Busy quarter. Articles resume soon after I sort some work out and also figure out if I need to re-configure some bits due to DC's sudden, drastic marketing revamp, though that's also brought up some excllent points to use for other articles I had planned.
Also, I've finally decided what this blog is for. This is my blog for (mostly) comics-related things. I said earlier on in this blog's life that it was going to be for whatever I wanted it to be, and that was true. And now I want it more focused. So yeah.
There are a couple more projects of mine in the works that I don't want to say much about yet, because I find when I talk about these sorts of things before I execute them I tend to not go through with them. So why did I even write that last sentence at all? Just to let you know of a possibility of new things. They will be linked here should they arise.
Speaking of new things, though, there are a couple blog-related announcements. One, I've deleted the long-dead Blog of a Hundred Faces and the practically-flatlining Foodpeople. They were neat ideas, ones I might revisit again someday (especially Foodpeople), but I wasn't doing anything much with that space, certainly not enough to warrant an entire blog. The Gamelass tumblr will be kept up but unlinked to, mostly because I've forgotten my password and realized I prefer browsing tumblr more than actually trying to figure out how to use it. The pictures from that blog in particular are very likely to resurface later on the announcement below.
In the wake of these other blogs, I have made a new one. It's called Holden Has A Sketchbook, and it's where I'll be posting bits of artwork. I hope you enjoy it.
[Holden Out.]
12.7.11
23.5.11
A small disappointment
My "On Superheroes" series is on temporary hiatus due to a schoolwork influx.
That is all.
[Holden Out.]
That is all.
[Holden Out.]
15.5.11
Sunday Comics: On Superheroes, Part 1
Article 1: Setting the tone.
(Sorry for the wall of text--images forthcoming. Wanted to be sure I got this up first. --HC)
So for the next few weeks, Sunday Comics is going to be a little different. I’m
(Sorry for the wall of text--images forthcoming. Wanted to be sure I got this up first. --HC)
So for the next few weeks, Sunday Comics is going to be a little different. I’m
4.5.11
More Fanart, You Guys
The last few days I've been working on something for Mr. Ross Campbell, who is by and large these days one of my big ol' comics heroes.
Here are the scribbly, nocturnal fruits of that labor.
It still could be better, but I'm reasonably happy with how it turned out. Shadoweyes is ludicrously fun to draw, and I think I was able to at least hint at the beautifully twisty, crumbling mess that is Dranac. I also haven't done a coloured pencil piece in quite a while, so neat to see I still had an idea of what I was doing. Still, I had to do some tweaks in Photoshop to really impart the feel I wanted.
For comparison purposes, here's the unaltered image, straight from the sketchbook.
Keep on making quality comics and blog posts, Mr. Campbell.
[Holden Out.]
Here are the scribbly, nocturnal fruits of that labor.
For comparison purposes, here's the unaltered image, straight from the sketchbook.
[Holden Out.]
21.4.11
Glorified Fanart, You Guys
I'm gonna try and facilitate a couple art-dumps here soon. Here's an appetizer--three bits from my current sketchbook, all recent. And all comics-related. And all technically fanart. Bluh.
18.4.11
Quick Comics News!
You guys! YOU GUYS!
Paul Chadwick is making more Concrete!
AND
Ross Campbell has a tumblr!
That is all.
[Holden Out.]
Paul Chadwick is making more Concrete!
AND
Ross Campbell has a tumblr!
That is all.
[Holden Out.]
17.4.11
Sunday Comics: Wonton Soup...Again!
Wonton Soup Volume 2: Hyper Wonton Soup 2 Two Ton Soup: The Quickening 2: ...Soup, by James Stokoe
Format: Graphic Novel
Content Rating: Definitely R. Keep this one away from your kids. For reasons of language, a prominent plot point involving some hefty drug use, and getting a terrifying glimpse into the twisted madness that is Deacon's sex life.
Plot: Picking up more-or-less where the first volume did, Wonton Soup volume 2 focuses less on Johnny Boyo's past as a master chef and far more on his and Deacon's on-the-job antics. When Deacon orders some legendary drugs from a duty-free at a spaceport, he and Johnny wake up two weeks later coming down off an absolutely ludicrous high, having crash-landed in a forest on an unknown planet. As they scour the area for a civilization that might have some fuel for their ship, several stories unfold in various ways, including the (possible) origin of Deacon's skeazy behavior, a trip to a shady bar, and a story that takes place entirely inside Johnny's stomach.
