Wondercon Moments: Part 4

Wondercon 2020: Postponed or Canceled

Another victim of coronavirus COVID-19

A fond look back at last year's con

Editor Lysa Hawkins talks about her forthcoming series:

Bloodshot by Tim Seeley & Punk Mambo by Cullen Bunn. 

She loves both characters, and intends to show them at their best.

Bloodshot Watch Party

Okay, we're ready to watch my new feature film starring Vin Diesel. 

Someone hit play!

 

Can we call Dalton and Tibbs the Sunshine Band?

Yes, I know it's KC and the Sunshine Band, not KT and the...

Oh, never mind.

 

If Wilfred Wigans is British, why isn't he drinking tea and eating biscuits?

Come on, scriptwriters: be authentic!

Finally, the good stuff, and just in time.

I need to rebuild my nanite count for the big finale!

How can you guys sleep? I'm totally wired!

C'mon people, wake up. Let's watch my movie again!

The Bloodshot Project: Part 6

A while ago, I picked up these lights at a home improvement store. In addition to glowing white, green, and blue, they glow red. The perfect color for Bloodshot!

Nonetheless, doing this hurt.

 

I glued Bloodshot to the first backer board before cutting out the circle in the backer board. I repeated these steps for the second backer board. Hopefully, the additional layers will help protect my Bloodshot standee/wall-hanger against damage. They'll definitely help hold the Defiant light, which is much thicker and heavier than the foamboard.

Note: Open heart surgery make Hulk angry!

I glued up semicircular supports for the Defiant light using foam board scraps, and taped on a cover to hold it in. I dislike using the tape, so when I think of better way to hold in the light, I'll upgrade my light holder.

By the way, you did know that Jim Shooter, who started Valiant, also started a company called Defiant, right? (Yes, of course you did).
 

Finally, my Bloodshot standee is finished! (The light glows red, really). Hopefully, he does justice to Vin Diesel, who loved the character so much he convinced Sony to make the movie, as well as my Facebook friend Kevin VanHook, who helped create Bloodshot, and wrote many of Bloodshot's early stories.

By the way, you did know that Kevin VanHook also served as editor for X-O Manowar Volume 1 Issues 11-15, didn't you? (Yes, of course you did.)
 

So there Bloodshot is, standing guard for us. He'll guide our steps at night, thanks to a nifty timer, as well as the included remote control.

Now I think I'll sit back, turn on the TV, and watch Bloodshot starring Vin Diesel again. You did know that I bought it on digital, and really love the movie, didn't you? 

Yes, of course you did.


Dragon Dave

The Bloodshot Project: Part 5

Originally, I had only planned on using the light and "truer" blues, but I wasn't pleased with the result. The blues just seemed to bright and bold. So I decided to go over them with the greenish blue.

This gave me the relaxed, lived-in look I had desired. Bloodshot's jeans looked richer, and more real than before. Close-up, you can still see lots of brush marks from the Artist's Loft Dual Tip markers. Still, the pants looked closer to the way I had envisioned them, based on the Bloodshot #0 Cover B by Ramon F. Bachs.

Another plus of the coloring was it helped tone down the gray shading for his skin. 

At this point, my wife suggested an idea for the chest. I must admit, she has excellent taste.

 

The thing is, all the way through this project, I was never certain what I'd do next. The project just kept evolving. As I was still debating about the chest, I deferred the decision on the chest and concentrated on cutting out my Bloodshot figure.

This took awhile, as all those changes of directions are hard on a little X-O-acto knife. So I took my time, biting off a little section, then taking a break to relax and recharge my nanite-concentration levels. Then it was back to attack another area.

After I finished cutting out the figure, I took a longer break for a rethink.  I knew most of what I wanted to do, but had to decide exactly how I'd do each, and in what order. The next day, I decided to make two backer boards from the finished figure.

I dithered around about what step to take next. I decided on finishing the eyes. Rather than go ultra-real Vin Diesel, I went more comic book Bloodshot.

I still had a ways to go, but at least the Bloodshot project was finally coming together.

Dragon Dave

The Bloodshot Project: Part 4

After I finished penciling my Bloodshot figure, I took out my set of Faber Castell pens. I'd only inked one drawing with them, and thought it a good opportunity to learn how each pen worked. To my surprise, I found my lines wandered far more with the smaller tips than the larger ones. Also, when I needed to ink large areas, the larger tip showed my individual strokes.

My set of Sharpie Markers had three different grays. I used these for shading. The Sharpies gave me better coverage on the white board than the Faber Castell pens, so after I finished with the gray markers, I went over all the Faber Castell black with a black Sharpie. This gave the inking a more uniform appearance. 

The blue Sharpie markers didn't come in the range I wanted, so I purchased a pack of Artist's Loft Dual Tip Markers. These are alcohol-based markers with two tips: a brush tip at one end, and a chisel tip at the other. They are similar to the popular Copic markers, which my late friend, professional colorist Justin Ponsor, used for commissions. I've also seen lots of artists using them at Wondercon. 

