Coloring Complete!!!

Been bogged down with work and haven't had much time to color over the past month, but it's complete now. Now to make the bubbles & letter it.

INNOVATION!!!

Found our that the Stamp filter in Photoshop does a damn good job at eliminating individual pixels that I previously had to go one by one coloring in. You have no idea how much time this will save me.

Inking complete!!!

Finished inking NOS #5. Work's been getting in the way of my comic work, so I hopefully can have Issue 5 finished before 2011.

The next step is to redo the other issues. I hate to say it, but I feel like Issue 3 may get a slight overhaul as well. Not sure if I'll ever be able to put the brush down. I'm also not sure if I should preserve the original sketch pages for the issues I'm redoing. I think there's no point in being sentimental about them and frankly the inked versions of those are useless to me now, so I guess they'll be enough for the "Century Museum". The more I look at them though, the more I feel like every single panel is going to be drastically redrawn. It's becoming very clear that I won't have the trade paperback ready before 2011.

This is the end

The sketches for the final issue of Night of the Silhouette have been completed. It's the beginning of the end. There's still along road ahead. Inking and coloring will take a while and I have to figure out my printing situation, but completing the illustrations is a big personal milestone for me. My new years resolution was to finish this volume and it looks like I'm on track to do just that. I'd love to up the ante and get Volumes 2 & 3 done in 2011, but that'd be a lot of work to fit in around the crappy job I must do for money.

Procrastination: The Adventure Continues

The end of September and most of October was pretty rough, so I unfortunately did not complete sketching Night of the Silhouette #5. I am down to 5 1/2 pages to go on it, then ink and color and blabbity bloo blah. Fortunately this productivity breakdown lasted much shorter than the one in the middle of issue 3 and I've been cranking through pages at a slow, but steady pace. With any luck the sketches will be done by the end of the week. Then probably another two weeks until it's completely finished. As much as I'd like to feel good that the first volume is complete, I still have my overhaul of 1 & 2 to do. I believe I could get that wrapped up before the year is over though. One thing I'm considering is actually adding in 4 pages of content to Issue 1 and giving the story a little breathing room. There are a few rushed scenes. Not sure if I'll add anything to 2. At 20 pages, it's the shortest issue. Still a while before I get to that phase, so I don't have to make up my mind tonight.

MORE MORE MORE!!!

I haven't sent the files for Issue #4 to Comixpress yet and I'm starting to consider adding in a new scene. I have a scene break between pages 14 and 15 where I could seamlessly insert it. The point of the scene in question is to get a "good enough" answer to a big unresolved scene that gets played out properly in Volume 2. Furthermore it would be a "Nemeses meet" moment and would kind of bridge where a character is left off on page 14 and where we meet them again on page 22 better. It just feels like if I don't go on to Volume 2, this will make it feel more complete. I don't know, I'll mull this over a little while longer.

COVER!!!

I don't want to post just the raw sketch, but I just completed the sketch of the cover for the trade paperback of Volume 1. For the most part, the layout is very inspired by Drew Struzan style movie posters but there's a centerpiece to it that's very original and perfectly captures the major character arc in a really unique way. Unlike the other covers however, this one will be painted. I'm planning on taking step by step pictures of the painting as it progresses. It's not going to be much in the way of a tutorial, but it will be a pretty cool look as the image evolves. I really hope the painting comes out as good as the sketch.

Backwards thinking

I got anxious to draw the final page again for Issue #5 and while on a roll, just kept going backwards. Kind of a weird way to draw and not necessarily the smartest. Some establishing shots had to be redrawn because I didn't know "oh, this is the first time we see that." It would help a lot of I scripted it properly, but really I just did a bare bones "so and so holds a knife" type descriptions, because being the the writer and illustrator, there's no miscommunication. Anyway, halfway through Issue 5. Perhaps the final comic I make? We'll see, kiddies. We'll see.

So cometh Issue #5

I completed the script to Issue #5. It will come to 32 pages, so I don't have to break it in half and make Issue #6. For financial reasons however I decided I'm not going to do issues for the next volumes. They will be made only as trade paperbacks. This however could change if I get a job. I will say one thing though, as action packed as Issue #4 was, it's got nothing on #5. Of 32 pages, there's action on about 28 of those. Big damn ending!

100 PAGES!!!

WHOO HOO! Night of the Silhouette #4 is complete.

Issue #1= 32 pages.
Issue #2= 20 pages.
Issue #3= 24 pages.
Issue #4= 24 pages.

Do the math.

Issue 6?

