Martin Emond, 34; NZ comic artist (created White Trash)
Hyfler/Rosner
March 20, 2004 Saturday
HEADLINE: Obituary: Martin Emond
BYLINE: By MAGGIE WICKS
Comic creator. Died aged 34.
One of New Zealand's most influential illustrators has died
in Los Angeles.
Born in 1970, Martin Emond was New Zealand's best-known
comic-art export.
The creator of punk character Switchblade and the
internationally acclaimed series White Trash, Emond had been
living in Los Angeles for the past two years.
He moved there in 2002 to promote the iconic character
Switchblade, the subject of a popular series of paintings,
posters and the New Zealand-made brand Illicit streetgear.
As an 18-year-old, Emond worked in an abattoir to save for a
trip to England where he contacted comic luminary Kevin
Eastman, creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Eastman gave Emond his first break, publishing his four-part
White Trash series, which introduced the world to his "hyper
realism" style.
His next opportunity came following an Auckland show of
hardcore rock band Danzig.
A year after forcing a book of sketches on to the tour's
promoter, Emond received a phone call from rocker Glen
Danzig.
Danzig invited him to join a new comic company in the United
States and Emond went on to serve a four-year stint on the
erotic series Verotik.
Emond was also known as a painter, tattoo artist and
animator.
His career included work for comic empires Marvel and DC
Comics, designs for Illicit and album cover art for bands
Shihad, Danzig and Head Like A Hole.
His work appeared in many pop-culture comic books and his
Rolling Red Knuckles series gained him a cult following in
Japan.
Emond's influence is evident in the work of other New
Zealand comic artists such as Ant Sang, the creator of the
Dharma Punks series.
His success overseas while living in New Zealand served as
encouragement to upcoming comic artists, showing
international recognition and success could be achieved from
Downunder.
Local cartoonist Dylan Horrocks says Emond was a huge
inspiration to comic artists in New Zealand.
"Martin was always really supportive of young cartoonists in
New Zealand.
"He was known as a really kind and positive guy who just
loved what he was doing."
Emond had recently begun working with Pirate.net, a
subsidiary of the Fox Television Network, to turn Rolling
Red Knuckles into an animated series.
He was engaged to be married.
A memorial service for Edmond will be held at Alleluya Cafe,
St Kevins Arcade, Karangahape Rd on March 28 at 4.44 pm.
Robert Feigel (aka Bob)
wrote:
>The New Zealand Herald
>
>March 20, 2004 Saturday
>
>
>
>HEADLINE: Obituary: Martin Emond
>
>BYLINE: By MAGGIE WICKS
>
>Comic creator. Died aged 34.
>
>One of New Zealand's most influential illustrators has died
>in Los Angeles.
I read this in Saturday's paper, but I cannot find any reference in
the Herald or any other news source as to the cause of his death. Only
34! :-(b
"When weaving nets, all threads count." - Charlie Chan
********
The art & the artists of New Zealand's Tutukaka Coast: <http://www.earthsea.co.nz>
Wax-up and drop-in of Surfing's Golden Years: <http://www.surfwriter.net>
Hyfler/Rosner
"Robert Feigel (aka Bob)" <aka...@surfwriter.net.not> wrote
in message
news:e8hp50pasfn9bcmnt...@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 20 Mar 2004 11:17:48 -0500, "Hyfler/Rosner"
<rel...@rcn.com>
> wrote:
>
> >The New Zealand Herald
> >
> >March 20, 2004 Saturday
> >
> >
> >
> >HEADLINE: Obituary: Martin Emond
> >
> >BYLINE: By MAGGIE WICKS
> >
> >Comic creator. Died aged 34.
I've been trying to find good examples of his work. Will
post some soon. His death is all over the comic websites.
But no one is saying exactly what the cause of the death
was.
Bill Schenley
> Will post some soon. His death is all over the comic
> websites. But no one is saying exactly what the
> cause of the death was.
It's reported that he killed himself.
His comic book art:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=tcp
Also:
Robert Feigel (aka Bob)
wrote:
>> I've been trying to find good examples of his work.
>> Will post some soon. His death is all over the comic
>> websites. But no one is saying exactly what the
>> cause of the death was.
>
>It's reported that he killed himself.
>
>His comic book art:
>
>http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=tcp
Glad I read that tribute. Thanks.
"When weaving nets, all threads count." - Charlie Chan
********
Wax-up and drop-in of Surfing's Golden Years: <http://www.surfwriter.net>