I have nothing clever to say this morning.
Monday, September 30, 2013
HFSAC 19-9
Today's webcomic:
The Hot Fudge Sundae Adventure Club. Issue 19. Page 9. www.torcpress.com
I have nothing clever to say this morning.
I have nothing clever to say this morning.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
SDF 6-2
Our first Saturday Webcomic in awhile:
SDF. Issue 6. Page 2. www.torcpress.com
Obviously, this is a ridiculous premise. You couldn't have a single forest on the planet, because there is no way it could produce enough oxygen to support life on earth, especially with all of the Ortex factories belching out smoke all the time. There's nothing real about that (although as a writer, I easily solve the problem by saying something clever like, "Ortex has industrial plants whose sole purpose is to generate oxygen for the environment." (In fact, while we're on the subject, if you're looking for reality and you're reading a TORC Press comic, you've come to the wrong place. I mean on this page alone we've got a guy in a three piece suit and dress shoes executing a picture perfect jumpkick with his hands in his pockets (totally can't be done), and a guy in a magical fireproof suit who can stretch his arms out into octopus tentacles. So, no not a lot of reality going on here)).
What is real is this: If there was only one forest left on earth, and a big company wanted it destroyed for some stupid reason, there would be people that would "Just Follow Orders" and burn it down or bulldoze it or whatever. They wouldn't even hesitate. And that's what is sad and terrifying about humanity.
Of course, I also firmly believe that people like Octopus Jones would try to stop them. That's what's reassuring about humanity.
Obviously, this is a ridiculous premise. You couldn't have a single forest on the planet, because there is no way it could produce enough oxygen to support life on earth, especially with all of the Ortex factories belching out smoke all the time. There's nothing real about that (although as a writer, I easily solve the problem by saying something clever like, "Ortex has industrial plants whose sole purpose is to generate oxygen for the environment." (In fact, while we're on the subject, if you're looking for reality and you're reading a TORC Press comic, you've come to the wrong place. I mean on this page alone we've got a guy in a three piece suit and dress shoes executing a picture perfect jumpkick with his hands in his pockets (totally can't be done), and a guy in a magical fireproof suit who can stretch his arms out into octopus tentacles. So, no not a lot of reality going on here)).
What is real is this: If there was only one forest left on earth, and a big company wanted it destroyed for some stupid reason, there would be people that would "Just Follow Orders" and burn it down or bulldoze it or whatever. They wouldn't even hesitate. And that's what is sad and terrifying about humanity.
Of course, I also firmly believe that people like Octopus Jones would try to stop them. That's what's reassuring about humanity.
Friday, September 27, 2013
SDF 6-1
SDF returns!
SDF. Issue 6. Page 1. www.torcpress.com
The only thing really worth talking about here is that I decided to revert back to the style of art I was using when I was doing "Monster King" for this issue. Basically, I draw the outlines with a Sharpie Marker, then the finer details with a traditional Dip Pen, then use the Paint Bucket in Photoshop to color everything. It gives the book a very unique look. I kinda think it looks a little like animation, maybe? Anyway, I'm gonna roll with it in SDF for awhile.
The only thing really worth talking about here is that I decided to revert back to the style of art I was using when I was doing "Monster King" for this issue. Basically, I draw the outlines with a Sharpie Marker, then the finer details with a traditional Dip Pen, then use the Paint Bucket in Photoshop to color everything. It gives the book a very unique look. I kinda think it looks a little like animation, maybe? Anyway, I'm gonna roll with it in SDF for awhile.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Skull Mob 2-4
Today's webcomic, featuring new Skull Mob team member, Dust:
Skull Mob. Issue 2. Page 4. www.torcpress.com
I am feeling lazy this morning, so I'm just gonna cut and paste the explanation of her ability from the original webcomic page. Here we go:
So, obviously, it's time to show off what the newest members of the Skull Mob can do. First off, we have Dust, who can literally vomit up a cloud of dust. This isn't your ordinary dust, though, this stuff is thick as pea soup, can hang in the air for a prolonged amount of time, and completely eliminates visibility, not only on the traditional spectrum, but also takes out infared and heat vision and even sonar (sound waves don't travel through it right). Dust, of course can see in this miasma perfectly, and her fingernails are razor sharp. And that to her being a top ranked assassin and hand-to-hand combat master, and it's not good getting stuck in her cloud. As you can see from these poor guys.
Dust is pretty much the no-nonsense assassin of the team.
