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the artist |
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Born Milton Zachariah Howstein, the now-named Zach Howard began drawing
at an extremely early age. "When I was five, I whited out the entire
cover of an issue of Amazing Spider-Man so I could redraw it. It took a
good half hour to white it out, and at that point I think the fumes had
gotten to me, so the drawing was pretty trippy. Spider-Man had
tentacles and was flying through space on what looks like a walrus.
It's hard to say exactly."
At only age 12, Zach received national attention for the prize-winning
drawing he submitted to the Campbell's Soup Baby Contest. A limited run
of 600 cans of tomato soup were printed featuring Zach's art, and he
Zach was awarded $200 in Campbell's coupons. The cans now go for an
average of $4.50 on eBay and can often be found at conventions selling
for even more.
Within a few years Zach was forced to drop out of high school to become
a full-time bagger at the local Stop & Shop, when his grandfather Arie
had been diagnosed with eosinophilic fasciitis, and the family incurred
great medical expenses. But it was this very circumstance which led him
to become the world renowned comics illustrator he is today!
While bagging groceries he noticed the man in line was none other than
the founder of Wizard Magazine and comics-world mogul Gareb Shamus, who
was visiting town for the weekend long Dragon-Con. "I was putting some
frozen waffles into a bag, looked up, and realized these waffles
belonged to one of my all time heroes," says Zach. "I immediately told
him how I'd always wanted to become a comic book artist and make it
into Wizard's Top Ten. I mean, what greater achievement could one hope
for? What higher accolade could an artist receive?" So taken was Gareb,
by Zach's enthusiasm and boyish good looks, that he invited him back to
his motel room to discuss Zach's passions and desires.
Gareb took Zach under his wing, and within months Zach began working on
his first book, the short-lived series Power Attack Force published by
Black Bull. He then moved on to work on titles such as Blood Justice,
Paleo-Man, Undo My Legs, and the Esiner-nominated Mexican Hermaphrodite
Love Triangles published by Eros.
To date Zach has worked with such luminaries as Jim Shooter, Jai Nitz,
and Kip Winchel, as well as having produced major works for Marvel, DC,
Chaos! and Image. Currently Zach lives in Austin, Texas with is wife
Bonita and 6 children, of whom 3 or 4 are his.
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historic big BIG news |
february 02 2008
Just a quick update on what I'm up to this year.
First off, I've started work on a two issue series from independent publisher Th3rdWorld. Each issue will be about 40 pages. The book is called WILD BLUE YONDER. It's a neat sci-fi book about future earth and people that live their whole lives on planes. I'll have more in depth news concerning this project throughout the year.
I've also been doing short stories and covers for Marvel. You can find my work in their books periodically. I'm always doing covers here and there for multiple companies. Pays the bills and covers always sell rather well.
Anyhow, shoot me an email if you have any questions about my books or commission requests.
Out,
z
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august 27 2007
Hola everyone in the nether-void. Just a quick update for the five or nine fans I have.
I've been crazy busy since Sean and I finished up Outer Orbit earlier this year (the TPB comes out in October).
I've been doing both Star Wars and Star Trek covers for months now.
You can also find my crap gracing the covers of JLU every month.
The rest of the year is booked, too.
I'm currently doing covers for Tom Sniegoski's new novels titled "The Brimstone Network."
They are wonderfully fun all-ages books.
Light-years ahead of the steaming loaves of turds that Harry Potter is.
After that, I'll be doing a 3-issue stint on Knights of the Old Republic.
I'm itching to do some interiors, so that'll be fun.
And lastly, I'll be starting my next creator owned project late this fall.
It's a Victorian horror story.
Woooooooo oooo... creepy.
I'm doing this book with Zander Cannon and Austin Harrison.
It'll be a good one.
Out,
Z
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march 10 2007
Howdy all,
Just letting everyone know that I'll be doing a signing for Outer Orbit at the LA Con march 16th-18th. Swing on by and make fun of sean and the other douche bags at our table.
March 16th-18th, 2007
Outer Oribt #3 is in stores right now and issue #4 will be about in about a month. Hope you enjoy dildo jokes as much as me.
Z
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september 25 2006
Hola everyone!
I'm just letting everyone know that Outer Orbit #1 will be out in December of this year. Look in the next PREVIEWS catalog to see our advertisement and sample page from the series. Dark Horse has really gotten behind the book and is doing more for promotion than we could have ever hoped for.
Everything seems to be coming together.
So now we just need you to order the damn book.
I've also finished another album cover for the band Skelter.
