Comic Book: Maeve White Fire

Ok, so I finally have some of my own art to display! I was finally able to finish a short comic book, with the help of the deadline for it, since it became a school project. The story is my own, and so is practically everything else, art, design, colors, etc.

Check it out here!

Artist: Michael Turner

Michael Turner is the first comic book artist I admired, and is still my favorite to this day. Sadly, he passed away last summer, but his legacy still lives on. Here's a brief bio of the man who inspired many:

Micheal Turner started his drawing career at Top Cow, but did not do actual drawings until later, and once he was asked to pencil some of the Witchblade series, his skill in drawing grew exponentially within a short period of time. It was not long until he came up with his own idea for a story, called Fathom, of a girl who has water powers and discovers chilling secrets about the "water people" and their hate for humans. His style for detail and woman did not go unnoticed, and he gained recognition throughout the comic world. His "not-so-secret secret-weapon" colorist Peter F. Steigerwald always added the magical touch to his illustrations with perfect color themes that brought it all to life.

After working many years at Top Cow, Michael Turner opened his own comic studio called Aspen MLT, migrating Fathom with him as well. He created new stories like Soulfire, and also took in a few other independent comic book projects. Many of the individuals he hired were young, fresh new artists, as well as some old friends from Top Cow, making for a really dynamic and quality driven team. During this time, Turner was also being asked to produce and work side projects with DC and Marvel, and was constantly asked to do covers for many other series, which instantly meant better sales for that issue.

Even though he is no longer with us, his beautiful work and dedication to the comic book industry remains, and I will always look up to him and his work as beautiful pieces of art and inspiration.

Technology: ModBook

I'm sure most graphic designers are now aware of the fantastic Cintiq Wacom tablet available to the market, and it's amazing uses for us and all other individuals interested in pen touch screen technology. If you haven't, please go here now: Cintiq

But what I am about to discuss is even more amazing then this super fantastic tablet, which is very expensive... What follows is the ModBook and all its glory.

Axiotron first announced a Mac computer integrated with a similar Wacom Cintiq tablet in 2007. After some initial set backs, it has finally arrived and it is really truly amazing. It is a flat screen, that has all the uses of a touch tablet, as well as all the hard drive and capabilities of a macbook. It also uses al normal software like Photoshop. It also includes writing recognition software, allowing you to write with the tablet on the screen. However, you can also easily attach a keyboard or any other external devices to it.

This amazing piece of metal and technology is unique in the mac world, and the price starts around ~$2300. But considering it works perfectly well from the mac portion and the tablet portion, buying both combined seems like a pretty good deal.

For more info, go see their website:
Axiotron ModBook

Artist: Sana Takeda

My first post will be on a new artist I just discovered recently. I have not been able to find much information or background on her, since she has only recent delved in the English speaking part of the world. Sana Takeda was a 2d game designer in Japan and developed her drawing skills while working there. Only recently has her drawing talent been recognized in the comic book industry, and specifically for me, in the recent side story comic of Soulfire. I, already being a fan of Michael Turner and his work, was not expecting to see this Japanese influenced art in one of their comics. However, I totally loved the art, and picked it up right away. There is no inking, and the lines are a little shaky, but the coloring and storytelling are very beautiful and rich. I look forward to see the upcoming issues. In the meantime, you can visit her website with more of her art:

www.sanatakeda.or.tv