Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam graphic novel

Hey guys, I know it is a little late but here is some news regarding my work.  DC Comics

has included my first Billy Batson story in the new Mike Kunkel and Art Baltazar graphic novel , Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! with inks by Ken Branch. 
The available copies on Amazon are very inexpensive, so take a look-see! 
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=billy+batson+and+the+magic+of+shazam+%21+by+mike+kunkel+and+art+baltazar&x=19&y=18

Also, sorry to be away for such a long time but I have been involved in a fun project that I will share with you in the coming months.  Stay tooned to http://www.byronvaughns.com

Support boys who love comic books at the Boys Rule Boys Read Blog and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System

3–Day Sale of original art at http://shop.byronvaughns.com/ , in support of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System and elementary school-age boys who love to read comic books. Asking for your help with this worthwhile cause.  
 This is unusual for me as an artist ……selling my original comic book pages from the DC Comics Billy Batson & the Magic of Shazam series, hard for any artist really, but I was moved by the critical funding issues of the the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library System http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/06092010/rallies-rallies-everywhere-final-budget-votes-loom    which in turn affects the library’s unique, Boys Rule Boys Read Blog http://jaja-cas.blogspot.com/ ,  created for elementary school-age boys to encourage reading; a place for boys to find terrific books and tell other boys about great reading. Because of the boys’ enthusiasm for the Billy Batson stories (a boy’s positive superhero image and exceptional relationship with his superhero sister), I felt this was a great cause to support. Hey, remember how good it felt to read comic books when you were a kid??”


“So….I am selling about 70 pieces of original, signed comic book pages and personally donating a portion of my proceeds (40%) to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library System and as the donator, I will retain the tax deduction rights. I am also donating FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING, USA for each purchase at no cost to you!

ORDERS OUTSIDE USA MUST CALL FOR SHIPPING CHARGES. BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE ARTWORK TO ENLARGE THE PAGE!
The 3-day sale starts on FRIDAY, June 25, 2010 at 6am Eastern Standard Time and ends MONDAY, June 28, 2010 at 10pm Eastern Standard Time. BUY NOW THROUGH PAYPAL! OR ORDER BY PHONE (818-749-8536) THIS IS FASTER AND WILL ALLOW ME TO HELP THE LIBRARY’S IMMEDIATE FUNDING GAP. I CAN ALSO ACCEPT CHECKS BY PHONE.

If you would like a personal greeting on the comics page, call and let me know!

For more information on Byron Vaughns: http://www.byronvaughns.com/
The Boys Rule Boys Read Blog, http://jaja-cas.blogspot.com created by the library staffers, Carl Schwanke, Bill Corder & Zack Moore have been avid supporters of the Billy Batson & the Magic of Shazam series (especially Bill Corder) http://jaja-cas.blogspot.com/2009/07/mario-kart-shazam-and-star-wars-nuff.html

For more information about the Boys Rule Boys Read Blog, contact Carl Schwanke at cschwanke@cmlibrary.org (704) 416-4630. Additional contact, Jason Hyatt (Children’s Services Manager) jhyatt@cmlibrary.com . Also check out http://boysrockbr.blogspot.com a new boy’s blog by Carl Schwanke, Bill Corder & Zack Moore!

WHAT A GREAT RIDE ON BB&MS BY BYRON VAUGHNS

Hi Guys,
It’s me again after all this time. Sorry about the wait, but I have been quite busy. As everyone knows by now, I am no longer the artist for the next story arc of BB&MS. I was well aware after I was hired last April 2009 as a replacement for Mike Kunkel that the selection of a new artist was in the making and so it has come to be. Come on guys, this story arc started with Kunkel, then DeStefano and then me; there is a pattern here. What was a surprise, was the naming of the new artist, Mike Norton (that slipped right past me.). I missed that because I was too busy finishing up the last two issues (#11 & #12). I offer him sincere congratulations and wish him well. I look forward to the many changes I expect to see as BB&MS continues to grow. I thank Dan Di Dio for having given me such a golden opportunity. Working with the whole team was a pleasure. BB&MS was a great ride in spite of the bumps along the way. We rode it together and began to like each other along the way. Thanks to the fans and reviewers who liked my cartoony style (and the many little kids) including those who noticed and appreciated the changes in the characters in issues #11 and #12. I will continue to blog about Billy Batson for those who are still interested in the backstory of my experience with BBMS; there are many fascination details I would like to share with you regarding my time with BB&MS. As I stated earlier, I have been quite busy and it has been back to animation for me; however, because of my love for comics, I have decided to create my own web comic. So please continue to visit my blog at http://byronvaughnsshazam.blogspot.com and be on the lookout for the link to my new webcomic, Paxton Knight that will be coming soon. SHAZAM!

Billy Batson #9 Great comments from mdtk Dakrel and Franco

Hello there!
As you know by now.  Billy Batson #9 was released on October 28th. Listed here, are some great comments about it from mdtk, Dadkrel and Franco.  Thanks a lot guys.

October 29, 2009 11:32 AM
Both Dadkrel and I enjoyed BBMOS #9. We felt it was a fun read. Keep up the great work.
All the best,
mdtk

October 29, 2009 5:28 PM
Awww yeah man!
I think it all looks good sir, I'm a fan!
Franco

WHY BYRON VAUGHNS' STYLE AFTER KUNKEL?

