.: From the Archives :.

I’ve seen a few comics around that offer multilingual versions of their pages - German, French, etc. ‘Hunter’ has a wide audience from many different countries and I was wondering if translated versions of ‘Hunter’ might be welcome.

Thing is, I’ve no idea how people go about doing this.

I’ve had some German lessons, but I’m so rusty (I haven’t used my German in over five years) I’d never be able to translate myself. And unfortunately, I don’t speak any other languages at all. I know, I’m so unworldly.

So I’m just curious… would a ‘Hunter’ translation project be an interesting idea? And if so, how does one go about doing it?

Where does the time go? Seriously. It seems like it was just Monday yesterday.

I’m still cranking away at page 23. The inking is almost done. I need to get faster with this thing. There’s so much going on in these last few pages and inking on this thing is actually fun. I know, shocking, eh?

Would you like a peek? Both of these pages were inked and colored on the computer. It’s taking some getting use to, but I am getting faster.

Yes, you heard right. New, never seen before pages are now showing up in the Supporters area starting today. They will start showing up here on the Main site on July 9th.  Yes I know, a bit of a wait. You could become a Supporter, you know. Don’t want to? That’s okay, we understand. You’re just going to have to wait then. Still, it’s better than getting the pages here in grayscale, right?  No? Oh, you lot are never happy. *wink*

It’s been a busy weekend. Not only was it Mother’s Day here in the States (you all remembered to call your moms, right?) but Matt’s sister just graduated from college this last weekend. Congratulations Dr. Kerri! Yesterday was also our first wedding anniversary. Yep, we made it one year without killing each other. We took out a couple of other people along the way but… Just kidding.  So here’s to another year!

Comic-wise, we spent the drive to and from South Jersey laying down some more of the series plot line as well as brainstorming new ideas for the site. One thing we’d like to do is create a section with some fun, free downloadables for you all. Unfortunately, we’re not too sure what you’d like to see. Any ideas?  We were thinking of a ‘Hunter’ coloring book eventually (we’ve gotten some requests for one in the past) but that may take a bit due to the busy schedule coming up.

Yes, it’s a little over a month now before Anthrocon and there’s still quite a bit to do. One thing Matt and I were thinking of was having an open invite to dinner. Sort of a ‘we’ll be at this restaurant at this time and if you’d like to join us stop by’ thing. It would be dutch (each pay their own way) of course. We don’t have enough to offer to pay everyone’s way I’m afraid. If there’s an interest, we’ll look into setting aside a time and clearing things with the restaurant when the con comes a bit closer.

Matt is also finishing up the prototype of the ‘Hunter’ roleplay game. The goal is to have the prototype up and running so we can test/play with it at Anthrocon. We’ll have more news on that again as the con comes a bit closer.

On that note, I should get back to work. Doing the pages on the new Cintiq is nice, but a bit slow at the moment due to the learning curve.  I’m getting the hang of it. I should have a clip to show you here in a bit. For now thanks for reading and take care.

We’re finally down the wire on the Supporters side, with just this last week to go before the new, unseen comics start on Monday (May 12th). Unfortunately, the rest of you will have to wait until July 9th before new comics start up.

Right now, Darc is putting together the last pages of Issue 4 (Red Tape), and we’ll have it off to the printers soon.

In other news, if you look below the comic, you’ll see that there’s a nifty little donation wallpaper. This May, it’s Ruby with her costar, the rubber devil ducky. Any donation over a dollar will get you a copy of this wallpaper in the resolution of your choice. We’re hoping to be able to do a new wallpaper each month or so.

It sounds sappy, but the reason the comic can continue like this is support from our readers. (Yes, very PBS Matt, you should work in public television). So if you enjoy Hunter, toss a buck in the jar, join the ranks of the supporters, or pick the print version of the comic. (Hey, did you know that we have print comics? You can get them in a handy no-battery-required format that’s portable AND convenient!)

Also, we’re gearing up for this year’s Anthrocon, which is happening at the end of June. Come by and see us, we’re at table B13.

…like a demonic little ducky. Ooph! It’s late and my eyes hurt. But we’re back with page two of Issue 2. For those of you in the Supporters area, you’re getting closer and closer to pages that have never been seen before! Yep, we’re nearing where we stopped before the hiatus. Cool, eh? But that’s still a week away.

For now we’re starting a wallpaper donation drive. The goal is to (eventually) pay off the Cintiq. How does this work? Well, if you’d like to donate and send along a $1.00 of more, you’ll be emailed a copy of the current wallpaper at the size you choose. Yes, I know it will take a long time to raise enough this way, but it’s a start until I can generate some other things to tickle your fancy. And… it gives me an excuse to do silly side drawings now and then.

The current wallpaper is of Ruby in the tub with her Devil Ducky. This was all done digitally which, is why I’m so tired at the moment. Here’s a small version of the image. So, if you’d like to help us out and get a snazzy wallpaper at the same time, then please drop us a donation. Thank you.

And for now, I’m going to get some water then off to sleep. I’ve a lot of sketching to do tomorrow. Night all!

“I don’t like your girlfriend! No way! No way! I think you need a new one!” *wiggles butt*

*blinks* I really shouldn’t listen to teeny-bop music so late at night. I get weird.

