Jason Franks's Blog, page 10

Put to the Question: Jan Scherpenhuizen

I put the artists on Sixsmiths volume 2 to the question. This is what Jan Scherpenhuizen told me from his lair underneath a windmill.

Were you possessed by some malignant spirit when you agreed to be a part of this project, and if not, why on earth did you do it?

Interesting question, though no doubt it’s asked lightly. I was raised a Catholic, but I’m philosophical by nature and that makes for two elements of the personality that will always be uneasy bedfellows. The philosopher sort of got his feet in the back of the Catholic and pushed him out of bed when they got to an age where it was too small for both of them, but the Catholic is a dogged little sod and will try to creep back in any time you drop your guard. It was a mirthful and mischievous spirit and one that revels in the act of creation that agreed to this, and he has no regrets. There is this other little chap, however, who when I am drowsy and about to drop off, whispers that I have indeed fallen for a malicious spirit and I will pay for it. To which I say, fuck him. (And I’ll pay for that too, and, to quote Kurt Vonnegut Jr, so it goes.)

Not only did you pencil your own chapter, but you inked Franks’s two chapters and you did one of the covers for the digital serials. Is this some kind of penance for past since? Do you feel in any way responsible for unleashing this rude beast upon the world?

Well, it depends on how you look at it. If I’m going to be modest (and god knows that little Catholic sod would recommend that, if I’m going to imperil my soul with blasphemy and sacrilege, I shouldn’t compound matters by being prideful on top of it) I’d say I think I did rather a nice job of helping to groom the rude beast (so he’s rude but natty), but he was going out anyway, with or without my help. If I’m not going to be quite so modest I’m willing to take some credit for bringing this baby to life. Though the beast has many mothers impregnated by the insatiable Franks and there’s some real beauties in this particular harem I’m honoured to be whoring beside (what the hell am I talking about … not sure but it is metaphorical).

What was the best part about working on the Sixsmiths?

Being impregnated by Jason Franks … no, not really, that was the second best part. The best part was getting to try out a new style and do something more cartoony. It was a great gig, actually, because I also got to do the Freak Jesus segment for a couple of pages which is in yet another style – a weird mix of Buscema, Colan and Steranko elements – and I even got to Kirby it up for the mock-up cover for the issue. Not the cover for the digital issue (though that was fun to do to) but the cover inside the story. Needless to say, it is always a pleasure to work with Jason because his stuff is always fresh and interesting so it’s nice to be involved in a class act.

What was the worst part about working with Jason Franks (this time)?

Possibly the chanting which sounds like some insane arcane argot not made for the human tongue to utter … Dude, when you ring up, just say hi like anyone else. Also, he has this annoying thing about not letting me totally dominate the process. God damn you, Franks, you broke my heart! I can’t believe I agreed to ink your stuff … twice!

Thanks for reading, folks! And remember, you can currently order Sixsmiths volume 2 from your local comic store by forwarding them the following link, or by citing Diamond code FEB171451. Orders due Feb 18th. In stores April 26th!

https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/FEB171451

Put to the Question: Jase Harper

I put the artists on Sixsmiths volume 2 to the question. This is what Jase Harper confessed from the Awkwood dressing room in between the second and third encores at the GABA.

You’ve been around the Aussie comics scene long enough to know that Franks is mad, bad and dangerous to know. How on earth did he convince you to participate in this project?



I was scared to say no, anyone who pumps out as many dark, consistently good projects as Franks has to have some backing from evil presences.

Your chapter has quite a large cast of characters in it, and you’ve made them all your own. Was it difficult to reinterpret so many different designs in your own style?

No, not really, drawing moody goth kids is a breeze for me and the freedom to create them in my own style made it all the more enjoyable.

You also provided the cover for volume 2 and a matching new cover for volume 1.

Aside from the fact that they’re in colour, were these more difficult than producing the sequential pages, or less? Which was more fun to work on?

Sequentials can be taxing, getting the layouts right making sure there’s room for the dialogue and that you’re keeping the setting and characters consistent. However the cover came with the pressure that it was the cover, the first thing people see, but it was I think more fun at the same time.

