Ladies and gentlemen. I give you the link to which you can now "back" out Kickstarter campaign to get Fuzzyface reprinted.
Fuzzyface on Kickstarter
We're super happy about the amount of support we've already gotten. So please, let people know about this. Tweet it, facebook it, Google+ it, myspace it, sky write it, graffiti it all over the place. We have 30 days to make our humble goal of $3,500. If we raise that much or more, we can do a massive reprint. If not, without your support I'll have to start whoring myself out on the streets. The economy sucks here in Tucson, you know how many "handies" that would take? Don't make me do it folks. Don't make me bust out the Jergens.
Showing posts with label graphic novels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label graphic novels. Show all posts
Friday, August 19, 2011
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Crow; A Hardcore Review
The penultimate gothic graphic novel ever. Written and drawn by James O'Barr back in the days when comics went from being just for kids, to being driven towards a more adult audience. Created by a distraught O'Barr after losing his girlfriend to a drunk driver, the ink poured out in graphic chapters of metaphorical payback. In much the same way that I originally formed Youth in Asia to be somewhat autobiographical in that very similar metaphorical nature.
Visually very different from the high quality and "image" conscious books of the day. It stands as an independent triumph in the comic book world, that spawned more than half a dozen sequels from different creators and a reboot from none other than Todd McFarlane. The Crow also made its way to the big screen in an adaption starring, in his final role, Brandon Lee, three sequels and a television series; not to mention the toys.
And 16 years after the Brandon Lee driven epic, and almost twenty years after the original graphic novel, there are rumblings of a remake of the 1994 feature film. As of this blog post, rumor has it that former underwear model and wanna be gangsta rapper, "Marky" Mark Wahlberg to reprise the role of the late great Eric Draven.
But this review is about the James O'Barr comic book. The use of varying art styles by O'Barr keep the story flowing extremely well. During the present time sequences, O'Barr relies on hard line work and basic graphic stylings. Where as in the flashback portions, gray scale and wash are used to give a softer side to the uber gritty revenge based storyline. Much in the same way that the Brandon Lee classic used filters and colors to give Eric Draven much needed balance.
There is no real "return" chapter to the story. Draven, pretty much shows up and starts his killing spree. And sure the book's artwork is a bit dated, but what Kirby classic from the 60's or seventies isn't dated by its physical appearance. It's part of the book's charm.
The multi kill sequence in Top Dollar's hangout is epic in much the same way as the movie version's massive shootout complete with brooding lighting, massive blood loss, and a few choice words. The thing I really like about The Crow is its use of poetry and music lyrics for chapter breaks and to set the mood for the coming events. As prophetic as Eric Draven's character is, he still uses soliloquy during the final moments of his tormentor's lives.
The history of the deaths of Shelly Webster and Eric Draven is different than the movie, in that Shelly and Eric were killed along a rural highway, after celebrating their engagement. T-Bird, Top Dollar, Fun Boy, Tin Tin, Tom Tom and Skank are all packed into T-Bird's car and stop when they see the couple broken down on the side of the road. Without much thought, the gang murders Eric and then begin to torment Shelly. Raping and killing her, with Fun Boy doing the deed after her head is blown off.
The whole time the crow is instructing Eric not to look into certain portions of his life with Shelly. To maintain focus on the mission at hand. But Eric is motivated by his true love for Shelly. He cannot help himself in wanting to see those once beautiful moments of his life. Moments that once brought him peace. And that love and peace is what fuels his vengeance. Draven can't be killed. He can't even be hurt. And with the death of those who wronged him and his beloved, he can finally be at peace.
For those who are new to my Hardcore Review, you may wonder what I use to grade the projects I review. Well, I don't use stars, letter grades, percentages or even fucking smiley faces. This is the Hardcore Review, and I utilize hardcore moments in professional wrestling history to grade the projects I review. The classic tale of justice and balance by James O'Barr rates a moment people never thought they would see. The place was Asbury Park. The promotion, Extreme Championship Wrestling. The combatants, Bam Bam Bigelow, the hometown hero, and the World Television Champion, Taz. After a pretty huge battle, including a modified belly to belly overhead suplex by Taz, putting Bigelow through a table. But that's not the moment. The moment came a tad later when Taz jumped on the back of The Beast from the East and locking in his dreaded Tazmission. Out of the field of view of the ref, but clear to those watching on pay per view, The Beast tapped. But since the ref didn't see, the match didn't end. Bigelow threw his legs out from under him, sending both himself and Taz crashing through the ring, to the cement floor underneath. Who rose first was the Beast, who then dragged a near unconscious Taz back into the ring and pinned him to win the World Television Title.
