A LOOK INSIDE SHAMAN KANE BOOK 1.

Above: The finished cover for Shaman Kane book 1.

Introduction:
I'm hoping to lauch Shaman Kane Book 2 at the Cardiff one day Expo on June 27th 2015. So before I start with the teaser pictures and posts for Book 2,  I want to explore Shaman Kane Book 1 in a little more depth.

Where did Shaman Kane come from?
I had the idea for Shaman Kane around 2011.  I wanted to create a supernatural creature hunter set in the future. So I started doodling.

Above: The first rough character sketches for Shaman Kane

Above: First rough sketches of Kanes costume and equipment.

Above: More rough sketches of Kane's costume and equipment.

Above: Sketches of the ghost Sable.

Creating the cover artwork.
The next few images illustrate the process I used to create the cover.

Above: A series of thumbnail sketches showing different cover layouts.

Above: Then after choosing a layout from the thumbnails I pencilled the finish artwork.

Above: After pencilling I inked the artwork using Rotring tikky graphic pens. I blocked the large black areas using Rotring ink and brushes.

Above: After scanning the inks I coloured the image digitally.

Story One: Poltergeist problems.
I wanted to have the comic book ready for the Bristol convention in May 2014. I scripted story one 'Poltergeist problems' late December 2013 and finished the artwork with lettering end of January 2014. I set straight to work on Scripting Story 2. I also had to complete a Duhram Red script for the 2000AD fanzine Dogbreath for Editor Dave Evans. Dave had contacted me on the 14th of January asking me if I could produce finished art work for the six page script in 3 weeks.  I provided it for him in 2 weeks mainly so that I could meet my target deadlines for the Bristol comic convention.

Above: Some rough page layouts for Poltergeist problems.

Above: A better look at the rough page layout for page 1.

Above: Using the page layout as a guide I created the finished pencils for page 1.

Above: Finished inks for page 1 using Rotring tikky graphic pens. I blocked the large black areas using Rotring ink and brushes.

Story two: Sables story.
I started Shaman Kane story two 'Sables story'  at the beginning of february and finished the fully coloured and lettered artwork towards the end of Feb.  However I didn't have a script for story 3 yet and I needed to go to the printers in the first two weeks of April to have a chance of being ready for the convention in May.

Above: Finished pencils for page two of Sables story.

Above: Finished inks for page two using Rotring tikky graphic pens. I blocked the large black areas using Rotring ink and brushes.

Above: I coloured the image digitally.

Above: Rough thumbnail sketches and designs for the vampire in Sables story.

Story Three: The ship who screamed.
With no script for story three I was behind schedule.  If I was going make my deadline and get the book ready for Bristol, I was going to have to work harder.  I doubled my efforts. Writing a script, then re-writing it and creating page layouts took roughly a week. I drew for 12 hours a day on the weekends and in the evenings during the week I started at 7pm and finished at 12 most nights.
I finished the fully lettered artwork for story 3 'The ship who screamed' mid way through the first week of April. I was exhausted, but I still had to produce the artwork for the four cover pages.

Incidentally the title for story 3 and the name of the starliner in the story was my salute to science fiction author Anne McCaffrey's 1969 novel 'The ship who sang'.

Above: Finished pencil artwork. I detail Kane's Melee. Morph. Unit. weapon on this page
by drawing a sequence of images showing the M.M.U. morphing into an axe.

Above: Finished inks using Rotring tikky graphic pens. I blocked the large black areas using Rotring ink and brushes.

Conclusion:
I managed to finish all the cover artwork and send it all to the printers with about three or four weeks to spare. The printers http://www.ukcomicscreative.co.uk/ did a fantastic job. Thanks to Stuart & Hal.

