We’re breaking with serialization to bring you… pictures. This week, I’ll be sharing some short comics of mine.
A few years ago, I discovered this amazing Japanese TV program: Urasawa Naoki no Manben. It’s basically Inside The Actor’s Studio for mangaka (Japanese comic book author/artists). And the host is none other than Naoki Urasawa, creator of 20th Century Boys, Pluto, and, one of my all-time favorite manga, Billy Bat.
Like most Japanese artisans, the enthusiasm and obsession of these mangaka is absolutely infectious. After inhaling the entire series, I went out and bought ink pens and nibs and pots of ink. I taught myself how to use them and I practiced, practiced, practiced…
And this is the best I could manage.
It’s not bad, but it’s not what I wanted. Also, the TV show kind of glosses over how UNBELIEVABLY TIME CONSUMING drawing manga is. It’s an art that rewards obsession, and only obsession. I just didn’t have it.
Still, I’m glad I took a swing. I’m proud of the comics (the writing, mostly). But I’ll have to settle for watching the greats on TV.
Oh well…
