tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46871567483845705232024-03-14T00:24:25.439-07:00The AbsenceAn award-nominated comic. Graphic novel collection available from Titan Comics March 2014.Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-12332208331242742562014-10-28T09:57:00.000-07:002014-10-28T09:57:13.496-07:00British Comic Awards<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, here's a thing - after issue #5 of The Absence being nominated for Best Comic at the British Comic Awards last year, the whole blimmin' thing has been short-listed for Best Book this year! I KNOW, RIGHT!? I'm chuffed, amazed, stunned and chuffed some more.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm up against some stiff (hahaha because my name is Stiff) opposition (</span>particularly<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Celeste which I loved):</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><b>The Absence</b> – Martin Stiff (Titan Books)</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><b>Celeste</b> – I.N.J. Culbard (Self Made Hero)</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><b>The Encyclopedia of Early Earth</b> – Isabel Greenberg (Jonathan Cape)</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><b>Lighter Than My Shadow</b> – Katie Green (Jonathan Cape)</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><b>Sally Heathcote: Suffragette</b> – Mary Talbot, Kate Charlesworth and Bryan Talbot (Jonathan Cape)</span><br /><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">The award ceremony is on the 15th November at the Thought Bubble ComicCon, so keep your fingers crossed for me! I'll be going along, so if you're there come say hello. I'll be the one nervously pacing in the corner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jkWpHEThV1M/VE_J86pu9OI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/GO7anH0v8Z0/s1600/BestBook-nominees-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jkWpHEThV1M/VE_J86pu9OI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/GO7anH0v8Z0/s1600/BestBook-nominees-2014.jpg" height="133" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-223127556959630412014-07-08T05:23:00.005-07:002014-07-08T05:49:25.063-07:00Zarjaz!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qgs4CJm18aM/U7viQQtbcyI/AAAAAAAAAjI/lgFv65mXMts/s1600/CoverZ2.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qgs4CJm18aM/U7viQQtbcyI/AAAAAAAAAjI/lgFv65mXMts/s1600/CoverZ2.21.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Ever since I was a kid I've been in a relationship with the cult sci-fi comic 2000AD. Sure, we've had our difficulties – periods where we have grown apart or fallen out – but somehow we've always ended up back together again. It's impossible to quantify exactly how much impact characters like Judge Dredd, Rogue Trooper, and Zenith have had upon my life, especially creatively. With it's weird British sensibilities and lashing of ultra-violence, it offered an insight into the world of comic creating that would have an enormous effect of me growing up. All I ever wanted to do as a kid was write or draw for my favourite comic and it was a passion which ultimately saw me creating my own stories.<br />
<br />
<br />
I think you can see it in <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Absence-Martin-Stiff/dp/1782760385/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_1" target="_blank">The Absence</a>. The strange, slightly off-beat humour, a little experimental, bonkers sci-fi ideas, thick black line-work… so much of everything I write and draw today is influenced by a lifetime of reading 2000AD. And now, at (almost, ahem) 40 I'd still bloody love to write or draw for it.<br />
<br />
But until that day should happen, I've done the next best thing and written and drawn a short story in the new issue of the 2000AD fanzine Zarjaz. Like it's parent comic, Zarjaz is an anthology comic and my story is about the Brit-Cit Detective-Judge Armitage, (imagine Judge Dredd crossed with Inspector Morse). I'm proud to be featured in a comic with so many other ace creators and it's a great opportunity to play in the 2000AD world.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.futurequake.co.uk/shop.php" target="_blank">You can buy a copy of Zarjaz #21 here.</a> Let me know what you think of it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t5cg0UGmg1k/U7viQQebR0I/AAAAAAAAAjE/-54l7YJ5KxM/s1600/Armitage_Descent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t5cg0UGmg1k/U7viQQebR0I/AAAAAAAAAjE/-54l7YJ5KxM/s1600/Armitage_Descent.jpg" height="145" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In other, 'The Absence' news, I've been asked to do something rather exciting! As soon as I have more information I'll post about it, but suffice to say there should be some Official Absence merchandise along shortly…</div>
<br />Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-31945136448508575642014-05-08T01:14:00.000-07:002014-05-08T01:14:30.292-07:00Yes, more reviewsReviews for The Absence continue to come in, most of them pretty bloody great thanks for asking. One even goes so far to call me a 'literary genius' which is rather lovely/hilarious/bizarre/wrong.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fandompost.com/2014/05/07/the-absence-hardcover-graphic-novel-review/">http://www.fandompost.com/2014/05/07/the-absence-hardcover-graphic-novel-review/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://portlandbookreview.com/the-absence/">http://portlandbookreview.com/the-absence/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fortressofsolitude.co.za/os_book/the-absence-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-absence-review">http://www.fortressofsolitude.co.za/os_book/the-absence-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-absence-review</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.themacguffin.net/absence-review/">http://www.themacguffin.net/absence-review/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/6689/review-the-absence-is-an-atmospheric-and-spooky-small-town-horror-gn/">http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/6689/review-the-absence-is-an-atmospheric-and-spooky-small-town-horror-gn/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.atomicmoo.com/2014/04/20/atomic-moo-comic-book-review-of-the-absence/">http://www.atomicmoo.com/2014/04/20/atomic-moo-comic-book-review-of-the-absence/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thecultden.com/2014/04/the-cult-den-book-club-comic-review.html">http://www.thecultden.com/2014/04/the-cult-den-book-club-comic-review.html</a><br />
