ericmengel.com / ochocomics.com

OCHO 20 done!

2012-01-04T18:37:00.001-08:00

I finished OCHO 20 today which also means I finished the "kill the blue man" book that will collect issues 8-20. Of course I have some editing/cleaning up to do. I am really looking forward to publishing this 200+ page book! I may be done publishing them as individual issues as well.

Hand made! Hand packaged!

2011-12-15T17:47:00.001-08:00

The OCHO action figure! Here's the trick. I found a small action figure, carefully ripped open the packaging, traced the packaging and created my own box.

I hand colored the box and then photocopied the box and cut them each, using invisible tape to close it and double sided tape to hold the seam of the box.

As for the toy, I simply used the toy and painted over it with acrylic paint and sharpie marker for detail.

Hope you enjoy!!!

Wrapping up KILL THE BLUE MAN!

2011-12-12T23:20:00.001-08:00

Here's page one of OCHO #20!

Back in the saddle again!

2011-12-11T15:28:00.001-08:00

Man it feels good to have time to draw again! Not sure if #20 will be out in time for Amazing Arizona Con but I'll have something for you if the whole issue isn't done!!!

OCHO helping out the Kids!

2011-12-10T15:06:00.001-08:00

Here's our pal OCHO manning the table at Samurai Comics! Lots of toys were donated to a good cause. Thanks to Samurai, the AZ Ghostbusters and Ben Glendenning for hanging out!

the bimonthly OCHO!

2011-06-29T23:31:00.000-07:00

The fruits of my labor- I am hard at work on OCHO 18 due out sometime in July! Once the storyline is complete I will be offering the 7 or 8 mini-comics in a bagged special edition with some other goodies!

OCHO MASCOT IS HERE!!!

2011-04-27T19:57:00.000-07:00

AWESOME! I TOTALLY FREAKED MY DAUGHTER AND DOG OUT! after i took off the mask then she loooovvvveeeddd it!!! OCHO!!!

2011-03-24T22:41:00.000-07:00

hey everybody! here's the cover to my latest mini-comic- OCHO #16! the grand debut is at Jesse James Comics- 43rd avenue and peoria this Saturday, May 26th from 11-4ish I think. hope to see you all there!

good news for cubs fans!

2011-03-19T18:09:00.000-07:00

if the cubs win the world series, we all will know i had something to do with it! we went to turf paradise today and they had a petting zoo with billy goats- this one seemed very forgiving so i let him wear my cubs hat! the curse is over!!! go cubs!

AMAZING ARIZONA COMICON!

2011-01-12T10:12:00.000-08:00

well, the comics hangover has finally dwindled away (three days later) and i thought i'd post some pics from the convention. i never remember to take pictures of the show, sketches, fans, etc. so if you gotta, send em to me please!!!

the convention itself went rather well. sold a lot of minis and maybe 8 tradepaperbacks. thank you to all those who picked up my comics and said hi. oh- and a big shout out and thank you to Matt for taking my WALKING DEAD book over for a signature from Robert Kirkman! I saw this gargantuan line and i thought "i gotta know one of these people" sure enough, there was Matt, who always is picking up the OCHO comics! SCORE!!!

pic from atomic comics with Daniel Bradford

2010-09-07T01:56:00.001-07:00

here i am next to one of my favorite artists, Daniel Bradford from Robot 13 and KING! this was my second signing of the day and i think the bears were playing terrible from reports on my iphone. good talking with Daniel, Benjamin Glendenning and John Layman!!!

pics from the signing at Jesse James!

2010-08-29T19:21:00.000-07:00

i had a great time at JESSE JAMES COMICS yesterday for the Anniversary Party / Member Appreciation Day!!! Jesse certainly knows how to have an event- from the name cards and dressed tables, to the photographers taking pictures, food and people there to purchase comics from the store (and me) - it was a great day and evoked such a family atomosphere! Thanks Jesse for making me feel welcome and supported!

OCHO #13 is here!

