My friend, Luke Stevens, commissioned this one.
For those of you who aren't familiar with this fellow, he rides his bike around town, quacking at the folks he passes. I once asked him why he quacks. He informed me that it wasn't to unsettle people, but a form of bike bell - to let people know where he was located.
Again thanks to Justin Laughter's generosity, a new monument is born and it is Barry Privett of Carbon Leaf.
Curtis Grimsted's dog, Comet, is our 10th monument. Thanks for the support Curtis!
Comic artist and theory guru, Rawn Gandy, will be helping me edit Richmond Monuments from here on out ... or when I actually get my strips to him at a reasonable time. He has helped out with the past two: "Connecticut's Move" and "Lee's New Friends." I hope that he'll be able to contribute some of his own Richmond Monument strips as well as tolerate how controlling of the comic I am. Thanks Rawn!
Justin Laughter decided to monumentalize John Bryan as a gift. What better way to say "Thanks for what you do." than to immortalize them on the Poe Bust? Thank you both for what you do to support the arts.
I have been working on "Richmond Monuments: The South Rises Again." The story involves confederate soldiers coming back from the grave to be confronted by the General Lee statue. The statue feels that by defending Richmond from the zombies, it will help Richmonders think twice before defacing him. I have been mostly working on a lot of character sketches and style variations. Below is some of the process as a teaser for what is to come. The scale is a little weird because the monument is 14 feet tall from the bottom of the horse to the top of Lee's head. So Lee is probably about 10 feet tall, making him twice the height of the zombies.
PS Before you begin seeing some of these strips, I will need to get caught up on Richmond Monuments regular programing.
Below are some of the character sketches. I really love the third one down. Reminds me of something that Osamu Tezuka, author/artist of Tetsuwan ATOM (Astro Boy), would have drawn.
One of my first attempts using my "Little Black Fish" comic style. I realized part way in that you don't normally hold a Civil War saber with two hands.
Second attempt thinking more about the zombie placement, but not dynamic enough.
Good dynamic pose. Even though this was a heck of a lot of fun to draw, after coloring it, I am not so sure it is the most appropriate style for the subject matter.
Probably the style that I am going to go with. It seems like the perfect aesthetic and the b/w projects this great old horror movie vibe for me.
You can help me decide though. Check out the album including both final drafts on the Richmond Monuments Facebook page.
Monumentalize 7 is arts supporter and model Bob Broomfield.
Its been amusing how the past three monumentalized foks have been supporters of the arts, musicians and wear glasses.
One of my students informed me of this very generous review by Chris Howard, author of Dress For Success.
Here is a link to the review on Comic Book Daily
Justin Laughter is a great supporter of the arts. Richmond Monuments is now included as one of the many arts projects and organizations that he supports.
Another great supporter of the arts and Richmond Monuments is Brian Phelps. As a surprise gift, Justin also requested a Monumentalized version of Brian. Thanks guys!
