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From Script to Page - Identity Stunt #1 Page 19

Issue #1 is done, folks! Woo Hoo … milestone achieved and we are full steam ahead on issues two and three! As we gear up to get our submissions ready, we thought we’d commemorate the occasion by sharing with you not only some brand new artwork, but also a snippet of the script so you get some insight into our creative process.

Above is page 19 of Identity Stunt. On the left, you can read an excerpt from Joe’s script (sorry about the redaction, but we can’t give too much away!). On the right, you’ll see how the artist and colorist translated the text into some phenomenal artwork. The look on Sam’s face is quite telling, and how about that nod to Hitchcock on his phone? (Click on the image to enlarge it.)

Let us know what you think and bonus points if you can spot any other subtle differences between script and page!

*Note: artwork and script subject to change.

Identity Stunt Character Evolution: BEATDOWN

Continuing our series of Identity Stunt Character Evolution segments, our next entry is the ever-punchy Beatdown. While our local bad-ass is not the hero of our tale, he’s definitely a player. Very little is known about this masked man, and that’s by design. More than an urban myth; more like a force of nature in a bulletproof vest, Beatdown stalks the streets of Studio City bringing the beat down on those who would wreak havoc upon his home town. 

Beatdown’s look had to be something that any of us could achieve given some resources, a little cash, and access to military surplus depots. It had to be real: it had to be functional; it had to be accessible. Fortunately, with the recent militarism of local police forces in America, I had lots of references to go with! Combining real-world antics with some aspects and tropes of comic book uniform lore, I put together the sketch on the right side of the above image.

From there, the artist took my shoddy work and rocked a few passes at Beatdown. I really dug his first take on the character in the middle, but we ultimately decided it was a bit more “superhero” than we were going for. His next pass on the right knocked it straight out of the park! 

Which design is your favorite? Let me know!

--Joe.

Identity Stunt Character Evolution: SAMI “SAM” NASSER

This week’s Character Evolution entry is Sami “Sam” Nasser, the hero of Identity Stunt! Sam was always meant to be the “everyday” guy, the character that most readers would be able to identify with. Granted, he’s far from “everyday” when our tale begins: a National Guardsmen of Middle Eastern heritage who’s traveled the world and is now both a stuntman and martial arts expert. That said, he’s still just a dude being a dude. 

From a visual perspective, Sam had to be both physically imposing and just fragile enough where you really feel for him as he goes through this drama. Referencing some Hollywood leading men, I put pencil to paper and scribbled out the image at the left up there. I turned my amateurish attempt at a character design and notes over to my artist, who was once again able to breathe life into another one of my imaginary people. 

And, man, die he nail my vision! Right?? Thanks to the artist, I no longer see Sam as something I created, but rather as a real, living person who I interact with on a daily basis*.

Enjoy!

–Joe

*It’s not as weird as it sounds. 

Identity Stunt Character Evolution: Dominus Smith

When I first started drafting Identity Stunt, Dominus was conceived as a generic villain caricature, a reductive Joker rip-off, probably named “Visage.” 

But as the story came together, and I started to think about what I saw as the “opposite” of Beatdown (if there is such a thing), my initial ideas began to fade. I also began to consider aspects of American folklore that drew me in; things like the history and mysticism of the South, specifically the black magic of New Orleans. 

And one day I came across an article about a man that was such a fan of Marvel’s Red Skull...that he had himself cosmetically altered to appear more like him. My first thought was, “That looks nothing like the Red Skull.” My second thought was, “But that does look like what a man who’s been possessed by multiple demons, or at least think he’s been, would look like.” 

Thus was born Dominus Smith, the “Mad God with the killer fuckin’ teeth,” as I initially coined him (it doesn’t actually mean anything). Up there on the left you’ll see my paltry doodle of what I thought Dom would like like: A deformed mad man in 70′s punk rock attire, born of the Bayou and touched in the head by demons. I passed my chicken scratch on to the artist, and as you’ll notice on the right is what the talented fellow was able to spin using my childish scribbles.

I think he did an amazing job bringing Dominus to life. Don’t you? 

--Joe