Visually very different from the high quality and "image" conscious books of the day. It stands as an independent triumph in the comic book world, that spawned more than half a dozen sequels from different creators and a reboot from none other than Todd McFarlane. The Crow also made its way to the big screen in an adaption starring, in his final role, Brandon Lee, three sequels and a television series; not to mention the toys.
And 16 years after the Brandon Lee driven epic, and almost twenty years after the original graphic novel, there are rumblings of a remake of the 1994 feature film. As of this blog post, rumor has it that former underwear model and wanna be gangsta rapper, "Marky" Mark Wahlberg to reprise the role of the late great Eric Draven.
But this review is about the James O'Barr comic book. The use of varying art styles by O'Barr keep the story flowing extremely well. During the present time sequences, O'Barr relies on hard line work and basic graphic stylings. Where as in the flashback portions, gray scale and wash are used to give a softer side to the uber gritty revenge based storyline. Much in the same way that the Brandon Lee classic used filters and colors to give Eric Draven much needed balance.
There is no real "return" chapter to the story. Draven, pretty much shows up and starts his killing spree. And sure the book's artwork is a bit dated, but what Kirby classic from the 60's or seventies isn't dated by its physical appearance. It's part of the book's charm.
The multi kill sequence in Top Dollar's hangout is epic in much the same way as the movie version's massive shootout complete with brooding lighting, massive blood loss, and a few choice words. The thing I really like about The Crow is its use of poetry and music lyrics for chapter breaks and to set the mood for the coming events. As prophetic as Eric Draven's character is, he still uses soliloquy during the final moments of his tormentor's lives.
The history of the deaths of Shelly Webster and Eric Draven is different than the movie, in that Shelly and Eric were killed along a rural highway, after celebrating their engagement. T-Bird, Top Dollar, Fun Boy, Tin Tin, Tom Tom and Skank are all packed into T-Bird's car and stop when they see the couple broken down on the side of the road. Without much thought, the gang murders Eric and then begin to torment Shelly. Raping and killing her, with Fun Boy doing the deed after her head is blown off.
The whole time the crow is instructing Eric not to look into certain portions of his life with Shelly. To maintain focus on the mission at hand. But Eric is motivated by his true love for Shelly. He cannot help himself in wanting to see those once beautiful moments of his life. Moments that once brought him peace. And that love and peace is what fuels his vengeance. Draven can't be killed. He can't even be hurt. And with the death of those who wronged him and his beloved, he can finally be at peace.
For those who are new to my Hardcore Review, you may wonder what I use to grade the projects I review. Well, I don't use stars, letter grades, percentages or even fucking smiley faces. This is the Hardcore Review, and I utilize hardcore moments in professional wrestling history to grade the projects I review. The classic tale of justice and balance by James O'Barr rates a moment people never thought they would see. The place was Asbury Park. The promotion, Extreme Championship Wrestling. The combatants, Bam Bam Bigelow, the hometown hero, and the World Television Champion, Taz. After a pretty huge battle, including a modified belly to belly overhead suplex by Taz, putting Bigelow through a table. But that's not the moment. The moment came a tad later when Taz jumped on the back of The Beast from the East and locking in his dreaded Tazmission. Out of the field of view of the ref, but clear to those watching on pay per view, The Beast tapped. But since the ref didn't see, the match didn't end. Bigelow threw his legs out from under him, sending both himself and Taz crashing through the ring, to the cement floor underneath. Who rose first was the Beast, who then dragged a near unconscious Taz back into the ring and pinned him to win the World Television Title.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Wet Moon vol. 1; A Hardcore Review
I am going to remind everyone who reads these reviews that the grading system I use is this: instead of thumbs up or stars, I rate on hardcore moments in pro wrestling history. The more hardcore the event, match, promo or moment the more I liked the book, comic, movie or video game I am reviewing. The less hardcore the moment, the more I disliked it. An example would be anything related to Hulk Hogan would be highly NOT recommended. Onto the review...
With some of greatest facial features since Kevin Maguire's run on the Justice League, Ross Campbell 's art speaks volumes. Wet Moon's true to life dialog and story concepts make for endearing characters and some extremely funny and heartfelt situations. Campbell has crafted a series which has the necessary ingredients to become a longtime fan favorite. The central characters long for awareness and caring during the tumultuous moment in life, "college life." Cleo learns what it's like to not be on top of everyone's friend's list. However this doesn't keep her from trying to help her friend, Audrey score with the cute video store clerk. Trilby, an extrovert to Cleo's introvert, shows up to a "goth" party in a patent leather bra and bondage pants, all the while making obsurd faces at Cleo from across the room. Trilby gets drunk at the party and attempts to force herself on Cleo, who runs out of the room, allowing Trilby to collapse quietly on the couch. Only later does the reader find out Trilby is secretly a Trekie, seeking to keep her pending nerdlike tendencies from spilling out into her circle of friends.
