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About Me Premium Member Old Fart Ben Templesmith30/Male/United States Recent Activity Deviant for 2 Years
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CHOKER in February 2010

One of my big new things next year will a creator owned book called CHOKER, from Image Comics, with the clinically insane but all around talented rising star/good chum BEN McCOOL. Remember that name, you'll no doubt be hearing a lot more of it in the future!

So what is CHOKER? Well, for one thing, it's sort of like FELL, but with it's face ripped off and a bad dose of gonorrhea. It's as disgusting ( or more so ) as Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse. No really, this thing should combine what I love about both those books, plus a bit more. Anyone who knows my rather strange sense of humour will soon realize Ben and I *have* to do this book.

It's a hard boiled noir fable, set in the dark, seedy and slightly time shifted world of Shotgun City. McCool sez:

"Johnny “Choker” Jackson, an ex-Shotgun City police detective, lives in his own rendition of hell. His case of Alien Hand Syndrome has manifested into the most psychotic entity on the planet, is stuck working at a deadbeat detective agency, and he’s engaged in a squalid (and involuntary) amour with an otherworldly creature that dwells beneath his bathtub.

That, believe it or not, is just for starters.

But there’s prospective light at the end of the tunnel: a high-profile con Johnny once put behind bars is at large, and not even the city’s elite has been able to track the sleazebag down. The police department has offered Johnny a deal: put the rogue back in his below regulation-sized cell and he’s got a job for life. However, it comes at a price, and it’s one nobody will see coming. But if you want something, and want it real bad, what would you be willing to do to get it…?"

6 issue miniseries

Image comics.

Early 2010.

Your first taste of it will be a special prelude story to be in Liberty Comics #2 I believe, later this year.

Expect me to rant and rave about this thing, show a bunch of behind the scenes stuff and if we can handle it, drunken hijinks from the both of us as we make this little bastard. Nothing will be off limits. ( Ok I'm still probably not going to do nudity )

Twitter

CHOKER COVER Progressions!

Mon Nov 23, 2009, 5:16 AM
CHOKER COVER progressions

CHOKER IS READY!

So, CHOKER is finally solicited! I'll harp more on it later, as one who's rent depends on it is likely to do but...for now, all you need to know is there's a preview up on CBR and the Diamond order code you NEED TO TELL YOUR RETAILER ABOUT IF YOU WANT THE BOOK ( ahem ) is DEC09 0342.

Tell em that, and the nice people behind the counter will make sure it gets to you this February! And Ben McCool & I will do the happy joy joy dance etc.

Here's a bunch of shots of the first cover, as it took shape...

Tell em that, and the nice people behind the counter will make sure it gets to you this February! And Ben McCool & I will do the happy joy joy dance etc.

Here's a bunch of shots of the first cover, as it took shape...

CHOKER COVER progressions

The rough pencils, already with a bit of a go with the brush pen. ( just forgot to take a picture of the pencils didn't I. ) The idea was for a strongish profile shot, merging in with elements of the seedy city, all detectivy like. Yes, that's not a word, but I'm using it.

CHOKER COVER progressions

Decided on lots of pencil work, shading and what not, apart from basic line work.

CHOKER COVER progressions

I smudged it all on purpose to get some finer shading in.

CHOKER COVER progressions

Added a watercolour wash or two, plus a little acrylic for highlights.

CHOKER COVER progressions

Added some defining white lines with my trusty white pen. ( It's a signo japanese one for those wondering )

CHOKER COVER progressions

The final scan before photoshop work.

CHOKER COVER progressions

A bit of darkening up, some highlighting with airbrush, a hint of my ear ( yes, my ear from a photo ) bits of skin, merging it with airbrush, plus dodge and burn.

CHOKER COVER progressions

Basic colours, plus the blue hue I intended to be the overall colour of the piece.

CHOKER COVER progressions

Added the signage elements I wanted! Mostly generic stuff. I didn't want to pretend I'd be good at designing up too many!

CHOKER COVER progressions

The final! Added some more warm hues to it and tried to make the signage pop a little more.

deviantID

Ben Templesmith is a New York Times best selling artist and writer most widely known for his work in the American comic book industry where he has received multiple nominations for the International Horror Guild Awards as well as the industry’s top prize, the Eisner Award. He also won a Spike TV Scream Award.

As a creator, his most notable works have been 30 Days of Night (which has now spawned a major motion picture) and Fell. His other projects include the critically acclaimed serial Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse, as well as Welcome to Hoxford, and Singularity 7, all of which he also wrote.

He has also worked on the Star Wars, Doctor Who, GI Joe, Army of Darkness, Silent Hill and Buffy: The Vampire Slayer properties and produces art and design for music bands, dvds, toys, and film concept work.

Reach him by email: contact@templesmitharts.com

Ben is not currently accepting commissions outside of specific conventions he attends. Sorry!

Film/TV Agent: Angela Cheng Caplan angela@chengcaplanco.com

Comments


:iconnellbert:
I just wanted to say thank you for signing Fell for me at thought bubble and also Dracula for my friends 21st, it will mean the world to her. Thank you again :) x
:iconpurpleface:
I love your work! It was lovely to meet you at Thought Bubble :) Take care!
:iconiwazaru-marionette:
i gotta say man, thanks for all the advice that you gave me at the leeds convention, im gonna follow it to the letter!! :)

the only downside of that day way, i bought 3 more of your graphic novels that day, which i wanted to get signatures in, but had to leave early due to how far teh drive home was :/

P.s. did you see that guy dressed as Iron man!!!! :O

--
Iwazaru-Marionette
:iconstarchasm:
HOW DO YOU NOT HAVE MORE WATCHERS AND VIEWS??? :faint:

I love Wormwood! Now I gotta E-stalk ya :D

--
:flame: Teach a man how to build a fire, and he will be warm for the night. Set a man on fire, and he will be warm the rest of his life. :flame:
:iconnikanas:
Why I didn't know that you have account here? :O

--
:fuzzydemon:Aux armes citoyens,
Formez vos bataillons.
Marchons! Marchons!
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons
:fuzzydemon:
:iconheavencomplex:
Fell was fantastic, as was Wormwood; truly wonderful imagery. I love your work!

--
"Ars non habet inimicum nisi ignorantem"
:iconspicysteweddemon:
holy crap, how did I not know you had a deviant account? Awesome. Love your work.

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so confused.... X(
:iconartisticmotive:
Do you think you will be putting out a new art book anytime soon? Tommyrot and Conluvio are no where to be found.
:iconscott5353:
Love old Wormy!!Great work!!Lets walk through your gallery.

--
All colors are the friends of their neighbors and the lovers of their opposites.

CHAZAL
:iconthewhitehand:
Just read the Choker prelude in Liberty Comics #2, I will definitely be getting the series. Looks great.

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