Skelton Crew Studio

I've been sitting on this for a bit, really excited to unveil this with IDW today. The announcement that went out this morning: Award-Winning Series Locke & Key Opens New Doors Three new books in stores this week Official keys coming in fall 2010 San Diego, CA (August 11, 2010) – IDW Publishing, a premier publisher of graphic novels and books, is proud to announce the impressive growth of one of the company’s showcase titles, Locke & Key. Created and written by best-selling author Joe Hill with art by acclaimed artist Gabriel Rodriguez, the Locke & Key brand expands this week in two exciting arenas, on paper and off! First, the fourth installment of the fan-favorite series launches in comics stores throughout North America with Locke & Key: Keys to the Kingdom #1, while comic shops and bookstores worldwide debut the graphic novel, Locke & Key: Crown of Shadows, the third hardcover collection in the series. For fans new to the series or curious about the story so far, the series’ debut issue, Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft #1, is being re-released in a “Legacy Edition” that carries a cover price of only $1. This 40-page, value-priced jumping-on point features the full 32-page inaugural story by Hill and Rodriguez, as well as an 8-page back-up illustrated “cheat sheet” that summarizes the series so far. Even better, this cheat sheet is hosted by Joe Hill himself, who appears in the comic and takes readers along on the journey with him. “I’m happy to see that August 11th is now an unofficial Official Locke & Key Day in comics shops,” said IDW’s Chief Creative Officer and Locke & Key editor Chris Ryall. “Not only is the new Keys to the Kingdom series great for new and old readers, but the ‘Joe Hill’ appearance at the end of the one-dollar Legacy Edition brings back the lost art of the fumetti. Joe’s appearance there might give readers nightmares for years to come. Top all of that off with even more fun Locke & Key news with the replica keys that you can read about directly under this quote.” As Ryall alluded to, the Locke & Key brand jumps off the printed page with Skelton Crew Studio, which has been granted the exclusive license for replica Locke & Key keys. Skelton Crew Studio (www.SkeltonCrewStudio.com), which previously designed the sold-out Ghost Key, will debut the Head Key in September through the Skelton Crew Studio Web site. Pre-orders for the Head Key start today, August 11, and all orders placed before September 2 will receive a little something extra: a Joe Hill autographed key tag. Then the new Echo Key will debut at the BangPop! Convention before also being available through the Skelton Crew Web site. "Every arc in LOCKE & KEY has been out to do something different and fresh from what came before,” said Hill. “And KEYS TO THE KINGDOM is no exception. Gabe and I wanted to create another good jumping on point for new readers, and loved the idea of doing a series of standalone stories that play with some of the possibilities offered by all the impossible keys laying around Keyhouse. The keys have always been the most fun thing about the story... which makes it ridiculously cool that Israel Skelton is going to forge a series of them for real.” "I’m really pumped," said studio founder Israel Skelton, who also created the actual Ghost Door that resides in Hill’s home and appears in the Legacy Edition. "Joe is an amazing storyteller and Gabe consistently delivers awesome art. First and foremost, I’m a Locke & Key fan. I would have built these keys for myself anyway, so I’m really excited to be able to offer them to people who love the book as much as I do." Concluded Hill: “All that said, I think there'll be plenty of rewards for longtime readers in KEYS TO THE KINGDOM as well, and by the time we wrap up the arc, it'll be clear we're moving into the final act. After KEYS concludes, there'll be only twelve issues left - twelve issues to clear up some mysteries, answer some questions, and kill a whole†bunch of people. So, y'know, that should be fun."

Hope all is well and that you don't receive more than five family Christmas newsletters. I kinda feel they are the modern-day equivalent of the fruit cake.  So if you get one from me stating that "Michael had a awesome time at quilting camp," it's just because I'm trying to go green this holiday season and recycle wherever I can. I've had a hectic fall, more sketches and concepts than new pieces, but I see that changing over the winter. A few highlights: Had another great time at BangPop! in September and met all kinds of wonderful folks. Finished a portfolio piece I'm hoping to unveil around mid January. Finally, a few photos of the Ghost Door from "Locke & Key" made for Joe.  A piece like this, I always regret not building two.  I'd love to put one up in my study ... but I've got to build a study first. Sincerely, this year has been great and I've enjoyed meeting so many awesome people. Take care, and happy 2010. The year of the Tiger? We'll see, but really, I hope all that crap is behind him. Israel

Wow, what a crazy July. I wrapped up a large commission, then headed off to this year's Comic Con, which kicked tail. Met some really great people, watched my key be scoffed up by the masses and accidentally met Bela Lugosi Jr. (Also spotted the Honky Tonk Man in gym shorts and loafers, cradling his championship belt.) Some highlights:

The Con exclusive Ghost Key  from Joe Hill's comic  "Locke & Key" sold really well at the IDW  booth. Joe had some long lines, both to sign the key tag and his other works.  It was great to be a part of that.

Joe revealed during his Con  panel a project I couldn't talk about before that kept me busy from  January to June: building a life-sized Ghost Door from his comic. It was a  surprise birthday gift for him from his wife. Hopefully, photos to come  on Joe's site. I'll let him show it off first.

Jill Pantozzi covered his panel for Comic Book Resources, which includes a nice shout-out - thanks, Joe & Jill - and  a sweet recap of the "Lost" panel, with teases.

I've finished rough  prototypes of the Anywhere Key, with graphics help from Mike St. Germain,  and the Head Key. Check out a photo below, or come check it out in person next  month. I'll be at BangPop! again. The convention will  be bigger and better than last year: Sept. 19-20 at the Bangor Civic  Center.

If you're inclined, the Sun  Journal, my local newspaper, did a Q&A write-up on me in advance of the  Con where I share a little about how I got my start making props and my two  biggest  fears. (Thank you, Peter Benchley.)   Israel

Man, it’s been one busy spring. Sorry this latest update has taken so long, but it’s been with good reason. Really happy to report that IDW Publishing has picked up The Ghost Key sculpt for a 2009 San Diego Comic Con exclusive. (The Ghost Key, of course, is from Eisner-nominated writer Joe Hill’s "Locke & Key" comic with rock-your-pants-off art by Gabriel Rodriguez.) The keys will be limited to 500 and, rumor has it, tied in with a signing by Joe. I’ll post more details next month if I have them. Other happenings: • I’m working on an Anywhere Key, also featured in "Locke & Key," for my portfolio. You can check out a very rough prototype on Joe’s site. • Chris O’Connor at Tektonten Papercraft has made a papercraft model of Dr. Strange’s Eye of Agamatto based on my sculpt. Really amazing work and available for a free download if you want to put your paper-folding skills to the test. Thanks again for stopping by. For those who’ve e-mailed the last two months, really appreciate the kind words and sorry that I can’t hook you up with any Ghost keys outside the Con. I’ll be out in San Diego as well. Love to see you there. Israel

Finally got the web site up! Thanks for stopping by. Some of my projects in the works: • Finishing a velvet-lined box to display both of The Phantom's Good Mark and Death Mark rings. • A wall mount display case for Conan's Atlantean Sword.  I can't wait to finish this - it will have a very Marvel Comics feel to it. Check back for updates on the gallery section and for possible convention-related news. Coming to a con near you this summer? You'll have to wait and see. Israel