The Return of Sgt. Rock

[gi-rene]

Originally Posted by BillyTucci

OH I Figured that!

I was wondering about the charging soldier in you signature.

Ah, Thats Pfc Paul Isen of the 5th Marine Regiment charging across "Death Valley" on Okinawa...

[sniper1shot]

Looks good to me too. Great detail on the pics too. How closely are you following the older Sgt Rock comics? Reason I ask is I thought Sgt Rock carried bandoliers of 30cal ammo on his shoulders.

As I am not up on insignia I can not help too much in that end but would love to assist in any other way you can use. I know forum members here will have answers for anything you could possibly want.

[BillyTucci]

Originally Posted by gi-rene

Ah, Thats Pfc Paul Isen of the 5th Marine Regiment charging across "Death Valley" on Okinawa...

Dude! Thank you!

B

[BillyTucci]

Originally Posted by sniper1shot

Looks good to me too. Great detail on the pics too. How closely are you following the older Sgt Rock comics? Reason I ask is I thought Sgt Rock carried bandoliers of 30cal ammo on his shoulders.

As I am not up on insignia I can not help too much in that end but would love to assist in any other way you can use. I know forum members here will have answers for anything you could possibly want.

Hey Sniper,
I'm not really following the older stuff too much as Rock usually carried .50 caliber belts (2!) and an .30 caliber cartridge belt. Not much use for a guy wielding a Thompson and an M1911 and I want this to still be "Rock" but also more authentic. I do however play homage to the ammo belts as I have Rock wearing them during the fight at "the watering hole". I also have him using a cray to inscribe the chevrons on his helmet in order to lure out a sniper.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!
B

[gi-rene]

Hmmm..
I was going to say two cross body bandoleers... but thats if he had a Garand or Carbine... and personally those 5 pocket Thompson pouch "bricks" are UGLY! lol...

[Whiterook]

Don't forget some rubber inner tubing bands on some helmets!

Very nice work indeed! I loved Rock, and will await these anxiously!

[BillyTucci]

Originally Posted by Whiterook

Don't forget some rubber inner tubing bands on some helmets!

Very nice work indeed! I loved Rock, and will await these anxiously!

Oh yeah, we'll definitely have those!!!

[BillyTucci]

Originally Posted by BillyTucci

Oh yeah, we'll definitely have those!!!

OH and thank you for the comments. I'll be posting more up soon. I'm finishing the art for page five (Day 1) this morning.

[lufttiger]

Hey Billy, i was wondering, how long does it take to produce a comic?
Say from story line, to drawing it, then having it printed?

[BillyTucci]

Originally Posted by lufttiger

Hey Billy, i was wondering, how long does it take to produce a comic?
Say from story line, to drawing it, then having it printed?

Because of all the research I did for this series, it took me about six months to write the six issues (22 pages each of very detailed scripts). I also had other work inbetween, the covers, conventions, photos sessions, FIG, traveled to Normandy and the Vosges, had Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, vacation, etc that also bit into my timing. It also took me longer because I was crafting a fictional story from factual accounts, and while I was drafting an entertaining story I really wanted those who know of the Lost Battalion to feel I did a good job. My editor, friends, historians and especially Nisei soldiers who've read the scripts seem to really like them so I hope I did my job. It would have been easier for me to write a nonfictional account on the Lost Battalion to be honest.

I'm hoping to draw four pages a week (finishing up page five this afternoon - flu got me last week), and am going to push for five. Thing is, even though I'm keeping the story intimate, I'm not drawing dudes in tights but soldiers in M1941's, or 43's, leggings, buckle boots, M1928 packs, webbing, weapons, wrinkles, folds, Panzer Grenadiers, Gerbirgsjagers, medics, tanks, artillery and aircraft by the hundreds. I want everything to be right (damn helmet netting takes me a long time!) so it's going to be a very tough but fulfilling battle. Again, this isn't a single painting, so I cannot spend all day on one panel -- I've got to do six or so a day, but also keep up the quality of the covers. I really want this book to blow people away.

I don't use inkers so we'll clean up the pages and levels of the art in photoshop to be colored. We've got some time as the first monthly issue doesn't come out until November, but there's a lot of work. A colorist can do maybe two pages a day, letterers can do a whole book in less than a week. I also have to do a total edit on the six scripts, word balloon placement and TONS of color guides to make sure there are no purple tanks.

After that's done, I'll probably have to write some introduction (maybe John Milius will) and it only takes about one week to print the files into a book then another to get into the stores. The first issue will be out by Veterans' Day 2008..
Whew! I'm freaking out thinking of all I have to do -- I better get back to work!