What was the best thing about working on the Sixsmiths?

I enjoyed working within the world Franks built. All the characters had their own unique personas already established so it was just matter digging into the material and running with it.

What was the worst thing about working with Jason Franks?

The smell of Sulphur that would permeate seconds before he’d check in on the deadline.

Thanks for reading, folks! And remember, you can currently order Sixsmiths volume 2 from your local comic store by forwarding them the following link, or by citing Diamond code FEB171451. Orders due Feb 18th. In stores April 26th!

https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/FEB171451

Put to the Question: Bruce Mutard

I put the artists on Sixsmiths volume 2 to the question. This is what “Robert the” Bruce Mutard said, having just illustrated a 300 graphic novel on a single grain of rice:

What outrageous promises did Franks make in order to convince you to participate in this project?

Oh, I got sucked in again by the promise of huge ‘exposure’ bucks. After nearly thirty years, I still haven’t learned my lesson, so here I am, exposed again. In truth, I admire Franks as a writer and loved Volume one of this title. Netflix or Amazon TV ought to be jumping on this for an adaptation, but they seem to be unmoved by the forces that really drive the universe.

Franks appears to have given you all the crowd scenes to draw. Did you find it a challenge to choreograph so many people interacting in a small space, with so many different characters to consider? What was the most elaborate epithet against the writer that you muttered under your breath when you were laying out the pages?

While drawing this, my speech was limited to words containing four letters and starting with ’s’, ‘f’ or ‘c’. Occasionally, the ‘f’ was prefixed with ‘mother’. But I got my revenge by adding in 666 unscripted gags, jokes, puns, obscenities and other rude bits. In truth, I had a lot of fun drawing it, being quite different to the main work I was doing at the time, which was proving tiresome.

What was the best part about working on the Sixsmiths?

When this property eventually gets recognised for the brilliance it is and starts making a mint, I expect my cut: 80-90% on a mirror in a house overlooking LA, with naked women in the infinity pool and Arch Enemy playing live. Franks promises much. He’d better deliver.

What was the worst part about working with Jason Franks?

If (3) doesn’t happen, I’ll be a bit pissed off and blame President Bannon and his dickpuppet, Trump, for buying out the gig before Franks. Yes, I’m cynical.

Thanks for reading, folks! And remember, you can currently order Sixsmiths volume 2 from your local comic store by forwarding them the following link, or by citing Diamond code FEB171451. Orders due Feb 18th. In stores April 26th!

https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/FEB171451

Put to the Question: Bobby N.

I put the artists on Sixsmiths volume 2 to the question. This is what Bobby N. said, while bench-pressing an M1 Abrams tank:

Why did you agree to participate in this project? You’re a busy man and Franks is a pencil-necked geek. You could snap his spine like a twig. Does he have incriminating photographs or something?

Jason Franks is one of the few comics creators in the scene that I respect, so it was a no-brainer (as long as the story was short enough that I could deliver). I always think of artists (particularly those with the same obsessive and serious attitude) as a kind of fraternity that I’d, metaphorically, always give time for. My feeling has always been; that the more you give to your passion, even if it’s not your own project, the more the boomerang comes back.

For most chapters in this book, Franks wrote the scripts before he decided which of the available artists would be a good fit for the material. But not your chapter. I knew from the outset that I wanted you to draw Daily Bread. Did you think the material spoke to you in any way? Or did you just think Franks was being a bit of a dickhead by asking you to draw a chapter about working for the Man?

Ha. No, I remember Jason mentioning he wanted me to draw something “Up my alley” that he’d written with me in mind… He knows I rarely draw others’ scripts (just because time is usually limited, so I’d rather be doing my own stuff). He knows me well, because the story was a real pleasure to illustrate. The themes and mood are something that was a great fit for me. The stories I’m most passionate about creating (for myself) are about ‘everyday life’, so Jason knew which buttons to press. Basically for me, the imbalances in life regarding human interaction (whether it’s boss/employee, male/female, group/individual, etc) are extremely potent to me… actually, to me, it’s the only real fight out there.

