THE FOURTH MAN

 While I might have seen bits and pieces of the William Powell and Myrna Loy Thin Man movies  on Tv when I was a kid, it wasn't until my twenties that I was introduced to the work of writer Dashiell Hammett. I was hooked and quickly worked my way through the five novels and whatever short stories I could find. About the same time I saw Frederick Forrest in  the excellent film "Hammett" and I became fascinated by the man and his relationship with writer Lillian Hellman.  

Not that much longer I probably saw  Orson Welles  in Carol Reed's stunning "The Third Man" with Robert Krasker's cinematography that defined "noir" lighting and sets. The movie has remained in my top film and I never tire or rewatching  it.  

"The Fourth Man" was my pastiche of Harry Lime running into Sam Spade with Nora Charles cheering on from the sidelines. Enjoy.

Ironically. I was first introduced to Harry Lime not as the odious villain he is portrayed to be in the novel by  Graham Greene  and in the film, but in a spinoff TV series that was done in the 50's with Michael Rennie as a very respectable international businessman.  Likewise in Hammett's "The Thin Man" novel the title refers to the murder victim, not the detective Nick Charles as millions of movie goers came to know him. 

Next Week and new tale from Vozcomix. Stay tune!!

HBO's SPAWN pt. 2

 Here is the second part of the Spawn storyboard. For some reason I was cast as the demented priest...a role I reprised in my own Retrowood series.  Enjoy.  Mike 

Next week a new story begins. Be there!!

HBO's SPAWN pt. 1

 Working at HBO on Spawn was certainly the apex of my animation career. The schedule for me was very relaxed and I got to experiment with my drawing style freely. Our producer Catherine Winder was the best people person I ever had for a boss. After on long board session on an episode of Spawn she told me she was giving me an extra weeks pay bonus for my work. I'd never heard of that in TV animation before! My initial thought was will she won't last that long in this business. While BOO Animation is long gone, Catherine is still a major producer in the industry. 

Another highlight was working with Eric Radomski,  one of the most creative folks I'd ever met...and a man with a wonderful sense of humor. Met a lot of folks I liked on that job, two of which are my long time compadres Tom and Jennifer Yuh-Nelson. Last but not least, working with Todd was a treat. 

Next week the second part of the storyboard!