Monday morning update...

THIEF is taking off with approval from pretty much all that have read the initial script, though they are saying it's a little Bendis-y (meaning not much happens and there are a lot of words). The #0 issue was meant to strictly be a retelling of his origin, and how the powers were transferred to him. Sure, it's not an actiony issue, but that's because the story isn't in the action, its in the how and why. With the miniseries (issues 1-4), I'll be exploring his struggle of NOT knowing the powers he's inherited, and relationships with other heroes. Hopefully, when its done, I intend to send this one on to Platinum Studios, but I'm still looking to publish it myself.

Royal Rumble happened last night, and for once, the WWE delivered a PPV with expectations that were met. Sure, I would have enjoyed Cena winning the rumble because HHH ruined it for Batista, but I respect how it was played off with both men "winning" and them restarting the match. The weird thing is, having watched the match, Randy Orton looked LEGITIMATELY hurt, but the reports are all saying that was part of the show...I'm sorry, having had a concussion, if that wasn't real, then Randy Orton is 1000% a better actor than I thought. His eyes glazed perfectly, his equilibrium thrown off to the nth degree, and MISSING when he went to pick up the sledgehammer lead me to believe that the 25 year old finally got knocked silly...and it was because of a move properly executed. Oh, and Daniel Puder got chopped from three of the most vicious choppers in the industry in Benoit, Guerrero and Holly...classic initiation sequence, and its about time they showed someone get a legit beatdown in the ring.

I may be enlisting another writer to keep me honest with all my commitments in the coming days, so that we can bounce ideas off each other for Atomic Teen and keep the books moving forward. Not to say I wouldn't finish my books in a timely fashion, I just think two guys bouncing ideas back and forth may make for more interesting storytelling.

The new laptop should be here early next week, maybe earlier (I doubt it). I was a little hesitant after the first day of thinking I made the wrong decision, but that has passed, and now I just want it to get here already, hehe.

Take care!

Eric also decided to give a shot of what he thought the THIEF's costume should look like, as the character now known as INFINITY. As you can tell, he sharpened up certain areas to make the costume that much better, and now, if we find the right color scheme for the covers, we're headed very well into the right direction. 

This is Eric Kent's conception sketch of Atomic Teen...Skinny geek, all the like. We shortened his hair and made him geekier...if that's possible. I like him now. He fits the bill. 

A more clear design of the character called INFINITY in THIEF. This one is a lot more clear, in terms of what I was looking for. Hopefully, its making people interested. 

This is actually on the same sheet as the wolverine piece, so I figured I'd upload it as well. Hopefully the scans came out pretty well, all things considered. Trying out new stuff and new looks, but it was fun just feeling like I wanted to draw, again. 

a recent Wolverine face I drew to kind of try out the blacks, whites and greys that you see form artists such as Travis Charest, Jim Lee and Drew Struzan. I like it...not sure if anyone else will, tho. 

Moving along nicely.

I'm going to break this post into a couple of things.

I have finished a 16 page script for #0 of THIEF. This puts me way ahead of schedule on that, and I'll probably rework is some to fit it a little better into a 20 page book. Why? Because the story had waaaayyyy too much writing for that many pages. Don't worry, though, no extra cost to the consumer (partly because I didn't announce a price for it, yet).

I'm still thinking there'd be no problem getting a 20 page book out in the open market for no more than 1.95. Sure, it'd be black and white with color cover, but come on...Two bucks is cheaper than Image and everyone else, even if it IS in Black and White.

On top of that, Eric Kent has begun sketching the characters for Atomic Teen, and as you saw last post, I'm designing the characters from THIEF myself. I wish I was good enough of an artist to actually do more than just design characters, and who knows, I may do a pinup or something, but that remains to be seen. On the THIEF art-front, JK Radtke wants a crack at it, it seems, as he believes the hip project is actually too good an opportunity to pass up. We'll see what happens there, but right now it looks like he's going to do a couple test pages to work off some rust, and probably do a couple more pages for SPRING BROKE before too long.

