Cutting It close

So I'm sure I posted about this recently but poster sources prices were outrageous so my schools art teacher has agreed to help me, I'm praying things work out and I get everything together in time. I'm definitely cutting it close.

Change Of Plans

So I just got an email back from poster source and to make the book they said it would be 150.00. I'm not sure if this is a mistake so I plan to call them but if it really is one fifty I'm going to cancel that because I'm broke. If I cannot get it printed out, I'm going to scan it and print it from school.

Meeting is rescheduled to Wednesday the twenty seventh, same time and place. Printing  company needs a week to make the book.

Drawing..

This is how majority of my drawings end, starting out fine and then as soon as I feel I messed up even on the slightest of things, I give up...Looking back on it I wish I would've finished this image. Looks kinda cool and scary. 

Comic Book Heaven

Comics Etc

Comic Book Day

So for comic book day I had arranged to go to comics etc, a local comic book store where the owner, would be giving out free comic books and would have some local artist come to showcase and sign their works. I then planned on going to Monroe branch library the very same day, to take part in their celebration for comic books with the little convention they had planned. So firstly I went to comics etc where I took lots and lots of images, and the owner who I had emailed prior, had set up for me to speak to each artist individually and get a little alone time to ask questions and things. But being that I assumed I wouldn't make it to Monroe after taking some images I left, before speaking to the artists. I accidentally went to the wrong library, then I asked a worker there about Monroe's convention and they informed me that they had already closed. I thought I was out of luck, I had already been rushing to make it in time, and at this point felt like giving up and being satisfied with the images from comic etc free comic book day. But the lady at the central library told me to go to another local comic book store, comic book heaven on st. Paul. So I called the owner and spoke with him, for comic book day they were giving away a free book with the purchase of another. So I went there and took pictures the store was spilling with comics, rows and rows of alphabetically organized comics and graphic novels. All of the images will go on the blog as soon as I upload them from my phone. I will still be meeting with the owner of comics etc on Wednesday to get a interview with him. And on today I will also be meeting and interviewing Nigel Clark, a self published local artist who strangely was at comics etc on free comic book day. I called and spoke with someone asking how much it would be to print out the comic and it's affordable I will have to make two copies of the actual pages and one of the cover because I need a minimum of twenty five images.

Interview 1

Clayton Cowles

1. Biggest Obstacle
Feeling as though my work isn't good enough.
2.Biggest reward
Working together with others, to produce material fans find enjoying.
3.Payment Portion
Different depending on the job, and the store. Sometimes you are paid up front a certain amount or a flat rate, and sometimes you are given a percentage.
4.Least Favorite Thing
Not being able to draw as much, being time constricted.
5.Most Favorite Thing
Being able to work with others, and meet new people.
6.Are your family and friends supportive?
Yes, when I tell people they are usually impressed.
7.Advice For Beginners
Keep pushing yourself, although you may feel that your work isn't good enough, someone might see it as beautiful. A philosophy I live by is: Whenever you feel as though you don't have anything to improve on you've failed.
8.Did you consider yourself a good artist?
No.
9.Do you consider yourself good now?
I consider myself okay.
10.Inspiration
The enjoyment my art gives my fans.
11. Favorite Drawing
My online avatar, which I won't be changing until I create something I feel is better.
12.Do you keep an of your old drawings?
No, but my parents do, they are somewhere in their basement.

Conventions/Interviews

On Saturday I will be attending the comic book convention at Monroe library, I will most likely take pictures. And put those images in my prezi presentation. I have priced out printing my comic. For a minimum of twenty five images, it will cost around fifteen dollars. I also contacted comics etc a local comic book store, and asked the owner would he be able to give me a few minutes of his time. So that I can get some insight on the business portion of the comic book industry, we plan on getting together some day next week.

Comicbook Convention

On today our school librarian approached me and asked me whether or not I had heard about the comic book convention being held locally on Saturday. So I will be attending that as well as the comic book convention in Syracuse within the next couple of weeks. I will take pictures, and blog about it.

This image is of a dragon, the dragon that I will use throughout the story, it will also go in as the background of the Cover. Got this idea from Google just searching dragon sketches, then putting my on small changes into it.

Sketches (Cont.)

Sketches (Cont.)

Sketches (Cont.)

Sketches (Some May be difficult to see...Will write darker in the future.)

