It Sets Sail In Our Slumber

So here we are post Con and still soaking it all in. Some great developments occurring and I met some incredible creators. I will definitely have to do my best to make the event next year as well. This one is short and sweet, but to leave you with a little bit of an idea of where things are with Sea Wulfe (by the incredibly talented Tanna Tucker), here is the cover for issue #0. For those who haven't visited our FB page, be sure to stop by and say hello....maybe become a fan. We are working on developing a few contest if we can get our fanbase to grow a little more. Any thoughts? Til' the next episode, stay tuned!

On The Road Again.....

Its warm outside and I can't help but think of what the weather is like in San Diego right now. In less than 24 hrs I'll be on my way to attend my first SDCC (or "KHAAAAAANNNNNHHHHHH!" as many convention goers like to refer to it) There will be meetings, networking, interviews (of other creators for my examiner.com articles) and sharing the incredible art that Tanna Tucker has produced thus far for Sea Wulfe. The intention of these efforts will be to find a way to bring you, dear reader, the magic that has been brewing behind the scenes on the title as it has grown over the months. Keep your eyes peeled for developments and if you aren't a fan yet, join us over on FB. If all goes as planned we hope to launch a deeper experience on the website . Stay Tuned, the Saga Continues.....

The Long Haul

Yes, I know....the collective sigh of "its been awhile" is almost palpable, but I promise you, dear reader,  I have not been idle! Since Image Con work has been polished and re-polished, art has been created and then erased. The idea of what I hope to see created has been shared and direction from those in the know has been sought. In particular, some great insight into the industry of comic book creation and the business has been gleaned from one very unique individual. One Mr. Michael Davis one of the founding members of Milestone Media and a co-creator of the super hero Static Shock. Back in February Mr. Davis wrote an article over on ComicMix called "Shit and The Comic Book Industry", in it he spoke at length about breaking into the entertainment industry and making sure your game is on point. At the time when I read the article, it clicked in a way that I found reassuring. A voice that offered encouragement, but at the same time gave the slap to the head that made sure my feet were still grounded and my vision was clear. A week after that article and our brief exchange in the comments section of his post, he posted "Get A Clue".  Another insightful article that gave me some insight into what those who make things happen in the industry sometimes deal with when they are trying to make things happen. Needless to say, I was blown away by the closing remarks in that article (What?....You haven't read it yet? Okay, go read it and then you will understand why my jaw was on the floor by the end of the read. I'll wait....ok, you back? Good, let's keep this thing rolling). Mountains have been moved to some degree and as a result I will be going to San Diego in July to attend Comic Con 2012. I plan on meeting people, shaking hands, making connections, and learning as much as I possibly can to make sure that what I have imagined for so long can find it's way into being.  Have you ever been so hungry that you can literally taste the meal that you are dreaming of consuming before you take a bite? Well, that will be me....hopefully I don't scare anyone. In the meantime, I continue to work on the script for issue #2 of Sea Wulfe and Tanna Tucker continues to work on creating images that will help convey the world that exists in the corners of my imagination. So that is where things stand at this point in juncture. Rest assured, I am in this for the long haul and until the next post, here is an early page from the upcoming prologue  (words by Mark Turner and images by Tanna Tucker) and an updated image of the stories heroine Catlynn. For those not aware, we have a fan page up on Facebook, be sure to join us there for more news and updates on this incredible adventure: Sea Wulfe. Enjoy!

Image Expo 2012

Have you ever wanted to jump into the void...the uncertainty of the abyss that yawns wide before us all as we ponder the possibilities of "what if"? Have you ever wanted to take a chance to make that leap of faith not knowing if there will be something....someone at the bottom of the wild ride to catch you? This weekend I had the opportunity and honor of attending Image Expo 2012. During my time there I meet some of the industries most followed imagine-rs, storytellers who take their fans to highest heights and deepest depths of  "what if". During the panel celebrating the 20th anniversary of Image Comics, Todd McFarlane and Rob Liefeld told the story of how the company got it's start. These men dared to imagine and jumped into that nebula of the unknown. It was a great pleasure to be reminded of why I want to be a storyteller...to share the tales that rattle around in the corners of my mind. Check out a brief excerpt on how the company got it's start. Enjoy!

