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ARTIST ALLEY: Taylor Esposito

November 2, 2015 Kate Kane

When most people think of comics, they think of the writers, the artists, the covers and the colors. More often than not, there is still a team vital to a comic that is not remembered. One of these is the Letterer, without whom there would be nothing to read. I decided to have an interview with a Letterer that everyone spoke so kindly of and that is Taylor Esposito.

What exactly is a letterer?

A letterer is the person who puts the dialogue, sfx, captions, titles and credits and other typographical elements onto the comic page. It’s their job to get the writer’s words on the page while preserving as much of the artist’s vision/work as possible. Arguably more important than coloring, in that you don’t necessarily need colors for a comic, but all comics need letters, otherwise it’s just pretty pictures.

What is your current project?

Zenescope Grimm Fairy Tales, Heavy Metal Interceptor and Narcopolis, Gamer Girl and Vixen; more to be announced

What inspired you to become a letterer?

I always had a love for comics, and after randomly ending up at Marvel out of college and seeing them made, I knew it was something I could and wanted to do.

How did you get into lettering as a profession?

After getting laid off from Marvel in 2011, I needed a new job, and I had always talked about lettering comics, so with my wife backing me up, I started freelance lettering comics, which eventually led to a staff lettering job at DC, until the move to Burbank, and now I’m back at the freelance game.

What is a comic you worked on that you are most proud of?

Too many to decide. I got to work on Batman, Detective Comics, Action Comics, and many of the major titles at DC, but some of the standouts are Watson and Holmes (first book), Human Bomb (first DC), Red Hood and the Outlaws (first regular series).

Who is your dream team to work on a comic with?

That’s hard to say, I’ve already worked with so many people I’ve already wanted to work with. Being a DC letterer let me do so much volume that it’s a who’s who of creators to work with.

What is your typical day in the life of working on a comic?

A lot of alone time. I usually spend about 10-12 hours a day doing stuff for work, be it lettering pages, invoicing, dealing with clients, managing projects, etc. If not for getting up in the morning with my wife and cooking/eating with her when she gets back from work, there wouldn’t be much movement from the desk. That said, you make time, walk the dog, and get the mail, run errands.

As a letterer, how long does it take to complete a single issue?

On a good day, with no interruptions and an average book, about 8 hours.

What is the process?

Get files, make sure they are correctly formatted, drop the art into the template, and just go through. It’s fairly simple as far as personal process. The actual process of lettering is actually way more involved than most people realize. If you have an interest in it, or just want to understand what the heck your letterer is doing, you can read Lettering the Comicraft Way and the DC Guide to Colouring and Lettering. You need more than the books to become a letterer, but it’s a good start.

Who are your inspirations?

A lot of them are my colleagues, the guys who came before me in the lettering department, like Sal Cipriano, Carlos Mangual, Jared Fletcher, Rob Leigh and those guys, and then there is my friend Joe Caramagna who helped me out in my early days getting started. Nate Piekos is another friend who amazes me and drives me to work harder. Of course, there are also the legends like Todd Klein and Tom Orzechowski, who still bring it, 30 years later.

What is your dream project?

Probably the main assignment on a book like Batman, or another top-tier title. Definitely the Phantom, and maybe some licensed stuff like Ghostbusters or something like that.

If you could pick anyone to act as your mentor, who would it be?

Sal and Joe are folks I’d actually call mentors.

What is your biggest cringing moment as a letterer?

“It’s easy, I’ll do it myself,” from anyone’s mouth. Comic Sans, not following the rules of lettering, and breaking those rules without understanding them. Basically, anyone who is starting out and thinks it’s easier than it is. Those who actually make comics know it’s one of the harder things to get and value a good letterer. Also, the word “letterist” ::shudder::

What advice would you give to others who may be considering lettering as a profession?

Don’t. (ha-ha) Be serious about it, but understand that there are many of us out there, and only so much work to go around. Lettering is actually one of the hardest things to break into in comics, contrary to what most believe. There are too many good guys, all competing for work, and some companies only use a select group of people, so it’s hard to find work. And especially with lettering rates being on the low end, most letterers take on about 15 books a month, so the work becomes scarce quickly.

What is something you have always wanted to say to a writer but couldn’t before?