What was the best part about working on the Sixsmiths?

Envisioning the facial/physical reactions of the main protagonist in relation to the story… oh, and drawing the chick’s arse

Put to the Question: Anton McKay

I put the artists on Sixsmiths volume 2 to the question. This is what Anton McKay said, while playing a game of Petanque on stage in a music hall:

What outrageous lies did Franks tell you in order to convince you to participate in this project?

No lies. Frankly, Franks was frank: There would little money and little glory, but neither mattered, because, by God, we would make Art! Art that would drag this destitute, hackneyed and deservedly pissed on category of low brow funny pages we call “Modern Comics” up to the highest order of sophisticated contemporary literature!

And also, he promised to come over and scratch my tummy whenever I felt like it.

Out of all the artists on this project, you probably added more unscripted jokes to your chapter than anyone else on the team. (Well, Bruce Mutard might have added more, but my eyes are too poor for me to be able to see all of that detail). Are you naturally a funny bloke, or is this an improv skill learned in your secret identity as an avant garde musician?

Jason, darling, you’re too kind! But I must take issue with your impertinence! Would you ever ask a comedy great such as, say, Benny Hill or Roy “Chubby” Brown, to speculate on the source – the Lake Victoria, if you will – of their respective River Niles of laughter? No, it would be most improper. We wacky-types jealously guard the workings of our comedy muse, lest all those lazy hacks and second-rate titter-merchants come clambering over the parapets with their cups and straws and sucking mouths to drain the well of golden laffs dry.

What was the best part about working on the Sixsmiths?

All I can say, my dear boy, is the material spoke to me. And it said, “Draw a bunch of peenies…”

EDITORIAL NOTE: I am almost certain the script said “wangs and schlongs”.

What was the worst part about working with Jason Franks?

“Conceptual Development” wrestling sessions. I still have a sore neck (beware future Franks collaborators – Jason has deceptively strong thighs!) and olive oil stains on the carpet I just can’t get rid of!

Thanks for reading, folks! And remember, you can currently order Sixsmiths volumne 2 from your local comic store by forwarding them the following link, or by citing Diamond code FEB171451. Orders due Feb 18th. In stores April 26th!

https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/FEB171451

Put to the Question: Dean Rankine

I put the artists on Sixsmiths volume 2 to the question. This is what Dean Rankine said:

What rash promises did Franks make in order to convince you to participate in this project?

Giving me money was a big one! He also plied me with mock-meat at a Chinese vegetarian restaurant. Which seems like a really long time ago now (‘Cause it was). I remember coming home and telling my wife, Kylie, that I was going to do some pages for this comic about a suburban satanist family. And I liked how the guy went about asking me. He was respectful.

I know you wanted to draw naked black masses and gonzo sex rituals. How disappointed were you when Franks assigned you a chapter that was full of hospital rooms and broken-down trams?

I was kind of spewing about. Talking heads and trams are hardly my forte. Especially ’cause I heard on the comic book grapevine that Sarah Howell had scored a satanic ritual scene! Seriously though, I didn’t mind. I have a very cartoony style so it was kind of nice to tackle some more ‘serious’ script. Also, all the characters had cool tattoos!

What was the best part about working on the Sixsmiths?

I started to really like the family. I felt kind of sad when I got to the end of the pages. I remember thinking, ‘It’s going to be kind of weird not having them in my life’.

What was the worst part about working with Jason Franks?

Absolutely no downside, sorry. It was fun. This has been a long journey getting this project to this stage. I have nothing but praise for Jason’s patience and determination. He’s a good guy.

Thanks for reading, folks! And remember, you can currently order Sixsmiths volumne 2 from your local comic store by forwarding them the following link, or by citing Diamond code FEB171451. Orders due Feb 18th. In stores April 26th!

https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/FEB171451

Put to the Question: Sacha Bryning

I put the artists on Sixsmiths volume 2 to the question. This is what Sacha Bryning said:

How did you come to be involved in this project?

