I really love this piece, if I do say so myself. When I got to this one, I really wanted to do something KICK A$$! I wanted to draw something really, really cool. I also wanted to do something different then all the other covers so far. I wanted to draw a shot I haven't really EVER done before. Then it just popped into my head, and the sketch became exactly what I wanted it to be, the finished piece even more so.
I really LOVE Deathstroke as a character ever since I saw those beautiful Mike Zeck covers back in the 90's. Something very Snake-Eyes and Batman about him, but just a cold blooded assassin instead. I also really just like comic book characters who have some kind of disability. Batman has no super powers, Snake-Eyes is speech-less, Aquaman had no hand (for awhile), Daredevil and Deathstroke have blindness. Just great characters.
If anything, Deathstroke is just an awesomely designed character, and I had a great time with this design too. I HIGHLY recommend the first TPB from the New 52 Deathstroke, Pre-Liefeld. It was a balls-to-the-wall shoot 'em up and I really, REALLY wish we kept that creative team. I really wish it caught on with readers, but alas, it didn't. Pick up the trade though and you'll see that you and everyone missed out on an AWESOME book that was was really fun, really dark and twisted, and above all else, fantastically drawn.
Hope you dig this cover too. Next up is cover #22 of "52 by 1", Voodoo! Another New 52 book that unfairly got the shaft when it was actually a really cool book. Another book that was just all out action and adventure. Guess that is just NOT appreciated these days. I guess comic fans really do just want talking heads. To me, that is just boring. A couple of books with all talking heads is ok, that's fine, but give me books like Deathstroke and Voodoo any day. Too bad.
It's like AMC's The Killing show. They always cancel the BEST books and shows, yet keep the crap. Can't believe Real House Wives of Jersey is still going yet they cancel a show like The Killing. Makes me so mad! I just don't get it. Yet, The Killing was a talking heads show, so go figure, I guess I have no idea what I'm talking about, hah ha.
This is the 19th 52 by 1 piece this year. Yes, I'm way behind. Trying to catch up. Superboy and Deathstroke next. Then Voodoo, OMAC, and Demon Knights right after that.
I guess this is as good a time as any to post my Mass Effect 3 drawing. I have actually been done with this piece since I finished the game back in April, I think. But I never got around to posting it because, honestly I was dreading writing about the game. I just KNEW it would be a HUGE posting. But I think it's finally time. Especially since they just came out with the amended endings.
I was one of those people who was satisfied with the ending (I am a big fan of philosophical aspects of Science-Fiction, so when ME3 went that route with their ending, I thought it was cool). I was also ok with Sheppard sacrificing himself. I wanted him to do that since ME1. I like when the hero has to die to save everyone else. I liked the choice I made at the end of the game, but little did I know that I barely understood it at the time. I choose to SYNTHESIZE. My thinking was that, the whole series, I learned that it didn't matter if you were human, alien or robot, we all had to fight as ONE civilization to overcome the Reapers. I figured, that was really the point of the entire experience. That we are all a mix of flesh and cybernetics. So it was only logical to try and save the universe by mending the two. I died and then saw my whole team live on as new spices of synthetic beings. Creepy, but that was my decision.
I went online after I finished the game mostly because I had heard rumblings that everyone was tearing the endings apart and wanted to see why. I read some things, and was like, "oh, wow, people are upset." And after reading all the complaints, started to realize why. I wont go through all the reasons they said it sucked, but some were very valid. I started to get upset a little myself. Like they left out so much information. The game should not have been over. There were just too many questions, and way too many holes. In all three endings, the game seemed to ignore the main premise of the game, and that is that it was UNIQUE to each player. That MY game was different then YOUR game which was different then ANY other game. My Shepard was mine. But these endings took that away from us and made EVERYONE'S Shepard the same.
I keep reading and reading, now hooked on whether or not the ending was "good" or not. But then I came across... THE INDOCTRINATION THEORY. THis BRILLIANT theory, created by genius fans online, described a theory to the ending of Mass Effect that if true, would have created the greatest ending to a video game in the history of games. It was based around the idea that Shepard (YOU) were brainwashed. And you had to BREAK the brainwashing. If you chose to "DESTROY" the Citadel, then you broke the brainwashing and it lead you to the ONLY ending where Shepard is seen again at the end, taking what seems like a breadth. Let;s just say the theory was brilliant. See it here for yourself!
The Indoctrination Theory
How amazing was THAT?! I was convinced. EXCEPT for ONE thing! I believe in the theory with ONE HUGE EXCEPTION. I don't think it's all in Shepard's head, like it says. I think he was let free to go into the beam and reach the citadel control room. That's where Anderson AND the Illusive man were brought too. I think that is REALLY happening. Yet Shepard is now fighting the Illusive Man AND the reaper indoctrination in his OWN mind. I think all that plays out with the Illusive Man, and Shepard is ALSO brought up to top, to make his decisions. The only thing in his head is the fact that he is trying to fight off indoctrination. It's up to the player to make the correct choice, which turns out to be DESTROY.