Cleo's serious infatuation with the mysterious longhaired boy in her European Gothic Literature class, sends the mousey girl sprinting out of the room, tumbling down the stairs and into the path of Myrtle, who seems to play a more integral part in the whole master plan of Ross Campbell's opus.
From potential romantic interests like Fern and the mysterious longhaired guy, to perenial societal outcast, "The Pringles Guy," Wet Moon is full of characters that you can't help but like and root for. Ross Campbell knows how to do one of the most difficult things in comics, he writes female charaters so well. This is one of those rare things, where the words and art blend into one amazing story that you can't help but shell out your mind and emotions into. I liken Campbell to Kevin Smith in terms of his dialog, for some obvious reasons, and in the fact that the characters, no matter how extreme or different from the perceived norm of society's expectations of entertainment. Campbell has modeled the next great indy comic with Wet Moon. This volume rates a serious and rare event in ECW history. No matter what mainstream wrestling fan's thoughts on what ECW brought to the dance, the barbed wire match was not a common event in the more than eight years in the company's storied history. In 1996, during one of the most personal and remembered feuds, Raven faced off with the Sandman in one of only four known, no rope, barbed wire matches. The then World Champion Sandman, had persevered through the adversity of having Raven steal and brainwash his ex-wife, Lori and then suffered the ultimate horror, when Raven stole his 7 year old son, Tyler. The match saw, blood, and beatings, along with one of the most unexpected finishes, when Raven, attempted to deliver a tabletop piledriver to the Sandman. The table broke before the move could be finished and somehow Raven garnered the strength to cover the beleagured Sandman for his second ECW World Championship.
With some of greatest facial features since Kevin Maguire's run on the Justice League, Ross Campbell 's art speaks volumes. Wet Moon's true to life dialog and story concepts make for endearing characters and some extremely funny and heartfelt situations. Campbell has crafted a series which has the necessary ingredients to become a longtime fan favorite. The central characters long for awareness and caring during the tumultuous moment in life, "college life." Cleo learns what it's like to not be on top of everyone's friend's list. However this doesn't keep her from trying to help her friend, Audrey score with the cute video store clerk. Trilby, an extrovert to Cleo's introvert, shows up to a "goth" party in a patent leather bra and bondage pants, all the while making obsurd faces at Cleo from across the room. Trilby gets drunk at the party and attempts to force herself on Cleo, who runs out of the room, allowing Trilby to collapse quietly on the couch. Only later does the reader find out Trilby is secretly a Trekie, seeking to keep her pending nerdlike tendencies from spilling out into her circle of friends.
Cleo's serious infatuation with the mysterious longhaired boy in her European Gothic Literature class, sends the mousey girl sprinting out of the room, tumbling down the stairs and into the path of Myrtle, who seems to play a more integral part in the whole master plan of Ross Campbell's opus.
From potential romantic interests like Fern and the mysterious longhaired guy, to perenial societal outcast, "The Pringles Guy," Wet Moon is full of characters that you can't help but like and root for. Ross Campbell knows how to do one of the most difficult things in comics, he writes female charaters so well. This is one of those rare things, where the words and art blend into one amazing story that you can't help but shell out your mind and emotions into. I liken Campbell to Kevin Smith in terms of his dialog, for some obvious reasons, and in the fact that the characters, no matter how extreme or different from the perceived norm of society's expectations of entertainment. Campbell has modeled the next great indy comic with Wet Moon. This volume rates a serious and rare event in ECW history. No matter what mainstream wrestling fan's thoughts on what ECW brought to the dance, the barbed wire match was not a common event in the more than eight years in the company's storied history. In 1996, during one of the most personal and remembered feuds, Raven faced off with the Sandman in one of only four known, no rope, barbed wire matches. The then World Champion Sandman, had persevered through the adversity of having Raven steal and brainwash his ex-wife, Lori and then suffered the ultimate horror, when Raven stole his 7 year old son, Tyler. The match saw, blood, and beatings, along with one of the most unexpected finishes, when Raven, attempted to deliver a tabletop piledriver to the Sandman. The table broke before the move could be finished and somehow Raven garnered the strength to cover the beleagured Sandman for his second ECW World Championship.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Fuzzyface; The Final Production Note
Fuzzyface drops on Thursday at 6PM on Preview Night of Phoenix Comic Con. I got the rest of the comics printed, the fliers, and the ever present and going to be noticeable standup. It's going to be great.
