At IndieReviews...

Chickenheads

and

Jack in the Box

Chickenheads was well received, apart from a few niggles which we both agree with. Jack in the Box wasn't as warmly welcomed, with its storyline not appealing to the reviewer. While the art gets good praise, the story is considered weak because of the following flaw: "Jack in the Box puts the phrase "Men are products of their environment" to the test. While people may be divided as to the phrase being fact or not, Jack in the Box doesn't even question it."

While not one to quibble negative criticism (in fact Martin and I welcome it 100%) the phrase 'men are products' etc etc, is from the C2D4 website and isn't part of the comic's prose or included in any press release associated with the comic, so doesn't really represent JITB as anything other than a punchy teaser. Even if the phrase was the crux of the entire series' story, we also clearly say it's a theory and experiment, and so by definition it cannot be a fact.

Possibly my fault for the (in retrospect) glib/ snappy precis, but the story is definitely alot deeper and bigger in scope than that phrase suggests. I feel particularly bad for Martin, that his work may have been judged on the basis of an advert -- if indeed this is what happened. I hope this wasn't the case, as JITB has alot of surprises up its sleeve.

Damn...guess I'm going to have to squeeze JITB # 2 out quick-like, to prove it :)

I'll start on the script, and more conceptual art next week...kids (they're on holiday for 2 weeks) and work permitting!

With Crowman finished (the first issue anyway) and 'The Hack' on hold until me and Martin can get our heads together for some serious planning, my next project is now underway.

It's a bit personal, a bit tricky to explain...and I don't know whether it's going to see the light of day very easily. Kind of like I felt with 'Chickenheads', at the beginning, I guess! But anyway, I thought I'd post some concept art up...two of the main characters and the logo.

Enjoy :)

Just designed this for use as a (potential) banner at comic cons...to drape behind or over the display table. I've also used it at
C2D4 on the splash page, so you can see it as a larger version.

I'll look into printing costs and see what I can get done. Talking of printing, Crowman is due to be printed by Redlins any time now...can't wait to see it in litho quality inks on silk paper :)

I'm feeling pretty good about C2D4 Comics, and artwork, and, well...comics matters in general really!

In just under 2 months Martin and I have completed issue # 1 of Crowman, a 24 page (inc covers) black and white book, where Martin has really got into the swing of his storytelling, with his own character forming the centre of a slowly unfolding mysterious tale.

Art-wise I feel this is a progression from Chickenheads, and Jack in the Box, with my output rate increasing, and (I hope) my storytelling steadily improving. It's been really good fun taking Martin's moody script and making it come to life as images, and hopefully this is going to be well-received at Bristol, when we set up our table in just under 2 months time.

What's next? Well, I've finished CM just in time for a couple of big day-job art/ web projects, which will be keeping me pretty busy...plus Easter hols where I'll be minding the kids for a couple of weeks. I hope to start working on a personal comics/ art project 'Alameda', and also getting together with Martin to flesh out our next project 'The Hack'. I also ought to be thinking about starting either JITB or CM #2, but will probably wait until after Bristol, to gauge demand for each character.

Also my PS3 has been much neglected, with any spare monging-on-the-sofa session having been devoted to drawing Crowman. Devil May Cry 4 has been left in limbo...and this simply will not do! Time to ease off of the pressure a little, get CM printed, and also ready some promo' stuff for the convention. With 3 comics ready to sell at Bristol I think I can afford to take a more relaxed approach to the comics for a week or two!

Nichola Wilkinson of Whatever Comics has reviewed 'Jack in the Box' and 'Chickenheads' right HERE.

They both get a very good write-up, it must be said. I'm feeling a bit chuffed at the moment, and am now bouyant enough to really charge through the last few Crowman pages, in readiness for Bristol's comic con'.

Only 4 pages to go btw :)