Zombies Calling Preview! (Pages 6-15)
Hey everybody. Okay, so Ice is currently missing in action; I'm just too busy to work on it at the moment. I'll try and squeeze in an update next week, we'll see. At least there's not a giant cliffhanger, mocking you. However! I do have a treat today. SLG told me it was a-okay to post the pages I was handing out in pamphlet form at the Toronto Comicon, so ... I shall! For you all to view! And hopefully comment on. No, really, please comment on the pages. I mean, this is my first graphic novel, and I find it quite strange to so far have illustrated over 50 pages of a comic, but to have put none of them online. It's sort of... well, lonely. It's nice to get feedback on your work (altho the SLG editor has been very nice, and has provided helpful notes and reality checks).
So! Here we go! Pages 6 to 15 of Zombies Calling, as it will appear in deadtree format in November of this year.


Page 6 // Page 7 // Page 8 // Page 9 // Page 10 // Page 11 // Page 12 // Page 13 // Page 14 // Page 15

And then you can have fun comparing it to the pitch. I have to say tho, these pages are starting to look a bit strange to me, as I've noticed my art loosening up as I get further in the book. I don't think it's that noticeable (other than to me), but I'm pleased that I've seen evolution in my art, even this far down the line. I like evolving as an artist. Someday I will be a beautiful butterfly.

Anyway. COMMENT PLEASE!* I'd really love feedback... good, bad, whatever. Just tell me what ya think. And, hopefully, these pages will make you want to buy the book even more. :)
*But don't bother mentioning the type. I know it looks small. It doesn't look small when printed. Well, I don't think so. :P

(Post a new comment)

	elena 2007-07-09 10:00 pm UTC (link)
	I love the bottom panel of page 14 a lot. And I love being able to compare the pitch and the published goods. I wish I could have done the same with the first chapter of demonology all the way through... its weird-fun for me :) (Reply to this) (Thread)

	elena 2007-07-10 01:01 am UTC (link)
	oh, and i love her ears/face in the last two panels of page 15. (Reply to this) (Parent)

(no subject) - smuu, 2007-07-10 09:55 pm UTC

	lilxmouse 2007-07-09 10:15 pm UTC (link)
	Getting 'supper' with the jar of quarters... BRILLIANT! I liked it and I can't wait to see more!! :) (Reply to this) (Thread)

	smuu 2007-07-10 09:56 pm UTC (link)
	C'mon, we all lived out of vending machines during college... (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - lilxmouse, 2007-07-10 11:15 pm UTC

	wilddaughter 2007-07-09 10:16 pm UTC (link)
	Er ... I don't know if maybe this is a type-looking-small issue--- but on p6, bottom-right panel, does Sonnet mention Joss always wearing a take top, when it ought to be tank top? Or do I really, really need a new glasses prescription? Love it all, btw. I think it looks great! Can't wait for November. :) (Reply to this) (Thread)

	elena 2007-07-09 10:23 pm UTC (link)
	hey, it does say take. i didnt notice (Reply to this) (Parent)

(no subject) - smuu, 2007-07-09 10:59 pm UTC

	marggarg 2007-07-09 10:29 pm UTC (link)
	For some reason, the zombie are kind of cute in a gross sort of way. Very nice flow to the story. Overall, very nice :) (Reply to this)

	galsan 2007-07-09 10:35 pm UTC (link)
	Looks great, especially the Joss action shots! (Reply to this)

	davidfrazer 2007-07-09 10:48 pm UTC (link)
	Awesome. I like the little Mutant Enemy reference on page 10. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	smuu 2007-07-10 09:58 pm UTC (link)
	It's all throughout the comic, actually. The zombies vocalize a bit, and usually say "gr, argh" or variations thereof. I love the Mutant Enemey Gr Argh thing, and I thought it was a nice homage. Joss, however, is not named after Joss Whedon. It's a shortened form of Jocelyn. :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	sxyblkmn 2007-07-09 10:53 pm UTC (link)
	LOL, page 12 was just great! (as were all the rest) (Reply to this)

ocarina 2007-07-09 11:03 pm UTC (link)

Works SO WELL. If you've kept up this kind of comedic timing throughout the book it will rule so hard. I love how you've dealt with Joss' random "britishness". Just the kind of hero you need to take on zombies! Actually, that is a lot of showing who these folks are, what kind of comic this is, and showing how things work in the comic in just a few pages. Guess you've done your practice with world building - I don't recall you doing much explaining in D101, just letting your universe be as it is. Yet, also not too wacky and "hey, I'm doing this and it's just weird, kay?" Also the art is super spiffy. Joss' varying expressions, body movements while kicking butt (and surprise at doing so!)... Well, hooray for zombies! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	smuu 2007-07-10 10:00 pm UTC (link)
	Yay, thank you! Yeah, I'm not so much for the explaining, it seems like sloppy storytelling to me. It's not hard to worldbuild without doing that, it just takes a bit more time. But the rewards are so much greater... (Reply to this) (Parent)

	anjylle 2007-07-09 11:44 pm UTC (link)
	*cracks up* Bloody brilliant :D It's nice to see the characters fleshed-out more (ugh, no pun intended) in the early pages. The original version confused me a bit about their location (Joss' British obsession, etc). Sooooo... where's the rest of it? ^__^; (Reply to this) (Thread)

	smuu 2007-07-10 10:00 pm UTC (link)
	Currently? In my closet. :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	kwynnsar 2007-07-09 11:45 pm UTC (link)
	Egads, I can't wait for the whole thing to come out! :D :D :D (Reply to this)

gregthelen 2007-07-09 11:49 pm UTC (link)