Thoughts: I hate to say it. But this second volume, in my opinion, isn't quite as good as the one that preceded it. It feels a bit too loosely knit, like James Stokoe wasn't quite sure what direction he wanted to take it in. If it's meant to be more of a collection of Wonton Soup-universe vignettes, that's great, and they actually transition pretty smoothly for that, but it feels uncertain, as said. I can't tell if it was meant to be that, or a story that just went a few too many directions. It feels a teense distracted. Luckily, the art stays at the same high-caliber, crazy-detailed quality the first volume has made me expect from Stokoe and the writing, my previous commentary aside, feels a bit tighter taken on its own. His mostly-raunchy--but well-done--sense of humor is still totally present, and the dialogue still sounds like actual conversation, something I always appreciate. My complaint about the alien language appears to have possibly been that of others as well, and addressed--it is still thankfully there but not as heavily. I have to admit, though, that I was also a little sad that the cooking element of Wonton Soup wasn't present as frequently here...the comic itself seems to recognize this, though. So, overall, a small step down but my hopes for this series remain high. If there's a third volume you can bet I'll still check it out. Sail on, Stokoe. Regale us with further Space Trucker Cooking Opera.
[Holden Out.]
10.4.11
3.4.11
Sunday Comics: Pepper Penwell
Pepper Penwell and the Land Creature of Monster Lake, by Steph Cherrywell
Format: Graphic Novel
Content Rating: PG, mostly for the bits of inneuendo native to Cherrywell's work.
Plot: A brilliant teen detective, Pepper Penwell has been cracking cases both mundane and extraordinary since she was but a child. But when what seems like a fairly routine missing-person case leads her to the town of Monster Lake, she finds far more than she bargained for. Between the legend of the namesake monster being more than it seems, the mysterious tribe in the nearby woods, a mad scientist, and an all-too-shifty head of the chamber of commerce, Monster Lake is about to become a very messed-up place...and Pepper, along with the missing person she seeks, is about to find herself at the center of it all.
Thoughts: Though Widgey Q. Butterfluff was her first published comics work, it was a series of vignettes rather than a single continuous story, and thus Pepper Penwell represents her first "graphic novel" work, in a purer sense of the term. And while Widgey was by no means bad, improvement is definitely evident in Pepper. It feels like an evolution of Cherrywell's art, writing, and style. It feels tighter than Widgey, with a bit better pacing to the writing and the comedy hitting a more consistent stride (though it is also slightly less of an overtly comedic work than Widgey). Also like its predecessor, it's a parody work--this time of young-adult detective novel series (such as Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, et al) and like what came before it, does this excellently, with a well-honed sense of snark that still has lingering tinges of affection. Pepper's various deductions strike a good line between crazy Adam West Batman-logic and actual logic and evidence, and the answer to the mystery is thankfully still a bit complicated--there wasn't a single perpetrator, I'll say that much. And will say no more. I don't want to spoil anything. The story has definite structure, too--characters that are introduced once continue to stay in the loop, places are revisited, and I never felt lost. It's exciting to see Cherrywell's skills grow as she continues to shimmy deeper into the published world, and I look forward to further work. At present, Pepper Penwell would probably serve as my introduction to Cherrywell if I wanted to get someone into her larger body of work.
[Holden Out.]
27.3.11
20.3.11
16.3.11
Con pics...only a week and a half late!
Without really much further explanation (and really, no apologies--it's finals week), some images from this year's 2011 Emerald City Comicon. There were a few costumes I loved that I didn't get to capture, due to my camera being old and exceedingly slow (as well as being a battery-muncher, om nom nom), but I have some cosplay highlights regardless, followed by a few non-comics pickups.
Sunday Comics returns this coming Sunday, the 20th.
Sunday Comics returns this coming Sunday, the 20th.
7.2.11
Another announcement? Why yes.
Clicky-clicky, foos. Main body of announcement in that thing up there.
Sooooo yeah. While the majority of these things probably won't be the greatest quality (again, like the above), the important thing is that I'm doing SOMETHING comics-related.
[Holden Out.]
1.2.11
26.1.11
Holden's Bookshelf: Agatha H and the Airship City
I think this time around, I'll actually ditch the format in favor of something more brief and straightforward. This is gonna be difficult, though, because I'm such a fan of the graphic novels this book is based on. I'm afraid that will provide a more biased review than I'd like, but I'll try to be as objective as I can.
