Posted in: Comics | Tagged: al williamson, brom, Comics, flesk publications, lorax, sdcc, william stout

Flesk Publications Panel: William Stout, Jim Silke, And Brom Collections, Al Williamson Retrospective, And Maybe The Lorax

Published Fri, 13 Jul 2012 19:30:24 -0500

Last updated Fri, 13 Jul 2012 23:28:47 -0500

Joshua Stone continues to report on a Flesk Publications panel that was chock full of tidbits:

The first panel of the Con for me was the Flesk Publications 10th Anniversary panel. Flesk specializes in high quality art books from sketchbooks to 300 page hardcover collections. The panel included some top notch artists in the field and I was surprised that there were only about 30 people attending the panel.

The panel was made up of Craig Elliot, William Stout, Terry Dodson, Mark Schultz, Jim Silke, and Flesk founder, John Fleskes. Right away John announced that Flesk would be publishing a new sketch book series from Jim Silke that would include private, never never before published works.

Flesk will be releasing the first collection of William Stout's comic book work, focusing on his "above ground work", with another collection in the future likely dealing with underground comic work. Stout discussed the visual history of Antarctica book he has been working on. The book will include 100 water color paintings, and he has 75 done so far. It was amazing the level passion the Stout displayed, almost coming to tears on more then one occasion when discussing the beauty of Antarctica and the potential destruction of that amazing part of our planet when George Bush Sr. wanted to do away with the Antarctica Treaty in order to drill for oil. It is wonderful to see a creator not only be so passionate about their work, but also for them to know their work makes a difference and to have that pride.

Stout also shared what a pleasure it was to work with John Fleskes. He said he was very impressed with Fleskes' business integrity, and the contracts he received from Flesk are the only he has not had to rewrite as they are fair to both sides. Elliot's collection published by Flesk is the first ever full color release of just his art. Fleskes said he hopes to do another book with Craig focussing on his film work, which has included The Lorax and some Disney work, assuming permission is given.

Jim Silke was wonderful, telling stories of his eclectic career, from publishing and movies. He discussed how he became friends with Frank Frazetta, and how he asked Wally Wood for Frank's number, and Wally told him it was in the phone book.

John Fleskes finished off the panel discussing a planned 300 page retrospective on Al Williamson and announcing a just signed deal to release an art book by Brom in Fall 2013.