Impromanga

Finally, a new page. To be honest, this page has been sitting on my computer for weeks, half done. The reason I've been procrastinating is because I really didn't think I could do this page justice. It's a simple page, and I think that's why I had such high hopes for it. Because there's not much happening, the art was even more important to me, if that makes any sense. I wanted the first panel to pop out, and when I finished the lineart, I just didn't see that happening. So I fiddled around with this page until I finally got fed up and decided to finish it, warts and all.

In the end, I'm happier with this page than I thought I would be. I hope it was worth the long delay. The next page will be along shortly, since it's also partially finished.

In other news, please visit the Impromanga I'm helping to manage.

Also, Sass Studios has started the recruiting process and story creation for the next anthology. I'll keep you updated on our progress.

Cover tutorial/preview

I've uploaded a tutorial of sorts of the Chapter 7 cover to my deviantart account. To check it out, go here.

Media frenzy

OMG. I wrote this entire post and while I was trying to insert links, something else opened up in this window and the entire post disappeared. Sometimes I hate computers.

Anyway time for a shorter rewrite ... so by "media frenzy", I really mean my frenzy about the media. In terms of comic news, there's very little that I haven't already posted in the forums. I have, however, learned that I can't draw horses or people falling. Argh. But I can draw people staring into space. In any case, back to the media:

1. Pan's Labyrinth. I wrote a long, gushing testament to the movie which I don't want to rewrite. Especially since there are reviews and an interview (spoilerific!). Needless to say, this movie has now usurped Donnie Darko as being my favorite movie. I highly recommend it you don't mind gore (I just looked away XD) and gothic sensibilities.

2. Hot Fuzz. Despite it's name, it's not a movie that's rated M. It's a comedic cop movie by the makers of Shawn of the Dead, a hilarious romatic comedy with zombies. Zombies! I'm not a zombie fan, and I was disappointed (and traumatized) when the comedy suddenly became Dawn of the Dead, but I still remember the movie fondly because it was the funniest thing I've seen in a long while. The Hot Fuzz trailer is hilarious. And they spoof themselves! Just watch the trailers for Shawn of the Dead and Hot Fuzz and you'll see what I mean. It's awesome.

3. Heroes. Watch it. It's cool. It's back tonight. It's about ordinary people who gain superpowers (think Spiderman x 10! But less corny and without Kirsten Dunst. Yay!). It's got angsty heroes, japanese heroes and cheerleader heroes! I usually hate anything related to cheerleaders in general, but the actress and the writer just make her instantly likable.

4. Battlestar Galactica. Also back in action and as good as ever. But more angsty. The twists are just as shocking as ever.

5. Ugly Betty. Not so happy with where this show's going. But the actors have superb comedic timing, so I'll forgive them as long as Henry keeps coming back.

Links and stuff

Last time I pretty much ran my mouth off so this time I have very little to say. So instead, I shall post up linkies, thus sparing my fingers and your eyes from reams of text.

1. My new DrunkDuck account! Awesomely, I was featured on DD. Totally made my week.
2. Yet another poll. This one is about my inking. It's in the forum but there's no need to register. Vote to determine the fate of the comic.
3. Go here for progress on Chapter 7. I will randomly post news there.
4. Thanks to everyone who sent me an email asking questions, giving me encouragement and plain ole letting me know you're still reading. It was much appreciated. I started up a FAQ in the forum to answer the questions that I was asked, because I wanted to let everyone else know the answers. I'm assuming if one person has a particular question, other people do too.
5. Vote at TWC to check out some character designs.