Can you not end your balloons with a long word? (ha-ha)

What was it like working for the big one, DC Comics?

Wonderful, easily the best job I ever had in my life. Loved working there and the people were a pleasure to work with. If they hadn’t moved across the country I definitely would have delayed my decision to go back to freelance by a few years.

How can a writer and artist make your job easier?

Honestly, just be aware of the dialogue being put down and the space you are leaving for it. Also, don’t be afraid to edit the dialogue down or change a layout. I mean I usually just go with it because I don’t want to dictate the vision of either one, but sometimes it is a challenge to make it all work. That said, I’m here to work for them and like the challenge, so it’s really a non-issue. Ha-ha

Have you done anything at a convention, as in had a table in artist alley or a booth or been a guest?

I usually do the local shows, but just walk around and visit with friends, or meet folks I’ve worked with, but never spoken to in the real world. Tables aren’t usually a good idea for letterers, as they are costly and I can’t draw/do commissions (ha-ha).

It should be taken 1 hour earlier the sexual viagra online australia activity as well. Spam is a http://greyandgrey.com/spanish/veredictos-y-liquidaciones/ buy generic viagra problem that faces most people with email addresses today. You will be astonished to witness the end results of moving with a planner approach. brand cialis for sale ESPN Deportes — ESPN’s generic tadalafil 5mg 24-hour, Spanish-language sports network in the U.S. will carry the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on a tape-delayed basis beginning at 4 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20, at 9 p.m. on ESPN. What was the most memorable fan moment you have had?

I did get to do my first con signing at NYCC though this year for Rosy Press’ Fresh Romance story I did (School Spirit).

How has the industry changed since you first started?

Not much, really. I got in about 10 years ago, and the only real change was digital comics, but it’s been so gradual, I barely noticed the change.

How do you feel about the change to mainstream thanks to shows like The Big Bang Theory and the movies now in the cinema like Spider-man and Batman vs Superman?

I don’t mind, like any media it needs to evolve. As long as good stories are being told, and the art is great, it’s all good to me. I just like to create, so it’s not a big deal to me.

Fun time:

Who is your favorite comic book character?

Batman, Joker, Red Hood, Flash, Snake Eyes (probably more)

Who is your favorite author (books)?

Hmm, maybe Orwell, never give it much thought

What is your favorite movie?

On any given day: The Dark Knight, Shawshank Redemption, Godfather, Star Wars OT, Mean Girls, and probably more

What is your favorite band/music artist?

Changes with the day, but I’m mostly good with any 70–90s rock.

What is a quirk you have (like dipping fries into a chocolate Sunday)?

I wipe up all the leftover sauce from the pot with bread, even in front of company (it’s the Italian in me).

Pick-

Day or night?

Depends on my mood.

Star trek or Star Wars?

Wars

Coffee or Tea?

Depends on my mood

Summer or Winter?

Summer

Cats or Dogs?

Dogs

Batman or Superman?

Batman

Movies or a Book?

Movies

Pizza or Burgers?

Pizza burgers

Coke or Pepsi?

Pepsi

For those wanting to see more of Taylor’s work you can find him on Facebook, Twitter and Ghost Glyph Studios Twitter

Current project:

Probably this Wednesday, lettering is so much volume, we always have something out.

Game File, Games and Software, Indie Pennant

The Park: The Boogeyman isn’t Only for Kids

October 31, 2015 RaShaun Eshalomi

Funcom‘s (best known for the MMO The Secret World and the MMORPG Age of Conan) The Park takes place in the same universe as the The Secret World. If you haven’t played The Secret World—no worries, it won’t interfere with your playthrough—you’ll soon find out the Atlantic Island Park has a dark history of mysterious murders, unexplainable accidents and a seemingly crazy owner. Players control Lorraine, a woman who has lost her son, Callum, in the infamous park.

This psychological horror isn’t the run and hide—or shoot wildly at nothingness, hoping you made contact—kind of game I’m used to playing. There are no weapons, no monsters stalking you, waiting for the perfect time to attack. You’re just a spectator, watching a woman, mother unravel before you. The controls are simple: walk, run, look around and pick up random items. You can also call out your son Callum’s name and get a reaction/response.

