CROM Update: 025 - collaborating with Guest Artist David Molina
Crafting The Last Druid by Joseph Kelleam: An In-Depth Conversation with Kurt Brugel and David Molina
In the 25th episode of the Crom Updates Podcast, Kurt Brugel and guest artist David Molina discuss their collaboration on a short comic book story based on Joseph Kelleam's 1960 pulp short story, "The Last Druid." Kurt initiates the conversation by sharing his inspiration from the original story and outlines the basic structure of their project. The story is planned to be a six-page comic, divided into three two-page spreads. The duo emphasizes their desire to maintain a balance between graphic symbolism and literal narrative while avoiding conventional narrative boxes. Kurt highlights the importance of using sound effects and dialogue to enhance the storytelling.
As they delve into the story's details, Kurt and David discuss the characters and key elements of the plot. David initially mistakes the character Doreen for a woman, which leads to an engaging discussion about character design and gender ambiguity. They agree on incorporating creative elements like a living tree woman and small, mysterious creatures. Kurt appreciates David's artistic vision, particularly his ability to transform descriptive text into dynamic visuals. They brainstorm about integrating the garden's treacherous atmosphere and the maze-like structure of the setting into the comic panels.
Towards the end of the episode, Kurt and David finalize their approach, agreeing on a rough sketch layout for the comic. Kurt expresses his excitement about David's artistic contributions and the potential of their project. They plan to involve another artist, Jake Jacobs, for an art directional critique. The episode concludes with Kurt updating listeners on his other projects, including the revised edition of "CROM the Barbarian Collected," and expressing his gratitude for the collaboration. Both artists look forward to the creative journey ahead and the unique comic story they are set to produce.
Watch the CROM Update 025 video on YouTube:
A few educational highlights from the podcast discussion include:
Collaborative Creative Process: Kurt and David's conversation provides insights into how artists collaborate on a project, from initial brainstorming to final execution.
Adapting Literary Works: They discuss the adaptation of Joseph Kelleam's 1960 pulp story "The Last Druid" into a comic format, highlighting the challenges and creative decisions involved in translating text to visuals.
Character Design and Development: The discussion delves into the importance of character design, including the decision to maintain gender ambiguity for certain characters and how this impacts the story.
Visual Storytelling Techniques: Kurt and David emphasize the use of minimal narrative text, relying instead on graphic symbolism, sound effects, and dialogue to drive the story.
Page Layout and Structure: They talk about the importance of planning the comic's layout, including the use of two-page spreads and the integration of key visual elements to enhance storytelling.
Incorporating Feedback and Critique: The conversation also touches on the value of involving other artists for critique and feedback to improve the final product.
David Molina is one of the few Artists who has been invited to create a pin-up for the Revised Edition of Crom Collected.
Use these links to find out more about David.
Use these links to find out more about Kurt inker Brugel.