Yay! *Muppet flail* Issue 1 is complete and it’s on to Issue 2 : Hidden Agendas. In this issue, the guardians have arrived, but their welcome is less than warm. Lord al’Kellis’ dislike of Britain is well known in the Astorian court. But is it strong enough to make him attempt murder? Remember, if you’d like to read ahead, Issue 3 is now available both in print and in the Supporters area online.

In other news, Matt and I took the plunge and purchased a Cintiq last Wednesday. I’ve been playing with it these last few days when I should have been finishing up the last few pages of Issue 4 (I know, I’m so bad) and it’s very nice. I put it on my card which means I’ll need to come up with some ideas for generating cash flow through the site here. I know, mooching artists. How dare I. Thing is, the decision to purchase this tool was based around the need to speed up production on the comic and help stop marker induced migraines. So, since the comic is the main reason for picking the Cintiq up, it only seems logical the comic should help pay for it. Sounds somewhat fair.

Still, I’m not the best at fund raising (I’m not too comfortable asking for money) so if anyone has any ideas, please let me know. One request… please don’t suggest things that will cost a lot to produce (extra books, calendars, statues and such). The goal is to generate funds, not spend them on products that may or may not move. Sorry.

Oh, what does the work look like off of the Cintiq? Is it all airbrushed and mushy?

Come see for yourself. I’m pretty happy with the results and, aside from some brighter colors, think they look fairly close to the markers.

This was the first thing done on the new tool. Sketch, inks and color. Things are off, but not too bad for a first try, eh?

This was the second thing. The marker version is on the left for comparison. I got a little tired and didn’t finished the digital coloring.

Third thing colored digitally. This was an old bit of line art I had laying around from a few years ago. I think it looks fairly clean and sharp.

Fourth thing done a bit earlier Sunday evening. Sketch, lines and coloring were all done digitally. Considering this is only the fourth time using the new tool I’m very happy with the result.

So all in all, I think it was a good choice. The longest picture to do was the ram and that took about three hours or so. Much faster than by hand. And, no harsh marker fumes. Not too bad, eh?

But for now, it’s late and high time I got some sleep. Night all and enjoy.

And close to Earth Day too.

As you know, we have those Project Wonderful ads on the top section of the main site. Well, stuff’s been popping up through there and every now and then I click on an ad just to see what they have to offer. Today, I’m very glad I did.

I just ran across this fun comic with a good message called ‘Da Beaver: Environmental Hero’. It’s just getting started so there are only eight pages at the moment, but it was great so far. Quirky humor, nice drawing style and who knows, we may even learn something. I know, comic’s teaching something. So scary. Hey, life’s dull if you don’t learn something new every now and then. And comics are a great way to do it.

Seriously though, if you have a moment stop by and give ‘Da Beaver’ a read. As for me, I’m going to go add a new link to the list.

Though I have to admit, I do feel a little bad about offering print versions along with the net at the moment. I love books so much. I hope little print runs are somewhat okay. *sheepish look*

Morning everyone! (Morning Matt!)

Just a quick few announcements to make today.

First off, Issue 3: Missing Agents is now available in the RCSI Publishing Store! It’s all of Issue 3 in a portable, easy to navigate book. (This issue is scheduled to start online at the end of June 2008, April 2008 for the subscribers.)

Also, the first of what we hope to be a series of button sets have been put on sale.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot to say, but I’ll leave space after here for Darcy to write tomorrow.

Cheers!

Darc here. Morning all.  As I said in the blog earlier, Matt and I spent Saturday driving to a rather large camera shop north of Boston to check out a demo version of one of those Cintiqs.  It was very nice! Inking on it was a bit tricky and will take some practice, but coloring was quick and easy. And yes, it looked like traditional medium, not like the saturated computer air brush. Sketching on it was simple and comfortable as well. I sent about fifteen minutes or so playing with it and aside from some uncertainty when trying to ink, found it pretty intuitive. All in all, it was a very, very nice piece of equipment.

No, we didn’t come home with one. The only one they had was the demo model. But I was very impressed. Now, the question is… how to raise the money for it? We’ll figure that out in time.

Badges! Three of the badges are inked and will be colored today. The fourth badge will be worked on this evening through to tomorrow. Unfortunately, with Anthrocon coming up and my being a bit behind with the comic, I’m going to close badge commissions until after AC. I’ve a few things I need to finish up before the con and would hate to keep you waiting for badges so close to such a big event. That’s just not fun for anyone. Sorry guys. I’ll open them back up in early July.

For now I’m back to work. Thanks for reading and take care.

Matt and I spent the day driving to a rather large and impressive camera shop north of Boston. The reason… they’re the only shop in the New England area that had one of those Cintiqs available to demo.

The verdict? It was so sweet! Inking on it was a bit tricky and will take some practice (not to mention the fact that the seating arrangement was not the best and the screen tilted a little too steeply) but coloring was nice and very quick. And yes, it looks like traditional, not like the saturated air brush. Sketching on it was simple and comfortable as well. I sent about fifteen minutes or so playing with it and aside from some uncertainty when trying to ink found it pretty intuitive. All in all, it was a very, very nice piece of equipment.

No, we didn’t come home with one. The only one they had was the demo model. But I was very impressed. Now, the question is… how to raise the money for it?

Matt and I commissioned Rusty Haller, the creator of ‘Ace and Queenie’, to do the cover for Issue 6 of ‘Hunter’.

The finished drawing is absolutely amazing! Yeeee! So cool!

Check it out on his FurAffinity account here. Thank you, Rusty!