The Park isn’t scary like Silent Hill or Outlast, it’s more of a creepy game with a few jump scares. I scared myself more than the game did. I spent most of the time expecting something to jump out and chase me, but it never happened. The sounds in the game raise the creep level even more: whispers, echoes, something that sounds like a speaker or radio in distance, the wind. The sounds are a nice touch, and there isn’t much music, which made the experience better for me. I did missed the scary, though. A creepy park at night is the perfect setting for terror, and I was expecting that.

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As you explore the dilapidated park, you’ll come across notes, reports and letters revealing bits and pieces of the park’s history. Lorraine will chime in with her thoughts and revelations about the park and her life. Riding the rides also causes her to give insight into her past and her decent. For someone who has lost her son, she is awfully calm: walking around, riding rides and contemplating. By the end of the game, I understood why, of course, but it did confuse me for a bit.

The story doesn’t get really interesting until the second half of the game; that’s when it gets juicy. Learning about the park and its dreary past is interesting, but as Lorraine reveals more about herself, the more I wanted to know about her and Callum. However, I felt a disconnect between the park and Lorraine. Because The Park is connected to the MMO The Secret World—which I haven’t played—developers had to tie in references, but it was still nice to learn a little bit about the park.

It’s a short experience (about an hour or two), but that’s expected when you are seeing only a glimpse of a woman’s life. The Park didn’t wow me or keep me up at night, but I did really enjoy the game. the story touches on a topic we rarely hear or know much about. I also like the short-story approach, peeking into a character we may have never bumped into during another game. I probably won’t play The Park again—maybe just to get the last two achievements I missed—but I would recommend it to a friend.

Games and Software

Bloodborne Origin Theory: Vicar Amelia

October 29, 2015 Alex McCumbers 1 Comment

Bloodborne is one PS4 game that continues to impress me. Not only is the game brutally difficult—making victories all the sweeter—but also the world carries a narrative that could make a classic horror novel. Much of Bloodborne‘s creatures and locale, seem to take inspiration from the works of Bram Stoker and H.P. Lovecraft, as well as modern works such as Berserk and the obscure film Brotherhood of the Wolf. While many of the game’s aspects can be traced back to these various works, one iconic beast may have inspirations from mythology as well as one history’s darker moments.

The clothing in Brotherhood of the Wolf is thought to have inspired the Bloodborne look. Weaponry used in this film are also similar to some of the weapons in the game.

It’s important to note that this connection is a theory; my basis for such is simply fun speculation. However, the points I’m about to lay out are hard to ignore.

For those who lack Bloodborne experience, or only made it to the first boss, Vicar Amelia needs an introduction.

From Bloodborne‘s lore, Vicar Amelia is a member of the Healing Church, a group who uses different types of blood to find ways to cure diseases. What the Church didn’t realize was that by discovering the blood in ancient tombs, they opened up the world to blood-induced transformations. Those closest to the Healing Church often became the most horrid of creatures during the Night of the Hunt.

Wendigo?

Amelia’s visual design has many layers, literally and metaphorically. First of all, the fact that the beast has the head of a deer, but the maw of a wolf leads me to think that inspiration was drawn from the Wendigo of Native American myth. Wendigo are beasts that were once humans, which emerged from an irresistible urge to consume human flesh. They are an abomination of natural order.

Robert Fiddler, son of Jack Fiddler — Robert Fiddler, Son of Jack Fiddler

In fact, many people were killed when it was determined they were changing into Wendigos. Jack Fiddler was a man who went from tribe to tribe killing these monsters as an act of mercy to save them from changing. The killing of a Wendigo was a practice taken quite seriously, to the point that Fiddler was legendary for his heroics. The Canadian Police, of course, found this behavior to be savage. Fiddler was later arrested for murder, but committed suicide before trial. Leaves one to wonder how many Wendigo went unscathed after his death.

Supernaturals Wendigo — A Wendigo in an early Supernatural episode.

Modern Wendigo have been recently portrayed as having the wolf-like features with the antlers of a deer or moose. They’ve also appeared as skinless, vicious, humanoids with yellow eyes. In media, Wendigo have appeared in the television shows: Supernatural, X-Files and more. Many also believe the Cleric Beast in Bloodborne to be a Wendigo as well.

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Vicar Amelia oddly shares a name with one of the most prolific serial killers of Victorian Europe, Amelia Dyer.

