Concept, sketches and Cover Image

[awtkast]

Hi. This is my first post here. I am working on a comic that will be going to the publisher next month. I just wanted some opinions. I have been hanging around the forums and I've never posted.

I did post this stuff on conceptdesignforums.com and I think it is probably more appropriate on this forum. I never really received any feedback and I don't know why. So I will post the same "concept" as I outlined on the other forum, as well as a couple of sketches and the cover I have designed.

Here is the concept:

The story (as it stands now) goes like this: The man (Cyperus) and the woman (Iris) are from the same clan and they are the main characters. They are trained as mercenaries from birth and that has been the tradition of their clan for thousands of years. Cyperus does not have a long line of ancestors trained in the way of this clan. His Grand-Father was the first of their family that was initiated into this Secret Order (that storyline will unfold if I find enough interest to continue the Graphic Novel with more publications). It is because of his lack of "BLOODLINE" that he pushes himself so hard to be the best and it shows! He takes the traditions and disciplines of his clan VERY seriously. He values his way of life and respects his training and status. Because of how he excels in the clan he is highly respected by his fellow clan members.....at least by most of them.

Iris has a "BLOODLINE" that goes back eons! Her family has deep roots in the Secret Order and some of her ancestors were the ones who originally formed the Order and started their way of life. Iris, like Cyperus, is one of the best warriors in the clan. She is highly skilled, extremely disciplined and thorough. She respects her clan and her way of life but the value she held for their tradition is destroyed.......by love. Iris and Cyperus are ex-lovers. It is because of their failed relationship that she leaves the clan. Severing thousands of years of tradition in her family and completely disregarding the purity of her "BLOODLINE". She leaves the country and embarks on a new career as a hired assassin. She now harbors a deep resentment for Cyperus and for her clan. Blaming them both for her departure. Cyperus for their failed realtionship and the Secret Order for allowing his "BLOODLINE" to join their clan. She feels the eldership, by granting Cyperus' Grand-father membership, has betrayed thousands of years of tradition..........her "BLOODLINE".

The story is set in the near (maybe not-so-near) future. This will allow for cool weapons, vehicles and devices.

Cyperus is sent to track down Iris and then is faced with some difficult choices:

Convince her to come back with him.
Stay with her and betray his clan......for their love.
Kill her and return to the clan

........he has to make his decision on a race against time before she completes her next assignment and kills a high-ranking government official.

The irony is important.

Here is the cover image:

http://mywpages.comcast.net/awtkast01/images/illustrations/cover.jpg

....the sketch for comparison.....

http://mywpages.comcast.net/awtkast01/images/sketches/cover001300.jpg

I know it's a long post. Thanks for taking the time. Much appreciated

[awtkast]

.....it said i had too many images........

.........other sketches....

http://mywpages.comcast.net/awtkast01/images/sketches/tablet.jpg

http://mywpages.comcast.net/awtkast01/images/sketches/Iris_kick.jpg

There are more sketches on my web site (http://mywebpages.comcast.net/awtkast01) that you can take a look at.

This should do it. :)

[Senshi]

hmm that is a lot to comment on there.. Maybe you should have made a seperate thread for the cover, and then for the panel? Anyway the only problem I have for the cover is that she seems to just be floating in midair. He could not possibly be supporting her, and unless she can fly there is no way to explain the pose. I like the coloring for the most part,but in some areas it is too shinny and in other areas it is too over exposed. The gun could use more detail. The guys head is kind of overly big. Compared to his body and compared to her head. I think some things looked better in the uncolored version...

The Panel...
I like it for the most part. I would like it better if her head was more proportioned to her body but I realize that is probably a style thing. I think her pose is excellent though, Perhaps a little motion lines would help though. Her shirt below her jaw and above her breasts look weird. I would rework that.. As far as composistion goes, I would not have cutt off her feet. I thik it would look much better if you could see her in all her stork like glory. ;)

The Pin up
I think it is good. Lots of detail. I know you're style is large features and heads but it just isn't that appealing. I think it really takes away from the picture you have. Also I wouldn't have cutt her feet out of the picture.

Anyway I really do think these are awesome and the attention you place on somethings i wonderful. I am not a fan of the big head style, but I think you have some great Art Work on your hands. I do reccomend you consider my crits though.

[penciljack]

Yes, nice cover image, but definitely watch the relationship of the characters' feet. The female figure's feet are actually farther back on the floor plane than the male figure's feet, which is impossible because she's actually in front of him. Watch the proportions, too - the cover has the same problems I have in my drawings - the thigh area is too long, especially compared with the lower leg, or "shin" area.