HOME | DD
KomicKarl — 88 Cover
Published: 2009-04-02 06:20:26 +0000 UTC; Views: 1390; Favourites: 19; Downloads: 174
Redirect to original
Description
I wish I could say that this is the final version of the cover to 88 but there are still a few tweaks to the line art before it goes into full color. It is however my first collaboration with master Inker Adelso Corona.I know everybody and their momma is shooting from pencils these days but I still dig me some old school well inked line art. It can take years to find an Inker that fits with your style so you can imagine how overjoyed I was when I saw how well Adelso brought out the best parts of my work.
88 is a project that has been plagued by fits and starts over the last four-five years. It's been through rewrites and redraws and it's proven to be the most illusive project of my career. I've thought long and hard as to why it's been such a tough nut to crack and the best I can come up with is that it's my first comic I've done with my adult mind. Okay I was an adult when I did the other comics but they were all conceptual love letters to stories I enjoyed growing up. 88 is something different. It represents my feelings and ideas about life as an adult and is in many ways the most original story I've written and drawn. Enough rambling. I hope you dig the piece.
-karl
Related content
Comments: 45
Really intrigued by this concept, Karl. I really dig your mech designs and concepts.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I hope adult does not mean less explosions... I like explosions...
Seriously, your approach sounds really interesting. I'm looking forward to read it some time. And hold on to Mr. Corona, he really did an awesome job with this piece!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
No way! Plenty of explosions!!! I guess my take on adult is more reasons for explosions. lol!
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
That may be because expolosions are a vital part of the grown-up experience?
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
stunning art and strong inks by Adelso (as usual, Adelso deserves a real job in this business 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Working on 88 is a real gig lol. Wait till you see what we are putting together.
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Looks awesome, and I can't wait to see the final product!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
That's really cool, Karl and the inks look terrific. You guys are looking great together.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks man. We are both working hard on this project.
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Cool. How are you publishing it? Are you going to put it out on your own, or go through Image?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'm going to self publish it and make it available online. With the way Diamond has changed their policy I think it's pushing everyone to the net. I had some success selling directly to the reader in the past.
Hows your book coming along?
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Well, but slower than I'd like. I think I'm gonna take a break when I hit the halfway point and see if I can pick up a fill in issue to bring in some extra cash. After that, I'll finish up the rest of my book.
Lemme know how the self pub/net thing works for you---Things are changing so fast these days, I'm interested to see new publishing options.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
How far into it are you? Have you finished the first issue?
I think for an indie it's the only way to go. Are you going through Image? Did I ask that before? My brain is overloaded today.
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
It's a 48 page one shot. I call it a graphic novella. I'm 20 pages through so far.
I've thought about Image, but haven't made any decisions so far. I keep thinking I'll worry about publishing it after it's all pencilled.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Can you bring some of the pages when we get together? I'd love to check it out.
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Absolutely. Bring yours, too.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
You guys r like freaks to work so good together so fast.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'm lucky Adelso really knows his business.
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Dude, you and AC make a sick combo. This looks so good. Can't wait to see this come out. Kudos my friend.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks dude. Adelso is the man.
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is a very impressive collaboration between the two of you! VERY NICE man! I look forward to seeing this book. I particularly dig the mech! Of course I DIG on that stuff bigtime!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Yeah he nailed the mecha. His line weights gave them the feeling of bulk and weight.
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Dude, you 2 are seriously a great pairing. He compliments and accentuates your lines, without taking anything away from the stylistic elements you put down in pencil. Another Byrne/Austin, Layton/Romita, Perez/Tanghal on our hands here!
From your description, 88 sounds to be a profound statement on your part; a statement related to where you're maybe at in life as opposed to the homage like stuff you done before in a fan like tribute? Is this kinda what you are saying? I can't wait to read it.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
That's sort of what I'm saying. I guess my old stuff was me showing off what influenced me. 88 is more of a pure expression of my ideas. It's something I could not have done 10 years ago or even 5. No wonder it's taken so long. lol!!!
I did a lot of work with Victor Olazaba as my inker. He was my inker for at least 6 years and I loved his work for that era of my style. Adelso brings something different to the table more in line with where my work is today. It's like starting a band you need to get people who you have chemistry with.
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
That's good to hear. It's got to be amazing to collaborate like that. The comic industry is probably the most collaborative situation to be in as an artist, at least that's what I would imagine it to be. You either do it ALL yourself or share trust in a team situation.
I understand the ideas on expression however. As an artist, be it paid or hobby, I have always tried to keep myself outside the realm of influence as far as current trends and expression. I didn't want to unintentionally pull from my inspirations and influences and produce something that is far from my own vision and yet now that I am developing ideas that germinated in that period of "reclusiveness", I have found that it made no sense or difference. I have concepts that I really like but are far from original. I can see similarities in ideas everywhere, right down to this site. I have now come to realize it is all a matter of execution and presentation. Nothing is original, nor has it ever been. The main point being that it all comes down to personal style and how you tell your tale I suppose.
