Confessions of an inker...

I started inking sometime in 2010. What initially began as a 'hobby' during my downtime at work, eventually turned in to a part-time gig working on various independent comics, and then eventually, my own title, Spellbound.

I spent a few years a loooong time ago trying to become a penciller in comics. Ultimately, I didn't put enough time in to it, and eventually, it fell to the wayside. Then, while young in my new career, with enough downtime to need a hobby, I started looking at what inkers did. The skill required and craftsmanship are different from pencilling in that you aren't 'creating the blueprint' of the comic page, but you a definitely creating a complete black and white image; turning a 2D image in to a 3D image; adding depth and texture; ultimately creating what is the final (non-colored) version of the art. I was intrigued. And thus, I set out to learn the craft.

Fast forward a few years, and I am working as an independent comic book inker; I specifically state the "independent comic book inker" part basically because that's what I was/what I am. I have only ever worked on independent comics, never a 'big publisher' or 'established character.'

Why is that? A question I asked myself not too long ago, which subsequently evolved in to a conversation with the Missus, and ultimately some brainstorming on my part. The conversation contained small anecdotes of past regrets; things I could have done, or should have done, and didn't for whatever reason. One of the ultimate regrets, my TV career...yep...could'a, would's, should'a...but didn't. That's a story for another time perhaps.

What that conversation boiled down to was I had never, and have never, done up portfolio pieces with the ultimate purpose of showing editors to attain employment. Pure and simple. You want to work on Character X, you've got to do a portfolio of that character (or other characters from the same universe) and submit to editors of that character's publisher in order to be considered for employment. And maybe eventually, you work your way up to 'the book you've always wanted to work on.' I have never done this. 10+ years of inking, and I have never submitted to a major publisher in order to try to get work. I've done lots of pinups, but most know this is not the same as doing sequential pages, and ultimately won't get you work. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I was quite comfortable with just being the independent inker guy; working on other independent characters, and falling back on to my own book during time off of other books. What's wrong with that, right?!

It leaves that giant "what if" in the pit of your stomach; it gives you that little voice in the back of your head that says "I wonder if I could have ever gotten a job with a big publisher."

So that brings me to the 'now.'

I decided I didn't want to leave another "could'a, would'a, should'a" in my back pocket, so time to do something about it. Whatever happens, happens, and ultimately, I'll be left with no regrets knowing I have it my best.

Here is my first 'portfolio sample.' You can probably guess the publisher I'm targeting. I'll refrain from posting the sequential pages until I have them all done. Enjoy, and feel free to ask any questions if you've got them.