I have a few stories that I’d love to tell visually. Some of these are World of Warcraft stories and some aren’t. Over the next few weeks I’ll be posting “test pages” to this site for as many of these ideas as I can get done. After I get enough feedback, I’ll choose which one(s) I’ll pursue further.
This first one is called “T-Minus.” The idea came to me when I thought whether a web comic could support a structure similar to the television series “24.” Instead of each episode being one hour of real-time, however, each comic page would be roughly two seconds off the countdown clock. Hence, the title “T-Minus.” The plot? Well, the first page should give a little teaser…
Note: The tonal patterns are done to emulate a black and white manga page.
Please leave feedback. I know my manga style is definitely rough and amateurish, but part of the purpose of this project is practice. I seek to improve.
8 Comments(+Add)
Liking, but I have some things which might be more questions that actually comments. Didn’t see any ears and his face seems a little squished around the eyes. Affect of the helmet? Also, would the helmet also cast a shadow on the other side of his nose? In the second panel the thighs seem a bit flat, angle perhaps?
Anyway, very good! I like it a lot! The style is very solid. 🙂
Definitely an interesting start. I will be curious to see more of it. 🙂
I love the concept, and I think the content of this first page is Win. The artwork could use a little tweaking, but thinking about all beginning comic drawings, they always start rough – Simpsons, Family Guy, all mangas…the style evolves as the comic grows.
Keep up the good work! =) Excited to read more.
Very nice! I’m not a strong enough artist myself to pinpoint where things could be improved, but I don’t see anything that won’t get better with practice and experience. Things like shading, anatomy, and the like are learned. 🙂 I love the tones you used too. You’ve got a very strong start, in my opinion.
Also, the idea of a comic using the “24” model intrigues me.
Looking forward to more!
@Arcania: The helmet design is somewhat of a fudge. Traditional “space suit” helmets are open, allowing the head to move freely within the helmet. “Fighter pilot” helmets are snug to the head, and move WITH the wearer. This was a combo of both, so the design’s a little ‘off.’ As to the other stuff? Yeah, chalk it up to me still being new at this.
@Stepford Mom: Thank you! In addition to art practice, this specific comic will also be writing practice. The format requires a certain type of creativity to fit within the restrictions, heh.
@Nassira: Thanks. Yeah, I need something to keep me practicing and focused. Placing myself under the gun of this type of thing is sure to give me more to draw than I’ll know what to do with, but the intent is to improve.
@Shizukera: Thanks! There’s no guarantee that this particular one will be the one that “makes it.” I like the concept I have, to be honest, but there are other ideas I’m also working on behind-the-scenes here.
I like the emphasis on the eyes. They are very expressive and relatable. Great work
The page layout is decent, it flows rather well from one panel to the next, which is really important. Its not cluttered up either its a smooth transition between each panel.
I like the way you used the screentones, though I think you need to put more emphasis in the values in each panel, reason being when you add more contrasts between light and dark it gives a more solid feel to each panel.
Though honestly this page is nice and solid, it makes you curious for the story. I would love to see the rough sketches for it too.
Thanks for the comments!
@Stardancer: I wanted to start on the eyes first, and then pan outward to the pilot, and then finally the ship. It should, theoretically, mirror the flow of the text, too. We start with his personal memory of his father, step outward to see his involvement in the situation, and finally pull all the way out to reveal the full truth (for the page, at least). Hopefully I was able to capture that a bit.
@Nothus: Since I used Manga Studio EX 4 for this test page, I still have all layers used. I can export the rough page and upload it to my sketchwork portfolio during the day.
Also, since this is my first attempt using screentones, my experience with them is definitely weak. I’ll see what I can do to make it “pop” more.