Gettin' ink

Hey gang. Not an illustration update, but the first review for Quarter-Life Crisis is in, and it's a good one! My favourite Toronto newsblog, Torontoist, did a story on the book. Writer Stephen Michalowicz gave it a nice review (despite titling the article 'Worst Quarter-Life Crisis Ever'), and included some big images from the book. He also brought up some good points about a few weaknesses that I agree with.

Check it out here: http://torontoist.com/2009/09/quarter-life_crisis.php

Some of you others have read it, and I'd love to hear other weaknesses you notice. So, ideally, I can improve upon them for the second book. Zen already gave me an in-depth phone call that was very helpful, but the more criticism, the more I have to think about, the better.

(I love that one of the commenters noticed the THX 1138 reference.)

Road to Fan Expo ... Part 2

Like Loo-bot, I've also been chained to my drawing table and computer, finishing up the first book of Quarter-Life Crisis, trying to meet my printing deadline. Since I'm getting it printed where I work, Coach House Books, my deadline is a little later. It's going to be tight, but I think I'm going to make it (knock on wood).

But I'm really excited to have something new and something I'm proud of at the convention this time around. I'm happy with how the book is coming together.

Here's the cover spread for Quarter-Life Crisis. Thoughts? Like or dislike?

The Revolution is now!

Thought I'd post a few penciled pages from the climactic Dance Dance the Revolution scene, as I enter the homestretch. Been listening to a lot more Prince these days. Not sure how it will affect my drawings. Also, I figured out a few final script details that were still causing problems. Good times.

Postcards from the edge

Since I failed so hard to get the actual book done in time for TCAF, I decided to make a postcard. It's like 1/120th of the book:



Though I fear I may have made it too hasty. I hope it looks all right.

I'm still alive ...

A post to demonstrate that (a) I'm alive, and (b) working on Quarter-Life Crisis as hard as I can. Also to congratulate Tyrone and Alana on the exciting news -- I'm sure we're all disappointed the name 'Logan' was not more carefully considered, but I was so delighted to read the news on Facebook this morning.

So, some images from new sections of Quarter-Life Crisis. A couple pages from a flashback scene, both in original thumbnail (and crudely scripted form) and in penciled form. Then thumbnail sketches and final pencils of a scene of our protagonists staking out a Shoppers Drug Mart in the pouring rain.(I've actually been working a lot on getting a new website up and ready before TCAF.)










Unfortunately, as I get close to finishing pencils on the entire first book, I realize I need to add a couple scenes. Namely, one between Harper and Sonja ... one that involves the robot 1895s. (Otherwise, they only make one appearance in the first book.)





I also want to add a scene hinting at the sinister projects going on at the Rogers Centre, but haven't thought of a good way to do that and maintain the book's perspective. The book is entirely from Harper's perspective. There's not a scene in it that doesn't include him, and he narrates the entire thing. I don't really want to show a scene with the Rogers that he would have no access to ... It's a bit of a stumbling block for me at this point.






These last-minute additions also make me wonder what sort of extras (if any) I should include in the final printed book. Any requests? Sketches? Maps? Pin-ups? A mix-tape listing (a la AWOL'd or Scud before it)? I'm taking suggestions now.