2010-08-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

yes- it has become a reality! OCHO #13 is here!!! I will be at Jesse James Comics from 11-5 this Saturday, August 28th, 2010 to make the big debut of my latest, greatest effort. I wrote, illustrated, lettered, stapled, folded and cut this book for all of comicdom to enjoy. it is my best effort and i hope you will come by and get one! if not visit Atomic Comics, Drawn to Comics, Jesse James Comics and or Samurai Comics next Wednesday as it should be on the new releases wall! Or you can purchase one through this website for a paltry $2.50 US via paypal!

signing this saturday 8/28/2010

2010-08-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

i will be at Jesse James Comics at 43rd avenue and Peoria from 11am to 5pm. I really am looking forward to (finally) making a full appearance at Jesse's shop- it's been a long time coming! Jesse will be having all kinds of megadeals on his inventory and is celebrating the store's ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Come by, say hi and pick up the brand new OCHO #13!!!

OCHO #13 COMING SOON!

2010-06-29T23:01:00.000-07:00

yes! it will be out sooner or later! i need to draw and finish this bad boy up! i'm halfway done! hopefully will be out for the tucson comicon! bye!!!

Phoenix Comicon wrap up!

2010-06-03T04:44:00.000-07:00

the phoenix comicon was a smashing success! this years show was my best convention since the great mini-comic sell out at san diego comicon which led to the printing of the first trade paperback. i managed to sell quite a bit of books, both old and new. sold some original artwork, friends were made, contacts renewed, fun was had, etc.

here are some of the highlights of the show:

i got to jump the line for the Stan Lee autographs due to my guest status and got his signature on my copy of Amazing Spider-man #39. Awesome talking with this legend of comic books!

Alex Robinson (Box Office Poison. Tricked, Too Cool to be Forgotten) and Tony Consiglio (Double Cross, 110 percent) stopped by the table to get their copies of the new OCHO book!

Daniel Bradford drew a sketch of his ROBOT 13 for me in my sketchbook! I'm a pretty big fan of his work!

and the skateboard i had made for the launch of the OCHO book sold! i had priced it to NOT SELL! $80.00 is a lot of money to sell a product for- i had it at the table as something to slow down the traffic and give them something to look at.

i'm already looking forward to next years show!

NEW BOOK ALERT!

2010-04-27T01:48:00.000-07:00

i am pretty geeked out at the prospect of putting out my second book! it has taken me quite a while to get back on track with this but it was well worth it. after releasing the first book, i joined a rock and roll band and did some drumming, recorded a bunch of songs, played a bunch of shows. along that path, i started dating my wife. we had some foster kids, we got married, had a kid of our own, and i really was enjoying my life. but slowly, i kept on thinking about my comics and could see progression from the beginning of book one to the end of book one. i knew i had to get back on it! and this book is the result of that hard work! drop me a line if you want one- it was written, illustrated, lettered and published all by me!!! and at 100 pages, it's like paying me ten cents a page for all the work i did on it! there's a kickstarter page with all kinds of goodies on it and i'll have a paypal link once i have the book in my hand! please help me out with this!!!

2010-04-11T08:40:00.000-07:00

from the grand prize of my kickstarter page- all the OCHO related mini comics! past, present and FUTURE! the winner gets a lifetime subscription to all the OCHO future mini comics!

OCHO BOOK KICKSTARTER!

2010-04-09T23:01:00.000-07:00

i am doing a fundraiser for my super cool new book coming out this may! hope you can help me spread the word and help me realize this dream come true!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ochokick/ocho-trade-paperback-by-eric-mengel

live art jam at the trunkspace!

2010-04-03T22:12:00.000-07:00

just got back from a fun night out with some of my TINY ARMY buddies doing an art jam at the trunkspace in central phoenix! we did art while a comedy troupe did some adlib storytelling. it was a pretty fun night. oh and then denny and i stopped over to check out the new SAMURAI COMICS store and let me tell you- this store is a thing of beauty! i can't wait to spend some of FREE COMIC BOOK DAY there doing the signing. great job my my buddy Mike Banks- the first retailer that supported my comics. ABOVE: i did panels 2 and 5! this big ol' art jam will be auctioned off at PHOENIX COMICON for charity! Yeah!!!

