Big thank you to Josiah McGarvie for his cool series of short doco subjects, touching on creatives. Here's one where I talk nonsense and scribble Kid Phantom covers. Cheers!
Showing posts with label process. Show all posts
Showing posts with label process. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
"You're Not Coming Back Again"...60 Sec Doco clip- Creatives on Creativity
Big thank you to Josiah McGarvie for his cool series of short doco subjects, touching on creatives. Here's one where I talk nonsense and scribble Kid Phantom covers. Cheers!
JULY: A week of Teaching, Panels & KID PHANTOM #2 at Liverpool Library Comic Con-versation 2017.
As well as USQ Bookcase/Writers' Festival in Toowoomba next month, I'll be flying down to Sydney to Liverpool library to conduct a series of workshops and panels, culminating with a Frew panel, and the Sydney launch of KID PHANTOM #2, alongside writer Andrew Constant and editor and co-director of Frew Publications, Glenn Ford.
The events I'll be participating in are as follows (and thank you to organiser Julie Diritch and Judith Ridge of Liverpool library for inviting me)
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL FOR ALL EVENTS (FREE):
Tuesday 11 July 2017 from 6:00 – 7:30pm
Suitable for 13+.
The Continental Divide: Visual Storytelling from Around the World
Learn about the differences between European (Bande Desinée), Asian (Manga) and US comics with Thomas Campi, Queenie Chan and Dr Paul Mason.
Biographies:
THOMAS CAMPI
Thomas Campi is an award-winning Italian graphic novelist, residing in Sydney, Australia. Thomas has been drawing comics for over 17 years, and his work has been published in Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil, and Korea. He is currently working in collaboration with Julian Voloj on Joe Shuster a graphic novel about the creators of Superman, which will be published in seven languages at the end of the year.
QUEENIE CHAN
Queenie Chan is an Australian manga-style comic book artist based in Sydney. Her published works include The Dreaming, the Odd Thomas graphic novels (illustrator, written by Dean Koontz), Small Shen (illustrator, written by Kylie Chan), and the Fabled Kingdom series.
PAUL MASON
Dr Paul Mason (DVA) is a comic book illustrator, writer, and lecturer in art direction, animation preproduction and visual story at the Griffith Film School, Griffith University. He is the illustrator of Kid Phantom—a new, national newsstand comic book series for Frew Publications, featuring an all-ages take on the classic comic strip character, The Phantom. Paul is also the creator of The Soldier Legacy—an Australian action-adventure comic book series.
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Wednesday 12 July 2017 from 2:00 – 3:30pm
Suitable for 8 – 12 year olds
COMPETITION: Comics Sketch-a-thon
Four teams of kids, headed by Aussie comic artist coaches Brenton E McKenna, Dr Paul Mason, Marcelo Baez and Matthew Lin, compete against each other in a series of comics drawing challenges.
Biographies:
MARCELO BAEZ
Marcelo Baez works as a professional freelance illustrator and comics artist in Australia and overseas. His clients include international companies such as Marvel, Time Inc, Event Cinemas, Frew Publishing, Hardie Grant Egmont, Microsoft, Scholastic, Stone Arch books, and many more. Marcelo is represented in the US by Shannon Associates New York.
www.instagram.com/marcelodraws
Marcelo Baez works as a professional freelance illustrator and comics artist in Australia and overseas. His clients include international companies such as Marvel, Time Inc, Event Cinemas, Frew Publishing, Hardie Grant Egmont, Microsoft, Scholastic, Stone Arch books, and many more. Marcelo is represented in the US by Shannon Associates New York.
www.instagram.com/marcelodraws
MATTHEW LIN
Matthew Lin is an accomplished illustrator and graphic designer who illustrates books, comics, and cartoons. Matt has illustrated and designed books/magazines/comics for Australian publishers Blake, Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillian and Scholastic, as well as for US publishers Trillium and McGraw-Hill.
PAUL MASON
Dr Paul Mason (DVA) is a comic book illustrator, writer, and lecturer in art direction, animation preproduction and visual story at the Griffith Film School, Griffith University. He is the illustrator of Kid Phantom—a new, national newsstand comic book series for Frew Publications, featuring an all-ages take on the classic comic strip character, The Phantom. Paul is also the creator of The Soldier Legacy—an Australian action-adventure comic book series.
BRENTON E McKENNA
Brenton E. McKenna is a young Yawuru artist and writer from Broome, WA, best known for his graphic novel trilogy – Ubby’s Underdogs – Heroes Beginnings and The Legend of the Phoenix Dragon, which were pubished by Magabala Books. He is nearing completion of the third book Return of the Dragon, which will be published in 2018.
http://mylibrary.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/BookingRetrieve.aspx?ID=73295&A=SearchResult&SearchID=2191822&ObjectID=73295&ObjectType=48
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Thursday 13 July 2017 from 10:30am – 12:00pm
Suitable for 13+
Suitable for 13+
Kapow! Biff! Boom! How to Create Action Scenes in Comic Books and Graphic Novels
Learn how to make action scenes come alive in sequential art with martial artists and graphic novelists Brenton E McKenna and Dr Paul Mason.
Biographies:
PAUL MASON
Dr Paul Mason (DVA) is a comic book illustrator, writer, and lecturer in art direction, animation preproduction and visual story at the Griffith Film School, Griffith University. He is the illustrator of Kid Phantom—a new, national newsstand comic book series for Frew Publications, featuring an all-ages take on the classic comic strip character, The Phantom. Paul is also the creator of The Soldier Legacy—an Australian action-adventure comic book series.
BRENTON E McKENNA
Brenton E. McKenna is a young Yawuru artist and writer from Broome, WA, best known for his graphic novel trilogy – Ubby’s Underdogs – Heroes Beginnings and The Legend of the Phoenix Dragon, which were pubished by Magabala Books. He is nearing completion of the third book Return of the Dragon, which will be published in 2018.
