Last Week of May

Hey there sports fans, Al here with the latest: 

CTS Part 2, Page 2 Panel 4 "The Crash"
2012 Copyright Alan Bennett & BBVA

Corrax the Seeker is moving into a coloring phase right as the finished inks are now completed.  It's a good thing to as I have begun penciling the next installment for CTS #2.  So what's this all mean?

Production my friends.

  Its unfortunate that I have to think like that but this is how you make any kind of living by putting out that popular character.  It was bit more than I could chew when I thought about doing Corpse Cop as project series in scratchboard.  Just a long prep time and editing. 

Pen and ink is a bit easier to do.

BUT there is one thing I haven't really talked about, it's Corrax's back ground.  

Guilded Edges #3
1999 copyright Alan Bennett

Pictured here for the first time in 12 years Corrax's first appearance from Guilded Edges #4 circa 1998.  Corrax was originally set as a galactic  information broker.  Selling and dealing with all assorted types around the galaxy.  

The Original Outer Limits Episode "Joy Ride"
Simon Oakland as the Empyrian 1963 copyright MGM

Based upon an Old Outer Limits episode called "Second Chance AKA Joy Ride" with actor Simon Oakland playing an Empyian who needed help to avoid a huge cosmic catastrophe on his home planet Empyira and Earth AND the simple fact that I was dealing with crows around Eugene at the time attacking me.

So knowing that and their link in world mythology, I decided to name him after the animal classification for ravens.  I thought that was a pretty slick maneuver.  To quote the Original Highlander movie character Nash/MacCloud "I'm from lots of different places."

So when Johnny Vega came about for Guilded Edges I needed a sidekick to be his foil.  Corrax fit the bill but with just a little twiking.  

Now look at him what was once a shadowy figure with questionable motives now to ranger and leader.

Cool I say.

But something that my friend George said to me "Bennett, you're a monster."  I thought about this coupled with something Adam said to me you seem more of comfortible drawing and illustrating aliens and monsters than people.  He's right and so was George.  It's easier for me to draw about the fantastic creatures emanating from my brain than drawing about the real monsters that I see everyday.  People.  There's a lot of good they can do but it always gets over shadowed periodically by the cruelty that we do to eachother.  I just manifest that stuff through my drawings.

But enough introspection.  On to work.

"HUNTING PARTY 2"  5"X7" scratchboard
2012 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

I am going to try to bring the Postit Adventures back and finish up what I started for Vega.  Anything that is mentioned in the postits is the basis for CTS.  Theres a rich history for me to mine for CTS.

And with that being said I am outta here. 

The Latest ON CTS

Hey there sports fans, Al here with the latest: 

CORRAX THE SEEKER NEWS:

CTS#1 Page 2, Panel 1 - still a few revisions to do
copyright 2012 Alan Bennett and BBVA

So begins the task of getting comparative price quotes from a few different printers here in town and elsewhere in the states.  As CTS #1 enters it 's last part of the the creative phase of inking and starting of scanning and coloring, I have to start thinking about the whole package deal of CTS.

  There are no worries about writting the character or illustrating him either it's the final product that I have to relearn.  It seems to me that when a new book comes to completion the specs of printing suddenly changes.  In particular in the case of online sales.  A year ago I was only aware of one company that was offering digital downloads for comics but now online nearly everyone is doing it.  I know that I usually have my head down glued to the bristol creating universes and the like but damn I'm gonna have to spend an entire day setting up online shops to get the work out there.  It 's unfortunate that our society isn't about the collecting scarcity anymore it's about what I can rip from the internet.  

  Gotta change with the times.  So with that being said I hope to have CTS offered online in several e stores by the end of the year.  So look to Nook and Kindel as well as myEbook and comicsdrivethru.  I will probably be bending my friend Adam's ear at Darkslinger since he has his fingers locked into that much more than I.   This may also include a kickstarter account as well.  We'll see where this goes.

"PERCHED"  A ball point sketch
copyright 2012 Alan Bennett and BBVA

"YA WANT SOME?  Hi Res Scan of Corrax
copyright 2012 Alan Bennett and BBVA

BUT Before anything else goes down with issue #5 of CTS I have to readapt the original story idea to favor Corrax.  Unfortunately when your main character is focal point of the book you're working on ya kinda have to focus on them.  So the equal billing for the original crossover had to be retooled not only the focus on CTS taking but also redesigning what once was Ben Perkin's Heavy Horse to Herne the Hunter.