Right, then.
Right, then.
25.1.11
Here are some new things I guess
I have begun another semi-interactive art project type thing, called GameLass. You can find it aaat:
http://gamelass.tumblr.com/
Yay.
In addition, um, here's some recent schooltime doodles.
I really like putting the word "SPACE" on things from space.
[Holden Out.]
http://gamelass.tumblr.com/
Yay.
In addition, um, here's some recent schooltime doodles.
[Holden Out.]
12.1.11
Holden's Bookshelf: I Haven't Even Read It But I Know It Will Be Good
Today on Holden's Bookshelf, I'd actually like to do a plug instead. A sort of interactive one, because while I don't yet have the book I'll be plugging, I do fully intend to review it here upon its completion, because not doing so after bringing it up here would be kind of silly.
So, as some of you who know me are aware, I'm quite a fan of the webcomic Girl Genius. It earned the distinction of being my first Sunday Comics entry (and now, sometime soon, I'd like to revisit it using the subtle tweaks I've done to the format and having a little "how's it doing now?" re-review), and it had a big part in kick-starting my interest in Steampunk couture and aesthetic.
And now, it seems, while staying a comic, it is also making the transition to text novels. Yes, there is now a Girl Genius book, the first of many it seems. Needless to say, I was shocked, intrigued, and very, very happy. Oh ho ho, but that's not all. (That can't be all.) Phil and Kaja, the minds behind Girl Genius, are doing book signings all this week, all over Seattle! So please, give them some love.
- Today, Kaja's birthday, is the first signing. It will be taking place at Ravenna Third Place Books.
- Tomorrow, the thirteenth, there's one at The Night Kitchen, a specifically late-night eating venue down by historic Pike Place Market.
- The fourteenth sees a signing at the UW's own University Bookstore, starting at 7 PM. This is the signing I will be attending! If you read this blog and are in the area, stop by and help support one of my favourite author/artist pairs. I'll likely be decked out in something steampunky, in celebration of the occasion.
- Finally, from 3-4 PM on Saturday the fifteenth, they'll be doing a signing at RustyCon, a science fiction convention. Registration for RustyCon has closed, but there are still tickets available at the door.
Please, if you have the spare cash and want to support good, fun sci-fi, pick a venue and go! I have great anticipation for this foray into the world of pure text for this series.
...I friggin' love Seattle.
[Holden Out.]
1.1.11
A Little Rundown and Reflection of the Year Gone By.
Inspired by longtime internet buddy Adri, who done did a similar thing on her tumblr. And because it's good to go back and revisit these things briefly.
So, it's the twenty-'leven. Let's pause and briefly look at the twenty-ten just before we move on to the new hotness.
2010, for me, started off more craptastically than I think any year of my life ever has. I was a couple months out of a relationship and the breakup was still hitting me hard. I was about a year out of college and was starting to really feel it--I was missing campus life in a big way and my college friends felt further away than ever. I had yet to start truly disliking my little retail job, but I was still less than thrilled with it, especially given that at this point, I had no direction beyond it. I knew I wouldn't be working there forever (at least, I hoped not), but what lay ahead jobwise was completely uncertain. I was doing absolutely nothing with my English degree, that was for sure, since I had decided not to become a teacher and hadn't really pursued any options beyond that. Not knowing how I was going to get out of the temporary job--that was the scary bit.
Spring brought Emerald City Con--the best Emerald City Con, in fact, that I'd ever been to. I got to interview some web comic artists I appreciate, and while E-triple-C always rekindles my love of comics, whethere its been dimmed that year or not, this year I felt was especially potent for really reminding me why I love that medium so dearly. Taking my best friend along helped immensely too.
Towards the end of spring was the tiny epiphany that would ultimately make the second act of this year turn out substantially better than the first--deciding to continue my education with a second degree, specifically one in graphic design. After substantial research of the colleges offering programs in my state, I found that one of the best programs happened to also be the closest one to me--offered by the same place I got my Associate's from, no less, adding a sort of poignant returning-to-a-prior-time feel. The time window between deciding to validate graphic design as a career path for me and signing up for my first round of courses was very brief, almost impulsive, and I would be starting late summer. Things were starting, overall, to look up a little.