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Suitable for 7+
Book Launch: Kid Phantom
Meet the creators of Kid Phantom, a new comic book series for kids aged 7+: Andrew Constant, Dr Paul Mason and publisher Glenn Ford.
Highly acclaimed comic book writer, Andrew Constant, is now leading Kid Phantom in his travels in an all new all ages comic book. Andrew also has many other critically praised comic book titles through Gestalt Publishing, with other books soon to be released through well-known overseas publishers. Andrew currently has several film and TV projects in development.
Glenn Ford is a graphic designer, illustrator and comic book artist. Since 1990, Glenn has drawn multiple The Phantom covers, including the first digital comic cover in the world—Issue #1000. Glenn has also worked in television and film as a designer, animator, producer and director and worked on the 1996 Phantom movie. He is now the co-owner of Frew Publications that publishes The Phantom comics in the Australian market.
Dr Paul Mason (DVA) is a comic book illustrator, writer, and lecturer in art direction, animation preproduction and visual story at the Griffith Film School, Griffith University. He is the illustrator of Kid Phantom—a new, national newsstand comic book series for Frew Publications, featuring an all-ages take on the classic comic strip character, The Phantom. Paul is also the creator of The Soldier Legacy—an Australian action-adventure comic book series.
http://mylibrary.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/BookingRetrieve.aspx?ID=73203&A=SearchResult&SearchID=2191822&ObjectID=73203&ObjectType=48
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Friday 14 July 2017 from 6:00 – 7:30pm
Suitable for 7+
Aussie Phantom Panel
Meet the publisher and creators behind the new Kid Phantom and Phantom by Gaslight comic book series: Glenn Ford, Jason Paulos, Dr Paul Mason and Andrew Constant.
Biographies:
Highly acclaimed comic book writer, Andrew Constant, is now leading Kid Phantom in his travels in an all new all ages comic book. Andrew also has many other critically praised comic book titles through Gestalt Publishing, with other books soon to be released through well-known overseas publishers. Andrew currently has several film and TV projects in development.
Glenn Ford is a graphic designer, illustrator and comic book artist. Since 1990, Glenn has drawn multiple The Phantom covers, including the first digital comic cover in the world—Issue #1000. Glenn has also worked in television and film as a designer, animator, producer and director and worked on the 1996 Phantom movie. He is now the co-owner of Frew Publications that publishes The Phantom comics in the Australian market.
Dr Paul Mason (DVA) is a comic book illustrator, writer, and lecturer in art direction, animation preproduction and visual story at the Griffith Film School, Griffith University. He is the illustrator of Kid Phantom—a new, national newsstand comic book series for Frew Publications, featuring an all-ages take on the classic comic strip character, The Phantom. Paul is also the creator of The Soldier Legacy—an Australian action-adventure comic book series.
Jason Paulos has been writing, drawing and publishing comics since 1989 with professional credits including Green Lantern, Australian Mad, Judge Dredd Megazine and Heavy Metal. He’s the creator of Hairbutt the Hippo and The Harlequin, as well as his horror graphic novel anthology entitled EEEK!.
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Tuesday, June 20, 2017
More Kid Phantom stuff available online now!
More Kid Phantom-related stuff now available online via Frew Publications, including Poster, signed copies of Kid Phantom #1, and signed copies of the 52 page 'Work in Progress" Book for the comic book process junkies that want to see how the series came together.
That book is printed by long-time 'Soldier Legacy' printers JEFFRIES PRINTING SERVICES: You're nuts if you use anybody else.
Also available are Kid Phantom bookmarks as part of the 15 Phantom illustrators bookmark series, and the Phantom colouring book.
Sunday, June 11, 2017
KID PHANTOM #2 Wraparound Cover
Due for release in a couple of weeks, debut of ongoing series writer Andrew Constant. Process above, thumbnails, inks and final. Cover as shown in recent 'Giant Sized Phantom #1' on Newsstands now.
Saturday, April 15, 2017
KID PHANTOM #1 - Interview Podcast, and Comic panel sneak peek. IN NEWSAGENTS & COMIC STORES APRIL 27TH, 2017!
Above: The 1 hour KID PHANTOM Q&A podcast with my writer/collaborator Andrew Constant, and I, outlining a bit of our background, our love of the character, and outlining our intent with this upcoming, ongoing All-Ages series.
Below: Chronicle Chamber was also kind enough to get some recent details from the publisher surrounding the release date and some sneak preview images of what to expect from the first book.
Andrew and I had a great time chatting to Dan and Jermayn, and I hope some people's minds have been put at ease regarding where the Frew series intends to go. And if we can't win you over by issue 2 or 3, then we tried.
At any rate, under the pump, gotta keep motoring.
UPDATE: Brief mention of KID PHANTOM (and Cover) in the Latest "Inkspot" Magazine from the Australian Cartoonist Association.): http://www.chroniclechamber.com/single-post/2017/04/17/Inkspot-focuses-on-The-Phantom?utm_campaign=buffer&utm_content=buffer4b3e5&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Anatomy of a Cover: Kid Phantom #1
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| Final low res cover mock up, announced by Frew last week (via Facebook) |
From go to whoa- The wraparound cover for Kid Phantom #1, due out via Frew Publications in 2017. This was actually the last thumbnail cover idea, with the other half a dozen being a single front cover design. But then, seeing as though many of Frew's other Phantom comics tend to have the wraparound, I scribbled up this idea, based on event in the first issue.
The designs were inspired by memories of great covers and wraparound covers from John Romita Jr., such as his "Daredevil: Man without Fear" 90s mini-series/graphic novel with Frank Miller (tiny figures from story element, big background title character taking up the majority of space) and the Wraparound from memory that I also loved, from his 'Wolverine: Enemy of the State' part 1 (#25 of the Marvel Knights series? Can't remember the issue number, but the cover stands out, almost a callback to John Buscema's Wolverine #1 cover, standing on the pile of beaten bad guys) with Mark Millar as writer. Again, large element/title character from story, tiny figures that feature in story.
