A surprise package for Emily: Mike Matola’s first ever comic.
Remember Mike Matola?
If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of the Los Angeles-based artist, Mike Matola, and his wonderfully unique artwork. Mike creates beautiful handwritten portraits and scenes using the words from songs, movies and books.
I first introduced you to Mike when I was looking for wall art for the blank wall in our lounge, otherwise known a the ‘smushed bug’ wall, (here). He also agreed to be my first victim subject in my Creative Inspirations series, where I interview artists and creative folk about their life and work, (here).
However, it’s not just me who’s a fan of Mike’s work. My youngest, Emily, absolutely loves his drawings and when she spotted the line by line poster of Totoro on Mike’s Etsy store, she stumped up her own pocket money to buy it. She loves Totoro and she loves her Totoro poster which, having been framed, has pride of place in her bedroom. Mike signed it for her too, which makes it extra-special.
Surprise!
Imagine my surprise when Mr T. brought home a mysterious poster tube he’d had delivered to his office last week. Had I ordered a poster? I didn’t remember ordering anything. I mean, I’m always ordering things online (!), but I wasn’t expecting any posters. Had I won another competition? I’ve won a few prizes in blog competitions recently, including a SebandRoo teething necklace and an electronic turtle. Then I spotted the tell-tale LinebyLine Posters logo on the tube.
It was from Mike Matola.
I looked inside the tube and it warmed my heart. Mike had sent Emily a present: her own signed copy of his very first comic, Winken Blinkin // Nod. He’d also sent her posters and some other goodies. It was such a lovely surprise and a wonderful thing for Mike to do for Emily.
Move over Wolverine (the completely gorgeous Hugh Jackman)! There’s a new superhero in town and his name is Mike Matola!
Mike had also sent Emily a personal message:
I popped everything back into the poster tube and waited for Emily to come home from school, knowing she’d be absolutely delighted with her special delivery from Mike. We told Emily she’d had a surprise package as soon as she walked through the door and she excitedly opened it, without even bothering to take her coat off. Her eye’s lit up, a huge grin spreading across her face as she carefully removed the comic and artwork from the tube. I pointed out the note addressed to her and she read it aloud, smiling the whole time.
Emily laid everything out on the table and examined the items one by one. Then, taking her role as ‘comic reviewer’ very seriously, she perched on the stool at the kitchen table (still wearing her school coat) and began to read. She read the comic all the way through within the hour, pausing once to take her coat off (finally), and have some tea.
Winken Blinken // Nod.
Winken, Blinken & Nod is an epic fantasy comic book series about three reluctant dream pirates; fishermen brothers Winken & Blinken and their new troublesome cohort Nod as they are chased across the farthest reaches of imagination in their flying shoe while trying to unlock the meaning behind a mysterious memory.
It’s written by Mike Matola & Dave Cain and illustrated by Tim Prettyman, with cover art by Mike Matola.
As you can see from the photographs, the artwork is wonderful and every glossy page of the comic (which is more like a magazine in terms of quality) is filled with bold and colourful illustrations. You can order the comic here: Winken Blinken // Nod
Emily’s Review of Winken Blinken // Nodd.
So what did Emily think of Winken Blinken // Nod, Mike Matola’s first outing as a comic book writer and illustrator? She absolutely loved it! But don’t take my word for it, watch her review (below).
Emily’s review of Winken Blinken // Nod by Mike Matola and xxx. Illustrated by Mike Matola:
Want to know more about Mike Matola?
To find out more about Mike and his artwork, why not check out my earlier posts:
- Great ideas for blank walls part 1: my wall art wish list.Great ideas for blank walls part 1: my wall art wish list.
- Creative Inspirations: Mike Matola, LineByLine posters.
- Emily’s very own Totoro poster and letter from America.
If you want to see even more of his fantastic body of work, including his logos, illustrations, and commissions, then visit his website: MikeMatola.com.
You can also visit Mike’s Line by Line Posters Etsy store, (here).
Or follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
You can also find out more about Winken Blinken // Nod here: www.winkenblinkenandnod.com
Over to you.
Do you or your kids like comics? Did you read comics when you were younger? Have you ever received a surprise gift? As always, I’d love to hear from you.
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