LET’S GET THIS PART OUT OF THE WAY FIRST….
Yep. It is, but for a damn good reason. Let’s start here:
-New Studio Structure-
Recently, within the studio, there has been some production pipeline and operations restructuring in order for our team to get the most out of their tenure here and to more thoroughly accommodate the truth of their goals, desires, and overall work ethic. Studio Skye-Tiger has evolved yet again. It’s always been more than me and a team of assistants, but as of now, it’s more of a hub of up-and-coming, fully realized artists mentored and shepherded by me to be hired to both pencil & ink comics as freelancers, to create their own projects, or to just become better artists period. That’s why they’re here and that’s the focus. So, the “assistant” part of the studio is almost non-existent now. It’s more of an in-house assignment-based operation these days where I give team members their own stories to do full art chores, minus colors, based on my scripts. It’s bringing out the best in them and validates why the shift was necessary.
-Becoming A Real Publisher -
Lastly, as a publisher, a couple of the key pillars are consistency and sustainability. When new series drop they usually have about 3 issues completed before the first one hits the stands. Even a page a week webcomic makes it a practice of being at least a month ahead. I’m a new publisher and in my excitement and haste, I didn’t plan for that. We’re relaunching Midnight Tiger with the soft reboot of Midnight Tiger: EVO. A fresh start. That not only means that I want to stay true to my word that Kickstarters won’t launch until at least all the line art is completed, but after listening to the Black Comic Lords’ podcast on YouTube a few lives ago, that also means being ready with the next issue sooner rather than later. Midnight Tiger’s, or any Studio Skye-Tiger book, can’t grow its fan base without a consistent issue release schedule. Doesn’t matter if it’s 12, 6, or 4 issues a year. It’s something fans can count on! So, we’ve pushed Midnight Tiger: EVO Chapter One back for a September Kickstarter launch. We’re trying to get both issues 1-2 completed by then. In addition, The series debut issue will have more pages to it. The main story may end up being 40+ pages. We want to launch this new series with a bang and with more pages added to set the story up properly in addition to the big cameos announced earlier, we know we can accomplish that. We’re giving our all to give you the best we’ve got!
SST PRODUCTION NEWS!
-Midnight Tiger: EVO & WTF Mama Development Sketches-
As mentioned above, Studio Skye-Tiger is bringing you our best! Though we still have Arise To Ruin coming up in our production pipeline, SST’s primary comics are Midnight Tiger: EVO & What The #$%# Mama. For which I am the sole artist on both. That’s right! On one book, I’m writer/artist and letterer, and on the other, art, colors, & letters. However, I will have a designated flatter for WTF Mama.
Above and below are a few of the production & development sketches I’ve done to prepare to draw both series. I think every artist should get the opportunity to do development sketches like these to get familiar with the characters, so that there is less acclimation when you start actual pages. The first three issues on a series can be brutal as you struggle figuring out how you draw the main cast. Even the best in our business practice drawing characters they may have drawn before. Familiarity and developing a shorthand make the entire process go much smoother!