Sunday (Monday) Sitdown ~WITH~ Cameron Stewart, Part 2

Yesterday, my conversation with Sin Titulo creator, Cameron Stewart, turned into a breakdown of the artist’s workshop, including techniques, processes, and inspiration. While this was fascinating to me, it’s not the meat-and-potatoes of the interview I meant to conduct.It was, however, integral to the understanding of ST, and so there’s a bit more of it here.Sin Titulo logo

But in addition, in this second half I finally get Cameron to crack on the intent of the strip, including his drive to do the strip (hint: it’s not as sci-fi/mystically focused as you might think) and the personal investment an artist should put into his, or her work. Again, the dude’s a pro, so I basically just asked a question or two and let him run wild. Containment was not my intent and I think a very interesting explanation of the strip followed as a result.

Delve into the mystery with me, after the break!

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Sunday Sitdown ~WITH~ Cameron Stewart, Part 1

Weeks back, the DS Review Crew took on the Transmission X Sunday treat, Sin Titulo. It was universally agreed that this was a mysterious joy to read and that we would all be checking back regularly on this, the Lord’s day. We also unanimously decreed that we had a lot of questions about the strip, questions we wanted answered. Immediately.Sin Titulo logo

So I got on the stick and started chatting with creator Cameron Stewart. Contained in this update is the first half of that conversation, with the second to follow on Monday. Disclaimer: After realizing that this is the Cameron Stewart who has numerous comic book projects under his belt, including some with the biggest names in the business, I kind of lose my footing and just give the rest of the interview away. Luckily, Cameron is a pro and takes up the slack aptly and readily.

Start the takeover after the break!

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12 on the brain

12 hour comic challenge4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42. All numbers some of us know well, but Ryan Estrada is mainly obsessed with just one number, the number 12. You see the Cartoon Commune is setting up its first major event set around the number twelve

On Saturday 12th April, artists around the world will be taking 12 hours to create a 12 page comic that they’ll publish either for themselves, online or just for their own amusement.

Ryan Estrada, organiser of this event, has been wanting to do a comic for a while since most of the stuff he’s worked on has been for the Cartoon Commune. “I’m always so backed up on paid work, I don’t have time to do my own stuff. And it’s been a while since I’ve done a good challenge comic.”

“I just knew that I don’t have time this month for a 24 hour comic, and plus I’ve done them to death…… Plus, shorter comics are actually harder, because it takes a while to get into a groove and get caught up.”

So set your calendars for the 12th April and get thinking, 12 pages in 12 hours. Think you have 12 on the brain?

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The Guest Strip Project Is ~NOW~ Live

I’ve been mentioning it for weeks now and today, The Guest Strip Project, brought to you by Michael Rouse-Deane, is now live!Guest Strip Project

From strip one (drawn and written by Christopher Baldwin) it appears the cast and setting will be focused around cops and the zany hijinx they get into. With a different creator on every single Tuesday and Friday update, this promises to be something special, an area Mike seems to dwell in quite comfortably.

Of course, the inclusion of the Make-A-Wish Foundation as a benefactor of the whole shebang (that’s right, I’m bringing back ‘shebang’) means that to not check this out is to hurt children, and I know none of us want to deal with that guilt trip. So check in regularly and keep an eye out for merchandise and other opportunities to make a child’s dreams come true!

By the by, stay tuned for more from Michael Rouse-Deane, right here on Digital Strips!

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Formerly Of Zuda Comics, Sam & Lilah Now Part ~OF~ Act-i-Vate

Remember when American Idol started off and the only person who was supposed to get famous from the exposure was the grand prize winner? Well, it seems that the contestants of the Zuda Comics contest have found the same loophole, as I found this juicy headline waiting for me on my LiveJournal Friends page today:

DOUGAN AND PARK’S “SAM & LILAH” JUMPS FROM ZUDA TO ACT-I-VATE MAY 1, 2008

Just weeks ago, that might have been yet another headline I scrolled quickly past, but after we decided to jump on the Zuda train with the last podcast, not only do I know what Sam & Lilah is, it was my favorite of the ten 03.08 contestants. Apparently I’m not the only fan, as the 3rd runner-up has earned a place on a top roster just mere hours after the bell had rung on this competition.Act-i-Vate logo

Congratulations to both Jim Dougan and Hyeondo Park on the pick-up and I’m thrilled that not only do I get to read more of this fantastical tale, but I get to do it in just one month!

(Full press release after the break, for those who care to read such things)

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Webcomics Weekly ~FEATURES~ The Final Word In Print vs. Web Discussion

It was long. It was hard. It was… EW! So not what I’m talking about!

