#175: Back at it.
Drawing some actual pages again. About time.
Welcome to DECLARATIONS a bi-weekly newsletter by artist/writer Declan Shalvey.
This is a regular workblog featuring exclusive peeks at upcoming projects with advance releases of original art/merchandise.
ALL THE LATEST
Worklog:
Dealt with notes on TMNT: MUTANT NATION
Wrote PROJECT METAL #1 [with co-writer]
Helped a friend with feedback on a pitch
Finished,submitted PROJECT LAZARUS
More outline work for THUNDERCATS Arc 5
Outlined THUNDERCATS #20
Coloured THUNDERCATS #21 cover
Coloured THUNDERCATS LOST #8 cover
Coloured Dynamite crossover cover
Outlined PROJECT QUIET
Pencilled PROJECT WESLEY short story
Pencilled/inked PROJECT METAL cover
Had a call with artist about planned creator owned project
Writing THUNDERCATS #19
-I’ve finally pencilled PROJECT WESLEY. It’s just an 8 page story, but man, getting back to sequential pages is tough, especially with other stuff going on the whole time. I’m sure I’ll flesh things out better in the inks, which I’m starting on today. Feels good to have drawn an actual story again though. Here’s the pencils for the first page.
-I also finally handed in my PROJECT LAZARUS pitch. A bucket list project for sure, figured it was worth a try. Going to check in with the editor later this week.
-I’m a little ahead on THUNDERCATS scripts for once, but I’d like to get a bit more ahead and clear some mental space to lay some groundwork on other projects.
Where am I with [everything outside of covers]? Let’s see…
PROJECT LAZARUS: WFH mini-series pitch, Submitted, status unknown
PROJECT QUIET: WFH one-shot script. Outlined, to be written
THUNDERCATS: WFH ongoing. Writing/developing other titles
PROJECT METAL: WFH co-writing limited series. Writing
PROJECT ARCA: CO mini-series, still to be pitched/written
OLD DOG: CO series. Outlining Redact Two
PROJECT TERRA: CO series. Early development
*[WFH] Work For Hire. [CO] Creator Owned
-I actually have another creator owned project that I’d like to do, which is what that call I mentioned above was about. I’m really determined to get a new CO project [outside of OLD DOG] off the ground after having put out a lot of WFH material in the last year or so, with more to come. Even if I get a CO project moving now, it won’t be out til next year at the earliest… all the more reason to get something moving.
-Working on a thing. Wonder what this is for…?
-Heads up Irish folks… I’ll be appearing at The National Library of Ireland on Fri 08 Aug. I’ll be on a panel speaking about my work in the Joly Lecture Theatre,to coincide with Dublin Comic Con [Sat 09 – Sun 10] from 1-2pm, followed by 30mins for questions. More info to come.
-X-MEN: HELLFIRE VIGIL #1 is out next week, my first sequential pages since wrapping MYSTIQUE. Was fun to work with Alex Paknadel as we’re good pals and have never actually worked together before. In fact, it’s my first time working from anyone else’s scripts in a few years! I’m gonna interview him next week for the next episode of TAPE DEC.
-I can finally show the final trade dress for the MYSTIQUE: MOST WANTED collection!
They’ve been using this design approach for all the new X-trades, I quite like it actually. Makes it feel like more of the overall X-line with a retro feel. I hadn’t seen that “Combination of smart writing and cinematic storytelling” quote. Nice. I am really, really proud of the book …very much looking to get this in print, hope you do too as it’s looking like it’ll be the only significant body of storytelling pages I’ll have published this year.
-My old friend and fellow Eclectic Mick Stephen Thompson sent me the first issue of of his new series MASTERMINDS with writer Zach Kaplan over at Dark Horse Comics. I really liked it some very chilling stuff infused with some techno terror. Takes the pulse of the contemporary clash between art and commerce while still drenched in gruesome serial killer suspense.
THUNDERCATS
Series artist Drew Moss has finished Issue 17 and as usual, is handing in beautiful panel after beautiful panel.
I’m currently writing the script for Issue 19 and want to move straight onto Issue 20 later this week while I’m in the ‘ThunderZone’. Have a call/meeting this week with editor Nate Cosby and fellow Thunder-writer Ed Brisson about what’s coming down the line. Pretty much have an outline for the fifth arc all worked out, leading to some big upcoming plans for the ThunderVerse. This call should help me lock in that arc.
One such new offering is CHEETARA: WORLDBREAKER #1, announced by Dynamite Comics last week. Following from the big success of the APEX one-shot, our ‘ThunderVerse’ expands once more with this new extra-sized one-shot that promises big things for the ‘Cats. Written by THUNDERCATS head honcho himself, editor Nate Cosby and art by David Cousens, who you might recognise from his covers on my TERMINATOR run.
More like these are in the works, I think they’re a really cool way to see more of the universe outside of the main books. You can read more about the issue here.
Dynamite also released my cover for THUNDERCATS #7 before I could give ye an advance look, Here is is without the trade dress.
But I have to show ye something early, so here’s the cover for THUNDERCATS LOST #8
The release schedule has been a bit wobbly lately due to some distributor issues but seems Dynamite are moving to Lunar Distribution for single issues [all that I’m aware of at least]. It’s looking like THUNDERCATS #16 will be out July 16th and I’ve been told we’ll be back to a regular schedule going forward. Updates in the OUT SOON segment as I become aware of them.
TERMINATOR
Artist Joe Mulvey is wrapping up Issue Nine of the series and it’s looking excellent. Colin Craker is hot on his heels with colours, adding his signature flair to an action packed and noir-y issue.
Colin is also wrapping up colours on Luke Sparrow’s pages for the final issue. Absolutely stunning stuff.
I will say, having the book off my plate has made my schedule a little easier, it was the most challenging project I’ve had, from a writing point of view. I’m dead proud of it though, and can’t wait to get my hands on the collected first volume.
As with THUNDERCATS, the release dates for the final issues have been changes, will update in the OUT SOON segment once I know for sure.
OUT SOON
July 02nd
X-MEN: HELLFIRE VIGIL #1 [A]
DEADPOOL KILLS MARVEL U ONE LAST TIME #4 [VC]
July 16th
MYSTIQUE MOST WANTED TP [W/C]
THUNDERCATS #16 [W/C]
STAR TREK: RED SHIRTS #1 [VC]
July 23rd
TERMINATOR VOL 01: OUT OF TIME [W/C]
August 13th
TMNT: MUTANT NATION #9 [W/C]
August 27th
THUNDERCATS VOL 03 APEX [W/C]
DEADPOOL/ WOLVERINE #8 [VC]
I’m gonna have to go back and reread me some Old Dog and the case files and everything else in that case! 😉 Good luck with the CO work.