For con season, if time permits, I'd like to do a WIP sketchbook, for "scholars review". Maybe. Anyways. Gotta run, Cheers!
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| Thumbnail: about A5 |
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| scribbly pencil roughs |
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| Inked and pencils removed digitally in Photoshop |
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| Colour Flats, and colour holds on various lines: Mainly clouds and smoke. |
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| Some mild rendering |
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Process: Anatomy of a Cover/Pin Up: Retro Sci-Fi Tales #3, April 2016
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| After a post it note thumbnail, this was scribbled up. |
In a nutshell: Was approached by friend Darren Koziol, DarkOZ publisher of 'Decay' and 'Retro Sci-Fi' Magazine, to to a short story. I'm flat out finding time to sleep lately with all the other commitments, so a cover was proposed. From a list, I chose to draw 'Space Amazons', as I have a thing about drawing trees for some strange reason. *Shrug*- and thought it would be a cool challenge. The Alien landscape elements sounded like a fun opportunity. I scribbled something up, and tried to utilise the trees as a circular framing device for the figures in the composition, and place the figures in a staggered "fan" formation, countering the lines of action and heights for a bit of variety in their placement in relation to one another. I dig perpendicular lines in compositions- something I've seen Kirby pull off, or shown in Disney books on avoiding parallel placement of limbs in a pose, so this was attempted with the spear placement, for instance. Well, that was the thought process, anyways.
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| Raw scan. Inking is not my jam, but I take the Steve Ditko approach of using inks to "draw" the detail in, that the loose wrireframe scribble is missing. Keeps the job "fresh" in my head, rather than feeling I'm re-drawing something I already drew. Ultimised blacks in the foreground to re-enforce the framing of the figures, so that I didn't loose them in the image. |
I'm not a Cheesecake artist, and frankly, that stuff doesn't interest me; A good drawing is a good drawing. In this instance, the subject matter and reference material suggested figures a bit too cheesecake for my comfort zone, and figured the Amazon component, coupled with the "John Carter of Mars/Sci-Fi fantasy/Red Sonja/Robert E Howard" vibes, should speak to female forms of more athletic frames, than buxom bikini types. So in this case, UFC/Women's Boxing and Olympian forms were referenced, at a poor man's attempt at what a Frank Frazetta drawing would look like if he drew like me (a monkey with a pencil taped to his paw, in comparison). If I can learn from a pose, I will.
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| Cleaned up scan, with pencils eradicated. The handy part about drawing in Prismacolour animation pencils (actually, mine had died by this point; I think this image was using cheap, kids colouring in pencils that came free with a marvel pencil case :P), is that Clean ups after scanning the image is super quick in photo shop. |
So this was the scanned image, with a black and white adjustment layer/filter applied to "knock out" the colours from the pencil roughs. Saves a heap of time (relative, without a Cintiq that is…*sigh*) in the clean up process, rather than deal with smudged/scribbly graphite that photoshop can confuse with ink lines when darkening/adjusting levels, contrast etc.
Re: inking- a discipline in itself, and something I continue to try and learn/challenge myself, particularly when I have the tools, time and courage to move beyond the cheap, store-bought calligraphy markers and art line pens. The smoke, for some reason I love trying to draw different sorts of clouds; the cross hatching with the thick to thin lines, is another poor man's attempt- in this case, Joe Kubert. The attempt is to at least give each element its own treatment- a Klaus Janson tip- so that the mud doesn't look like bark of a tree, the moss looks different to the bushes, the mist (it looks kinda Arthur Adams-ish, but I wouldn't point it out to him, it would be an insult) looks different to the heavy smoke clouds etc. I figured at least I could use colour to reinforce the difference.
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| If I recall, the colour scheme shifted during the course of this; Colouring for me is the ultimate fight; make this image work, or at least get as close to the vision I have in my brain not always the case- but the main idea was to simply select a main colour, and work in terms of complimenting the main colour, without overdoing the values, and still supporting the focal points. |
So this was essentially the colours, sans ink lines. Flats to renders and final flourishes etc. Always starting with a base gradient/colour, I wanted to further reinforce the alien landscape, and support the light/framing of the inks to tell the "story". An illustration can still convey a story, which is why I always promote th importance of understanding composition, and visual storytelling language regardless of the chosen medium; knowledge and practice of these elements always lift an image over a mere "drawing".
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| I think the hardest part of the colouring was that damn Alien Parrot in the foreground... |
The Final image: A bit of a challenge to say the least, but at the moment, I don't hate it. That's a win, in my books. The problem with something like this is that the variety of colour elements run the potential of clashing if not handled subtly. Being able to utilise complementary colour-rim lighting, helped further separate the figures from the environment, without having them feel like their colour scheme clashes, or that they don't belong/feel part of the image. Some Colour holds and bits used to knock the edge off some of the parts in this pic, and given the number of these I got a chance to scribble a signature on, over the last weekend at Adelaide OZ Comic-Con (where the book was launched), I guess some people thought it was alright, so I'm content.
Thanks Darren for the opportunity to draw your characters, and for publication of the image. You can find DarkOZ publications on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DECAY-horror-comic-249103491793685/?fref=ts, or from their website www.darkoz.com.au.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Inspiration: Arnold Schwarzenegger. "Who do you want to be? What makes you happy?"
I grew up on a healthy diet of Mr Schwarzenegger's action films. When other primary school kids loved "Mighty Ducks" and "Richie Rich", I loved "Predator" and "Terminator 2". A self-made man with passion, drive, determination and character.