Well, time has now passed, and now the DLC is out for the REVISED endings from Bioware. They expand on the endings, include a fourth option (which is everyone dies, lol), and they also fix some glaring inconsistencies, and mistakes such as the Relays exploding (which can't happen, or that solar system would perish).
Below are the revised endings to each choice.
Control Ending
Synthesis Ending
Destroy Ending
Refusal Ending
Bioware did right by extending the endings and making it clears as to what happens when each choice is made by the gamer, even though it may be too little too late. No one may care anymore. I appreciate it though. What I think kinda sucks is... it makes the indoctrination theory just that, a theory. It's not the true ending. Bioware could have just said, you know what, yeah, it's the Indoctrination Theory, the fans are right. They were the smart ones. All the other gamers, we GOT you! We indoctrinated YOU! JUst like your Shepard, we were able to indoctrinate millions of gamers (me included, I chose to Synthesis, which is WRONG!) It was wrong for me to play God. I had no right to change the DNA of thousands of beings. I had no right. That was NOT my mission. The ONYL correct choice was to BREAK free from the indoctrination, to not BELIEVE any of the LIES that the ghost boy was talking about, refuse the Reaper voice in your head, block it out, and choose to DESTROY the catalysts.
What could have been the most brilliant ending, in my mind still is though. I will always fight to say that that is the REAL Mass Effect Ending! I enjoyed every SECOND paying the Mass Effect series, and even though the ending had some bumps and bruises (what ending DOESN'T these days), overall, Mass Effect will be remembered as an al time FAVORITE!
I can't WAIT for the Mass Effect 4!
LOL
Oh, hope you like the drawing, by-the-way, lol. More of my "humorous" side coming out (if you can call it that). Because who DOSEN'T want to just FRAKKIN' SHOOT THAT KID THOUGH, REALLY, once you get up to the top of the Citadel, hah ha. I just wanted to poke fun at the fans reaction to the ghost-boy-in-the-machine ending.
INDOCTRINATE THIS!
Time to move ON! Maybe I'll just go look at the Art of Mass Effect books I have and get inspired some more, that sounds like an AMAZING idea to me!
Instead of me writing a lengthy review of Brave, I thought I'd skip all that (cause really, who cares what I thought about it), and just leave you with my drawing of the awesome Merida, and the wonderful song from the film by the amazing Mumford & Sons & Birdy!
CjB
PS-I liked the movie a lot, everyone needs to go see it if they haven't yet!
Learn Me Right By Mumford & Sons & Birdy
Though I may speak some tongue of old or even spit out some holy word I have no strength with which to speak when you sit me down and see I’m weak
We will run and scream You will dance with me We’ll fulfill our dreams, and we’ll be free
We will run and scream You will dance with me We’ll fulfill our dreams, and we’ll be free We will be who we are And they’ll heal our scars Sadness will be far away
So I have done wrong to put me right my judgement burned in the black of night Then I give less than I take It is my fault, my own mistake
We will run and scream You will dance with me We’ll fulfill our dreams, and we’ll be free We will be who we are And they’ll heal our scars Sadness will be far away
For this week's Sketch Attack, the assignment was to Re-imagine Dick Tracy. I decided to do a modern take, showing the Dick Tracy of the very near future, 2014.
In 2014, I imagine that there will be hologram watches. Apple already has iPod watches. The next step is iPhone watches, a smaller version of the iPhone that you can wear as a watch. And when that happens, you will be able to Facetime on the iPhone watch. How amazing would THAT be? I ALWAYS wanted Dick Tracy's watch. More then anything as a kid (and there was a lot to choose from) I wanted his watch. I had the toy of it when the movie came out in 1990, but it didn't really work that well, and no one wanted to wear the second watch, lol.
Hope you like it. Man I LOVE Dick Tracy. I don't know WHY I don't own the movie, but I have to remedy that immediately. Below is the b/w drawings and the color file sans logos.
Created by Sydney Newman, C.E. Webber & Donal Wilson
By Corey Breen
Pencil & Markers
Doctor Who
Created by Sydney Newman, C.E. Webber & Donal Wilson
By Corey Breen
Pencil
Another Dr. Who piece, this time just a cool pin-up. Really happy with how this turned out, mostly because it was exactly how I pictured it in my mind. I'm never big on a complete 100% likeness of characters adapted from TV or Movies that I draw. I can do that, but it's just not as much fun.
I'm always more concerned about getting it close enough, but making it totally my own! In other words, I like to make it recognizable as the real person I'm drawing, yet make it my interpretation of the character. If you want to see my take on say, Johnny Deep from Sweeny Todd, then go check out my "take" on him in my gallery. Much like Oliver Vatine did for Star Wars - Heir to the Empire. You knew it was Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker, but it was drawn in his style, which was very stylized.
So I always hate criticisms of my work that say, 'oh, he looks nothing like, so-in-so'. I say to that, 'well, this is my take on the character, it wasn't my intent to make it photo-realistic'. I never strive for complete realism in my art unless it's a photo realistic piece I'm doing for a portraiture or something.
I like to draw from my head and what comes out is my vision, like it or not.