OCHO trade paperback treatment!!!

2010-03-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

more or less, this is what the new book will look like when someone else is watching you read it! I can't wait!!!

OCHO trade paperback needs pinups!

2010-02-20T10:34:00.000-08:00

hey, i'm getting ready to publish my next trade paperback and i need some black and white pin-ups of OCHO! please send me digital files of your artwork to ericmengel@msn.com or you can mail them to p.o. box 41445, phoenix, az 85080. make sure to send include your name, website and an address so i can send you a comp copy!

batman in 3-D

2010-02-11T04:51:00.000-08:00

just goofing around this morning while trying to wake up? does it work? can't seem to find any 3d glasses-

Phoenix Comicon: create your own comic book!

2010-01-31T10:47:00.000-08:00

i had a great time hanging out with some of the young arizona comic book artists! i was invited to help at a PHOENIX COMICON event where these young artists wrote and illustrated their own comic book! it was awesome! these kids have no fear and were so creative!!!

big things coming soon!

2009-12-24T02:52:00.000-08:00

i have a couple of appearances at SPAZDOG and DRAWN TO COMICS on December 30th and then some time to relax and get ready for 2010! OCHO#1 should be available in May!!!

cover to OCHO #1

2009-12-18T23:14:00.000-08:00

yup, i'm pretty certain i'll be dropping a new comic book onto the world in 2010 and here's the image for the cover!!!

OCHO #10!

2009-11-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

OCHO #10 is available now! two awesome cover versions- the standard $2.00, 36 pg book and the Eric-Dad/Ella-Daughter remarked cover version- only $1000.00! Get yours today!!!

Walter Payton

2009-11-01T22:11:00.000-08:00

November 1st is the tenth anniversary of Walter Payton's death. I was fortunate to grow up in the burbs of Chicago during all of the "Sweetness" era of winning attitude and ability.

Growing up, my family rarely went to church. Church for us was having a big breakfast, being together and watching the Chicago Bears games as a family on Sundays. How lucky I was.

Walter Payton, from a far, taught me to never give up and I have taken that with me throughout my life. It was great seeing some of his highlights this evening and just laugh at how awesome he truly was!

God Bless Walter Payton.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

2009-10-29T22:19:00.000-07:00

hope everyone keeps their head on straight this halloween!!!

important business deals getting done!

2009-10-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

well, i don't wanna brag but big things are gonna be happening in 2010 for my daddy and his comic book hero OCHO! first things first, we gotta hit a convention in tucson in november. i'll be there with daddy selling the tenth issue of his mini comic, BLIND MICE!!! here i am talking to some store owners about how they can help my daddy get this thing going big time!!! bye!

GIVE BLOOD!

2009-10-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

one of the best feelings i have is when i go to give blood. regardless of all of the other stuff i do, whether it be working in the group homes for the past 15 years or writing and drawing a comic book about an alien sent to make the world a better place, i know i am saving lives with my blood. what a great feeling it is to put that positive energy out there and knowing that i'm saving lives makes it that much better. please join me and start donating blood.

sketchy sketchy sketchy...

2009-09-16T20:35:00.000-07:00

some quick sketches while writing an important letter i hope to share with you soon. here's the beginning stages/sketches of what's happening with the next OCHO story!

Ocho! good things to come!!!

2009-08-10T18:46:00.000-07:00

lots of little developments going on here with OCHO! stay tuned!!!

OCHO!!!

2009-08-05T22:12:00.000-07:00

so glad i created this character many years ago!!! OCHO!!!

ROBOT 13 and OCHO!

2009-07-12T23:06:00.000-07:00

i saw this 'robot 13' character the other day while surfing the net and since the guys who created him are here in phoenix, i went out and picked up the first issue! great stuff. here's a quick sketch i did after reading the book! viva robot 13!

