Faith and Fear

I've mentioned before on my blog about my War Days comic project which will explore my time growing up at a very strict Catholic grammar school and how I became an atheist. I've been kicking this idea around for quite a few years now (since undergrad actually! Yikes!) and it's finally time! The first issue of War Days will be available at APE (Alternative Press Expo) in San Jose, Oct. 3rd-4th.

I may change the title before then, but then again I always struggle with titles so it may just stick. In case you're curious, the title War Days comes from how my sister and I would refer to our time at the school after leaving it and talking to friends about it. "Back in our war days..." Sometimes it really felt that hostile. Although, I'm not sure I'll keep it since it may elicit too many other thoughts and be confusing to potential readers. Let me know what you think of the title!

A lot of planning goes into making the comics. I have a notebook full of notes on my memories as well as some my sister shared with me. I then broke those up into sections and panel lengths. I'm trying to approach the actual comic creation a little more exploratory and freeform, but I can't help but plan beforehand.

Sketches for this comic's characters

I've drawn a lot of character sketches already to get a feel for how I want the comic to look, but also decided to sketch the characters that would appear in this comic so I could tape that up in front of me while I worked and have a reference point.

Finished pencils

After penciling the page out, I then transferred the drawing to bristol with a lighbox. I may try using blue pencils and then inking directly ontop next time, but there's a certain freedom I have when I know I'm drawing a separate pencils page. I don't feel bad if I make dark pencil marks or erase a lot, whereas if I was drawing directly on the bristol I might be more paranoid about drawing something wrong and take less risks.

After transferring the drawing, the laboring love of inking begins. I use dip pens and india ink--currently enjoying the Black Cat brand since it's very opaque.

Much coffee is had and reference is all in mah face

And the final comic page!

I have quite a few more pages to finish by October, so I will definitely be sharing more of them, but not all. You'll have to buy the comic to read them all!

Don't worry... there will be plenty of nuns...