Camera FAQ

A few subscribers to our YouTube channel have noticed a jump in the visual quality in some of our most recent videos and wondered what camera we shoot with.

Allow me to introduce you to the new addition to the family... The Panasonic GH4.

Why did we choose the GH4?

We wanted a camera that could provide 4K capability while still offering beautiful stills. The main contender was the Sony AX100 but in the end we wanted a camera that had the ability to swap out lenses.

What's the verdict?

The ability to shoot 4K allows so much flexibility in post production when downscaling to 1080P. We’re able to zoom in up to two times without losing a pixel of detail in the rendered footage. Very valuable in our situation when we want a close look at an artist putting fine details on their work. The addition of focus peaking ensures that what we are shooting is in focus.

Here's a video that we shot with the GH4 in 4K and downscaled to 1080P:

Should you get a GH4?

The GH4 is a solid camera that is recommended for anybody looking to get into videography. The answer on whether or not to buy one boils down to whether or not you want or need to shoot in 4K.

If you do want to shoot in 4K then you still have a few other options to consider besides the GH4 from Sony but they have a nasty reputation for overheating for extended shoots. If money isn't an issue then you might take a look at the GH5 which offers 4K at 60 frames per second and 10-bit color at 1080P. Definitely worth the extra money if you plan to use any sort of slow motion or you see yourself taking handheld shots but dollars to donuts I'd say go with the GH4 and use the extra money to invest in a decent lens.


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Comic Artist Mount Rushmore

Scrolling through my Instagram feed today I came across a cool topic by Edwin Huang AKA ironpinky. He asks who you would place on your comic artist Mount Rushmore? He goes on to name Stuart Immonen, Adam Hughes, Chris Bachalo, and Joe Madureira.

My personal list of favorite artists would include Adam Hughes, Jim Lee, Michael Turner, and Joe Madureira but this question goes beyond my very own personal favorites. Mount Rushmore represents those presidents who reserved the Republic and expanded its territory. Several names come to mind when it comes to having a huge impact on comic books... John Romita, Arthur Adams, Jack Kirby, John Byrne, Gene Colan, George Perez, Frank Miller, Walt Simonson, Neal Adams, Jim Lee, John Buscema... I could go on and on. When you picture classic comics featuring your favorite characters it is the artwork of these gentlemen that most likely dances through your heads. Whittling this list down to just four is no small feat but here's who I would place on the Comic Artist Mount Rushmore...

Jim Lee was the artist that made me start collecting comic books on a regular basis so there may be a bit of bias with this choice. I still remember the day I walked into that old comic book store and saw a copy of X-Men #1 sitting on the shelf. The art between those pages was leaps and bounds better than anything I had laid my eyes on before. That book went on to sell 8.1 million copies which still stands as the number one selling comic book of all time so clearly it wasn't just me. That is a major feat in itself but it is also the impact that Jim along with several other popular artists (Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, Rob Liefeld, and Jim Valentino) made that lands him squarely on this list. These men went on to form Image Comics which has served as an example for independent creators to stand on their own two feet and not depend on major labels to get out there and make their dreams come true. The industry has seen several upstart artists and companies follow in the footsteps of these men and the comic book world has never been the same.

Notable works:
X-Men Jim Lee Omnibus v.1
X-Men Jim Lee Omnibus v.2
Batman Hush Absolute Edition
Superman Unchaned


John Byrne is the guy that nobody wants on this list but his influence on comics is undeniable. Along with writer Chris Claremont, Byrne went on a run with the X-Men that shook up the world. During his run, Byrne penciled two of the series most popular stories, Dark Phoenix Saga and Days of the Future Past. Let's not forget his unforgettable work on Fantastic Four, Alpha Flight, She-Hulk, and Superman where he served as a writer as well as an artist on many of his runs. However that's not the reason he made the list. Next time you go to a convention, ask your favorite artist who their favorite artists are and I bet you John Byrne makes their list. No matter what anybody thinks or says about John Byrne, nobody can take away the impact he has had on comic book art throughout the years.

Notable works:
Fantastic Four John Byrne v.1
Fantastic Four John Byrne v.2
Uncanny X-Men Omnibus v.1
Uncanny X-Men Omnibus v.2


I went back and forth with myself on who to include in this slot. Neal Adams, John Buscema, Arthur Adams, John Romita Sr., Frank Miller. So tough to decide and I easily could have created an argument for any of them based off of their contributions but ultimately one book put John Buscema above the rest... How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way. I can't even begin to count the number of times I've sat through an artist's panel and have heard that book mentioned. Talk about having an impact on the comic book art world! His "How To Draw" book is sitting on the shelf of every artist in the game. The book doesn't go in-depth on any particular subject but everything you ever need to know about drafting a comic book is there. Oh, did I forget to mention all of the books he worked on throughout his career? Go look him up... I'll be here when you get back.

Notable works:
Marvel Visionaries: John Buscema
Wolverine: Madripoor Nights
How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way


Last but not least... Who else but Jack "King" Kirby? Jack's impact on comics can still be felt decades after he crashed onto the scene. His wonderful sense of storytelling and the vast amount of characters he has created throughout his career still hold up to this day. Don't believe me? What was your favorite comic book movie? Whatever your answer, Kirby most likely created those characters or influenced the creator who did. My words can never do this guy justice so I'll keep it short and sweet.

Notable works:
Jack Kirby Omnibus v.1
Jack Kirby Omnibus v.2
Fantastic Four Omnibus v.1
X-Men Omnibus v.1

Agree... disagree? Let me know. Who would you place on your Comic Artist Mount Rushmore? #ComicRushmore

Album Cover Art Challenge

Marvel recently announced that they are paying homage to classic Rap album covers and that got me thinking "Not everybody is a fan of Marvel and/or Hip-Hop. What if we expand on that idea a bit...?"

For this art challenge I want you to choose characters from any license (movie, comics, anime, etc.) and use them to pay homage to one of your favorite album covers.

Each entry will be featured in a video on our YouTube channel along with a link to your website or social media handle. A winner will be selected based on the level of creativity and craftsmanship you bring to your artwork.

To enter tag me through your preferred social media outlet along with your entry and use the hashtag #VZAAlbumCoverHomage by September 1st. Here's where to find me Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

The winner will receive a copy of the sketchbook Deadlines Vol. 4 by Sanford Greene who is the artist for the X-Men variant cover which pays homage to De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising album. The sketchbook contains a signature from Sanford along with a sketch of his favorite character Power Man.

** Anybody can enter but I can only deliver within the lower 48 states of the USA. **

This contest has ended. Below is a video showcasing all of the entries and the winner: