MICHAEL TONN

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Special projects


PINBOX 3000: Neon Wizard and House of Shadows

I recently completed two new additions for PinBox 3000.  Neon Wizard and House of Shadows are cardboard pinball machines that are as fun to build as they are to play.  Illustrating pinball machines is a bit like climbing the Mount Everest of illustration in that it not only requires thinking in three dimensions but simultaneously considering game mechanics and motion all while working in the confines of a theme. Neon Wizard was inspired by eighties retro aesthetics and familiar eightbit video game tropes. House of Shadows was influenced by classic spooky themes and children's classics like Goose Bumps and Scooby Doo. Graphic Design by Raychel Severance Learn more by following the link below.
︎︎︎PinBox3000



Skateboard Project with Mountain Local Boards and BETA Technologies

I teamed up with Max from Mountain Local Snowbaords, a local artisan skateboard and snowboard crafter to create a couple of flight worthy decks commissioned by BETA technologies, one of the countreas leading aviation tech firms. Click the links below to watch WCAX’s story on the project and get a better look at the finished products.
︎︎︎Mountain Local Snowboards 
︎︎︎WCAX Channel 3 Mountain Local         Story




The Most Costly Journey

Presented by Vermont Folk Life Center and the Open Door Clinic this comic series documents the stories of migrant farm workers living in Vermont. The book was recently selected by the Vermont Humanities as the Vermont Reads Book of the year. I was one of a dozen or so comic artists selected to contribute work to the book.  After interviewing a migrant farm worker I turned her story into a six page comic. It tells the tail of a heart breaking choice between family or opportunity. Check out the links below to learn more.︎︎︎ Vermont Reads
Vermont Public radio
SevenDays

Click the images below to purchase a copy.︎︎




Choose Your Own Adventure:
Return of the Ninja

I had the honor of illustrating the pages of a reboot of the classic Choose Your Own Adventure title Return of the Ninja. This book series was one of my favorites growing up and I still love it today.  Check out my illustrations by clicking the image below or purchase the book by clicking ︎︎︎HERE 



Day Tripping with Guster’s
Ryan Miller

Check out my contribution to the SEVEN DAYS comic issue. I teamed up with journalist Sally Pollock and Guster’s Ryan Miller for a fun filled romp through Vermont’s magical NorthEast Kingdom to bring readers an exciting bit of comic journalism.
Click the image below to see the full comic at Seven Days.com︎︎




On Safari with Ryan Miller at Robbie’s Wildlife Refuge

We’re back at it! Ryan and I are once again on assignment for Vermont’s SEVEN DAYS newspaper to explore one of Vermont’s most notorious dive bars; Robbie’s Wildlife Refuge.
Click the image below to see the full comic at Seven Days.com︎︎




Interview with Creativepool

Check out my interview with Creativepool.
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VPR Cafe: food ethics
listen here︎︎︎

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

RETURN OF THE NINJA


Anyone growing up in the eighties is familiar with this classic line of books. Return of the Ninja, originally published in 1989, is a tale of flipping ninjas, silent assassins and battling monks. It was recently rereleased to the delight of fans worldwide. Set in both contemporary and ancient Japan, my illustrations take the reader on an action-packed romp through a world both familiar and magical.