Female PHANTOM Comic Cover Art....

Race Against Death 7.3" x 10.85" Gouache on Illustration Board

Here is my Latest comic book cover for Moonstone Books.

This painting is the Cover for...

THE PHANTOM: Julie Walker
Race Against Death

. . . scheduled to hit comic shops and book stores in January 2010.

From what I understand, there will be 4 variant covers of this issue. 2 will be utilizing my artwork pictured above. One will be as is, and the other will be a close-up variant (pictured below).

Story: Elizabeth Massie

Art: Paul Daly
Colors: Stephen Downer
Covers: J. Anthony Kosar (Above Images); JD; and Paul Daly

Moonstone Books - 40pgs, color, $4.50
Release Date: January 2010

Two time Bram Stoker winner (and Buffy novelist) Elizabeth Massie delivers a previously unknown adventure tale of danger on the high seas of the ONLY female Phantom that Lee Falk ever created! Julie Walker is forced to take over the Phantom role and guard her friend, Nellie Bly on her historic trip around the world! Something or someone does NOT want Ms Nellie to finish this record breaking trek!

Illustrations © J. Anthony Kosar.
Comic Book © Moonstone Entertainment, Inc.

Behind-The-Scenes of Banzai: Hardest of the Hard 2...

Here are some of the Behind the Scenes pictures at how my cover artwork Battle on the Barge for Moonstone's Buckaroo Banzai: Hardest of the Hard part 2 was made. Again, combining my skills as an FX artist as well as my love for film, I sculpted two very rough creature maquettes for reference. They are each about 2.5-3 inches. Also, my dad and I built a Gatling gun prop for Perfect Tommy to hold. Click images to view larger:

Above: My maquette for the Mantis-Rat-Man that wants to eat Reno, sculpted out of Chavant oil based clay.

Above: My maquette for the Scorpion-Rat-Woman also sculpted out of Chavant oil based clay.

Above: The Gatling Gun prop made of wood and PVC pipes.

Battle on the Barge 7.3" x 10.85" Gouache on Illustration Board

Be sure to get this issue (Part 2) scheduled for November 30th release and Part 1 this month for a September 30th release.

Illustrations & Sculpts © J. Anthony Kosar.
Comic Book © Moonstone Entertainment, Inc.

Behind-The-Scenes of The Spider: Judgement Knight #1...

Here are some of the Behind the Scenes pictures at how my artwork for Moonstone's The Spider: Judgement Knight #1 was made. After the concept stage, it was time to get some photo references. While getting models for the characters is easy, getting the right locations is not. Being a hyper-realist, every shadow counts. Therefore, combining my skills as an FX artist as well as my love for film, I built several miniature sets to enhance the realism of the world in which the Spider fights. Really, they are nothing more than paper-cube crates and paper-cylinder barrels I designed and printed off my computer,... then after much folding and taping, I constructed the sets to fit my compositions. Click images to view larger:

Shooting at Shadows 12x5.75 Gouache on Illustration Board

Above is the first image of the story where the thugs are shooting into the darkness of the warehouse. I had to put my hand in the photo reference so that the camera had something to focus on.

Blood of the Innocent 12x5.75 Gouache on Illustration Board

Above was for the second illustration. Here the Spider reflects on what the thugs have done. To build a bank vault, I just used two pieces of foam core and four action figures. I actually sculpted a 40s NYC Police hat out of kneaded eraser for the extra bit of realism.

The Hunt 12x5.75 Gouache on Illustration Board

Above was the third in the series. Once again, I just used the same paper cubes, set up in a different way.

The Showdown 12x5.75 Gouache on Illustration Board

Above was the sixth painting, and again, I just used the same paper crates and barrels.

Overall, this one was a fun project to work on, and I know that the extra work paid off. See all 10 illustrations HERE

Details on how to purchase this signed issue will be posted soon. If you would like to order one before store is finished, please contact me HERE

Illustrations & Sculpts © J. Anthony Kosar.
Comic Book © Moonstone Entertainment, Inc.

Art for Part 2 of Buckaroo Banzai Comic...

Battle on the Barge 7.3" x 10.85" Gouache on Illustration Board

Here it is,... my second comic book cover for Moonstone Books.

This painting is the Cover for . . .

Buckaroo Banzai: Hardest of the Hard
The Ballad of Lady G (Part 2 of 2)

. . . scheduled to hit comic shops and book stores in November 2009.

Here is the entire painting without the logo and some details of the painting (click images to view larger):

Art and Details can also be seen on my website: HERE

I will be posting some "behind the scenes" of this painting soon which will include props built and creature maquettes sculpted for perfect reference.

Story: Earl Mac Rauch

Art: Jesus Antonio Hernandez
Colors: James Brown
Covers: J. Anthony Kosar (Above Images); Malcolm McClinton (Below Image)

Moonstone Books - 32pgs, color, $3.99
Release Date: November 2009

What was she like, before this exquisite & bad ass bass player joined the Hong Kong Cavaliers, and how did she join up? What is her hush-hush all-seeing connection with the World Crime League? Was it a love connection at first sight with Perfect Tommy and Lady G? How do you choose between plucking a bass guitar and plucking a chicken? And remember, as always, the watermelon is optional.

Here is the other cover by Malcolm McClinton.

Top Illustrations © J. Anthony Kosar.

Blue Cover Illustration © Malcolm McClinton.
Comic Book © Moonstone Entertainment, Inc.

Get Ready for Wizard World Chicago 2009...

