|
 |
 |
 |
Digital Strips reviewed The Fray on their very first Podcast. The
Mighty Zampzon and Daku gave an awesome review on our little Grugg,
as well as some objective critiques on how to improve the comic
overall.
If you haven't checked out Digital
Strips Podcast or their Web
Comics Blog, you should. These guys have a good future ahead
of them.
The Fray: The Conclusion has begun! Click the images to read the
first pages of Chapter 3.
 The
votes are in and The Fray took 72% of the poll for the most requested
comic to continue. I appreciate those of you that took the time
to let me know what you really want to see here at FunnyBone Comics.
So take a look at the shiny
new cover for Chapter 3 of The Fray: The Conclusion. This time
Chapter 3 will be in traditional comic book format with duo-tone
coloring, bringing The Fray to an all new level of comics.
The Fray: The Conclusion is 18 pages long and filled with the crazy
antics and self-imposed trials you've come to expect from Grugg.
The goal to is release a new page on Mondays and Thursdays.
See you on Thursday with the first page of Chapter 3 beginning where
the last strip of Chapter 2 (The Fray: The Hole) left off!
[ Comment
]
 After
a welcomed overdose of Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas",
my son and I conjured the bright idea to make our own stop-motion
animated short.
What we came up with in one hour while eating cereal for dinner
(because Dads are cool like that) was this neat little piece called
"Dance of the Mice". It is a simple, little clip that
allowed my 9 year-old son to learn the basics of stop-motion with
a Halloween theme. It also gave us some father and son time that
quickly evolved into an evening of fun memories we can share later
in life.
Hope
you enjoy it as much as we did making it.
 While
working on the graphic novel project, I've been making visits back
and forth to my local Borders Bookstore in search of as many diverse
graphic novels as possible.
One of the books I've recently finished reading was Courtney Crumrin
and the Night Things by Ted
Naifeh. The author creates an intriguing world that the main
character (Courtney Crumrin) unknowingly, and sometimes unwillingly,
becomes part of.
It was a great read with an interesting storyline that certainly
sets up the series that follows. Not to mention that this is the
perfect time of the year to read a book like this. Looks like I'll
be adding the next graphic novel in this series to my shopping list.
As I'm sure most of you can tell, Confetti and The Fray are moving
very slow on updates. The positive thing is that, behind the scenes,
my numero uno priority is moving rather nicely. What is it? It's
a graphic novel.
Earlier this year, I had advertised for a writer to join me in creating
a comic called "All Ears". This is when I came in contact
with Steven Withrow. After many discussions on the comic concept
and other things happening in the world of publication, we came
to an agreement to work on a graphic novel for publication, putting
"All Ears" on the back burner.
 During
a creative session in the quiet meeting room of a Rhode Island library,
Steven and I found the story we would tell. Since then we have been
developing the concept...Steven writing the chapters, and I developing
the character and page layouts.
What we can share with you at this point is the original concept
for the lead character of our graphic novel in development. We hope
you enjoy this and understand why our excitement over this project
has us keeping our priorities in check.
Click
here to view a larger image of our leading lady.
[ Comment
]
Does it get any better than this?
If you're a Halloween buff like myself, this is the season to break
out Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas". A great
film in my opinion and a colorful soundtrack to boot.
In my younger years, I spent a great deal of time creating Halloween
comics. Something about the unknown that waits in the dark shadows
of the night has always been alluring. Get out to your local Blockbuster
Video store, rent it, and make a huge bucket of buttered popcorn....then
enjoy the show!
You can also check out this great fansite:
- http://www.halloweentown.org
On another note, I'll be posting the character concept this coming
Monday for the graphic novel Steven Withrow and I are working on.
Have a great weekend.
When you least expect it, something positive happens. To my surprise,
I
came across a wonderful review of The Fray today by Ping over at
Webcomic Finds.
This website is documenting the course of Ping's romp across the
internet from web comic to web comic. She records her first impression
of the comic, goes to that comic's links page and clicks on a new
banner to begin the process all over again. An interesting concept...don't
ya think?
Might I also add that Ping authors The
Jaded on Modern Tales' Graphics Smash. Nice!
 The
past week has been one of the busiest weeks in a while. It has also
been an extremely productive time for me.
Aside from working on Confetti and The Fray comics (which are currently
second priorities) I've managed to put out a guest comic for one
of my peers, letter a four-page comic story for print and continue
my "priority work" on a graphic novel with my writer partner.