I have worked very hard on this project, and am now doing an interview to help promote the book. I talked to Venus and told her that I would like to attempt to go national with Fuzzyface by submitting the finished product to small press publishers out there. I have a few "ins" in the comic book industry and may look into having the book carried by publishers these people work with.
Fuzzyface is the culmination of several years worth of ideas and work. It all started several years ago when I drew an eviscerated Grover with designs on using it as a t-shirt graphic. I then thought about my favorite movie, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and what a story might be like if Agnew were the protagonist. However, Agnew couldn't hunt humans. That just isn't done. No, Agnew needed something different, something that would give him an edge from a traditional horror comic book. It was decided that he should hunt down and kill stuffed animals. I think this was back in 2005 or 2006. This ended up laying dormant for quite some time. That is until Venus of Necro popped into my life and after hanging out for about a year, she decided she wanted to write the second issue of The Book of Grrry, entitled G2. It was a well thought out process and Venus executed the story and the characterization flawlessly. For Valentine's Day 2008 I drew a picture of Fuzzyface for her. She immediately dug the concept and inquired more about what I had planned for the story. I told her my basic idea, and she asked if she could take a crack at writing it. I of course wanted to see her vision. So with a lot of research (watching The Muppet Movie and Texas Chain Saw Massacre over and over) she worked the script out of her demented little mind. Venus then turned the script over to me, and I began the job of bringing the written word to visual life. This was back in late 2008. I put the project on hold for about eight or nine months before I finally got my shiftless ass in gear. I redrew the first few pages that I had originally executed in 2008, and then went back into doing layouts for the book. In all, I drew 54 pages of layouts for the graphic novel. After which I began the pencils, or at least went back to doing the pencils. This book was the single biggest project I have ever undertaken. Through the process, I met up with Venus several times to have her review the pages. Each time she was excited to see the progress I had made and her words coming to life. I met with Tucson Comic Con Social Media Manager, Henry Barajas whom I had met at Charlies Comics a few years before. I asked him to write the intro to the graphic novel. He agreed but only if he got to see the work as well. I consented as one of my provisions was to not let anyone, other than Venus view the work before it's completion. The work took me about five months of steady work. It would have taken less if I had been more vigilant during the inking process, however I began to get burned out. However, knowing the importance of this book and how many people wanted to see it finished. Well, the buzz is back and in just a few days it will see the light of day. At Phoenix Comic Con 2010, Fuzzyface will see the world...
FUZZYFACE IS GONNA KILL YOU!
We'll be at booth T121 in Small Press. Look for the cardboard standup of Fuzzyface.
I have worked very hard on this project, and am now doing an interview to help promote the book. I talked to Venus and told her that I would like to attempt to go national with Fuzzyface by submitting the finished product to small press publishers out there. I have a few "ins" in the comic book industry and may look into having the book carried by publishers these people work with.
Fuzzyface is the culmination of several years worth of ideas and work. It all started several years ago when I drew an eviscerated Grover with designs on using it as a t-shirt graphic. I then thought about my favorite movie, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and what a story might be like if Agnew were the protagonist. However, Agnew couldn't hunt humans. That just isn't done. No, Agnew needed something different, something that would give him an edge from a traditional horror comic book. It was decided that he should hunt down and kill stuffed animals. I think this was back in 2005 or 2006. This ended up laying dormant for quite some time. That is until Venus of Necro popped into my life and after hanging out for about a year, she decided she wanted to write the second issue of The Book of Grrry, entitled G2. It was a well thought out process and Venus executed the story and the characterization flawlessly. For Valentine's Day 2008 I drew a picture of Fuzzyface for her. She immediately dug the concept and inquired more about what I had planned for the story. I told her my basic idea, and she asked if she could take a crack at writing it. I of course wanted to see her vision. So with a lot of research (watching The Muppet Movie and Texas Chain Saw Massacre over and over) she worked the script out of her demented little mind. Venus then turned the script over to me, and I began the job of bringing the written word to visual life. This was back in late 2008. I put the project on hold for about eight or nine months before I finally got my shiftless ass in gear. I redrew the first few pages that I had originally executed in 2008, and then went back into doing layouts for the book. In all, I drew 54 pages of layouts for the graphic novel. After which I began the pencils, or at least went back to doing the pencils. This book was the single biggest project I have ever undertaken. Through the process, I met up with Venus several times to have her review the pages. Each time she was excited to see the progress I had made and her words coming to life. I met with Tucson Comic Con Social Media Manager, Henry Barajas whom I had met at Charlies Comics a few years before. I asked him to write the intro to the graphic novel. He agreed but only if he got to see the work as well. I consented as one of my provisions was to not let anyone, other than Venus view the work before it's completion. The work took me about five months of steady work. It would have taken less if I had been more vigilant during the inking process, however I began to get burned out. However, knowing the importance of this book and how many people wanted to see it finished. Well, the buzz is back and in just a few days it will see the light of day. At Phoenix Comic Con 2010, Fuzzyface will see the world...