This character is so FREAKIN' cool, I can't freakin' stand it! I really wish the new Talon series from DC featured Lincoln in the title role, but I understand that they are going in a totally different direction for that. As far as Lincoln is concerned, I can't WAIT until everyone gets to read Batman #11 for the conclusion of the Court of Owls story-line! OMFG, it's AMAZING!
I hope you like the colored versions of this piece, as you can see I wasn't sure which one I wanted to go with. There's nothing cooler then a plain white background, it's just so striking, and I think really works with this one... but I also really love the painterly background of the other version. I love digitally painting backgrounds like that, much like my Game of Thrones pieces, so it's really fun to work one in here with a super-hero pin-up.
Let me know which one you like better!
I wont be able to post again until at least Monday for I'll be on a mini-vacation, but still so much to share. Talk to you next week!
Based on Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Movie Poster
By Corey Breen
Pencil
Created by Sydney Newman, C.E. Webber & Donal Wilson
Here is this week's Sketch Attack Assignment. The topic was Doctor Who of course. With this one, I decided to try my hand at having a little fun instead of being so serious all the time. My drawings are always so dark and serious.
I think I succeeded. I definitely had fun drawing it, that's for sure! But don't worry, I DID do a SERIOUS Dr. Who drawing... I couldn't resist. For my own sanity, you know? Gotta be consistent, I say. LOL
I'll post the serious Dr. Who pin-up, which I did in my traditional marker-esque style soon! Meanwhile, be sure to take a look at all the other Sketch Attack artist's version of the Doctor Who show, right here:
If you haven't yet, please go out and BUY it RIGHT NOW!
In it, you will find this character. No spoilers here though, go see for yourself!
The second I saw him, when I put the book together last month, I HAD to draw him!
SO FREAKIN' COOL! Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have easily etched their names in Batman HISTORY and lore! The Night of Owls storyline is one that will be discussed as one of, if not THE best Batman story EVER! No joke!
Enjoy my drawing of this NEWEST Batman legend, and enjoy Batman #10 in stores NOW!
Wait until you all see issue #11, the action is OFF THE CHAIN!
CjB
PS- I will color this piece in Photoshop and post it when it's done!
FINALLY! This piece took me way longer then I thought it would. The pencils were actually finished early last week, but I just couldn't get around to the tones until Thursday. Once I started on it though, I had a BLAST! I think it came out really dope! Great bunch of characters. I like the comic a lot and LOVE their portrayal on the cartoon show on Cartoon Network's DC Nation!
I totally need a break from the multiple character covers though, so I'm very glad that the next bunch of "52 by 1" covers I'm doing feature solo books. Speaking of which, next up for the project is
The Flash
Static Shock
Superboy
Deathstroke
Batgirl
While I work on those, I still have a TON more stuff to post and show you all, and I can't WAIT until Wednesday when Batman #10 comes out and I can post my drawing inspired by that issue which is now one of my favorite pieces I've EVER done! So be here Wednesday for that!
Oh, I also wanted to say that the New York Comic Con is quickly approaching and I'm going to have to start getting my stuff together REALLY soon for it. If anyone has ANY requests as far as any pieces form the LAST TWO YEARS they would like me to make a poster or print or postcard of, let me know! I totally want to make all the pieces everyone loves available at the show for you to purchase in multiple formats!
Speaking of purchasing from me, my commission list is ALWAYS open! Please do NOT hesitate to ask me about my rates and procedures to get one. I think I may be making a form to download and submit to make it easier for you to request commissions for me to do.
Oh, OH! Also... I will be setting up a BRAND new STORE right HERE on the Blog through Bigcartel.com where you will be able to PURCHASE a lot of my ORIGINAL artwork! Be on the look out for that update, but I'll be sure to let you know when the store is up and running!
Ok, well, have a GREAT weekend, and I'll talk to you all on Wednesday!
Be sure to pick up your copy of Batman #10 before visiting here though!
CjB
PS- Below is the Red Lanterns piece sans Logos and then Sans Logos & Markers!
Leading up to doing that recent Harley Quinn Commission, I did a warm-up sketch/ drawing so-to-speak, and this is that piece, above.
From someone who actually does like Harley Quinn's new costume to a certain extent, and her portrayal in the Batman Arkham games, I must admitt I do REALLY miss this outfit!
Another reason why I just wish the comic industry got over their "costume" issues and just had characters change clothes. Why CAN'T Spider-Man wear his Iron Armor when he NEEDS to?! LOL
I get that there's a need to be as consistent as possible across multiple licensees and properties, but hey, it works for STAR WARS, it can work for comic book characters!
This was a commission I did for a client for a Birthday Gift. I LOVE doing these personalized pieces like this one and the Jango Fett piece I did last month. They make a perfect gift! I can do someone's favorite character or even put whoever the client wants into a drawing.
If you or someone you know would like one of these for a friend, a child, a relative, or even for yourself, just shoot me an email and let me know, and I'll tell you all the details. I am ALWAYS open for commissions!
This one is 11 x 17 done in my Letraset Markers and pencil.