I am feeling lazy this morning, so I'm just gonna cut and paste the explanation of her ability from the original webcomic page. Here we go:
So, obviously, it's time to show off what the newest members of the Skull Mob can do. First off, we have Dust, who can literally vomit up a cloud of dust. This isn't your ordinary dust, though, this stuff is thick as pea soup, can hang in the air for a prolonged amount of time, and completely eliminates visibility, not only on the traditional spectrum, but also takes out infared and heat vision and even sonar (sound waves don't travel through it right). Dust, of course can see in this miasma perfectly, and her fingernails are razor sharp. And that to her being a top ranked assassin and hand-to-hand combat master, and it's not good getting stuck in her cloud. As you can see from these poor guys.
Dust is pretty much the no-nonsense assassin of the team.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Skull Mob 2-3
Today's webcomic:
The other half of last week's double page spread. Skull Mob. Issue 2. Page 3. www.torcpress.com.
Well, like everyone else in Geekdom, I went ahead and watched "Agents of SHIELD" last night. I've managed to stop reading Marvel's comics, but I still watch most of the movies sooner or later, and I'm gonna go ahead and watch this new show for awhile. I feel kinda dirty about it.
Having said that, I would like to point out that Jack Kirby actually got a credit, in the opening credits, in big bold letters where everyone could see it. And considering Agent Coulson's hovercar was plucked DIRECTLY from Kirby's first issue of "Nick Fury: Agent of SHIELD", they damn well better have given him a credit. Unsurprisingly, Stan Lee got top billing, but considering that "The Man" was also listed as an Executive Producer, well, again, it's a small miracle Kirby even got a mention.
Speaking of Agent Phil Coulson, say what you will about his "resurrection" (I think we all have about the same theory on that one, right?), the entire show pivots on his character, so it's a good thing they brought him back. The other characters are all pretty basic: Young James Bondesque tough guy, bad @$$ Asian chick, eccentric science people, and a mouthy hacker. Nothing you can't see on a dozen different shows or movies or comics or whatever.
Coulson on the other hand feels like one of those rarities you get on TeeVee every now and again, a really original character cut from whole cloth. Maybe it's just the actor playing the role, maybe it's how he's written, maybe it's both, but Agent Phil Coulson IS THE SHOW. Without him, SHIELD would feel generic. With him its got a beating heart.
Other than that, it's pretty much your standard Whedon fare (which isn't a bad thing at all): Snappy Dialogue, Lotsa Characterization and Character Moments, and an entire season's worth of intrigue. It's good stuff, even if you've got a chip on your shoulder for Marvel a mile wide. (Again, I can't stress enough how the credit for Kirby made the show far more palatable)
Well, like everyone else in Geekdom, I went ahead and watched "Agents of SHIELD" last night. I've managed to stop reading Marvel's comics, but I still watch most of the movies sooner or later, and I'm gonna go ahead and watch this new show for awhile. I feel kinda dirty about it.
Having said that, I would like to point out that Jack Kirby actually got a credit, in the opening credits, in big bold letters where everyone could see it. And considering Agent Coulson's hovercar was plucked DIRECTLY from Kirby's first issue of "Nick Fury: Agent of SHIELD", they damn well better have given him a credit. Unsurprisingly, Stan Lee got top billing, but considering that "The Man" was also listed as an Executive Producer, well, again, it's a small miracle Kirby even got a mention.
Speaking of Agent Phil Coulson, say what you will about his "resurrection" (I think we all have about the same theory on that one, right?), the entire show pivots on his character, so it's a good thing they brought him back. The other characters are all pretty basic: Young James Bondesque tough guy, bad @$$ Asian chick, eccentric science people, and a mouthy hacker. Nothing you can't see on a dozen different shows or movies or comics or whatever.
Coulson on the other hand feels like one of those rarities you get on TeeVee every now and again, a really original character cut from whole cloth. Maybe it's just the actor playing the role, maybe it's how he's written, maybe it's both, but Agent Phil Coulson IS THE SHOW. Without him, SHIELD would feel generic. With him its got a beating heart.
Other than that, it's pretty much your standard Whedon fare (which isn't a bad thing at all): Snappy Dialogue, Lotsa Characterization and Character Moments, and an entire season's worth of intrigue. It's good stuff, even if you've got a chip on your shoulder for Marvel a mile wide. (Again, I can't stress enough how the credit for Kirby made the show far more palatable)
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
HFSAC 19-8
Today's Webcomic:
The Hot Fudge Sundae Adventure Club. Issue 19. Page 8. www.torcpress.com
One of the running gags in my comics is that the Bad Guys have a tendency to forget about Pengy. This almost universally leads to their downfall. As far as fatal flaws go, it's a pretty funny one.
