This ends Zatswan: Multiversal Guardian! If you enjoyed this first installment of the Zatswan saga, be sure to share it with others and let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Stay tuned for exciting announcements about the bright future of Zatswan.
Those who have been keeping track of updates will know that I have been redoing some of the early pages of Multiversal Guardian. I have a few more pages to show today! The following pages are especially interesting because they’re the first glimpse into A.C. Cooper’s weird dreams, which have huge story significance. They also cause me to ruminate on another subject.
This will likely come off as at least a little petulant, but since this is my platform where I can do whatever I please, I’ll go ahead with it. What irks me a bit is an expectation from some that I would be a stupid writer. As if I’m of the regular crop who have been contracted by DC or Marvel Comics in the last fifteen years or so.
For example, there is a character that appears on the second page here, and some readers were stunned to see him followed up on much later in the book at the beginning of Chapter Five. Well, of course I followed up with him! I didn’t write and draw this scene for no reason, after all. There is nothing in this comic that is done for no reason. A regular writer (not even an especially good one) wouldn’t randomly put in scenes and introduce plot points that don’t go anywhere.
What is likely happening is that some readers are so used to reading “Big Two” comics that are poorly written and edited, which often completely disregard recent continuity, constantly change continuity, suddenly shift directions with no warning, have threads that lead nowhere, have stories and characters that don’t get anywhere, and so on, that when they actually encounter a story that simply does what a regular story would do, they get surprised!
On the one hand, I appreciate people feeling that I was especially clever, but on the other hand … I don’t feel I was especially clever here. And I guess the silly thing that sort of annoys me is a thought that I would be as bad as the people at DC or Marvel, or that my comic would work like theirs do. By the way, I don’t mean to sound like I’m envious or have some kind of sour grapes toward DC or Marvel. I legit just don’t think the comics are typically that great over there.
Anyway, I really love how these pages came out. I’ve been improving my watercolor technique and I think it shows in these images. I’m now in a place as an artist where I can totally capture whatever image I have in my head and do it justice. When I first began this project, I clearly was not totally there. That’s why I feel it’s worth it to redo these early pages. I want to do the story justice. It deserves it.
Enjoy!
More progress overhauling the Chapter 1 pages of Multiversal Guardian! Have a look.
I’m very happy with the Marlene pages. I’ve been wanting to redo those for a while, so it’s really satisfying that I can finally lay the old versions to rest.
I still have my work cut out for me, but things have been going smoothly. I’ll be back soon with another batch of redone/repaired pages.
Progress is going swimmingly on the final drafts of the early Multiversal Guardian pages. While I don’t think the older versions are terrible, and they certainly have a lot of charm, I want to make sure this book is polished, foolproof, and undeniable, and I’m really pleased with these new versions. Multiversal Guardian will eventually see print, and it needs to be in tip top shape before that.
There is a certain element of surreal nostalgia drawing and painting A.C. Cooper and Marlene Ja Lee’s first meeting again. It makes me think of how far I’ve come doing this project and art in general. It’s been a lot of fun, and it’s very satisfying bringing the book to a higher standard.
The old versions have been/will be overwritten by the new pages in the website’s comic reader, so if you choose to read Multiversal Guardian, you will see the new versions. If not, it is due to your browser’s cache.
I’m also excited to report that planning on the follow up book, Stardust Romantique, is also going very well! I can’t wait to show you that story. I’m confident many things in it will truly surprise you, and you will come away knowing the characters a whole lot better, and loving (or maybe hating(!) them much more.
Please stay alert for more Zatswan content!
Hi, Zatswan fans!
If you’ve been staying on top of updates, you may have discovered that Zatswan: Multiversal Guardian is finished! Well, that’s kind of true. Before I move on from this installment in the Zatswan saga, I am doing final artwork drafts of some pages and panels. Don’t worry, I’m certainly not going to redraw the entire comic. Though, to be fully transparent, a good deal of Chapter 1 will be visually overhauled, and maybe a page and some panels here and there from Chapters 2 and 3.
I have had tons of growth as an artist while doing this project. Zatswan is essentially what taught me how to draw, ink, color, letter, and create comics. I’m not ashamed of any of my work, and I value all of it as necessary parts of my artistic journey, but I know I can do a much better job on some of the earlier content.
Beyond my own ability, I was not using the best materials when I did some of those pages, and I can easily tell by looking. For example, my paper was pretty cheap sketchpad stock because it’s what I had and I did not fully appreciate the value in using high quality paper. I just did not have the materials available then that I do now.
I feel it’s crucial for these earlier pages to make a great impression because they are likely to be the first pages readers look at. Also, I want the comic to be as good as I can reasonably get it, so I think it’s best to take some time to fine tune things, despite part of me itching to rush forward into the next exciting adventure of A.C. Cooper and Allecka Xona. The good news is that I’m already underway, as you can see from the header image. I’m wasting no time in addressing these pages.
In the meantime, I will also be working on promotion for Zatswan. I was so busy creating content that I was not able to comfortably advertise as much as I would have liked to. Zatswan will be converted over to the Webtoon format and placed on that website as well as Tapas. I will also continue to work on my Youtube channel with renewed vigor, so please subscribe and check it out!
I implore you readers, if this is the type of content that you like, please do what you can to help. While I’m very honored to undertake the task of Zatswan, it is not a burden I can completely shoulder myself. Sharing links, sharing pages, commenting on this website … it’s not that hard to do, and it helps a lot. Don’t underestimate how beneficial that is. I’m greatly appreciative of the people who have shared Zatswan with others and discussed it around the web, but let’s continue to get eyeballs and interest on this project.
Speaking of the next exciting adventures of A.C. Cooper and Allecka Xona, the upcoming Zatswan book is titled Stardust Romantique and will explore the burgeoning relationship between the odd couple.
The differences between the two are many, and fate has placed them on opposing sides of multiversal conflict. Can they somehow navigate all of this into a healthy working relationship? Their personal issues are compounded with trying to help liberate an isolated village from the clutches of a fierce and ancient evil, and attempting to discover the mysteries of the enchanted Dream Mansion. Let’s not forget about Marlene Ja Lee, who embarks on her own quest to keep the multiverse from getting ripped apart.
There is a lot to look forward to, and I hope you will be along for the ride. Keep your eyes on this space for more news, artwork, and videos!
Join me as I work on Zatswan art using a lightpad; a seriously trusty tool for cleanly transferring linework from one piece of paper to another. I also chat about the decline of action cartoons in recent years and my love of Mega Man and the Fantastic Four!