MELTDOWN
Tuesday June 22nd 2010, 11:20 amWell, it’s been a bit since my last post. I started the art for the first issue of the new project, finished the first issue script, and we had begun writing Amy’s first issue of her storyline too. Then my computer went out to lunch and never came back. So I needed to get a new machine it turns out. Production slowed way down because I’ve been without a new machine for a couple weeks, it finally arrived and we were up and running again. Then we started to run into editorial issues and so production slowed again, but hopefully all of those have been resolved now. More details on this later. And along the way we’ve lost our editor to Disney. I’ll be sad to see him go, we’ve been working together for a couple of years now and I’m having trouble picturing moving forward on this character without him. I’m starting to feel like a rock band that keeps losing it’s original members. It’s just, Dave, Todd, and myself left now. But the new blood of Amy and Haden should prove to be invigorating. We don’t know who will be the new editor for sure just yet, but production will continue anyway.
It’s been a bit crazy dealing with DC and not having my work machine and trying to get things done. But now we should be returning to normal and I can get back to posting here more often.
A week or so ago saw the release of DC Universe Legacies #2, which I contributed art for a variant cover and an 8 page story written by Len Wein. Its about the original old school 7 Solders Of Victory. I tried doing something different with the layouts of the story. I’m not too sure if works or not, I think it does just okay in spots but is really effective in others. It’s very busy I think. The story had a lot crammed into it’s 8 pages for the action, I think it would’ve benefited from having more room on the page count. It felt like a 16 page sequence crammed into 8. There is a lot going on in it as seen, but even with everything that is there I had to cut a bit from what the plot was calling for to try and streamline the action more. But I feel it still has some problems. Other than those concerns it’s an interesting experiment on layout and style manipulation, worth trying. If any of you have read it I hope you like it.
Below is the variant cover that I did for American Vampire #4 due out this week I think, presented in stages. This cover is being release as 1 in 25 ratio, so good luck finding a copy. Next week should see the release of the Batwoman: Elegy Hardcover, so I’ll be posting something fun for that soon.
Here is the rough sketch for the cover idea, done for editorial approval…
Here is the black and white version, I wanted an image that was equally strong in this form as well as color because I was really going to rely on the style of the drawing and rendering to carry the color idea through.
This is the color version done by me. I wanted the color use to be unusual. I knew I wanted to use red, white, and blue to be viewed on the cover in that order, from top to bottom of the image. This is the order that we refer to America’s colors in conversation in this country, so it was key to get that across. But I was also dealing with a western image, so using that palette was difficult. But ultimately the strategic placement of those colors and using them in a such surrealist way in tandem with the more traditional western looking comics art really gives it that psychological punch. Bringing it more into a horror concept beyond just the gore of the scene…
Then here is the final version with the logo in place…
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Hey there TopJack
Thanks for the enthusiasm, I hope we won’t disappoint.
The editorial stuff really isn’t anything to worry about for the content. DC is committed to this character. It had to do with way the material was to be executed. Logistical sort of stuff and when the proper time to launch would be to best serve the series and keep the high quality. As for when that launch will be? I’ll let you know as soon as DC gives the okay to talk about our plans in greater detail.
Comment by jhw3 06.22.10 @ 7:06 pmJHW3 actually responds to comments? How cool is that? 
I have to admit, I’m not ”from around”, western comics don’t come easily in my hands (read: Europe, Croatia) and yet, for the first time ever, I’m closely watching development of my second best DC superhero right now (after Batman, of course) – Batwoman! Not only that, JHW3, you’re my new hero too! 
I hope, no…I know Batwoman will hit skyhigh and I seriously cannot for the next chapter…Nice work man, keep up the style, you really know the job!
P.S. I was curious…DC says ”come back next month for Batwoman/Question adventures…So, is it another Detective Comics run or what? And does that mean July 2010. with dunno, perhaps fall for Batwoman stand-alone series? 
Cheers!
