books

Cheesy Infomercials & Some New Art

| M. R. Kessell

So I needed to make a book trailer for my latest release Batboy & the Art of Self-Sabotage.

I decided on a cheesy approach in the style of all those goofy infomercials I grew up watching in the 80s and 90s.

Long story short, I had way too much fun making this parody infomercial. I hope it makes you guys laugh and you’ll consider checking out my book on Amazon.

“Don’tcha just luv the sunshine?”

In between my video editing and the continuing adventures of Batboy, I’ve tried keeping the creativity flowing with some quick pencil sketches on my Wacom Tablet. Above is some sort of woodland horror and below is some kind of friendly aquatic monstrosity.

Well, that’s all I’ve got for you at the moment, you can follow along with new Batboy comics every week on Instagram and Twitter.

And remember, don’t let those pesky vegetables bring you down!

We’re Number—Wha?

| M. R. Kessell

We’re NUMBER ONE…I mean, err, umm, we’re number nine hundred thousand two…five hundred thirty…one!

We’re halfway there!

I usually avoid paying attention to these numbers, but I was just curious how my latest book is faring on the Amazon Best Sellers List. It could be worse, I guess.

And in other news, Batboy and the Art of Self-Sabotage received its first review! Take a look:

Batboy is all of us. Self-sabotage and all. Lovely artwork and color, with a unique voice. There's even callouts to Gorey! And as a bonus there is a sketchbook of Batboy at the end. I loved it.

Wow, FIVE STARS! Thank you, Andrew! I might have to quote you on that! Actually, I think I will right now, in a large bold font:

“Batboy is all of us. Self-sabotage and all. Lovely artwork and color, with a unique voice. There’s even callouts to Gorey! And as a bonus there is a sketchbook of Batboy at the end. I loved it.”

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON – CLICK THAT IMAGE!

I almost forgot to say, HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY! I hope you had a great bunch of holidays. Since it’s a new year, expect to see some new Batboys too.

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter you can see some new stuff right now!

Until next time!

Batboy and the Art of Self-Sabotage (A Book)

| M. R. Kessell

I’m excited to announce that I’ve published my second book!

Cover artwork for Batboy and the Art of Self-Sabotage
Batboy and the Art of Self-Sabotage

Available now on Amazon! Click Here!

This is a collection of the first fifty installments of the Batboy comic, which were originally published on social media from February to December 2021. You can see a previous post about Batboy here.

Batboy is my anxious alter ego and a vehicle for some of my random ridiculous thoughts.

I’m super excited to see Batboy in print, the full-color illustrations boldly leap off the page, even though Batboy himself is far from bold. You can see a small selection of Batboy for free on Instagram and Twitter. But if you want to make Batboy your own, please check him out on Amazon.

Brooklyn Horror con 2021

| M. R. Kessell

GREETINGS, CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT!

I’m super excited to announce that I will be appearing at the first annual Brooklyn Horror Convention October 23rd & 24th 2021. You can find me somewhere in the Artist Alley. I will post more info as it becomes available.

In preparation for my first real convention appearance, I’ve been painting up a storm and having a blast!

Below you can see one of my dear friends who will be attending the convention.

Portrait of Bela Lugosi, Acrylic on 11x14 Canvas Board by M. R. Kessell 2021
Portrait of Bela Lugosi, Acrylic on 11×14 Canvas Board

In addition to my original paintings, I will have an assortment of prints and postcards. Good ol’ Pumpkinspice will be on hand to ruin your pastries and spoil your coffee drinks.

The Return of Pumpkinspice, 11x14 print by M.R. Kessell
Pumpkinspice ruining your breakfast

I will also have a few copies of my illustrated book on hand. Pick one up for the monster kid in your life. I’ll even sign it for you (although that might actually decrease its value.)

If you can’t wait until October, you can order a copy from Amazon, by clicking here!

I’ll be posting more in the upcoming weeks, I’ve got quite a few new artworks to share with you! Hopefully you’ll want to come peep them in person.

I might also do a few posts on the logistical prep as an artist for their first convention appearance. I’m learning a lot and hope the info could be helpful to some of you.

Until next time!

Inking a Sci Fi Illustration and Stuff

| M. R. Kessell

It’s a new week and I have a few new items for you.

Their meeting place has to be kept hidden. The robots that stalk the upper surface of the Earth would never understand. The kids would be laser blasted on sight. The kids’ mission? To read and discuss all the classics of human literature. That’s the basic idea behind this illustration that I have tentatively titled “The Book Club.”

Below you can watch as I ink this rough illustration and you can chill out to the hypnotic soundtrack.

Come for the robots, stay for the hypnotic soundtrack.
killer robots stalk the surface while kids meet below ground in a bunker to read and discuss books
The overall work-in-progress.

Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ!

Also this past week I revamped an old design and added to my Amazon T-shirt shop. You might recognize this slightly more macabre version of the grinning face of Tillie, an iconic sight from Asbury Park in the old days.

Click on the shirt to visit my shop or click here!

Asbury Park's Tillie as a skull on a tee shirt.

As a nerdy kid, being not super athletic or interested in super athletes, I kinda felt left out when others showed their support for their football or baseball or hockey teams. Below is a shirt I designed for other nerds like me. People who think they’re funny.

funny blue tee shirt that says "Go local sports team!!!"
groundhog celebrating a birthday with a party hat and a piece of birthday cake

Celebrate a Groundhog Day Birthday with these cards, magnets and mugs from my RedBubble store.

I think that’s about all I have accomplished this past week. I’m trying to keep busy and not let the stress of daily life derail anything.

How about you? Where are you at with your projects? Your goals?

I hope you’re kicking ass!

Until next time.

My Book’s First Review!

| M. R. Kessell

I am pleased as punch to share my book’s first official review! The fine folks over at SciFiandScary.com were kind enough to take the time to check it out.

You can read the review here.

If you’re a fan of science fiction and horror, I recommend that you spend some time there and then subscribe. I’ve discovered quite a few new books that I now must read and movies that I must watch.

It_Came_from_the_Basement Cover
Check out my book on Amazon