New Website

We will be moving our blog over to Our New Website starting today.

"Why?" I hear you ask? Because we're also launching the online preview, starting with Issue 0 of "Anne's Story". Go visit the new site to see!

Quick Post: Boston Comic Con

(Just a quick update this time, the big news is below in last week's post!)

Ian will be visiting Boston Comic Con this coming weekend. If you would like to meet up and see some sneak-preview pages in person, please comment below.

The Ultimate Deathlings Preview!

In the recent poll, the top vote-getters have been "A Fully Colored Page" and "A Page with Dialogue"... I've been giving it some serious thought, and it's time to show you a page with everything in place. Specifically, I'm proud to present the first page of Issue 0, with the current near-final drafts of the colors and dialogue/lettering. You simply will not see anything more complete than this until the official preview starts in a few weeks.

The Deathlings: Anne's Story - Issue 0, Page 1 (of 5)

Writer & Letters: Ian C. Struckhoff

Line Artist: Michela Da Sacco

Color Artist: Juri Hayasaka

I hope this gives you all a taste for what our book will be like, and how wonderful the artwork is. It almost doesn't matter how good my writing turns out to be, because at the very least it was an excuse to put together an amazing art team and let them do fantastic work!

After this preview, I'll be scaling back on the preview of pages and artwork on the blog, until the actual Preview issue is released online. Keep your eyes out here for progress updates, posts about our technique and process, and even updates from other members of the team. Near the end of this month, I'll also be updating you to announce when the preview will be available.

Quick Update

I've decided to hold off on posting more preview art, until it becomes clear what you (our dear readers) really want to see more of. There's a poll at the top of the page that will give you a chance to have your say.

Until then, another quick update...

For the Preview:

- All 10 pages are now pencilled and inked

- At least the first draft of the letters for all 10 pages are done

- One page is fully colored, and a couple more are started

- Two separate covers are lined-up, and on schedule

Overall:

- Line art is almost 90% complete for Issues 0 and 1

- Color art just started recently, but is making good progress

- As writer, my focus is on writing Issue 2, finalizing dialogue and lettering in 0/1, coordinating the artwork, and preparing pitches for publishers

All in all, I'm just damned impressed. I first started writing this (as a graphic novel) only 84 days ago, and the artists have been working for only 60 days. (Less, in some cases.) That's a lot for them to accomplish working part time, alongside other work they actually get paid up front for.

As it stands, I think we are on track to start releasing the official digital Preview (Issue 0, plus 5 pages of Issue 1) by Halloween, as I hoped-- and to send that issue to the printers in November.

If you read this blog, you're already among the first to get a taste of the preview. Be sure to vote in the poll, about what you'd like to see next!

Welcome Juri Hayasaka to the Team!

The decision has been a while coming, due to the schedules of everyone involved, but I'm incredibly excited to announce a new addition to the art team for The Deathlings. We are being joined by the amazing Juri Hayasaka!

Juri has already begun work coloring pages for Issue 0. She is confirmed as the colorist for the "secondary" (fantasy, etc.) artwork, along with Michela. We are still deciding on who will color the other storyline, be it Juri as well, or someone else.

As much as I would love to tease you with some Deathlings art by Juri, we should hold back on that until final drafts are done. Instead, I highly recommend that you visit her DeviantArt page for some of her amazing original artworks. You won't be disappointed.

I have seen some quick color sketches already, and one near-final page, and this book is going to be beautiful. I'm so proud to have brought together such an exceptional team!