After spending an awesome weekend geeking out at Stan Lee’s Comikaze and having the opportunity to record tomorrow’s episode with one of our favorite listeners, I realized I’ve run a little short on time to write my post on Skyrim: Dragons vs. Vikings: Part II. However, the time spent at Comikaze gave me a chance to catch up with one of my favorite independent artists, Pao, the creator of HANGBoY. I first had the opportunity to check out his unique take on history (and particularly the Second World War) at San Diego Comic-Con in 2011 and again at WonderCon 2012, and now he’s definitely on my to-see list of any convention we happen to both attend. Why? Because his work IS AWESOME!
Pao’s work not only appeals to the World War II historian in me, but it also calls to my sick and twisted sense of humor. I definitely appreciate his taking on what can be heavy subject matter – everything from genocidal warfare, historical conquests, murder, and suicide – and putting a palatable spin on it while still maintaining the integrity of how dark the subject is! It’s a tall order, but boy does he have the guts to do it, and do it well!
World War Too Map
WW2 Axis Powers
Battle of Stalingrad
Battle of the Bulge
I could go on for pages and pages of posting Pao’s art, but, you all should really head on over to his site here! Also, if you get a chance, pick up a copy of his newly released hardcover art book, World War Too. Not only is it a beautiful coffee table book, the contents are sure to be a great conversation starter!
Further proof that we are indeed dragon brothers…Pao was one of my most exciting finds this Con. I had skipped SDCC this year and hadn’t discovered him until Comikaze. The hardest thing was trying to keep myself from buying everything. The hangboys have such a delightful deranged glee at their demise.
I remember seeing his stuff at Wondercon. Some of those massive battle scenes were amazingly detailed. All of his art is awesome and he is a great guy to boot.
I love his art work. Its simple but really detailed all at the same time. I hope to one day have a print of his in the MITC studio, I think it would look good and I’m glad we met him at Wondercon and I glad you got to see him again at Comikaze! Good job Matt, now get us a print! His stuff might look good as a tattoo! Know its got me thinkin’! Awesome!
I really love Pao’s work! And I can see how his style and subject matter can appeal so much to you Matt. Somehow for someone who’s used to no one liking what he likes people tend to create things that seem custom made for you!
@Robert – He showed me a sketch he was working on for a new project he’s doing on the Spanish Conquest of the America’s and it looked AWESOME!
@Ramses – I will totally buy a print for the studio next time I see him. I’ll just have to think of which one will be the best one.
@Karen – I know, right? It’s like he opened up my brain and poured it out onto paper. Alos, I know there are SOME things I like that people like.