When I hit the point early in the year where I had the day job, plus the comic book work, plus the Doctorate degree work, plus training for the next World Championships beginning this August, convention appearances, around the country flights, interstate squad sessions, 3rd degree black belt grading, commissions etc.etc. I thought I would fold.
Then I got "Total Recall"- Arnold's recent autobiography. Even better than 'Fantastic', the earlier bio released a number of years ago.
His life lessons and words were like a mental switch, or the proverbial lightening bolt.
Up on my fridge covered in Muhammad Ali quotes, I also have Arnold's rules, quotes and life lessons. "The day has 24 hours".
"There are no shortcuts".
"The limit is in your mind".
"Don't be an amateur". etc.
Here's a recent tweet I made (via http://www.twitter.com/pmason83), and something I've always tried to have in my philosophy. Was really happy when Arnold mentioned it in his video:
'State of Origin' night in early June, arguably one of the biggest Rugby League game nights on Australian TV. A week night, and an empty gym. And I train, while most would be partying. When Arnold says "When you're out there partying, horsing around...Someone out there at the same time is working hard...", *I* want to be that someone. Try, improve, learn.
Drawing, training, fighting, whatever.
This video a close mate posted online recently (via https://www.facebook.com/OneLifeEducation), helps me when I feel like the weight of the world is going to break me. When I'm running on fumes, working a full day, driving home and drawing in the night, training either before work when the gym opens, or after work just before it closes, 5-6 hours sleep if I'm lucky, rinse and repeat, this reminds me of why I'm doing all this Bulls*** in the first place.
Next month, it will be my 6th Comic guest appearance this year, as a guest of the awesome OZ Comic-Con in Melbourne, then San Diego Comic-Con where my first US story will be published using the old school Marvel character/real life stuntman 'The Human Fly', talking on the panel, then shooting to London for the World ITF Taekwon-do Championships where I attempt to bring home Gold. I might be tired, I might be broke, I might only have the support of close family, close friends and kind loyal readers, but screw it. That's all I need.
Do I come off sounding like a wanker here? Maybe. But then all I can do is forget the haters and trolls, and trust myself, no matter what anyone else thinks.
Push harder, stay hungry.
So, Who do you want to be, Soldiers? Keep working hard, I believe in what you choose if it improves you, others or makes you happy.
And remember;
"You can't climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets."- Arnold Schwarzenegger.
See you at a convention some time ;)
Monday, February 11, 2013
'Lazarus Burne's Maleficus Seven' cover for 'Soldier Legacy's Strange Tales.
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| Lazarus "Larry" Burne and co., created by Chris Sequeira and Paul Mason. Art by Paul Mason. |
What you see above is basically the concept ideas we talked about, and I went away and played on the drawing board. A couple of character ideas and details were merged- I'm not sure if it was forgetfulness, lack of sleep or otherwise, but essentially what notes we made in a plotting session last year is what you get. We were going to launch the original 8 page strip in last year's Black House Comic anthology 'Parahuman'. It was fun to plot- basically, the first 3 pages existed for samples for myself, and concept pitch for Chris. That character was removed and ours entered, and the remaining 5 pages was tossed around, and action panels made "Kirby-style"- however I wanted a demon to be "dealt with", I did :P. However, the Parahuman book was cancelled. At the time, I recall being pressed for time with Soldier #4, The Soldier graphic novel, the 6 page back up story in 'Dark Detective: Sherlock Holmes', and pencil layouts for the artist, that were all due at the same month. I was upset we lost a cool title that Parahuman was going to be, and the page rate and 50 copies of the issue was for all intents and purposes, the best thing going in any independent publisher I've seen on our comic scene in recent years. So it did boggle the mind that creators didn't jump on board. I'm getting off topic.
Anyways, the pages for our story were penciled and feature in my 2012 folio issue for last year's LA trip (colouring was shelved 2 pages in, but pencils were the aim of the game anyway), and got great response from industry folk. We decided we should finish the strip based on that positive response. When issue 5 of the Soldier was complete late last year, I restarting colouring, and finished it last month, where Mr Sequeira worked his scripting magic for me to letter, and here we are, ready to insert into our appropriately titled "Strange Tales" one-shot. We'll see what you readers think, yeah?
Anyway, think 'The Dirty Harry of Exorcists' (hence the homage to the original 'Dirty Harry' film poster and Clint Eastwood-ism in the main character). The names of the rest of the 'Seven', include (from left to right, front to back) 'Johnny Incubo', 'Ju Ju Heart', (then in white) 'Sister Strigoi', Sinquisitor, Grotesque, (and at the back) Deadriver.
Oh right, the cover. A pinup for the book, and most likely a back cover for the issue.
Like all my colouring, it's "man, this isn't working, what the hell am I doing?", until it gets completed, and it does work. Kind of. *sigh.
If I saved a screen shot or jpeg of every colour variation for the foreground figure, and the background figures, there would be about 200 images in this post, particularly when flicking through colour blend types, or overlays to lighten/knock back/bring forward the characters. Craziness. The main things I aim for are a clear focal point, value control, temperature control, and making sure the characters seem like they're in the environment- I feel if you manage to maintain the character's colour scheme in an image, you've failed. I feel you need to include the colours and "lighting" of the environment on your characters, otherwise the image comes across as "gawdy", with elements fighting for attention. Anyway, my 2 cents; I could be wrong. I prefer pencilling- I colour out of necessity.
The top of the post in the final image, and the process is below (roughs, clean up, flats, black and white value checking (an early one- still has "muddy" grey bits undefined), the almost finished colours: the pre-colour line holds and extra fiddly "on-top-of-the-lines" colours and highlights that the completed image has (in my poor man's attempt to get a "Dean White" feel to it). Unfortunately I lack the skill, patience, and bravery to be able to pull off the work he does in this colouring, and my little bamboo tablet is no match for the hand/eye control a Cintiq would allow to even properly pull off those fine white line details that lift his coloured characters off the page. One day perhaps, when I don't have multiple day jobs and actually make enough money to be comfortable enough to invest in toys....*to dream. Anyways, I make do with what I have, and a lack of equipment, or inspiration or any other thing you can think of, is no excuse when it comes to producing something. That's the beauty of the comic medium- worlds can be created with a pencil and paper.
