Archive for May, 2007

22
May

You Don’t Know Me

By roguehill 8 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

My wife and I got a digital camera this past week, and I wanted to try to do a classic, hollywood-style, black and white portrait of myself. Here’s the result. Let me say a couple of things about it.

1. That pipe isn’t a prop. It’s one of seven I own (it’s a Savinelli, in case you’re interested) and smoke when the occasion permits. I’ve smoked a pipe for 17 years now, and consider it one of life’s most pleasant luxuries.

2. The clothes aren’t a prop. Yes, I actually wear these kinds of things. I happened to be wearing this particular arrangement to church that day.

3. The glasses aren’t a prop. I needs ‘em ta see!

I guess I realized with this photograph that the reason why I write (and enjoy) “Tales of the Revenant” so much is that…well…it fits right in with my life. I love old black and white horror movies, love listening to old radio shows (The Shadow) and read pulp-action stories, so doing this story is just the normal evolution of a mind that a little out of it’s time. I’m glad it’s finally coming around….I feel like I’m doing what I’m finally supposed to be doing.

About the next story:

I’m really jazzed about the story that’s coming next, because I really consider “Sea of the Dead!” to be just a warm up…something to get me comfortable with the medium. In around 12 panels, the current story will end, after which I’ll probably take a couple of weeks off and then unveil the start of the next book. I’m really excited, because it’s the origin story….where Eddie gets the ring and meets Pallentine. Eddie lives in a fictional river town named ‘Gath’ (biblical home of David’s ‘Goliath’) that seems like a nice, quiet place to grow up in. I’m basing the look after the town nearest where I grew up. Here’s a picture I took this past weekend:

Charming, isn’t it? Oh, don’t worry, there’s a bustling metropolis within driving distance, and Eddie will definately go there for some adventures, but here is where things start. I’m excited about it, and I hope you’ll be too!

Till then,

-Dave

11
May

Garage Kit Ahoy!

By roguehill 5 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized
Well folks, I’ve just gotten a really exciting email from my super-talented buddy Eric Diaz, who sculpted the incredible bust of the Revenant character. Remember it?

Oh yes, I thought you did! Anyway, we’re in the works of making a series of resin kits from the bust so you can have one of your very own! Right now, we’re talking about producing 20 just to see how things work out. When I get the price of the little buggers, I’ll post it here.

Each of the kits will come with a certificate of authenticity signed by both Eric and me, and we’re talking about the possibility of offering a couple of unusual casts…one to look like a bronze statue and one that is clear so that it can be rigged for light-up eyes! Oooo!

Even if you’re not a fan of the comic, I think the sculpture will still have appeal because…well….look at it!)

Can you tell I’m excited?

I’ll get you more information as we get it.

Oh-and before I forget, I finished the pencils for the next “Sea of the Dead!” panel….and it is awesome! I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s the panel I’ve been wanting to draw since I started the book. Keep your fingers crossed that the inking goes smoothly….if it does, I think I can guarantee a “wow”.)

-Dave

02
May

Mental Meanderings and updates

By roguehill 9 Comments
Categories: alex raymond, flash gordon and revenant
Geez..it’s been a while!

One of the most interesting things that has happened since my last post is that I’ve been inducted into the “Pulp Factory”, which is a great blog and yahoo group of the most die-hard pulp fans I’ve seen. It’s great fun, and very active. It could be possible that I might be doing illustrations for an upcomming “Episodes of the Zero Hour” book. I’ll let you know how that pans out!

Well, “Sea of the Dead” is actually in the final stretches of the story, and I’ve been doing some thinking. (uh oh!)

I’ve already been learning more about the markers that I’ve been using to shade my work (and I’ve just ordered some books about it online), and after comparing the first panels with the latest, I think it’s pretty obvious to see that I’ve gotten more realistic and complex with the shading….which suits me to a “T”! (What the heck does that mean, anyway? Hmm…)

I’m also considering adding more panels to each post instead of a single panel. My inspiration for this is the Alex Raymond “Flash Gordon” newspaper strips.

I think they’ve got a great feel….I’ve even been thinking about using the text format that Alex used as well…it’s very unique and gives as much weight to the text as the art. Of course, that will require a bit more planning on my part, but it would be an interesting experiment.

So…just what the heck will the next story be, you might ask? Well, I do have a fully scripted short story that is ready to go….but I have a terrible yearning to write and draw the origin story where Eddie finds the ring and meets Charles.

First thing is first, however….I’ve got to finish “Sea of the Dead” first!)