For those of you that aren't in the knowing, Skelter is the brain child of a couple of DC editors.
That's right, they edit stories about men in skin tight clothing by day and then rock your pants off by night.
I don't even know when they sleep.
Maybe they're fish or something.
Anyhoosk, you need to check them out at www.myspace.com/skeltermusic.
Lastly, I'll be putting up a list of my originals that I have for sale in the next couple of weeks.
This will save you time so you don't have to write me asking vague questions.
Think of all the extra time you'll have to devote to debating star wars facts with your imaginary friends!
I do this for you!
Out,
z
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april 2 2006
Hola,
Just letting everyone know the four, oversized issues of the OUTER ORBIT mini-series will be out later this year.
Full color, and all that happy crap. It's absolutely official now!
Sean Murphy and I signed the contract today and have the first issue about wrapped up.
Hans Rodionoff is doing a great job with the scripting duties and is cranking out things on his end right now.
So things are going great for our book. Now we just need you ladies to buy it.
Yeah, I know you are saving up for a new Magic deck, but you're going to have to make sacrifices.
It wouldn't hurt to do a pushup or two either.
Once the legalities are all wrapped up, I'll announce the things that matter - like who is publishing it, and when it is exactly coming out.
Good news all around.
Out,
Z
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february 27 2006
Update time!
I wanted to wait until I could really get into what I'm doing this year, but it's taking forever to get the legal work done.
so I'm going to give everyone a partial update...
Sean Murphy, Hans Rodionoff and I are going to be putting out a limited series later this year. It is called
OUTER ORBIT and is a wonderful little violent space comedy. Sean and I will both be doing the art duties, while Hans will be co-writing it.
please stay tuned for I should have official news very soon.
other than that, quit fucking your hand, you blog loving pussies.
out,
z
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december 29 2005
hola fuckers!
what? me update my web page? dogs and cats living together? black is
white; up is down? total anarchy? that's right, we're cleaning out the
inventory. it's funny how a web site gets pushed to the back burner once you
start to consistently get work. but i'm getting rather embarrassed about
people contacting me about my crap that is about 3 years old. so fuck the
old, here's the new.
on a side note, never expect in the future for me to have a blog on my site.
it is a sad world we live in when everyone feels it's okay to talk about
themselves to total strangers, day after day. it's also sad that we let
rednecks live and breed. but, really, fuck the blog. stop it, you stick-armed pussies.
if you have time to write a fucking blog and you aren't
making fun of someone else, then you aren't working hard enough in real
life. what are you, elvis or something? do people need to know what the
fuck you're thinking? stop the goddamn blog and do something productive
with your time.
yeah, I'm bitter.
z |
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july 15 05
hello all,
still no mother jokes. make one about your own mother for me.
still working on SHAUN OF THE DEAD. the third issue is just about wrapped. hope you nerds are diggin' it.
i am in san diego as we speak. i'll be signing at CGC on friday and at the IDW booth on saturday. both are noonish-at least that what they've told me.
i'd tell you to look for me in artist's alley, but i haven't inherited a spot over there just yet. apparently being gifted a spot in an old creator's will is the only way to get in nowadays.
laters,
z
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june 24 05
hello all,
sorry about the delay in updating the site, but this year has been
absolutely crazy. i've signed on with IDW to do a four issue mini-series
translating the movie SHAUN OF THE DEAD. i'll be penciling and inking all
four issues while thompson knox will be doing the coloring chores. it was a
wonderful movie and the comic is shaping up to be the best project i've ever
been part of.
as for my creator projects, they are going to continue right after i finish
this current gig. you can expect THE DREAD OF BETE NOIR sometime in 2005.
Zander Cannon has taken over scripting duties which means the book is
certain to be a good one. i'm excited as hell about having someone of his
caliber on board.
well, i'm sorry i just have news this time around and no mother jokes. and
if you are wondering if i'm going to be hitting cons this year, the answer
is yes. i will definitely be in San Diego and possibly in Chicago. come on
by the IDW table if you are there.
laters,
z |
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may 12 05
hola retards!
if you don't know already, i have an issue of NIGHTWING coming out in
november - issue #99. i just penciled it, so i don't want to get any shit
if you don't like the final outcome. let me know your comments none the
less.
