Visiting the Set of Svengoolie

I recently had the privilege of visiting the the set of Svengoolie in Chicago (no, not Berwyn) and wanted to write about it. But first, some history!

You never really know a man until you’ve walked a mile in his coffin. (Photo by Kevin Reisberg)

I first met Svengoolie (aka Rich Koz) in 2014 at the Chicago Comics and Entertainment Expo (C2E2). I’d been familiar with the concept of late-night horror hosts on TV since I was a kid, but it was only when Svengoolie’s show went national with the Me-TV network a few years back that I finally had one I could regularly watch, and I quickly became a fan.

After hitting it off at C2E2 2014 I decided to create a portrait of Svengoolie which I presented to him as a gift at C2E2 2015. Sven seemed sincerely surprised and delighted by the portrait, and I has hugely flattered that it was added to the TV show’s set! I wrote about all this and the story behind the portrait in more detail here: “A Portrait Worthy of Svengoolie”.

Svengoolie and me at C2E2 2014.

Svengoolie signs my personal copy of the portrait at C2E2 2015. (Photo by Gregory Parks)

I had done my best to keep in touch with Rich and his producer Jim Roche since then and had been extended a generous offer to come visit the set some time. I finally managed just a few weeks ago to make it to Chicago at a time that coincided with Svengoolie filming a few weeks ago and got to make my long-awaited visit.

The set is smaller than you’d expect, but is densely filled with ghoulish, geeky detail. It is lavishly stocked with statues, figures and props, and most fans have likely noticed that it gets redressed for each episode with figures specific to that week’s movie. Many of those figures are pulled from the personal collections of the crew and staff that makes the show happen, and when not drafted into on-screen use most of those figures reside around the desks and cubicles of those crew members! The craftsmanship on Sven’s gimmicked-out coffin is as impressive in person as you’d hope, and the cameras are automated so they can be run from a control room down the hall!

I got to watch Sven and his crew record intros and outros for four upcoming episodes while I was there, and also recorded an interview with Sven that will be included with the Svengoolie episode “The Black Cat” on March 2, 2019. But most importantly, I got to throw rubber chickens. Watching the show I always think of the chickens that pelt Sven during these segments as coming in from beside the camera, but actually the chicken throwers are sitting on rubber mats on the concrete floor in front of the camera, lobbing the rubber chickens up in the frame, trying to get *close* to Sven without a) smacking him hard, b) their hands coming up too high were they’ll be seen by the camera, or c) having a wild throw take out any of the collectible nik-naks displayed around the coffin. All these things can happen – and have!

I was kicking myself after the day was over that I got photos with Svengoolie but not with Jim Roche or any other members of the crew I met that day who were all so gracious and made me feel so welcome. Oh, well – next time!And yes, if you’d like your own copy of the Svengoolie portrait, they are for sale. If you can’t get if from me in person at one of my convention appearances, you can always purchase it from my Etsy store.

Updated: Here’s the interview segment from the episode.

Keep an eye out for my live tweets during episodes. When I’m at home I’m watching I’m usually commenting as @chrisjonesart. See you online my fellow Sven-fans!

Young Justice RETURNS – Young Justice Outsiders

I spent years at conventions talking to fans of Young Justice who were heartbroken the show had ended after Season 2. I’d tell them all hope wasn’t lost and that it was possible the show could return.

Once both seasons of the series were on Netflix and Greg Weisman spearheaded the campaign to encourage fans to watch the hell out of it on that platform to show the demand for the series, rumors started popping up everywhere that a deal had already been struck to revive the show. So then the messaging shifted to telling fans “No, there was not a deal in place YET, but YES it could still happen.”

In November 2016 it was announced that the show would return on the new DC Universe streaming platform under the title Young Justice Outsiders. But it would be a long wait for fans, as the show was being announced at the BEGINNING of it’s production cycle, rather than close to a premiere as is more typical with animated series announcements.

All this time I had people congratulating me on the show’s return or otherwise assuming I was involved with the production. I’d explain that I was *never* involved with the production of the show, I was the artist of the tie-in comic and wouldn’t be directly involved in any revival unless the comic was revived as well. So many explanations and so much waiting…

It’s 2019 and the wait is ending.

January 2 will see “Torch Songs,” the first new Young Justice story since 2013 as part 1 of a new comic story by Greg Weisman and myself launches as a digital-only exclusive on The DC Universe streaming platform, with part 2 following the next day. It features a story set between seasons 2 and 3 of Young Justice, featuring Miss Martian, Superboy, Batgirl and Beast Boy dealing with the villainous Psimon.