On the homefront, I just CTO'd a new laptop from Bestbuy for myself and my fiance, Christy. CTO is Create to Order for all you who've never worked at somewhere like Bestbuy. Typically, I'd've ordered a Dell, but the savings by going with the HP, as well as getting a larger screen and bigger harddrive drove me to pick it up from the ole BBY...but none of the stores I worked for...Take that BT. I should receive it in time for the Superbowl, and LET'S GO PHILLY!

Other than that, I DID get my scanner fixed, so I'll be posting sketches and whatnot as I find time to draw them...

Of course, tomorrow does start SUNCOM WIRELESS's new ad campaign and new rate plans. They're hoping to make a HUGE impact on the smaller area...and with what they have in store, they look like they'll be very close to jumping in and start running from the get-go...unfortunately for me, it means waiting a good while until they finally have us re-do the store, and start selling...six-months of crap before life should get any easier.

On top of that, Christy got a really good deal on a vacation package for us. $600 for an 8-day trip...yes, they'll try to sell us something but what we don't have the money for, we can't buy, right? Hehe...It's to Florida for Universal, Disney, and a cruise...great news for folks who want to spend their honeymoon somewhere other than waffle house.

This is the second conceptual design for the costume of the lead character in Thief. Its rough, but it should give a good idea. I used pencil on purple paper to be able to add the white gloss look as well as the black inks some more false depth. I'm not sure if this would be the first hero's costume, or when Derek Stevens takes over for him, but I like the star design enough to know that this (or a similar version) will be what you see one of the characters where. 

What is THIEF?

THIEF (C) 2005 Rob Potchak

The story of a down on his luck guy named Derek Stevens while not exactly being the best person in the world, he's not totally a bad guy, just not put in line in the right direction. One day, while witnessing a super-hero in battle, he grabs the source of the Hero's power, without knowing it, and ultimately is the reason the hero doesn't survive.

Due to this, as he walks with all the guilt, he tries to put himself back on the right path, as well as take the place of the lost hero. With the mysterious power amulet around his neck, he essentially has one of the most powerful weapons in the universe at his disposal.

What he does with it, and how people react to him is based on these instances. Will he become a hero with all the guilt on his shoulders? Will he be able to confide his dark secret with someone? Wher ewill this new path lead him?

As I posted earlier, I came up with this richly original idea the other night, and it fast tracked in my head. I've already near-completed the #0 (origin) issue. I'll probably fasttrack this into my first new project. Whether it comes before or after ATOMIC TEEN, I'm still unsure. All I know is if I find the right artist for it, this could be out sooner than later.

Thanks for listening, folks.

THIEF

That's the new running title for another story I've begun. I can't give too much news on it or what its about yet, as I don't have the copyright and trademark info done, yet.

No, its not based on the videogame, but the title, THIEF, definitely makes sense. I'll probably post concept art on the book as soon as I get my scanner working again, or when I get my digital art pad.

Digital inking.

Hey guys,

Just wanted to give you an update. I've recently ordered a Wacom Intuos pad and pencil, so that I can try out digital inking. hopefully it'll bring out a whole new energy in drawing that I've lacked for a while. What I intend to do is take the photos I took in Brooklyn this past year and use them as background for a short story I want to draw. If I do well, I may even show it to people, hehe.

Actually, I'm trying to just restart the creative juices, so it'll be interesting to see how much this helps with my Photoshop proficiency, since I've been wondering how those good at digital inking and coloring do it. hopefully this'll help.

Anyways, all that and its...well...its snowing in NC.

Horrology 2005!

All this talk of writing comics got me to thinking of an idea I had ages ago and went into a forum for...A HORROR ANTHOLOGY (HORROLOGY as I coined it)with the proceeds going to charity. All the proceeds you ask? Yes. Why? Because I think its our job in the community.

What I'm looking for, if anyone reading this is interested...stories between 4-6 pages, black and white, horror any way you want to do it. The work has to be complete, has to be professional and will be determined by me whether or not it will see print.