THE EYE DESTROYS!!!

2009-07-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

but feel free to call me Ted! Coming sooner or later!!!

upside down you're turning me...

2009-06-16T20:42:00.000-07:00

OCHO is appearing in a new mini comic anthology called MEANWHILE. The big debut happens on the Fourth of July at Samurai Comics on 7th street in Phoenix from 12pm to 4pm. I'll see you there!!!

my studio!

2009-05-24T21:13:00.000-07:00

photo 1: my comic book collection thus far. lots of stuff, all read by me. favorite graphic novel: Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller. i have two copies and a display pop out at the top right.

photo 2: my drawing table. i wish i had some more glamorous drawing at the table, but i don't and didn't think of it until it was too late. page 4 of blind mice 10!

photo 3: wall of shame/fame. i have a lot of loves. on this wall i have steve nash autographed photo, devin hester runnin' it back at opening kickoff of superbowl, autographed, a cubs sign, alex ross litho, a convention poster of a blind mice appearance in 2003, and the same star wars poster i had a youngster in my bedroom. cool or fool, i'll let you decide.

photo 4: noteboard. yes i can't remember it all. a picture of a skeleton one of my group home boys gave me years ago. wally wood and ivan brunetti both take stabs at 22 panels that always work. spider-man and a get out of jail free card. let me know if you need it.

2009-05-24T21:12:00.001-07:00

5: computer. itunes, e-mail, websites, facebook, myspace, solitare, etc. it all goes down here!

6: walter payton. he was the man. my dad sold him a car and asked him to write me a get well autograph on the back of his business card. the next day 50 glossy, autographed 8x10s were delivered to my dad at the car dealership. wow!

7: doorway view.

8: ella, my lovely daughter. she's a diva!

2009-05-24T21:12:00.000-07:00

photo 9: stacks. artwork to be framed, tones for the comic, paper, comics to be read and probably a lot of stuff i can't find and gave up on. i'm a little disorganized.

photo 10: excercise bike and junk pile. i have a pretty big house but we have a lot of stuff. sometimes this room is the warehouse to all the crap that we don't have time to deal with. just don't put it on my desk. i say this because it usually does get put on the desk!

photo 11: yeah, more crap. i had to put this long surfboard table in the office because i want the table to be free and ready to go. unfortunately, the desk to the left gets a lot of abuse. there's a bunch of markers in a pink puke tray my wife got at the hospital after a visit for gallbladder removal. they were gonna throw it away. i saved it. the musicians jamming in the back were bought with winnings at a local casino. my wife thinks they're tacky!

photo 12: to the right of the table. my practice drumkit. i'm a really good drummer, i kid you not. name a song and i'll rock out to it. used to be in bands and played shows. i miss rockin' out.

BLIND MICE #9!!!

2009-05-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

BLIND MICE #9! 500 issues were printed of this bad boy and surprisingly, i don't have that many left as i gave them out for free comic book day 2009! feel free to order yours today!!!

hanging out with some old friends...

2009-05-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

Free Comic Book Day was such a smashing success and I was happy to hang out with some old friends!

BLIND MICE #9 FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2009! (click to make image to make larger)

2009-04-29T22:04:00.000-07:00

2009-04-29T21:51:00.000-07:00

2009-04-29T21:38:00.000-07:00

hope you were able to check this out and i hope you enjoyed! happy free comic book day everyone!!!

BLIND MICE # 8 on sale now!!!

2009-03-30T20:28:00.001-07:00

i wasn't gonna start selling these until june, but with the UPC/PHX show coming up in april and free comic book day happening the following week, i decided to make them available now so i don't have to worry about filling orders during a busy time. only $1.50 and that includes postage. 24 pages written, illustrated, copied, stapled and folded all by yours truly and definitely worth the price! i'll be accepting mail orders as well once i secure a new blind mice post office box. to order yours now, click the buy now icon to the left of this posting! thanks!

