Back in February, I created a 12-page mini-comic called 'Hostile Takeover', a bit of fun and a love-song of sorts to Ashley Wood and 3A Toys. Cranked out in a weekend, fast, cheap and fun! You can read it for free here: http://issuu.com/morgangleave/docs/hostile_takeover
Move forwards to now, and the Mini-Comic Challenge is in full swing. A great bunch of creative folks from all over the planet cranking out fantastic comics of all shapes and sizes. The only rule is that you complete 12 pages of comics during the set month. Easy?
Our business and health has taken the controlling interest in our lives, so my idea of recreating the first issue of my Feline Occult Investigator - 'Patches McGinley' hasn't transpired. A stinkin' cold this week led to being bed-ridden, whereupon I started doodling, and remembered 'Hostile Takeover'. Bingo! Chapter 2 is written, four pages are laid out, one is inked, and I've done a color (sic) panel for kicks! Should have most of the art cracked this weekend, as it's a Bank Holiday here in the UK.
Chapter 2 will be up on Issuu by the end of May for your enjoyment, and I have more big robot and big gun action plotted... It's turning into a real saga! (I'm thinking of a collected edition in print...)
For now, here's the test panel in colour and the first page as a teaser... Enjoy!
I'm open for illustration commissions of your favourite comic book or cartoon characters, TV and movie folks, heck, anything you like (within reason... copyright allowing)!
Here's a quick catch up of some of my latest pieces to get you thinking. Contact me for prices and more details!
Good evening comic lovers everywhere!
I've been busy today, creating a new ep of experimental ukulele music (https://ruke.bandcamp.com/album/i-have-a-tuna-on-my-head), cleaning the kitchen and finishing off the clean-up of my latest mini-comic, 'Hostile Takeover'. I'm rather pleased with this one, as I've turned it around in a week from writing to scanning and make-up. A nice breather from 'Inner City Kitties', and keeping up with my intention of releasing a comic every two months this year!
Hostile Takeover is a bit of a love-song to Ashley Wood and 3A toys, both of which I'm a little obsessed with, and ticks my boxes for a robot comic and combat too. It tells the tale of Omnibot Incorporated owner and designer, Nelson Cooper and introduces the dread CEO, Owen Owens Snr. Business is war! I think we'll be seeing more of these characters in the future...
You can read Hostile Takeover for free online on Issuu here: http://issuu.com/morgangleave/docs/hostile_takeover, and there will be some printed copies available soon! (Watch this space!)
Enjoy the comic and have a great weekend!
Good evening comic fans... How's your week been?
'Inner City Kitties' chapter one is progressing nicely. The first page is inked, coloured and lettered. It's not necessarily going to be the pattern for the rest of the book, but I wanted to get a full page under my belt before I cracked on with the rest of the pages. It sets the tone nicely, along with style and colour palette. I'm sharing it here, so you get a taster too. Four more pages are already inked, ready to be scanned, and I'm on roll with the others.
Enjoy!
Been slacking on updates lately, mainly as I've been busy creating!
My challenge of creating a new comic bi-monthly this year is working well. I have one plotted, plans for six more, and just last week, I finished writing/storyboarding chapter one of 'Inner City Kitties', a six-parter starring MC Spacecat and DJ Tyrone.
The series traces their progression from 12 year old kittens to middle aged statesmen of hip hop. It's set against a backdrop which reflects the history of hip hop from it's birth in the 80s up to the present day. It's going to be kinda funny, with plenty of cameos from hip hop icons through the ages. I've loved hip hop since the Street Sounds 'Electro' tapes came out, and mixing it up with my major love, comics is pretty cool. I'm having a blast putting the series together, picking out tunes and acts to 'star' in it; going through my old records, tapes and CDs; checking out videos, documentaries and graffiti... it's a labour of love!
Inner City Kitties is going to be a multi-media project too. I've already written two of Spacecat and Tyrone's tunes, and have recorded the first one. There'll be EPs, LPs and videos to go with the comics, building the whole world of hip hop that Spacecat and Tyrone grew up in. The first issue should be ready for digital release at the end of February, and you can hear the first tune here: https://soundcloud.com/morgan-gleave/spacecats-message Rapping in character is really cool, but it's also allowing me to find my own voice too!
Here's the first two finished panels...
Okay. As mentioned earlier, I'm planning on a new comic release on a bi-monthly basis this year. I'm plotting the first one, and have started on a bigger project which will be done (hopefully) at the end of the year.
But, I'd like you to help too... That's where 'Chuck me a challenge' comes in. I want you to send me ideas for more comics, the more challenging the better. I want to move out of my artistic comfort zone and push myself, so bring on the ideas!
You can email me at: morgan@morgangleave.co.uk or leave comments here on the blog... I look forwards to hearing from you!
From now on, my comics will be released under this lovely shiny banner!
