Bradley James Weber

Startling Stories for All Ages

Comics

Mouse Guard: Fall, 1152 (Book Review)

By

mg1152.jpg

If you ever land a book contract and need a good literary publicist, call MediaMasters. They’re the fine folks who, among other high-profile projects, orchestrated the wildly successful launch of First Second books.

I believe they’re largely responsible for helping Gene Yang’s American Born Chinese make it to the 2006 National Book Award Finals, as well as why there are more than a few First Second titles on the impressive list of 2007’s Eisner Award Nominees.

Granted, the books themselves had a lot to do with it. But never underestimate a publicist’s role in putting those deserving books into the hands of appreciative readers — and the people on award committees.

Anyway, I’ve done some work for and with MediaMasters. They know what I do and what I like, so sent me copy of David Peterson’s Mouse Guard: Fall, 1152.
[Read more…] about Mouse Guard: Fall, 1152 (Book Review)

Noble Failure #7 — Super Samurai Special!!!

By

nf7title-sm.jpg

This month’s 24-Hour comic came out better than I expected.

Due to a number of weekend commitments this month (e.g., the upcoming L.A.T.E Ride though downtown Chicago, and the San Diego Comic-Con), the latest attempt was started at 6AM on the 4th and, within a mere 20 hours, 24 pages of comics were scripted and penciled.

Alas, no cover.

During the time it took to ink seven of the pages came the realization that there was no way to finish this book and make it look any good. So yes, another “noble failure”, but I’m happy with it.

And right about now you’re wondering, “If it’s so damned great, where are the pages?”

I’m probably going to catch a lot of crap for this, being how it’s against the official rules, but I’m going to finish inking the pages. The story warrants it. Besides, the pencils are illegible as scans.

Patience, my friends, patience. The finished inks should be up by next Thursday. They’ll be worth your wait.

Noble Failure #6 (Another 24-Hour Comic)

By

Noble Failure #6 (June 2007)

nf6tile

Apologies for not posting last Thursday night/Friday morning; I was deep in the throes of this month’s 24-Hour Comic. And it wasn’t going well.

This one feels less like a “Noble Failure” than a Miserable one, though I did learn more about my process and what it might take to make a successful one next time. Things such as:

  • Don’t make a day-start after 7AM or an evening-start before 9PM
  • Do a couple of pages of art first, then move to a script session
  • Don’t script for more than 90 minutes
  • Do draw and ink the longest story first
  • Don’t waste time calling ComEd about the power being out
  • Do a good job of lettering sound effects
  • Don’t rush the art; you’ll regret it
  • Do schedule more than two weeks between 24-Hour Comics

As you’re bound to notice, the Mr. Punch story isn’t finished. The four pages presented aren’t even inked. Fret not: the world will eventually see how it ends. I’ll be using it to help me learn the secret kung-fu of vector graphic illustration.

“There’s a difference between knowing the clipping path, and walking the clipping path.”

*cough*

So, yeah. Stay tuned for that.

Enjoy the comic.

 

My Dead Grandmother Keeps Getting Mail

By

charlie-framed.jpg

Dec. 30, 2017 — This comic was first published on May 31, 2007. Nearly eight years later and it still holds up. Nearly 25 years after my grandmother died and I still miss her.

Scroll down to the gallery and click on the first image to view it all. 

Here it is! The long-awaited, much-touted mystery comic. It took nine months to do, but the finished story came out much better than expected thanks to two key people:

  • The wife, who aided with various visual elements and let me tie up her iMac for a whole day.
  • My wonderful and tolerant mother, who provided old snapshots and acted as a photo reference without asking too many questions. (And to think she was worried I was going to do something weird with those pictures.)

This comic is dedicated with a great deal of love to the memory of my grandmother — who really did die 14 years ago and whose mail still gets delivered to my house.

I miss you, Charlie. Now more than ever.

 

Noble Failure #5 (Another 24-Hour Comic)

By

NOBLE FAILURE #5 (May 2007)

nf5p22-icon_sm.jpg

HUZZAH!!

At last, a full 24-page comic. It took 32 hours to complete. The extra time included a much needed nap and two — yes, TWO — trips to the orthodontist. Without the various interruptions, the book would have clocked-in at 26 hours, so it was going to be noble failure either way. Still, I’m fairly pleased with this effort.

Scanning/rescanning, sizing, and uploading all these pages has eaten-up all this week’s hours allocated for blogging. Rest assured, though: there will be more details soon on the overall process, this particular issue, and what was done differently to help me finally hit the standard page count.

Meanwhile, enjoy!

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.