<br />
Additionally, folk have been saying nice things about the book over on Good Reads, too.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18373418-the-absence?from_search=true">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18373418-the-absence?from_search=true</a><br />
<br />
And just in case you think this blog has become nothing but a platform for me to plug the book, here's a sneak peak of something I'm working on at the moment. It's a little 7 page strip I've written and drawn for the <a href="http://thequaequamblog.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">2000AD fanzine Zarjaz</a>. As with The Absence I pencilled it all using, well, pencils, but as an experiment I'm inking it all on the computer. And for various reasons it's driving me absolutely batty, but I'll blog about that later…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vE4H8_uygQQ/U2s8dxhkbtI/AAAAAAAAAcE/4Td2rpQHNIU/s1600/armitage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vE4H8_uygQQ/U2s8dxhkbtI/AAAAAAAAAcE/4Td2rpQHNIU/s1600/armitage.jpg" height="320" width="157" /></a></div>
<br />Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-13962099834729864222014-04-29T13:18:00.000-07:002014-04-29T13:21:22.605-07:00Competitions, signings and awards…Here's some things:<br /><br />You can win a copy of my graphic novel The Absence, here. But be quick, the competition closes tonight at midnight:<a href="http://www.thecultden.com/2014/04/competition-win-copy-of-absence.html">http://www.thecultden.com/2014/04/competition-win-copy-of-absence.html</a><br /><br />On Saturday, I'm doing a signing at Forbidden Planet, London (3-4pm) for Free Comic Book Day (And no, The Absence ain't gonna be free – you gotta pay for that) Come along and say hi!:<br /><br /><a href="https://forbiddenplanet.com/events/2014/05/03/martin-stiff-signing-absence/">https://forbiddenplanet.com/events/2014/05/03/martin-stiff-signing-absence/</a><br /><br />And finally, if you have a spare moment, I'd be forever grateful if you could vote for The Absence as Best British Comic: Black and White in the Stan Lee Eagle Awards (here: <a href="http://www.stanleeeagleawards.com/nominations.html">http://www.stanleeeagleawards.com/nominations.html</a>) and/or Best Book at the British Comic Awards (here: <a href="http://britishcomicawards.com/">http://britishcomicawards.com</a>)Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-58579702983957572152014-04-02T05:21:00.003-07:002014-04-02T05:24:46.857-07:00Ain't It Cool News reviews The Absence!Lovely review for The Absence on top cult geek website Ain't It Cool:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.aintitcool.com/node/66776#5">http://www.aintitcool.com/node/66776#5</a><br />
<br />
Some quotes:<br />
<br />
<b><i>"While it plays on many levels, the crux of THE ABSENCE is filling voids."</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>"The naturalistic dialog, intricate black and white pencils and Stiff's reverence for the time period from style to sayings are worth the price of admission, but it's the sci-fi twist that makes THE ABSENCE a true comic book as well as a great story."</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
While you're there, scroll down a bit for a review of Psycho Gran by my friend David Leach.Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-78560996712291902322014-03-23T13:56:00.002-07:002014-03-23T13:56:24.450-07:00New reviews and newsA couple more reviews:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.popcults.com/book-review-absence-martin-stiff/">http://www.popcults.com/book-review-absence-martin-stiff/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://retrenders.com/2014/03/17/the-absence-by-martin-stiff/">http://retrenders.com/2014/03/17/the-absence-by-martin-stiff/</a><br />
<br />
Another Q&A (on the hugely influential cult comic and film website Bleeding Cool):<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/03/03/the-absence-is-a-dark-wwii-mystery-play-the-bleeding-cool-interview-with-martin-stiff/">http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/03/03/the-absence-is-a-dark-wwii-mystery-play-the-bleeding-cool-interview-with-martin-stiff/</a><br />
<br />
And, bizarrely, here's a website that has made The Absence their April book club choice! How terribly flattering!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thecultden.com/2014/03/the-cult-den-book-club-aprils-book-of.html">http://www.thecultden.com/2014/03/the-cult-den-book-club-aprils-book-of.html</a>Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-48329447638085768442014-03-11T05:00:00.001-07:002014-03-11T05:09:41.644-07:00A few more reviews and a signingNothing to see here - just a little more self-congratlatory back-slapping, move along, move along*…<br />
<br />
(*LOOK, I WANT ALL THESE REVIEWS STASHED IN ONE PLACE FOR CONVENIENCE SAKE, ALRIGHT?! JEEZ.)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://markclapham.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/ten-minutes-on-the-absence-by-martin-stiff/">http://markclapham.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/ten-minutes-on-the-absence-by-martin-stiff/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2014/03/09/review-time-with-the-absence/">http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2014/03/09/review-time-with-the-absence/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.awkwardgeeks.com/absence-graphic-novel/">http://www.awkwardgeeks.com/absence-graphic-novel/</a><br />
<br />
I did my first signing for The Absence at Forbidden Planet, London on the 5 March and had a great time. Thanks so much to everyone who turned up! Here's a photo of me looking terrified:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-54vrIx74sbs/Ux78dFRoCfI/AAAAAAAAAak/3sh0oxti77g/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-54vrIx74sbs/Ux78dFRoCfI/AAAAAAAAAak/3sh0oxti77g/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="291" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm doing another signing at the <a href="http://www.londonsupercomicconvention.com/" target="_blank">London Superhero Comic Convention</a> on Saturday 15th March at 4pm on the FP stand (tables 115-121). If you're visiting the con, come along and say hi!Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-32115036386603166492014-03-02T05:37:00.000-08:002014-03-02T05:37:51.050-08:00Links to reviews, and some general self-congratulatory stuff<i>(Apologies in advance: I'm putting all this stuff on here mainly so I have it all in one place but the upshot of that is that it looks a bit showy-offy. Um, not much I can do about that, sorry.)</i><br />
