Enjoy the weirdness.
(This is an open call for other bits of visual weirdness. Email me your photos or drawings and I’ll post the week’s best as the “Surreal Image of the Week”.)
Mouse Guard: Fall, 1152 (Book Review)
If you ever land a book contract and need a good literary publicist, call MediaMasters. They’re the fine folks who, among other high-profile projects, orchestrated the wildly successful launch of First Second books.
I believe they’re largely responsible for helping Gene Yang’s American Born Chinese make it to the 2006 National Book Award Finals, as well as why there are more than a few First Second titles on the impressive list of 2007’s Eisner Award Nominees.
Granted, the books themselves had a lot to do with it. But never underestimate a publicist’s role in putting those deserving books into the hands of appreciative readers — and the people on award committees.
Anyway, I’ve done some work for and with MediaMasters. They know what I do and what I like, so sent me copy of David Peterson’s Mouse Guard: Fall, 1152.
[Read more…] about Mouse Guard: Fall, 1152 (Book Review)
Doodles and Scribbles (Book Review)
The matte finish and monochromatic covers of Taro Gomi’s DOODLES and SCRIBBLES create an odd presence on bookstore shelves — an eye-catching negative space among the shinny, toxic colors of the other coloring books. Even before you pick it up, it’s clear these are going to be different. And lots of fun.
[Read more…] about Doodles and Scribbles (Book Review)
Noble Failure #7 — Super Samurai Special!!!
This month’s 24-Hour comic came out better than I expected.
Due to a number of weekend commitments this month (e.g., the upcoming L.A.T.E Ride though downtown Chicago, and the San Diego Comic-Con), the latest attempt was started at 6AM on the 4th and, within a mere 20 hours, 24 pages of comics were scripted and penciled.
Alas, no cover.
During the time it took to ink seven of the pages came the realization that there was no way to finish this book and make it look any good. So yes, another “noble failure”, but I’m happy with it.
And right about now you’re wondering, “If it’s so damned great, where are the pages?”
I’m probably going to catch a lot of crap for this, being how it’s against the official rules, but I’m going to finish inking the pages. The story warrants it. Besides, the pencils are illegible as scans.
Patience, my friends, patience. The finished inks should be up by next Thursday. They’ll be worth your wait.
Noble Failure #6 (Another 24-Hour Comic)
Noble Failure #6 (June 2007)
Apologies for not posting last Thursday night/Friday morning; I was deep in the throes of this month’s 24-Hour Comic. And it wasn’t going well.
This one feels less like a “Noble Failure” than a Miserable one, though I did learn more about my process and what it might take to make a successful one next time. Things such as:
- Don’t make a day-start after 7AM or an evening-start before 9PM
- Do a couple of pages of art first, then move to a script session
- Don’t script for more than 90 minutes
- Do draw and ink the longest story first
- Don’t waste time calling ComEd about the power being out
- Do a good job of lettering sound effects
- Don’t rush the art; you’ll regret it
- Do schedule more than two weeks between 24-Hour Comics
As you’re bound to notice, the Mr. Punch story isn’t finished. The four pages presented aren’t even inked. Fret not: the world will eventually see how it ends. I’ll be using it to help me learn the secret kung-fu of vector graphic illustration.
“There’s a difference between knowing the clipping path, and walking the clipping path.”
*cough*
So, yeah. Stay tuned for that.
Enjoy the comic.
