I write things!

One hurdle down. I have officially finished the script for Book One!
Yes, It's polished and finished. I know that doesn't seem like a big deal, but the way I'm writing is FAR different than how most comics are written. There is far less first person dialogue, and more 3rd person narration. I also have fewer panels than most other comics.
Writing the script for the first book has taken up over 7 full pages, typed, in font size 10, That is actually A LOT of Dialogue for a 32 page comic. -The writing in the 'Cat woman' I bought earlier today probably would have filled about 3 or 4.
-not to say anything bad about Cat woman, mind you, just illustrating why I am relieved to have my first issue finished up and polished.
Of course, I am a realist, I know that over the coarse of however-long it takes me to draw this book, I will undoubtedly get altered and improved slightly; but I can say confidently, that I am satisfied with the script as it sits now.

In unrelated news, I finally managed to get my filthy hands on a copy of Nonplayer (2nd printing-Darn it) and it is BEAUTIFUL, and Very interesting. I'm crazy excited to read more.

Thanks again to it's creator, Nate Simpson, for the information regarding sizing for submiting to Image.

Pack it up, Start over!

As I've mentioned PLENTY of times already, I'm COMPLETELY new to the world of comics, and as such, I'm really learning everything as I go along. It's been a little bumpy, to be honest.
I've found it very hard to get really nessicary information, For example, finding any solid info in regards to what DPI I should be working, and what scale, to get myself published. It seems that diferent publishers >Might< have different requirements, but it's hard to actually tell, since most of what I've found was hearsay on forums and things.

It was getting pretty frustrating, so finally I decided to take a leap, and just wrote to Nate Simpson, of Nonplayer fame(BUY IT; It's beautiful!) He was Very Aces, and kind enough to write back. Turns out this entire time, I've been working a little too small. So, what does this mean? Well originally I figured it meant I'd just have to redo my line work and lettering, and with luck my colors would be just fine. Turns out instead that I've had to start the entire process over. It's a lot of work to be sure, but this little hiccup has actually proven to be quite a blessing. See, once I started redoing the drawings, I started making some small adjustments, these turned into marked improvements, which have finally evolved into complete redesigns of the ENTIRE pages. I was happy with the layouts before, but I honestly think the redesigns are far better than the old layouts.

Now if I can only get it all done and shipped before my self imposed deadline, THAT'S when I'm going to really be happy.

What's your favorite comic Flick?

I watched Road to Perdition, for the first time in a long while. -What a beautiful film, What an incredible story.
It deals with many of the same themes as my own tale (Revenge, redemption, Irish and Italian crime etc.)
It was a little intimidating, to watch to be honest, but at the same time, incredibly Encouraging; It really inspired me to work even harder to make my story better than it already is.

On a somewhat related note:
I've mentioned already that at the time I started this project, I hadn't bought a Comic in over a decade (that has changed) However, I own a lot of films based on a Graphic Novels/Comic books.

Some of the titles in my collection are: Hellboy 1-2, sin City, 300, Road to perdition, The Spirit, V for Vendetta, X men 1-2 (but never 3) Spiderman 1-2-3, and Iron man1 (but never 2) Of course, I've seen plenty of others, I just never took the time, nor spent the money to buy them.

There are dozens, possibly hundreds of movies based on Comic Books, spanning all sorts of Genre's, there's everything from The Dark Knight to Wrist cutters, Watchmen to Tank Girl.

So I'm curious: what's your Favorite Comic/Graphic novel Movie?

Hybrid Moments

Now that I've recovered from my surgery (Yes, I heal like Wolverine) I've been getting back into the swing of production, and a reality has begun to set in: Comics aren't easy.

I'm learning as I go here, and I keep finding complications at every turn in this project. Not that I mean to complain, I'm having a wonderful time, and completely enjoying this new endeavour. I'm just venting frustration with my own inadequacies here.
Despite crediting myself as an English major (note my impeccable spelling, and proper use of punctuation) I'm finding that writing in a format of both self narrated dialogue, and spoken conversation, in a graphic form, which REQUIRES me to meet certain page counts, and fit it all into a certain number of issues has been troublesome to plan. Especially with my 'never satisfied, ever changing' approach to writing.....It's a problem.

Beyond that, is the subject of artwork. I am a Character artist. It's what I went to school for, It's to what I've dedicated the last 9 years of my life, IT'S WHAT I DO. what I am terrible at, is Background. I HATE IT! I hate creating environments SO MUCH; but what I hate even more, is creating backgrounds, then redrawing them from different angles, ESPECIALLY with how rigidly realistic I'm keeping this comic.
Now, it took a while, but I finally dialed in a look with which I am REALLY happy, but it caused a problem. It's a broad, and large page layout, offering, on average, 2 panel-type-images (it's hard to explain without just showing them) and requiring a substantial amount of Background!
-Despite my satisfaction with the look of the layout, I may have to tighten things up in the coming pages.

Well, that's it for this rant. rest assured, I've been hard at work trying to get the submission packet ready for, well, submission, and I think I'm doing a good job, I'd just like to ramp up the pace a little bit, but then I would just have to stop being so critical of my own work, and just submit it already...oh, and also quit doing paying work.

Remember May 7th is Free Comic Book Day, so go get a free comic, and support your local Comic shop while you're there, Also, Remember to tell your friends about Black Rows, and be sure to have them credit you, if you want some -FREE ARTWORK-