More from 'Flag Me Down: The Story of Wildwood's Tramcar' - Pencil layouts!

For my second batch of preliminary penciled pages, I wanted to share my focus more on some of the entertainers (Cozy Morley and Al Alberts) in their own page spreads. These pages are a lead-up to their eventual tramcar race that happened in the late 1990's/early 2000's for three years.

I'm excited to share not only the many situations and people involved with the tramcars that perhaps the majority of fans and well, riders for that matter, don't know are associated to their beloved tram. 

With these two gentlemen though, it's also the songs I want to make a reminder of. ...A tram car song you say?... Al Alberts cut that one too!

The majority of the people I'm highlighting in the graphic novel, play crucial roles into the real history or are in a placement of fiction to depict in some cases, a degree of human nature.

 As the tramcars were first accepting male drivers in early 1980's Wildwood New Jersey to a long-standing, all-female fleet... I wanted to depict an animosity with anonymous characters... therefore, the drivers herein on page twelve are entirely of my own creation to depict a changing tradition that was probably not too easy to accept... and certainly didn't warrant my depiction of such to a tramcar driver living or dead. 

The curves and turns of the limitations involved with creating non-fiction works is ever fascinating. 

More to come!... and thanks for checking these out.

-MJ

Penciled page previews from 'Flag Me Down: The Story of Wildwood's Tramcar'

 Here's some pencil preview pages I wanted to share/capture here on the blog!...

The funny thing about a pencil version of a comic page, is that today, there are so many ways to go about finishing it. You can of course, scan the pencils to then digitally ink the lines, making them that much closer to a digital coloring or further reproduction experience. Another way would be to make a copy of the penciled page and only ink the photostat... Of course, there's also the placement of vellum paper that can be used as a reproduction option. Where, only scanning the vellum actually preserves the penciled page, as the photostat does... 

Call me raw, but I like to ink right directly on the top of my penciled comic page. I guess what's running through my mind: knowing that there's only one that you're ever going to draw... giving myself one shot to make every line as purposeful as possible with the ink. Whereas a pencil page doesn't necessarily compare... there's an honesty here in every line I've forgotten and every line I plan to re-work in my ink process... making the penciled page a mere glimpse into what will become of a page and its hopeful lasting effect. 

I've been writing and drawing this feature simultaneously... as its creation is very much a living organism of an experience... hopefully, an immersive one for my audience... 

Here's pages 2, 3 and 9 for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Breaks & Dinner: A chapter break page from Castle Dracula & Dungeon: The Employee Handbook Illustrated

 Hey friends,

Here's a chapter break splash page from the up-coming Castle Dracula & Dungeon: The Employee Handbook Illustrated, which, will be my final Wildwood New Jersey-inspired project for at least the foreseeing future. 

This splash page depicts Harry's Corner, a still popular eatery on the boardwalk in Wildwood, at Cedar and the boardwalk. I gained information that this was indeed a popular spot for Castle Dracula & Dungeon cast members/employees and imagined this situation - As the cast members were told not to change (other than their robe) out of wardrobe/makeup while on their breaks... therefore, moments of hilarity insured. The cast members were just a little more vulnerable, but not quite enough.

More from this fun feature soon. Here's the half pencils, half inks (barely) page of said splash:

The Wildwood Days of Doo Wop are coming..

 

More previews from 'The Wildwood Days of Doo Wop' graphic novel!..

The fun hasn't stopped with creating this venture, as I'm enjoying so much of the research with the reading I've done on the movement, and Wildwood's beautiful significance to Doo Wop vocal groups and the early artists (and architects) of rock n' roll. I'm very lucky to be creating this in 2018/19/20, as there's enough enjoyable and credible material to cite from. Plus, the architecture.. is such a fun thing to draw!..

Enjoy these previews of what's becoming a 70+ full-color monster of fun!.. 

M.W.F. # 9 // The Wildwood Days of Doo Wop // Going back to Nebraska!..

It's a been a little bit since a posting.. Big surprise.. Anyway.. I'm working away on some projects, and wanted to give a little preview behind them!..

As Misfit Wrestling Federation #7 is submitted to comixology.. I'm continuing working on issue #9, which is coming along steadily. This issue will juggle all sides of the plot that I've had going with the story, so I'm excited as it will be pretty well-rounded and will also contain a unique flashback motif for the Bald-Headed Freak that I'm really excited about.

 My next full-colored feature, as I've previewed in previous posts, is 'The Wildwood Days of Doowop'. An over-sized, historically based book on one of the birthplaces of Rock N' Roll and a place I vacationed at as a youngster with my family - Wildwood, NJ.

This feature has really brought about some great challenges for me in terms of drawing architecture and environment - The most unique shapes make up these buildings and finding new perspectives beyond my postcard references have been a challenge I've really enjoyed. I have quite a bit to go on it (I'm on page 29), as there are (or were) so many Doowop motels and hotels in Wildwood, it's astounding.. I'm not looking to draw them all, but I'm willing to draw all the worthy ones.. which, are quite a lot. So far, most of them are fitting 2-up per page and are assembled according to their release date, chronologically.. and it wouldn't be a Doowop comic book without the music, so there's a good amount of that that's also contained.

The last bit of news I'm willing to share here is that I'm going to be returning to Nebraska to re-release 'December 3rd, 1967: An Alien Encounter' alongside of another special object dedicated to Herbert Schirmer's U.F.O. encounter. More on that and the date, soon!..

'Destroy Centaur' is OUT NOW !! // Half & Half from up-coming works!..