I guess I am done overanalyzing and am ready to get down to the nitty gritty and get my hands dirty, LOL!
At some point I might beg you for a pin up contribution once I get a whole issue under my belt! Ha ha ha!
Anyway, I have once again talked far too long for a message reply.
Next time it's all about a cool bouncey emoticon and an "Awesome Dude!" response. Short and sweet!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I think you make a good point. It's best to follow your own instincts. I know every time I've tried to chase a style it always left me feeling like I cheated my own vision. The older I get the more important pushing my own ideas has become for me. I'd rather have my art be less popular and have it express what I'm feeling. I often think that art is less of choice and more of a compulsion. When I'm not making art I feel like there is a vacant spot in my life. Even if nobody saw what I was creating I would still need to create just to feel whole as a person. That may sound new age'y but it's a sincere feeling.
I think doing the occasional media black out is important for an artist. We receive so much input that you can find yourself going in circles because it's like hungry person at a buffet you want to try everything! There is something to be said for just turning off the internet and the TV and just making what comes to mind. I read somewhere that everything has been done it's just how does it filter through you. As artists I guess we are all post modern filters. We've seen everything and we have access to everything now what comes after you've taken it all in? That's why I think everything we do is post modern. It's that knowing, cynical wink, wink style. We all know where it came from but that is part of the fun. There is comfort in the homage. It's the act of letting the viewer of your art in on the joke and as the interactive element of art changes and evolves I think it will be about bringing other artists into real time participation. That's why I held this pin-up contest. I want to bring other people into the process of shaping the content. They see what I did. They see what they do. They influence me and I influence them. It's the evolution of the one way street that dominated popular art in the modern era. Now the making of the art is as important as what the art says once it's created. Than as other artists take what you've done and remix it and riff off of it, it takes on yet another form. We are living the future not making history.
Okay. Next time it will be an awesome dude response. ha!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I agree. I have no desire to gain any acceptance or popularity in regards to the stories I want to tell, no real need to fit into any niche or trend. I just need to exorcise the demons in my minds eye, lest I forget. I can't think of any more regretful or tragic thing than forgetting.
The need to do art is a compulsion as you put it. I want to illustrate my graphic novel ideas for myself and nothing more. I'll share them with friends, but I don't care one way or the other if anything is well received or published. I'm not a jaded person, just a hobbyist. I know the art impulse is a drive for nearly 100% of you out there, otherwise you wouldn't be doing it for a living.
I have been so fed up with TV for so long that I have not had it for a good 6 years now. I'm sure there are good shows to watch, but I would rather not waste time channel surfing but read and draw and write instead.
Ok I just jumped around there topic wise, time for me to hit the gym so I can justify drinking tonight!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I hear you. This is sort of a round about way of thinking about it but I think people are so over being "sold" everything so they have grown cynical not just of the "product" but the creator of the art. I'm talking art in the broadest sense. Music, drawing, painting, writing etc. IMHO that's what makes deviantart work so well it's a way for the creator to reconnect with the audience on a personal level. Away from the constant hum of the money grinder. It's like a 24/7 art show. I guess what I'm saying is that the audience is so close to the art that they can instantly sense the authenticity in your work and they will let you know if they feel it's sincere or just a hustle. Corporations know their time is coming to an end that's why they keep working the nostalgia angle with the properties they control. They keep trying to mine our childhoods for every dollar they can get before the worm turns and creators take more control of what media is coming out. Everything from Youtube to DA proves this. It's a good time to have a unique vision and the drive to present it.
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Wow man, well articulated thoughts there. You speak from experience and it's totally obvious to get that. I can always tell the bullshitter and the real folk. You're no bullshitter when you talk about these things.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I feel for you. Besides that, it's a different market and industry now. I hope you do get this out. I'll be watching for it. Nice work.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks the support. It's coming together and I think it will be worth the wait.
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is crazy! Adelso is a great fit with your style.
Great job on this piece. Now I have to step up my piece
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I look forward to your stepupness! I'm going to bring the heat on the inks for the ECB cover. HYPE!!!
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Wow, awesome work. Excellent details. 88 sounds really interesting, I'll keep tuned in for more stuff.
Keep up the awesome work.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks for the kind words!
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Oh, my pleasure. Easily impressed, I guess.
Do you have a special computer program for making comics? I'm in the middle of making a webcomic myself. Any tips you can give to a newbie would be greatly appreciated
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I use mostly Photoshop, Illustrator and sometimes Painter. I own Manga Studio which actually has a ton of cool features. I'd say for what it is it's pretty awesome for making Manga and comics. Especially speed lines.
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
That sounds really cool, I'll look into it. Right now, I'm stuck with a mechanical pencil, some cheap pens, and Paint, lol.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
As long as you have a pencil and paper you can rock it. I did my first comic (a 38 pager) when I was 14 with normal pencils and butcher paper. It didn't look half bad..but it didn't look half good either..lol!
-k
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Lol! Ahh, dammit, senior year and all you stupid teachers! Giving us homework?! *Shakes head* I have more important things to do! Like doodle! XD
👍: 0 ⏩: 0