3.12.09 sketcheroo

2009-03-12T21:51:00.000-07:00

just some random stuff going on here...

lunchtime watching the cubs

2009-03-10T19:53:00.001-07:00

i found a brand red new sharpie...

2009-03-03T15:15:00.003-08:00

...and i used it to create this!

go cubs go! (the pilgramage to mesa to catch the cubs during spring training)

2009-03-01T13:39:00.000-08:00

here's a couple of photos from the annual pilgramage to mesa to catch the cubs during spring training! i have a really funny sunburn from sitting out in right field for most of the game!!!

FRIDAY THE 13TH!!!

2009-02-15T07:51:00.001-08:00

my lovely wife and i had the opportunity to see friday the 13th on friday the 13th! i really enjoyed the remake. it was nice to see this brought back and as a decent horror movie. i haven't watched the old ones in a really long time but i bought some of them at walmart a few months ago and parked them in blockbuster jr (nickname for the tv stand that warehouses our many dvds) but i'm sure we'll watch them sooner versus later to see how it stands up! bye!

wish i had more time to draw...

2009-01-30T20:29:00.000-08:00

ha ha ha!

espn the magazine spelling error...

2008-11-21T18:48:00.000-08:00

i don't know what it is about seeing spelling errors in magazines but for some reason it always makes me smile. i think it's kinda like finding a "where's waldo?" without someone telling you to look for it. anyway, i decided to post them from now on on this site. i plan on sending it in to the magazine and making comment on the detroit lions terrible record this year, hell, every year, but that doesn't mean they need to start spelling detroit wrong!

blind mice book one available here!

2008-11-20T18:27:00.000-08:00

...and you can get yours. just click the 'buy now' icon to your left! here's the first six ready to be shipped out tomorrow with extra special goodies included! thanks!

at work this morning!

2008-11-13T05:59:00.000-08:00

i got up early this morning determined to strike comic book gold with the completion of page 13. i don't really know what to say; sometimes you have a nice streak going and sometimes you just fall off. maybe it's outside responsibilites (baby, work, economy, stress, etc) but i've been sitting on this page for a month or so and i just couldn't get it finished. i still have to tone it but who cares. done is done. and the competition is constantly at my back: my bookshelf of all things great! later!!!

hanging out with weezer!

2008-10-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

hey, just wanted to say big thanks to my man charles for hooking me and my boy peter with the free, front row tickets to see weezer. this is, like, the third time i have seen the weez and they did not disappoint (although angels and airwaves did)! I especially like how weezer mix it up and everyone takes turns singing. even the drummer came out and did an amazing pink floyd cover! and the accoustic weezer rocked out with 35 guest musicians...locals who brought their trumpets, trombones, zylophones, kazoos, maracas, etc. really a good show! thanks charles!!!

so long, so long it's been way too long!

2008-10-23T19:22:00.000-07:00

hey all, just wanted to let you now i still exist and i still am doing various things, ranging from running around to various events, to heel spurs, to drawing (occasionally) and being a good husband and an even better daddy! life is good and yet i miss the angst of youth. 2009, i will shine.

splash page!

2008-08-01T03:00:00.000-07:00

here's a page i finished yesterday! not a lot of sandwich places deliver but ocho does well delivering the good ol' knuckle sandwich!!!

ocho #1 cover ideas

2008-07-31T04:06:00.000-07:00

here's me messing around with ideas for the cover to the latest effort! I'm not a computer guy so don't beat me up over the coloring job! i'll be using a colorist and this copy doesn't have the backgrounds in yet! i'll keep you posted!

dark knight returns

2008-07-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

after re-reading the dark knight returns by frank miller, klaus janson and lynn varley, it still remains on my list of greatest graphic novels of all time! and i just re-read the 20th anniversary re-printing of killing joke with all new colors by brian bolland! on my list as well.

this is where i will be at tonight!