Buy Shaman Kane on-line.
You can buy shaman Kane online from the awesome indi-comic publishing website comicsy via this link http://www.comicsy.co.uk/dbroughton/store/products/shaman-kane-1/

Shaman Kane Reviews.
https://2000ad.wordpress.com/2014/05/22/review-shaman-kane-issue-1
http://judgetutorsemple.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/shaman-kane-by-david-broughton/ 

Shaman Kane Book 2.
For those interested Keep an eye open for Book 2 teasers starting in the next few weeks.

LAWGIVER MK2 CONVENTION REPORT.

Above: Official Justice department approval of Shaman Kane???

Introduction.

Lawgiver, the world's only convention dedicated to Dredd fans! This convention has been created by the fans, for the fans. As a big fan of Dredd and a small press self-publisher I decide to attend the second Lawgiver convention. This is how my day went...

Monday 25^th May 2015.

4.00 AM: My day started with a full English breakfast and then a shower.

5.00 AM: I head off in my car which was pre-packed to Bristol.

7.10 AM: I arrive at the Hilton Double Tree hotel and the location of Lawgiver Mk2.

8.00 AM: I check in and meet Sue Haddrell who kindly shows me to the trading room.

8.05 AM: I choose a table and begin setting up. I say hellow to Judge Tutor Semple 'Steve Hargett' and the wonderful Mike Allwood.

8.50 AM: I finish laying out my table. (see photo above).
9.00 AM: The doors open.
9.30AM TO 10.30AM: The trading rooms are excellent, not too many tables, friendly traders, loads of room and lots of natural light so I can draw. There are always a few people walking around the room taking a look and asking questions about my artwork and comic books.

Above: Chatting while I draw Judge Death.

 
Above: Matthew and Lisa visit my table to pick up one of my comics and a free sketch. While the gentleman in the cap if I remember correctly buys three of my recent titles and in doing so gets a free Hard Vacuum comic and free sketch.

Above: Chatting to Mr. Burdis and two gentlemen from essex who were interested in my artwork.
Thanks for the purchase fellas, hope to see you at Demoncon 10 in August.

10.30 -12.00PM: Every now and then the trading room is hit by a wave of people who have probably just left a panel event. I begin to start making sales sometimes with two or three customers waiting for service. Some buy all of my comic book titles in one go...its a great feeling.

I've been posting an original Dredd sketches by myself on the forums and face book for the last two weeks to add to the fun and build up to the convention. Every one of my customers gets to choose one.

Above: Once again I fall foul of the Justice Department guidelines as Judge Pal reads me the riot act.

12.00 to 5.00PM: The afternoon is pretty much the same as the morning. I meet lots of people, have some great conversations and I sell more of my comic books.

Above: Myself and Brit-cit Judge Paul Labelle who sentences me to time in the cubes for sketching in his book of law.

Above: Judge Spike (Richard Thompson) and fellow Judge Fagbemi (all round nice guy Gerry) read the evidence before sentencing.

Above: John-Luc Burdis holds up the cover artwork I drew for John...maybe John will post more about this on his blog or facebook.

Above: I'm in the process of sketching a Dredd head for Johnathan Barker.

Above: The finished sketch.

 Above: Judge Drone visits my table to pick up his sketch.

  Above: The sketch for Judge Drone.

Conclusion. As I mentioned earlier in this post I met loads of great people and I would like to thank them all for taking an interest in my work. Thanks to Johnathan Barker for filming and tweeting pictures. A massive special thanks goes to those that bought some of my comic books. You all made my day THANK YOU!  Myself and the writers really hope you enjoy them.

I did of course get to meet some 2000AD forum members.  I really enjoyed chatting to Dandontdare (Phil?) about  the 2000ad Dan Dare. Thanks for the nostalgia trip fella!. I met 2000ad forum stalwart and really nice guy 'Buttonman' (Steve?) for the first time. Thanks for popping by Buttonman, I hope you enjoy the comics.  I also met briefly Bad city blue in the bar just before I left for home. Another highlight for me was getting a visit from the wonderful jet setting 2000ad forum grandee (He will hate that!) Pete Wells and fellow 2000ad forum member Robert Stewart. Last but not least it was great to catch up with Richard and Iz in the bar for a quick drink before I left for home.