All characters featured here in this post are copyright © 2013 Christopher Sequeira and Paul Mason. Illustrations copyright © 2013 Paul Mason.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
The Soldier Legacy's Strange Tales #1 cover progress. a.k.a: Confessions of an Obsessive, Compulsive and Paranoid Comic Illustrator
Basically, this is it. The final cover for next month's new release at OZ Comic-Con Perth, Adelaide and beyond: 'The Soldier Legacy's Strange Tales'. Back cover will feature characters from the back up feature: Lazarus Burne's Maleficent Seven'.
As mentioned previous, this book reprints the first two parts of the Dr Nikola /Soldier Legacy story from 'Dark Detective: Sherlock Holmes' (with touch ups), and will newly publish the conclusion of this story being penciled and coloured now, and due to be released in 'Dark Detective: Sherlock Holmes #9' out soon. This 3 part story and the 'Larry Burne' tale were plotted by my writer buddy Chris Sequeira (DD: Sherlock Holmes, X-Men vs Vampires, upcoming 'The Avenger' story for Moonstone etc.) and I, and then scripted by Chris once I flooded his inbox with the pages. I'm currently lettering LB on the other screen, and waiting on Chris to give me the proverbial slap upside the head with the corrections and tweaks before I can finally leave that story alone.
The guys on the Whatcha podcast recently touched on the Dark Detective: Sherlock Holmes series, mentioning the Dr Nikola back up feature kindly, and I'm stoked to finally be able to complete it and assemble it into this one-shot book. And, to see LB finally completed as intended a while back, I'm pleased to include this in the Black House Comics Soldier Legacy family.
(about 1hr 08 mins in)
Anyways, enough of the official nonsense. Let's crack open my head a little and spill some OCD-related imagery and madness, with a spattering of indecisiveness ;P
Progress on the covers: it was basically a question of trying to make the colours of the back ground vs images vs the logo work within the concept of "weird"/"strange", while at the same time not confusing the eye with a muddled mess- I wanted the primary image to stand out as well at the title header.
The main thing here was as as much as I dug the Red/orange and yellow versions, they looked too "warm" in respect to the whole "strange" vibe I wanted. And though I really liked the original green colour for the 'Strange Tales' title, it was too close to the value of the background (as well as green on green). Loooking back at some of the 'Strange Tales' covers from the early 60's I really liked the yellow and red combination on the headers (white would have been good, had it not been for the white "page tear" in the bg.) Thankfully, red and green compliment each other, so once that combination was hit, the colour balance of the page seemed to fall into place, and I could start to finalise the other elemnts with the paranoia that all the different bits clashed with each other/didn't suit the overall "theme".
It was just a question of getting another round of feedback from the publisher Baden Kiragn, and writer collaborator on these tales, Chris Sequeira, before making my final decision. Will probably re-align one or two things but essentially, the top image of the post is the final version. Phew! Perdantic, much?
Below are examples of the original 'Captain America's Weird Tales' (the original kernel that started this concept,) from 1949/1950, and the 1960's 'Strange Tales' title.
Thanks, folks! More to come soon.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Sneak peek: The one-shot title
If you're a regular reader of my Soldier Legacy related blog, I sincerely apologise ;P
If you're still here, you may have read recent posts related to the Chris Sequeira/Paul Mason collaboration one-shot issue, which will feature the full 'Dr. Nikola vs The Victorian era Soldier Legacy' story featuring in the back of that last 2 and upcoming Dark Detective: Sherlock Holmes comic books from Black House. The one-shot will also feature the debut teaser story of 'Lazarus "Larry" Burne' and his Maleficent Seven (think "Dirty Harry" of Exorcists and you're halfway there ;P). These stories are both slightly "left of field" for me and the continuity being laid out in the regular 'Soldier Legacy' series, but they were fun to do, and I wondered if there was future potential to be able to play with the character/characters outside of the stories set in WW2. Here's a look at the title:
From the thesis point of view, it was fun to experiment in the true "Marvel Method" collaboration. We drilled these plots out over a number of sessions before we had something fun, I would sweat over the image chores, and in the process of finishing up the last chapter for Mr Sequeira to script in the dialogue to my pics. I can read about it in books, or I can have a crack myself with a writer. It was very cool. This was also a nod to Lee and Kirby's Strange tales, with the "first" appearance of Captain America in the "modern" 1960's Marvel (ok, so the Human Torch battles a robot; but it was the litmus test for the Official appearance in 'Avengers #4 - Comic nerd Paul), and the 1949 'Captain America's Weird Tales. I did originally plan on perhaps "Weird Tales", or 'Strange Stories", but 'Strange Tales' had a nice ring to it, (and cheers for the input, John Retallick ;D)
Anyways, I'm fading fast from a full day's work and no meal, so I hope you'll dig what we're throwing at interested readers in March.
And, as always, if you're here reading this, and you give a damn, I thank you.
We soldier on.
