ELLEN @ OHIO STATE

This original piece has become a part of the permanent collection of cartoon art at Ohio State University's Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum.  I am proud to have art from my comic strip, ELLEN'S ADVENTURES AT THE SHADOWLAND, in such a special place!

  

ELLEN'S ADVENTURES COLOR PANEL 10/25/12

ELLEN'S ADVENTURES AT THE SHADOWLAND 10/25/12

ELLEN'S ADVENTURES AT THE SHADOWLAND 9/27/12

For the Shawangunk Journal in upstate New York.

ELLEN'S ADVENTURES AT THE SHADOWLAND

Art for the Shawagunk Journal, Thursday, 9/13/12.

ELLEN'S ADVENTURES AT THE SHADOWLAND

Here's my weekly comic strip art for the Shawangunk Journal, August 30, 2012.

ELLEN'S ADVENTURES AT THE SHADOWLAND

This is the first installment of my new comic strip for an upstate NY weekly newspaper, The Shawangunk Journal.  It is drawn in a classic comic strip format, and is set in Ellenville, NewYork, at the famous Shadowland Theater.  The main character Ellen Allen, is introduced through an interview with a Journal reporter, in front of the Shadowland.  Expect to see some interesting characters based on show biz personalities from the past.  It debuted on August 23, 2012.




Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/EllensAdventuresAtTheShadowlandByRRobertPollak

TO WISH UPON A STARR

This is the second pin-up of Brenda Starr Reporter that I've rendered.  It too will be on the fan page, and printed in postcard form.  Even though the newspaper strip had ended, the characters that Dale Messick created continue on. Once again I must say that I was honored to meet her on several occasions.  She was an amazing lady that created a role model for several generations of women, while the guys enjoyed following the adventures too!

GREEN-WOOD ACTIVITY BOOK

Green-Wood, a national historic landmark, is using some of the illustrations I did for them in a family activity book.  It will introduce children and families to the rich history and architecture of this historic Brooklyn site.

STARR TRIBUTE

I did this art as a tribute to Dale Messick's 1940 comic strip creation, Brenda Starr Reporter.  It will be printed as a postcard for the Brenda Starr Fan Club members and . . . Covered, the art blog!
  I was fortunate enough to meet Dale Messick several times, and she was an inspiration! I grew up reading her comic strip in the Daily News and Newsweek.
  Katy Keene artist John Lucas told me Dale's comic strip inspired Bill Woggon to create Katy Keene as a comic book in 1945.  I have already drawn homage pieces for Woggon's characters.  So this is a new addition to my postcard art set. What a fun history!











Check out Covered blog to see original versions of Brenda and Katy that inspired my work.  http://coveredblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/robert-pollak-covers-brenda-starr-1.html

NYCATA ART SHOW 2012

GENERATION MONTHLY TEAM

The Hudson Valley's newest publication is Generation Monthly.  Here the magazine's team is represented in super hero style!  Their faces will be dropped in later.

THE BELVEDERE GUEST HOUSE

Drawn expressly for the Belvedere Guest House in Cherry Grove, Fire Island.  To the surprise of a patron, the merman is guarding the pool by the Belvedere's logia.  This scene takes place on the grounds of the historic men's guest house.  It was built in the 1950's by John Eberhard.

STARR SIGHTINGS

This is a respectful homage to Dale Messick's classic comic strip Brenda Starr.  I read the Daily News Comics as a boy and always enjoyed this strip, along with Dick Tracy, Mary Perkins, and others. I thought it would be fun to draw this in my style since the strip was retired after 70 years!  It is also shown on the Brenda Starr Fan Page on Facebook.  Fans still enjoy the work and vintage art that is shared there.

MERMAIDS,VIXENS, AND WENCHES PREMIERE ISSUE

Several artists have joined me in this special pin-up issue.  Fun stuff to look at if you like mermaids, vixens, or wenches!  Check it out.  Available on line at Ka Blam.


I am really glad MERMAIDS, VIXENS, AND WENCHES is out!  
If you are interested in getting a copy you can order on line at: http://indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?manufacturers_id8936&products_id=6851
or catch me at a comic con/festival soon. 

WOMEN CARTOONISTS

March is Women's History Month.  How lucky can you get to have met and known three of the top female cartoonists in the industry!  I thought why not try to illustrate these talented ladies in a tribute piece for March.  Here's my attempt at drawing Dale Messick, Ramona Fradon, and Trina Robbins.  Dale was the creator of Brenda Starr Reporter and Ramona succeeded her on that strip as artist.  Trina knew Dale and did some paper dolls and illustrations of Brenda Starr.  Trina is also a HERstorian in the comics business.  These three have a true Starr quality!  But that is only a glimpse at their accomplishments.

SHAKESPEARE SHAKEN

  My fifth piece for Shakespeare Shaken is based on Anthony and Cleopatra.  Here Caesar's nephew Octavius captures Cleopatra with his robots' force field.  Only in his dreams!  While Anthony is away Octavius will play!

ROMEO AND JULIET AT STUDIO 54

This is the fourth piece for Red Stylo Media's Shakespeare Shaken.  Romeo and Juliet at Studio 54 during the late 1970's.  It's up to you to think of a caption for this different depiction of a classic.  It's shaken, not stirred!

https://www.facebook.com/ShakespeareShaken

SHAKESPEARE SHAKEN ANTHOLOGY

Shakespeare Shaken is an anthology for Red Stylo Media.  Here are the first three finished pen and ink pieces I submitted for the book. The characters are borrowed from Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Taming of the Shrew.  I rendered my versions of a haunted Hamlet, Titania, Queen of the Fairies (She is a vampire ready to suck out the hapless Bottom's blood!) and the headstrong shrew Katherina.

Help us think of a "shaken" caption for each to go in the printed book!  All ideas can be posted on the Shakespeare Shaken or Mermaids, Vixen, and Wenches facebook pages .  Thanks!

THE ENCHANTRESS AND WIZARD

A new addition to my MERMAIDS, VIXENS, AND WENCHES collections!  The Enchantress and Wizard introduce a more "spooky" twist to the theme of my postcard sets.  This vixen is a witch!  A blend of Mexico's Dia De Los Muertos and a traditional Halloween create an image that is perfect for October!  Several other images, by various artists, will be collected together with this piece for a "spooky" October postcard set!

Colors courtesy of Edwin Vazquez.