Artistic Ability

So the end of the year is fast approaching and now it's time to kick things into gear. My only problem and this has been a problem since the very beginning of this entire project. My artistic ability regardless if I put five hundred hours into making this book, I don't think I will be satisfied with the outcome. And this is not to say my skills having improved because they definitely have and I can acknowledge that, it's just like I don't think the improvements are rapid enough to finish the project how I would want. This project has become a lot more than I originally anticipated. At first I had thought the project to be nothing more than simply drawing, and now I have a appreciation for artists overall. I understand much more all the time effort revisions it takes into making one image that I'm satisfied with let alone several issues to a comic book. I admire them for there self dedication, and their drive. And I just figured out how to upload images so I'm going to do that. I have about sixty or so and then I will upload the other two sketch books I have at a later date.

Progress #2

Story line-finished
 Mandatory Essay-Requires Revisions
Story Boarding-In the Process
Art Portfolio-Coming Along
Convention-TBA

List of all things needed, to have completed the project. Convention dates have yet to be announced. The essay is written and I'm awaiting the revisions, that essay has been posted on the blog. The art portfolio is almost like a timeline, and will not be finished until the finishing of the story. I'm in the process of story boarding the finished story, then I will take the final steps to setting in stone, page by page and getting the comic printed and all that.

Akira Toriyama Essay

DelVohn Johnson           2/17/15

Extended Class  Wasa

One of the most well known artists of this generation is Akira Toriyama. Akira Toriyama is a manga artist, which is the japanese equivalent to a comic book artist. He lived in a house of four in Kiyosu with both his parents, and an older sister. In his early life Toriyama recalled being in elementary with friends who loved to draw and imitate manga and anime. He would take part in these activities, and grow to find drawing entertaining. After graduating his love for drawing would dwindle as the trouble of getting a job or going to college approached. Against what his parents would have hoped for Akira, he would go on to work after high school rather than college.

His first job would be that of a inhouse graphic designer. A job that he would resign from after only two years. He claims the reason being he hated the “Workaday Routine”. Being unemployed he seeked any kind of job, and he came across the Monthly Young Jump Award. The Monthly Young Jump Award was an award that was used to recognize new talent. Which he would participate in twice and fail both times. Even though he didn’t win the contest Kazuhiko Torishama an editor at Weekly Shonen called him giving him words, of encouragement to never give up and to try harder. A few months later he published his first official manga, which did not do well, and failed to grasp the attention of manga readers. However, Toriyama did not waver, and instead tried, harder and the following year he would offer up several manga ideas. Which all sadly, failed except one. Tomato, Girl Detective wasn’t popular but was recognized giving Toriyama further hope to continue producing manga. Then the next year he had his big break.

In 1980 he created the manga Dr Slump, which would grow to be highly successful and the start of his career. The manga released eighteen volumes, and the plot surrounded the adventures of a female robot and her creator. In 1981 this manga would earn Toriyama the Shogakukan Manga award, for the best shonen manga. A shonen manga is a manga or animated series usually aimed at younger males. Dr Slump, after winning this award would go on to sell 35 million copies, and then be adapted into an anime series, with a second one following that. Toriyama’s biggest most known piece of work is the Dragonball  series, which lasted for 153 episodes. Not only did DragonBall become a success in Japan but all over the world, and is currently the second most well known manga ever, having sold over 200 million copies. It’s only second to One Piece created by Eiichiro Oda, who admittedly used Toriyama as reference, and inspiration while making his manga.

This series would change his world entirely leading to many series, to follow. Toriyama would soon dive into the world of character designing for video games, based on his stories. Even today the DragonBall franchise is still making, money a new game is set to release on the twenty fourth of February, as well as another movie later on in the year. In total Toriyama has created 47 manga, Participated in 17 animated series’ and 10 video games. He has also created a few artbooks, all of which didn’t gain much acknowledgement and overall did not contribute much to his popularity or success.

Toriyama is always crediting Walt Disney Osamu Tezuka, and Jackie Chan, as being the biggest influences on his career. Toriyama is currently married with two children. He still lives in Kiyosu Japan, he currently is still making anime, and still participating in all works, surrounding his previous series’. Toriyama’s series’ revolutionized the manga and anime industry, and even further is used in today’s time as inspiration, and reference for all things. In conclusion, Akira Toriyama played a large role in the development, and evolution of the entertainment industry, with his anime, video game, and manga endeavours. He inspires the young to persevere with his story, and stands as a role model, for young artists, and the young in general. Sending the message that you can overcome, and succeed even if you doubt yourself, to keep trying.

Works Cited

"Akira Toriyama." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.

"Akira Toriyama 鳥山 明 | Biography." Akira Toriyama 鳥山 明 | Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.

Storyline Revisions...