Summer brought my second trip to London, which I think was very good for me--as a means to relax, to experience some new scenery...I really felt on vacation there; it was soothing to my mental state and the first time that year I felt really, truly relaxed for any significant length of time. London worked its magic to unwind me a bit. It was also post-London that I grew a small beard, a good way to achieve a slightly different look without altering much; something else I think I needed.
The real turnaround from the year's sucky beginnings, though, was the start of the classes. I'm someone that actually enjoys being in school if the subject is interesting me, and this time around was no different. I actually felt like I was supposed to be there--I was provided with insightful teachers and a big sense of hope about my future. My art's been steadily improving again. I know not to repeat a lot of the networking and knowledge mistakes I made back in University--I'm going to keep good solid connections with my instructors and use whatever resources I can, towards the end, to try and land myself a job in a related field.
So, things have been going uphill from there. There's still plenty to improve--for example, I'm still working retail, and would like to live in an apartment somewhere as opposed to my current situation--but I'm learning things, I have direction, I'm building valuable skills, I've finally grown comfortable being single once more, and, most importantly, I really, truly feel like I can do this. I can finally move forward again. I've got a lot of help and support from friends old and new, a head full of ideas, and perhaps now, the audacity to actually execute said ideas.
Get over here 2011, and give me a hug. I think you're gonna be a good one.
[Holden Out.]
So, it's the twenty-'leven. Let's pause and briefly look at the twenty-ten just before we move on to the new hotness.
2010, for me, started off more craptastically than I think any year of my life ever has. I was a couple months out of a relationship and the breakup was still hitting me hard. I was about a year out of college and was starting to really feel it--I was missing campus life in a big way and my college friends felt further away than ever. I had yet to start truly disliking my little retail job, but I was still less than thrilled with it, especially given that at this point, I had no direction beyond it. I knew I wouldn't be working there forever (at least, I hoped not), but what lay ahead jobwise was completely uncertain. I was doing absolutely nothing with my English degree, that was for sure, since I had decided not to become a teacher and hadn't really pursued any options beyond that. Not knowing how I was going to get out of the temporary job--that was the scary bit.
Spring brought Emerald City Con--the best Emerald City Con, in fact, that I'd ever been to. I got to interview some web comic artists I appreciate, and while E-triple-C always rekindles my love of comics, whethere its been dimmed that year or not, this year I felt was especially potent for really reminding me why I love that medium so dearly. Taking my best friend along helped immensely too.
Towards the end of spring was the tiny epiphany that would ultimately make the second act of this year turn out substantially better than the first--deciding to continue my education with a second degree, specifically one in graphic design. After substantial research of the colleges offering programs in my state, I found that one of the best programs happened to also be the closest one to me--offered by the same place I got my Associate's from, no less, adding a sort of poignant returning-to-a-prior-time feel. The time window between deciding to validate graphic design as a career path for me and signing up for my first round of courses was very brief, almost impulsive, and I would be starting late summer. Things were starting, overall, to look up a little.
Summer brought my second trip to London, which I think was very good for me--as a means to relax, to experience some new scenery...I really felt on vacation there; it was soothing to my mental state and the first time that year I felt really, truly relaxed for any significant length of time. London worked its magic to unwind me a bit. It was also post-London that I grew a small beard, a good way to achieve a slightly different look without altering much; something else I think I needed.
The real turnaround from the year's sucky beginnings, though, was the start of the classes. I'm someone that actually enjoys being in school if the subject is interesting me, and this time around was no different. I actually felt like I was supposed to be there--I was provided with insightful teachers and a big sense of hope about my future. My art's been steadily improving again. I know not to repeat a lot of the networking and knowledge mistakes I made back in University--I'm going to keep good solid connections with my instructors and use whatever resources I can, towards the end, to try and land myself a job in a related field.
So, things have been going uphill from there. There's still plenty to improve--for example, I'm still working retail, and would like to live in an apartment somewhere as opposed to my current situation--but I'm learning things, I have direction, I'm building valuable skills, I've finally grown comfortable being single once more, and, most importantly, I really, truly feel like I can do this. I can finally move forward again. I've got a lot of help and support from friends old and new, a head full of ideas, and perhaps now, the audacity to actually execute said ideas.
Get over here 2011, and give me a hug. I think you're gonna be a good one.
[Holden Out.]
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