http://www.denvermagazine.com/culture/2009/07/life-art-daniel-crosier

Daniel Crosier’s studio on Denver’s Blake Street looks more like a trauma ward than an artistic sanctuary.

Shoved into one corner is a latex torso from a horror show, flayed open at the ribs and dripping fake blood onto a model of a severed leg.

On a shelf is a grisly werewolf “cocoon,” fashioned out of plaster chunks, for a movie concept where a human vomits up its own shell and emerges as a murderous canine.

And then there’s the drawing desk, an OSHA inspector’s nightmare. Crosier, 32, may be the only comic-book artist going whose main tools are a miter saw and a wood-burner. Crosier’s work on the “Bartholomew of the Scissors” series consists of wood-burned planks of pine, with the thick grain’s contouring curving across every page like a topo map.

He may also be one of the few comic-book stylists who have accidentally set their pants on fire during welding class. For Crosier, his formative moments at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design were about “having a lot of fun making big messes.”

Colbert, PBS are hip to him

“I learned the integrity of materials and the joy of experimentation,” said Crosier, who grew up in Kersey.

Crosier’s laboratory musings have landed him a couple of book series with Bluewater Productions near Seattle and a fair shot at bigger fame with the likes of comic-book legends Marvel or DC. He’s pitching a new style for the Marvel sorcerer Doctor Strange and is installing a gallery show of his “Bartholomew” wood panels in the Ballpark neighborhood.

He’s now been lauded on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report” and PBS’s “NewsHour.” Ain’t It Cool News, the prime website for adolescents and college students who love superhero and horror movies, called “Bartholomew and the Scissors” “bizarrely beautiful,” an endorsement that can move copies.

Another northern Colorado success, gory props maker Distortions Unlimited, is teaming up with Crosier for his next series.

Distortions builds ghastly animatronics for haunted houses and Hollywood that sell for tens of thousands of dollars.

On this project, Crosier will illustrate a series for Bluewater that’s based on the Distortions character Rage, whom he describes as Sasquatch meets the Incredible Hulk.

“Fanboys” are in control

Crosier’s sunny disposition belies the phantasmagoric images he puts to wood and paper. He loved comics growing up but cheerfully acknowledges the misfit, Dungeons & Dragons reputation of self-important comic lovers as portrayed in “The Simpsons” and other pop culture.

Such “fanboys” can be tough on artists who take a new look at Spider-Man, for example, and lament, “You killed my childhood.”

“But those are the fans, and they’re the ones who line your pockets,” said Crosier, sporting a black T-shirt with a white drawing of a Minotaur. He loves the arguments, finding them far more constructive to his art than well-meaning friends who keep saying “It looks cool!”

Crosier’s articulate self-awareness and willingness to collaborate make an impact on his creative partners.

Chad Helder, the Seattle-area writer of “Bartholomew,” said he was skeptical when the publisher suggested a wood-burning illustrator.

“Didn’t get it”

“At first, I didn’t get it,” said Helder, who also grew up in northern Colorado but never met Crosier. “But then I saw the first few pages and I understood what the whole aesthetic was going to be.

“I love that you can see the grain of the wood; you’re aware of the fact you’re looking at wood at the same time you’re inside the story. His art transformed all aspects of the story, and we got along great.”

All artists want a paycheck. Crosier wants something even more specific: a health plan to cover severe asthma and allergies. He says that one allergic reaction, during which he “flatlined,” put him in touch with an otherworldly dimension of artistry and an urgency to finish his work.

But Crosier knows that dungeon-dwelling artists don’t always succeed at promotion and glad-handing.

“That’s why I have a girlfriend who does public relations,” he smiled, sheepishly.

Girlfriend Wendy Manning’s other job is to get Crosier to focus. At any given moment, he’s burning wood, filming a short movie, practicing a swordfight for an ensemble performance art piece or writing a proposal for a graphic novel. The performance art group filmed a sketch called “The PPP,” in which each donned pink robes and hoods.

“The PPP is made up of multi-ethnic homosexuals,” laughed Crosier. “In other words, everything the KKK hates.”

He’s looking forward to feedback from Marvel editors when he finally sends off the new Doctor Strange concepts. Head shaved and eyes intense, he appears ready to take any flak.

“We used to have these brutal critique sessions at art school,” Crosier said. “Half the class would leave crying. Those were awesome.”

“We over printed this book and we could not refill the reorders. This book is unique, nobody has ever seen a comic done with the wood burning medium,” said publisher Darren G. Davis. ” We wanted to tie in a retailer for a promotion for this printing. Comic Evolution is an amazing store and Chuck is a marketing machine, so it was the perfect fit.

Owner of Comic Evolution, Puyallup, Washington Chuck Messinger said, “We at Comic Evolution and the folks over at Bluewater Productions have developed a wonderful cross-promotional relationship in the last year. While promoting Bartholomew of the Scissors both by word of mouth and through the front page of our website we generated so much interested in our area that the book sold out immediately statewide; then sold out just days later nationwide. Being a huge fan of Chad and Daniel’s, we approached Bluewater about doing a second printing. Darren at Bluewater offered to make it a Comic Evolution exclusive which we could not pass up.