FUZZYFACE IS GONNA KILL YOU!
We'll be at booth T121 in Small Press. Look for the cardboard standup of Fuzzyface.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tricked!; A HArdcore Review
Just finished reading Powergirl 8 and 9 and Kick-Ass 8. Finished the graphic novel, Tricked by Alex Robinson this past weekend too. Remarkable work. Robinson hits "slice of life" out of the park with everything of his that I have read. The fact that he included a character from Box Office Poison was a really nice touch. And the way he wove the tapestry of several individuals into a total mind fuck was some of the best story telling I have ever had the pleasure of reading and viewing, since it's a graphic novel. Robinson tells the story of a semi washed up pop rocker, his new personal assistant; Caprice the holdover from Box Office Poison; her two bosses; the counterfeiting sports memorabilia store employee and his double life; the estranged daughter who never knew her father; and the dejected nervous wreck who loses his job and then his mind.
Tricked! is a fascinatingly fast paced ride through the lives of what is one of the most interesting ensemble cast of characters this side of Wet Moon. The way Robinson draws you into the lives of people you must pass on the street is enthralling. Anybody wishing to write "slice of life" stories should take notes with Robinson's work on Tricked! It is easily one of the best indie graphic novels of this new millennium.
Rating Tricked! on my usual scale this time around gave me a great idea for a grade. After coming back from an 8 month layoff due to rupturing (legitimately) his left quadriceps muscle, Triple H received massive fanfare and a push to the WWE Unified World Title at Wrestlemania 18. The problem was, his wife Stephanie McMahon Helmsley wasn't getting enough attention. During a tantrum Stephanie demands the couple renew their wedding vows, which trust me is a whole other grade in and of itself. She reveals she is pregnant, and gets Triple H to agree to the spectacle. After viewing the sonogram an preparations in the coming weeks on Raw and Smackdown the couple get ready to renew their vows in full black tie regalia. Linda McMahon sends Triple H a video tape of the very same "doctor" who performed the sonogram doing a vacation infomercial. In typical Triple H anti-face fashion, he goes down to the wire of the ceremony until it's his turn to recite his prewritten vows. He rips into Stephanie for all of her conniving, deceitful, two faced actions as of late, only to be physically attacked by the near geriatric Vince McMahon. Triple H "Pedigrees" the father of the bride and tears the wedding set asunder, makes his way up the entrance ramp with Stephanie scorned. I stand by this grade even though you would have to see it to have full effect, rather than read my freaking dissertation of it.
Tricked! is a fascinatingly fast paced ride through the lives of what is one of the most interesting ensemble cast of characters this side of Wet Moon. The way Robinson draws you into the lives of people you must pass on the street is enthralling. Anybody wishing to write "slice of life" stories should take notes with Robinson's work on Tricked! It is easily one of the best indie graphic novels of this new millennium.
Rating Tricked! on my usual scale this time around gave me a great idea for a grade. After coming back from an 8 month layoff due to rupturing (legitimately) his left quadriceps muscle, Triple H received massive fanfare and a push to the WWE Unified World Title at Wrestlemania 18. The problem was, his wife Stephanie McMahon Helmsley wasn't getting enough attention. During a tantrum Stephanie demands the couple renew their wedding vows, which trust me is a whole other grade in and of itself. She reveals she is pregnant, and gets Triple H to agree to the spectacle. After viewing the sonogram an preparations in the coming weeks on Raw and Smackdown the couple get ready to renew their vows in full black tie regalia. Linda McMahon sends Triple H a video tape of the very same "doctor" who performed the sonogram doing a vacation infomercial. In typical Triple H anti-face fashion, he goes down to the wire of the ceremony until it's his turn to recite his prewritten vows. He rips into Stephanie for all of her conniving, deceitful, two faced actions as of late, only to be physically attacked by the near geriatric Vince McMahon. Triple H "Pedigrees" the father of the bride and tears the wedding set asunder, makes his way up the entrance ramp with Stephanie scorned. I stand by this grade even though you would have to see it to have full effect, rather than read my freaking dissertation of it.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Fuzzyface production notes pt. 11
The sag continues in many different ways. I just got another pinup submitted the other day by a good friend of mine, local tattoo artist David Williams. He told me what he had planned but then flipped it and did something else, and it looks FREAKING AMAZING! I seriously want to go back to the shop and make him tattoo this on me. So, now four artists have turned in pinups, with still more to come.
