Tuesday 30 December 2014

Nicholas Hammond as Spider-man

My latest digi-painting... Nicholas Hammond as my favourite live-action Spider-man. Nicholas thanked me for posting this, and retweeted this on Twitter!!! These live-action Marvel heroes just keep making my day!





Monday 29 December 2014

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.


Here are some digital paintings I have done over some black and white sketch-cards that I have drawn recently. The first is the excellent Clark Gregg as Marvel's main man of S.H.I.E.L.D., Phil Coulson... and the second is the beautiful Ming-Na Wen as the awesome Agent Melinda May.

Check out the retweet from Clark Gregg himself... that made my day!!!


The original sketch card sketches.


Sunday 28 December 2014

Happy birthday STAN LEE!

Happy 92nd birthday to the one and only Stan Lee! As a life-long fan of "the man", I'd like to wish Stan the happiest of birthdays!

Excelsior!

Happy birthday Stan! 92 years of age, and STILL "the man"!


Wednesday 10 December 2014

Lethbridge-Stewart... wonderful chap!

Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, the beloved character from the classic Doctor Who series (played by the late, great Nicholas Courtney) is getting his own line of novels, written by that splendid fellow Andy Frankham-Allen and published by the wonderful chaps at Candy Jar books! This line of novels, based on the character before he became Brigadier will feature covers by yours truly... the first of which being LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: THE FORGOTTEN SON which is out early 2015. I'm extremely proud to be the official artist for this series featuring such an iconic character from the world of Doctor Who (the Brig is an all-time favourite of mine). You can find out more about this exciting series and pre-order a copy on the Candy Jar website!

Cover art for the upcoming LETHBRIDGE-STEWART: THE FORGOTTEN SON.
Artwork by Simon Williams.

Wednesday 8 October 2014

WWE Superstars - The Undertaker

Boy, has THIS one been difficult for me to keep quiet about! As a long-time fan of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), I am incredibly proud to be able to announce that I have done the cover art for issue 10 of WWE SUPERSTARS, published by Super Genius! This is something special for me, as not only is it my first ever published cover for an American comic-book, but it's also the UNDERTAKER!!! My all-time favourite professional wrestler! Not only that, but the comic is written by none other than the hardcore wrestling legend MICK FOLEY!!! This is definitely a dream come true for yours truly, and I'd like to think WWE SUPERSTARS editor Jim Salicrup for giving me this opportunity! For more info on this, and other issues of WWE SUPERSTARS, please visit the Super Genius website!

WWE Superstars #10 

Cat.: WWE Superstars 

DESCRIPTION Legends: Part 2 “Giants” 

In the biggest battle royale in history as WWE Legends of the past continue to brawl with WWE Superstars of today across a vast array of fantastic warzones. It’s the ultimate clash of the titans when the most colossal WWE Superstars throughout history find themselves forced to fight against each other – Kevin Nash, the Big Show, Vader, The Great Khali, Yokozuna, and Gorilla Monsoon. As Roddy Piper and Daniel Bryan attempt to navigate the carnage, two more giants enter the fray – the Phenom who is Undertaker goes head-to-head against one of the greatest legends in WWE history!

Authors: Mick Foley, Shane Riches 
Artist: Paris Cullins 
Cover Artist: Simon Williams 

$3.99 On Sale October 29, 2014 

Diamond Order Code AUG141610 UPC 00912845305710

I'd like to dedicate this cover to the late, great William "Paul Bearer" Moody,
who was kind enough to feature some of my Undertaker artwork on his webpage.


Myself with WWE Superstar writer (and WWE Superstar himself!),
the legendary Mick Foley!
Presenting Mick with some of my original WWE themed
artwork.

Saturday 4 October 2014

SCARdiff!

I am going to be a guest at this year's SCARdiff convention on Sunday, 19th October at the Cardiff Masonic Hall... this is my second year attending this convention, and it's going to be great to be there again! I thought I would do a variant print of my RAMPAGING HULK cover, which will debut exclusively at the event. This variant features the television incarnation of the Hulk (as portrayed by Lou Ferrigno), and is based from an idea I had years ago, where I imagined Bill Bixby's David Banner turning up in a small town called Salem's Lot (yes, THAT Salem's Lot... specifically the version featured in the classic 1976 made-for-TV two-parter starring David Soul and James Mason). This image is based on that idea... hope you like it!