In our first year we have done some amazing things and developed so many relationships that we were nominated as one of the Best Comic Book Stores in Western Washington. The final result is not in but we are very confident that no matter where we place our customers have spread their satisfaction. What better way to celebrate this event than to have our very own variant cover to what has become a tremendously popular title with our customers.”

Artist Daniel Crosier added, “I’m really fortunate to be a part of a project that is so greatly supported Chuck. He is great advocate for the independent comic book scene and a patron of the arts. I really appreciate his enthusiasm for the Bartholomew series.”

Bellingham, WA- The legacy of legendary horror film actor Vincent Price will soon stalk the comic aisle.

Bluewater Productions, Inc., has entered into an agreement with the estate of film icon Vincent Price to produce a new monthly comic book series titled, “Vincent Price Presents.” The series will feature the iconic Price in a myriad of roles including host, muse, background player, and protagonist.

The on-going series will showcase classic gothic horror elements, but will also include themes from Prices’s past work in the mystery and suspense genres.

Price’s daughter, designer Victoria Price, was instrumental in brokering the historic deal. This is the first time her father’s name and likeness will appear in a licensed comic book series.

Victoria Price explains the motivation behind the collaboration: “I’m really touched and excited about the series because it will help energize my father’s legacy for a new generation. We’re planning a big celebration for his 100th birthday in 2010, and this comic series fits into those plans perfectly.”

Bluewater is predominately known for the “Ray Harryhausen Presents” titles based on the Sinbad franchise, and the “10th MUSE” series of comic books and graphic novels. It has recently added the horror genre to its repertoire.

“After the success with the Ray Harryhausen comics, we wanted to work with another film legend. Vincent Price was always at the top of everyone’s short list,” said Bluewater President Darren Davis. “We find his body of work and presence on film to be really inspirational, so we wanted to recreate his legacy for a new generation of comic book readers. Not only are we developing sequels to his specific films, we are also developing gothic horror stories in the spirit of his legacy.”

The “Vincent Price Presents” series will launch this fall in conjunction with another new horror series from Bluewater. “Bartholomew of the Scissors” will feature gothic horror elements with innovative twists. Similar to the “Vince Prince Presents” series, the primary focus is on good storytelling technique as opposed to gratuitous gore. Writer Chad Helder and artist Daniel Crosier have given the series a unique voice and a distinctive organic look.

The first issues of “Vincent Price Presents” and “Bartholomew of the Scissors” will be released in October to coincide with Halloween festivities.

About Vincent Price:

American horror actor, Vincent Price, was born in Missouri in 1911, and, after graduating from Yale, studied fine arts in London.

Making his stage debut in ‘Chicago’ at the Gate Theater, in 1935, he worked on Broadway, and with Orson Welles’ legendary Mercury Theater.

He debuted on the screen with ‘Service de Luxe’ in 1938, as part of a Universal contract, under which he was offered only supporting roles. Leaving for Twentieth Century Fox, Price starred in ‘Brigham Young Frontiersman’ and ‘Hudson Bay’.

After returning to Broadway with ‘Angel Street’, Price co-starred in ‘The Song of Bernadette’ in 1943. Happy to be typecast as a villain, he began making his name in such work as ‘Wilson and Laura’ (1944) and ‘Leave Her To Heaven’ (1946), before finally starring in ‘Shock!’, and ‘Dragonwick’ (1947).

More stage work followed his departure from Fox in the early fifties, with performances in ‘The Cocktail Party’ and ‘Don Juan in Hell’.

In 1953, Price starred in the 3-D ‘The House of Wax’, which became one of the most successful horror films ever produced. This was followed by the equally 3-D ‘Dangerous Mission’.

Triumphant in a return to the stage with ‘Richard III’, Price was now, essentially, a horror film star. Hits such as 1958’s ‘The Fly’ led to his involvement with producer Roger Corman, for whom Price performed in many Edgar Allan Poe adaptations, such as ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ (1960) and ‘The Raven’ (1963).

Notable appearances over the years included the teen movie ‘Beach Party’ (1963) and the Elvis film, ‘The Trouble With Girls’ (1969).

In the 1970s Price devoted himself mainly to art history, lecturing and publishing books on art history. He re-appeared for a last role in Tim Burton’s ‘Edward Scissorhands’ in 1990, and died in Los Angeles three years later.

About Blue Water Productions:

Bluewater Productions, Inc., is one if the top independent production studios of comic, young adult books and graphic novel titles. In the tradition of great storytelling and cutting edge art, Bluewater has stormed onto the comic book and graphic novel scene. With impressive titles, including such smash hits as the “10th MUSE,” “VSS,” “THE LEGEND OF ISIS,” and “Wrath of the Titans” and “Sinbad” from legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen, Bluewater Productions is committed to continue to produce engaging stories with art from both the top names in the industry alongside up and coming stars.

For more information visit www.bluewaterprod.com