I watched online tutorials to learn how the Copic markers work. In addition to the Copic website, I found a fun and helpful video from the Youtube channel Jazza. Then I started coloring. 

As is my practice when using Prismacolor pencils, I used the lightest blue first. I had a hard time using the chisel tip, so I concentrated on learning the brush tip. The Artist's Loft brush tip didn't deepen the color while wet, as in the Copic tutorials. Nor did it leave a uniform appearance. 

The Artist's Loft brush tip also picked up the black ink. This gave me darker areas and streaks/lines. I'm guessing the excess ink came from the Faber Castell pens, as they had bled more during use than the Sharpies. (Strangely, the smaller tips had bled more than the larger ones). Still, by avoiding the black as much as possible, and waiting for the color to dry between coats, I slowly deepened the light blue.

Still, the look of the coat looked rather streaky and blotchy. This put me off using the markers again for a day or so. 

Then a thought struck me. "Why don't I look for a tutorial specifically about the Artist's Loft markers?" I searched, and found one on the Youtube channel Juicy Ink. In her video, the artist explained that the Artist's Loft markers were not as versatile as the Copics, and didn't work quite the same. Although she liked the additional color choices offered, she worried that beginners would grow dispirited with the results, thinking it was their fault, rather than the limitations of the markers. 

This made me feel better about my efforts, and I decided to have another go at the coloring.

Another thing I noticed in the Juicy Ink tutorial was that the artist disliked the brush tip, and used the chisel tip for just about everything. So as I applied additional coats, deepening the color with more light blue, and then two darker shades of blue, I used the chisel tool too. I still couldn't control it as well as I would like. I could not lay down a uniform appearance, or in any way blend individual strokes together. Still, with time and patience, the pants and shoes darkened, and took on the appearance I was hoping for.

Dragon Dave

Related Links
Jazza tutorial
Juicy Ink

Mini X-O and the Perfect Read

By Lugh, this trip taketh too long. 

I require a diversion!

Peter F. Hamilton is an imaginative writer, but this novel will take forever to finish.

I require a story with his level of inventiveness and entertainment, only shorter.

No, by Lugh, I demand it!

 

If only the new series by Dennis "Hopeless" Hallum and Emilio Laiso could be as awesome as Robert Venditti's run.

 Wouldn't that be awesome?

The Unique Eternal Warrior

Last year at Wondercon, Valiant announced a limited edition flocked cover for the first issue of their Punk Mambo series. It promised fans a unique experience that must be felt to be believed. Fans who bought them enjoyed the unique tactile experience.

Recently, my wife made this version of Gilad Anni-Padda. Known as the Eternal Warrior, he fights for the preservation of our planet's ecosystem. He may stand apart from this cover, but I think he fits in. And yes, he must be felt to be believed.

Dragon Dave

 

Related Links

Valiant Presents Flocked Punk Mambo

Wondercon Moments 3

Wondercon 2020: Postponed or Canceled

Just another victim of the Coronavirus

A look back at Wondercon 2019

New Valiant writer Vita Ayala 

On the importance of myth in storytelling

Presenting her new series Livewire.

Dragon Dave

The Bloodshot Project: Part 3

Sometimes, a project evolves beyond your plans.

Be patient, and give it time to breathe.

Let it become what it wants to become:

what it needs to be.

The results may surprise you.

The Bloodshot Project: Part 2

When you finish penciling in Movie Bloodshot's face and upper body, erase your grid lines. Now break out your markers. Have fun with your marking. Be bold! Cut a deadly black swath through those pencil lines!

Oh, and don't forget his guns!

At this point, you have a choice. 

Option 1: Color in his red eyes and the circle on his chest. Cut out your Bloodshot figure with an X-O-acto knife. Cut black paper or board to fit over his lower body. Congratulations: you've completed your Vin Diesel Bloodshot standee!

Option 2: You can pick up your pencil, and trace out the features of his waist, pants, and shoes. But wait, that's more work, isn't it?

Yes, it is.

No, I mean seriously: it is!

Personally, I'd advise against Option 2. All this penciling could drive you insane!!!

Wondercon Moments 2

Wondercon 2020

Victim of the Coronavirus

A memory from 2019

Writer Joshua Dysart

Finally back with Valiant

Presenting his new hit series

The Life and Death of Toyo Harada

Dragon Dave

The Bloodshot Project: Part 1

Nasty Coronavirus got you down? 

Why not celebrate Sony's new Bloodshot movie by making your own Vin Diesel Bloodshot standee? Sound good? Okay, then, get yourself a white board, print a few images off the Internet, and get to work!

Vin Diesel is such an obscure actor, you may have to search a long time to find a photo of him. So take a still from the movie trailer. 

What? Watch the Bloodshot movie trailer again? How onerous!

Measure out a grid and draw your standee to the desired scale. If it's a big image, it may take awhile to do all your penciling. Take your time, and enjoy the experience.

