Side by side 6 - final

The original Bolt page 6.

Woah, panel two is so full of random nineties kitch! This page also has some more of what I would term graphic effects. It's also about 2 or 3 pages squeezed into 1. Here is the only time in the original story that the reporter ( She is given the name Wendy Winters in the new version) is seen, though her prior bad experiences with The Bolt are shared through some hasty exposition. I believe her head piece was originally intended to look like an "Electra" style head wrap but looked more like bandages hence the idea of a back story where the Bolt had fallen on her somehow. I like the newspaper headline as a finishing touch. It was left out of the remake due to page count, deadline, wanting the story finished or all three.

The Electrifying Bolt -page 10

The Electrifying Bolt- page 11

The Bolt leaves Timberr's dignity intact in the remake but his heart shaped boxers still end up on display. The remake also shows the chainsaw actually destroyed by the fall. I guess Bolt just carelessly dropped it. Lots of homages to the original story in these panels including the sound effects panel. The whole thing was an exercise in producing a comic completely digitally for the first time. Some of it I still feel is as cringe worthy as the original but it was definitely a very worthwhile learning curve particularly learning about colouring which as stated in an earlier post, is a whole new ball game for a .

So there you have the Electrifying Bolt fly's again with help from Michael Stoneburner providing a new script. Hopefully there is not a remake of the remake in another 20 years but I'd settle for a animated series or movie. Hollywood? Hello? Anyone?

Side by Side 5

The original Bolt _page 5

This original page really highlights how you can cram too many of your influences into one page!  Among the 90's greats that are all being emulated (not very successfully), This page is very much a tip of the hat to Larry Stroman who incorporated a lot of abstract geometric shapes and lines into his comic art.

The Electrifying Bolt - Page 8

The Electrifying Bolt - Page 9

I'm still not sure changing the wings for a "chopper" was the best choice but Mike's "Squeaker, Squeaker, Squeaker" Sound FX definitely was.

I'm not sure the new panel 1 on page 8 is actually better than the original. Panel 3 on the same page is a recreation of panel 4 on the original. Ironically I think the original has better perspective than the redone panel in which I actually did use perspective.

Panel 4 on page 9 is actually a favourite of mine. It's not dramatic or particularly cool but it is a time when I just let the drawing flow without overthinking it. In my opinion it has a bit more of a "Style" than the other panels.

Side By Side 3

Original Bolt page 3

Bolt page 4

Bolt page 5

The villains original name was 4B2, inspired by the way a certain family member would say 4 by 2. unfortunately in the UK and America it's 2 by 4. So we went with Timberr instead. I still love the ridiculousness of a wooden suit wearing villain.

Layouts are very similar, yet spread out over 2 pages instead of the one. The original page has a myriad of styles vying for attention even a "smashed glass effect". Very cutting edge! The original panel 2 pose is used in the next few pages of the new Bolt story. These new pages also are some of my first ever use of motion blurring.

Changes to 4B2's/Timberr's costume include more barrel styled pants over the paling skirt and a more tree trunk inspired helmet. I sort of miss the bent nail, but figured a good woodworker wouldn't have that.

New improved script provided by Michael Stoneburner.

Side by side 2

original Bolt page 2

Bolt page 2

Bolt page 3

As you can see some scenes were extended in the retelling of this Bolt story. It was inevitable considering the original was only 6 pages long. This page introduces Wendy Walters, Edensburgh's resident ace reporter. The original story has a reporter sort of tacked on at the end and hints that the Bolt is a real pain to her. The plan was to have Wendy as a recurring character reporting on The Bolt's "heroics".

Once again new improved script brought to you by Micheal Stoneburner, who incidentally, really disliked the bangs I gave Wendy for her hair style. He also came up with the TV stations name of "
WZZN TV 10". There is a reason behind it but I'm not sure I can reveal it at this time.

I've spoken before about Mike Perry and his great help in teaching me colour. The bolt pressed up against the glass is also inspired by the way he has drawn that in his comics.

Fun fact: I did my best to make the trucks number plate spell "roadkill".