02-08-2012

Cupid: bringer of love - AND VIOLENCE.

Tricking Cupid out into warrior-mode was a lot of fun. Originally I was going to draw Cupid in more of a Roman-style armor, given that Cupid is a Roman/Greco concept, but I've always been bothered by gods in other comics who just stick with their style. They've been alive for thousands of years and they just keep their old fashions? That isn't part of what Chibi D is about - these aren't "classical" interpretations, these are "modern" gods. So I kept some tribal/medival aspects in there, but I also modernized her quite a bit.
One of my favorite things about writing comics - and especially writing a wide variety of comics - is the research. I've gotten to look into medivel society/architecture/life for MSC:FF, I've looked into aeronautics for the Flying Roc, I've studied the Old West for Devil's Bluff, I get to constantly look into mythology for gods or concepts to adapt, and now - surprise surprise - I get to study archery! How awesome is that? Totally awesome, that's how much.

I didn't get a whole lot of work done on Tuesday, but I did make some smaller progress. On Monday I sat down and did my thumbnails for Chapter 09, only to discover...that it's a really short chapter. >.< My original layout only created 7 pages! WTF is that man? So I sat down again today and re-did - allowing the dialouge to have some more space as well as some more artsty/expanded panels. Even then I still came in one page short, but that allowed me to give Horseman and Michael (who weren't going to appear in Chapter 09 at all) some lovin'.
In terms of script, I really like Chapter 09. I think this is one of the funnier ones I've written out of the whole book and I'm just really pleased with it. 09 also introduces a new character - Aranyani - who will be recurring but not permanent. She's like Gabriel - when I need her, she'll appear, but she won't be a constant in Death's life.

Quick update on my latest book, THE WAY OF SHADOWS. I've currently dropped it. A week ago I was complaining to my gf that the plot of the book was no where to be found - it was just characters running around, doing things for no particular reason, and just being themselves. And then, hey, I read the next chapter and the plot showed up! The bad news: I still don't give a crap! Weeks spents over 300 pages developing a complex cast of characters - mixed allegiances, cross-generational threats, scheming assassins and inept princes - but he fails to do anything interesting. Everything that SHOULD be interesting just fails and so, for now, I'm done. I'm holding onto the book for the day when my brain goes "Oh hey, how did that end?" but I really don't care. Taking a reading break.

FINALLY, my last bit. I'm part of a group of artists here in Orlando who meet up every month for the Comics Art Jam @ A Comic Shop. I rarely show up as I generally use my Saturday's to draw comics and I'm unsocial, but I get along well enough with the guys there. One of them - Brian Wolf - actually has a comic that he's working on and is trying to publish. It's called Terminus, and you can learn more about it HERE. I'm actually really in love with the concept - I love modern takes on classical gods if you couldn't tell - so I hope you guys like it (and maybe even enough to give 'em some money!).

That's it from me. I hope you guys are enjoying chapter 08, I'll see you on Friday.

Peace!

- Ben Hobson