Those who met Dyer during the late 1800s, probably saw her as a caring, motherly figure who took in unwanted infants to give them a home. She would often appear as a nun, or a teacher, taking on the burden of caring for many children. A fee was always charged for taking such responsibility, but money had to be made to survive, so most folks obliged to pay her without much thought. Unbeknownst to her customers, there was a reason Amelia Dyer could take in so many infants. The children were killed. Their clothes were often used on the next victims or were sold at various shops.

It is believed that hundreds of children were murdered this way.

Dyer continued to run her baby farms for many years, until she was eventually caught. During the time of her trial, the Thames was searched to find more corpses, babies strangled with white tape. The white tape was typical in Dyer’s murders as she admitted to authorities that’s how they would know which bodies were of her doing. She was hung, like most criminals of the time.

Notice the bandages and ribbon-like hair, all of which are white.

Being that the game takes place in Miyazaki’s impression of that point in history as well as the general darkness of the game’s world, it’s a possibility that the designer wanted to represent the creature hiding beneath Amelia Dyer’s skin. Ironically, Miyazaki’s Amelia is covered in the white ribbons, the second visual aspect of the monster’s design.

Empathetic Mother Figure?

The third visual feature to point out is how Vicar Amelia cradles her holy symbol. She’s found sobbing over it, the beast blood finally overwhelming her, a prolific member of the Healing Church. However, when she transforms, she continues to carry the symbol, holding on to her belief that the Healing Church is doing good in the long run. The monster cradles that symbol like a baby.

Even when she becomes a beast, she holds on to that pendant.

It was this mannerism that solidified the connection between Bloodborne‘s Vicar Amelia and Amelia Dyer for me. The slaughter of infants for financial gain is definitely a trait that was monstrous and Vicar Amelia personifies these sins in history. Yet this motherly stance of the beast continues to hammer in the idea that these monsters were once normal people, proving that there are few one can truly trust. Pity conflicts with the need to hunt in Bloodborne, making encounters like this one all the more memorable.

What started as mere name association became an interesting web of details and design elements. It goes to show that the minds behind Bloodborne and their previous titles are putting tons of detail into each aspect of their games, while also leaving enough blank space for imagination to fill in the holes. Miyazaki has claimed that his games usually pull from how he approached literature as a child, reading the gist of the words and filling in the blanks with his own musings. In Bloodborne, the vagueness of the story and the dark world of Yharnham forces players to fill in these holes with dark thoughts, often leaving true, residual horror.

Cosplay of the Week, Hobbyists

Cosplay Spotlight: P.S Cosplay

October 28, 2015 Kate Kane

Name/alias:

P.S Cosplay

Location:

Arkham Asylum… let’s just keep it at that… ha-ha. No but I would post my real name and address here, but after coming a long way in the cosplay community, I’ve come across some not so friendly or sociable people, and I guess I’ve gotten to the point where I’d rather them not know my address or name.

Cosplay achievements:

Having learned and created so much since 2012 up until now. Gaining a following of fans who love my work.

When did you first cosplay and what was it?

Sydney Supanova 2012, Crocodile from One Piece.

What is your current project?

Right now I’m taking a break from cosplay, but will be trying to update my current costumes and learn new skills in that time. So no new project entirely. I would have to say I’m putting together a few Monty Python costumes for Ironfest 2016.

12168081_10156135546895156_839673491_n — Crocodile: CMoss Photography

What inspired you to get into cosplay?

My obsession with One Piece back at the time

What is the piece you are most proud of?

Probably my Ganondorf costume. The hardest costume I’ve made and first ever use of Worbla.

Who is your dream team to work on a cosplay with?

Me and the voices in my head XD

What is a typical day in the life of you when working on a cosplay?

Music or TV in the background, making a mess of my work area.

12167486_10156135546930156_1677423889_n — Sandman: Adrian Franco Photography

How long does it take to do an average cosplay?

I would say a month, but I’m always hunting pieces here and there that would work for any new cosplays or look good on a current cosplay. I’m always updating and upgrading.

What is your process? How do you start from picking out the cosplay to finally wearing it?