If you're still here, you may have read recent posts related to the Chris Sequeira/Paul Mason collaboration one-shot issue, which will feature the full 'Dr. Nikola vs The Victorian era Soldier Legacy' story featuring in the back of that last 2 and upcoming Dark Detective: Sherlock Holmes comic books from Black House. The one-shot will also feature the debut teaser story of 'Lazarus "Larry" Burne' and his Maleficent Seven (think "Dirty Harry" of Exorcists and you're halfway there ;P). These stories are both slightly "left of field" for me and the continuity being laid out in the regular 'Soldier Legacy' series, but they were fun to do, and I wondered if there was future potential to be able to play with the character/characters outside of the stories set in WW2. Here's a look at the title:
From the thesis point of view, it was fun to experiment in the true "Marvel Method" collaboration. We drilled these plots out over a number of sessions before we had something fun, I would sweat over the image chores, and in the process of finishing up the last chapter for Mr Sequeira to script in the dialogue to my pics. I can read about it in books, or I can have a crack myself with a writer. It was very cool. This was also a nod to Lee and Kirby's Strange tales, with the "first" appearance of Captain America in the "modern" 1960's Marvel (ok, so the Human Torch battles a robot; but it was the litmus test for the Official appearance in 'Avengers #4 - Comic nerd Paul), and the 1949 'Captain America's Weird Tales. I did originally plan on perhaps "Weird Tales", or 'Strange Stories", but 'Strange Tales' had a nice ring to it, (and cheers for the input, John Retallick ;D)
Anyways, I'm fading fast from a full day's work and no meal, so I hope you'll dig what we're throwing at interested readers in March.
And, as always, if you're here reading this, and you give a damn, I thank you.
We soldier on.
Monday, December 17, 2012
From the Trenches: My self-centred 2012 in review
Excuse me while I indulge myself in my own 2012 work recap. I don't want to bore you, so here's a cool song from one of my favourite bands- to me it kind of sums up my year. Always running out of time, always feeling behind, and feeling like I'm so deep in the trench with bullets flying overhead, that I'm not gaining any ground, and perhaps missing life go by. So I guess that's why I'm doing this recap. There are countless people to thank for the help, love and support this year- I'm not going to list you, that will take some time (Really, you could just read the fine print on the inside of the comic covers) Rather, know this: If you're reading this at all, then a thank you is for you.
The day job puts the stress and squeeze in over the holidays, and there are a few illustrating jobs (and that damn thesis :S) demanding attention. I really hope to knock these aside soon, as last night I finished plotting the pages for Soldier Legacy #6, and I'm eager to get cracking on a few pages before 2013 begins...
In a nutshell, I guess this has been the year.
Though the wheels have been wobbly post-Brisbane convention/marathon hours on Soldier #5 (I think my body finally demanded regular-ish sleeping time back) I'm pressing on, and hoping some of these good possibilities I'm waiting news on become a reality. If they don't, oh well. No knock outs here, only knock downs. You can get back up from those.
In the recap department, I've mostly got this covered previosuly anyway. Matt Emery's Pikitia Press interviews with Australian and NZ cartoonist and comic creators covered much ground: http://pikitiapress.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/2012-in-review-paul-mason.html
and much of the news highlights this year are covered in the headlines of 'The Soldier Legacy.com' website http://thesoldierlegacy.com/?page_id=15
My recent editorial in the pages of November's 'Soldier Legacy #5' has Soldier-related 2012 covered, which I'll share a slab of the hyperbole here:
"Platoon!
Next year is looking busy, as I mentioned in the Pikitia Press blog post.
Making the team for my 4th world championship next year was a surprise, and we'll see if and how that will play havok with the schedule next year. Already I'm luckily tapped for Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne OZ Comic-Con guest duties (Thank you OCC), Comic book workshop teaching in January for the State Library of Queensland, another local TV appearance on 'The Late Nite Show' in Jan as well (thanks Mr Black :D) and a Free Comic Book day stint with mate Paul Abstruse, thanks to the top guys at 'Gifts for the Geek' in Victoria. There are talks about another US trip- San Diego again? But we'll see. Last year, and this year were fantastic, but the work continues in breaking that invisible barrier, and staying on radar. Times have changed, and the economic climate has made for different circumstances in how things operate. The main thing is soldiering on.
It's a busy time, and I always assume that posts like this are a bit wanky and superficial. But, it's honestly what's happening, and I'd be doing a disservice to myself and to the genuinely interested without letting them know "Hey, I'm coming to your state with Soldier stuff! Get your army boots- Let's roll!".
So in saying this, I must thank from the bottom of my muddied boots to the tip of my slouch hat, all the readers, supporters, and people who take the time to read any posts, news, pics etc. online and "like" them or share them- you're the lifeblood of keeping this show on the road, the reason why people pay attention, and you're also the hardest people to convince to stick around and support. So I'm glad you do ;D Thank you.
(I hope you've had a chance to see yourselves in a convention pic- try here: http://thesoldierlegacy.com/?page_id=231 or via the facebook page albums: https://www.facebook.com/soldierlegacy/photos_albums. Or, check out the crazy long blog archive: there's an indication of 2012- double the posting than last year. Busy!)
To my family who I've barely seen this year...and my friends....actually, let's just say the outside world in general. I can count my social outings on 1 hand ....I'm sorry, but thank you so much for your understanding. I hate having several day jobs and juggling drawing, writing AND trying to maintain a level of fitness to save myself from getting my head knocked off. My body has tested me on this on several occasions and I've had to modify how I fight a few times purely because sitting at a drawing boards/computer for hours at a time verses kicking, sprinting etc. just simply doesn't work. I think I'm slightly OCD some days, where I skip a session (or getting up in general) to finish off an image. Probably not good for the old mindset, but work is work, right? It's been a little tough, more so in just finding the time than anything else, and I'm not quite where my mind wishes I was. In every aspect.
But, I have nothing more but to stick to the plan. I might break before something else does, but I have to keep the machine moving now. I've never seen or met anyone who has cracked anything solid in less than 5-10 years. I've been doing soldier for since 2010. I still have some time to go. I hope I can drop a commitment or two in 2013 because something bigger and stable has arisen. That's a goal. Hopefully, more lecturing. I really enjoyed that, and must thank QCA, Andi, and my class for actually listening too ;)
To the long list of comic creators and professionals that have given me their ear or encouragement or advice this year, both here and abroad, thank you so much. Particularly one of my closest mates Chris Sequeira, who helped create some awesome moments and great opportunities. Without my publisher Baden Kirgan of Black House Comics, this would all have not have been possible. This is all an experiment, a gamble, a roll of the dice to a game I'm not even sure I should be playing. But, I try.
