Clattertron

[dc]M[/dc]y comics evolve and shift during the drawing and inking process. I start with a rough sketch/layout, accomplished these days on graph paper. Then, I scan the drawing and use it as a reference in Clip Studio Paint.

Here’s the rough sketch of my comic, Purple Pain. Bonus: My Patreon patrons ($1 and up) can see a larger version of this scan.

Graphy.

There’s a few big changes between this rough layout and what ended up in the finished comic. Panels two, three, and four all went through a change or two. This isn’t uncommon. Sometimes it’s even more!

In panel two, I tweaked Observant Raptor’s body language a bit. I also edited how No Filter Fox says “NO.” In the sketch, it’s just “No…” but in the completed version of the comic, it’s “No!” with a yelling bubble.

You can see in panel three, I couldn’t decide what to do with No Filter Fox’s eyes in the extreme close-up. I ended up going in a different direction with the eyes.

The fourth panel shows the biggest change. I planned to draw Guy wearing clothes like Prince in Purple Rain, but I didn’t like how it turned out. No fancy clothes! Sorry, Guy.

So, yes. I spent too much time deciding how to dress a talking porcupine.

Additionally, I planned on Guy singing the opening of Computer Blue in the last panel: the full “Wendy” / “Yes, Lisa” exchange. I ran this by Stephanie, and she said, as she often does: “No one will get that.”

Usually I ignore this kinda of warning, but I already felt the same way. There you have it: another thrilling look into how I make my funny comics. I like showing this stuff, so people learn more about the comic making process. It ain’t perfect from the start. But, you just gotta start and fix it as you go.