Sorry this one is so late, but you’ll quickly see why it is. It’s the most ambitious page I’ve done to date, and it had to be. This moment was so complex, and so tightly packed in time, I couldn’t break it up without ruining the pacing. A better artist could probably depict it better, with less complexity, but that person isn’t me, so here it is, as I was able to do it.
This is the end of a mini-arc. I may take some time to do some shorts with Shifty the Cat or some other non-arc small pieces for a couple of weeks so I can catch up on some stuff. Or I may dive right in. Depends on how quickly my brain cools off after this page. But I really do need to get Volume 1 done, too…don’t worry, there will be plenty to see, and there’s lots to come.
OK Am I also getting a nod to Delaurentis version of Flash Gordon, Lightning gate? Ming the alpha and omega
Not that I intended. The “lightning” of “Tesla” was the ray attack. “Carter” was an homage to Stargate SG-1. (Yes, Locke is a fan — can you blame him? Amanda Tapping was hot in that show.) “Omega” is pretty straightforward as meaning “the end”. If anything, it’s more of an homage to the “Alpha and Omega Bomb” from the “Planet of the Apes” movies. I wasn’t that much of a fan of the DeLaurentis Flash Gordon, except for the Queen soundtrack.
Two Words: Uncanny Valley. Get out of it.
I know what the uncanny valley is. Do you really think it applies to my artwork? Wow, I’m going to take this as a compliment, because you wouldn’t be mentioning the uncanny valley unless my realism was extremely high.
I don’t think it’s so high that it’s creepy, though. I’ve been asking around to pro cartoonists, and none of them had that sort of negative reaction. I’ll keep an eye on it, because you felt strongly enough to mention it. I will try to avoid CREEPY kinds of realism…unless it’s a bad guy, who should creep you out.
FYI, I use modeling to build my art because a) I’m disabled, and I don’t have the ability to spend the sheer amount of time bent over a drawing board that a classical-style artist needs in order to get skilled at hand-drawing, and b) while I am learning how to draw best I can within my limits, I’m not there yet.