Also:
Daniel, Royd, Tim, Missy, Felicity, Bruce, Quinny, Dion, Mark, and all the crew from Supanova Pop Culture Expo,
Carissa, Rand, Cordiela, and the crew from Oz Comic-Con, The Late Nite Show with Scott Black, Briz 31 Digital, Kaboom Comics Toowoomba, Geek Speak, Girly Geek Speak, Kapow! Comic book review show, Whatcha Podcast, Gifts for the Geek Geelong, Comics Etc. Brisbane, All Star Comics Melbourne, Pikitia Press, and everyone else who has gone out of their way to promote, sell, post, mention in passing etc. etc...it means so much to me. Thank you.
The brain is failing, I need to go have breakfast. Thanks for tolerating this exercise in self-service, have a fantastic Christmas and safe New Year. I hope you'll stay tuned in 2013, and dig what will be available soon.
As you were.
Probably one of my funeral songs if anyone's making notes ;)
In a nutshell, I guess this has been the year.
Though the wheels have been wobbly post-Brisbane convention/marathon hours on Soldier #5 (I think my body finally demanded regular-ish sleeping time back) I'm pressing on, and hoping some of these good possibilities I'm waiting news on become a reality. If they don't, oh well. No knock outs here, only knock downs. You can get back up from those.
In the recap department, I've mostly got this covered previosuly anyway. Matt Emery's Pikitia Press interviews with Australian and NZ cartoonist and comic creators covered much ground: http://pikitiapress.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/2012-in-review-paul-mason.html
and much of the news highlights this year are covered in the headlines of 'The Soldier Legacy.com' website http://thesoldierlegacy.com/?page_id=15
My recent editorial in the pages of November's 'Soldier Legacy #5' has Soldier-related 2012 covered, which I'll share a slab of the hyperbole here:
"Platoon!
At ease, patient
reader. Firstly, as always, I want to thank YOU, the fan and friend, for
picking up a copy of this, and perhaps previous ‘Soldier Legacy’ comics. Without you having a little faith in the
book, it would not go anywhere. True story
Secondly, I’d
just like to touch very briefly on some of the ‘Soldier Legacy’ news from the
past year, with many adventures had, thanks to this little book.
Firstly, April
saw the release of simultaneous Soldier works being available to the public
(the first part of the year was super busy to say the very least). Soldier
Legacy #4, The Soldier Legacy trade paperback edition Vol 1, and part 2 of the
1880’s Soldier Legacy/Dr Nikola back up feature in Dark Detective: Sherlock Holmes
#8 became available, as good friend and Black House Comic stable mate
Christopher Sequeira and I was official guests of the Melbourne and Gold Coast
Supanova conventions. This was my first time as a guest of any convention, and
quite an honour to be on the list, primarily on the back of an Australian work.
I shared the guest spots with some of my favourite artists and writers in the
field, notably Tom Taylor, Tristan Jones, Stewart McKenny, Colin Wilson, Billy
Tan, Brian Michael Bendis and Carlos Pacheco. It was a fantastic couple of
weeks, and I was over the moon to be part of it.
Later in the
year, Black House comics had a huge artist alley presence at Sydney Supanova,
and I had so much fun seeing old and new faces, getting pics in front of the
9ft Soldier cut-out, and drawing my hand off. It was great to share the tables with other
Aussie comic creators, such as Jason Paulos, Jason Franks, Jan Scherpenhuizen,
Bruce Mutard and Matt Emery. While I was there, I took the opportunity
presented a few weeks before, to arrange to speak with Al, Sonya and Ray (with
Ben calling the shots ;D) of the ‘Kapow’ Comic book review show. Thank you for
the opportunity to talk a little about the book. For this convention too, I had
just completed a 2012 comic book issue-sized Folio book, which I use primarily
has my way to gain valuable feedback and advice when travelling through events
like San Diego Comic-Con, but more on that shortly :D
Soon after, it
was off to the inaugural Melbourne OZ Comic- Con, where I got the chance to be
a guest again in the lovely city. Oz Comic-Con pulled out all the stops
regarding Australian creators as guests on the card; for example, our Sunday
panel was absolutely huge, as I humbly shared the stage with Nicola Scott,
David Yardin, Jon Sommariva, Douglas Holgate, Dean Rankine, Wayne Nichols,
W.Chew Chan, and Tristan Jones. You’ll have to excuse me for sounding a little
like a fan boy recounting this- it’s something I cherish having the invitation
to be there too. A great weekend, particularly capped off by Stan Lee’s
enthusiasm over the ‘Soldier Legacy’ concept and books: sure, he’s probably
heard “yours and Kirby’s work inspired this comic creation” etc. for many, many
years. But, he was a gentleman, and seemed very genuine in his conversation.
So, thanks again, OZ Comic-Con, I had a fantastic time- Again, my hand nearly
fell off from the sketching, but you meet so many cool people while doing it.
Totally worth it :D
I basically had
two days at home before jumping back on a plane, this time to LA/San Diego for
meetings, reviews and San Diego Comic-Con. Let me just say thank you again to
my good friend Christopher Sequeira for our adventures and opportunities across
LA, Burbank, San Diego etc. A nice little side note too, meeting Dave Elsey face
to face (Oscar-winning makeup artist and cover artist of ‘Dark Detective:
Sherlock Holmes’) was fantastic and enriching.
