jasonfranks

You're actually up to page fifty?

Wowzers.

Yeah, fiddy pages. I have 24--the first issue--inked and lettered, but I redrew six or seven panels from it and I need the inks for those in before I can say that it's complete.

I want to be finished penciling by the end of the year, but it's gonna take a miracle. Least I'm improving--I can't pull off a lot of the stuff I've written, but ore and more often I produce a drawing or two that looks cool.

-- JF

Looks good -- you definitely improved the convertible from the version you sent last night!

It still looks odd to me in the first panel.

My only comment re: the first page is that McBlack doesn't seem to be reaching for the phone, judging from where it was shown in panel one. Oh, and I love that he has a half-dead plant.

Also, on page two, you have clearly put the driver on the wrong side of the car.

The convertible int he first panel is based on a different model Corvette than the one I used in the last; a more modern one... but it looks right to me. Any idea what bothers you?

Correct, he doesn't look like he's reaching for the phone... it's a gag. (In the narration he talks about choosing your weapon, he reaches out--and picks up the phone.)

I used to have a half dead plant just like that.

Funny how a right-hand-drive vehicle is much more convenient for comics storytelling than the kind you North Amerikanos drive.

-- JF

Re: the 'vette -- actually, I think you nailed it right there. From the first panel to the last, it looks like two different cars. The second one is lower, sleeker, more dangerous/sporty (and, subsequently, more awesome).

Like I said, different reference models...

Maybe it's a Transformer?

Bugger. More fixy...

-- JF

Addendum: it took a sec to orient myself to panel 4 on page 2; I think it might help to sketch in a hint of tattoo girl at the steering wheel, so the viewer knows where the front of the car is.

I hear and obey.

-- JF

Is the pic on the wall of someone in a mask?

The pic on the wall is a character that appears in issue #2 to whup McBlack's arse.

It's not a mask, he just, uh, has no face.

-- JF

Hmmm...Beware the Faceless Man...excellent.

The faceless man is a former failed hit who rolls back into town. McBlack sees him and drops what he's doing in order to finish old business... or so he thinks.

If I do more McBlack (I do have another one planned) this will be a regular occurrence.

My original notion was to do stories built around the faceless guy, but I abandoned that after about 20 pages. McBlack is better suited to a miniseries.

-- JF

Hmmm...interesting.

This is some good stuff. I can't wait to see it inked.

Thanks, Dino. I can't wait to see it inked, either--Dave Gutierrez kicks some serious ass; he fixes the linework, the lighting, the textures and as well as small perspective or anatomical errors.

-- JF