I have 28 pages in the movie script that are supposed to make up Issue 5. However, I am doing major rewrites on those last pages so that number could increase. Issues 3 and 4 were both 4 pages longer than their number of script pages. There is a slim chance that Issue 5 could run up to 40 pages in which case I might as well chop it in half and make one into Issue 6. Issue #2 is only 20 pages long so it would be strange to have such a long 5th issue. I'm hoping I can keep it at 32 pages, or 36 at the most.

Will there be an Issue 6? Find out next week kiddies.

Inking myself silly.

Finished inking Issue #4. I'm happy with how it came out. Lots of action in it. I really feel like the art has improved significantly in issues 3 & 4 as opposed to the first 2 so when I do get around to overhauling those ones, I think some panels may get completely redrawn. I'm gonna try to play with color in this new issue to make it seem more dynamic. Hopefully not so dramatically that I'll need to revise the 3rd issue. We will see.

I've got things covered

Completed Issue #5's cover. Kind of stopped giving a shit about spoilers, so here they are. Enjoy.

R.I.P.

Finished sketching Issue #4. It's the last time I will be drawing one of the recurring characters because let's just say they don't make it to Issue #5. Sad that it will be the last time I will draw them. Other than inking. Oh well, R.I.P. you jerk.

Foot fetishists; what the hell?

I hate having to draw feet and ordinarily frame them out of view. They're stupid looking. But for one panel it's kind of important to the composition to have a character with their feet up on a desk. If I ever meet a person who's "Into feet" I'm going to punch them in the throat.

Bleak Schmleak

I really wish dumb asses who think they're writer's would quit perpetuating the idea that bleakness is "more emotional". If you have a character fight through hell and in the end things come out alright, how is that not emotional? It's like the positive emotions don't count. I say it's lazy bastards who can't otherwise motivate their characters that have to kill people off for "emotional impact". It's easy to make a brooding hero. Creating an upbeat one is much more tricky.

So in Hollywood movies, it ends happily and it's predictable, but in Indie movies it ends on a sour note and it's genius? Bull fucking shit! It's just as cliche.

And that's another thing? Why is it that everyone on the left things Hollywood is a bunch of greedy men in business suits, and everyone on the right thinks they're a bunch of deviant druggies and perverts? No, I'm not making a generalization in criticism of generalizations. I'm speaking about dumb asses who are by definition dumb asses.

Omissions.

I really ought to illustrate the pages in order. I just climbed out of bed because I realized I hadn't drawn blood stains on a character's shirt that they receive on an earlier page I hadn't drawn yet. Does thinking about this in bed and then getting up to fix it MaKe Me CrAzY???????

Hrm!

Issue 4 is proving to be much more difficult than 3 was. It doesn't have quite the diversity of settings that are fun to draw.

On the sales front, either they don't update your sales history live, or I haven't sold any yet. :'(

If I don't sell any of these damn comics, what's the point? Artistic fulfillment!?!? Finally realizing a project I've been developing since High School!?!? F that S!

BUY BUY BUY!!! SPEND SPEND SPEND!!!

Century: Night of the Silhouette #1

Century: Night of the Silhouette # 2

IF YOU DON'T BUY THESE NOW, YOU HATE AMERICA!!!

SPOILERZ!!!

Live up to the hype? I dunno.

Page 24

I sketched Page 24 first because I was really excited with what the last panel of the issue is. It is hands down the best panel of the series and possibly the best image I've ever sketched without any source material. So much so that I intend to jump ahead and ink it before I get to work on any other pages. This is THE panel that sums up what 'Night of the Silhouette' is really about and is of the character I've been waiting to draw since the get go. It's mega spoilery, but none the less I will probably be posting it tomorrow, or later tonight if I really move fast.

This is the night!

I finished Night of the Silhouette #4's script, where we finally arrive at the titular night. Surprisingly I didn't run to 28 pages like I was expecting, the dialogue scenes went faster than normal. I even ended up with 3 pages I had to fill in (have to do pages as multiples of 4 because it's staple bound and I don't want to make filler). I thought of adding in to the fight scene that cover the first half of the issue, but instead came up with a 3 page scene at the end that is now a pretty definitive moment in the story. It's a much more prominent introduction than I had originally written for a character that really needs to arrive with a bang.

But more importantly, there's a new poll >

Be sure to fill that out. I'm split minded on which title I like best. Want news on when the first three issues will be available? Ha ha, you're funny.

Surprising twists

So I got a response from Comixpress when I complained on their facebook page saying that summer is their busy season and that's why it has been taking so long. That would make more sense if I hadn't tried to add the first issue back in march...

