Here’s Page One

by Tess

So here’s the opening page for that story idea I was talking about way back when… I wanted to experiment with a different genre, and also try out using color for a change. Am realizing that at some point I have to decide whether I am composing this as a web comic or stick with the traditional 6.5 x 10″ format, because you lose a lot of detail when you show an entire vertical page on-screen. Thoughts? Advice?

This entry was posted on Friday, February 16th, 2007 at 11:24 am and is filed under Comics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Herc

Tess,
I really like your colors and sense of space. You do need to decide on the format but even if you go with a more web friendly look you can always find a way to go to print on it later. Look at Shudderbug Follies by Jason Little…that started on the web and was easily transformed to a beautiful book. Granted he had real publishing money behind him. hee heee Can’t wait to see more.
Peace,
Herc
http://www.tessgadwa.com Tess

Yeah, the big decision is whether to compose each panel sequence for landscape (web) or portrait (print) format. Although of course you can print things in landscape too, but it’s less common.

Right now I’m leaning towards staying with portrait and just printing in color off my own inkjet. Especially I can get the pages to register while doing the black line art on my laser printer, that would be supercool. Could be something to bring to cons–and it wouldn’t break the bank.

I have my “serious” illustrated project (Southern Cross) for which I’ve followed all the standard advice to find agent, publisher, etc. Probably spent as much time trying to sell it as on the book itself. The pitch is going out this month, so we’ll see what happens.

This comic is just for fun. Everybody needs a side project like that, if only to prevent burnout on the big, stress-inducing ones.
Matt

I like this Tess.
It has a Tim Burton feel to it but it’s all your own style at the same time.
http://www.richbarrett.com Rich

Very cool to see you do some color work, Tess. I hear you on the web vs. print format though I would say that portrait is the most hybrid format. Works very well here.
John

I really like this. It’s engaging and makes me NEED to see the next page. the lettering is crisp and clean. as far as which format, do what you think looks best and works best for the story. I definitely agree that portrait style is the most versatile, but if you did it landscape, perhaps you could run 2 strips per printed page. Just a thought.