"Mr. Barlow... don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry!"



Wednesday 1 October 2014

Dethias... Battleborn

Here's another album cover I worked on for a local up-and-coming heavy metal band called Dethias (you can listen to their new track BATTLEBORN here!). I'm really pleased with how this turned out... I tried a different style of colouring for this, and wanted to give it a Conan the Barbarian feel. Big thanks to colour artist extraordinaire Jason Cardy for both getting me the gig, and also for the sky/moon background!







Sunday 21 September 2014

Buddhamania... Running WILD!

This past year I was honoured to have my work featured in various publications (see yesterday's SAVAGE DRAGON/MARS ATTACKS JUDGE DREDD), including a pin-up drawn for and featured in Renegade Arts TALES OF THE BUDDHA BEFORE HE GOT UNLIGHTENED graphic novel by Alan Grant (Judge Dredd, Doomlord, Batman) and my dear friend Jon Haward (Spectacular Spider-man, Dan Dare, Judge Dredd). Published by Renegade Arts Entertainment, this book is a one-of-a-kind! Not for kids and full of adult humour, it has the Buddha traveling around the world on his road to enlightenment, where he encounters the likes of Hercules, Nefertiti and even Elvis! The artwork inside is stunning... I know for a fact that Jon put heart and soul into this book, and it deserves to be a big hit (as big as the Buddha himself)!

As for my pin-up, it was inspired by the one and only Hulk Hogan and my impromptu impersonation of him at the Auto Assembly Transformers conventions!

Available online and at all good comic shops... be sure to pick it up! As a great man once said: "WHATCHA GONNA DO WHEN BUDDHAMANIA RUNS WILD ON YOU!!"


Saturday 20 September 2014

Savage Dragon/Mars Attacks Judge Dredd

This past year saw my work published in two American comic book titles. First off is my first (and only) published Judge Dredd artwork in IDW's MARS ATTACKS JUDGE DREDD trade paperback. As a UK Comic Artist, and also a fan of the character it was a thrill to finally get to draw Dredd professionally! Big thanks to Adam Levine for helping this happen!
My second pin-up piece was featured in Erik Larsen's SAVAGE DRAGON (issue 193, published by Image Comics). Savage Dragon has long been a favourite title of mine, and it was very cool to see my artwork in the book! BIG thanks to Erik for featuring my work and giving me such a huge opportunity! I'd also like to thank my good friend (and comic artist extraordinaire Anthony D. Lee for doing such an awesome job colouring these two pieces!)







Hulk In A Fez!

Here's something a little different... some Photoshop pics I put together for fun. Hope they give you a laugh!

Hulk in a Fez... because Hulk's in Fezzes are cool.
Wibbly wobbly, smashy washy!

WHO ya gonna call?


Wednesday 17 September 2014

Marvel Heroes Annual 2015, yes?

This years MARVEL HEROES annual 2015 from Panini Comics is out now, folks... and among the awesome Marvel UK stories featured is a reprint of the 2 part Hulk vs Death's Head strip featured in MARVEL HEROES #31!!! The story, the Brute and the Bounty Hunter is written by Transformers Legend and Death's Head co-creator Simon Furman, art by myself with colours by Jason Cardy and Kat Nicholson (plus Ferg Handley, John Ross and John Charles on the excellent first part of the story!)! This strip featured the return of the original Death's Head to the pages of Marvel UK, and was a dream come true for me to work on! This book is now out in all good newsagents and bookshops.... don't miss it, yes? You wouldn't want to make the Hulk angry...



"Buy it now, yes?"


Wednesday 10 September 2014

The Rampaging Hulk

This is something that is inspired by an old Hulk horror story idea I had years ago (and something I intend to pitch to Marvel... oh yes!). I decided to go with a slightly different style to what you guys are used to seeing from me. I've tried to give it the vibe of the old 1970's RAMPAGING HULK title (although I could never hope to match the painting styles of Earl Norem, Bob Larkin or Joe Jusko, as you can see in the colour version below the main image).

I'm really pleased with how this has turned out. I hope you like it!

ABOVE: The RAMPAGING HULK... a tribute to the classic 70's Marvel Magazine.
BELOW: The original inks, and the full colour version.







