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"There are a number of developments from Saturday that I'd like to keep under my hat for now, suffice to say I think I'm moving in the right direction..."

This sounds encouraging - I have my fingers crossed for Panini!! I do think it is always worth pursuing other angles and I'm sure you've spoken with the Insomnia boys by now. There is also Zuda and if we can find you the right story (or if you have a story...) it is a great way of showing off what you can do.

"Basically he said that there were some nice things going on in the pages and that I should send the samples in to the usual address and that he would put them on file and let me know if a suitable strip arose."

An artdroid might be able to tell you more but that sounds very promising. It certainly seems to open the door for a Future Shock or perhaps something more?

It does underline my gut feeling that you should make sure he has samples of your range of styles as it'll increase the chances of Tharg skimming through his files and spotting your work as a perfect fit for a story. My gut still tells me the Punisher angle is one to explore - even if that SinDex story wasn't quite the right one (although I do like the effect you got.

Anyway good stuff all round - keep up the good work.

Seems like you had a good time Kev, and good luck with your'e work!

Not too wordy by far Kev, very interesting to see how you did, and good things on the horizon I hope.

Are the Brum comic conventions sponsored by CAMRA... so much drinking, you old soak! ;) I'm really happy for you that it all went well. With every event you are climbing to the next camp and I think it really is only a matter of time before the weather clears and you get your chance for the summit! ABC sir ABC

Good luck at BICS mate, knock em dead!

Wish I was there!

Something wrong with the world if you don't get really good feedback (or a paying gig!)from all your efforts. Best of luck Kev.

Now this is only me surmising because I only doodle for fun and have never submitted anything anywhere, but would it not be best to pencil the hell out of the story, to show how good your pencils, storytelling and layouts are rather than risk the samples looking half done if some is inked but not all. If an editor likes your stuff they'll ask to see more then you can show some of your other stuff that you have inked.

Are the 6 from Dogbreath inked already? If so, I'd say get these pencils tightened as James says. Better to show your best stuff in pencils, inks or colour than something not completed at any stage. I got that assumption wrong at Bristol and kicked myself all the way home. Surely you have enough material for a portfolio now??

You've put in the hours up to now Kev. Don't spoil it by including something that isn't as good as you can get it.

Just my opinion anyway. Oh, and I really like these finished pencils!

Its a tricky one:

It'd make sense to have a complete story and editors do tend to want to see pencils to get a good of what you can do. That splash page kicks about three shades of ass and I think Tharg needs to see it as it is.

However, Tharg is also more interested in finished work than American editors would be (as they are just looking to slot you into the comic book making machine) so offering him work with different finishes on the can show him how you work at each stage. After all Tharg has already read the story and there must be a limit on the number of pages he can see and hitting him with three pages that knock it out of the park is probably better than having a dozen pages.

You have a finished first page so I'd probably suggest you have a look at what you've done and see if anything needs tweaking, although don't be too tempted to fiddle too much as what you've got looks pretty nifty so far. If you are happy then crack on and get the others done and if you have time return to these pages.

I'd also throw that splash page into the "pass it on" thread and challenge people to ink it, as I assume you are going to do that eventually yourself it'd be interesting to see what other people come up with for it.

Anyway I wouldn't worry too much as you have a tonne of stuff to show and you can always keep the Spider-Man/Punisher art tucked away at the back of your folder so you can casually flash that too if need be ;)

Worth bering in mind that you can ink over the top of the fully-painted look. I'm sure I've read an interview with John Burns where he said he'd started doing this recently. I'm sure some recent art I've seen elsewhere does this.

However, it might just be the wrong strip for this style. It is set in the daytime and (if the Punisher picture is anything to go by) it might be the night suits this as big slabs of black are a help ;) After all the bright cartoony art this was originally done in might be the right choice for this (Tharg is a genius at "casting" the right artist for the right gig and this might just be it).

Still I definitely feel it is worth pursuing this angle.

Oh nice - I look forward to this!!

If you are pushed for time I'd say pick the page you think the style will really shine on an polish that one up like a diamond. No harm in flashing another page done in pencils either to show the process.

It is a good choice, as the original is actually done in a cartoony style. Your call on which pages would work well in the "Punisher-style" but the splash on page 4 could work (although I suppose you want to show off in a sequential arena) as would page 5.

Fascinating to see your construction lines on this one. It really adds up to a pro job! Love the 2CV and I'm really getting a sense of the female character just from these few panels, and no dialogue. Going well sir! It will be very interesting to see the painted up colours as a counterpoint to your usual approach. Talk next week sir!