Check out the Wizard World website, I have just been listed as a Wizard World Guest as a Comic Creator!
I will be in Artist's Alley.

My table number is 5110.

The show will be August 6th through the 9th at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Anyway, check out their guests page HERE or go straight to my listing HERE.

Wizard Logo © Wizard Entertainment.
Headshot & Art © J. Anthony Kosar.

Blog gets a Facelift...

Hey Everyone, How do you like the new look? I have been working hard customizing this blog. I have also been working on an online store where you can purchase signed prints, Halloween masks, publications I have worked on, and more. The store will hopefully be up and running in the next week or so, so keep posted.

P.S. As the links section is continuously growing too big for the sidebar, I added a section for all my artist friends' blogs under BLOG LINKS in the above menu, which I will continue adding to as time goes on.

Caricature of "Yours Truly" by Richard Wilson-Leigh (aka Mack)...

Yup, that's me! This is a caricature of "Yours Truly" by Richard Wilson-Leigh, better known as Mack. Mack is a friend, colleague, and classmate from the American Academy of Art. He's a very talented artist and all around nice guy.

Here's what he said:

"Here is a quick sketch I did of a fellow artist Anthony Kosar.
He is one of the most talented individuals I have ever met,
and have had the privilege to spend 4 years of college
learning from and with him. Hope you enjoy it."
~ Richard Wilson-Leigh

Thanks Mack! You can see more of Richard Wilson-Leigh's work on his blog: Infinite Possibilities.

Caricature © Richard Wilson-Leigh.

Cover Art for Buckaroo Banzai Comic...

Hardest of the Hard 7.3" x 10.85" Gouache on Illustration Board

Here it is,... my first comic book cover for Moonstone Books.

This painting is the Variant Cover for . . .

Buckaroo Banzai: Hardest of the Hard
The Ballad of Lady G (Part 1 of 2)

. . . scheduled to hit comic shops and book stores in September 2009.

Here is the entire painting without the logo and some details of the painting (click images to view larger):

Art and Details can also be seen on my website: HERE

Story: Earl Mac Rauch

Art: Shawn Van Briessen, Mark Stegbauer
Colors: James Brown
Covers: J. Anthony Kosar (Above Images); David Easterly (Below Image)

Moonstone Books - 32pgs, color, $3.99
Release Date: September 2009

"In this wild and wooly rockin’ adventure, find out the secrets of the woman who likes all things that are pointy. What was she like before this exquisite and bad ass bass player joined the Hong Kong Cavaliers, and how did she join up? Join Buckaroo as he uses stealth, a Gatling gun, Reno’s head, and some squishy mutates to extricate her from her trouble, as well as mop up a sloppy mess! What is her hush-hush all-seeing connection with the World Crime League? Was it a love connection at first sight with Perfect Tommy and Lady G? And remember, as always, the watermelon is optional. RETAILER INCENTIVE: if you order 5 copies or more, you receive one FREE variant J. Anthony Kosar cover edition! One variant per store limit." ~ popculturezoo.com

Here is the other cover by David Easterly.

Top Illustrations © J. Anthony Kosar.

Blue Cover Illustration © David Easterly.
Comic Book © Moonstone Entertainment, Inc.

SATANIC PANIC Mask Production Line...

While I was at Zagone Studios a couple weeks ago pitching concepts for their 2010 line, which I have begun sculpting, I took some pictures of my SATANIC PANIC Mask as they are being produced, . . . I still love seeing this process! Look for the SATANIC PANIC Mask this Halloween at your local costume shops! I'm not sure which shops around the country will be selling them, so keep your eyes on the lookout!! Here is some press on the mask:

"The mask, which you can see in all its badass glory . . .
was sculpted by J. Anthony Kosar, a young kid who's got
a helluva lot of promise if his website’s any indication."
~ Johnny Butane (DreadCentral.com)

Read the entire article from DreadCentral.com - HERE
Read another article from Fangoria.com - HERE
Read another article from TheHMA.net - HERE

Click HERE to see the Mask Making Process.

Mask © J. Anthony Kosar & Zagone Studios, LLC.

AWS Awards Dinner in NYC!

On Friday, April 24th, 2009, the American Watercolor Society held their Awards Dinner for their 142nd International Exhibition and Travel Show at the Salmagundi Club in New York, NY.

My painting Never Known, Never Forgotten received the Dong Kingman Award. I was so thrilled, honored, and humbled to be there amongst so many amazing paintings and so many unbelievably talented artists! My painting received great feedback, and everyone was so nice. As they presented me with my award, the AWS president, Jim McFarlane commented about my age, which was a huge compliment since I was the youngest one there. Here are some pictures from the event:

Above: Dong Kingman Jr. presents me with the Dong Kingman Award
in memory of his father, Dong Kingman.

Above: AWS President Jim McFarlane and I.

Above: Dong Kingman Jr. and I.

Above: Awards Dinner Attendees, including
Dong Kingman Jr., view my painting.

Above: Discussing my painting with Michele Izzo
(AWS Vice President Treasurer/Awards).

Above: Discussing art and my painting with artist Jada Rowland.

Above: Artist Stephen Quiller and I.
Mr. Quiller was the recipient of the Nicholas Reale Memorial Award,
and also was the Juror for the Richeson 75: Small Works
2009 Exhibit I participated in - HERE

Above: Paul C. Jackson and I.
Mr. Jackson received the Margery Soroka Memorial Award.

"Never Known, Never Forgotten" © J. Anthony Kosar