Thursday 28 August 2014

The Savage Sword Of SKAAR, Son Of HULK!

This is a tribute piece I've had in mind for quite a while now. I've always loved John Buscema and Ernie Chan's cover artwork to the Marvel Treasury Edition #15, featuring Conan the Barbarian. I thought I would pay homage to it using a character I have never drawn before... the savage son of the Incredible Hulk, Skaar! I would love to see a Skaar comic book, where he is back in the barbarian times on Earth... just imagine if back in the day Roy Thomas, John (or Sal!) Buscema and Ernie Chan had have worked on this book! I hope this piece gives you a feeling of how that might have been.

Also, today would have been the 97th birthday of the one and only King of Comics, Jack Kirby. I would like to dedicate this piece to Jack as well... as his artistic influence is something that I will always be grateful for. Long live the King!

My homage to Marvel Treasury Edition #15, featuring CONAN THE BARBARIAN.
Below... my original inks, and also the original cover by John Buscema and Ernie Chan.


 




Monday 25 August 2014

Custom Death's Heads and TV Hulks!

Earlier this year, I decided to get back into one of my favourite hobbies... customising Action Figures. I have always wanted a Death's Head figure (which Marvel have now released an official figure of), plus an action figure featuring the TV version of the Incredible Hulk, as portrayed by Lou Ferrigno. I decided to make the original Death's Head, and also Death's Head II, which is based off Liam Sharp's incredible artwork. The original Death's Head is made from a Marvel Legends Thor Buster Iron Man, and Death's Head II is made from a Marvel Legends Colossus figure.


The original, yes? Made using a modified Marvel Legends Thor Buster Iron Man figure,

"Awww, don't worry. We're buddies now!" Death's Head II.


As for the TV Hulk, I made two different Hulk figures: my original attempt was a modified Marvel Select Ultimate Hulk, and the other is a modified Marvel Legends Avengers Movie Hulk... all with fully sculpted heads by yours truly.

TV Hulk... original version. Made from a Marvel Select Ultimate Hulk... while
I am still pleased with how this turned out, I wanted to do a more TV accurate
figure, as this one has the comic Hulk's physique and proportions.


This is the newer version, made using a Marvel Legends Avengers Movie Hulk. Just don't
make him angry... you wouldn't like him when he's angry!






Sunday 24 August 2014

The Incredible Hulk... throughout the ages

Here are a collection of different era Hulks that I have drawn this past week or so. We have the original Grey Hulk from Incredible Hulk #1 (1962), who was also drawn in the 1980's by such artists as John Byrne, Sal Buscema, Todd McFarlane, Jeff Purves and Dale Keown. Next we have what is probably the most famous Hulk of all... certainly for a generation of viewers from the 1970/80s. The Incredible Hulk, played by big Lou Ferrigno in the classic TV show... drawn in my retro-style comic style. We then have my homage to Sal Buscema's classic corner box image (which debuted around Incredible Hulk #200), and the Mindless, Savage Hulk who debuted in Incredible Hulk #299.

Hope you like them... I'll be doing a second one, featuring various incarnations of Hulk from a certain Vegas leg-breaker onwards...

Artwork by Simon Williams.

Tuesday 19 August 2014

The REAL Mr. Grey...


The Grey Hulk, as featured on my Hulk #1 sketch cover, re-inked and coloured.

Monday 18 August 2014

Sketch Covers

Here are some sketch covers from a recent comic convention... where I actually braved colouring them for the first time ever! Hope you like them... the Sylvester McCoy Doctor Who cover was penciled by Anthony D. Lee and inked/grey tones by yours truly.


Artwork by Simon Williams.


Artwork by Simon Williams.
Pencils by Anthony D. Lee, inks/grey tones by
Simon Williams.



Sunday 17 August 2014

Robitz in Disguise...

Check me out, twice in one day! Told you I had some more artwork to show off... this time, it's featuring something that is very near and dear to me, the wonderful world of the Transformers. I'm a big fan of those robots in disguise... everything from the toys, cartoons, comics... especially the ones published by Marvel during the 1980s. Here are a selection of recent pieces I have done, in the retro-style that I've become known for... inspired in parts by the work of Jack "King" Kirby (way before IDW started publishing their new Transformers vs GI Joe comic), and also the classic Marvel TRANSFORMERS UNIVERSE handbook.