As you make progress, that will encourage you, and keep you going.

Take that, nasty Coronavirus!

Wondercon Moments 1

Wondercon 2020 has been postponed or cancelled.

Just another victim of the Coronavirus.

Here's a memory from last year's con:

Sketching the convention center, 

and the giant poster of Shazam, 

while waiting for the doors to open.

Dragon Dave

Congratulations Lysa Hawkins and Heather Antos

Sandwiched between Editor Lysa Hawkins and former Marketing guru Mel Caylo

At last year's Wondercon, I met editor Lysa Hawkins. At the time, she was previewing two titles she was editing: Bloodshot and Punk Mambo. She currently edits Bloodshot and Rai, two of my favorite ongoing comics. Given my passion for Bloodshot, she gave me a glimpse of art from upcoming issues, and later mailed me an Ashcan, or a Black-and-White preview edition of Issue 1. Her talk got me excited about the possibilities of her Bloodshot series, but I could not have predicted how much I would enjoy her new take on this classic character.

Quantum & Woody: a surprise hit series

I've yet to meet her fellow editor Heather Antos. Nor have I ever followed Quantum & Woody before. But I'm enjoying this new series she's overseeing, and looking forward to learning more about these two superheroes and their notorious goat companion.

Apparently, the management at Valiant is equally impressed with these two ladies' efforts. Valiant has just announced that Lysa and Heather have been promoted to Senior Editors, where they'll be steering the entire line, while editing individual titles. Congratulations Lysa and Heather, and best wishes for you in your new positions.

X-O Manowar fans will doubtless hear more about Heather Antos, as she is editing the new series about our favorite Visigoth warrior coming out later this month...

Dragon Dave

Mini X-O Investigates Doctor Tomorrow

Shanhara, why don't I know this Doctor Tomorrow? What do you mean, he was heralded with great acclaim? Was he a baseball star or something? 

I guess we'd better waid on into this issue, and see what it's all about.

Hey, there we all are, defending Humanity against the mighty supervillain Hadrian. Sainted Shooter! This Doctor Tomorrow's a real knob, trying to start a row amid the battle by criticizing my battle tactics!

Caesar Augustyn! Good skin, what happened there? Did the Earth just blow up? And what happened to all my Valiant friends? The story just got going. It can't be over yet!

By the Ides of Marz, I guess the Earth didn't blow up after all! But clearly, something happened, and people died. At least I understand the baseball reference now. 

Englehart's coyotes, I like these kids Gretchen and Bart! I just wish I understood concepts like Vacuum Decay and Dark Energy. Sometimes, trying to survive in a 21st Century world on a 4th Century education can be difficult, even if you're wearing sentient armor with high speed Internet access.

So Shanhara, you're saying that much of the matter in the universe we can't perceive is called Dark Matter, and the way all that Dark Matter interacts creates Dark Energy? Venditti's surrogate science! This Dark Energy is driving the increasing expansion of our universe!

What? Vacuum Decay involves the possibility of some small spacial event that rips through the universe at the speed of light? So by setting off that explosion, was Hadrian creating a vacuum bubble that could cause our universe to collapse? What's this guy's beef with the universe, for Kindt's sake! And how can we stop him?

Let's-a lay-ton on back here and watch for more debris, Gretchen and Bart. No no, stay away from the impact zone! What if that was a space ship, and there are Spider Alien or Vine survivors?

By Lugh, phew! It's Doctor Tomorrow. I guess he's okay. At least, let's see what he wants.

By Arbona's awesome mind, I suppose we ought to help him. Don't you?

Mini X-O

An X-O-lent Surprise

Last weekend, the good folks at Valiant surprised my wife and I with a poster for the upcoming X-O Manowar series. When this beauty arrived, all other activity in our house stopped while we decided how best to display it. Eventually, we took down our best frame, which has held a poster of San Francisco bay for over thirty years. After cleaning the frame and glass, we placed our new poster inside. Our X-O Manowar poster now hangs proudly in our master bedroom, where 4th Century Visigoth turned 21st Century warrior Aric of Dacia can watch over us while we sleep, and inspire us each morning. My wife and I can't wait until March 25th, when Aric's new set of adventures begin! 

Incidentally, this new poster is based on Cover B for issue #1. You can read what the new series is about, see all the covers, and view four preview pages from issue #1, on the Valiant Entertainment X-O Manowar page.

Oh, and don't worry about our San Francisco poster. We've enjoyed it for over thirty years. It can rest in the mailing tube for awhile.

Dragon Dave

Happy Birthday to the Wonderful Vita Ayala

Archer: Hey, isn't that Vita Ayala, writer of the Livewire series?
Faith: Yes it is. Isn't she wonderful?
Archer: I loved all the mythology that informed her stories.
Faith: Yes, that was neat. Isn't she wonderful?
Archer: Hey, isn't it her birthday today?
Faith: Yes, it is. Isn't that wonderful?
Archer: Well, she certainly is.
Faith: Hey, watch it, Bub. You're with me!