• Flashback goes to a year or so after Beowulf has slain Grendel's Mother. He has already returned to his hometown and after being there for such a short time it is requested by his King to go and slay a monster in Modern day Iceland. The monsters name has yet to be set in stone, but the image is almost like a berserker very large super strong and surprisingly fast.  

I think this scene should be cut. Begin the flashback with Beowulf and his men already on the boat. Everything in this scene can be explained with a single line, perhaps spoken by Beowulf to the woman when they're making their introductions.

I like this idea a lot. I wouldn't have Beowulf speak to the woman about this maybe one of his comrades. 


• He heads off on this journey on the way his boat and men come across another boat of merchants with a woman on board. She immediately gains the attention of Beowulf because she is dressed like a warrior. He asks her where she is headed and she goes on to tell him of how she awoke on the boat without a memory of who she was. Her only memory is of a man telling her to defeat the "Berserker"(She doesn't even know what power the monster possesses she is only driven by the urge to find out more about her past.)
• Beowulf tells her that his mission was also to kill the beast, and that he aimed to do it alone, but would be willing to bring her along. She is set on defeating the beast before him. So now they have begun traveling together and out of mere curiosity of her warrior skills Beowulf challenges her to spar. (Now I have yet to decide whether or not they should tie during this battle. Or if she should barely win.) 

I don't think Beowulf should invite her along, at least not at first. He should even dismiss her. Maybe she can stowaway on Beowulf's boat, and they'll encounter her after running into each other on their separate travels. Then they duel, develop a respect for each other, and then decide to travel together. Right now it reads as too friendly to me, and friendly = boring.
And I think Beowulf should win their first duel, but barely. She does well enough that he appreciates her prowess in battle. And it would give greater punch to her saving him from the beast later.

I like the idea of Beowulf winning just barely, and acknowledging her skills as a warrior. But I'm not so sure If I want him to dismiss her. Only because I want this battle with the first enemy to be one they encounter together...Maybe he could dismiss her and see her in Iceland, maybe she has beaten him there and has yet to encounter the beast, but is preparing? Then they could go together. 

• They arrive to Iceland and are greeted and they are given time to rest and gather themselves, before told of the beast by the kings wife, because the King died trying to fight the beast only days before. (This is another part I'm unsure of. Would it be unrealistic at the time for this king to try and take on the beast after all his men have died trying.) 

I'm not sure what the king's wife is for. We've established that the beast killed a bunch of men, and she seems to be here only to tell us what we already know. And why would the king go off to fight the beast when he's just sent Beowulf to do it for him?

The kings wife will greet them, accomadate them and all that. They heard of the beast and she is just used to give more details about the beast and all the chaos he has caused, like although Beowulf heard tales of Grendel, Hrothgar greeted him, gave him more information and the two devised a plan together. And as far as the King going off to battle I hadn't questioned that. Maybe his reasoning could be that he was unsure If Beowulf would come, or out of his drive to protect his people he tried to fight the beast. He was a viking, so this king has seen many battles, so he isn't incapable of defeating a enemy, that would just emphasize how monstrous this beast is. Maybe I'm thinking about this wrong though....

• They go back and Kill the Beast and killing the beast gives her a glimpse of her past as royalty. 

What causes this glimpse, exactly? Does she have to be royalty? What does that add to the story?

Maybe the spirit of the beast, can trigger it. I'm not sure how to explain it but I can visualize how this scene would go...

• The story then goes back to him lying down and I haven't quite figured out how but I want to leave it with a cliffhanger, to lead into a tale about her story. Maybe Wiglaf knows information about the mysterious woman Beowulf fell in love with. I also want to leave the story with readers not knowing if he died.(I'm not sure if this would work much only because in the original poem he dies, so would it be to ridiculous for me to leave that cliffhanger in there?) 

This is a good question. Do we need to show Beowulf dying? And on that note, does Beowulf need to have this flashback on his deathbed? Could the intro and epilogue take place during a different part of the poem, a part that's more thematically significant? Maybe right before he faces Grendel or the dragon?

Changing the beginning and where the flashback begins, would take away some of that drama, or would it not?

Progress

I have read over your suggestions, and I will look over and consider all your suggestions. I plan on updating this blog every Monday and Thursday to help both me and you all. I recently met with Clayton Cowles this past Saturday and he and I went over my story line and plans for the final presentation he proposed the Idea that rather than printing the comic, which would cost money. Prices would vary depending on where I go, but instead of that I could show you all virtually which would be no different than printing, the comic is still made and the handwork will still show. I had to write up a letter of everything I have done up until now, which I will be sending to you all soon. I also met with my other expert on Monday and we further discussed story ideas and we spoke a bit about Clayton suggestions, as well as ways I can upload images.