I forgot to mention it on the last blog, but I'd like to thank the Best Darn Comic Shop on the Planet, Comic Quest for hosting 24 Hour Comic Day and providing a venue (and a floor for my traditional 4am nap...). Also, store manager Monti got us Pizza. That was turbo cool. Again, a Big Shout Out to Comic Quest in Evansville, IN. Thanks, guys!
One of the running gags in my comics is that the Bad Guys have a tendency to forget about Pengy. This almost universally leads to their downfall. As far as fatal flaws go, it's a pretty funny one.
I forgot to mention it on the last blog, but I'd like to thank the Best Darn Comic Shop on the Planet, Comic Quest for hosting 24 Hour Comic Day and providing a venue (and a floor for my traditional 4am nap...). Also, store manager Monti got us Pizza. That was turbo cool. Again, a Big Shout Out to Comic Quest in Evansville, IN. Thanks, guys!
Monday, September 23, 2013
HFSAC 19-7 (24 Hour Comix and the 5th Dimension)
Before we get started, I got my 24 Hour Comic done in the sun on a bun. It's a good book. It's got Cactus Joe, Pengy Penguin, the Death Moth, and Octopus Jones on a bizarre adventure. It'll be out sometime after I publish HFSAC 19, SDF 6, and Skull Mob 3, since that's where it lands on the timeline. Oh, and I'm gonna go ahead and colorize it.
Now let's talk about today's page. First off, today's page takes place in a small, personalized section of the 5th Dimension. The 5th Dimension is the Mental Realm where dreams and ideas and inspiration are all formed. Psychics and Mystics are trained to access this particular plane of being, but everyone can enter it. The members of HFSAC all have evolved brains that allow them to freely enter this realm (Traditionally this is through the Third Eye (Cactus Joe, Pengy Penguin, Tei Harlequin, Darkwatcher, Eyemo, Eyemii, and Electric Cherry all have visible manifestations of the Third Eye. The Hip Bros don't have a visible representation of this eye, but they're naturals at entering Dreamspace. Tea Cup and PlatOmega have advanced, multi-dimensional software in their brains that allow them to access higher planes of reality. @byss is an enigma, so who knows with him...)).
Anyway, you might have noticed that most of the characters have a black and red tether around their midsection, and that the color is missing from that part of them. This represents the Life Force slowly being drained out of them by Levitone's Black Magicks. Don't worry, Life Force energy recharges. Also, what I like about this page is that each character has a 5-D representation of him/herself that is sometimes a little, sometimes a lot different than their natural form. Here's the rundown:
Cactus Joe: The only major difference is that the Clown's 3rd Eye is clearly visible, and he has giant butterfly wings, which is not girly at all. Quite manly, really.
Pengy Penguin: You can't really see him too well, but he's got firey wings and that big orb on his belly is in its Third Eye mode. Pengy is really at home in this Dimension. You do not wanna screw with Pengy in the 5Dimension.
Darkwatcher- Old Stick in the Mud looks the same in every Dimension. Nothing fun here. Moving on.
Tei Harlequin- Her Third Eye is clearly visible, and her hair is very loose and flowing.
Tea Cup- Here's a neat one. Basically, his 5-D form is an amalgamation between what he would really look like if his physical body wasn't lost in an alternate dimension of super-vikings, and his robot form. Regardless, he's still pasty. The boxers are a nice touch.
PlatOmega- So, if any of you were wondering, that little cartoon platypus next to Tea Cup is PlatOmega's 5D form. Turns out that PlatOmega isn't just a Robot Platypus, but there's a real platypus in there. Interesting...
Electric Cherry- Instead of wearing her battle armor, she's back in the kimono that she was wearing when she first popped up in "Clown & Penguin" 1-2, and "SDF" #3.
@byss- @byss is that weird spiral thingie. What the heck?
Run-No-No-Run- Runner is a Fire Elemental, so in 5D Space he is a Fire Guy.
Stop-Go-Go-Stop- Same deal, he's an Ice Elemental, so he looks Icy. Still purple though. Odd.
Eyemo- Eyemo is an Earth Elemental, so he's all rocky. I shoulda given him that mohawk thing of his. Oh well.
Eyemii- Eyemii is a wind elemental, which is hard to represent in a drawing. I made her kinda noodly looking and flowing. Still has orange skin though.
Other than that, to represent the different feel of 5D space, I applied the colors directly to the page in a manner similar to what I do with Skull Mob.
OH! I almost forgot. Notice the giant, glowing eyes in the background? That's Omnichronus remotely viewing our heroes, keeping track of them, even though his 3D body is extremely weak right now. I like the idea of a God that really cares enough to be there for his followers, even if he can't physically help them right now. I hope God is really like that. Don't know if He is nowadays...
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