Magpie'd

So since deciding I was going to do a Magpie comic(which I'm starting work on in the latter half of 2013)I've been tweaking and developing the character design alongside brainstorming the script. It's been a very on and off thing, in between all of the work dividing my attention right now but it's also been pretty fun! My Magpie design was always one I was pretty happy with and is certainly my most popular character on DeviantArt so it's been a new kind of experience to try to evolve the design, given I've already had some people voice opposition at certain design tweaks I wanted to make(over the top eye-goggles seem to be a design feature I really shouldn't change.)

It's been really interesting too because I've found myself needing to make some edits because the design must now be informed by the narrative. Example! I did a redesign a little while back that I was going to try to stick to- one of the new additions to this redesign was a much more sporty-shoe heel to her boots. The idea was that her costume should be althletic and not get in the way of her momentum and freedom when moving- something I'd established early on would be a definite aspect to how I would show the character in action. As I started to develop the various scenarios in the script I was left with a pretty common problem of the character needing to get from her house to Lisburn, or Belfast or any place that you'd basically need a car to get to. This was when I introduced Roller-blades to the character which quickly became one of my favourite things about the visual element to the design- the action scenes and abilities the roller-blades give her in the script will be a really awesome and unique aspect to the book when I get to drawing it. I'm looking forward to that!

-Adam

So I promised myself I'd pitch something in '13

I'm going to be using everything I've learnt and hopefully with any luck create and pitch the best child-friendly adventure comic I can manage. It'll be a busy few months spending all the free time I have on it(I may be more of a hermit than usual!)I'll continue to do Felicity every Monday and Scoundrels will still see my contribution, not to mention there are a few freelance commitments I've already signed on for but aside from that! It's straight down the line to develop this idea and getting it out there.


Why a Child-friendly book?
I've never been especially interested in hyper gore, or zombies and horror and that's mostly all I see in comics. And for kids? There really isn't much of the same substance and meaning as there is to be found across the board in all other kids media. There are some truly fantastic cartoon shows and television shows that have proven appeal to all ages, even though they're made for kids. I don't see that so much in kids comics. Can I try to change that?


Sometimes, especially with kids comics, I feel like a comic book is limited to the genre- it's not as grand or epic and sprawling as a good kids book, or a good movie. I know it exists, so I know it's possible- I just don't understand why there aren't more of them. Can it be possible for a comic book to be as imaginative and captivating as other mediums? Can it be possible for a comic book to transcend all age brackets and just tell a great story?


I'm going to try to find out if I can answer that, that's the goal at least. I'll aim high and hopefully where ever the arrow pierces- will be a worthwhile read.

-Adam

Thumbnailin'

Think it might be fun to come back to this and add in edits and line work as it all develops to finished work. For now here's the first pass thumbs and second pass thumbs!

New Project - Concepts

I've been working on a Zelda-inspired project called 'The Journey' for quite a while and despite putting a lid on the story and design, I had decided I would shelve it for now, mostly because I couldn't meet my ambition for it just yet.

In the months since I saw the show Avatar - The Last Airbender which fell so perfectly in line with the worlds I had imagined for 'The Journey'. Some of that inspiration prompted me to expand on what I already had on the table and it has birthed a few ideas- one of which is playing with the notion of side-stories that might connect in some way with my eventual plans for 'The Journey'.
Additionally, one of my oldest projects and first ever world-building attempt was a story called 'Broken Falcon' which starred a bird-race who were driven to the edge of extinction by a powerful modern enemy. The designs above are the bringing-together of those two ideas into a new short story.

Early days an'dat.
This will be realized, whenever I can, as a short comic. I still don't feel ready to do 'The Journey' justice but I need to scratch my itch for a Zelda tribute and if I can nod my hat to the excellence found in Avatar - The Last Airbender all at the same time, then it'll be for better!

-Adam

Small Steps!

I find myself someone who nearly always focuses on all of my failings before any success. I don't think of myself as pessimistic but never an optimist either! At any rate, what matters in this journey more than anything is to remember the small victories. That's why I'll be making record of any I make along the way so I can look back when I feel glum!

First of which this year is a small feature on Crisp Comics which tries its best to share indie and creator owned comics with the world, I was chuffed to be asked if they could feature Felicity and I know it's not exactly TIME magazine but it feels really nice to know there's a reader who cared enough to think of featuring it.

It's right here!

http://crispcomics.com/webcomic-spotlight-the-new-adventures-of-felicity/

-Adam

Doodle Dump Numero 7

All manner of doodles from the last little while.

-Adam!

Evolution

Just a visual record of some of the old 99 work to current, New Adventures style(Right click and Open in new tab if you want a closer look at the top one!)

-Adam