<br />
With The Absence graphic novel out shortly (this week, in fact!) the reviews have started appearing. Here's a few links. In an attempt to be as unbiased as possible, I've also put the more negative reviews here too…<br />
<br />
On the whole people seem to be very kind about it, which is great! I'm really pleased with the response so far. I've had a few people drop me a line on Twitter as well, which is incredibly nice of them.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://curiosityofasocialmisfit.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/the-absence-graphic-novel-review.html">http://curiosityofasocialmisfit.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/the-absence-graphic-novel-review.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.brokenfrontier.com/the-absence-a-welcome-collection-of-martin-stiffs-dense-evocative-mystery-story/">http://www.brokenfrontier.com/the-absence-a-welcome-collection-of-martin-stiffs-dense-evocative-mystery-story/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.existentialennui.com/2014/02/titan-comics-graphic-novel-roundup.html">http://www.existentialennui.com/2014/02/titan-comics-graphic-novel-roundup.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://hoopercomicart.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/titaqn-books-absence.html">http://hoopercomicart.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/titaqn-books-absence.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.clandestinecritic.co.uk/2014/02/comic-book-review-absence.html">http://www.clandestinecritic.co.uk/2014/02/comic-book-review-absence.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/2014/01/the-absence-review/">http://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/2014/01/the-absence-review/</a><br />
<br />
Here's a review from Comic Heroes (it's available on the Apple Newsstand, so I can't link directly to it. You should all be buying it anyway…)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F93NXlcNqbQ/UxMwE_94h9I/AAAAAAAAAaI/YPBS2_YbuPo/s1600/IMG_0011.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F93NXlcNqbQ/UxMwE_94h9I/AAAAAAAAAaI/YPBS2_YbuPo/s1600/IMG_0011.PNG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I've also written a really long (rambling, self-indulgent) 'director's commentary' over at The Forbidden Planet International blog. Those guys have been supporters of The Absence since the beginning and I'm hugely grateful to them. Here's a link to that.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2014/directors-commentary-martin-stiff-talk-the-absence/">http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2014/directors-commentary-martin-stiff-talk-the-absence/</a><br />
<br />
And here's a Q&A I was asked to do (which included the curiously tough question, 'What was the most horrific thing that happened to you when you were working on this book?' Whatever happened to asking people the price of milk?):<br />
<br />
<a href="http://decapitateddan.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/deep-discussions-with-decapitated-dan.html">http://decapitateddan.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/deep-discussions-with-decapitated-dan.html</a><br />
<br />
Finally, here's a photo from the London Forbidden Planet store (which had The Absence on early release), showing it at #17 (!) in the graphic novel charts…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wnEwUGOeXGw/UxMy6fBnOJI/AAAAAAAAAaU/1KtOChLhmHc/s1600/Bhf16KKCYAEy0If.jpg-large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wnEwUGOeXGw/UxMy6fBnOJI/AAAAAAAAAaU/1KtOChLhmHc/s1600/Bhf16KKCYAEy0If.jpg-large.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jeez, slapping yourself on the back is harder than it looks! I'm off for a lie down. Next week I have a signing at Forbidden Planet on Wednesday (hey, you should come along!) and at least one more Q&A due for publication. Oh, and the small matter of the actual proper official publication of book itself…</div>
<br />
<br />Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-64580275741014054462014-01-27T13:55:00.004-08:002014-01-27T13:55:35.475-08:00The Absence - The Graphic NovelWell, with publication date fast approaching I thought I'd better check in. Been neglecting the blog a bit too much recently.<br />
<br />
With the complete collection out in a month, I've had to remove the last 3 issues from sale on Lulu. That said, if anyone has been collecting the individual issues (for the last five years - well done for sticking with it…) and needs one to complete their collection, just drop me a line. I have a few copies kicking about at home.<br />
<br />
Here's a photo at the graphic novel. And look! Fun can be had matching up your face with the cover.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YHXbAlH_1ng/UubUITEitLI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/xVdftFQjIvI/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YHXbAlH_1ng/UubUITEitLI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/xVdftFQjIvI/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm really rather pleased with how the book turned out. It's 272 pages long (including 8 pages or so of extra features at the back) and the matte paper stock has quite a weight to it. The production quality is lovely - my slap-dash black inky artwork has never looked so crisp!<br />
<br />
You can buy it at this places. Just click a link:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782760385/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1D40NE22APT7W780N12R&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=455344027&pf_rd_i=468294" target="_blank">AMAZON UK</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1782760385/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0Q9V4PASQ1MWABWFGQNK&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846" target="_blank">AMAZON US</a><br />
<a href="https://forbiddenplanet.com/113802-the-absence-hardcover/" target="_blank">FORBIDDEN PLANET</a><br />
<a href="http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/absence-hardcover?" target="_blank">FORBIDDEN PLANET INTERNATIONAL</a><br />
<br />
