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I finished inking this New Year's Day, and make some edits to the inks once the colors were complete. Lots of consistency errors, such as Lisa would be wearing some jewelry on page 2, but not page 3, etc.
It had been a while since I had drawn a comic, and I was definitely rusty, despite my warm up period. Inking especially, was a smudgy experience. Lots of correction fluid on the pages of Saved by the Bell #2!
But here's an inside look at the issue. You'll have to buy it to follow along, which I hope you did on March 4!
The cover is by Chynna Clugston. She draws the odd-numbered issues of the series, and the covers, as well as setting the character style guide. She is amazing, and I am honored to be such a close part of a project that she's on. I've been a fan of her solo series Blue Monday for a long time.
PAGE 1
Lisa's outfits here and the whole issue, are ripped from the pages of Seventeen magazine. I hadn't ever looked at Seventeen!
Shout-outs on the posters hanging to Marvel, my series Cavalcade of Boys, and an ad for French Club as I've studied French (poorly) for many years. Colorist got the flag wrong though.
PAGE 2
Shout-out to my OGN Strugglers, though obstructed by the letterer.
PAGE 4
Ha, Jessie's book is titled, Subject.
PAGE 5
Had to research random teachers that appeared on the show for this page.
Panel 2, first appearance of, let's call him Jeff, the gay indie boy that is a recurring background character in my art.
Panel 4, I forget what this was supposed to be a shout-out to.
Panel 5, Jeff panel-bombing again.
PAGE 6
At first, there was no style set for the MAX. By the end of the issue, it was decided to go with the TV show set, as if anyone would hang out there present day. But it was too late to change for this issue.
PAGE 7
Possibly the only full page I really like of this issue.
PAGE 8
Panel 1 is nice. My Co-worker Rosheen, a huge SBTB fan, is there, as is my friend Adam, who lent me some pens for inking this. I couldn't find them locally, couldn't wait for an online order, yet I had a deadline. Thanks, Adam!
PAGE 9
Jeff panel-bombs panel 2.
PAGE 10—awful!
PAGE 11
Fashion channel's offices utilize Saarinen Tulip Chairs, designed in 1953.
Panel 4, poster for the Jane Austen Society.
PAGE 12
Panel 3, Jeff's reading in the background.
Ok, looking back to my ambitions for 2014, I was rather too ambitious for who I am today.
I've kept up with my Saved by the Bell assignment, which has been fantastic. I have a great editor, the script is fun to draw, and it's an important step for my comics, professionally speaking. Great, yes? Yes.
Each 12 page shortie takes me about a month to complete (pencil, edit, ink, edit) before and after working at MIT. The assignment is the series' even-numbered issues—more or less—one month on, one month off.
I'd thought I could keep pace on my off-months with my own pet projects (Arche-Lady compilation; Arche-Lady SPECIAL #s 13, 14; Cavalcade mini, Baby Makes Three). Nope.
Sadly, the assignment comes to me about 5 years too late, both in terms of the peak of my production capabilities, drive, and draftsmanship. While I think my art is still solid, and I've not faltered on the deadline, I'm simply not able to keep burning the candle at both ends.
In short, I love the assignment, and I love my down time.
In the coming weeks, I'll offer up some details about how I've spent 2014, but in the meantime, here's a quick update on all my boastful New Year's plans:
- Saved by the Bell —issues 2, 4, 6 e-published and TPB due soon. Issue 8 inks submitted. PASS
- Sign up for New York Comic Con—applied but rejected. FAIL
- Cavalcade of Boys "Quickies" mini—3 of 8 pages drawn; won't have in time for Boston Comic Con. FAIL
- Baby Makes Three—no progress. FAIL
- Arche-Lady compilation—completed V1, V2 not yet started. FAIL
- ArcheLady SPECIAL #s 13, 14—no progress. FAIL
- Make new business cards—complete. PASS
- Make new convention banner—incomplete, not likely to have in time for Boston Comic Con. FAIL
Oh well. In the meantime, enjoy this sketch of Kelly Kapowski, which was one of 3 final character sketches that got me the SBTB job.
UPDATE: I just finished and uploaded my new banner. If it functions properly, I will have it in time for Boston Comic Con. Might just be a PASS after all!
The cover is by Chynna Clugston. She draws the odd-numbered issues of the series, and the covers, as well as setting the character style guide. She is amazing, and I am honored to be such a close part of a project that she's on. I've been a fan of her solo series Blue Monday for a long time.