It was the print vs. web discussion that raged through the comment strings of both Fleen and The Daily Cartoonist! After the back and forth on the threads seemed to be at a standstill, Scott Kurtz seized the opportunity to host a Talkshoe conference call to wrap the whole thing up with a big, pretty, Halfpixelized bow.

While I haven’t yet given it a listen, I have read what Gary Tyrrell, Head Fleener of Fleening, had to say about it and,Webcomics Weekly logo judging by every other Halfpixel podcast I’ve ever scoped, his analysis of “a bit random at first” sounds just about right.

Still, the Webcomic Weekly podcast always offers something interesting and this one should be no different. Give it a whirl and join me in saying, “Told you guys the web was better!” And Kurtz’ own synopsis of the whole thing can be found after the break!

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Keenspot ~PICKS UP~ Templar, AZ

Looking around, I see that nearly every other blog out there… ok, I see that every other blog out there tends to post things wholly and without making a whole list out of them. And you know what? Those are the sites I read and quite enjoy reading! Nothing better than scrolling down (God bless you, mouse wheel!) and bypassing all the stuff I just don’t care about.Templar, AZ panel

Now, I’m sure nothing I’ve written falls into the category, but should it happen to anyone else, I would highly suggest adopting this post style. I’ll be trying it out and the first item to receive this bump is about one of the best black-and-white strips on the ‘Nets today!

Templar, AZ, the fun, fantasy-filled romp brought to us by Spike, is now sporting a new black header, courtesy of Keenspot. Seeing as how the latest KS acquisitions have been chums of mine, I’m not sure what I think of this recent snapping up of the talent. I am sure, however, that I congratulate Spike on the expansion! Work like hers is mega-worthy of more exposure and this move should help to do just that.

Speaking of exposure, Larry “El Santo” Cruz has posted his review of Templar over on ComixTalk (… *sigh*) so see what he thought of the sometimes NSFW strip and then stop by to do the same yourself!

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Sunday (Monday) Sitdown ~WITH~ Chad Diez, Part 2

Chad Diez is a name synonymous with quality black-and-white, action-packed artwork and absolutely enormous word balloons. Seriously, the Goodyear blimp is jealous of some of these monstrosities.

Bulbous dialogue carriers aside, Chad’s name can be found plastered on such strips as The Pet Professional (PP), Sophisticated Pig (SP), and the now defunct, Today: The Comic, a take on the day’s (or week’s) news that combined editorial storytelling with classic satire. Between skewering the biggest and brightest (I never said best) minds the world has to offer and pulse-pounding, teeth-gritting action, he has seen and done it all.

So obviously the next step is to focus on one specific aspect of subject matter A and dissect it down to the nth molecule. And that’s exactly what Chad has done with his newest project, Hedlinerz. As we found out yesterday, he’s vying for a piece of that sweet, celebrity news pie the Internets have been in love with for oh so long now. Britney, Lindsey, Paris, and all other nutjobs, you’re on notice!

When we left the conversation yesterday, Chad was talking up Hedlinerz and his goals for the seemingly simple little news and comic strip site. He had also just been informed about a certain webcomics enthusiast site and their desire to open talks about bringing him on as artist for their seminal but currently hiatused comic. Let’s jump in there, already in progress…

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Sunday Sitdown ~WITH~ Chad Diez, Part 1

It’s time to catch up with Chad Diez! The well-known artist of such strips as Today: The Comic and Sophisticated Pig (SP) seems to attract controversy everywhere he goes and his latest webcomic endeavor is no different.

Channeling the best of TMZ, Extra, and even the gold standard, Entertainment Tonight, Chad has decided to tighten his focus on one specific subject, that being the wide world of celebrity news (re: gossip, slander, and defamation)!

But why the change? Why shrink the blast radius of your ire and displeasure? The answers to those quesstions, and more are contained here in this interview, granted live, via AIM! It’s got misdemeanor charges! Super Mario Galaxy! And even Oprah! So get ta’ readin’! The controversy awaits!

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Quickie ~ABOUT~ Historical Conference Call in the Making!

After a lengthy and civil discussion about the distinct successes of webcomic vs. those in the print field, Scott Kurtz has set up a Talkshoe conference call to discuss things further.  So if you know something about webcomics or just want to prank a bunch of comic creators, here’s the info to get in on it:

  • Phone number: (724)444-7444
  • Call ID: 5786
  • Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

That’s right, it starts soon, so get a goin’!  And of course I don’t approve the idea of calling in just to prank, but just a fair warning, these guys are pros and will evicerate you should you call in to be silly.  Trust me.

And there’s talk of recording the whole thing, so we’ll try to have it in podcast form soon for those that can’t make it!

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