I gather I'll be doing some signings and various bits of promo for the book as we near the release date, but more on that soon. And more on what I'll be doing next, too…Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-19480751537105663282013-11-08T12:55:00.001-08:002013-11-08T12:55:07.645-08:00Midnight ManNow I'm all done with The Absence (I checked over and approved the printer proofs at Titan Comics HQ the other day - so that's the 272 page collection officially off at print!) I finally have a little time to fulfil a few promises I've made over the last couple of months to people.<br />
<br />
Some time ago, artist Andy Bloor (check out the amazing <a href="http://www.accentukcomics.com/fall_wolfmen.html" target="_blank">Wolfmen series</a>, drawn by Andy and written by Dave West) asked me to do a pin up for his and writer Mo Ali's new comic Midnight Man.<br />
<br />
Plot details of the comic are shrouded in secrecy, but Andy has been <a href="http://andrewbloor.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">posting artwork from it on his blog</a>, so I had reference material and, after the fairly slow-paced Absence I was excited about drawing something that had, like, superheroes with guns and explosions and action. In his black trench coat, the titular character has a design which allows for a great deal of expressive movement and so I knew I wanted to do something with a lot of energy and along with Andy's cool mask design (an eerie blank face, with a simple arrow pointing up) I also figured I could do something quite graphic.<br />
<br />
Mulling it over for a few days I wondered if there might be some mileage in using the arrow in a way similar to the poster for The Dark Knight Rises (see below).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3AOX3dMuDZ4/Un1JwHvoodI/AAAAAAAAAXk/beapt2wuCY4/s1600/the-dark-knight-rises-movie-2012-wallpaper-1920x1080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3AOX3dMuDZ4/Un1JwHvoodI/AAAAAAAAAXk/beapt2wuCY4/s320/the-dark-knight-rises-movie-2012-wallpaper-1920x1080.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
From a low angle like this provides it meant I could have the Midnight Man falling onto the viewer - always a cool angle to draw a superhero. I sketched a pretty loose interpretation of what was in my head.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QBSNqNlfjqs/Un1KCp1umJI/AAAAAAAAAXs/VlsvE2gnnRI/s1600/scan1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QBSNqNlfjqs/Un1KCp1umJI/AAAAAAAAAXs/VlsvE2gnnRI/s320/scan1.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy with the general way it was progressing I wanted to sketch it up with heavier black to figure out how the composition would work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfV4vx0LyDw/Un1KNwA9jrI/AAAAAAAAAX0/Ty0sOlZnP-c/s1600/scan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfV4vx0LyDw/Un1KNwA9jrI/AAAAAAAAAX0/Ty0sOlZnP-c/s320/scan2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From there I worked up a more polished pencil version. (Sorry about the pic - it's a crappy photo rather than a scan).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_wGPS37tCYk/Un1KoHEJ0dI/AAAAAAAAAX8/r2dLyB_if9I/s1600/scan2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_wGPS37tCYk/Un1KoHEJ0dI/AAAAAAAAAX8/r2dLyB_if9I/s320/scan2a.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I spent fricking ages getting his legs and feet right. Like <i>ages</i>. I wanted a pose quite realistic, but the problem with that, when you're dealing with such a weird angle and position, is that (weirdly) it can look too forced and not natural enough.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So anyway, finally happy with it, I inked it up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hcDVDn80dZs/Un1LCbLi3KI/AAAAAAAAAYE/ELlEKGoEBjk/s1600/scan3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hcDVDn80dZs/Un1LCbLi3KI/AAAAAAAAAYE/ELlEKGoEBjk/s320/scan3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And there we were. I left it for the night and came back to it the following morning.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Imagine my annoyance when, the following morning, I discovered I didn't like it anymore. It felt too static. My artwork is pretty loose (some might say slap-dash…) and I'd spent so long trying to make it 'neat' I'd over-worked the inks and it had lost the spontaneity. And I'd also gone off the general pose - it too lacked the <i>energy</i> I was after. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I searched the internet looking for something to spark an idea and eventually found this image:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wq7VVPX-EQ/Un1L0Fz6NrI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/nORvhAxojio/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wq7VVPX-EQ/Un1L0Fz6NrI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/nORvhAxojio/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was something about it I like - the total lack of control and the way the guy is utterly giving himself up to the jump. Legs right back, arms outstretched. That said, it wasn't <i>perfect</i> - it wasn't very heroic and frankly he looks a bit bloody terrified. So, with that all in mind, and while trying to keep that urgent spontaneity, I sketched this doodle as quickly as I could:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9LAfkQvI4po/Un1MqKHFS7I/AAAAAAAAAYY/Gy-iR4GB7c8/s1600/scan4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9LAfkQvI4po/Un1MqKHFS7I/AAAAAAAAAYY/Gy-iR4GB7c8/s320/scan4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Aha. There was something there - not just the pose but the mere fact that it reminded me not to over labour the drawing - keep it loose and sketchy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While drawing The Absence I'd have three stages - loose pencils, then I'd tighten those up, and then ink 'em. But for this I missed out the middle stage. I did a really rough pencil sketch - just to get proportions right, figure out where the head was gonna go and whatnot - and then went straight to inks. I ended up with this: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G2GBx2n5jl8/Un1NAiwbXwI/AAAAAAAAAYg/CBPC0rhKwKs/s1600/scan5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G2GBx2n5jl8/Un1NAiwbXwI/AAAAAAAAAYg/CBPC0rhKwKs/s320/scan5.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I liked that. And I liked it even more the following morning. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I scanned it in, and played about with it in Photoshop for a while (adding various textures I've built up doing The Absence, and using some photo collage) and this is the final version. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wRAQ1CQiAQ/Un1NW559IxI/AAAAAAAAAYo/Rl1X9lqqFQg/s1600/final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wRAQ1CQiAQ/Un1NW559IxI/AAAAAAAAAYo/Rl1X9lqqFQg/s320/final.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm really happy with it. It has the exact feel that I wanted and looks pretty close to what was in my head at the beginning (and it's not often <i>that</i> happens…)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And what's even better, Andy and Mo both like it too. I love their work so I'm hugely proud to have been asked to do it, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the final Midnight Man comic! Make sure you all buy it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next week, I'll be posting details about a signing (my first signing oh god oh god I'm so nervous) I'll be doing for Titan Comics at Thought Bubble in Leeds.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-38623285227349003092013-11-04T07:52:00.001-08:002013-11-04T07:52:07.882-08:00"Stiff Competition"I was recently asked to write a short thing for <span id="goog_1096641155"></span><a href="http://www.mymags.net/" target="_blank">MyM Magazine</a><span id="goog_1096641156"></span> about The Absence and it's nomination in the British Comic Awards. Instead I wrote an overly long, rambling thing but they ran it all anyway.<br />
<br />
It's available now in all good newsagents and the iTunes store.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wsG2n2fs9Sw/UnfCYqWF6DI/AAAAAAAAAWU/nJuZk2PjzLM/s1600/IMG_1362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wsG2n2fs9Sw/UnfCYqWF6DI/AAAAAAAAAWU/nJuZk2PjzLM/s320/IMG_1362.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-82951698954206694992013-09-27T06:58:00.002-07:002013-09-27T06:58:20.848-07:00Available now: The Absence #6 - FINAL ISSUEAll done.<br />
<br />
This is it. <a href="http://tinyurl.com/absence6" target="_blank">This is the final issue of The Absence and it's available on Lulu now.</a> £3.50 for 58 pages. Lulu have changed their publishing formats so it's perfect bound with a spine whereas the earlier issues were stapled. Not much I can do about it sadly - and actually I had to go back and rejig the earlier issues so any bought now will also have spines.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsTOqMnqRwc/UkWO342y8mI/AAAAAAAAAWA/R5-VtOOdd04/s1600/TheAbsence_6_cvr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsTOqMnqRwc/UkWO342y8mI/AAAAAAAAAWA/R5-VtOOdd04/s320/TheAbsence_6_cvr.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Can't quite believe it's all over.<br />
<br />
(Well, over until Titan Comics release the graphic novel collection (which is <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Absence-Martin-Stiff/dp/1782760385/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380290214&sr=8-1&keywords=martin+stiff" target="_blank">available for preorder on Amazon</a>) next March anyway…)<br />
<br />Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-39857194369877194002013-09-25T03:33:00.002-07:002013-09-25T03:33:21.890-07:00The Absence: Nominated for Best Comic at the BCAWell, now here's a thing. Issue 5 of The Absence has only gone and got shortlisted for <a href="http://britishcomicawards.com/bca-shortlist-2013/" target="_blank">Best Comic at the British Comic Awards! </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pBofw51bIio/UkK6q8yVNXI/AAAAAAAAAVY/YeNwwls4n7A/s1600/BCA-Logo-500pxw1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pBofw51bIio/UkK6q8yVNXI/AAAAAAAAAVY/YeNwwls4n7A/s320/BCA-Logo-500pxw1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm utterly blown away by the news and I'm so proud to be up there amongst so many great creators and books. It's a huge honour. And the fact Lenny bloody Henry (one of the final round of judges) will actually be reading my comic makes my head spin.<br />
<br />
In other news, due to the publication of The Absence graphic novel by Titan next March, I've had to take the first three issues offline from Lulu. It's a shame, but I understand that it would damage sales of the collection. The last three issues will be available until Christmas when I'll also have to retire those.<br />
<br />
(That said, I do have some spare copies of 1-3 kicking about so if anyone wants one, just drop me a line. But don't tell anyone else I told you that, right?)<br />
<br />
<br />Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-66931143874997329402013-09-06T06:43:00.002-07:002013-09-06T06:43:37.226-07:00"I'm just showing you the horizon"After 5 years, the sixth and final issue of The Absence will be available soon.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's the teaser blurb from the back:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: -0.1px;">While the terrified villagers evacuate their doomed town, frantic work </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: -0.1px;">continues in the caverns deep beneath their feet in a last ditch attempt to save it. </span></i></div>
<div style="min-height: 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;"></span><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: -0.1px;"><i>Marwood Clay, already mistrustful of the mysterious Dr. Temple, meets a man from Temple’s past </i></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">who finally seems to validate and confirm Clay’s </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">worst suspicions. But even as he learns the awful truth about his nemesis, little does he realise the </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">full horrifying extent of Temple’s masterplan. </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">A plan which, now his strange house is complete, Temple can finally reveal. </span></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; letter-spacing: -0.1px;">As Clay and Temple’s intertwined history is </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">revealed, events in the small coastal town race </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: -0.1px;">towards their catastrophic conclusion… </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: -0.1px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Here's a picture of some dead rats.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: -0.1px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sttZs3h175I/UinbQWFhJlI/AAAAAAAAAUw/b7Fj-n8yOCs/s1600/rats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sttZs3h175I/UinbQWFhJlI/AAAAAAAAAUw/b7Fj-n8yOCs/s320/rats.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: -0.1px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Cover to come…</span></div>