If all the art and letters can be completed, I'll just need the artwork sent to me as a PDF file at 300 dpi. I'll compile it, created the contents page, as well as write any story that an artist just can't flesh out.

any creators are more than welcome to submit something, and if you have questions, email me at RPotchak@aol.com.

If I get more submissions than will fit into a 48 page book, I'll look to do genre based Horrology, in other words, a zombie book, a vampire book, an Evil Dead style book.

If you know anyone that may be interested, have them get in touch with me.

New projects popping up everywhere!

Hey guys, just wanted to give an update to what I'm planning when I launch my new comics through ComiXpress.

ATOMIC TEEN
Written by: Rob Potchak
Art and Letters by: Eric L Kent

Premise: A 15 year old boy by the name of Phillip Rogers keeps having nightmares. Waking up in a pool of sweat for a fifteen year old is normally because of worries for a test, not because of visions of destroying all life on the planet. Rogers has apparently been chosen as the suitor for an all-powerful alien being, and its up to him whether or not he'll succumb to the power or be the worlds savior. Expect this in 16 page issues, so we can try to stay on a once a month (at worst) basis. Don't worry, pricing will be respectable to the page count. No $2.95 an issue for only 2/3s the regular comic size.

This story I really want to keep in the mindset of a 15 year old, and the hardships that you deal with in everyday life. I look at it as a modern-day Spider-man story where the power and responsibility come into play, but at the same time, if I go far enough into the book, I'll also go very deep into both character's heads and feelings. The response to what's been written has been very good so far, as most people want to see which direction Phillip goes. Hopefully with the hype I'm personally giving to this story, (check out the forums in BrokenFrontier.com), I hope it doesn't disappoint.

ARDY/TORCH: SPRING BROKE!
Written by: Rob Potchak
Art by: JK Radtke

This story has been in the making for years, and will continue to be so =). JK Radtke wants to do this story, I want to do this story. The smartass private eye from Landis gets his own book, and yet he's still got to share it with someone who has never shown up in a book before. Torch, a creation of Radtke has decided to get into Ardy's head by talking him into a vacation. Only problem is, when they get to their vacation spot, it is completely deserted, except for the mysterious bartender known simply as Cheech. Who has stolen all the spring break hotties, and the alcohol.

This story really has been in the works for a long long time. After I posted the picture of Ardy and Cheech, JK told me that he really still wants to do the book. We may format it differently, and since I've been planning it for 5 years, who knows when it'll be complete, but I promise, NO Daredevil: Father, here. No first issue and then a year before the second. I may actually release this as a 40 page trade.

No pricing is available at this point, and I wouldn't expect too much movement on the books until I get ready to start printing, which would probably be two or three months.

This was a concept sketch for a story that may still see print, if I can finish the script AND get the creator of torch to draw it... JK Radtke and I were working on this...it was a book called ARDY/TORCH: Spring Broke. It was just a perfect story. Maybe one day we'll stop being lazy enough to do it. 

Wedding day is OFFICIAL!!

Hey all...

The wedding day for myself and Christy Holton is NOW OFFICIALLY September 10th, 2005!

The ceremony will be held at Duke Gardens, in Durham, NC as long as we can book the JOP (or priest) and everything else. More information as it becomes available.

If ANYONE is reading this and has any ideas of where to have a wedding registry, LET ME KNOW! Thanks.

Stop Ashlee Simpson! Haha!

I love it. Free advertising for the "Stop Ashlee Simpson" petition! IF you hate this stupid generations taste in music as much as I do, GO HERE! Stop it now.

petitiononline.com/StopAsh/petition.html

I'll be back later with more relevence, but this was just too good an opportunity to pass up.

Shouldn't her name be Schnoz Simpson?

Elimination Chamber...how I would have ended it.

Hey...if anyone out there reading this likes wrestling (as you can tell I do) or if anyone out there KNOWS Vince McMahon...tell him this is how the match should have ended.

To end with HHH still as the world champion, this is how I would have done it.

Triple H tells Batista to hold up Randy Orton...as he's doing so, Triple H goes for a big punch (or clothesline) to the face of Orton, but Orton ducks and Batista goes down.