When it was last written and drawn by Kunkel, “Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam” was illustrated in a cartoony, zany, animated style. As you know by now, my main background is in animation and I wanted to continue Kunkel’s cartoony thread. BLAKE M. PETIT Of comixtreme.com http://www.comixtreme.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48133 summed it up well in his review when he wrote, “Byron Vaughns does a very solid job on the artwork here. Rather than trying to imitate Kunkel’s really unique style, he crafts his own very animated depiction of the characters. The book is very fluid, with a lot of energy in the artwork that serves the story well.” Although my style is a bit more exaggerated than Kunkel’s,  I felt it was in keeping with the same vein and would be a nice transition for the comic book. Thus, Billy Batson and the magic of Shazam #5 came into existence and the mystery has begun to unfold ...but there is always more to come.....
Stay tuned...

FIRST PAGE OF BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #5

WRITERS: Art Baltazar & Franco, ARTIST: Byron Vaughns,

INKS: Ken Branch, LETTERER: Swands, COLORIST: David Tanguay

(Click on Images to Enlarge)

This is a rough pencil of the bridge on the first page of Billy Batson #5. Several sketches of backgrounds may be drawn before adding characters.

These are rough pencils of an alternate first page of Billy Baton #5.  You never know at the beginning...how it ends...

HOW I CAME TO WORK ON “SHAZAM” Continued

Welcome back folks to another installment of Byron Vaughns “Shazam Blog”. When we last met, you discovered that the current DC Comics Executive Editor, Dan Di Dio, in search of an artist for the “Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam (BB&MS) comic book asked “yours truly” to pencil and ink the adventures of Captain Marvel. My background has been primarily in the animation industry as a “cartoony” storyboard artist/producer/director. I have worked on a few “straight” productions, (not many) and the amount of time to execute such an assignment was quite short. I had occasionally worked in comic books, but not on a regular schedule. However, the challenge was irresistible; and in the past I enjoyed working with Dan. I decided due to the tight time constraints, I agreed to do only the pencils for BB&MS no. 5. For future issues, I promised to do pencils and inks and what a ride it has been! What kind of ride?….a great one. Well I’m sure you all know that previously Jeff Smith and Mike Kunkel lent their styles to the good captain. My approach was a bit…different. Tune in next time….

HOW I CAME TO WORK ON “SHAZAM”

After working in a multitude of creative cartoonist positions, I ended up employed for Hanna Barbera Productions (you know, the “Jonny Quest/Scooby-Doo” people). During my tenure as Producer there, I was involved with ABC network’s children’s division working on the animated television series, “Dumb & Dumber”, and guess who was ABC’s General Manager? Why none other than the multi-talented nice guy (and future DC Comics Executive Editor) Dan Di Dio (yes he has two last names). After that series ended, I moved on to Cartoon Network’s “Johnny Bravo” to produce and co-develop the series with the creator Van Partible. Dan eventually left California and went on to DC Comics in New York. Years later, when Dan needed help on BB&MS, he called me out of the blue and wanted to know if I was available to pencil and ink issue #5. Would I?…..You bet I was available……to be continued……………..

THE MANY ARTISTS OF CAPTAIN MARVEL

I know that Captain Marvel has intrigued readers for many years, and this newer version is certainly creating interest in the comics community. As you know, Captain Marvel has gone through many changes by different artists, ranging from C.C. Beck (the original co-creator), Simon & Kirby, Nick Cardy, Ernie Chan, Kurt Schaffenberger, Tom Mandrake, Don Newton, Rich Buckler and Alan Weiss to newcomers Jeff Smith and Mike Kunkel. Today’s version brings us up to my version of Billy Batson/Captain Marvel. To be continued.......

(Click on artwork for larger, detailed view)

Billy Batson issue #5

ARTIST: Byron Vaughns,

 INKS: Ken Branch,

COLORIST: David Tanguay

CARL SCHWANKE OF BOYS RULE BOYS READ BLOG FIRST FOLLOWER OF BYRON VAUGHNS SHAZAM BLOG

Carl Schwanke (The Carlman) who helps run the "Boys Rule Boys Read Blog" (http://jaja-cas.blogspot.com/2009/07/mario-kart-shazam-and-star-wars-nuff.html with Darth Bill and Master Jedi Zack located in at the Imaginon/Spangler Children's Library, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County. (A place for boys to find terrific books and tell other boys about great reading.)

I received this email from Carl Schwanke on Thursday, October 1, 2009 11:33:24 AM To: ABOUT BYRON VAUGHNS bvaughnsshazam@sbcglobal.net
Hey Byron,
This is Carl from the Boys Read blog ). Bill and I were were excited to get your comment (“Thanks for the great review of Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam #5. Issue #8 has recently been released and I hope you enjoy it” ) and have not only published it with the original review but also included it in the latest post on the blog….. Bill (who did the original review ) said your comment made his day. He also says that many people have tried to do Shazam but you're the only one who's gotten it. The library has subscribed to Billy Batson and we're realy looking forward to issue # 8. The issues we have stay checked out! 
BY THE WAY, CARL WAS BORN IN MEMPHIS TOO! JUST LIKE ME!

Darth Bill wrote on http://jaja-cas.blogspot.com/
Man, this is too cool. Thanks for writing in. I really enjoy your work and the kids here love the book. I know I and others look forward to more of your work. You Rock!!!!

Welcome

Salutations and Howdy, Folks! Excuse my overt greetings, but, being from the South (Arkansas, that it is), I thought that I would open the first installment of this “Shazam!” missive in a friendly, down home manner. Welcome to my Shazam blog; hope you like it because this blog is really your blog! What are your interests regarding the good Captain? How often have you followed his adventures? What would you like to discuss? Feel free to respond, I am very much interested in your comments!