</div>
Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-919367799199435032013-05-16T09:44:00.000-07:002013-05-16T09:46:51.975-07:00The Absence #5 - AVAILABLE NOW<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ME0pImSY2Is/UZUMy1Mcc0I/AAAAAAAAAT8/k_YsbYNUDXs/s1600/panel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ME0pImSY2Is/UZUMy1Mcc0I/AAAAAAAAAT8/k_YsbYNUDXs/s320/panel1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There were a couple of minor quibbles in the first proofs I received so I've tided up those up and now the fifth issue of The Absence is available online from Lulu.com. Here's a link:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/absence5">PURCHASE THE ABSENCE #5 HERE</a><br />
<br />
It's £3.50 for 52 pages (50 pages of strip, plus another two page essay thingy I wrote about the origins of the story).<br />
<br />
The Absence is a six issue miniseries, so only more issue to go! Script is written, thumbnails are done. Nearly there…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-moctYyT-IrA/UZUNIGTMYRI/AAAAAAAAAUc/3EENOSq3XHk/s1600/TheAbsence_5_cvr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-moctYyT-IrA/UZUNIGTMYRI/AAAAAAAAAUc/3EENOSq3XHk/s400/TheAbsence_5_cvr.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5Gh3d2gCM0/UZUMy9WsiAI/AAAAAAAAAUE/hP9z4X4iFKE/s1600/panel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="76" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5Gh3d2gCM0/UZUMy9WsiAI/AAAAAAAAAUE/hP9z4X4iFKE/s320/panel2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r7Ty9sSYNF8/UZUMzlkd-OI/AAAAAAAAAUM/qAy4vWUgaxg/s1600/panel3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r7Ty9sSYNF8/UZUMzlkd-OI/AAAAAAAAAUM/qAy4vWUgaxg/s320/panel3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pBBD7x84SJw/UZUMz9X8vCI/AAAAAAAAAUI/u0T6bjCeSkA/s1600/panel4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pBBD7x84SJw/UZUMz9X8vCI/AAAAAAAAAUI/u0T6bjCeSkA/s320/panel4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-47839926876067910502013-05-03T01:33:00.002-07:002013-05-03T01:39:40.731-07:00"How many people have you killed, Dr Temple?"<div style="text-align: left;">
Huzzah! Issue 5 of The Absence is done, and at the printers! It's 52 pages long and took about 5 months which makes it the quickest issue (in terms of size to speed) EVAH! Which is just as well, since I now have to squeeze out the sixth and final issue before October… Thankfully the last issue will be a little shorter. I've been head down and working (both on The Absence, and, at, well, work) which explains the lack of blog udpates.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Where issue 4 examined Marwood's history, issue 5 takes a look at the past of the enigmatic Dr. Temple. Here's the blurb from the back:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Following the horrifying discovery of a massive chasm beneath his home and in an attempt to help save the village from certain collapse, Dr. Temple enlists the help of an old friend from his time in a military experimental science unit. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>But with Irvine Pink’s arrival also come memories of Temple’s tragic childhood and recruitment by the enigmatic and dangerous Taylor, a man whose motives are never quite what they seem and should </i><i>never be trusted. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Meanwhile, as the doctor and Pink race to discover the truth behind the missing villagers, Marwood’s suspicion of Temple continues to grow...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And here's the cover.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s71qYYB5ftw/UYN1HLOYuDI/AAAAAAAAASk/AEQ9KHKqK_Q/s1600/TheAbsence_5_cvr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s71qYYB5ftw/UYN1HLOYuDI/AAAAAAAAASk/AEQ9KHKqK_Q/s320/TheAbsence_5_cvr.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That's Taylor on the front there. He's already made a couple of appearances in The Absence (most notably in issue #2) and he gets a little more screen time in this issue. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In other news, a story I drew and painted a couple of years ago has made it into this month's CLiNT magazine! Written by JP Rutter it's a short tale of haute cuisine, absolute desperation and crushing horror. A bit like the Great British Bake Off, then. Here's a photo, now go and buy it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-BGLVi_Br8/UYN2F8pCr-I/AAAAAAAAASw/XRaN_g66WZQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-BGLVi_Br8/UYN2F8pCr-I/AAAAAAAAASw/XRaN_g66WZQ/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-16824838823046846822012-12-09T10:51:00.000-08:002012-12-09T10:59:09.225-08:00SketchUp<br />
Yes, I know it's been fricking ages since my last post. I've been manically busy with one thing or another and it seems more important to actually get the comic finished (it's going well, thanks for asking) than it does to talk about it, but it's Sunday night and I'm too knackered to draw so I thought I'd post something instead.<br />
<br />
I used Google's (now Trimble's) SketchUp briefly at work a few years ago to create 3D packshots of books I was designing. I never used it much, and so I never really 'mastered' it (in fact most of my time was spent going, 'Oh now why has <i>that</i> happened? Don't move that <i>there</i>, I didn't… OH FOR GOD'S SAKE'). <br />
<br />
I'd read how some artists use it to create a 3D environment which they can immerse themselves in to help ensure their backgrounds and scenes look authentic. I discovered it's possible to download 3D sculpts created by other people and when working on issue #3 I found a great model of a Messerschmitt which I used as reference for the upended plane on the cliff edge. To be able to spin the thing round and find the perfect angle was a revelation but still I shied away from actually creating my own sculpts because it always seemed so complicated.<br />
<br />
