 All About Professor Nimbus A Complete Guide to My Professor Nimbus Work
posted: April 30, 2009
Breaking news: An all-new series of my Zen of Professor Nimbus comics has appeared on tor.com. You can view these comics here. I have published three graphic novels so far: 
Read more and see the entire book online or Buy the book 
Read more and see the entire book online or Buy the book 
Read more about this book here or Buy the book 
I think much of my work shows the sensibility of a printmaker. My books are printed in black-and-white (with two-color covers). I have loved the aesthetic of black-and-white ever since I began working as a printmaker in the mid-1980's. The ability to have multiple impressions of an image is one of the things that led me to become a printmaker and then an illustrator in the first place. I love to see my work in print. 
The stories of Nimbus are parables that expose the dangers of being locked up in an ivory tower, isolated from the world at large. Although Nimbus's dedication to his scientific research is admirable, it leaves him ignorant of the social and cultural forces that shape the world outside of his observatory and inevitably overwhelm him. I plan to continue illustrating full-length Professor Nimbus graphic novels until I run out of ideas. The time and energy involved in working on the books makes it difficult to go from one to another without some time to rest and consider what comes next. Here are some other projects featuring Professor Nimbus that help to keep his character alive in between lengthy book projects: 
The Temptation of Professor Nimbus, a 3-page 32 panel comic strip, appeared in The Comics Journal Volume 5 (the Manga Masters issue), published by Fantagraphics in 2005. It is the first commissioned work featuring Nimbus, and offers a rare glimpse into his domestic life.
Temptation tells the story of how Nimbus is sought after by an alien race to be the leader of a distant world. It was inspired by a dream I had where I was faced with the same situation and had to choose between life in an alien world, or life with my wife and children. 
The Zen of Professor Nimbus is a comic that originally appeared on my blog in 2007-08. Zen follows a strict three-panel format: the Professor, immovable by his campfire and tent, is visited by a variety of creatures and events. Will he ever allow these situations, some of which are quite invasive and annoying, to disturb his meditations?
Zen is very much a game for me, and the challenge is finding the right move or situation that will continue the game in an interesting, unexpected way, yet not force it to a conclusion or paint myself into a corner. With Zen, I find myself always having to think several moves ahead. Starting on May 7th, 2009, a new Zen of Professor Nimbus series is appearing on Tor.com, the website for news and discussion of science fiction, fantasy, and all the things that interest SF and fantasy readers. See The Zen of Professor Nimbus on tor.com See the first Zen of Professor Nimbus series on my blog 
"The Happy Valley Trolley"
The Travels of Professor Nimbus is an ongoing series of limited edition prints showing Nimbus in unusual environments, often fantastic architectural landscapes. These prints fulfill several passions of mine: my love for drawing architecture, my desire to work on a larger scale, and my never-ending search for the most wonderful brush line. The drawing above was awarded a silver medal from The Society of Illustrators 52nd Annual in the uncommissioned category.
See more work from The Travels of Professor Nimbus series. 
You can purchase The Chronicles of Professor Nimbus books and artwork here.             2 comments |
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