Oblesklk
2nd Level Yellow Feather
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2001
- Messages
- 3,454
- Points
- 63
We're proud to announce a few things at this time.
First, Agencies #11 has been in production for a little while now, and is close to being unveiled. Every issue we do is unlike any other issue we've ever done. Now while that seems like the most obvious statement ever, it isn't just the content, but also how we approach the initial storywriting process, communication with the art team, and pace and feel of the story. And I feel great about this issue. I think it alternates issues, because I felt great about issues 7 & 9, then not so much on issues 8 & 10. There's a lot of firsts with this issue, which leads me to...
Second item is the one I'm most excited about. Dave2112 has been brought on board with us to steer the stories in a good direction. After working with him for one issue now, it's definitely a partnership that I'd like to see continue. These next few issues of The Agencies are going to be pivotal, and I wanted an expert set of eyes to read over everything, and suggest ways to trim down the script so that it still tells a good story, but also doesn't dilly dally in getting to the point. And I'm really happy with the result on this one. Dave's been around since as far back as I can imagine, and I don't need to post any introductory language here. He is legend, and I'm honored to have worked with him on this project, and also on future Ruthless projects.
Third item, we've switched art teams again. The Agencies has had several artists through its ten issue lifetime. We've hired out the same art team for issues 7-10, and were very happy with the life and feel they gave our stories. However, after issue 10, they became swamped with projects (not surprisingly, given their talent), and were unable to work with us on a timely basis going forward. So we did an exhaustive search (good Lord, I must've reviewed about 100 portfolios or more), and I found an art team that's going to represent the comic universe in a different way over the next several issues. His look is vastly different than anything else I've personally seen, and the end result is just great.
Fourth item of note, we are restructuring the way we handle orders. The process is not finished yet, but starting with issue #11, we're hoping to get a fully automated payment system going. The logistics are still up in the air, but in theory, you should be able to purchase our books and download them instantly. This will be a huge upgrade from the way we handle orders now, and I personally can't wait until that system goes live.
So we've been quiet these last months, but hard at work getting some stuff done.
And now I'm pleased to be able to share some of the production artwork from Issue #11, slated to go on sale...soon?
The following piece was one of the first items that we did in the very beginning of production. This part took awhile. I had to make sure the transition of the look of the characters went well. I wanted to ensure the characters we've been working on for so long still kind of looked like themselves, but also were definitely in the new style of the series. This series covers Magistrate Veronica, Yin/Yang, Agent Deadline, and Agent Succubus (in order). Good start so far.
The twins look pretty cute in this issue. Dave had some great input on the looks of the twins in the series, and this is a result of that feedback. This is Yin, toying with Succubus on the first page of the book. At this point in the story, Succubus doesn't know where she's going, or what foul things the twins have planned. When we left off this particular storyline, the twins were pissed off at Succubus for invading their turf and turning their boss into a drooling idiot with her seductive abilities. They were also frustrated that they couldn't torture her, because any time they would try, she would use her beguiling powers on them, preventing them from harming her in any way. So they devised this plan...
Ok, now the production kicks into "holy shit that looks good" mode. Some of the panels came out just incredible. The look, the feel, the characters, some just turned out great. I like this panel in particular. This is Agent Succubus, looking good. For those interested, I've also included the evolution of the artwork. From the pencils/storyboards in the upper left, to the inks finished in the bottom left, to the finished product on the right. The colors are really well done, I like how they turned out.
Heh, this is our wannabe Rated X panel. All sorts of interesting things being implied here, and I don't want to introduce any spoilers to the story at this point. But the twins have gotten ahold of someone, and my...they're feeling kind of naughty. I wanted to start developing the twins a little bit more than they had been in the past, and this issue, along with the next few issues, will help to that end. I also added in the pencils and inks for this panel, to see the process from beginning to end.
Another shot of Succubus, wondering in horror at the same thing that we're wondering in fascination. It's also the curious thing that goes through every tickler's mind in the middle of a tickle session 'hey she looks like she's having fun, but how much of this can she actually take?'
This is the other twin, Yang. You got to love a woman who enjoys what she does.