My 18th comic book release in 12 years is finally here, 'Destroy Centaur' follows two bio-engineered pinball characters from the 1981 Bally Pinball machine, 'Centaur' that return to Earth from the future on a last ride to play their pinball game. Here, Centaur and Fly Girl meet their original audience - a cast of physically-altered curmudgeon humanoids who have them asking, is legacy worth sacrifice?..

This latest release is 44 pages in partial color. Get it here: www.bombshell-comics.com 

 As for what's coming... Here's a half & half (half pencil, half ink(sorta) pages for you to preview what's coming!.. One from 'Misfit Wrestling Federation' #9 and the other, from 'The Wildwood Days of Doo Wop' - a full color feature that's coming to be and will hopefully, be released in 2019!.. Happy new years and holidays!..

Preview the first seven pages of 'Destroy Centaur' comic book - Out later this year!!..

Hi friends!.. Been awhile since an update, but it's only because there's new content coming and it's from all directions!..

The seven pages below represent a lot for me in terms of my building of acquaintance with living in Los Angeles. Pinball was introduced to me by a special Los Angeles friend in my beginning years of living here. Along with dedicating and thanking the original pinball creators of 'Centaur' as you'll see in this intro splash page, I'll be thanking her in this work as well; because if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have grown a love I have for the art and craft of pinball and I wouldn't have met 'Centaur' the pinball machine, so soon in my life. Which, I find amazing that I did, as I've had the time (and energy) since 2011 or so to conjure this psychedelic story of legacy with the very characters of the Centaur pinball machine questioning their own.

I hope this stirs your excitement in getting the entire feature once it's ready!..

This is the first seven pages (of forty!), including the intro/dedication splash page.

Cover for 'Destroy Centaur' later to come!..

Enjoy,
-MJ

Bombshell Comics is turning TEN!.. || 33 pages of M.W.F. #7 are YOURS (Read the entire comic here) || Thank you for your patience!

Hey Everyone,

Apologize for the long pause in my social activity.

 I've come back, out from my cave to share with you what I could: An un-edited entirety of Misfit Wrestling Federation #7!..

33 pages of story and art that I'm proud to bring you. Coming in to this at the seventh issue, you might not know exactly what's going here, but at-least you'll get a good idea ^_^ Maybe even enough to start from the very beginning!..

The beauty of underground, independent comics is: NO ADS! ^_^

Misfit Wrestling Federation on Comixology: For your phone or any mobile device (I'm really happy with Comixology's guided view, they do a great job on my sometimes, complex layouts)
and the issue will soon be available in print thru my new 10th Anniversary Website (up soon): www.bombshell-comics.com

I've drawn another two comics books in 2015, but they're a part of a larger project I'm still deciding on how or when, to release. Stay tuned!..

Divas of Wrestling art contest // A half & half from M.W.F. #7 // In the news!...

Hey everyone. This week was crazy. Wait - This month was crazy!.. From branded story boarding to non-profit work to anything comics in-between, I'm definitely running on all cylinders ^_^

Here's some of those results:

Masters of Ring Entertainment has chosen my piece here, for their 'Divas of Wrestling" art contest. The 'Divas of Wrestling' event is being held this Saturday, called  Lasting Legacy: A Tribute to Women In Wrestling where, i'm told me piece will be auctioned to help breast cancer screenings to those who can't afford. I'm happy to be a part of that!!..

Get your tickets, here for the event.

My piece is titled, 'Catch The Divas of Wrestling':

As promised, more M.W.F. half & halfs!... (half pencils, Half inks)

This one is the one i'm inking today, page 6 from issue #7 of Misfit Wrestling Federation:

In News: The second issue of my pro wrestling series, Misfit Wrestling Federation is going live on Comixology, this Wednesday, May 20th. 

Stay tuned for more news!!.. 

Half & Half (Sorta) // Working in circles, figure eights and "directionals" let's call them // Misfit Wrestling Federation is coming to Comixology March 18th

Hey everyone,

Been awhile since a posting... it's not a bad thing. That's what I keep telling myself, so.. let it be so, will you?.. ^_^

I guess I like to call me endeavor with making comics as well, "let the audience find me if they are looking..." and I know some of you are, after these nine years, and I thank you. Even for just your visits and views... the internet is indeed a blessing for the independent - but, it's still hard.

Well, i'm not stopping!.. Below is a half and half (sorta) page #3 from Misfit Wrestling Federation #7...

For my first unlimited series, Misfit Wrestling Federation goes live for purchase this Wednesday - March, 18 2015 on www.comixology.com ..The digital comics subscription and service. I would highly recommend if you're a cartoonist, to take a look at the books within the Comixology Submit program: https://www.comixology.com/ComiXology-Submit-Releases/page/169

I post this out of what I find to be one of the most enjoyable challenges beyond your standard representational art (as far as you take it as a cartoonist I guess) is the directional over-pass and under-pass let's call them, to the whole comics narrative as a form. Those over-pass and under-passes i'm calling them, involve not only word balloons of the comic with it's placement (which you won't find below) but mostly, a shape/panel relationship/flow.

That's what a "real" wrestling comic book needs. In my opinion. In order to feel the dynamics of the interaction of the wrestlers and their moves, the cartoonist ( writer and artist) must know when and how to place the moves and essentially, story "beats" within each-other fluidly. On top of that, the construction needs to work all at once to encapsulate environment and the energy involved. Just as a match transpires among a commentator reaction... and in this case, character reaction and interaction within the match.Where will the word bubbles fit?.. You'll have to wait and see. Will I go back to "standard" paneling?.. Yes, it's already happening... Look at the top of this page!...

This challenge gets my excitement.. my drive.. to make this the best pro wrestling comic series you never read.

Cover of the unreleased, issue #7 (Released sometime this year):

Stay tuned!.. I plan to post storyboards i've done within the last year or so!...

-MJ