CROM Update: 002 with Guest Artist Jake Jacobs

Dec 12

Ballpoint Beginnings: Reimagining Crom for the Contemporary Comic Fan

In the second episode of the "Crom Updates Podcast," where host Kurt Brugel and guest Jake Jacobs discuss the revised edition of the "Crom Collected" comics. During the podcast, Kurt, who works as an inker with Jake as the penciler on the Turbo Pit-fighter comic, describes the changes he has made to his four "Crom the Barbarian" comic stories, transitioning from ballpoint pen to a more modern style involving gray washes and brush pens.

Kurt explains that the original drawings were created while he was working as a manager at Trader Joe's, looking to leave and explore the art world. He started using ballpoint pens to avoid sharpening pencils and developed a distinct style that played with the readability between written words and drawn images.

Jake praises Kurt's initiative in revitalizing public domain characters and stories, pointing out the untapped potential in adapting such materials for new creative works. They discuss the importance of accessible public domain content and the surprising lack of its use in modern storytelling.

The conversation then shifts to an art critique session, with Jake providing detailed feedback on Kurt's artwork. He suggests improvements such as better integrating typewritten font with the artwork, enhancing the visual impact of certain elements, and adjusting the gray tones and line work for more definition and coherence. They discuss various technical aspects of the comic's design, including font size, letter spacing, and panel layout.

Jake's critique is constructive, focusing on enhancing the readability and aesthetic of the comic pages. He encourages Kurt to continue refining the work to achieve a more polished and integrated final product.