The guest comic I've done is for Dandy
& Company. Derrick, the creator of a comic rich in personality
and adventure, is presenting Total Chaos 3: Conquest of the Guest
Artists. I've been lucky enough to participate in this again and
jumped at the chance. Check
out Dandy & Company this month for all the guest strips
composed by professionals and fans alike.
In the meantime, you can enjoy this quick sketch of Dandy from my
guest comic.
[ Comment
]
I've moved on to scripting the next installment of Confetti.
Additionally , I have been developing a character concept design
for another project I'm working on with writer, Steven Withrow.
The unfortunate aspect for FBC readers is that this other project
is my priority right now. This project is also under wraps for the
time being, so I can not say much about it at this point.
What I can say is that the character design Steven and I were hunting
for has been found. :)
Confetti has launched today as promised. It's a bit heavy on back
story text, but should set the tone for readers of what is to come.
If the political overtone isn't apparent, I haven't done my job
here. Click Here!
[ Comment
]
And here is a little treat for the readers interested in my latest
project launching this coming Monday. Cover your desktop with Confetti!
Confetti launches this coming Monday, so I thought it would be a
cool treat to post the cover to the upcoming story for those interested
in my latest project.
One of the aspects that I'm enjoying most about working on Confetti
is being able to work with color on a larger canvas. It's a nice
change from The Fray's 3 to 4 comic strip panel layout in black
and white.
Hope you enjoy
this as much as I do.
[ Comment
]
This weekend was very productive. In fact, it was so productive
that I didn't even take the time to update the website. Though I
did take time to see Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow at my
local theater to serve as a mild diversion.
So, what kept me sharpening my pencils all weekend? Confetti, of
course. Since I'm down to a week before the launch of Confetti,
I feel it is time to reveal a little more about my latest creation
with one of the pencils from the comic's opening sequence.
I also think I will post the promotional cover to the Confetti comic
this Wednesday. Don't miss the fun, kids!
[ Comment
]
Bill Charbonneau, the edgy creator of long time comics Voices
In My Hand and Weird Theorem, is launching Village Idiot Magazine
this coming October. If you're seeking the premier source for Canadian
humor, parody and geek culture...Village Idiot Magazine will be
second to none. Subscribe
Today!
[ Comment
]
Derrick Fish, the talented creator of Dandy
and Company, is currently seeking guest strips for TOTAL CHAOS
3: Conquest of the GUEST ARTISTS.
Everyone is invited to play with his characters and submit them
by October 5th. All guest strips will be posted on his website provided
they meet the following requirements:
- humour should target an all ages reading audience
- strip proportions to be no wider than 950 pixels
- color, black & white, 2D or 3D welcome
I've had the opportunity to pariticpate in the past and look forward
to be a part of it this year.
For more details and where to send your submissions, visit the Dandy
and Company website.
[ Comment
]
Above this daily blog you'll find status bars indicating where in
the creative process each comic is. These have been added to allow
readers a quick visual representation of when to expect an update
on the FunnyBone Comics website.
Until I see what happens once the flood gates are opened, I will
make no promises as to what exacts days new comics will be posted.
My goal is to keep my expectations in check, as well as the readers
upon official launch of the website.
With that said, you'll notice that The Fray has been upgraded to
a "script status". The entire storyline for The Fray's
third chapter is complete and the dialogue is currently being hashed
out. This chapter will pick up where the second chapter left off,
and is being presented in a comic book format. Postings will be
made each time a page has been inked.
This should be a pleasant surprise for fans of The Fray.
[ Comment
]
Two more sections of the website have been updated. The Downloads
section has desktop wallpapers and various avatars, and the Links
section has George Bush's fake military documents.
For those of you that previously linked to The Fray website, please
resubmit your banner if you're interested in being listed on the
FunnyBone Comics website since The Fray website no longer exists.
There is a new FBC banner that
replaces the old The Fray banner.
If you're new to FunnyBone Comics and would like to be part of the
links page, visit the Links
section to learn how.
[ Comment
]
I am officially two weeks away from the launch of Confetti. It is
an exciting project for me to be working on, as it displays another
side to my creativity and my attraction to the comic medium.
The Gallery section to
the website is back online for anyone interested in some of the
other things I do. It is where you'll find character concept art,
guest strips I've done for my peers, as well as photos from any
events I've been part of.
Have fun poking around.
[ Comment
]
The past few weeks of weather in Connecticut has been less than
tolerable. This weekend broke that streak with clear skies, fresh
air and an event called Boats, Books and Brushes.
This is the second year that a variety of traditional artists, book
illustrators and authors have gathered together on a city pier surrounded
by tall ships. This gave me the fortunate opportunity to meet Mark
Siegel, the illustrator for a children's book called "SeaDogs:
An Epic Ocean Operetta".
