Hello everyone,

I pray all is well. In light of a recent script review I received via Comixtribe, I’ve decided to make a few changes to the scripts for the Lightweightz Anthology. Some of the changes apply to scripts that (1) have already been drawn and are in the process of being colored, (2) have been drawn but not colored, (3) are in the process of being drawn, and (4) will be drawn in the future. After thinking about how to best incorporate the valuable feedback I received in light of my goals for releasing both parts of the anthology this year, I’ve decided to proceed as follows:

Scripts that have already been drawn and are in the process of being colored. Scripts for each of the intro stories to be included in part one of the anthology (to be released in April or May) have been drawn, and at least half of the pages for each script have been colored. Given how far along I am with these pages (as well as the fact that they are already paid for, lol!), I’ve decided to leave the pages as they are as far as structure is concerned (e.g., panel layouts, camera angles, etc.). What I will change (insofar as it does not go against the panels) is the dialogue. So in this regard, each of the intro stories will undergo an overhaul of some sorts.

Scripts that have been drawn but not colored. At the time of the feedback, there was one script that was drawn, but not yet colored. Since it will be included in part two of the anthology to be released later this year (November/December), I decided to redo the entire script and have those pages re-drawn. Yes that means that I would have paid to have the same script drawn twice, but in the end I felt it was worth it to redo it incorporating some of the feedback I received from the review.

Scripts that are in the process of being drawn. There was one character whose intro story fits this bill, and his script has  undergone an entire overhaul. I still may change some of the dialogue again before I include it in part two of the anthology, but based on the changes I’ve already made, I think the story turned out much better.

Scripts that will be drawn. Similar to the previous category, in that an entire overhaul is in order.

I feel like this is the best way for me to move forward, given how much has already been produced and invested in the anthology, and the amount of useful and relevant feedback I received.

What do you think? Have you ever decided to make significant changes to a script or scripts in light of feedback you received?

Until next time, take care and keep creating!

I pray all is well. Today it is with great pleasure that I recommend Faith Land by Melchizedek Todd:

A very different feel from Allegories of the Way (which I also recommend), Faith Land takes a more gritty, present-world look at issues of faith as they relate to superheroes and villains. If you like superheroes and you like action, I recommend you check it out. Here’s a couple of preview pages:

If you’ve read it, what do you think? Until next time, take care.

I wanted to let you know that the Hydroland: Aftermath Sampler is now available for free download at Drive Thru Comics.

Here’s a a variant cover, and a preview page:

You can download it here. If you check it out, I would appreciate it if you leave a comment with some feedback. Until next time, take care and have a great one.

Today I want to recommend Valkyrie Squadron by Jules Rivera:

Set in space, Valkyrie Squadron is about a team of four women who are part of an alliance with all of humanity to fight a war against robots. I really enjoy the different approach taken by having an all-female space-soldier crew, with each member having her own distinct and believable personality. And as a huge fan of the first Starship Troopers, it’s fun to read a comic that has the same kind of feel to it. You can read the comic here.

If you’ve read it already, what do you think? Until next time, take care.

I pray all is well. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my favorite comic to date is Rising Stars by J. Michael Straczynski. Thanks to the Rising Stars: Compendium, I have read the entire series as well as the short-stories of the main characters. Although it’s a ton of reading, I’ll probably read it again at some point, and I’m considering dedicating a podcast episode or at least part of one to discuss in detail why it’s my favorite comic.

But the purpose of this post is not to talk about my favorite comic or graphic novel, but to find out what is yours. So leave a comment and let me know what’s your favorite comic or graphic novel, and a sentence or two briefly explaining why.

Until next time, peace and take care.

I pray all is well. Today it is with great pleasure that I recommend Hand of the Morningstar by Zondervan:

A super-powered team story (e.g., think Justice League or Avengers) from a Christian worldview, HOTM tells the story of a group of superpowered individuals who are working to achieve world peace, and are doing so on behalf a mysterious entity known as the Morningstar. In the midst of their peace-keeping efforts they run into a supervillian who soon becomes a superhero, and it becomes clear that all is not what it seems.

There are eight volumes total (volume eight to be released in March), and I’ve included cover art for the first six. A good story with cool characters and tons of action, I recommend you check it out.

If you’ve read it, what do you think? Until next time, take care.

