Tuesday, October 18, 2011

'Oktopus #1, Page 6'

I never draw vehicles, so this garbage truck took me a lot of effort--and the end result was mixed at best. As challenging as drawing cars is for me, I didn't want to "cater" to my weaknesses when doing this comic. How else am I going to get better if I don't tackle my weaknesses/crutches head-on?

'Oktopus #1, Page 5'

Had fun with this page--the first page in the book that I felt like I wasn't a nervous wreck while drawing. I think the garbage truck was a bit easier to draw from this angle and looks better overall--although it's just a matter of opinion...

'Oktopus #1, Page 4'

Page 4 was very challenging for me--and I would still say the end result leaves a lot to be desired. The garbage truck(that's what the large mass behind Oktopus is supposed to be) was a pain to render. I did attempt to use reference, but I hardly ever draw vehicles, so it didn't come out all that well. Hopefully, I will improve in the future as I continue, and I'll be able to look back on this with humor/horror as the "crude drawing days". Hmm. Maybe. But maybe not. lol.:D

'Oktopus #1, Page 3'

This page was my attempt at "comedic" cartooning--something that I had not practiced seriously up until that point.  I grew up on the more dramatic cartooning (X-Men, Batman, Spawn), and so this was quite a new endeavor for me.  I didn't think I drew this page well, but found that many readers actually like this page, and that the comedy I was aiming for--came cross fairly well.:)  As I'm now actively practicing a more exaggerated, animated style for the future issues of Oktopus, I will more than likely return to this type of cartooning--hopefully a more "refined" type...

'Oktopus #1, Page 2'

Again, This page was my attempt at just "diving right in"--as Cerebus creator Dave Sim suggested.  It took me a few pages to relax.  I don't think I started to relax and accept my style of drawing until around page 5...

'Oktopus #1, Page 1'

The first page of my first official self-published comic book.  The art is quite awkward (in fact, the entire 1st issue is).  All I can say is that it was my first, honest attempt at completing a full story (22 pages of comics) since I was 16 yrs. old.  Funky art or not, I managed to reach the goal, with the help of my wife and friends Andy Iwamasa and Ollie Jenkins, and quite a few others that believed in me and my work.  Lord willing, I'll look back at these pages a decade from now, and casually laugh at its awkwardness.:)

Thursday, May 26, 2011

'Oktopus #1 (Cover)'

The cover illustration of my first Oktopus miniseries--this issue debuting roughly a year ago.  Problems with my chosen printer, as well as many other personal challenges, lead to this issue's delays--and that inevitably lead to the HUGE delay of the second and third(final) issues of this arc.  The second issue should be out by the end of June (with much better-looking art and lettering, I might add), and the third issue by August.

Even following Okto's story on this blog would be better than not following it at all, for these three issues will serve as a springboard into the ongoing series!  If you want hardcopies of Oktopus #1, #2, or #3, visit comixpress.com and type "oktopus" into the search engine.  Issue 1 is currently available, with Issue 2 and 3 set to be available by the end of the summer!

The link below is an article/interview featuring me conducted by Midland Daily News' Josh Grosteffon.  Here I talk a little bit about the development and premise of Oktopus, as well as my influences and the initial impetus that lead me to creating comic books.:)

http://www.ourmidland.com/story_prep/article_c27500bf-b704-51d9-9711-c09a39c9902a.html