But I continued to fiddle with it over the next year or so, and now, on issue #5, I've used it to create a couple of environments. Here's some screengrabs of the models:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vr_byMZKwbw/UMTcmgN3M9I/AAAAAAAAARw/T7HmZs9KEHw/s1600/sketch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vr_byMZKwbw/UMTcmgN3M9I/AAAAAAAAARw/T7HmZs9KEHw/s400/sketch2.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Falling Moon pub interior</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vvg4CAsaNU8/UMTcmLWMq8I/AAAAAAAAARk/yZZTotINuI8/s1600/sketch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vvg4CAsaNU8/UMTcmLWMq8I/AAAAAAAAARk/yZZTotINuI8/s400/sketch1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Edward Temple's house (Who he? Wait and find out…)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
They're pretty coarse, very simple and a bit clunky but they enable me to move around inside the two spaces and find the perfect angle. I do a 2D export, stick it into my page layout and basically 'trace' the geometric lines. All the detail I put in by hand afterwards, safe in the knowledge that my vanishing points and perspective are bang on.<br />
<br />
With Edward Temple's house I imported other elements I downloaded from the SketchUp database (the staircase is actually a model someone created of the Titanic's staircase - I put it in then pulled it apart a bit while the chandelier is really just there for positional reference for me).<br />
<br />
So SketchUp is proving to be really useful - and I'm spending less time arguing with it as well, which is nice. And the best thing about it? It's totally free to download. You<i> can't </i>argue with that...Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-89544556715644937512012-08-07T12:33:00.001-07:002012-08-07T12:33:29.469-07:00ISSUE FOUR! AVAILABLE NOW!Well crikey, it's taken slightly over a year but I've finally navigated the torrid waters of a busy work and home life to finish issue four (of six, oh god still two more to go!) of The Absence! I have it in my sweaty little hand, look:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GsbfkK45UP8/UCFs_WQJ8II/AAAAAAAAARI/cs1s4CjLCYc/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GsbfkK45UP8/UCFs_WQJ8II/AAAAAAAAARI/cs1s4CjLCYc/s400/photo.JPG" /></a></div>
If you're so inclined, you can buy a copy <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/martin-stiff/the-absence-4-of-6/paperback/product-20309518.html">here</a>. It's £3.50, and 68 pages long (SIXTY! EIGHT!). Thanks in advance and please do let me know what you think!Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-37133920130125996692012-07-24T02:39:00.000-07:002012-07-24T02:39:57.822-07:00Grumpy MarwoodSeen it done before by others, but there's something about photographing your artwork in Instragram that adds a real depth and warmth to it. Well, I think so anyway. Obviously once the inevitable Instagram backlash occurs and we all think it's terribly passé I'll revise my opinion accordingly...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2B5bAVgQumE/UA5sWSQTLYI/AAAAAAAAAQs/kWOvKhYQ-oU/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2B5bAVgQumE/UA5sWSQTLYI/AAAAAAAAAQs/kWOvKhYQ-oU/s400/photo.JPG" /></a></div>
In other news, I'm one page - ONE SOLITARY, INKED PAGE - away from finishing all of the artwork for issue 4. And then it's just a bit of lettering, some redrawing here and there, then a final proof read and it'll be off to printers... Oh thank god.Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-14828367230317650592012-04-26T09:59:00.001-07:002012-04-26T11:08:27.156-07:00Pearl Clay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrLiVVvvsjA/T5l-42-mI9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/S2z65LXFpdQ/s1600/Scan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="388" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrLiVVvvsjA/T5l-42-mI9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/S2z65LXFpdQ/s400/Scan.jpeg" /></a></div>Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-34057668176841065612011-12-03T09:46:00.000-08:002011-12-03T10:01:32.694-08:00Issue #4 updateGod, December?! It's been bloody ages since I posted on here. I started a graphic design business back in February (check us out at <a href="http://amazing15.com/">amazing15.com</a>) and life has been INSANE since then (which is great, obviously, but it's left precious little time to work on the comic).<br /><br />That said, work does continue – I'm about 30 pages into #4 and it'll be about 45 pages in total so should be done early in the new year I reckon. Which'll make it over a year since #3. To those that give a crap I'm really sorry. Must do better.<br /><br />Still, I'm pleased with how #4 is shaping up. It's a big issue with lots of 'answers' (and a few new questions, naturally...), lots of talking (I've just done a two page sequence that sees two people passing each other the time of day in a country lane), lots of flashbacks and lots of stuff which required some hefty military research. Military research? Wait and see. <br /><br />Here's the cover.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xX1xA_GT1g4/Ttpi_aJWVFI/AAAAAAAAAO8/gC_ZdgssADs/s1600/TheAbsence_4_cvr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xX1xA_GT1g4/Ttpi_aJWVFI/AAAAAAAAAO8/gC_ZdgssADs/s400/TheAbsence_4_cvr.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681962721371116626" /></a><br /><br />I finished a first pass on this ages ago but wasn't 100% happy with it so I've been tinkering for a while. Done now though. \<br /><br />Until, you know, I fiddle with it again.Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-9610677763905348182011-07-08T03:45:00.000-07:002011-07-08T04:07:20.448-07:00WorkspaceBeen pretty busy with life stuff recently hence the lack of updates, but have still managed to find time to do some work on The Absence #4. Nothing I really want to post up here yet – the pages I'm doing at the moment are quite spoilerific. In the meantime, I thought I might post this. Purely for my own indulgence really, so bear with me.<br /><br />This, for those that might actually be interested, is my workspace:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGubBw8HW0A/Thbg4FBYP4I/AAAAAAAAANs/klD-HZSYAV4/s1600/Workspace.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGubBw8HW0A/Thbg4FBYP4I/AAAAAAAAANs/klD-HZSYAV4/s400/Workspace.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626932038471270274" /></a><br />KEY:<br />1. This is a (now out of date) character list. It has descriptions of what each character looks like as well as their relationship to other people. I keep a similar (and more current) version as a Word file too.