I find a character that I am able to do, with the skills I have, or a character I really like that I could learn new skills whilst making. I’ll gather up reference photos, different versions and takes on the character. I’ll then draw up some sketches: the full costume, parts of the costume, props and weapons. I’ll go hunting in costume shops or second hand stores for any pieces that will work, modify them if I have to. Most of my costumes are assembled from bits here and there. I’ll put all these pieces together and do some test photos in them. The process depends on the character really.

Who are your inspirations?

I would have to say my friends and cosplayers I’ve followed since I first started. Justin Costello and Paul Kerr are two of my greatest inspirations, and they will continue to be until I retire from Cosplay ha-ha. Variable is another, one of the first cosplayers I’ve followed. Ely Renae is another inspiration, especially for my Ganondorf cosplay. I have a lot of inspirations, too many to list, but those are just a few.

12167619_10156135546865156_156541811_n — Ganondorf: Bridgette Grant Photography

What is your dream project?

Well. I already made Ganondorf, which was a costume I wanted to do since I first started. Can’t say if I have a new dream cosplay as of yet.

If you could pick anyone to act as your mentor, who would it be?

I would have to say Dan Axiak. He’s my best cosplay mate and has some of the best skills in costume making.

How has the industry changed since you first started?

Well, cosplay has become much bigger and accepted since I first started. It’s a good thing because more people get to enjoy this fun hobby, we’re not seen as oddballs as much; it’s opened up a whole new world of opportunities and fun for us. The bad side is that some less-than-likeable people decided to take up the hobby as well, who put other cosplayers down or give cosplay a bad name.

How do you feel about the change to mainstream thanks to shows like The Big Bang Theory and the movies now in the cinema like Spider-man and Batman vs Superman?

I think, ever since the Avengers movies, not just cosplay, but pop culture as a whole has exploded in the last half decade or so. Non cosplayers are excited for the next Ironman or Thor to come out; they’re waiting and waiting for the next Game of Thrones season to start. New people are trying cosplay every time there’s a convention. It’s just exploded.

Cosplay pet peeve:

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Anything extra you would like to share?

I’d like to write all my rants on how to be a good cosplayer. Not in terms of skills, but in just being nice and friendly and always asking for consent and such.

Fun time:

11997184_10156135546860156_1208152276_n — Joker: All the HP

Who is your favorite comic book character?

Joker…. hehehe hahahaha!

Who is your favorite author (books)?

Derek Landy: Skulduggery Pleasant. Deny it all you want, it’s better than Harry Potter.

What is your favorite movie?

Please don’t make me choose. It changes every year.

What is your favourite band/music artist?

Surprisingly, Eminem…yeah…

What is a quirk you have (like dipping fries into a chocolate Sunday)?

Yeah, exactly that.

Pick-

Day or night?

Day

Star trek or star wars?

Star Wars

Coffee or tea?

How dare you make me choose……coffee.

Summer or winter?

Winter

Cats or dogs?

Stop making me choose XD ……Dogs…no cats…oh dang.

Batman or Superman?

Batman….cause Justice

Movies or a book?

Books will always be better than the movie adaptions, but original movies are kickass.

Pizza or Burgers?

Pizza

Coke or Pepsi?

Pepsi

12166792_10156135546910156_1499712768_n — SLy Cooper: Mumei

You can see more of P.S Cosplay’s work on Facebook

Next project release date of current project: Ironfest 2016

Game File, Games and Software, Indie Pennant

The Forgotten City Tells a Story for the Ages

October 22, 2015 Alex McCumbers 1 Comment

Bethesda Softworks often has the best support when it comes to post-launch modification. Such has been the case ever since Morrowind, adding hundreds of hours to an already time-encompassing game. Skyrim has also left open its proverbial bed chambers, accepting anything from Thomas the Train as a dragon to all manners of nudity.

All jokes aside, there is still plenty of life left in Skyrim on the PC, at least as long as people like Nick Pearce have something to say about it.

The Forgotten City adds a whole new area for players to explore, packaged with its own narrative and a plethora of top-notch voice acting. A quick download and a bit of a walk leads hopeful dungeon divers to a gorgeous scene of a cave mouth just behind the veil of a waterfall. What lies beyond the entrance are mysteries beyond typical logic.