Part 1:
https://www.dcuniverse.com/comics/book/young-justice-outsiders-dc-universe-exclusive-2018-1/5a1692d9-aeca-4b5e-83cf-573bfda67f54

Part 2:
https://www.dcuniverse.com/comics/book/young-justice-outsiders-dc-universe-exclusive-2018-2/abfc4dd1-8ad6-4e51-8a5e-a503d4371ece

The Young Justice tie-in comics are written by Greg Weisman and are considered part of the narrative canon of the animated TV series. The original run of tie-in comics (issues #1-25) are available on The DC Universe in addition to this new story, so if you missed them this is the perfect chance to catch up! If the comics are popular enough there, it increases the chances of us being able to do more, in much the same way that the popularity of Seasons 1 and 2 of Young Justice on Netflix led to Outsiders being produced.

January 4 will at long last see the launch of Young Justice Outsiders, with three episodes per week released on The DC Universe through the rest of the month. After the first 13 episodes, the show will take a break until returning for the second half of the season in June. Producers Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti return, along with character designer Phil Bourassa and many of the same voice actors, writers, directors and crew that made Seasons 1 & 2 so special. This is not a re-imaging or a reboot, it’s the Season 3 the original storytellers weren’t able to do back in the day, just produced a few years later and without the restrictions of working for a Network.

I was thrilled to get to revisit the characters with a new comic book story. Greg and I would both love to do more, but if that doesn’t happen, it’s been a joy. I look forward to enjoying a new 26-episode season of Young Justice with all of you.

So with reaction videos becoming a thing for popular TV shows in the last few years, are you going to get reaction videos for episodes of Young Justice Outsiders? I say we should! #YJReaction

Who knows what the future might bring? More comics? Season 4? We shall see.

Christopher Jones Young Justice Prints for sale
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChrisJonesArt

Original Young Justice comic pages for sale on eBay
https://www.ebay.com/sch/cajones2001/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

Photos from Young Justice convention meet-ups
New York Comic Con 2013 Photos (including Young Justice meet-up)
New York Comic Con 2014 Photos (including Young Justice meet-up)
New York Comic Con 2015 Photos (including Young Justice meet-up)
New York Comic Con 2016 Photos (including Young Justice meet-up)

Christopher Jones at New York Comic Con 2018

This is my SEVENTH year at New York Comic Con and I couldn’t be more excited. This year Artist Alley will be in Hall 1B on the 1st Floor of the Javits Center and I will be at Booth B11 all 4 days!

I can be found at my booth the following hours:

Thursday  10:00am – 2:00pm, 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Friday         10:00am – 2:00pm, 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Saturday    10:00am – 2:00pm, 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Sunday       10:00am – 5:00pm

Click here to add me to your My Show favorites so you remember to stop by!

FREE Convention Exclusive Mini-Print!

I have a new FREE convention exclusive mini-print for Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Facebook followers! It’s Squirrel Girl. With the Infinity Gauntlet. Because reasons. And it can be yours free.

Just show me that you follow me on Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr, or like my Facebook page to claim one! And I’ll still have a limited supply of the ever popular Squirrel Girl with the Infinity Gauntlet, Millennial Falcon, and Wonder Woman in the Invisible Jet mini-prints, and Batman buttons free for followers if you would rather pick up one of those. Remember, these are convention-exclusive freebies. The only way to get one of these items to find me at a convention!

Prints

These are just a few samples of the prints I’ll have available. You can preview ALL my prints in my Etsy store. New York Comic Con pricing is indicated below in red.

11 x 17 – $20 each or 3 for $50

8.5×11 “Letter Size” Prints – $10 each

8.5×11 “Letter Size” Prints – $5 each

Commission Sketches

I will be doing commission sketches during New York Comic Con, but I expect my sketch list to fill up FAST, so if you’re hoping to get a sketch from me, try to stop by my Artist Alley table as early as possible.

Here are my sketch rates. Samples of different varieties of sketches are below!

• Single Character – Full Figure: $100
• Two Characters – Full Figure: $180
• Head Sketch or Head-and-Shoulder: $60
• Three or more characters, or 11×17 sketches: ($200+ – Will negotiate price based on request)

I expect demand to exceed my available time, so I will commit to commissions on a first-come, first-served basis. Place your order early so you don’t miss out!

Check out my post about pre-ordering sketches for LOTS more samples:
http://blog.christopherjonesart.com/now-taking-commission-sketch-pre-orders/

Headshot or Head-and-Shoulder Sketches ($60)

Single-Character Sketches ($100)

Two-Character Sketches ($180)

3-Character or Negotiated Flat-Rate Sketches ($200+)

More Sketch Covers
(More samples of sketch covers I’ve done at various rates.)

Mister J!!

Joining me once again at the con will be booth babe cosplay personality Mr. J! He’s generally happy to take photos with anybody and may even have something special for kids – what a clown!

Lastly…

• Autographs are always free and I’ll sign anything you bring me. (Check out my guide to asking for signatures and drawings at conventions!)
• I do not charge for photos and I am happy to take a photo with anyone who asks!
• I’m happy to do interviews, podcasts, snippets, goofy stuff, and whatever any day but Sunday, but the earlier you can drop by, the better!

