Say Hi And Point Me To A Flat Surface: An Interview w/ Illustrator Josh Lynch

A few weeks ago, the internet was abuzz with Josh Lynch's latest creation Dogs of the Marvel Universe! This isn't the first time Josh's Marvel illustrations have caught people's attention. He has also done Marvel Luchadores, Peter Barker The Amazing Spider Dog, and Marvel Cuties, the world's most adorable superheroes. But that is really just the tip of the iceberg.

Josh Lynch is a Twin Cities based art director, storyboard artist, visual developer, and pop culture junkie. He thrives on the idea of visual communication and strives to find fun and exciting ways to engage with audiences in physical and digital spaces.

Josh earned his BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design with a focus on Illustration and Animation. He has illustrated work for Stone Arch Press and Avery/Penguin and has been featured in online publications such as Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, FailBlog, ComicsAlliance, and Project Rooftop. He is currently the Creative Director at Alpha Video where he develops unique multimedia and interactive pieces for the masses.

Aside from continuing the Dogs of the Marvel Universe series, Josh told me, "I'm working on a children's book and I always have my own comic I mean to get to." Own comic?!! Please don't wait much longer, Josh.

While I was watching the internet go nuts with Lynch's dogs, it struck me that almost everyone was republishing his work, but no one was really taking the time to ask him any questions. So, I set out to change that. And, honestly, I was kinda surprised when Josh agreed to do an interview! After reading below, if you want to explore more of Josh Lynch's work on your own, I suggest his Website, Behance, Tumblr, Blog, and, if you have a few spare dollars, go get yourself a DOTMU shirt! 

Q: Your recent Dogs of the Marvel Universe collection has become a huge deal on the internet? But, I noticed you also started a Marvel Kitten line…are you going to complete that set?
Josh: The kittens I've done so far have just been for friends. At our house we're down to four cats and while I love them I could do with a few less in my life. Just don't be surprised if a few sneak into DOTMU from time to time.

Q:  Do you really think Tony Stark wears pink bunny slippers?
Josh: He's a billionaire playboy, he wears whatever he wants.

Q: In all seriousness, I totally love all the sketches you post on your Website and Tumblr. Have you considered releasing a book of just your black and whites?
Josh: Thank you so much. I try to sketch something everyday so I fill a sketchbook every couple months. I've never printed a book of them because I don't think there's a market for it. I scour artists alley at every con for sketchbooks by my favorite artists. If you're a process junkie you can't beat looking at artist's sketchbooks. If enough people showed interest I suppose I'd print some up.

Q: Could you give me directions to the Juicy store on Dagobah? I couldn’t find it.
Josh: Look deep inside yourself and find the Juicy will you.

Q:   I couldn’t help but notice that in your piece Star Trek for the Next Generation, you chose to use bearded Will Riker. Was this a conscience decision?
Josh: Definitely. I don't even come close to liking ol' Rusty Trombone unless he's bearded. No Ensign Babyface for me.

Q: How different do you think the Marvel Universe would be if Captain America and Hitler actually fell in love? And what do you think Hitler’s love notes entailed?
Josh: I suppose the thoughts of their forbidden love would be intense. Think Romeo and Juliet suicide level intense. I think even if they fell in love they would still have been on opposite sides of the war. But how could Hitler not love Steve Rogers. He's like Hitler's aryan wet dream... I mean physically, not at all spiritually, ethically, politically, or in any way that actually counts for anything. In fact I don't really like to think of any happy ending for Hitler in any case.

Q:  Did you happen to find a taker for your Masterminds DVD with Patrick Stewart and Vincent Kartheiser? I might know someone who would like it.
Josh: Oh that wasn't a DVD, that was good old fashion V-H-S. I gave it away as a gift to a friend. I don't think I could take such treasure back without ruining that friendship.

Q:  What artists/illustrators do you currently follow?
Josh: Currently?..... OH that's hard, way too many. The list looks something like this (although I'd still be leaving a lot out): Kris Anka, Kevin Wada, Becky Cloonan, Daniel Warren Johnson, Cameron Stewart, Chris Samnee, Cory Loftis, Gabriel Hardman, Matthew Woodson, Greg Ruth, Noelle Stevenson, Hamish Steele, Jake Wyatt, Jeff Stokely, Mingjue Helen Chen, Katsuya Terada, Chris Brunner, Tradd Moore, Steve Mcniven, Ming Doyle, Dan Hipp, Patrick Leger, Paul Azaceta, Phil Noto, Mike Mitchell, Steve Epting... I should really stop there but that's not nearly the whole list.