3 more interior pages have been finished and I am done with 33 and onto 34. So many deaths already and there are still a few more to come. Lots to do, and be inspired by this holiday season. I hae to work on XMas Eve and XMas night as well, but I guess someone has to do it, might as well be me, since I know I do a good job and I really care about my guys. It will give an opportunity to do some more work on the book, and on a holiday no less.
I have spoken with a few people at Cactus Con about promotion of Fuzzyface the graphic novel, as well as possibly being in a panel or two. A friend of mine from art school suggested doing a large cardboard cutout stand up of Fuzzyface to help draw attention to our booth at Cactus. We're gonna be in Small Press again this year, and we plan on having a lot of different things for people to buy this time around.
With five pinups, that includes mine, in and 33 full pages done, along with the cover, I am making great time on this project. The past few pages have just seemed to blur by, but they are all looking great visually. The storytelling is flowing and progress is serious in this man's mind. I'm motivated to get this whole project in the can, but I am having a fantastic time while this journey moves towards its destination.
3 more interior pages have been finished and I am done with 33 and onto 34. So many deaths already and there are still a few more to come. Lots to do, and be inspired by this holiday season. I hae to work on XMas Eve and XMas night as well, but I guess someone has to do it, might as well be me, since I know I do a good job and I really care about my guys. It will give an opportunity to do some more work on the book, and on a holiday no less.
I have spoken with a few people at Cactus Con about promotion of Fuzzyface the graphic novel, as well as possibly being in a panel or two. A friend of mine from art school suggested doing a large cardboard cutout stand up of Fuzzyface to help draw attention to our booth at Cactus. We're gonna be in Small Press again this year, and we plan on having a lot of different things for people to buy this time around.
With five pinups, that includes mine, in and 33 full pages done, along with the cover, I am making great time on this project. The past few pages have just seemed to blur by, but they are all looking great visually. The storytelling is flowing and progress is serious in this man's mind. I'm motivated to get this whole project in the can, but I am having a fantastic time while this journey moves towards its destination.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Fuzzyface production notes pt. 10
Another day, another bunch of artwork to work on.
Finally I am up to page 30. I did a few panels of it last night while at Safehouse after touching up the finishes to page 29. But tonight I worked on a pinup I got an idea for as I laid down to go to sleep last night. This is the first pinup I have done for the Fuzzyface graphic novel so far. As I have so many other responsibilities for this project, I thought I should wait on doing some. But the bug could not be squashed and I had to crank out the meal worms in my head. It came out like I was envisioning and I feel it should be a piece people are going to like a whole lot. I am also planning on making it a print for sale at the convention too.
On the subject of pinups, I just talked to another old friend of mine who is an artist here in Tucson as well. I asked him about doing a piece for the graphic novel to which he only wanted to know what the book was about and where he could see some references. I directed him to the fan page on facebook, and he said he would get back to me. Others are emailing me and letting me know their pieces are in progress. Erik Arreaga, who is also known as Phour Nyne Guy is doing a piece for the book as well. I met Erik at Phoenix Cactus ComiCon back in January 2008. But in 2009, my booth was right next to his. During the three days of mayhem, he asked me about Agnew, and what his character was. He began sketching out a piece there at his drawing table between commissions for fans. He told me he would send it to me when he finished. And when he did, it looked truly amazing. Erik made Agnew so sinister and dark that it really related back to his original origin I created for him back in 1996. Erik told me I was free to use it anything I wanted as long as I gave him credit for the work. I said no problem and immediately slapped it on the back of issue 5 when it came out, along with his byline and words about Youth in Asia by various creators and reviewers. It looked great, and became the standard back cover for all the reprints of all Youth in Asia issues.
Others contributing pieces for the graphic novel are Mike Moran, who is known around town as ShinMilkman, Juan Heinrich, Test1ne, and hopefully with any amount of luck Simon Bisley and Jimmie Robinson. Venus of Necro is talking to Jimmie about possibly having a piece in the novel, and Simon Bisley expressed love in Agnew and interest in doing a pinup or some kind of artwork for a later volume. In fact a Simon Bisley quote will accompany Agnew into infamy with Fuzzyface. If you've looked around various places on this thing we call the internet than you might already know what I'm talking about.
