blog 3 - Arp Comics

The 100 Days of Character Design Challenge

My character design sucks – so I decided to do something about it: a 100 Days of Character Design Challenge. I’ve been pondering my self-doubt & self-criticism and a lot of it stems from my character design – or lack thereof. I’m unhappy with my figures, expressions, clothing, you name it. And the lack of character design is holding up the graphic novel pitch packet for my OGN. I know that if I drew one character a day for 100 days that I will automatically be better at the end – thus the challenge. This wouldn’t be my first 100 … Continue reading

PTSD

After returning home from an unpopular war, Jun becomes an outsider in an indifferent world. Alone, desperate, and suffering from wounds both mental and physical, she seeks relief in the illicit drugs she manages to purchase or steal. Jun’s tough exterior served her well in combat, but she’ll need to nurture her vulnerability and humanity to survive at home. With the support of her fellow vets, the kindness of a stranger who refuses to turn away, and the companionship of a dog named Red, Jun learns to navigate the psychological trauma that she experienced in the war. Singelin’s PTSD is … Continue reading

Working on a graphic novel pitch packet

This past summer, I had a goal of creating a pitch packet for my spooky middle grade graphic novel. Somehow I managed to lose sight of this goal, likely due to some fear-based procrastination. I’ve noticed throughout my life that when I’m just about to take the next step in a creative endeavor, I just avoid it and shut down. Last week during Thanksgiving I decided that I had to get it finished by January 1. It wasn’t a huge project, and it’s one that I want to get published traditionally. I figure that an agent can help me iron out the kinks, or perhaps … Continue reading

I was Their American Dream

I was Their American Dream is a great title – like insanely great. I never thought of immigrants’ children in that way until now. But it’s true that we are our parents’ dreams. Every immigrant has their own views of America and what it stood for. Malaka’s parents came to America to either avoid civil unrest (her mom) or because they had romantic ideas about America (her dad). My dad saw America as a place to make his own way, without being thwarted by nepotism and bribes. America is the land of opportunity. And while that opportunity looks different to everyone, there seem to … Continue reading

How to Pitch a Graphic Novel

You ever wonder how to pitch a graphic novel? Lately I’ve been in thinking about how to make the change from thinking about completing a project to actually completing it. Big projects like a graphic novel are daunting; I’ve found it helpful to break a big project into smaller tasks. If you work steadily and simply focus on the task at hand, you can get the project done, rather than flailing about haphazardly. I have many story ideas. Some are destined for this site as a webcomic, and others are ones that I’d like to see published traditionally or kickstarted. … Continue reading

The Witch Boy

In thirteen-year-old Aster’s family, all the girls are raised to be witches, while boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares cross those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn’t shifted . . . and he’s still fascinated by witchery, no matter how forbidden it might be.When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help — as a witch. It will take the encouragement of a new friend, the non-magical and non-conforming Charlie, to convince Aster to try practicing his skills. And it will require even more courage to save his family . … Continue reading

Scott Pilgrim

Scott Pilgrim has a life that’s totally sweet. He’s 23 years old, in a rock band, “between jobs,” AND dating a cute high school girl. Everything’s fantastic until a seriously mind-blowing, dangerously fashionable, rollerblading delivery girl named Ramona Flowers starts cruising through his dreams and sailing by him at parties. Will Scott’s awesome life get turned upside-down? Will he have to face Ramona’s seven evil ex-boyfriends in battle? Scott Pilgrim is write what you know at its finest. Bryan Lee O’Malley took everything he knew at the time – manga, anime, video games, indie rock band-hood, post-collegiate/career-avoiding limbo, 20-something life, young … Continue reading

Wayward

Rori Lane, a young woman, moves to Tokyo from Ireland where she starts school and tries to establish herself and re-connect with her mother. She is quickly caught up in supernatural events, forming alliances and trying to defend herself and her loved ones from mythical monsters. I don’t know how people read monthly comics. I tend to forget details and end up wondering wtf is going on. That’s why I much prefer reading TPBs & collected editions, so I can binge through a series or story arcs. I’m like Marvin Gaye – I wanna know what’s going on. (Sorry, that … Continue reading

Oooh: First look at David Jesus Vignolli’s graphic novel NEW WORLD

Wow, this looks soooooo good. Last year I almost bought A Girl in the Himalayas (ref link) based only on the cover and flipping through the interior art. This looks like another really good one and it feels like we’re witnessing the growth of a storyteller. I’m sharing just a couple of images here, click the link at the bottom of the paste for many more pages and clues to the story. Can’t wait! EXCLUSIVE: Get Your First Extended Look at David Jesus Vignolli’s NEW WORLD – The Beat Source: EXCLUSIVE: Get Your First Extended Look at David Jesus Vignolli’s NEW WORLD … Continue reading

Sakana

SAKANA is a slice-of-life, romantic comedy (a sli-li-rom-com, if you will) that takes place in the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, Japan. If follows the lives of a few 20-somethings working at the market, their friends and family, and all the wacky situations they constantly find themselves in despite their best efforts. Basically they all want to date each other, but they’re all terrible at it, and also there’s lots of seafood involved. I only started reading Sakana last night after having it bookmarked for over a year. (I bet I’m not the only who has a WTR folder that gets … Continue reading