Comment by ivan 06.23.10 @ 2:09 pmSorry to hear about your machine, that must have been very frustrating. I’m glad things are progressing more comfortably now.
I really like the American Vampire cover; the gritty quality definitely does call me back to what I associate with the old western series, and it looks very sharp with the way you approached the colors.
I missed DC Legacies, but I’ll look for the issue next time I get out to my LCS.
It’s always nice to see what you’ve been working on, thanks for the update!
Comment by Aria 06.23.10 @ 2:27 pmI think it’s amazing that an artist of your stature and ability can be so open and honest about your creative process and opinions on your own work.
I picked up Elegy in singles and HC and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next. Thank you for everything.
Comment by Christian 06.23.10 @ 3:39 pmHey there Ivan
Thanks for the kind words, and yeah, I do my best to reply to comments as much as possible.
Hello Aria
I’m glad you dig the American Vampire cover. I think this is one of my favorites.
Hey there Christian
Nice to know that some find my candidness appealing.
J
Sorry to hear about the computer meltdown. As a writer, I’m lucky in that I can just fire up my creaky old laptop that I’ve had so long the battery won’t hold a charge.
Hopefully everything settles out and stays that way.
And thanks for the looks at your process. Though I’m curious. How many thumbnails will you go through before you find a design you’re happy with? Or does that vary from say three to a hundred?
Comment by Matthew Maxwell 06.25.10 @ 6:57 amYou know, there’s nothing more frustrating than computer issues. And a computer you use for work – that’s even worse. That must have stunk.
Looking forward to any preview of “the new project”, as soon as you get the green light to share … We Want KATE!!
And you know, as often as it’s been stated, it’s alway nice to hear it again, that DC is dedicated and committed to this wonderful character as she is.
As for this cover of American Vamp – I love it. Absolutely the colors are amazing and I love when you show the progression of a cover.
Looking forward to the Batwoman HC release… will you be selling signed copies? Pretty please?
Any word on future Kate merch? Statue? Posters? T-Shirts? Mugs? Mouse pads… LOL … I think you get the idea!
Keep up the excellent work. Can’t wait to see more.
~ Pam
Shame about the computer meltdown .. so frustrating!
I am sure the return of the Batwoman storyline will be well worth the wait.
After years of not reading comics I saw the B-DC #857 cover and I was captivated.
Great work on the American Vampire cover as well
Hey there Matthew Maxwell
Thanks for the sentiments. As for thumbnails that I show editorial for covers, in most cases I do only the one. And if editorial has any concerns or notes I just apply that to the final.
Hey there Pam
Glad you dig the American Vampire cover, thank you. As for the Batwoman hardcover release I don’t have extra copies at the moment. And there has been some talk of doing a new statue. At least they’ve asked if I would design it, but nothing official is planned yet.
Hey there j3nz
Thank you for the kind words and that I can now be blamed for your return to a habit forming behaviour.
J3 – I LOVE the AmVamp cover. It’s kickin’!
Excellent review of Elegy here :
http://www.comicvine.com/news/early-review-batwoman-elegy-deluxe-edition/141504/
To sum up : Rating: 5 out of 5
Congrats!!!
Oh, and Rachel Maddow did the intro? How cool is that.
I cannot wait to get my copy!
Comment by Pam 06.29.10 @ 9:41 amA little late here, but: The Legacies back-up is pure funnybook awesome. I can’t stop looking at it, bought the variant (and I don’t buy variants)- great job, and Stewart knocked it out of the park too. Thanks!
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Comment by Myrna 03.22.11 @ 12:20 amLeave a Comment
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Thanks for the update. Anxiously awaiting Kate’s new adventures.
I hope the editorial issues weren’t due to content. Kate always seems on shaky corporate ground to me due to her sexuality. I hope DC isn’t getting cold feet regarding content or story possibilities.
Couldn’t be more excited. Any chance we’ll see this first issue this year? And perhaps a statue?
Comment by TopJack 06.22.10 @ 6:06 pm