There will be more on the production of this issue in time. We're working on finishing it up 100% and getting the site ready to accept payments. But right now we'll just say it will be ready "soon"
(Dave, check out the title. I can spell the number 11 out properly once in awhile. I flipped a coin this time)
First, Agencies #11 has been in production for a little while now, and is close to being unveiled. Every issue we do is unlike any other issue we've ever done. Now while that seems like the most obvious statement ever, it isn't just the content, but also how we approach the initial storywriting process, communication with the art team, and pace and feel of the story. And I feel great about this issue. I think it alternates issues, because I felt great about issues 7 & 9, then not so much on issues 8 & 10. There's a lot of firsts with this issue, which leads me to...
Second item is the one I'm most excited about. Dave2112 has been brought on board with us to steer the stories in a good direction. After working with him for one issue now, it's definitely a partnership that I'd like to see continue. These next few issues of The Agencies are going to be pivotal, and I wanted an expert set of eyes to read over everything, and suggest ways to trim down the script so that it still tells a good story, but also doesn't dilly dally in getting to the point. And I'm really happy with the result on this one. Dave's been around since as far back as I can imagine, and I don't need to post any introductory language here. He is legend, and I'm honored to have worked with him on this project, and also on future Ruthless projects.
Third item, we've switched art teams again. The Agencies has had several artists through its ten issue lifetime. We've hired out the same art team for issues 7-10, and were very happy with the life and feel they gave our stories. However, after issue 10, they became swamped with projects (not surprisingly, given their talent), and were unable to work with us on a timely basis going forward. So we did an exhaustive search (good Lord, I must've reviewed about 100 portfolios or more), and I found an art team that's going to represent the comic universe in a different way over the next several issues. His look is vastly different than anything else I've personally seen, and the end result is just great.
Fourth item of note, we are restructuring the way we handle orders. The process is not finished yet, but starting with issue #11, we're hoping to get a fully automated payment system going. The logistics are still up in the air, but in theory, you should be able to purchase our books and download them instantly. This will be a huge upgrade from the way we handle orders now, and I personally can't wait until that system goes live.
So we've been quiet these last months, but hard at work getting some stuff done.
And now I'm pleased to be able to share some of the production artwork from Issue #11, slated to go on sale...soon?
The following piece was one of the first items that we did in the very beginning of production. This part took awhile. I had to make sure the transition of the look of the characters went well. I wanted to ensure the characters we've been working on for so long still kind of looked like themselves, but also were definitely in the new style of the series. This series covers Magistrate Veronica, Yin/Yang, Agent Deadline, and Agent Succubus (in order). Good start so far.
The twins look pretty cute in this issue. Dave had some great input on the looks of the twins in the series, and this is a result of that feedback. This is Yin, toying with Succubus on the first page of the book. At this point in the story, Succubus doesn't know where she's going, or what foul things the twins have planned. When we left off this particular storyline, the twins were pissed off at Succubus for invading their turf and turning their boss into a drooling idiot with her seductive abilities. They were also frustrated that they couldn't torture her, because any time they would try, she would use her beguiling powers on them, preventing them from harming her in any way. So they devised this plan...
Ok, now the production kicks into "holy shit that looks good" mode. Some of the panels came out just incredible. The look, the feel, the characters, some just turned out great. I like this panel in particular. This is Agent Succubus, looking good. For those interested, I've also included the evolution of the artwork. From the pencils/storyboards in the upper left, to the inks finished in the bottom left, to the finished product on the right. The colors are really well done, I like how they turned out.
Heh, this is our wannabe Rated X panel. All sorts of interesting things being implied here, and I don't want to introduce any spoilers to the story at this point. But the twins have gotten ahold of someone, and my...they're feeling kind of naughty. I wanted to start developing the twins a little bit more than they had been in the past, and this issue, along with the next few issues, will help to that end. I also added in the pencils and inks for this panel, to see the process from beginning to end.
Another shot of Succubus, wondering in horror at the same thing that we're wondering in fascination. It's also the curious thing that goes through every tickler's mind in the middle of a tickle session 'hey she looks like she's having fun, but how much of this can she actually take?'
This is the other twin, Yang. You got to love a woman who enjoys what she does.
There will be more on the production of this issue in time. We're working on finishing it up 100% and getting the site ready to accept payments. But right now we'll just say it will be ready "soon"
(Dave, check out the title. I can spell the number 11 out properly once in awhile. I flipped a coin this time)
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These production threads generally serve as a 'hey we're still alive' reminder to everyone, since we do release so infrequently.
