to Stan and his wife, Sharon. As well, as all original artwork will be auctioned off, and proceeds going to Stan and Sharon.

Each artist involved is too bring their unique style and interpret the subject in their own distinct way. Making this book a one of kind treasure for comic, cartoon and art fans alike. Some of the artists and creators involved include: Adam Hughes, Alex Maleev, Arthur Adams, Batton Lash, Brian Michael Bendis, Carlos D’Anda and GAbe El Taeb, Dan Panosian, Dave Gibbons, David Mack, Doug Wheatley, Eric Powell, Geof Darrow, Howard Chaykin, Jeff Smith, Matt Groening Matt Wagner, Michael Allred, Michael Avon Oeming, Michael Golden, Mike Kunkel, Mike Mignola, Richard Corben, Scott Shaw, Sergio Aragones, Tim Sale, Tom Mandrake, Tom Richmond, Walter Simonson, William Stout.

I was humbly amazed when I was invited to be a part of such a milestone event, and to help out one of the comic industry great’s

So, enjoy my little tribute to Stan Sakai, and Usagi Yojimbo, and I can’t wait to see what the next thirty years have in store for my favorite Samurai rabbit.

-Don

Well, just as the Northeast here, in Boston, is digging itself out from the most recent winter blast that Mother Nature throws at us, I’ve put up some free Snow themed wallpaper for your computer! Get in on the wintery action with Chuck and the gang and see who can make the better snowman!

Well faithful Peanizles fan and readers, I’m back!

As many of you might know, I had a trip and fall accident on September 7th, and broke my right arm. To be more specific, I had a compound stress fracture at the end of the radial bone on my right, drawing arm. Apparently, when I reached out to break my fall with my outstretched arms, the force if impact bent me bone and crushed the end of my radius at the elbow. And, brother, did it hurt. It was impossible for me to hold a pencil, let alone try and turn my arm and hand in the slightest. So, my ability to draw was nil.

But, the cartoon must go on.

I asked if any other cartoonist’s would like to try and do a guest strip while my arm was healing. And there were plenty of cartoonists who stepped up to the drawing board. I have managed to have a fresh, new Peanizles comic strip featuring Chuck, Succotash, Oliver, Grace and the gang three times a week, as scheduled. I was really touched by the outpouring of creativity and help from so many cartoonists:

Elena Steier
Dave Sullivan
Chris Mountjoy
Sean Kasper
Tim Jones
Rick Sardinha
George Ford
Geo Gant
Mike Meara
Chris Watson
John Cardinal
Will Wilson

So, I want to give them all the biggest thanks possible!

And I’m going to flex my healing drawing muscles and get back to making with the funny.

Well, this week I got confirmation that my arm injury is in fact a broken arm. More specifically I have a compound fracture of the radius bone on my drawing hand.

But, have no fear comics reader, new Peanizles comics are coming your way. There is a huge guest line up of cartoonists coming your way to lend their own indelible spin on Chuck, Oliver, Succotash, Grace and the whole Peanizles gang!

Stay tuned and see who might show up!