I also have another DC book in the works right now - RICHARD DRAGON
#9. again, i'm just penciling it, but i'm sure it'll look good enough.
i'll have two more DC books that i'll be doing after that. unfortunately, i
can't say more about those at this point. i'll let you know. the always
limp-wristed SEAN MURPHY will be inking those.
at the beginning of next year, i will begin work on two new creator owned
books. one is called THE DREAD OF BETE NOIR - it is a turn of the century
horror book. the other book is a space comedy by the name of SPACE FRIENDS.
this one will be a cooperative effort with pretty eyed SEAN MURPHY. and
don't fret, i too am sickened by how often i mention this guy. hmmm...
boom,
zach o'howard
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sep 04 04
well, i let someone commission me to do porn. unfortunately, i made the
mistake of trying to do it tastefully! now i won't get paid for it.
anyhow, i hope you enjoy my batgirl.
i still don't have a book coming out until november - look for my crap in
that months issue of Detective Comics. and the other book i'm working on is
super ultimate secret, so you'll have to pee your pants and wait...
i'll be in artists alley at chicago con this august. if you're there, come
by and give me money and/or beer.
z
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may 12 04
hey fuckers,
i done gots hired by DC comics. what does this mean to you? nothing! all
you do is play magic the gathering and yank root. but to me, it means a
steady paycheck and good projects. this is good.
things to look for:
1. in the november issue of Detective Comics, i will have a batman story i
did pencils and inks for. thompson knox will be doing the colors.
2. in december you will find my work in a new ongoing series from vertigo.
i'm pencilling and the mighty metro-sexual sean murphy is inking it. i wish
i could tell you more than that, but my lips are tied.
i'll post crap as soon as i'm allowed to. in the meantime, check my
portfolio if you want to see the batman pages!
laters,
z
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january 26 04
hola!
i'm not going to be one of those people that constantly apologizes for not
updating my webpage consistently. i've been somewhere between busy and
lazy... so there!
anyhow, as the many nations of the world already know, Heaven's Devils #2 is
out! and issue #3 is well on it's way. as you can see on the left, things
are going to get a bit ugly in this chapter. so quit yanking your root long
enough to go buy our damn book!
there will also be an addition to the art crew in issue #3 - the pretty-eyed
metro-sexual Sean Murphy will be finishing my breakdowns for me. you ask
why? because i'm spending way too much time on the phone with your mom!
that's why! tell her to stop calling me...
XOXOXO
zach
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october 10 03
hello ladies!
well, Testament is out and the first issue of Heaven's Devils
will be out as of October 1st. both of these books are good and you should
buy them. and if you don't, well, know that i never liked you.
if any of you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me and ask away.
XOXXOXOXOX,
zach |
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july 13 03
well, ladies,
i'm sorry i haven't updated the site it quite some time, but
i was severly depressed after your mom dumped me. anyhow, as you already
know, issue #4 of Clockmaker is out and is easily the best one so far.
unfortunately it is also my last issue. i've moved on to other jobs that
actually pay the bills. so keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming Testament
one-shot coming out in September. you can see a sample of the story i did
on your left. it's a great book, published by a great company!
Heaven's Devils #1 will be coming out the same month, so save your money!
in fact you might have to pass on buying that Magic the Gathering
collector's underwear set, just to be safe... and, yes, i know that that
your pasty troglodite virgin friends will be upset, but Heaven's Devils is
worth it!
come see me at the Metron Press booth at the San Diego Comic Con! i'm
doing naked drawings of myself for cheap!
-- zach |
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april 04 03
hey,
look out for issue #3 of THE CLOCKMAKER coming soon. Mike and i think that
we are finally starting to gel on the series and the last few pages of the
issue will prove that. in fact, it wouldn't surprise me if after seeing
these pages you tattooed our names on your pasty bag-of-laundry shaped
asses. feel free to send pics...
and on the HEAVEN'S DEVILS front, things are starting to come together!
Thompson Knox has produced some breath-taking greytones (as you can see on
your left). don't forget to leave room on your ass for his name too...
hang-ten haole boy,
zach |
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feb 27 03
hey, gang.
not much new here other than me churning out pages for image's the clockmaker.
took a bit of a break to get ready for megacon in orlando and did up a piece for my favorite marvel character.
hope you like it and hope to see you at megacon. |
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jan 5 03
well i've moved to colorado. the surf is quite stellar here! jai will be
happy i no longer have a reason not to draw his books...
anyhow, issue #1 of clockmaker comes out this month and sales are good so go
buy it before they are gone and you find yourself crying in your luke warm
mountain due.
heaven's devils will be coming out in september... start pestering your
parents for money now. that is what they are there for.
these are both image books, so you should be able to find them at any comic
shop. and if they don't carry these tasteful libros, well you can just
place a nasty little hex on them with your exstensive collection of magic
the gathering cards.
feel free to email me with any questions and crap like that. =)
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