Art & Story 194 – The Big Panel Shape

[private]This week we take on a question put to us by Mark Harmon: How do you approach the panel shapes on a page? Especially when you are working for a client who has in the script the set number of panels already. If I want to break from the “grid” system and do something a [...]

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Thunder Punch Daily 131 – Other Lives

Today I give a sort of book review of a comic I finished recently–Peter Bagge’s excellent Other Lives, published by DC’s Vertigo imprint. I break it down by plot and theme, but as you might have guessed, I also talk about how this book demonstrates the things that only comics can do. [private] [Audio clip: [...]

Art & Story 188 – The Big Guilty Pleasure

[private]Everyone has that one guilty pleasure in their life that they’d like to remain a secret. We’re no different, but we are exposing ours for all to see. In this episode we discuss some of our “guilty pleasures” but soon discover none of our pleasures are guilty ones. Join us in a conversation about intent, [...]

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Art & Story 186 – The Big Talkie

[private]This week it’s just Mark and Jerzy talking, and they’re talking about talking! We take on the “conversation scene” in a comic as a microcosm of all of the storytelling concerns facing a cartoonist. Throughout our discussion we highlight these key areas of consideration when crafting a comics story: Viewing angle Setting Gesture Emotional content [...]

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Mark of the Beast 109 – Pacing

Talking about comics pacing, in particular, how I’ve used the splash page in my new comic, Dagon. Also discuss some of the mistakes I made along the way. Music by Lucifer’s Friend “Ride in the Sky“. Follow Mark on Twitter! Discuss this in the Forum! Can’t see the audio player? Log in or register here! [...]

Art & Story 184 – The Big Steemer

[private]This week we’re joined by Jim Lujan for a conversation about animation and how anyone can do it. Catering your animation to your skill set and concentrating on storytelling over refinement, is the takeaway this time. Getting in the trenches and doin’ it. Plus there is a lot of joking around. Links mentioned this episode: [...]

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Mark of the Beast 103 – Progression

Talking about the continuing journey of my Dagon graphic novel adaptation and spitball about a Kickstarter campaign a bit. Also talked about the Tombs of the Blind Date book. Check out the trailer I discussed,  here. Music by Primordial “No Grave Deep Enough“. Follow Mark on Twitter! Discuss this in the Forum! Can’t see the [...]

Thunder Punch Daily 117 – The Art of Conversation

Today I share an exercise I’ve used in my classrooms to teach some vital comics storytelling skills. By drawing a conversation sequence, we explore moment choices, scenery, emotional context, acting moments, and best of all, word balloon placement! Also mentioned some great lettering tutorials over at Balloon Tales. [private] [Audio clip: view full post to [...]

Thunder Punch Daily 113 – Shape, Size, & Line

Continuing my series of TPDs recorded on my drive to Grant, Michigan for the Kids Read Comics Super Fun Tour, I ruminate on some classroom interactions I’ve been having lately that remind me of some of the basic concepts of comics storytelling. Three key ingredients seem to be Shape, Size, and Line. [private] [Audio clip: [...]

Mark of the Beast 100 – Adaptation 4

Talking about the continuing progress of my adaptation of H. P. Lovecraft’s Dagon. Specifically reference. I also discuss Will Eisner’s Fagin the Jew. Check out my new sketch blog and My Life With a Meteor Hunter. Music by Disrupt “A Life’s A Life“. Follow Mark on Twitter! Discuss this in the Forum! Can’t see the [...]

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