GOtta get back to work. New ideas, complete with deadlines. Wow I actually feel like a grownup now.
Finally I am up to page 30. I did a few panels of it last night while at Safehouse after touching up the finishes to page 29. But tonight I worked on a pinup I got an idea for as I laid down to go to sleep last night. This is the first pinup I have done for the Fuzzyface graphic novel so far. As I have so many other responsibilities for this project, I thought I should wait on doing some. But the bug could not be squashed and I had to crank out the meal worms in my head. It came out like I was envisioning and I feel it should be a piece people are going to like a whole lot. I am also planning on making it a print for sale at the convention too.
On the subject of pinups, I just talked to another old friend of mine who is an artist here in Tucson as well. I asked him about doing a piece for the graphic novel to which he only wanted to know what the book was about and where he could see some references. I directed him to the fan page on facebook, and he said he would get back to me. Others are emailing me and letting me know their pieces are in progress. Erik Arreaga, who is also known as Phour Nyne Guy is doing a piece for the book as well. I met Erik at Phoenix Cactus ComiCon back in January 2008. But in 2009, my booth was right next to his. During the three days of mayhem, he asked me about Agnew, and what his character was. He began sketching out a piece there at his drawing table between commissions for fans. He told me he would send it to me when he finished. And when he did, it looked truly amazing. Erik made Agnew so sinister and dark that it really related back to his original origin I created for him back in 1996. Erik told me I was free to use it anything I wanted as long as I gave him credit for the work. I said no problem and immediately slapped it on the back of issue 5 when it came out, along with his byline and words about Youth in Asia by various creators and reviewers. It looked great, and became the standard back cover for all the reprints of all Youth in Asia issues.
Others contributing pieces for the graphic novel are Mike Moran, who is known around town as ShinMilkman, Juan Heinrich, Test1ne, and hopefully with any amount of luck Simon Bisley and Jimmie Robinson. Venus of Necro is talking to Jimmie about possibly having a piece in the novel, and Simon Bisley expressed love in Agnew and interest in doing a pinup or some kind of artwork for a later volume. In fact a Simon Bisley quote will accompany Agnew into infamy with Fuzzyface. If you've looked around various places on this thing we call the internet than you might already know what I'm talking about.
GOtta get back to work. New ideas, complete with deadlines. Wow I actually feel like a grownup now.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Ideas are common place, but this is a good one
Today I came up with a good idea to add to the graphic novel, Fuzzyface. I decided, that doing a running commentary/conversation with Venus of Necro in the back pages of the GN would make for an interesting DVD-like extra. I messaged her about it and asked if she were up to it. She said it sounded like a good idea and that she would be willing to participate.
Basically I was thinking that how we would do this is by having the conversation or commentary via IM. I am unsure otherwise how to do this, except maybe to do it as a podcast and then just transcribe the whole thing. If we do it via IM, then she has to have a copy of the rough layouts in front of her at the time. My guess is we could also try this at a place with wifi. It's kinda cheating but then we can both be looking at the same things. This will eventually be reformated and edited to fit with the layout pages in the back of the GN. Plus, I was thinking that in addition to this, there would be pinups for the GN done by myself and other local and nonlocal artists. I have lined up a few friends, as well as Erik Arreaga. 49 Guy from the kommisson.com. He's an amazing artist, and during Cactus Con this past year, he asked me about Agnew and what he was. He also drew the piece that is on the backs of most of the current printings of Youth in Asia single issues. I tagged him for it and he says he would be up for it. So, here we go!
Basically I was thinking that how we would do this is by having the conversation or commentary via IM. I am unsure otherwise how to do this, except maybe to do it as a podcast and then just transcribe the whole thing. If we do it via IM, then she has to have a copy of the rough layouts in front of her at the time. My guess is we could also try this at a place with wifi. It's kinda cheating but then we can both be looking at the same things. This will eventually be reformated and edited to fit with the layout pages in the back of the GN. Plus, I was thinking that in addition to this, there would be pinups for the GN done by myself and other local and nonlocal artists. I have lined up a few friends, as well as Erik Arreaga. 49 Guy from the kommisson.com. He's an amazing artist, and during Cactus Con this past year, he asked me about Agnew and what he was. He also drew the piece that is on the backs of most of the current printings of Youth in Asia single issues. I tagged him for it and he says he would be up for it. So, here we go!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Fuzzyface production notes pt. 7
So last Friday I finished (finally) the layouts for Fuzzyface. The book is set to be 53 pages long. I know fucking crazy not only is it an odd number, but it's also a prime number. And don't ask me how I remember that either. But it's going to be 53 pages, all in one graphic novel. And Saturday night I got back to work on the interior artwork for the book. I finished page 18 and then last night I got most of 19 done too. So I am technically 1/3 finished with the interiors. And this book is looking sweet. We're into the meat of the story. Nobody has died, yet. But we are coming close. And it's gonna get messy.