Charred corpses lay strewn about broken Dwarven architecture, husks of their former grandiose. After delving deeper to the heart of the underground city, a desperate girl looms over a massive well, her face in obvious despair. She approaches Dovakhiin, asking him to help find her brother, who has been exploring the ruins. Accepting the quest feels simple enough, but after the exchange is over, one quickly realizes that in order to find him, one must take a leap of faith.

Falling through that shaft felt like a mistake, but luckily a deep pool of water lies at the bottom. Once again the player gets to explore a destroyed city, eventually coming across a lake house. Inside is a broken soul gem, and a note that tells of the tragedy and pleads for help. Magic then swirls about the only doorway, giving the player no choice. Stepping in flings the hero into the past, before the tragedy.

Stepping out of the lake house is a powerful moment. The sheer beauty of the place, after witnessing what will befall it, immediately plants seeds of wanting to save the city. There are several little moments like this in The Forgotten City that demonstrate the modder’s keen understanding of using the environment to tell the story. Frankly, this first moment is brilliant. Invested in the story already, players are introduced to a host of characters as a simple farmer leads the Dragonborn to the Jarl, or Mayor of the city.

Many people are introduced, giving hints to their story and background with expertly crafted dialogue. Even the characters’ tone is used to add more to each exchange, something that vanilla Skyrim often failed to achieve. In fact, much of the appeal of The Forgotten City is uncovering each character’s unique story.

After a strange meeting with the Jarl, in which the player presents him with a letter written from his future self, the Dwarven Law is introduced. After this conversation, the Jarl tasks Dovakhiin to find out who will trigger the calamity that ends their utopia and to stop them by any means necessary. He looks out at his city from his perch at the top of the Citadel, desperately wanting things to stay how they are.

“The many shall suffer for the sins of the one.”

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As the story progresses, the Dwarven Law reveals itself as being quite the moral dilemma. Many characters call the Jarl’s leadership into question, leaving many to ask just what is against the Law. Others sought refuge from the brutal world outside, seeing the Law as a saving grace. This idea of morality is paralleled with the characters.

One such example is that of Vernon, a produce vendor in the city square. He seems to enjoy his work and is happily ready to sell his wares, but his mood drastically changes when a note comes from under the door. The note calls Vernon an abomination and threatens him, all in blood red ink. Players can take this note straight to the Jarl and sentence him to death, yet a more interesting option lies in showing the letter to Vernon. Vernon, seeing this treatment before, reveals that he is gay. Players are then left to find who would write such a letter and try to resolve the issue.

This focus on characters and narrative permeate the entire game. There is little combat to be had; only a few situations lead to a sword being drawn. Where the mod shines is how its narrative proposes an interesting “Who will do it?” detective scenario, while also elaborating on the mysterious Dwarves of Tamriel. Truly the story is worth exploring, especially when factoring in the multiple ways to finish the quest and return to the present. Learning a character’s motives through looking at what they have in their home, or their subtle shift in tone rewards players who pay attention to detail.

The Forgotten City also sports a polish that many mods fail to achieve on their first few versions. Other players have complained about certain events not triggering correctly, but I found no such problems during my six-hour playthrough. I did spend a lot of time walking back and forth in the area when trying to solve a puzzle, wracking my brain to think outside the box. When I finally succeeded, I felt that I was rewarded for my cleverness and laughed at my fear of destroying the city. I would reload a save every time I accidentally stole a carrot or hit the wrong dialogue choice. The cataclysm can be reversed by revisiting the lake house and going through the portal again, creating a Groundhog Day-esque time loop.

Dr. Who would be proud of Pearce’s use of time travel and the theories associated with it.

The Forgotten City’s final moments are truly epic as the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. Things are clarified in interesting ways. To get the best ending, one has to use what’s been learned in order to do something absurdly brilliant. Finishing the game, for me, was a bittersweet moment. Bringing closure to the characters of the city brought true joy to my heart. I’ll even go as far as saying I teared up a bit. Yet, I was left feeling hungry for more adventure, wanting to discover other things lost to the destructive nature of time.

This adventure is an excellent example of game modification being used to its true potential. The atmosphere adds layers of depth to the expertly crafted narrative, while talented actors and actresses give a flawless performance. Like a giant puzzle, solving the mysteries of this long-forgotten city is rewarding both on a mechanical level and on an emotional one.

The Forgotten City is the candle I will hold up to all other mods that follow.