Orton makes a quick pin on Batista, then leaving it to Orton and HHH. At this point, you pan out the rest of the match just the way it happened, and BOOM...all three guys have heat, HHH wins the title back, but sudeenly the pressure between him and Batista is MUCH larger.

Instead, you have ORton eliminate Batista with NO DRAMA, NO STORY BUILDUP and plain ass.

What were you guys thinking? And then, to end the PPV after only 2.5 hours? Yeah, I know you had two major injuries happen, and that's awful...but look at it as a blessing. You can now DROP the EUGENE character altogether when Dinsomre is ready to come back, and go with a new take on him.

That's what we call SMART BOOKING...unlike what happened last night.

Atomic Teen - First new comic from Potchak ...

Well, as much as I'd like this to be a press release, it won't. I'm just going to post like I normally do.

ATOMIC TEEN (name still tentative) is about a 15 year old boy who is constantly having nightmares abotu destroying the world he lives on. As he wakes up every day, he is the same old boy that no one cares about and the same boy from a pretty broken family.

As he finds himself changing in his life, the dreams become more vivid, until one day, he just explodes...literally.

That's right. They aren't dreams that are occurring, they are destiny.

So far, it looks as though the story'll be in production for most of the year, but I'm sure when I get my scanner up and running, I'll be posting visuals as they happen.

Frank Miller is a real all-star.

Frank Miller has been announced as the Series writer for Batman and Robin: Allstars, a new title from DC comics due in July. Jim Lee has been slated as penciler of the title, as well.

The creators remain tight lipped, as the story will start as a 6 parter, with the creators reassessing whether they will stay on the title for longer.

They sound as though they have at least 12 issues planned for the title, so it'll be interesting to see if they stick to it and stay on board for at least 12, which I think is a defining amount of issues for a creator. You can tell they've made their stake in the character's history if the book comes out monthly for 12 months.

This will most assuredly sell more copies than the other new ALLSTARS title, Superman, written by Grant Morrison and drawn by the man that gave Wolverine the "Gay Leather" look, Frank Quitely.

As a fan, I'm more than excited about this, but it means yet another title that I'll be buying every month...sheesh.

A drawing of Wolverine I did years ago. I figured what the hell, send something I drew so people can see if I'm any good. 

Back in the day, Mike Weiringo drew good ole Ardy on the back of Peter Parker. This is from Sensational Spider-man #21! Thanks again, Mike, you are the best...now if only I could find this original art! 

I bring you comics.

Well, a new year brings new hope. And with that statement, I intend to bring my comics into this world this year. I am currently considering format of the book, since I'm old fashioned and definitely still prefer print books.

I am enlisting the help of my old comic buddies, JK Radtke for promotion and Eric L Kent for the art end. I'm tired of taking a back seat and hope to have four 16 page books out as soon as I get them started. It will be interesting to see what I bring to the plate this time.

A printer has been found and cost is pretty inexpensive, as long as they get an ad on the back cover, which honestly, I don't mind. I'll give more information on this when it becomes available.

Radtke...you...and more Wrestling.

JK, it's so good to have you show up and posting on the blog! Great. Well, that "My WM card" message pretty much turned into what I would expect from WWE, without really being what I think they could do. I know it doesn't make sense, but neither does the WWE Main Event picture.

You see, if the WWE was smart this is what they'd do.

World Heavyweight Title Match
45 Minute Iron Man Match (man who scores most pinfalls in 45 minutes wins)

Triple H v. Orton v. Batista

Do I believe Batista or Orton can hold 45 minutes? No, that's why I say put all three in the match, allowing rest time for each individual involved

WWE Title
Classic Rules Match (No cheating, including throwing wrestlers outside the ring over the top rope)

Angle vs. Eddie Guerrero

Now this would be funny, because WWE would have to find a way to have its two most cheating winners...NOT to cheat.

