Monday, June 11, 2007

Thunder from under the floorboards


So its one of those grin and bear it moments. Its hard to be an artist in this day and age, not hard to pick up a pencil and draw, or to lay some ink on the page, but to really create something new and fresh. That’s what I hope I’m doing with this web comic. Most people don’t understand it’s a two-person job. Its not just having a bad ass writer, as is the case with a lot of the web comics these days, the sub par art and there poop jokes really don’t appeal to me on a level that I give a shit about. I prefer the hard lines of some random artist who does it for the love of the craft. I’m with those guys and girls, ladies don’t think I am leaving you out I know there are a shit ton of talented lady artists who never get any credit, don’t worry I will do my best to bring my S game to the comic, as well as toss in a shit ton of art links for your sites because I think the underappreciated artists need some credit and I want to do my part.

Ok off the soap box, I’m working on the first month or so of the story arc, were having some issues with hammering out exactly how we want the opening to go, and that’s really what has been holding me back, I have seven pages worth of panels drawn, I am holding off inking them because I would like to do it in the computer so I can play with line depth, and I need a new scanner cable and I would like to get a tablet bought before the next week or so runs out. I’m using a really simple style but I think the lines are really important, and I’m also applying a lot of detail with the misty back grounds and the color choices because I want the smoke and the whole vibe of the comic to feel like it is both real and related story, as it reflects in a lot of ways the things that happen in mine and C’s life.

I’ll leave you with the last peace I was able to scan before my cable got shot, and sometime in the next week I will throw up a bunch of conceptual art so you can see the development of the characters and maybe Ill do a little contest if I am feeling spry and willing to put some time in on extra art, but I will more than likely be hit with a rolled up Hellboy comic and told to go back to drawing, and yall have seen the movies, you know what happens when he gets that rune thing around my hand, I kind of have to do what I’m told.

Later days

~Anton

If You Should Get Lost Along the Way...


The word tackling has a new-founded relevance when talking about my perspective on writing for a web comic. Simply put, its one of the most difficult mediums I have attempted writing. It has more in common with dramatic writing (for the screen and stage) than with what I am comfortable with: short stories and poetry. Granted, they can relate.

Its like being locked in a room with a group of people after you've all said stupid things, and having to deal with the tension and confrontation.

My tension being with dialog, my nemesis. Something I have to learn to coexist with.

One of the reasons I am doing this is to expand as a writer, and to be able to practice collaborating with friends on something creative. Actually, going beyond the talking process and being constructive. My biggest fear is that I'll write myself into a corner and have this web comic be too much like other web comics. I've tried to prevent this by keeping my exposure to them, at a minimal.

I want to avoid strictly parody because at this point, it feels overdone. It's as tiring as the 1-2-Punch formula, or "flavor of the week" pop-culture references. I want it to seem like a graphic novel that happens to be on the internet. Something that grows on you as you read, that you're able to relate to, and empathize with.

Where every panel matters
in some shape or another.

I want to record our lives in the vein of our generation as I/we see it. Maybe encompassing that coming-of-age storytelling that reveals a kind of truth.

I'm hoping that I come somewhere close in my intentions, and that I'm able to help somebody through their day. Either by, expressing something personal that they can't--be it through words or art, or forcing them to crack a grin.

I will write for me and everyone who's willing to come along.

~ Corrick