2008-07-23T07:17:00.000-07:00

after a pretty dismal start to the 2nd half of the season at 1-4, i will be watching the chicago cubs here in arizona against the diamondbacks. the cubs have already lost two to the d'backs. hopefully i will be watching a cubs victory otherwise i'm sure the group home kids will make fun of me to no end! GO CUBS GO!!! be sure to look for me; i'll be seated in front row of the bleachers on the left hand side of left field.

2008-07-23T07:12:00.000-07:00

this is what 5 am looks like for me. if the early bird gets the worm, then i just finished another worm (page) this morning.

rumors?...

2008-07-19T06:46:00.000-07:00

am i relaunching my comic book?

is the book going to be called OCHO?

will this be the font i'll be using for the first issue?

hmm...

THE BATMAN!!!

2008-07-18T19:51:00.000-07:00

well, here it is, the opening weekend of DARK KNIGHT! I'm not really sure when i'll get to see it but i am looking forward to seeing it. here's my rendition of the BATMAN in all his glory!

sketchbook madness again

2008-07-17T21:10:00.000-07:00

here we go again! another days worth of sketching ideas, reminders, ideas, etc.

i lost your number in my swimming pool!

2008-07-17T20:51:00.000-07:00

ella and i took a swim the other day! normally before i go swimming I pat down my pockets to make sure i am not fogetting things that don't like water. but swimming with ella is a two handed job and now i am missing 250 or so contacts from my non-waterproofed phone. if you think i should have your number, drop me a line!

another sketchbook page!

2008-07-16T03:45:00.000-07:00

the itch is definately there to get back on track with blind mice! the remixed version of issue #8 is complete and i'm still working on issue #9. i have to finish writing it but it's looking good so far! if you click on the image it will show you the full size version so you can see all the pencilled stuff in the background much better!

sketchbook page madness redux

2008-07-15T06:40:00.000-07:00

here's another peak at the ol' sketchbook madness from yours truly! try to make sense of it if you can. my psychogist and psychiatrist are still working on it. joking, of course. my madness is still undiagnosed! peace!!!

could it happen?

2008-07-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

could this happen? all i know is last night, after i did my pushups and was down on my old man knees saying my prayers, i told god that if he wanted to make brett favre a chicago bear that it would be alright with me and the rest of the chicago bear fans! i think it could be a reality!

sketchbook page

2008-06-27T06:42:00.000-07:00

here's a sneek peak into the madness of Eric Mengel via sketchbook. lot's of things going on here that don't require explanation. i'm an idea guy and jotting down stuff throughout the day helps!

father's day!

2008-06-15T06:16:00.000-07:00

here i am with my lovely daughter Ella on father's day watching an early morning Chicago Cubs game! (Cubs won!) i have been fortunate over the years to be included in father's day for my work with the group home children, foster sons and even getting kisses from my dog, Zeus, but today is an amazing day and i am so blessed to have my sweet baby Ella and my wonderful wife, Teneil!

my daughter!

2008-04-20T06:13:00.000-07:00

here is a picture of my sweet daughter Ella Rae Mengel! She was born 4/19/2008 and is just a fantastic little baby. both mama and baby are doing great!!!

2008-04-12T03:09:00.000-07:00

another page from another issue. Ocho taking the plunge into Tempe Town Lake. I'm having fun beating him up!

i should have a little freebie flier in many comic book stores for free comic book day 2008. i'm sure i'll have them at the zias, the bookmans and leaving them like a farmer dropping seeds into the soil...

hard at work, hardly working...

2008-04-12T01:25:00.001-07:00

ah what a great time it is to be alive. it's 1:30 in the morning, i'm in my office, my trusty sidekick, zeus, is at my side. i can't sleep. lots on my mind but i know i will win in the end.

teneil is up every thirty minutes or so and just visited me. baby ella is alive and well and is still in utero. possible april the 20th or so. i am so excited to meet her.

the comics i've been drawing are on my mind. i have a lot of great ideas right now and the writing tablet is filling up with concepts and properties and a bunch of whatnot and whatever that may never see the light of day.

but what a great time it is to be alive.