Autumn Leaves

As the seasons have changed from Summer to Fall, the winds of change have rolled through October and seen a flurry of activity. At the start of the month I found myself attending APE 2011, meeting with various indie creators and fans. A great place for individuals of the art form and the event where I met Tanna Tucker, the incredibly talented artist who is working on Sea Wulfe, a little over a year ago. Inspiration, some much sought after words of advice, and great reading material were secured as I had found my creative and mental stores drained and the event served to replenish my reserves. The month also saw a new team member come on board. Mr. Terrence Montgomery who will be acting as project manager. He will bring to the project a much needed level headed and business sense that will help to temper the artistic side of things. A conference call with Phil Hampton of The Comic Academy ensured that the project is focused and that as a team we are on the right track to reaching our creative as well as business goals. Khalid Birdsong, creator of the webcomic Fried Chicken and Sushi provided insight by agreeing to an interview (which will soon run on examiner.com) and sharing his work. Most importantly the month found me immersed in the writing process and connecting with the characters of this vast world that is springing up from the point of my pen. One of these being the character of Cat, the heroine of our story. It fascinates me how this character (inspired by a real person) can capture the strength, beauty, and possibility of an actual person yet continues to evolve into her own independent entity. The fifth draft of Sea Wulfe issue one grows stronger because of this renewed connection with the characters of this world. As Tanna works on issue #0 and I prepare myself to being writing the script for issue #2, the new year will see some creative milestones reached. Among them: the full launch of the website, release of issue #0 online, fund raising efforts on kickstarter, and (with a little luck) a presence at Wondercon 2011 in Anaheim, CA (this year). So, the leaves of Autumn signal a month of transition and promise exciting things yet to come.

Just add water and watch it grow...

It is early, Saturday morning and I sit here listening to the "International Creators Panel" at DigiCon and the endeavors that these artist face to see their ideas into being. Somehow I draw some measure of comfort in hearing that I am not delusional in my perception of how much work goes into getting a book off the ground. One of the reasons why the blog suffers from chronic "writer's scatter-shot" (the irregular updating of something that should be done on a consistent basis). Since the last update, much progress has been made. Plans to shoot the kickstarter fund raising video have begun to gel (will occur in the upcoming week), the prologue script (and some initial thumbnail sketches) are complete, a temporary webpage for the site has been put in place as well as a FB fan page, and lastly the incomparable John V McCauley, composer extraordinaire, has created an epic musical theme for Sea Wulfe called "Prelude To Adventure" (stay tuned to hear this awesome piece for our title) Is it moving as quickly as I would like....well, on some days the answer would be "no", but it is moving. So, it is a lot like one of those spongy dinosaur knick knacks that kids get out of gumball machines. You know, the ones that are small and insignificant until you add water and then they grow...swell to a size that boggles the mind. The team that I have begun to pull together continue to pour copious amounts of water on our spongy project, given time we shall see how big this beast can get.

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

Recently I've had acquaintances ask me about a technical aspect of writing a script for a comic. They wanted to know how it was different than a screenplay. One of the greatest is the amount of detail that goes into the composition. Also format is another (although there are some variations on the layout of how some scripts for comics are presented). For those who are curious, you'll find the first page of one of the early drafts of the prologue posted below. Although there are many similarities, there are also many more differences. With the screenplay, often you want to keep description to the bare minimum, keep from giving too much direction (after all that is the directors job)....and focus on dialog and character. With the comic script, you have to provide enough detail that the artist can create what it is you see in your minds eye (or provide sufficient that they can improve upon your original vision to create something even better than what you imagined). In this medium, you play not only the writer, but the director as well. For me it is another dimension to telling the full story that is going on in my head. The whole process is a lot like learning how to walk again as I attempt to learn the balance of not too much and not enough. In the end the ultimate hope being is that it will not only look and sound like a "duck" but will BE an authentic piece of well crafted work. So for those who'd like to take a read, enjoy the first scripted page of "Sea Wulfe prologue"

Sea Wulfe, Prolouge 1.
Writer:Mark Turner
Penciler: Tanna Tucker
PAGE1 (FOUR PANELS)

PAGE1, Panel 1.
Cinematic panel, extreme close up. A pair of intense weary eyes stare,the brows knit while beads of perspiration dot the forehead.

CAPTION 1:
“Prophet, Shaman, Psychic, Nut Job....Freak.”

CAPTION 2:
“They call me lots of things, because I see stuff sometimes....okay, all the time, really.”

PAGE1, Panel 2.
Cinematic panel. Mid shot. A young sickly boy [ETHAN, 7] sits on a bed with his knees drawn up. A sketch pad rests on his legs as he draws. His tongue sticks out the corner of his mouth as he frowns with fierce concentration.

CAPTION 3:
“I see things and then draw them...”

PAGE1, Panel 3.
Cinematic panel. Close up of sketch pad. Ethan’s hand hovers over a detailed black and white drawing of a fearsome Minotaur, a “bull ring” in it’s nose. It’s arm raised over it’s head with what appears to be a meat cleaver, a trail of gore flies from the blade that reflects light.

CAPTION 4:
“And quite often they are full of blood and terror.”

Sea Wulfe, Prolouge 1.
Writer:Mark Turner
Penciler: Tanna Tucker

PAGE1 (CONTINUED)

PAGE1, Panel 4.
Cinematic panel. Mid shot. The previous panel , in color as if it were real. The Minotaur, meat cleaver high over it’s head, we can now see better what it is doing. The Minotaur dressed in a butchers smock holds a chicken that it is butchering on a cutting block.Various meats hang around it in what appears to be a meat “stand” at an outdoor market.

CAPTION 5:
“I don’t really share the pictures because this place I draw scares people.”