Comic for Thursday August 19th, 2004

"It's go time!!" Wednesday - August 18th, 2004

I gotta tell you I'm getting pretty psyched about the upcoming chapter. I'm putting the finishing touches here and there to make sure I keep those vague clues fit in and make sense later on. This chapter is the last of what I consider to be the establishing chapters. Chapters 1 through 3 introduce and build up the main characters that will be in this comic. There will be new characters here and there in later chapters, but 1 through 3 do most of the dirty work. I think by the main characters have not only begun to become more alive, but you as readers have developed a connection to them one way or another. I mean I really loved how the great fans and friends I have on the NS forum really reacted to Joe turning on Yuki. For the first time I was like "people are really starting to become invested in these characters" and I felt really honored about that.

I'm glad that the NS community grows as the comic grows. It's not ending any time soon you can trust me on that. I can't say that a car will strike me dead tomorrow, but barring some sort of life crisis where I just become a dead beat hippie and kill myself when I realize what happened, this story will end. Whether or not I move on to the next stage or book of the Ninja Spirit universe will have come when this story ends. Which by my estimates will not be for another 5 years maybe...

But hey at any rate, I know you guys are anxious to get the chapter under way, but we have one last piece of filler material and while it may not be as cool as the Chapter 3 Splash page, it is a piece of NS history. This character design sheet is one of eight sheets I did before I even started drawing or even nailed down the beginning of story. I think the biggest difference besides the growth in skill is that the proportions of the characters in the comic have changed over the course of time. They are still a bit less than realistic, but they are lot less comically proportioned.

I think when I designed the "Kelly" character I wanted to create a look and feel of someone who was intelligent in a street smart sort of way. Her eyes and expression had to ooze confidence and strength. I definitely did not want the standard love interest that gets captured and is helpless. Nor did I want one that was just street smart and sure of herself on the outside. I was shooting for something different. I wanted a multilayered character that made you truthfully feel she was an everyday girl, but at the same time held this aura of mystery about her that you couldn't quite put your finger on. Hopefully I've succeeded.

So I will see you all next week. Oh and good luck to all the forum people going into competition this Friday in the Clan Wars!!

Till Monday!!

Vote for Ninja Spirit!!

River greets Chapter 3.