  Herne was inspired by Heavy but with a much different origin.

And who knows , Herne could take off too for all I know.

ALSO BY THE END OF THE YEAR..

  I would like (if the world doesn't come to an end by then) to also have specs on a few galleries here in town for a solo show.  I think one of the things that has been hurting me financially is shear visibly of my art by itself.  The work has gathered a lot of looks over the year. In Seattle at E.C.C.C. the scratchboard was getting a lot of looks but compared to the digital color books it was being passed over.  Like the novelty of a black and white amongst color, very old school in the presentation. This is what I  noticed at the last couple of shows.  But if there wasn't anything else to pull your eye away from the work you might see something new.

  Something cool.

WAR RAM NEWS: 

  Now with work on CTS taking place it won't be long before the origin of the War Ram is revealed.  And the thing is if and when Jason Z. completes his story it might be in the same vein as Corpse Cop- scratchboard style!  How cool would that be?

So there you have it.

The Latest from CTS

Hey there sports fans, Al here with the latest:


FIRSTLY I WANTA SAY IS THIS: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!  
So on behaf of all kids and adult children out there thank you for putting up with all our craziness and silly things over the years.  In a lot of cases we know we are not perfect in our hearts but we love you just the same and the fact that you love us and make us feel like we are perfect in your eyes.  And though I know that that there is some cases where bad blood runs between some children and their parents still say thank you for the gift of life because without them I wouldn't know you as good friends that you are right now.  mothers - thank you ever so much!


AND NOW RETURNING TO OUR REGULAR SCHEDULED PROGRAMING:

"Seething..."  5"X 7" Scratchboard
2012 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

WAR RAM!


War Ram the unstoppable engine of cosmic destruction is coming to a planet near you and it ain't gonna be pretty!  His first introduction was in print in the MONO crossover "Weird Atomic Tales" but his actual creation started over two years ago when the possibility of yet another crossover was in the works for Black Box Comix with Corrax. 
  This time I would be working with Ben Perkin's HEAVY HORSE.  Though that cross over didn't take the idea and story were not gonna get scrapped- I like the idea of a character that has really one purpose and one only destruction!  It appeals to the kid in me!
  It also appeals to my friend Jason Pott who is currently penning a script with this character in mind and your truly doing the art.  He will be making a appearance in Corrax the Seeker.  
  Be watching for more as time goes on.

Corrax The Seeker LOGO
2012 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

CORRAX: The SEEKER!


What's not to love about this guy?  Other than he might have a phobia about scarecrows but I think after the first four issues he might say anything with tentacles.  And like a old Star Trek episode "Space Seed" -"I wonder what will grow from what you planted here."

CTS #1 Page 1
2012 copyright Alan Bennett and
BBVA

    Hopefully something that people like and yet different enough from the typical fanfare that so many space heroes.   Even when I realized that Vega needed something more than just being human to push the reader to keep going with the fantasy but that began to feel like a patch to keep a struggling character going.
  So instead of fighting that loosing battle I went back to the artistic creative cabinet and began to write and draw about the sidekick.  As I had said previously  he had already predated Vega by a couple issues in Guilded Edges and seemed to have a following which to me seemed to be how Spock seemed to grow into a popular character of the series.  Personally I'm a Kirk fan but that's me.
  But the one thing that a screen writer friend of mine from Eugene told me - don't throw away anything you can always recycle ideas.  Taking that to heart that is what I am doing now with the old Vega stories and plots but told from Corrax's pov.
  It also gives me a springboard to use to explore some other previous ideas to breath life into.  Humor being one of the ideas as well as throwing some ideas into comics world concerning genetic mental  abilities.
And of course that old thing.... adventure and action!
  So as it stands CTS has a bit of life to it -fun.  
  I hope I can deliver the goods like the "One Man Juggernaut" I know I am. 

And I think that is about it for the kid.

The Week After

Hey there sports fans, Al here with the latest: 

  STUMPTOWN COMIC FEST 2012 

It is now just a resent memory for us comic creators here in town.   As with the latest show up north in Seattle with these ECCC only a month old how did people feel about the show?  

"War Ram" Copyright 2012
Alan Bennett and BBVA

  Well the pre show drink and draw out at the Bridge City Comics.  And it was a lot of fun. I would have to say it was one of the better times I have had to pound back beer and still continue to keep working on art work.   In this case War Ram made an official singular debut.  This piece was good enough to get into the Stumptown auction and if picked up,   could allow me to cover table costs for next year.