US Title Match
"Street Fight"

John Cena vs. RVD

This match will never happen unless Vinnie Mac reads this and sees BUYRATE in his eyes, but this match would allow the VAN TERMINATOR to finally end CENA's run as a US champ, allowing them to throw him on Raw AFTER WM...also finally give RVD a singles belt. If you want Cena to look good at WM, give'm a good match maker

Intercontinental Title Match
Bucket of Truth Ladder Match (Three buckets are held above the ring, its up to the wrestlers to grab the right bucket. The other two are filled with weapons, thus creating MASS CARNAGE)

Christian vs. Shelton Benjamin

After this match, make Christian the #2 heel, if he isn't already, by having him defect to Smackdown...WITH the TITLE.

Legend Match
Ricky Steamboat as the Special Referee and The Rock as the Special Enforcer

Mick Foley vs. Ric Flair

Steamboat and Flair had amazing matches. Steamboat and Foley respect each other enough to talk about "old school" and "hard core" like adults. Flair hates Foley. Foley dislikes Flair. This match is reading GOLD! I'd buy it for this one. Have Foley lose when Steamboat turns on him and begins another war of words.

Cruiserweight Championship Battle Royal

ALL: Crusiers get thrown in, from BOTH brands.

The only way to get the Raw brand Crusiers a belt...let them actually be the last ones left so one HAS to win.

Chris Benoit vs. Shawn Michaels

To me, this match just screams WRESTLEMANIA

Undertaker vs. Hulk Hogan

If Hogan wants to beat a legend that still goes from time to time, nows his chance to finally end the Undertaker's streak.

Women's title

Should be decided the same way as the Crusier title, only keep it on Raw's side, since they wrestle.

No more comment there

Gimmick Battle Royal

Only this time, don't have it be older wrestlers, use the stupid gimmicks of today.

KANE vs. EUGENE

A Monster vs. a retard...this would be classic.

There's probably more I'm missing, but this is where I'll leave it for JK.

Paul Heyman

Wrestling fans around the world know this name very well. And if they don't, they should, as he is the former co-founder of ECW, Extreme Championship Wrestling and now is but a McMahon lackey, wishing to have his thrown back.

He is a loud mouth, a bully, and often times, downright rude, but in the end, there are very few that know how to book a LONG and SUCCESSFUL feud. He helped create the shining star of Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Steve Austin, Raven, Tommy Dreamer, and my favorite, Mick Foley. Okay, he didn't create them, and didn't even make them better wrestlers...he listened to them. He let them be themselves. And guess what, folks...it worked.

Paul Heyman is an innovator, but let's take a look at what he did.

He created pandemonium, and with that, the fans came.

On the RISE AND FALL OF ECW DVD from WWE home video, Vince McMahon says that he was only appealing to his audience and not changing his product for anyone...but there's a farce in that. He didn't change he product because it was what Wrestling fans wanted.

Names like Austin, Foley, and the Rock weren't being created into Multimedia stars by soap opera drama...they were stars that broke the mold (with Exception to the Rock, for being this generation's Hulk Hogan, only a better actor).

Wrestling fans WANT to see the brutal beatings, they want the blood and gore. We want to see Mick Foley fall 20 ft to what should be certain death, only to have him minutes later fall 16 feet onto a hard ring surface, and still get up and wrestle for another 20 minutes.

Paul Heyman gave the REAL wrestling fan of today what they wanted. He introduced the masses to Lucha Libre, and cruiserweight wrestling. He introduced us to grapple wrestlers like Dean Malenko, and on top of that, he gave us the gore, the Dreamer Driver and the Even Flow. He gave us the kendo stick, the beer drinking and much more.

But he gave us a full package. His product shouldn't have to change, as it was a little of everything...sex, drugs, alcohol, violence. Forget the soap opera of a debate on wrestling. Give me two men hurting themselves with chairs. Vince should realize it, as he molded his ATTITUDE after ECW, after taking the largest stars away from Paul.

Paul, if you have been released, please...reform ECW, even if it is with someone else running the money end. The industry needs to wake up, because no one is watching anymore, and if it keeps going this way, it may never wake up again.