I pray all is well. After reading over the feedback I received today on one of my four-page scripts I submitted to a comic book editor, I’ve realized two things. On the one hand, I have come a long way since jotting down my initial ideas for Lightweightz, to where I am today. On the other hand, I still have a very long way to go as far as learning how to write a solid, let alone good comic script. Since its inception, I have been periodically looking at the various scripts that have been reviewed by Steven Forbes on The Proving Grounds, a section of ComixTribe dedicated to helping aspiring and current comic creators write better scripts.

I decided to submit a script for review, and you can check out the feedback here. I also encourage anyone who’s serious about creating comics and getting better at it to check out ComixTribe and The Proving Grounds, as the attention and advice you will receive is invaluable. As I now have a better understanding of what my major scripting hang-ups are and how to begin addressing them, I’m extremely grateful for Steven taking the time to critique my script in as much detail as he did.

I’m also grateful for the people who chimed in via the comments section, providing me with additional resources and advice. Given that writing comics is a marathon and not a sprint, it’s great to know that there are others who are running alongside you, willing to help. And last but not least, a huge shout out to Tyler James (co-creator of ComixTribe), who not only put me on to the site, but was available from the very beginning of my comic creation process, answering the tons of questions I would ask him about creating my own comic.

Hopefully checking out the feedback I received on my script (or Steven’s feedback on others’ scripts) can be of a resource to you. Continue creating, and have a great weekend!

Hello everyone,

I pray all is well. As the new year is well under way, I thought it would be a good idea to update you on each of the projects I am working on. This update will focus on my flagship title Lightweightz, and for all intents and purposes, my “baby,” lol.

My goal for this year is to release the Lightweightz: Anthology in two parts. I plan to release the first part in April or May, and the second part in November or December. Each part will contain a four-page intro story for four of the Lightweightz.

Here’s some concept art and a preview page for each of the four Lightweightz that will be featured in the first part of the Anthology. The amazing art and colors are done by Przemyslaw R. Dedelis and Lya Cuello, respectively:

Solomon

Kayin

Abaddon

Grace

All of the pages for these first four intro stories have been drawn. So now I’m working on getting them colored and lettered. I’ve also started reaching out to other artists to see if they are interested in doing a cover for the anthology. I think it’ll be cool (and not to mention fun) to see the characters depicted differently by different artists. Who knows, if my budget permits, maybe each Lightweight intro story will be will have a cover drawn by a different artist!

Well that’s it for now…you’ve officially been brought up to speed. Stay tuned for more information on Lightweightz and the anthology in the weeks to come, as well information on the other comic projects I am working on this year. Until then, have a blessed one and keep creating!

Hello everyone,

I pray all is well. I just wanted to update you on how we did this year with the Comic Creators for Freedom fundraiser. This year we were able to raise $7500! The amount will be split down the middle between Love 146 and Gracehaven, two organizations deeply committed to helping victims of Human Trafficking.

If you still want to purchase the wallpaper, you can do so at Cafe Press. Here’s a sample of what it looks like, as well as a picture of how Lightweightz’ very own Kayin was holding it down in the snowball fight:

A huge thanks to everyone who donated and/or spread the word. Let’s continue to support victims of human trafficking, and raise awareness of this extremely prevalent issue. Speaking of further support, check out this Kickstarter project aimed at using a graphic novel to help bring more awareness to the issue of human trafficking.

Take care and have a great one!

I pray all is well. Today I want to recommend Cleopatra In Space by Mike Maihack:

It’s late and I need to get some sleep, so I’ve included the official synopsis below, taken from the website:

Zapped away as a teenager from her home era of 52 BC, Cleopatra VII found herself in the middle of a centuries’ long war in the far, far, really far, far future. Now she fights alongside P.Y.R.A.M.I.D. (Pharaoh Yasiro’s Research And Military Initiative of Defense), both human and alienkind’s only hope against the evil Xaius Octavian.

But first she has to complete her latest mission…

One thing I would say however, is that one of things I like most about Cleopatra is Mike’s characterization of Cleo. From the moment I was introduced to her, I was a fan. It’s a fun read with a really strong and dynamic lead character, and I highly recommend you check it out. You can also check out an interview I did with him here.

If you’ve read it, what do you think? Until next time, take care.