old drawing

[johncomic]

Recently stumbled across this old drawing while rummaging thru some papers, and I'm glad I did -- I've always had an irrational soft spot for this one particular sketch...



I remember I dashed it off in class originally back in '86, and only later copied it and added some colour. Something about this one was cleaner and more open than my usual comic drawings at the time. I had a very strong feeling that I was “on to something” here. I had even written a note near the original: “a combo of Steve Rude, Dave Stevens, Jaime Hernandez, and Osamu Tezuka”...

Back in those days I was pen pals with Scott McCloud, and I sent him a copy of this and asked for his feedback. He had already seen a fair bit of my previous work, and he agreed that I was on to something here. Somehow I found this to be exciting news.


Not much more ever really came of this drawing (until recently). I never really developed this new stylistic slant, and the book that he was designed for never got off the ground. But this year:

1. I've started a new book in which the art is much more clean and open than my old books -- similar to what was suggested to me by this sketch


2. I've resurrected the idea of doing that old book I started planning out in '86, so this character here could end up seeing the light of day after all

So it's kinda apropos that this drawing has suddenly showed up in my life again at this particular time. Huh.