Grizzly & The Bear Patrol #15

[kybearfuzz]

Happy hump day! I spent most of last night finishing up the lettering of this issue. I really wanted to get this done before Halloween. I'm still working on making the characters' faces more distinct (thanks champdaddy for the constructive criticism), but time was getting away from me.

Anyway, the rest of the issue is behind the spoiler cut to save space on everyone's pages. There are also some issue notes at the bottom (contains spoilers).

Enjoy!

• I had planned to have the proposal in the comic book some time back, after getting some feedback from readers who thought it would be a great idea. With the recent SCOTUS decision making gay marriage legal essentially in several states, the timing of this issue seemed perfect. I love it.



• Antonio is technically the first person to die in my comic. I always wanted to keep the comic book light-hearted, but I wanted to show that there are folks who go their entire lives in the closet and it's a terrible regret I'm sure. When he panics at the thought of being discovered by the others, I can relate as I am sure many of us can when we were first coming out.



• I brought back the Monolith character back as a supporting character Moses Hughes, who will a part-time bartender at the "On the Growl" bar. With Grizzly and Center often off fighting villains, there has to be a constant presence at the bar. And I have considered bringing back Moses as Monolith in the future.



• In this issue we also get to meet Tony, the partner to Red Beard. I've mentioned him in past issues, but actually drew him in this round. He'll probably become a regular supporting character.



• Some folks may look at that last page and think I got the coloring wrong, but it was done that way on purpose. If you'll notice, whenever Colour Cub glows, he has minimal shading, unlike the other characters. As he's radiating light, I always figure it's hard for shadows to appear. On page 23, Grizzly is shaded heavily because of Colour Cub's glow. When they embraced, I wanted his aura to surround Grizzly too, effectively removing the shading from him too. When I did the initial coloring of the page, I liked it so much I didn't want to try to put the shading in and came up with this way to keep the colors bright. I also switched his aura from yellow to white. Purity and all that. Yeah, I'm kinda mushy that way.



• You might notice that the lettering of the issue is a bit smaller than before. Typically comic books have around 8 pt. lettering and I've been using 10 pt. With the change to the actual comic book size, the smaller font size actually fits better. This is the first time I tried it.



• I struggled with a cover for this one. I had one completely pencilled out, but it looked too familiar to other covers I'd seen before, so I changed it.



• I already have the next issue brewing in my mind. I need to take a little break though, for holidays and for having a bit of social life. Working on the comic can be pretty absorbing at times, as it flies when I'm having fun.

Questions, comments and criticisms? Please let me know. :)

Comments

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

You've dealt with some pretty big emotions in this issue. I am responding strongly to the romance, which I'm sure is your intention. Well done, Mark!

[pink-halen.livejournal.com]

I would like to see a printed book of your work.
You do a very good job especially depicting hair.

[barak.livejournal.com]

I screamed in terror when I saw the horrible nasty spider,
and I squeed in delight when I saw the ring.

As always, your cartoon makes me happy.

I still maintain the first panel, when you posted it in black and white, is pure Art.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Usually, I try to do something different each time. I thought I would see how less action, more drama worked out. I even had one person on Facebook comment that it made him cry. Now that's a compliment I guess.

I'm glad you liked it. Now I'm itching to start the next one.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks Van, I'll see what I can do about getting a printed version in the works.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

LOL... spiders don't usually bother me, but I know a lot of people HATE them. And you almost always find them in the basement.

I'm glad you liked it. And based on your comments, I did keep the original pencils for page 2 intact, making a scanned copy for inking instead.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Oh, I teared up over the marriage proposal.

[barak.livejournal.com]

If you ever make a copy of that b/w print available, I'd love one for my very own self. :-)

[dr-tectonic.livejournal.com]

Good comic! The story didn't go at all where I was expecting it to, so well done there.

Have you ever played the board game Betrayal At House On The Hill? The various haunted house illusions kinda reminded me of it...

[rootbeer1.livejournal.com]

A wonderful issue -- no real villain, but plenty of suspense and emotion. Teared up at the end, just like you planned. :-)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Well, if you want a copy of it, I make a high resolution scan and send it to you.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks Beemer! I'm glad you enjoyed the read and the surprises.

And I haven't heard of that board game, but now I'm intrigued. Is it still available??

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Awwww... shucks.... thanks!

And I've been dreaming up new villains, but this story didn't seem to need one.

[dr-tectonic.livejournal.com]

Amazon says they've got it in stock, so it looks like they've done a reprint relatively recently.

It's an interesting game; you've got a bunch of characters in a haunted house scenario and one of the players is the bad guy, trying to kill everybody else off. But nobody (not even the bad guy) knows who it is or what the heroes have to do to stop him until you're halfway through the game. (It's a little bit like Cabin In The Woods, too.)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Oooh... I may need to add this to my wish list.

[man-of-snows.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Well, you're very welcome ;)

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

I've been very ill, or I would have read this gem sooner.

I love it! The story didn't go at all where I expected it to, and I cried when Antonio died, because yes, it is sad to be in the closet for so long- sad, and very lonely.

I cried at the marriage proposal- but from being happy! I will expect to see the wedding at some point.

The art is always great- and you are a terrific writer!

I am very impressed. Thank you for sharing this.
Oh- and, if/when you get these printed up- I would buy copies- for sure! :)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you've not been well. I hope you're feeling better.

And I'm glad you enjoyed it. This has been one of my favorites to put together.

And I'm working on possibly putting out printed versions in a trade paperback.

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

Thank you; am taking it easy and doing my best to get better here.

Let me know when that trade paperback is available- will want! :)

[mort-83.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Ya got me weepy twice. :-)

Great issue, bud!

[ui-tomcat.livejournal.com]

YEAH!!!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks handsome! I'm glad you liked it :)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

*wink*