Not Forgotten Public Domain Character Anthology

Last fall, I had an opportunity to contribute to an upcoming public-domain comic book superhero anthology entitled "Not Forgotten". Writer Jared Rosmarin wrote the 8-page story for Jet Powers, a character who appeared back in 1950. I kept the original look and costume design for Jet and went with a bold, simple and high-contrast Golden Age style of pencils. Coloring Montana Manalo's inks was a lot of fun. Her inking really brought out the spirit of Jet Powers and his amazing world of gadgets and intrigue. Montana was also responsible for the preliminary image research that made the job of designing Jet's gadgets a lot easier for me. You can follow Montana on Instagram.

A Kickstarter to promote Not Forgotten launches in February. Editors Matt Harding, Einar Måsson and Sinclair Klugarsh have over 20 stories on tap for the project. Here’s a peek at the pitch:

Heralded by the success of Superman and Batman, the world of superheroes exploded in the late 1930s with a litany of colorful and often bizarre heroic characters, creating what is revered as “The Golden Age” of comic books. They defeated evil wherever it reared it's ugly head, whether it be bloodthirsty Vampires from Pluto, repugnant Nazi jerks, or the mysterious and deadly effects of Atomic Radiation! These heroes sold books by the millions and ushered in an age of unprecedented JUSTICE. But soon, these ring-a-ding-ding good times came to an end at the close of World War 2 as the heroes fell out of favor in the eyes of a giddy and spoiled public. It was curtains for the heroes, as the once successful publishers now faced bankruptcy and took to the giggle juice while their creations fell into the shadow realm of PUBLIC DOMAIN, a place where anyone, anywhere can use them for whatever nefarious deed their sick minds could concoct. GADZOOKS! No longer protected under the shield of copyright laws, these characters were buried and lost to the cruel hand of father time and the machismo of modern entertainment as evil ran unencumbered through our streets! BUT FEAR NOT, true believers! These heroes are back and better than ever! Re-imagined by top creators in the industry, this anthology collects over 20 short stories paying homage and tribute to some of the greatest heroes and heroines lost to time with brand new, never-before-seen, exclusive tales bringing these amazing creations back to life! But don't blow your wig, Johnny. This book is within your grasp! Get in on this here clambake and help show the world that these characters might have been buried under layers of dust, but they are NOT FORGOTTEN!

Featuring work by James Harren (Rumble, B.P.R.D., Conan), Eric Esquivel (Lego DC Superheroes, Vertigo Quarterly, Adventure Time), Ryan Cody (Doc Unknown, Heavy Metal Magazine, The Phantom), Jerry Gaylord (Bill and Ted's Triumphant Return, Fanboy Vs Zombies, Ghostbuster/TMNT), Matt Harding (Doctor Mordrid, Popapocalypse, Styx, Madefire Studios), Rodrigo Vargas, Josh Krach, Angela Ahlers, Nathan Shorts (Toejam and Earl: Back in the Groove), Vincent Kukua (Image Comics), Saeed Arjumand (The Haunted Detective), Evan Limberger (Madefire Studios), Matt D. Wilson (Copernicus Jones: Robot Detective, Supervillain’s Handbook), Rodrigo Vargas, Josh Krach, Ashley V. Robinson (Jupiter Jet, Editor at Top Cow), Morgan Beem, Rica March, Jeffrey and Susan Bridges (Pendant Audio), Leonie O’Moore, Derik Hefner, Anne-Marie Webb, Andrew Steers, Edwin Lopez, Bobby Trauma, Esther Pimentel, Greg Menzie, Zakk Saam, Omar Morales, Joel Cotejar, Paula Goulart, Jaymes Reed, Paul Plale, Andres Olveras, Gabriel Moore-Topazio (Wrought Comics, Asylum), Einar V. Másson (Bay Area Comic Anthology, Bruce the Angry Bear), Edwin Lopez, Kristian Bay Kirk, Sandra Rós Björnsdóttir, Kevin Cuffe (Oathbound), Ricardo Lima, Jason Inman (co-host of DC All Access), Nick Robles (Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials), Casey Desilts, Malcolm Johnson (Styx, Ultrasylvania), Kevin Buckley (Madifire Studios, Cyberwulf), Jeff Leeds, Marco Maccagni (Archon, Vampblade), Jared Rosmarin, Eugene Young, and Dave Harding.

An early sketch of Jet Powers (digital)