But they also said they've added me to their priority list now, and it should be up shortly.

Elsewhere, I finished Issue 3 and am working on the Issue 4 script. Looks like due to major action sequence, it may end up longer than anticipated. Probably around 28 pages despite my initial plan for 20. Better that than forcing too much content into too few pages.

Innovations

I guess it's better to innovate but it's creating some inconsistencies among my issues. I'm definitely going to have to go back and revise the earlier issues. Can't wait to see how the book will look when I'm finished with the series.

As for Comixpress, I'm going to go with a different printing company, I'm looking into alternative options, but haven't found any I'm happy with yet.

Issue #3 coloring complete!!!

Finished coloring Issue #3, still waiting to find out what the heck is up with Comixpress. At this point I have to retract my recommendation of them, because I don't see any reason why they can't just answer my question. Especially seeing as it is about one of the most basic services they advertise. Will continue trying to get through to them, but I may have to find another printer.

Production Errors

So it's come to my attention that I very inconsistently depict one of the major characters with and without his gun belt throughout all three issues thus far. The question is, do I do a special edition and add it back in, or do I just let it go and chalk it up to fluid detailing. Like how I don't always include pupils if the picture is too small and so on. But this still seems like a more noticeable detail to omit.

Oh, and angry guys with swords.

Joy!

I'm inking Issue #3. Despite not being as action packed as the first two, this is the most visually fun of the three.

I shouldn't have taken such a long hiatus. I forgot how much I enjoy getting these pages done. Is the art the best? No, but it's still a satisfying form of storytelling.

Issue 3

I don't see any reason why I won't be done sketching Issue #3 tomorrow. Then you know the drill, ink, color, letter, and send it off to the printer. Still have absolutely no idea why comixpress isn't including it in their store. I'm not paying or anything, so it's not like they're screwing me, but still. It's very bizarre because their customer service has answered everything else pretty quickly, but I've sent four e-mails now asking about this and have gotten no reply.

Breakdown over!!!

There have been no updates since April because I haven't been working on the comic since then. However I have gotten back on track and hopefully will complete Issue #3 this month. I have no legitimate excuse for why I stopped working on it.

You take the good, you take the bad

I slept on my right arm wrong. Sleeping on my right arm wrong entails getting it wedged between my bed and the wall and sleeping with it in a rather pretzel like position. The point of all this is that it is very painful to draw right now. Typing however doesn't hurt much, so I'm putting Issue #3's pages on hold temporarily. In the mean time I will be working on the script to the next volume, or perhaps work on adapting the script of Vol 1 issues 4 & 5 into comic format.

My order for Night of the Silhouette #2 should be shipping shortly but I still have no idea when the first one will be added to their library. Another week or so and I'm gonna send an inquiry e-mail.

It's been surreal

I'm really loving drawing the more surreal and abstract moments of this book. It's sort of stuff that would be difficult but very much worthwhile to try to film. CGI nowadays is so focused on replicating the real, that they're ignoring surreal and dreamlike imagery. Lovely Bones did this well, and it's why I would have picked that for the SFX Oscar. I'd like to post an image of what I'm drawing, but it's too early to post stuff from issue #3 and the only thing similar to it in Issue #1 is still too spoilery. Oh well, the wait continues. Still no word on when the first issue will be available : (

A gritty realistic post

(Hmm, for some reason this post got saved as a draft instead of getting posted. Still as relevant as it was whenever I first wrote it.)

Ugh, why is it that all you have to do to make a superhero story "genius" is to approach the genre with the utmost cynicism. How many titles are out there right now with the "ground breaking" idea that people with super powers are super sociopaths? If people are so hung up on the capes & tights genre, WRITE SOMETHING ELSE!!! This isn't the 1950's, there are plenty of other genres to approach.

Covergirl

I just finished sketching an incredibly cool cover for Issue #4. I can't post it yet (or the cover to #3) because I feel they're too spoilery seeing as nobody's even read the first issue yet. I really hope this comes out as good when it's inked and colored.

Changes you can believe in!

I'm thinking about making some changes for Issue #3. I might change the art style up a bit, particularly by making it visually darker. A more significant change is that I plan on making the next issue longer than I had expected. I'm adapting the comic script based off a feature film script with a 1:1 page ratio between the scripts. I feel like I've had to rush and condense things in Issue 1 and 2, so from now on I plan to add 4 pages to the length of the original script pages. The pages have to be multiples of 4 because I don't have any ads or filler. There's a slim chance I'll make a "Special Edition" of the first two issues, but I doubt it. I'd much rather move forward. I feel like there was a progression between the first and second issue's art quality, so maybe this will be one big exercise in progress and the last issue will look significantly better than the first.