The interesting thing about "SeaDogs" is the fact that
it is structured as a graphic novel for young children. The graphic
novel industry is breaking wide open right now and to see this format
beginning to enter the young children's market is an exciting prospect
for the future of the graphic novel's potential.
I enjoyed the plethora of books at the event and talking a bit of
shop with Mark. Its days like this that inspires you to drive straight
home, pick up a pen, and start drawing.
[ Comment
]
It's been three years since the terrorist attack on the United States.
I remember the result of the events that day with unclouded clarity.
Yet, for some reason I feel many do not.
What is the significance of remembering such a day?
From my perspective, it acts as a reminder of how vulnerable we
are as a group of people living on a plot of land that boasts the
benefits of what freedom should be. A reminder that we are not the
popular kid in school that everyone likes.
I believe "fear" is a good thing. It's an important check
and balance that allows people to maintain an awareness of their
surroundings. Yet our very own government continues to tell people
to go about their daily lives and not let "one day", and
the results thereafter, interrupt the step in their insect-like
march back and forth to their personal anthills.
I think that is ignorant.
Derrick Fish is a peer of mine that creates a comic called Dandy
and Company. For the first two 9/11 anniversaries, he has used
his comic as a remembrance to the people and places of the unfortunate
event. This year is different. He has decided not to do so for many
additional reasons that align with my perspective. You can read
Derrick's thoughts if you're interested.
Kudos to Derrick for voicing his opinion and maintaining awareness
that life is like box of chocolates...you never know what you're
going to get.
[ Comment
]
The second chapter (The Hole) to The Fray is back online. Click
The Fray icon above to pick up where the first chapter left off.
The third and final portion to The Fray has been scripted and is
slow, but steadily, in the penciling phase. I'm looking forward
to wrapping this up for the readers that have supported the comic
from the beginning.
On the flip side, the core storyline and script for Confetti is
complete. The artistic approach and basic storytelling will be about
180 degrees from what readers have witnessed with The Fray, but
I'm betting the farm it will pay off and come across as something
fresh in the world of comics. I'm looking forward to see what type
of response it receives.
[ Comment
]
First off, the FunnyBone Comics Forum has been cleaned of all the
dead leaves laying around. The discussion forums have been wiped
clean and rearranged to better serve readers and web stalkers alike.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
You "do not" need a username or password to post in the
FunnyBone Comics forum. If you feel more comfortable posting without
creating an account, simply put any name you wish in the username
box when creating a post or replying to a post. There is no need
to enter anything in the password box if you choose to post this
way. Though creating an account has its perks, I've set the forum
up to accept posts and replies from those too lazy to create an
account with hopes that folks will be more inclined to voice opinions
about anything.
Check out the FunnyBone
Comics Forum. Every post you leave saves a helpless sheep from
its perverted shepard. Post and feel good about yourself. Baaaaaa!
On another note, the Comics
section is online and the first chapter to The
Fray is online. Enjoy.
[ Comment
]
While cleaning house to get the new FunnyBone Comics website in
order, I've come across many different pieces of work created over
the past year. I look at most of it cringing and wonder how it is
possible that I let my brain communicate with my hand to create
such work for public consumption.
You know that moment, just when you're falling asleep, when your
body jerks like Jerry Lewis in response to a dream where you're
fending off a crowd of Andy Dicks dressed as Pikmin? Either I suffer
from involuntary motor function disorder while I'm awake and draw
this stuff without knowledge of doing so or the "perfectionist"
in me is simply being too critical.
Well, from time to time I come across a little jewel that I'm proud
of.
This is the cover to Comixpedia's
April Edition. The theme was "Death of the Funny Papers".
It was a blast to create as it allowed me to employ a slightly morbid
approach to a theme close to my heart.
Something about this piece is encouraging. It reminds me that medication
really is the answer to any problem.
On that note, I'm heading to bed. I've got me some very ugly Pikmin
to fight.
[ Comment
]
Things are changing here at FunnyBone Comics. I've decided to clean
house and do an entire overhaul of the way the website works.
This is now the new home page for all announcements relating to
"The Fray" and the upcoming project entitled "Confetti",
as well as anything new I'm working on. These changes should make
navigating FunnyBone Comics much easier.
So update those bookmarks!
For those looking for The Fray, the archive of comics will be back
online some time this week.
And check back regularly as I plan to also use this space to maintain
a daily blog of what I'm up to. This should please the web stalkers.
|
 |