Q:  You clearly are a huge comics fan. What books really stick with you from your teen years?
Josh: Well I grew up reading the Chris Claremont/Jim Lee run on X-Men. That started comics for me really. I followed it with Lee/Portacio stuff but following that when they got into Onslaught I was done. That killed comics for me for a long time. As a kid who didn't have a lot of money to buy tie ins I had to just give up. Then when I was in high school I came back around for some of the non Marvel and DC books at the time. I was really into BattleChasers, Danger Girl, Kaboom!, Spawn, and Red Star. I came back around into marvel with Wolverine Origin. Following that I started to get into all the 70's, 80's, and 90's greatness I had really missed out on including lots of the Frank Miller/Klaus Janson stuff.

Q:  Unicorns...or Narwhals? Who would win in a fight
Josh: That's a trick question. They don't fight. They bake cupcakes and sing songs together. Did you know every time a Unicorn and Narwhal fall in love a bell rings?

Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great Fan Art by Josh Lynch & Daughter

Miami Dice Releases "Mota-Vation" Video + New Deluxe Edition Album!

North Carolina's Miami Dice is the atmosphere and beat-oriented project of Shaun Olson, drummer and founding member of indie/shoegaze outfit Cement Stars. An Italo disco / R&B-influenced dance project, Miami Dice incorporates vintage synth sounds, laid-back beats, minimal vocals and a vibe that evokes the neon-lit after-hours world of the late 70's and early 80's. Rounding out the line-up is Olson's Cement Stars bandmate Josh Faggart on drums, and Scott Weaver (formerly of the bands Babyshaker and Snagglepuss) on trumpet and percussion. Together, the three of them have become the ultimate in chill vibes, good time, drinking with your friends, party dance music.

Yesterday, they released a great new video directed by Enid Valu for the track "Mota-Vation" of their latest release Premium Cut (Deluxe Edition). Premium Cut was originally released in 2014 shortly after the trio began playing together. They thought maybe it needed a second chance. So, they brought in Jesse Clasen from the band HRVRD to remaster the original tracks, added four new tracks, and are going to follow up with a remix from DJ Justin Aswell. Premium Cut (Deluxe Edition) sounds great and really allows their good time vibes to shine through. It's also pretty good music for playing in the background on a romantic evening with your significant other. You probably don't want to know how I know this.

The "Mota-Vation" video was shot by a one woman crew over a period of 8 hours. The bar that appears in the video is the now closed nightclub Phoenix in downtown Charlotte, NC which used to be the site of the legendary club Mythos. On a side note, it is important to mention that band member Scott Weaver has hosted the infamous weekly gay friendly dance/drag/burlesque party Shiprocked in Charlotte for the last eight years. Everyone from Cazwell to Kool Keith, Leslie and the Lys to Cakes Da Killa have graced the Shiprocked stage. If you are ever in Charlotte, NC on a Thursday night, you owe it to yourself to go.

Check out the the "Mota-Vation" video below and preview the Premium Cut (Deluxe Edition) album below!
Miami Dice is well worth your time!

**Miami Dice photos courtesy of Enid Valu.

Minion Ways to Die: A Claymation From Lee Hardcastle

Animator Lee Hardcastle has gone and done what virtually half of the world wants to do - kill Minions. But, killing them isn't good enough. In this minute long claymation, Minions die at the hands of xenomorphs, sharks, cheese graters, Freddie Kruger, and so much more. If you are tired of Minions, this should be delightful revenge.

Be sure to visit Lee Hardcastle's website! And, if you have time, read our Interview with Hardcastle from last November.

Monday Morning Dance Party: LCD Soundsystem "Home"

Check out this wonderful video for LCD Soundsystem's track "Home." Filmed entirely in the city of Houston by filmmakers Rick Darge & Mark Armes, it features a robot having the time of his life. Though LCD Soundsystem isn't together anymore, you can still catch James Murphy out DJing, producing bands like Arcade Fire, and popping up here and there with various projects. Enjoy!

This Underwear Isn't Clowning Around...And We Aren't Sure What To Think!

So...here's something I didn't know existed until today - clown underwear! Yes. Clown. Underwear. And honestly, I have no idea what to think. Part of me loves it and thinks this is a hilariously brilliant concept and it would be fun to wear around the house or to certain appropriate get-togethers. The other part of me thinks this is more nope than I know how to handle.

Anyway...take a look below and decide for yourself. Meanwhile, I will be in my room coming to terms with my very confused arousal.

My Head On Some Robot Legs: An Interview w/ Animator Andy Martin aka Handymartian

Animator Andy Martin's work makes me happy. Like ridiculously happy to the point of delirium. I find myself watching videos like "The Planets" and "Selfie" over and over again. I show them to my friends. I show them to my cat. Often, I gather together all of my stuffed animals and action figures and we sit and watch his animations together. He is just that brilliant.

This week Andy released the brand new short film Mr. Director, a stop motion satire poking fun at documentaries that feature self-aggrandizing artists and directors. "The biggest ego in film directing tells us his story of a lifetime in the movie business with clips from some of his films, archive interviews and exclusive behind the scenes footage." This film is seven minutes of sheer magic. If nothing else, the clips from the fake movies will have you giggling with delight.