I think that about wraps up it up. If you’re going to be at New York Comic Con 2018, make sure you stop by Artist Alley booth B11! See you there!

Now Taking NYCC Commission Sketch Pre-Orders!

I am currently taking pre-orders for commission sketches for New York Comic Con (Oct 4-7). I will in NYCC Artist Alley Booth B11 and will be taking a limited number of sketch commissions at-con, but my sketch list fills up FAST! Even if you’re hoping to see me there ordering your sketch in advance is the best way to make sure you can get the original art you want. Plus, for ordering and paying in advance, I’m offering a FREE PRINT with any order of $100 or more. My full selection of prints can be seen in my Etsy store. Let me know which print you’d like to get for free with your commission when ordering.

I am taking orders for commissions to be shipped by mail as well, but orders tied to a convention appearance will take priority due to the definite time constraints.

All of my convention sketches are black ink on 9×12″ bristol. I will also draw on comic book sketch covers and in sketchbooks by request, but obviously I won’t be able to do the drawing in advance of a convention if I can’t get the sketchbook or sketch cover comic until the con.

Sketch Rates

Hereare my sketch rates. Samples of different varieties of sketches are below!

• Single Character – Full Figure: $100
• Two Characters – Full Figure: $180
• Head Sketch or Head-and-Shoulder: $60
• Three or more characters, or 11×17 sketches: ($200+ – Will negotiate price based on request)

I expect demand to exceed my available time, so I will commit to commissions on a first-come, first-served basis. Place your order early so you don’t miss out!

Headshot or Head-and-Shoulder Sketches ($60)

Single-Character Sketches ($100)

Two-Character Sketches ($180)

(Note that an elaborate object like the TARDIS counts as a second character)

Three-Character or
Negotiated Flat-Rate Sketches ($200+)

More Sketch Covers

(More samples of sketch covers I’ve done at various rates.)

How to Order

If you want to place a commission order, send me an email at chris@christopherjonesart.com. I will need the following information:

Your Name:

Contact Email:

Means of Delivery: (Pick up at New York Comic Con, or Send by Mail)

At-Con contact (Cell # for text messages, if applicable):

Shipping Address (If applicable):

Choose one option per commission ordered:

A) Head & Shoulders $60
B) Single Figure $100
C) Two Figures $180
D) Three or More Figures (Cost will be negotiated based on description)

Sketch Type:

A) 9″x12″ Bristol (Standard)
B) Doctor Who Sketch Cover (+$5)
C) Other

What would you like me to draw?
Please specify character(s) and VERSION of character(s) (version of costume, in style of specific series, etc.).

Additional Comments/Questions:

For orders of $100 or more, specify which of my prints you would like as a free bonus!
You can see the range of selections in my Etsy store.

Upon receipt of your email I will write you back to confirm the details of the order and ask any necessary follow up questions. I’ll instruct you on how to make payment via PayPal (including a postage & handling charge if the artwork is to be shipped). Once I have the payment I will complete your sketch it will be available for pick-up at NYCC or shipped as per our arrangements.

Coming to Pikeville Comic Con

On Saturday August 25 I’ll be at Pikeville Comic Con in Pikeville, KY. As usual I’ll have 11″x17″ and 8.5″x11″ prints for sale and am happy to chat with fans and autographs and photos are free (as always)!

Commission Sketches

But what about commission sketches? Yes, I’ll be doing those, too. But it’s a 1-day convention and time will be short. I’ll only have time for a few sketches in between talking to fans at my table throughout the convention day. If you want a sketch from me at Pikeville Comic Con, I recommend emailing me NOW and placing an order in advance. Then I can walk into the convention with the artwork already done and ready for pick-up.

My rates continue to be $60 for a head-and-shoulders character sketch, $100 for a full-figure view of a character. I can add additional characters to the same sketch for $80 per character. My sketches are ink drawings are black and white line art on 9″x12″ Bristol. I’ll do commission sketches for the same rates in sketchbooks or on sketch covers for the same rates if you provide the book.

Contact me at chris@ChristopherJonesArt.com and let me know what you’d like by way of a commission sketch. I’ll email you back with a confirmation or any follow-up questions. You can pay me when you pick the art up at the convention.

Wanting some original art from me but won’t be in Pikeville, Kentucky this Saturday? I’m also taking pre-orders for New York Comic Con in October, and can also send commission sketches by mail (but I’ll have to charge an additional shipping fee for that option).

 11×17 Prints

I’ll have my usual mix of Doctor Who and superhero prints available at the Pikeville convention. My 11″x17″ prints are $20 each or 3 for $50.

Those are only a few of my 11″x17″ prints – stop my Artist Alley table to see them all!

8.5 x 11 Prints

I’ll also have my selection of 8.5″x11″ prints at $10 (color) and$5 (black & white)

As usual, all my prints are available from my Etsy store, but they’re cheaper to get from me in person at my discounted convention prices.

See you in Pikeville!