I’ve been considering whether or not my current approach to doing pages is really working at the pacing and with the clarity that I want. You may have begun to notice the change already, as I begin to slowly transition to fewer panels per page. After much discussion with fellow manga readers and artist friends, I’ve done some mockups of how the earlier Twilight Monk pages might be done differently to communicate more of the action. But I want to run it by you, the audience before I go back and rework old pages!
By limiting the number of panels per page, and not filling every panel with a background, I could tell more story, focusing on the details of the action over more pages, while doing the same amount of work. Thus, if I switch to this new method in theory, I can offer 2 or more pages per week instead of the current 1 page/week.
Here are the first 3 pages redone. Please comment! I want to know what you guys think before I make this change!
-Trent
Wow, Trent –
This is really a case where less is more! I love these layouts. There are days that, even though I find your work breathtaking, I find the layout overwhelmingly full, but these pages are so much easier to dissect. That’s my opinion, anyhow.
Roll on with it anyway.
Looks good to me, so if it would be faster to tell the story that way I guess it’s a good thing. But it seems to me as if these three pages used to be two pages, so is it really faster to tell the same amount of story, or just faster for each page? Online it doesn’t matter so much, but for print it sure seems like a good idea to use as few pages as possible.
They definitely are quicker paced but instead of spending time messing with what has been created try and factor this in to future pages. Use it as a tool for quickening the pace of story during some parts and the way you were doing it when you need the slower pace. Maybe plan a balance of both so time taken on more detailed work balances out the fast paced ones? I like a less detailed comic strip sometimes so I have a chance to work on other projects. Great work!! I have been enjoying the story
So long as they don’t actually cut off like these mock-ups, change to a more frequent update schedule is typically a good thing. Give it a shot, you can always go back if it doesn’t work out (the beauty of working on the Web).
I prefer the originals. I loved the intricate art in them, all the details you put into the background, and the feeling doesn’t really carry over to these. I’m not really sure how to phrase it, they just lack the charm somehow.
I agree with Og that things are much clearer, while still giving almost the same feeling as the old ones, I almost had to go back and look to tell the difference at first – but the obvious thing is that I didn’t have to look so hard to figure out what I was seeing.
Both styles are impressive, but I agree with Og: it’s easier to dissect the new style, making for a smoother read.
I agree with Og as well. The new pages are better paced, the flow of reading is much improved. Nice Job!
I like both. I say draw the version you enjoy working on the best. We’ll still be here to read it!
You guys are so eff’n great. Before I even woke up I had so much feedback on this! There are a couple of scenes in the first 20 pages that I think would benefit from some layout tweaks, but I’m going to keep my primary focus on the new content moving forward, and try to limit each page to less panels, with better flow. Please feel free to call me out on this issue if I ever get caught up “noodling” too much again. I guess I just love putting as much as possible into each page, but that doesnt always serve the pacing of the events the most effectively. Thank you for coming back and giving your support, even in those “hard to follow” stages.
I like both versions, but the un-tweaked version is a lot more fun, I got lost looking at all of the pretty details in the background~ So I would vote for the 1-a-week if it keeps that intresting edge on other comics~ they mostly never have much for backgrounds.. I’ve seen colors, and shapes, and it reminds me of batman comicbooks xD But with twilight monk it’s exciting because there’s so much, and it helps pull (me at least) into the story. It makes me feel like this story has a real world that it’s taking place in, not just: *in a forest* *in a town* *in some other general location* It’s like your walking around looking at the environment, and you’ll remember that signpost, or THAT tree, because it’s all unique and intresting~
This is a really tough call for me. Since you are my personal favorite comic artist in the industry I have always enjoyed the lushness of each of your pages and the detail of your work. Over the years you have taken your influence of TMNT art and made it into something of your own. However; in past projects you had full teams to assist you and more time to focus on each project. As a loyal fan of your art I’d personally like to see the progression of your work without being bound by the limitations of having to leave content out.
I don’t know if you like seeing what others are doing but Travis Hanson’s The Bean (beanleafpress.com) frequently does two or three panel pages. I like the way it works for him.
From a purely marketing perspective, I imagine updating twice per week will be more attractive than only once.
When it all comes down to it, you do what you love and I’ll come along for the ride.
I will miss the rich details and intricate backgrounds (please don’t lose them altogether), but appreciate a snappier pace. Yours and Travis Hanson’s “The Bean” (www.beanleafpress.com) are some of the most visually stunning graphic novels I have seen. The details just draw me in. But at some point, the story has to progress (can’t wait to find out what happens with the guitar-slinger who picked up the turtle hitch-hiker).
Whatever you do don’t sacrifice richness on the alter of pace. Find the balance, please.
I really love the way you currently do the pages and will/would really miss the detail. Maybe there is an in-between?
Love your comic <3
i prefer the ones you did originaly
the style of the mockups is plain
the chapter 1 one is the only one that looks better