Lewis P. Morley – Doctor Comics

I now have two three dimensional sculptures of Gigantor and Gojira on the kitchen walls of our home: Gigantor the giant, remote controlled, peace-keeping robot, based on the manga Tetsujin 28-go (Iron man No.28) by Mitsuteru Yokoyama and adapted for animation, plus Gojira (Godzilla) star of the famous Japanese movie directed by Ishirō Honda. These plaques are the work of model maker, artist and comics creator Lewis P. Morley and were exhibited just last month at a gallery in Redfern, Sydney. Once installed, Lewis agreed to perform their christening.

Gigantor installed …above the stove in the kitchen. (Photograph and ceramic tile design by Louise Graber)

I have always thought that Gigantor’s body resembled a pot-bellied stove so I decided that it was appropriate he be positioned above the stove. His clunky design with rivets and pistons, prior to those more elegant mobile suit robots, such as Gundam that succeeded him, have some resonance with the metal stove and the various pots and pans on the shelves.

Gojira installed on the Japanese graduated toned wall. (Photograph by Louise Graber)

The whale eating Gojira, on the other hand, coming from the depths of the ocean and memorably seen in the 1954 Godzilla movie wading through Tokyo Bay, had to go over the kitchen sink.

Lewis and his magic silver signing pen signing Gojira. (Photograph by Louise Graber)

Christening Gigantor in steampunk style with steam from a boiling kettle. (Photograph and ceramic tile design by Louise Graber)

Christening Gojira with water from a metal jug. (Photograph by Louise Graber)

It was very kind of Lewis to come over, appropriately dressed in his Gundam T-shirt and perform this ritual. He now has visiting rights. This post was first published on the Doctor Comictopus blog.

UPDATE: GODZILLA GETS RESIDENCY CERTIFICATE IN TOKYO, June 2015

News photo: Godzilla officially welcomed to Shinjuku by the Mayor.

Well that’s 40 days since my last post…that preferred publishing frequency rate is getting more like it. Feel free to post about my blogging, comics art history and creative projects. I shall reply. Doc.

UPDATE: POSTER DESIGNS FOR THE NEW SHIN GODZILLA FILM, April 2017

Returning to the shorter interval between posts again but for a good reason on this occasion. My artist book/comic Blotting Paper: The Recollected Graphical Impressions Of Doctor Comics was launched …at Hondarake Full of Books in Sydney in February, 2012. It was accompanied by an exhibition of my handmade art postcards and the printmaking tools used in their production. Having gained a reputation for researching comics art there I was attempting to create it. I was proud of my comic, its launch and the attendance of my friends and supporters.

_{My anime fish prints hanging overhead. (Photo by Sal Jones)}

_{Zeera the Space Pirate creator Naomi Hatchman. (Photo by Louise Graber)}

_{Australian comics legends Glenn Smith and Gerard Ashworth. (Photo by Louise Graber)}

_{JMC Director of Animation Sean Callinan and Peregrine Besset creator Lewis P. Morley. (Photo by Louise Graber)}

_{It Lives! CEO’s Nick and Liz. (Photo by Louise Graber)}

_{HONDARAKE Store’s fabulous owners Hisae and Tomoko. (Photo by Louise Graber)}

_{Dr. Michael Hill (a.k.a. Doctor Comics) in foreground enjoying Dr. Gene Kannenberg, Jr. (onscreen) who launched my comic and entertained with his witty matching of comics and beverages…in a live cross from New York. (Photo by Andrew Hawkins)}

The book was launched by my colleague Gene Kannenberg, Jr. via Skype from the U.S.A. Noted comics historian, Kannenberg is director of ComicsResearch.org. former Chair of the International Comic Arts Festival…and the Comic Art & Comics Area of the Popular Culture Association…and author of 500 Essential Graphic Novels. He made a humorous speech and participated in a game of pairing comics with beer. What a great game! His matching including the work of creators Will Eisner, Lynda Barry, Hergé, Jack Kirby and Joost Swarte. Gene got a big response when he suggested black coffee with Steve Ditko…and Duff beer with Matt Groening, and an even bigger response when he brought his cat, Mr. Pickles, onscreen. Thank you Gene for the live TV launch! Thanks to my agent Andrew Hawkins for organising the event and store owners Hisae and Tomoko for hosting! Were you there? Send me your feedback, either about being at the launch or from reading this blog post. I would love to hear.

^{The limited edition numbered and signed book comes with an original print on the front cover (see photo above)…a numbered bookmark and printed bag (see photo of package below).}

Gene's copy. — _{Gene Kannenberg, Jr’s copy with his suggested matching drink, Ommegang Abbey Ale.}

BPSaleCard-1R — _{The complete package on sale.}

BPExhibition#1 — _{The 33 hand made and printed art postcards. (Original prints-© 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Michael Hill)}

_{Hairstyles, postcards and masks about with Richard Black and Louise Graber amused in the aisle_. (Photo by Harrison Hill)}

Both the art book/comic and the postcards involved printmaking as an image-making technique. I employed the Japanese technique of woodblock printmaking in my first animation film around 20 years ago. I have continued to use Japanese influenced printmaking techniques ever since. I have been involved in the scholarly and research aspects of visual communication, more so than in production. This artist’s book and the accompanying exhibition marks a more focused return to the ‘making’ of images and visual projects.

_{Copies of the first issue of my artist book/comic…Blotting Paper: The Recollected Graphical Impressions Of Doctor Comics…are available exclusively from the launch venue till 31 May. Hondarake Full of Books, Level 1, 465 Kent Street Sydney. Phone: 02 9261 5225 Online: http://fullofbooks.com.au The store also stocks a selection of my handmade art postcards…each an original monoprint…signed and stamped by the artist(see displays in photos above). (All text and artwork-©2012 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

Doctor Comics

Tag: Lewis P. Morley

GIGANTOR V GOJIRA: Iconic Kitchen Art Installation

BLOTTING PAPER The Comic: Production Report No.6