Pan's Labyrinth

The title of this blog is in reference to a movie that is in limited release (and thus has various release dates around North America and ?the world?). It's received droves of critical reviews so far from the likes of Rotten Tomatoes and Ign (the two places I check for reviews before deciding whether or not to see a movie). Rotten Tomatoes is usually known for its harsh critiques and reluctance to give any movie rave reviews, which really peaks my interest for Pan's Labyrinth. Ah ... but before I go further I should mention that this movie is supposed to have a lot of gore (it involves "dark fantasy" and the Spanish Civil War). So ... if it's going to be illegal for you to see this movie ... don't go see it. I won't condone anything illegal ... in writing. Anyway, it's by Guillermo Del Toro, the same guy who directed Hellboy (which I wasn't a huge fan of, but lots of people seemed to like that movie). In any case, if you happen to be itching for a movie, something more cerebral and dramatic and imaginative and original all at the same time, then go see it. If you're chomping at the bit for more cookie-cutter Hollywood fare, still go see it, because it'll make you realize that there's more to storytelling than what Hollywood has to offer.

And ... this newspost is still not done. I've started a fun little forum game for my own amusement and my characters' torment. Let's see how many of my own characters I can traumatize (like I don't do that already). There's also this sadistically cute dog.

Finally, like I requested in the mail list, I'd really appreciate it if people voted for KM again. I miss the good ole days when KM was in the top 100, which really meant a lot to me. I'd probably be lucky to have 100 readers at this point ... but I can dream ... and you can help me get there. And yes ... I'm writing this at 2am, so I'm entitled to be a sap right now. Oh, and if a smattering of you happen to drop me a line to tell me what you think of KM, the good, the bad, the ugly, I'd love you for it. I forgot you can comment directly to this blog, which isn't too hard at all, or you can drop a line in the shoutbox. (Though to be honest I like email best, cuz then I can look back at it later and be encouraged ^__^).

And ... this is a really long post already, but I've got to mention that I HATE Eunice for getting me addicted to another YouTube show. Kidding. Well, only sorta. Here's Eunice's blog, here's the show and here's the manga. Hana Kimi is rather ridiculous, but it's wierdly addicting. I usually hate shoujo, and heck, there are parts of this manga/show that make me want to smack my forehead, but I still keep reading/watching. I'll just pretend I'm using the videos to studying Chinese.... (And that I'm looking at the cute guys trying to learn how to lip read in Chinese XD).

The end of the longest blog. Ever. *SLEEEEEP*

New Year, same ole comic

... except shinier, and in color. Not much to say, though I must admit that rain makes everything looks pretty and angsty. There really needs to be more rain in this comic! Anyway, I've been yawning for the past two hours so I can't think of much to say. There's a new poll to the right of the news box that I'd love if you voted on (only once though!).

Also, in the world of online comics, My Shining Knight by Modesty is finished. Probably one of few comics out there that actually made it from beginning to end. Another comic, by Eunice P, called I Come From Mars looks like it'll come to an end soon. And finally, a comic that needs some loving is Star Cross'dDestiny, which has recently been reborn, much to the fortune of the comic community and the web at large.

Cheers!

Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Apologies for the lack of updates. What with being out of town, filling out applications, finishing papers and finishing my commissions, the comic got put on the back burner. It didn't help that I ended up hating every version of this current page. But for the time being, I've got my art groove back, though KM still wavers from looking almost manly to looking like a little elf kid.

Couple things, I'll be looking for some commissions come Christmas, so if you're interested in a belated Christmas present/New Years gift I'd be happy to oblige. More details to come, when I finish these other two pieces I'm working on.

Secondly, Sass Studios has started an Impromanga. It's still in its infancy, but the next set of pages feature my story and Modesty's art and lots of awesome characters. The Impromanga will include variations on the KM gang (think alternate dimension). Dai and Tak will both be featured as (possibly) prominent characters, and KM might eventually meandre in to make an appearance. So if you're interested in adding another comic to your list (something to read when KM goes AWOL?) then bookmark the link. An actual website will be up and running eventually ... but for now, check the Sass Studios forum for updates.

Lastly, I'll post some contest prize art and commission snippets in the voting incentives. And the Sass Studios Anthology is still on sale (and will be as long as Comixpress is in business).

Cheers, and seriously, for those of you who are still reading and checking back, I really appreciate it. Thanks terribly for all your patience. Unfortunately, updates will be unreliable until after February, but I'll try during Christmas to pump out some pages. Anyway, to keep abreast of all the pages updates, join the mailing list. I use it only to email everyone about page updates, so it is by no means spam.