Well you asked me at a book launch and these things always seem sufficiently far off to give a non committal yet positive answer and so I did. Also I had some beer under the belt

and you’re very polite.

Your chapter comes after the big climax and is mostly composed of quiet scenes in which minor plot threads are resolved. Even the big reveal here is not actually revealed until the following chapter. You’ve made it look really natural, but it must have been a challenge to have to pick up so many different characters and locations for such brief scenes. Why did you decide to go along with this ludicrous enterprise after you saw the script?

Yes finding the right approach was kind of difficult. It was at a time when I was growing in confidence but still lacking some direction in my stylistic choices. I think now I would maybe try to do less but I do hope it looks natural. The scenes are all talky as the resolution tacks for home but no less fun to draw. After I saw the script and the roster of artists I did think ‘Christ this is either going to be an amazing patchwork of intriguing tonal shifts or a discordant melange of styles. Either way I want to add my egg to the omelette.’ I think I had some beer under the belt again and relayed this sentiment to you. You were, as always, gracious and quietly confident it would land where you wanted.  I really liked your underplayed approach to what could be a melodramatic comic cliche and so I trusted in your vision of Australian suburbia after Crowley and the characters you’d developed so nicely from the first volume.  And you offered me money.

What was the best thing about working on The Sixsmiths?

The money. Also being involved with so many other creators and seeing their interpretations roll in over time. There’s  an uncomfortable yet familiar  feel that anyone growing up in the Australian suburban sprawl has experienced that you managed to harness. It’s gum trees and portable block class rooms in the summer heat. Repressive school uniforms and stifling social norms. Homogenous streets that make you want to be anywhere else. But yours was also an ode to all this and a lovely play on the banality.

What was the worst thing about working with Jason Franks?

Would have to be the work ethic. Jason only works hard to shame you for not drawing your measly quota in the generous amount of time allotted. I mean he gave you a year’s warning! He sent several polite yet firm, hand wringing emails fizzing with praise and asking, in passing, about your progress. He paid you up front! What more do you want?! He’s been wrangling this book for years and supporting a family while working on 6 other projects! Start drawing you fat little troll!

Thanks for reading, folks! And remember, you can currently order Sixsmiths volumne 2 from your local comic store by forwarding them the following link, or by citing Diamond code FEB171451. Orders due Feb 18th. In stores April 26th!

https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/FEB171451

THE SIXSMITHS Vol.02 IN PREVIEWS!

Greetings!

[image error]It’s finally here! Don your black robes and light your torches, for the Sixsmiths vol.02 is finally available int he direct market! Chant the dark one’s hymns. Praise your allies and curse your enemies, for the time is NOW! to order a copy from your local comic store, either by forwarding them the link below or by citing Diamond code NOV161353.

https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/FEB171451

In stores April 26th. Orders due February 18th.

Hail Satan!

— JF

THE MECHANICS OF VISUAL STORYTELLING webinar

Hi folks,

I am teaching a webinar about the nuts and bolts of how to write script for comics for the excellent Comics Mastermind. This is not a creative writing course, this is a look at the tools of visual storytelling and how to use them to write a workable script.

You can sign up for the workshop at the link below. If you can’t make it on the night the proceedings will be recorded and you can view them later.

THE MECHANICS OF VISUAL STORYTELLING™: Mastering the Comic Book and Graphic Novel Script

If you’d like a bit more information, here is a brief interview I did for the Australian Comics Journal discussing what is and is not in this webinar:

THE MECHANICS OF VISUAL STORYTELLING™: a chat with presenter Jason Franks

Cheers!

The Sixsmiths vol.01 in stores TODAY

That’s right, you scallywags, the Sixsmiths volume 1, written by me and illustrated by the majestic J. Marc Schmidt, is out in comic shops around the world!

A family of suburban Satanists fallen prey to the global financial crisis. Schoolyard hijinks, on-the-job catastrophes, sexy times, and a diabolical rituals abound!

Get your wicked self to your local comic shop and grab yourself a copy, while you still can!