Creating a Graphic Novel : Art – Food – Photography

The first print run of 5 Seconds is done after the edits to the proof copies! It’s an amazing feeling opening the box and seeing your graphic novel staring right back at you. Printing services supplied by Comic Books On Demand.

First Printing :

It’s an exciting time in the 5 Seconds project! I have received the proof copies of 5 Seconds which will need a full review to make sure everything is perfect. At a first glance though, it looks all great. Printing services supplied by Comic Books On Demand.

Cover :

The reward sketches from P.R. Dedelis have also arrived. It is hard to describe holding the actual artworks in your hands. I’m sure everyone who pledged for sketch rewards will absolutely love them. I think it’ll be very sad for me to have to give them away.

Sketches :

The first round of lettering is now done for 5 Seconds and everything is progressing well. Some minor edits are required before the compiling all the pages for publishing. It’s definitely moving along well now! Thought I’d share a crossover sketch with Jake and Ellie (from 5 Seconds) dressed up as characters from my next project (Dragons). Hope you enjoy the artwork by P.R. Dedelis.

Sketch :

Coloured Edit :

I have been looking forward to Nyobi #2 by Larry Higgins after the first issue ended in a cliffhanger. It’s been close to a year now since I did the last Nyobi #1 review in May 2015. (Time really does fly!) Nyobi #2 was successfully funded on Kickstarter with exactly 99 backers! The issue opens with Nyobi stuck in a hospital which helps those with powers.

Nyobi #2 (cover by R B White) :

So what happens in the story?
Something is wrong with Nyobi and her powers are hurting her. When a threat emerges, does Nyobi have the strength to do what it takes to stop this new villain?

What did I think?
The latest issue of Nyobi is a departure from the writing style of the first issue. The first issue was a character driven piece following the daily life of Lucas who gets bullied and attempts suicide. This second issue falls back into the superhero fare which Nyobi facing off against a new escaped supervillan. It’s much more action packed than before. I’m very interested to see what Higgins does for issue #3 and which writing direction he takes or whether he blends elements of #1 and #2 together.

The interior artwork duties have moved to Steve Beaulieu (who does his own Canadian Cindy comic) and the change suits the story. Beaulieu’s style is more “superhero”-y and suits the dynamic fight scenes when Nyobi goes head to head with her new adversary. Beaulieu is having great fun with the pencils and it shows in his works!

This is a comic to check out and it’s an obvious labour of love from the creators. If you want to reach out to the creators OR if you want to get a copy of Nyobi, please email nyobicomics [at] gmail.com.

Everything is full steam ahead getting 5 Seconds prepped up for printing. Been trying out a few different designs for the cover spread. This is one of the designs I am considering. (Please note this is not the final design and may change!) The ISBN 9780994289926 has been recorded for 5 Seconds, it will take a few days to be updated to all the book databases.

I am also making my first public appearance for 2016 at Kinokuniya’s Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) in Sydney. I’ll be there from 11am to 4pm so please drop and say “Hi”. I’ll be on the table with Tabby and the rest of the cats.

Kinokuniya will be giving away lots of free comics so make sure you there early so you don’t miss out. Also come and enjoy seeing people dressed up in fantastic cosplay. The lines for Kinokuniya last year were pretty crazy!

Click for Staunch Ambition Kickstarter.

Brian E. Lau has worked as a cover artist for Hall of Heroes alongside Ethan Van Sciver, Trent Kaniuga, and Matt Martin. He has 20 years of experience working as an art director, graphic designer, and illustrator. Staunch Ambition is his first Kickstarter campaign!

Cover :

The interior pages for this project are absolutely gorgeous. The colours really pop out of the page!

Sample Interior :

Thanks for your time Brian.
What can you tell me about your project?

Out of the enlightenment, both science and technology are born anew. As mankind continues to advance in scientific knowledge, breakthrough upon breakthrough compound, exponentially. Through this new technology, mankind is able to transcend its physical limitations by passing through the thought dimension and entering the supernatural.

This really seems like a cross genre book! What was your motivation behind the story?

To create beautiful art and tell this story! This is something I must do or I will explode! We all love amazing art, right! So much so that we want to share our experience or our love of it with our friends. Sharing what movie, music, or story we just became a part of. Well I must share this story inside of me or I’ll explode! If no one else is going to tell this story, then I will be the one! Because I must hear it told!

What do you like about the Sci-Fi genre?

Well good Sci-Fi is an insight to our future and asks the questions that cut right to the core of our mysterious existence! Can you tell that I love good Sci-Fi? Sci-Fi if done right is like our modern day prophets and we must listen to them in order to survive!

Good luck with your Kickstarter and hope you read your target!

Click for Staunch Ambition Kickstarter.

Sorry it’s taken a while to post up this entry but it’s been a busy weekend. WE MADE IT! 30+ days, 114 Backers and over $4000+! 5 Seconds is going to happen. I’m preparing the next steps and lining up everything that needs to get it ready for printing.

Thank you to all the backers who both supported and shared the 5 Seconds project. Thank you to all the people who helped get the word around about the Kickstarter by word of mouth, FB, Twitter, carrier pigeon or any other method. It was great to have so many people assist this project to succeed!

Keep watching this website, my FaceBook page or the Kickstarter page for more updates. I’ll keep everyone informed as the project progresses. Special thanks to Creative Partnerships Australia who will match the target funding of $3750.

There’s just under 2 weeks (13 days) left for the 5 SECONDS Kickstarter. We’re currently 80% of the way there at just over $3000! This sketch of Rogue and Gambit is being offered as one of the rewards (detailed sketch) from the artist P.R. Dedelis. P.R. has mentioned the Rogue and Gambit is his favourite superhero couple!

Link :
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1917428739/5-seconds-action-excitement-romance-and-time-bendi/

Rogue and Gambit Sketch :

Thanks to Creative Partnerships Australia’s MATCH program, every dollar you give to this campaign will be matched dollar for dollar, provided we reach our campaign target of $3750.

The first week for the 5 SECONDS Kickstarter is now over. We’re past the halfway (50%) funding mark and making our way to the target. A big thank you to those who have pledged and shared the link around. This would not be possible without all the support provided by everyone. All the support I have received is very much appreciated.

I have included a new detailed sketch of Jake and Ellie as Robin Hood and Maid Marion. This sketch is available as one of the rewards. Hope you enjoy and share the post around. The more people checking out the Kickstarter the better!

Link :
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1917428739/5-seconds-action-excitement-romance-and-time-bendi/

Robin Hood Sketch :

Thanks to Creative Partnerships Australia’s MATCH program, every dollar you give to this campaign will be matched dollar for dollar, provided we reach our campaign target of $3750.

Day one for the 5 SECONDS Kickstarter is now done. It has been an amazing 24 hours but I don’t want to jinx it. It’ll be amazing to get this project funded as this is a really fun story I wanted to tell.

As a special treat, I have included one of the detailed sketches that will be given away as a reward. This one is the main characters Jake and Ellie in some Star Wars cosplay. Thanks for all your support whether you can pledge or share the Kickstarter link around. We want to get as many people as we can looking at this project!

Link :
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1917428739/5-seconds-action-excitement-romance-and-time-bendi/

Star Wars Sketch :

Thanks to Creative Partnerships Australia’s MATCH program, every dollar you give to this campaign will be matched dollar for dollar, provided we reach our campaign target of $3750.