Story Outline

NOTE: There are gaps and areas I plan on going more in depth with. This is only a overview. 

• It starts off showing Beowulf lying on the ground in the arms of wiglaf. Blood spewing from his mouth. Slain dragon in the Background. He's reminiscing to wiglaf regretting some of his actions. 
• Flashback goes to a year or so after Beowulf has slain Grendel's Mother. He has already returned to his hometown and after being there for such a short time it is requested by his King to go and slay a monster in Modern day Iceland. The monsters name has yet to be set in stone, but the image is almost like a berserker very large super strong and surprisingly fast. 
• He heads off on this journey on the way his boat and men come across another boat of merchants with a woman on board. She immediately gains the attention of Beowulf because she is dressed like a warrior. He asks her where she is headed and she goes on to tell him of how she awoke on the boat without a memory of who she was. Her only memory is of a man telling her to defeat the "Berserker"(She doesn't even know what power the monster possesses she is only driven by the urge to find out more about her past.)
• Beowulf tells her that his mission was also to kill the beast, and that he aimed to do it alone, but would be willing to bring her along. She is set on defeating the beast before him. So now they have begun traveling together and out of mere curiosity of her warrior skills Beowulf challenges her to spar. (Now I have yet to decide whether or not they should tie during this battle. Or if she should barely win.)
• They arrive to Iceland and are greeted and they are given time to rest and gather themselves, before told of the beast by the kings wife, because the King died trying to fight the beast only days before. (This is another part I'm unsure of. Would it be unrealistic at the time for this king to try and take on the beast after all his men have died trying.)
• They are taken to the beast and Beowulf attacks it but is surprised by the speed of the beast and is easily grabbed, the claws of the beast act like blades cutting up Beowulfs arms in the process.This is when the woman saves him. She saves him by cutting the calf of the beast causing him to fall. Then they retreat and devise a plan to take on the beast together after Beowulf has healed. 
• They go back and Kill the Beast and killing the beast gives her a glimpse of her past as royalty. 
• After slaying the beast they are given many rewards, then unsure of what she will do next Beowulf asks her to adventure with him with the hope that he can help her find out who she is. 
• They adventure and fight lots of monsters and battle together and throughout it fall in love. 
• Then during one battle which I haven't completely figured out how I want it to go she dies. And he feels useless and worthless, he was unable to protect the most important person to him, and vows to never look for love again. 
• Then he is offered the throne which he denies still feeling he can't be a proper king to the people. He eventually takes the throne only after the current King is killed in battle. He feels although he is unfit for the position the people want him as their leader.
• The story then goes back to him lying down and I haven't quite figured out how but I want to leave it with a cliffhanger, to lead into a tale about her story. Maybe Wiglaf knows information about the mysterious woman Beowulf fell in love with. I also want to leave the story with readers not knowing if he died.(I'm not sure if this would work much only because in the original poem he dies, so would it be to ridiculous for me to leave that cliffhanger in there?)

Post #4

I was thinking more about the story and this main heroine, and I want to take more of the fantasy rather than historically accurate route. Although a lot of this stuff will be historically accurate I want it to be more imaginative rather than realistic. If I go this route the name Leto would work and maybe she could even have superpowers of some sort. And being that I want this to be something I could continue in the future, I'm planning on skimming over her back story. And to only give a little bit of information about her history. Also I kinda want the ending to have a bit of a cliffhanger to make readers upset as well as anxious for the next issues.

So break has finally come to an end and over break I drew, quiet alot. I am still unable to put the images on this blog because I don't have a scanner. But aside from drawings I have set in stone how and where I want my story to go I still have some gaps though and I'm not sure how I want the ending. You can expect the story plot or story outline to be posted within the next couple of days. I met with the vice principle who told me it seems as though I haven't been making enough progress. And she has requested that another meeting is scheduled where all members are present. When would be the best date and time for you all? Any time and place I can make work. As for the work that I have done as I said I have practiced on the artistic side as well as reading to better my understand of how stories flow, mainly graphic novels. I will post the story line up on this blog in a bullet format and I would appreciate all the criticism and suggestions you all give. I didn't update the blog over break because I didn't feel it a necessity, I was under the assumption that two posts where to be made every school week. A requirement that I have made since the creating of this post. All the other dates and goals I have set for my self I am on track for, the next thing due is a written summary of my work on the 16th. Me aiming to have the storyline up in early june was me going above and beyond the primary goals.  Clayton I have read over your comment and I understand completely would you mean as far as emulating other artists, and If you all feel the name should be changes, it can easily be fixed.