<br />2. These are the thumbnails for the five page sequence I'm drawing at the moment.<br />3. The current page I'm drawing. This one happens to be at the roughing out stage.<br />4. A page from issue one. The five page sequence is a flashback with Marwood talking to Father Jonathan (he who fell to his death in the prologue). I printed the page with the church interior so I could try and keep some kind of consistency.<br />5. This is the script for the sequence. It's covered in doodles. I write it like a film script, with little to no thought to how it'll flow as pages but then scribble all over it and make notes and rewrite as I do the thumbnails.<br />6. Hard to make out here, but this is a bulging A2 portfolio. It contains all the art so far done for The Absence. The zip broke a long time ago...<br />7. My tatty putty rubber. Not to self: must get a new one.<br />8. Pencils (2xHB, 2x2H for sketching), sharpeners, rulers. Without fail, I'll knock all this shit onto the floor with the arm of my chair everytime I get up or sit down.<br />9. The drawing board. Home-made by my dad who used to be a draughtsman. He built it himself so he could work from home and I've sort of inherited it. The strut on the back is made from plumbing. I love that! I ink differently - I loose the drawing board and just work on the table. I find that easier for some reason. I used to draw the same way but I started to get a bad back and dad kindly offered me use of his drawing board.<br /><br />The lighting in my office is terrible so I have a lamp behind the drawing board for night time working. There's also a radio behind there too. And that's it. Check back soon when I might post something more interesting. But don't bet on it.Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-19526756531780503012011-06-14T04:37:00.001-07:002011-06-14T04:44:27.087-07:00Young MarwoodBeen somewhat busy recently with the arrival of a new baby, but work on issue #4 of The Absence continues. Lots of flashbacks this issue (and with it lots of answers too...) Here's the young, unscarred Marwood from page 2. Well, page 2 <span style="font-style:italic;">and</span> page 7. You'll see what I mean when the issue comes out...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2i1Q_s452Sg/TfdJjqcu7-I/AAAAAAAAANk/pPXGUTA3YiY/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2i1Q_s452Sg/TfdJjqcu7-I/AAAAAAAAANk/pPXGUTA3YiY/s400/2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618039937207037922" /></a>Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-90290769880641542432011-05-13T09:34:00.001-07:002011-05-13T09:49:26.455-07:00The collection has arrived!Very excited to receive this parcel today:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5XkQ6wNg9g/Tc1duxsqcDI/AAAAAAAAANQ/UlBPaBLn3wU/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5XkQ6wNg9g/Tc1duxsqcDI/AAAAAAAAANQ/UlBPaBLn3wU/s400/photo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606240169342169138" /></a><br /><br />So, if you look over to the right of the screen there, or <a href="http://tinyurl.com/absencebookone">follow this link</a>, you'll find the first collection of issues 1-3 The Absence for sale on lulu.com. 112 pages with a new cover, including the art for all three issue covers plus a pin up section by some great artists and all for £8. Not bad is it?Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687156748384570523.post-90015490113734175752011-05-11T12:35:00.000-07:002011-05-11T12:37:40.728-07:00Aintitcool Review!Well then. This is rather brilliant. <a href="http://www.aintitcool.com/node/49601#8">The Absence has had a review on cult website Aintitcool!</a><br /><br /><br />THE ABSENCE #1<br /><br />Writer: Martin Stiff<br />Illustrator: Martin Stiff<br />Publisher: Self Published via LuLu<br />Reviewer: Mr. Pasty<br /><br />THE ABSENCE is a six-part miniseries starting with issue number one, HERO, starring Marwood Clay as a soldier returning to a small village on the coastal edge of Southern England. The only problem is Clay was presumed dead, killed in World War II. Further complicating matters is the fact that the townsfolk were kinda glad he was offed and are less than enthused to see him return home. Unfortunately not all of him has made it, as ol’ Marwood lost the lower part of his mouth below the nose. He sort of resembles that anatomy mannequin in the high school nurses office but his disfigurement runs much, much deeper.<br /><br />I have to give props to Martin Stiff for serving as both writer and illustrator, as just one of those duties is a daunting task on any book but to do both, and to do them well, is truly the mark of a great talent. I was a little disappointed the comic was in black and white, as I feel like I’m reading a newspaper, but that’s just me nitpicking because THE ABSENCE leaves very little to be critical of. The narrative is sharp, the pacing is just right and Stiff has a loose hand when it comes to the illustrations. I like the way he’s able to capture fear and anxiety right out of the gate which is a considerable feat considering that you really don’t know who any of the characters are and have no established reason for giving a shit about what happens to them. Stiff makes the most of his atmosphere and shadows to draw the reader into a brilliant opening sequence that involves the collapse of one man’s world. Good stuff.<br /><br />Some of the dialog is hokey but that has more to do with the geography of Stiff’s setting than his execution. In fact, I think it lends credibility to the story because if it’s taking place in Southern England than dammit it should look, sound and feel like Southern England. One thing that drives me batty is when comics have aliens, monsters and mutants all duking it out on the streets of San Francisco yet they all talk like socialites from the upper west side of Manhattan. As far as THE ABSENCE is concerned, we don’t yet understand the significance of Marwood’s return or what scars he shares with the townspeople, but Stiff has done an excellent job of giving me a reason to stick around and find out. And if you’re just in it for the cheap thrills you’ll be happy to know there are abandoned churches, Germans with hypodermic needles and gratuitous beer shots. Dark, creepy and utterly satisfying, THE ABSENCE is a self-published comic that not only meets, but in many cases exceeds what you’d expect to find from any of the big name printers. Pasty likes.Martin Stiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11751244673387862367noreply@blogger.com0