I am having a ball drawing this, and I am super glad I went back and finished the layouts, cause I make a lot more progress, and waste a lot less time when I am doing the finished artwork if I have already done some draftsmanship on the pages where editing and visuals are concerned. I know the readers are going to be very happy with this project. Both visually and story wise. Cause Venus did a fabulous job crafting this tale.
I plan for the book to be in print by the first quarter of 2010. I am looking for some of my artist friends to do some pinups for the book. I would also like to get a write up about it, which would mean I would have to do a prerelease for press and other pros, so I can use their quotes for promos.
Simon Bisley offered to do a pinup of Agnew for me. Maybe I can talk him into doing one so I can use it with the book. I'll get on that today.
So, progress and art are back on track. The book is still looking fabulous and I am still rolling along at a good pace. Fuzzyface means business.
I am having a ball drawing this, and I am super glad I went back and finished the layouts, cause I make a lot more progress, and waste a lot less time when I am doing the finished artwork if I have already done some draftsmanship on the pages where editing and visuals are concerned. I know the readers are going to be very happy with this project. Both visually and story wise. Cause Venus did a fabulous job crafting this tale.
I plan for the book to be in print by the first quarter of 2010. I am looking for some of my artist friends to do some pinups for the book. I would also like to get a write up about it, which would mean I would have to do a prerelease for press and other pros, so I can use their quotes for promos.
Simon Bisley offered to do a pinup of Agnew for me. Maybe I can talk him into doing one so I can use it with the book. I'll get on that today.
So, progress and art are back on track. The book is still looking fabulous and I am still rolling along at a good pace. Fuzzyface means business.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Fuzzyface. a masterpiece of horromedy
So I have foregone working on the interior artwork for Fuzzyface; The Agnew Chainsaw Massacre for a bit. The reason being is that I had yet to plot the second half of the graphic novel. Venus of Necro wrote an amazing tale filled with a lot of laughs and a lot of stuffing flying, so in order to get this done properly I had to stop for a few days and finish the plots. Which for me is essentially doing rough layouts. I consider it plotting in my book, and it's my blog so I'll call it whatever the hell I want.
With the use so far, I had not had any splash pages in the story. But for the last few sit downs, I have figured a few good places for them. The one I did last night looks really good. It's been so hard to make stuffed animal-like characters alive and believable. I am so used to drawing people. However I have been encouraged with the work. And I am having a lot of fun working on this project. I can't wait until it is finished just so I can see it completed and see how much people enjoy it. My friend, Mike even said from the teaser piece of artwork I showed him at Tucson Comic-Con looked like this was going to be the best work I had done yet. It's just such a different story that I feel really free when working on it. I just blaze through pages when I work on them and it feels really organic how I interpret Venus' story.
I have not shown anyone other than Venus the artwork. Not even the page layouts. Cause I want this to be as big of a surprise for people , who are used to my style on Youth in Asia. I look forward to getting the layouts done so I can get back to working on the penciled pages. Look for Fuzzyface in the first quarter of next year. I will be submitting it to all the comic book shops and venues that are currently selling Anti-Hero Brand comics.
With the use so far, I had not had any splash pages in the story. But for the last few sit downs, I have figured a few good places for them. The one I did last night looks really good. It's been so hard to make stuffed animal-like characters alive and believable. I am so used to drawing people. However I have been encouraged with the work. And I am having a lot of fun working on this project. I can't wait until it is finished just so I can see it completed and see how much people enjoy it. My friend, Mike even said from the teaser piece of artwork I showed him at Tucson Comic-Con looked like this was going to be the best work I had done yet. It's just such a different story that I feel really free when working on it. I just blaze through pages when I work on them and it feels really organic how I interpret Venus' story.
I have not shown anyone other than Venus the artwork. Not even the page layouts. Cause I want this to be as big of a surprise for people , who are used to my style on Youth in Asia. I look forward to getting the layouts done so I can get back to working on the penciled pages. Look for Fuzzyface in the first quarter of next year. I will be submitting it to all the comic book shops and venues that are currently selling Anti-Hero Brand comics.
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