Getting back into
the comic book making was a high priority when I returned from the states, and
with only limited time, and my new casual lecturing position at the Queensland
College of Art adding to the full timetable, it has made for quite a lot of
juggling.
But, during this
time, I managed to complete this issue you’re reading right now, and as a
de-stress, I somewhat re-established myself in my old pastime of ITF
Taekwon-do, and after some tournament success, I’m possibly off to Seoul, Korea
next year, with a confirmed place on the Australian Taekwon-do team for the
Open World Taekwon-do championships. This will mark my fourth time in a world
championships, with Birmingham, UK in 2007 being my last venture. The best part
about it is catching up with old friends from interstate, who were part of
previous teams, and/or years of training together on the floor at various
Master/Grandmaster seminars. You know when you see an old friend you haven’t
seen in years, but it feels like yesterday? That.
I guess in a
sense, it’s trying to find that work /life balance that alludes me (as they
say, “this ain't the rehearsal”). It’s been a busy year, some notable payoffs,
but the goals never waiver. Onward!
Lastly, to end of
the great year, I’m a guest of Brisbane Supanova 2012, which is awesome- my
current hometown, with a crowd that first gave the Soldier comics a shot back
in 2010 when the first run of issue 1 was made available. I write this a week
out, so I’m hoping it will be a blast (I’m sure it will be ;D)..."
And of course, Brisbane was fantastic, with Dinner with Sarah, Royd, Tim and Howard (later joined by Felicity and her brother), Saturday night, Howard Chaykin tearing me a new one (with respect) while looking over my work, Sunday night Chinese, and the crazy panel with James Brouwer jumping out in my mind at present. Thank you Tristan, David and Shane too.
Thank you to Sarah for your help and support at OCC Melbourne and S'nova Brisbane cons too xo.
Thank you to Sarah for your help and support at OCC Melbourne and S'nova Brisbane cons too xo.
Making the team for my 4th world championship next year was a surprise, and we'll see if and how that will play havok with the schedule next year. Already I'm luckily tapped for Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne OZ Comic-Con guest duties (Thank you OCC), Comic book workshop teaching in January for the State Library of Queensland, another local TV appearance on 'The Late Nite Show' in Jan as well (thanks Mr Black :D) and a Free Comic Book day stint with mate Paul Abstruse, thanks to the top guys at 'Gifts for the Geek' in Victoria. There are talks about another US trip- San Diego again? But we'll see. Last year, and this year were fantastic, but the work continues in breaking that invisible barrier, and staying on radar. Times have changed, and the economic climate has made for different circumstances in how things operate. The main thing is soldiering on.
It's a busy time, and I always assume that posts like this are a bit wanky and superficial. But, it's honestly what's happening, and I'd be doing a disservice to myself and to the genuinely interested without letting them know "Hey, I'm coming to your state with Soldier stuff! Get your army boots- Let's roll!".
So in saying this, I must thank from the bottom of my muddied boots to the tip of my slouch hat, all the readers, supporters, and people who take the time to read any posts, news, pics etc. online and "like" them or share them- you're the lifeblood of keeping this show on the road, the reason why people pay attention, and you're also the hardest people to convince to stick around and support. So I'm glad you do ;D Thank you.
(I hope you've had a chance to see yourselves in a convention pic- try here: http://thesoldierlegacy.com/?page_id=231 or via the facebook page albums: https://www.facebook.com/soldierlegacy/photos_albums. Or, check out the crazy long blog archive: there's an indication of 2012- double the posting than last year. Busy!)
To my family who I've barely seen this year...and my friends....actually, let's just say the outside world in general. I can count my social outings on 1 hand ....I'm sorry, but thank you so much for your understanding. I hate having several day jobs and juggling drawing, writing AND trying to maintain a level of fitness to save myself from getting my head knocked off. My body has tested me on this on several occasions and I've had to modify how I fight a few times purely because sitting at a drawing boards/computer for hours at a time verses kicking, sprinting etc. just simply doesn't work. I think I'm slightly OCD some days, where I skip a session (or getting up in general) to finish off an image. Probably not good for the old mindset, but work is work, right? It's been a little tough, more so in just finding the time than anything else, and I'm not quite where my mind wishes I was. In every aspect.
But, I have nothing more but to stick to the plan. I might break before something else does, but I have to keep the machine moving now. I've never seen or met anyone who has cracked anything solid in less than 5-10 years. I've been doing soldier for since 2010. I still have some time to go. I hope I can drop a commitment or two in 2013 because something bigger and stable has arisen. That's a goal. Hopefully, more lecturing. I really enjoyed that, and must thank QCA, Andi, and my class for actually listening too ;)
To the long list of comic creators and professionals that have given me their ear or encouragement or advice this year, both here and abroad, thank you so much. Particularly one of my closest mates Chris Sequeira, who helped create some awesome moments and great opportunities. Without my publisher Baden Kirgan of Black House Comics, this would all have not have been possible. This is all an experiment, a gamble, a roll of the dice to a game I'm not even sure I should be playing. But, I try.
Also:
Daniel, Royd, Tim, Missy, Felicity, Bruce, Quinny, Dion, Mark, and all the crew from Supanova Pop Culture Expo,
Carissa, Rand, Cordiela, and the crew from Oz Comic-Con, The Late Nite Show with Scott Black, Briz 31 Digital, Kaboom Comics Toowoomba, Geek Speak, Girly Geek Speak, Kapow! Comic book review show, Whatcha Podcast, Gifts for the Geek Geelong, Comics Etc. Brisbane, All Star Comics Melbourne, Pikitia Press, and everyone else who has gone out of their way to promote, sell, post, mention in passing etc. etc...it means so much to me. Thank you.
The brain is failing, I need to go have breakfast. Thanks for tolerating this exercise in self-service, have a fantastic Christmas and safe New Year. I hope you'll stay tuned in 2013, and dig what will be available soon.
As you were.
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