Flash #1 Signing and Release Party.

Forge ahead!

Come September 28, 2011, I embark on an amazing journey as the co-writer and artist on The New 52 relaunch of The Flash for DC Comics. To say I'm beyond exhilarated is an understatement. With me for the ride is my co-writer and color artist Brian Buccellato. In the spirit of brevity and speed I'll just let these interviews do the talking. Looking forward to entertaining you folks with Barry Allen's adventure over the years!

http://www.comicvine.com/news/francis-manapul-brian-buccellato-talk-new-52-flash-exclusive-art/143487/

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/Manapul-Buccellato-DCNu-Flash-110603.html

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32873

Flash Forward

As some of you I'm sure have noticed I didn't draw the recently released Flash #11. I'm disappointed that I didn't get to finish this story arc. However, in order to get the last 2 issues out before Flashpoint they had to be done in an impossible time frame that there was no way I could do it without the work suffering. Talking to my editors we felt it wasn't the right situation for me, and that we should begin developing my next project. That said, I will state on the record that I've never had an issue with turning in my work and editorial has never had a problem with me. I may have stumbled a bit out of the gate as I was on the road filming during my first 3-4 issues of the Flash, but with the lead time we had we were able to avoid any major delays. I take my normal 4-5 weeks to pencil, ink, and watercolor a book which is the standard time everybody gets just to pencil it. Much of the delays were due to the multiple stops and starts in the work process that is completely out of my hands. Hopefully I won't have to address this issue again, but I just felt the need to clarify to try and avoid further vilification.

Moving forward my next project at DC is in the works. I'm EXTREMELY EXCITED about it, and my editors enthusiasm and endless support has been great! I've been developing it with my collaborator and editorial soon after my last issue of the Flash. Hopefully if all goes well, we can get started on doing the new book in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime I've done a few covers for Flashpoint as well as other DC titles, I also ended up contributing 5 pages for Flash 12 to help close out the series.

I'm so jazzed about the future and my next project, I think a lot of people will be too. I appreciate the fans that's stuck with me through this time and patiently waited. I really feel that the best is yet to come, and that 2011 will be an even bigger year for me. Thanks for reading!

fjm

Kid Flash 2 cover Process

I haven't done one of these in a while so I figured I'd do another one seeing as how this process I'm about to show is a new one for me. I recently got a cintiq and have been using that to create commercial illustrations but haven't had a chance to incorporate it with my comic book work. With a bit of time on my hands I thought I'd try it out on this cover.

The first initial stage as always are my layouts.

This second stage which is something new for me. I decided to "pencil" my page digitally. It allowed me to put a proper vanishing point for the buildings and make sure it's precise. It also allowed me to create some very nice curved lines for Hot Pursuits helmet. Although old habits die hard, using the grid, I started another layer and free handed the buildings.


I then "penciled" in the figure and I was able to change his orientation from the initial layout, and I was also able to play around with his size until I was happy with the placement.

I then simple printed the linework very, VERY, VERY lightly on my art board that it's almost invisible. It's visible enough that I can see whats there, but once it was painted you pretty much cant see it at all. It allowed for a very clean painting process and very streamlined. I used two different colors on this, ivory black, and sepia for the reflection.


After the painting process I scanned the art in, and I played around with the color scheme of the cover. I always do this for Brian Buccellato (colorist) just so that he has a jumping off point for how I want the colors to look. It also makes the colors layed under the watercolor look more cohesive and less muddy since it's not colors under black. I also fixed the lightning bolt on his chest, I had drawn it "normally" and not a reflection.


So that's about it. Hope you guys enjoyed a little behinds the scenes look. You can see the final cover at the DCU blog along with a description of the book written by the every so talented Mr. Sterling Gates.

Wonder Con Schedule and info

EDIT: The location of a couple of panels have moved. please see info below.


Hey folks long time since I've updated this site. As you can tell a LOT of exciting things have been happening over the past year, and unfortunately I've been very slow on updating my site. But that said if you're on Twitter give me a follow as I'm on there quite frequently and you can get more up to date info on what I'm up to.

On April 1st to the 3rd I'll be attending WonderCon in San Francisco. I'll post my schedule below so you'll know where to find me.

Regarding Commissions at the show the only place to get those would be at the Hero Initiative booth which I'll be doing for donations to a great cause! I will also be doing quick sketches during my DC signings should time permit. There's also a slew of panels I'll be in, including a spotlight panel so I hope to see you guys there!

FRIDAY, APRIL 1

1-2pm DC Panel - DC NATION, room 103
3-4pm Signing - DC booth # 301
430-6 Friday Hero booth

SATURDAY, APRIL 2

10:30 -11:30am Con Panel – Spotlight on Francis Manapul, room 254/256
11:30am -12:30pm DC Panel – DC Universe, room 103
Sat 1-3 Hero Booth
4-5pm Signing - DC booth # 301

SUNDAY, APRIL 3

12:30-2pm Con Panel - Cover Story: the Art of the Cover, room 104
2:30-3:30pm Signing - DC booth # 301
4-5pm DC Panel - Drawing DC, room 204/206

Beast Legends: Bonus Scenes

From the "Vietnamese Wildman" Episode. Discussing the previous days event.
Full episodes can be viewed at http://www.syfy.com/beastlegends/ in the US, and http://www.history.ca/ontv/titledetails.aspx?titleid=250126 in Canada.

New York Comic Con

Hey folks just wanted to post up my schedule for the upcoming New York Comic Con this weekend. I'll be dividing my time between my artist alley table at #A6 and the DC Comics booth at #2243, as well as a short appearance at the Hero Initiative booth #333. Here are the times and dates on my whereabouts this weekend:

Artist Alley Table #A6
I will mainly be at my artist alley table. I know I'm currently listed as A8 on the site but I swapped table with a friend of mine, just so there is no confusion. But its easy to find I'll just be a couple tables down. I will be doing autographs, commissions as well as free quick sketches, I take no list. First come first drawn.

DC booth (#2243).
I'll be signing at the DC booth throughout the weekend.

FRIDAY, OCT 8

3:30-4:30pm: SIGNING @ DC booth

SATURDAY, OCT 9

4-5pm: SIGNING @ DC booth

SUNDAY, OCT 10

2:30-3:30pm: SIGNING @ DC booth

Hero Initiative booth #333
I'll be doing sketches at the booth for a donation to this great cause. Hope you guys swing by!

Friday, October 8
1030-1130

Here's a map of the convention floor. That's about it. See you folks in NYC!