  As a member and vendor I  guess I would have to say that it was pretty much par for the course as sales go.

  Though the biggest difference at this show was the fact that there weren't any trades going on at all.  That, to me, seemed odd.  Creators always want trade.  Not this time round.  I can only guess is that people are still feeling the financial pinch of the economy.  I will have to say this the newly acquired Square app for my smart phone worked out well for me.  What once was a issue of not having any cash on hand is now becoming a thing of the recent past.  However I will have to say that it was curious to see the reaction on peoples faces when they would use the excuse that they had no money on them and we would offer to take plastic.   You truly got to see their reaction if they were really into your work or not.

  I know that might sound a little mercenary but printing sometimes makes it hard to work on having fun if you constantly worry about making table fees let alone your printing. 

  In a way I know this seems to run counter to what I was saying about Emerald City ComiCon but its not really.  There, and really any show, is about fun but as any creative force you need a bit of validation.

  I think that a lot of my artistic friends could understand that.

  Thats what I am talking about, is the validation of the hard work we put into it. 

  In any event in my opinion I believe that if Stumptown were to be successful as it has been past years move the event time back a month or two.  I believe it would have done better for a lot vendors if people hadn’t shot their wad all at the Emerald City less than a month before. 

Best Calvin and Hobbs T-shirt ever!

  This to me makes a lot of sense because a majority of comic creators live in Portland and make the trek up to Seattle for that first big show of the year.  I also believe that the New Rose City Show will do well for us creators here in PDX as well as the Jet City Comic Show later in the same  month of September.  The big difference is that Jet City is a one day event.  And I believe that Rose City is the same.

  But of course these are just my opinions about how I would make the show a little more profitable for everyone.

CORRAX: The SEEKER:

CTS Copyright 2012 Alan Bennett and BBVA

  Well what can I say but this bird is taking flight.  After showing a few of the finished inked pages to my comic pals, the evaluation seems to be that it looks like a lot of fun.  I am thinking that by the end of this month I will have all the scans for the first issue completed and the beginning of the digital color work.  I think that maybe I might have the first issue printed by July.  Currently starting to get back price quotes from printers on cost for a full color comic.  Fun stuff!

And I think that is about it for the kid.

CTS On the Rise

Hey there sports fans,  Al here with the latest: 

The Cover of CTS #1
2012 copyright BBVA and Alan Bennett

Well since work on the commission has been slowed down work on The Corrax the Seeker has stepped up to the plate with a vengeance!

Pages from CTS #1

  So far as the story progresses it mirrors a lot of the original idea of how Johnny Vega started off in Guilded Edges back 12 years ago.  Funny thing is that Corrax has actually been around longer!  By two issues in Guilded Edges #3 along side of Angry Robot.

  So here you are with the some images from the first full color cliffhanger series.  

  

ALSO IN THE WORKS:

STUMPTOWN COMICS FESTIVAL 2012.

To check out more about Stumptown check this link out- Stumptown Comics Festival 2012.

This year's floor map for Stumptown 2012

Again this year as with NEOtrash Comix I will be tabling with them again this year as it was last year.  Lots of fun and got to meet a lot of cool people in the process.  Come by if you happen to be in the City of Portland.  And for your convince I have added the floor map which they have provided this year as we are table 310.    Jason Pott  again has been working on a story for me that features War Ram. This man’s mind never stops when it comes to destroying the universe!  Now if you haven't seen or read the latest mono crossover with the boyz from NEOtrash then you to go out and buy that book- WEIRD ATOMIC TALES!  

  Then you will get the right idea of who and what this engine of destruction is!   

   So there ya go.  A lot of things and nearly all comics too.  And to think that I was gonna take it easy after ECCC. 

Mid Month

Well here we are at that mid point of the month again there fans. and here I is,  Al with the latest:

  It sounds a little different as i continue to settle into the new office digs and jump into projects that have been on hold since the ECCC early this month.  I have been going through the comics that were either bought by me or given in trade by others - both were awesome and great to see the work of my friends working hard on what they love to do. 

I feel fortunate that I am not the only one that feels the same way about doing a book or books.

  But as i have said before in the past “real life gets in the way of fun stuff.  

  The first thing of real life for the kid is getting sick!  Not the drop dead kind (‘cause how would I be able to write this thing?) is the common cold!  I will say that there is nothing common about it except that it is annoying as hell when you have thing going on.

   The second thing is a lot more pleasant a friends wedding.