Also, I selected to add the first issue to Comixpress's store, but it hasn't appeared yet. I'm guessing they update their store at the beginning of every month, so it should be up in about a week... or they just don't like me.

Big News!!!

Issue 1 of Night of the Silhouette will be available to order tomorrow. Issue 2 will be sent to the printer today.

BTW does anyone know a way to do letter accents in a comic book font? I had to change "fiancée" to "betrothed" because of it. Generic comic sans might be able to, but it doesn't support apostrophes when exported for some reason.

Almost there! Almost there!

The corrections have been applied and once I clarify a billing issue, I will make the first issue of Night of the Silhouette available. Stay tuned kiddies.

Finished Coloring Issue #2

Coloring is complete on the second issue. It's looking like I could very well be done with Issue #2 before the first one is available to buy. I don't think it will take as long for the second one to get produced because I'm going to be extra 100% careful while proofreading it.

Inking complete!!!

My hand can rest for now, Issue #2 has been inked. Once it's colored, the bubbles are drawn, and the text has been added, I'll be ready to send it to be printed.

Speaking of which Comixpress has regained power but I still haven't heard back about the corrections to Issue #1. So no idea when I'll be able to put it up for sale.

Fun with Propaganda

I just drew a Century comic cover that involves a superhero, a burning Nazi flag, and a cigar. I didn't want to post it because...

A) Its based off a vague concept of a story idea that I may or may not complete as a comic.

B) It is a major spoiler.

C) I didn't ink/color it.

Despite A, I might post it here after Night of the Silhouette #5 is released. It's so much fun picking on Nazis.

There's a lot of criticism of this type of storytelling, and criticism of the criticism (enemy of my enemy etc...) But I'm all for it. Some people think the Nazis make convenient villains to make people feel better about their own national insecurities, so I'm interested in the psychological aspect of me (an American) making a British hero beatin' the shit out of Nazis. I need British friends to run this idea by. If it's any consolation, while the Nazis are the clear villains of this proposed story, there is a certain belief system that both the Axis and the Allies held that the hero will be fighting against.

This brings to mind another common criticism. Should the moral of a historical piece of fiction conform to the morals of the day it's set? For example, should a story set before the major feminist movements not include a pro feminism message? I don't think so. I think while characters shouldn't act atypical to their time but historical perspective gives us plenty of opportunity to create heroes ahead of their time in historical settings. No one in the Victorian era can read my comic, so why should I write a morality tale catered to their antiquated moral system.

Just to note, feminism isn't the moral tale being told in this "Nazi Puncher" story. Just an example to explain my point. Though the very nature of the Century series will have a strong feminist undercurrent. Being a dude however, I'm not going to be pointing the finger at men. I think there's another gender that needs to shoulder some of the blame as well. I don't think it's an issue that should be painted in black and white. Ironic that I say that because I'm totally doing a black and white take on the Nazis. Meh, I'm cool with where I stand. I'll let it come out in the writing and see what people think of it.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

Issue #2 cover

Here's the cover to Night of the Silhouette #2. I included a preview of this cover in the back of Issue #1 but it was kind of a rush job, and doesn't look quite as good.

Delays Delays Delays

Looks like the region of NJ where comixpress is located is experiencing massive power outages, so I'm thinking it will be a little while longer before Night of the Silhouette #1 goes on sale. On the bright side, there should be a pretty short gap between when #1 and #2 are up for sale. I expect to be finished inking #2 before Friday.

Issue #2

The sketches for Issue #2 are complete. I sketch on just plain white letter sized paper, however it is important to note that legitimate comic artists use hard bristol board, at double scale at least. I don't have a scanner big enough to accommodate that at the moment, so I'm sticking with plain paper for now.

Distractions

I have 9 pages left to sketch for the second issue of Night of the Silhouette, but suddenly have the urge to draw caricatures of my cats. While I'm sure the cat exercise would be helpful in its own right, I really have been dragging my feet on these pages. Cats will wait.

A taste of things to come

Coming soon, exclusively to www.comixpress.com

Herein begins a tale that spans a CENTURY. The year is 1895 and an ancient war between the forces of good and evil has been reignited. An orphan girl finds herself the focus of an occult ritual at the hands of a beautiful and dangerous villainess. Her only hope is a swashbuckling hero on the run from the law. But he may already be too late.