Three is the magic number...

The simulant gestation tank in the first panel was based on the organic shapes of orchids and tulips. I've had that set in my head for more than a few years now. So when I saw Geoff Darrow's magnificently detailed pod designs for The Matrix I was both blown away and gutted. Even though there is a visual similarity I figured "bugger it, that's how they always looked in my head -that's what I'll publish".
I'm just glad that my brain was on a similar wavelength to Darrow. I consider him to be right up there near Syd Mead when it comes to concept art.

This page also introduces three major characters. Xemos Heck, the stranded Martian tourist. Fae, the ambassador for the Faelien species, and Suce, the enticeing and devilishly brilliant business woman. And 'the Makers' from the first panel? I'm not telling yet.

Attack of the Second page.

I was pretty pleased with how the Cyber-Swat troops in the first panel turned out. One at your doorstep would be imposing enough. With three coming you know it's not a good idea to stick around.

First page artwork sans text

For those of you who've browsed my links you'll have seen the 'Playing with Text' earlier post.
But for those who came in late, and crave artwork here's a taste of the first page (free of lettering and titles).

It's a shot of Judas sporting the bloodstains and bruises of the recently beaten. He is in the process of scanning for his friends (Xemos Heck in particular), however he knows that he was the only one to escape.

Denial is a powerful thing after all...

How long is a piece of quantum string?

Recently I was asked how long it takes to make a page. I must admit I was stumped, effectively there's a big difference between when I'm in a groove and when I have to push things through.
Time wise I find that when the pencils, inks and photo-shopping are all working together then I can get a whole page done in less than two days.

But if the tornado you're trying to draw looks like a bad mechanical arm made of irish stew, then it holds up the inking. That leaves you with not much to digitally enhance and can stretch out a single panel into a three day stress-fest.

Still, the golden rule of the creative process is: There's no room for 'Can't'.