  Now this kind of interruption to the work flow is nice and I an especially happy to participate in  my friend Ben Kreger’s wedding this year as one of his groomsman.  It’s not often that I get to put on a tux for many reasons.

  Since moving to P-town, I have been introduced to several people by my friend Adam Watson since I have moved here.  By now some of these long associations have blossomed into full fledged friendships that I feel will be with me for the rest of my unnatural life.

  Ben Kreger runs Warrior Innkeeper Comics and the creator of Black Suit of Death and Lil Lincoln.  He is one of those guys.  And I will always remind him not to try to out Classic Trek me or be prepared to be schooled.

"GODZILLA BEGINS!"
2012 character copyright Toho Company Ltd2012 artwork Alan Bennett 

Page 1 layout

Page 7 layout

Conceptual Cover Mock Up for CTS #1
2012 copyright BBVA and Alan Bennett

  But aside from these little outing the commission for Godzilla is coming along nicely.  A little more time and finesse is needed in this work as it will be going to my friend Toby who fitted me with the New Mac setup at home.  This beast will be awesome!

  Currently I have been making a conisous disicion to work on Corrax The Seeker rather than Johnny Vega.  Vega is once again on the back burner for the kid but still keeping that character alive with a different kind of comic format that I am gonna call the “Cliffhanger format”.

  What is meant by that is that I purpose to produce a 12 page full color comic in a series of 4 to 6 different books to encompass one full story.  The idea is doing half of a full traditional comic story by putting half out there but ending each installment on a cliffhanger to keep the interest alive in what comes next!  It’s not a new idea but could be one that could be fun and also keeping the price down for the reader as well so we’ll see how it goes.

   Besides that it the first of these books is gonna focus around Corvis.  And I think I have a pretty handle on this man bird at large.

  I have posted a couple images of the thumbnails as well as a mock up for the cover for issue #1.

  Till then enjoy!

The Aftermath 2012

Hey there sports fans,  Al here with the latest: 

My typical Breakfast in Seattle

Emerald City ComiCon of 2012 is finally over and here is my personal pros and cons of this massive event starting this with the the first pro.

The Crowd the Second Morning

The Attendance was off the hook!  I'm not kidding about this .  I believe that Saturday's attendance was nearly the same for the entire event last year.  That may be an exaggeration but sure was full of people. I think that everyone in the booth would agree with that assessment.

The con of the crowd was that there was such a throng of people walkin' by it made it hard for anyone to stop by table with out causing a small traffic snarl.  Watching them  come and go was kinda like watching a tide.

The Awaiting the Onslaught

Pro #2 of the show- The first complements that we all received in the booth on the art was awesome.  That stuff always goes a long way for anybody.

Frank Lives- kinda.

Con #2 now strictly speaking for myself I think the scratchboard material kinda scares people off.  The stark black n white of work when you are constantly being bombarded with bright color at every turn your not sure what your looking at.  You know in your head that's it some comic related material but not sure of whether  you should touch it.   I saw quite a few people who seemed hesitant to pick the Scratch Pad art book or the individual 5"x7" scratchboards.  I would even venture to say that some people might even think of the work as a novelty.  A flash in the pan.

Blast them I say!  

Pro #3 The enthusiasm of the people who stopped by was infectious.  The sales that did happen  stopped others to see what was so cool about the work.  This amounted to several sketches being done to go along with our appreciation of the fans who bought the work.  Thanks to those folks.

A Silent Hill Nurse creepy!

The Planetary Express Crew + Hypno Toad and Bets.

Con #3 Being the con's GPS.  Now some people may not  have a problem with this but due such high traffic but  people seem to forgotten how to read their program floor maps.  I know it means comes with the territory but I think we got hit several times about "do you know where blankity blank blank is?"    So maybe there should be a comic info  booth there in up to the front manned  by the minions there.  Just an idea.

Pro #4 

The costumes were awesome.  There were some grisly awesome pieces of work there at the show.  

Con #4 

The costumes.  So awesome were these works of art that it stopped up traffic cruising by.  The consensus was please people find a place for photos to be taken elsewhere.

So with things being tied would I go back?

The answer to that is hell yes I would. 

I love the medium and want to support it in my way.  Knowing what sold I think I have a better idea of what to bring with me to sell at the show. 
  I have heard that there were  a few people who had some negative comments about the show but here is a link to the ECCC facebook page about what I felt about the show and maybe shead some light on those naysayers.   
 And that is it for the kid!