But, the magic doesn't stop with just the illustration and animation. Andy Martin is also an insanely talented musician. His animations are filled with sometimes charming, sometimes whimsical songs that he has created. Andy has even animated a hilarious stop motion band series called Tiny Tunes in which the band tackles "serious subjects like eating steaks, robot legs, seeing a doctor, haircuts and sharing." But don't let any of this fool you. Andy is a truly accomplished songwriter, instrument tinkerer, and sound manipulator. See for yourself at Andy's music page: Handymartian!

Andy Martin was kind enough to take some time out of his day and do an interview. If you'd like to explore more of his work on your own, I suggest his Website, Twitter, and Vimeo Page. Also, be sure to check out his Society 6 Shop! 

Q: Andy…I am madly infatuated with your animation “The Planets.” The ending song even makes me tear up a bit. What was your eureka moment for creating the project?
Andy: It all kind of developed organically through the year. It started off as a daily illustration project to force myself to draw in my sketchbook again but grew into a monthly animation project and at the end of the year I had the 12 minute film. I'm sorry it made you cry but it's good to get out your emotions. Bottling things up will give you an ulcer!

Q: On a totally different note, I tend to laugh every time one of your characters, be it alien or bunny, farts. Does that say more about you or about me?
Andy: It probably says a lot about both of us.

Q:  Are you self taught or do you have a formal education in illustration and animation?
Andy: I studied Moving Image Design at University which gave me a good start but then I've learned a lot in the years I've been working. So I think it's been a healthy mix of the two which is maybe how it should be. It's good to have some formal training as a starting point but then to do interesting work you need to go a bit rogue.

Q:  I totally love that you post video workshops showing how your animations are made so other people can learn your techniques. Was there ever any trepidation about sharing your secrets?
Andy: No, none at all. I hope people will take the techniques and make something new and fresh. Something that I could never have thought of.

Q:  Have you considered working with the phone companies on an app that will actually punch you in the face if you take a selfie?
Andy: I'm not sure it's worth the lawsuits.

Q:  Your Tiny Tunes track “Style” is hands down my favorite, mostly because my hair is mental. Which line of lyrics best describes your coiffure?
Andy: "This hair looks good" obviously!!

Q:  If for one reason or another you had to choose between animation and music, which would you pick?
Andy: Animusic.

Q: What artists/illustrators do you currently follow?

Amaro & Walden's Joyride

Andy: I'm constantly on the search for great animations to watch. I recently saw Adam Elliot's new short "Ernie Biscuit" which was excellent (he also made one of my favourite animated films called "Mary And Max"), the short "Amaro and Walden's Joyride" by The Line is super cool, and the guys at Animade did a stylish short recently call "Cronomtics". There's so much other great stuff out there by amazingly talented independent animators it's tough to name just a few but you can check out the things I've liked on Vimeo (where I find most of the best animation) here: Andy Martin Likes. Vimeo has a great animation section that is worth exploring: Vimeo Animation.

Q:  Do you remember the first animation you ever created? Care to share the storyline?
Andy: I do. It was for a school IT project and it was advocating regular exercise for a healthier lifestyle. Advice I have subsequently failed to follow.

Q:  Unicorns...or Narwhals? Who would win in a fight?
Andy: Why can't they both get on? I'm not sure what the beef is but I'm sure they can work it out peacefully.

Davey Wavey and Adult Star Zach Taylor Answer the Question "Is Porn Ruining Gay Sex?"

This video is surprisingly sincere. Davey Wavey and gay adult film star Zach Taylor tackle this question head on with some truly terrific insights and just the right mix of humor. They make it clear that the sex you see in adult movies is mostly "fantasy" and that sometimes people get the wrong idea when they see people just shoving things in tight places without the proper preparation. Anyway, rather than us trying to explain it, just watch the video. It's pretty great.

Monday Morning Dance Party: Carly Rae Jepsen "Warm Blood"

Carly Rae Jepsen is back with mature new sound and a sleek new look. She has done a lot of growing up musically and it is really paying off. Check out the track "Warm Blood" from the new album E•MO•TION due out August 21st!

Handsome & Hilarious: YouTuber Jack Merridew Talks About Sex Toys!

We dare you not to laugh your ass off as completely adorable YouTuber Jack Merridew races his Mother to the front door before she accidentally intercepts his box of AdamMale sex toys! Does he succeed? You will have to watch the video to find out! But...you probably don't want to miss Jack blowing bubbles with mint flavored condoms.

Honestly, everything Jack posts on YouTube is pretty great. So, be sure to follow Jack Merridew on his YouTube Channel, Instagram, and Twitter! 

**Top pic courtesy of The Gaily Grind.