Update added on 27/05/15.
I forgot to mention the organisers for doing such a great job, apart from Sue, Andy and Steve who are the only organisers names that I know of I would like to say Thankyou to you all. Also a big thank you to the Hotel staff who were amazing.

Did I have fun, yes I did! Would I go again....HELL YEAH!

1 DAY TO LAWGIVER MK2.

Above: Greetingsssssssss Dredd!

To celebrate the forthcoming 'Lawgiver Mk2' on Monday May 25th I'll be posting a differentJudge Dredd themed sketch each day until the event starts. I will be giving away the original art for the sketches featured on this post (provided anyone wants one) to anyone who buys my comics at the event on the 25th May.

Each sketch will come with an A4 plastic punch pocket and A4 backing card.

Some sketches will go for more than one comic depending on the amount of work I put into the sketch.

I will also be sketching Dredd and Judge Death heads on the day and will give those away free if anyone wants them.

Links:
Official Lawgiver Mk2 website:http://www.rule32promotions.co.uk/
2000AD Forum thread:http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,41459.0.html

Links to my comics.
Shaman Kane: http://www.dbroughton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/shaman-kane-on-sale-now.html
Martillo: http://www.dbroughton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/martillo-devil-smiter-out-now.html
Spectre Show: http://www.dbroughton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/spectre-show-now-available-to-buy-online.html

Link to free Judge Dredd PDF comics.
http://www.dbroughton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/free-pdf-comics-to-download.html

2 DAYS TO LAWGIVER MK2.

Above: Dredd on patrol.

To celebrate the forthcoming 'Lawgiver Mk2' on Monday May 25th I'll be posting a differentJudge Dredd themed sketch each day until the event starts.

3 DAYS TO LAWGIVER MK2.

Above: Judge Hershey in Fink again...Creep!

To celebrate the forthcoming 'Lawgiver Mk2' on Monday May 25th I'll be posting a differentJudge Dredd themed sketch each day until the event starts.

4 DAYS TO LAWGIVER MK2.

Above: Fear Dredd.

To celebrate the forthcoming 'Lawgiver Mk2' on Monday May 25th I'll be posting a differentJudge Dredd themed sketch each day until the event starts.

5 DAYS TO LAWGIVER MK2.

Above: Judge Dredd in Death Busters!!!

To celebrate the forthcoming 'Lawgiver Mk2' on Monday May 25th I'll be posting a differentJudge Dredd themed sketch each day until the event starts.

6 DAYS TO LAWGIVER MK2.

To celebrate the forthcoming 'Lawgiver Mk2' on Monday May 25th I'll be posting a differentJudge Dredd themed sketch each day until the event starts.

7 DAYS TO LAWGIVER MK2.

Above: Judge Dredd in  I am the jaw.

8 DAYS TO LAWGIVER MK2.

Above: Judge Hershey in Keep on Bokking!

To celebrate the forthcoming 'Lawgiver Mk2' on Monday May 25th I'll be posting a differentJudge Dredd themed sketch each day until the event starts.

9 DAYS TO LAWGIVER MK2.

Above: Dredd and Mortis.

10 DAYS TO LAWGIVER MK2.

Above: Mega-City justice.

11 DAYS TO LAWGIVER MK2.

Above: Judge Anderson.

Above: Judge Death.

12 DAYS TO LAWGIVER MK2.

Above: Heavy metal time Fleshy ones!

13 DAYS TO LAWGIVER MK2.

Above: Mean Machine in Date Night. A4, Ink Pen+ Marker Pen + grey tone markers.

COUNTDOWN TO LAWGIVER MK2.

ONLY 14 DAYS TO GO!

 Above: JUDGE DREDD AND JUDGE FIRE. A4, Ink Pen+ Marker Pen + grey tone markers.