Unless it takes fifty Canadian quarters to make a dollar, that jar must hold a fortune right now. There's probably a good hundred bucks in there! Great preview, nonetheless! It moves at a brisk pace, and I'm eager to see where it goes. As always your humor comes out wonderfully in your words, pacing, and lively artwork. Keep it up. My only suggestion: there's a bit much white space in some panels. I'm not suggesting putting more black in there, but more grays to give it some depth. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	smuu 2007-07-10 10:01 pm UTC (link)
	Unfortunately there won't be graytoning, but I know what you mean about the white. I've tried to correct that in the later pages. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	wynndeofol 2007-07-09 11:55 pm UTC (link)
	Brilliant! *biff* Haha. You're excellent, Faith, and so is your comic. (Reply to this)

	tifaria 2007-07-10 12:30 am UTC (link)
	The "Joss bitches about her student loan jar" cracks me up. I've been a fan of your art for a long time now, so I'm a bit biased in saying that I think it all looks fabulous. It always amazes me how well you're able to use black and white with no greys. :) (Reply to this)

	ashgrove 2007-07-10 01:00 am UTC (link)
	The first panel of page 13 mirrors my exact reaction to a zombie epidemic. I can't wait to buy this. (Reply to this)

	priscellie 2007-07-10 01:02 am UTC (link)
	This is so fantastic! I can't wait to get my own dead-tree copy. (Reply to this)

quietrevolution 2007-07-10 01:12 am UTC (link)

I LOVE the look on Joss's face on Page 12, the last panel. I'm really impressed by this! The art is amazing, as well as the story. You convey action very well and the flow of the panels is very natural. I really like how you draw Joss's eyes and you do a great job with her hair in the action scenes. The art really draws the eye in. In some comic books I find myself reading the text first and giving the art a cursory glance then coming back to the art once I finished reading the story, but with this one I was equally enraptured with the art and story. I can't wait to get my hands on the finished product! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	quietrevolution 2007-07-10 01:17 am UTC (link)
	Also, 7th page, fourth panel, I noticed the bottle and few cans of Diet Coke. Is this a reference to your own steady diet of Diet Coke? (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - smuu, 2007-07-10 10:02 pm UTC

	psychoe 2007-07-10 01:16 am UTC (link)
	I really see a huge difference between the earlier edition and the current one. Congratulations again on getting this book done. I can't wait to see it come out in print! Any chance of getting a signed copy once it's out? ^_~ (Reply to this) (Thread)

	smuu 2007-07-10 10:03 pm UTC (link)
	Possibly... A couple people have asked, and I suggested maybe paypalling me the money for the book, I could purchase, sign and doodle in it and then send it out to you... it's a bit labourous, but I wouldn't mind doing it. :) (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - psychoe, 2007-07-11 01:52 am UTC

	elaby 2007-07-10 01:24 am UTC (link)
	I just LOVE the way you do profiles of faces. They're so pretty and expressive. And I really think Joss's sudden realization of her zombie ass-kicking powers works beautifully. (Reply to this)

	egarwaen 2007-07-10 01:38 am UTC (link)
	That. Is. AWESOME. I totally need to actually remember to pre-order next time I'm in Strange Adventures, instead of just going "Ooh comics" and getting really distracted for the next 15 minutes. (Reply to this)

	_fakewings_ 2007-07-10 01:50 am UTC (link)
	Grrrr... argh! Looks like tons of fun to me. Hopefully, by the time it comes out, I'll be able to afford it! :) (Reply to this)

	angryricecooker 2007-07-10 02:18 am UTC (link)
	Do you know when this will get solicited through Previews? I want to make sure that we get it in the store I work at. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	smuu 2007-07-10 10:05 pm UTC (link)
	Yes, it'll be in the October issue of previews, I believe. I don't know the code yet or anything, but I'll be glad to post that when SLG sends it to me. And yes, order many copies for your store! ;) (Reply to this) (Parent)

ellorgast 2007-07-10 02:51 am UTC (link)

Oh gosh, I love it! I really, really missed seeing the kind of art that I came to adore in D101 (Ice is such a tiny sampling in its understandably small updates), and it seems to have progressed even more since those days. What I particularly enjoy is how well the action is conveyed in an appropriately violent yet humorous way. I also really love all the facial expressions that Joss has going on (particularly the giant freakish grin in page 13 and the horrified frown in 15). Oh yeah, and I forgot how amused I am by the zombies all looking like little old men. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	smuu 2007-07-10 10:07 pm UTC (link)
	Yeah, Ice requires a more realistic style, which... honestly, isn't so fun to draw. ZC's a lot looser. Which is good, 'cause I have to draw it faster. :P (Reply to this) (Parent)

	facekickery 2007-07-10 02:55 am UTC (link)
	I can see that the art has improved a lot, though I think I like the way Robyn was drawn in the pitch more. Dunno why. As soon as I get enough money, I'm going to buy a lot of comics I've missed out on in the past month or so, and this is now on that list. (Reply to this)

	lokichan 2007-07-10 03:40 am UTC (link)
	The zombies are the bestest. Make tshirts? I think the zombies need their own tshirt. (Reply to this)

	little_teacup 2007-07-10 03:45 am UTC (link)
	This is wonderful! It's such a treat to see the pitch vs. finished artwork. Can't wait to read the rest of it! Again, congratulations on the book!!! (Reply to this)

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