I hope you enjoy them... until next time, this is Stubbie Williams signing off! (and a Marvel UK no-prize goes to the first person who can explain that reference!!!)





Artwork by Simon Williams.





I'm back...

Wow, has it really been that long since I posted on here last? Wow, crazy! It has certainly been an interesting time since I spoke with you all last... let me bring you up to speed a little bit.

Last year, I had the privilege of working with, and becoming friends with both the legendary David Hasselhoff, and the king of Muscle Rock, the Mighty Jon Mikl Thor. These two collaborations came about whilst I was working on my ongoing RETRO TALES project, which is on hold but will be going ahead soon. I first got in contact with the Hoff via his website, and has since spoken to the legendary Knight Rider star several times. I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of this. Getting to speak to David and exchange ideas for this has been an awesome, wonderful experience. It's very surreal, but also very,very cool at the same time. David has told me that I'm officially "Hofftastic"... and also sent me a photo of himself and STAN LEE with my artwork, which is possibly the most amazing compliment of my career!! The Hoff character, co-created by the Hoff and myself will appear as a time-travelling agent of H.O.F.F. (Heroes Of Fearless Freedom), and will team-up with the Funk Commandos in a history-making special team-up issue of RETRO TALES... and will be co-written by myself and David Hasselhoff.



As for my collaboration with JON MIKL THOR, the one and only ROCK WARRIOR will be returning to the world of comics to team-up with the Discotronic Funk Commandos, the HOFF and some other super special guest-stars that I can't name (yet)! Not only is the Rock Warrior going to be appearing in the pages of RETRO TALES, but I have also produced the artwork for two of his latest albums THUNDERSTRYKE 2 and ARISTOCRAT OF VICTORY.  I can't put into words how proud I am to be collaborating with another of one of my all-time heroes! I am a HUGE fan of THOR, both as a person and his music, and I can't begin to say how many pages I've drawn listening to his music. I can honestly say that working with THOR has been a career highlight and an absolute pleasure. Plus, he's one of the nicest, most fan-friendly guys you could ever wish to talk to... either here, or on Asgard! In a show of mutual admiration, the Heavy Metal Thunder God had these VERY kind words to say about me, which I genuinely appreciate and treasure: "The comic and entertainment business is ever evolving...a machine of intertwining ideas that groan and bend - an enigma, with technology becoming a mystery of metamorphosis. It is with great pleasure and honour to see a beacon in the night, a shining star of creativity and talent... may I present Simon Williams. He has a resume a mile long with glories of the past but is also the future of this industry. In my dealings with him, he is someone you can count on to deliver the goods. He has original skills far beyond those of mortal men. Simon Williams has become a great friend and fellow entrepreneur. Hail to Simon and RETRO TALES!"



I've also had several pieces of artwork published in the US, including pin-ups in SAVAGE DRAGON and MARS ATTACKS JUDGE DREDD, where I collaborated with my good friend Anthony D. Lee... whose did an outstanding job on colours. You can check them out below.



And then, not only the highlight of last year, but perhaps my career... Heroclix released a Death's Head figure, based on MY artwork! Yes, the first ever official Death's Head toy... and it was based on a piece of work that myself, David Roach and Jason Cardy produced for Panini Comic's Death's Head Collection TPB! Words cannot describe how proud I am of this... the character I worked so hard to help bring back to comics, and his first official toy is based on my work. You can check it out below.

Original art by Simon Williams, David Roach (inks) and Jason Cardy (colours). They even included "Towards Enemy, Yes?" on his gun, which was Jason's contribution to the original work!
I hope you've enjoyed catching up on this... I have got more new artwork to tell you about, but I'll do that next time. In the mean time, I shall leave you with this... a recent Hulk/Rocket Raccoon print that was sold at both the recent Heroes and Legends convention in Margam Park, Wales... and Auto Assembly 2014, with 50% proceeds going towards the ongoing medical care of Rocket creator Bill Mantlo. I'm very proud to be able to say that with the help of both Simon Wyatt (Unbelieveable: The Man who ate Daffodils) and Jason Cardy (Transformers: Regeneration One, Grimm Fairy Tales) we were able to raise £100! If you've seen the newest Marvel movie Guardians Of The Galaxy, and would like to donate towards the ongoing care for Bill Mantlo, you can find out more here.