Clone Wars Widevision Revisited...

I really liked the 2009 Topps Star Wars: Clone Wars Widevision sketch cards because the bigger cards made for more surface area for the sketches, and some amazing cards came out of that set. Mike's work from CWW was fantastic, so much so that I had trouble finding any of his cards at a reasonable price. I think a majority of Mike's cards were color, so right out of the gate his cards were selling for $100+. I wasn't able to buy a single one of Mike's CWW until I met him at Disney last Spring and he offered me his last CWW Return- the Ventress that I posted in here last Fall. When this Ahsoka sketch (with, I believe, two 1G-88 Assassin Droids in the background) came up for sale recently on Ebay as a Buy it Now w/Best Offer, I put in an offer and got it. So finally I have a Michael Duron pack-pulled Clone Wars Widevision sketch. More Galaxy 6 sketches to be posted soon.. until then, thanks for reading...

Galaxy 6

After many months of being talked down, Galaxy 6 was released in early March to rave reviews. Topps hit a homerun with this product. Of course I had my eyes open for any of Mike's sketches that I could get at a reasonable price, and was able to pick up these two and 3 others thus far. Unfortunately, the one I was most looking forward to getting is seemingly lost in the mail. It was an R2D2 sketch that I bought on Ebay, and the seller sent it out the next day with Delivery Confirmation, but the tracking ends in Maine. What a complete bummer! Hopefully it'll be found and it will find it's way to me. As for the two sketches I've posted tonight, I love the crosshatching Mike has done on the Anakin, and the Vader is classic Mike. Just two great sketches. I have another of Mike's sketches already in my posession (but not scanned), and at least one more on the way, so I should be posting again soon. Until then, thanks for reading...

Rise of the Bounty Hunters!

Aurra Sing, Cade Bane, and Bossk never looked better. After I got my Clone Wars Widevision "Ventress" Return, Mike asked me if I'd be interested in a Rise of the Bounty Hunters Return. I had already made deals with 5 or 6 other Artists for Returns out of the product, but with Mike being my favorite it was a no-brainer. I thought back to a Return card of his from Clone Wars 2008 that I had bought that had Dooku, Palpatine, and Ventress on it, and asked Mike if he could do one with 3 Bounty Hunters on it- Aurra Sing, Cade Bane, and Bossk. He agreed to do it and wow, did he ever hit this one out of the park- a homerun! I think it's my new favorite. I particularly like some of the small details on the card- like the skull belt buckle on Cade Bane and the border Mike drew around the card. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do. Next thing to look forward to- a Galaxy 6 Return card from Mike! Thanks for reading...

Odds and ends..

Just a few sketches that I've picked up in the past 2 months that I haven't posted yet. I particularly like the Indy Heritage sketch from "The Last Crusade"- a great scene in the movie and, of course, a very cool sketch by Mike.
Mike said he was rushed on his "Rise of the Bounty Hunter" sketches, but I still like the two that I've been able to pick up from that set. Anyways, thanks for reading...

Ventress Return

Okay, I know that I'm losing my memory but some days I wonder if it's gone completely. Like take for an example the picture to the right- this awesome Ventress "Clone Wars Widevision" Return card that I bought from Mike... LAST SUMMER. You'd think that would be something I'd remember to put in my blog. But noooooooooo.. my oatmeal filled head didn't even think about it til just now. I was actually going to post a few new Duron cards that I've bought in the past 2 months, and then my brain finally kicked in. Maybe it's because I have a "Rise of the Bounty Hunters" Return card on the way from Mike, or that I just sent him down payment for a "Galaxy 6" Return card.. whatever the reason, here it is. And as usual, the scan doesn't do it justice. One last thing- I was reading on Mike's blog that he got engaged over the holidays, so congrats are in order! Here's hoping it's the start of a great year. Thanks for reading...

Steel City Con (Part 2)

The last day of Steel City Con I went on a buying spree- and the Galaxy 5 Cad Bane (scan enclosed) was one of my purchases. I was pretty stoked to find a second sketch of this style at the show, as I believe Mike didn't do very many of them.

My first ever Duron sketch was a LOTR Masterpieces II "Gandalf" sketch, so I've always had a soft spot for Mike's Lord of the Rings sketches. I made a great trade with Ian (itd64 on Scoundrel Art) for the Arwen sketch. I did have to give up my Michael Duron "4 Little Hobbits Rollin Down a Hill" sketch, but I thought it was a fair trade. Thanks again Ian! I'll try to do a better job of posting. Thanks for reading..

Meeting Mike part 2..

It's about time. I've had the Caricature since early May, and finally got it matted and framed. Like I said in "Meeting Mike part 1", I had told Mike about how I enjoyed opening up cards and how the first sketch card I ever bought was one of his Gandalf sketches from Lord of the Rings Masterpieces II- so that's what he drew. I hadn't shaved in a few days, so he nailed it- right down to my chubby cheeks and my glasses. Mike's not only a great guy but he has the talent to match. Anyone who has the chance to pose for one of his Caricatures should- he does great work. So here it is... and thanks for reading...