Top Shelf is having a big sale which lasts until the 12th.

There is a little something for everyone so go check it out and get some really good indie books for cheap.

Google commissioned Scott McCloud to draw a comic explaining their upcoming browser project.

I’d thought I share some of the process I go through when creating Comic Critics.

When I receive a script from Sean, I first do a quick breakdowns in a sketchbook. I then switch to working on my computer.

I first use Illustrator to layout the panels, letters and word balloons. From there, I import the panels and letters to Photoshop and, using a Wacom tablet, sketch the characters and backgrounds. I then send that to Sean to see what he thinks.

After getting feedback from Sean, I move to the “inking” stage. I switch my sketch to gray and draw on a separate layer. I draw the characters and some more important foreground elements. Next I draw in the backgrounds and get rid of the sketch layer. I then send this to Sean for another round of feedback.

After getting notes from Sean, I fix things and move to the coloring stage. I switch the B&W to a layer that multiples. On a layer underneath the B&W art, I add add the colors. I use a limited color pallet of various mixes of 25% increments of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. This give me a good range of colors, but also helps me not go overboard with the color. After finishing the coloring, I then add a layer thats is in-between the B&W and the colors. This is where I add shading, effects and any other extras that are needed.

This goes to Sean for one last look-over and then goes into the queue to get posted.

So I was playing around with Face Your Manga which is a manga avatar creator. (Well manga in that your creations have big eyes). I decided to see if I could make the Comic Critics in the style and here is what I came up with.

I’ve been doing a bunch of work on the comic recently. I’ve got about seven strips in various stages of production. Some are pretty much colored and done, some are at the inked stage (well ink in that I draw it in PhotoShop and with a Wacom), and some are at the sketch/layout stage.

Who knows if I get comfortable enough with the style of the comic, Sean and I may try to take the comic’s schedule to twice a week. Maybe Wednesdays and Saturdays/Sundays.