Oink, Heaven's Butcher: Digitally Remastered

[JohnM]

Page of the week, still steaming ahead. These last few pages have been pretty big overhauls, but I'm staying true to my rules. The original page is up on my blog.

[JohnM]

Hey Mr. Park I enjoyed your blog, inspiring stuff! I'm really trying to get my environment work up to par. I spent most of my career trying to avoid backgrounds, haha.

[JohnM]

this one came together quickly

[donalfall]

I loved the original Oink. This new version is great! You've grown a lot artistically since. This is going to be on sale? It's off the chain. You've sold me a copy already anyway.

[Mr.Thorne]

breath taking work man. Keeping true to the original as well from what I've seen of it.

[PhilHolland]

You're a mad man John. Love the way this is looking so far. Keeping to the grit and all.

[Studio Colrouphobia]

Love it, loved the original and was affraid some of the feeling of it would be lost but it seems like you managed to keep the wonderful character of the original and just made it tons better visually...

[Beelow]

Beautiful panels! It's cool to see that you are revisiting your panels and giving it a new face. I will stop through some time to see what is happening here. I am not familiar with Oink; I will take some time and get aquainted with him. Thanks for sharing.

[TheDirtSyndicate]

interesting
im a huge oink fan too, for a very long time.
check out these sketches i did from years ago:
http://www.thedirtsyndicate.org/08/i...chbook_042.jpg
http://www.thedirtsyndicate.org/08/i...chbook_043.jpg
http://www.thedirtsyndicate.org/08/i...chbook_044.jpg
http://www.thedirtsyndicate.org/08/i...chbook_045.jpg

[JohnM]

Cool stuff Dirty, I like the rat guy The original idea for the series had all these other animal hybrids like rats, and bears. I ended up cutting it because it didn't really work with how the story went more Orwellian 1984-ish.

Someone commented about trying to keep the original character of the page. I'm trying to embellish the existing character and clarify the narrative are really my main goals.

Scott Mcloud has an excellent book called Making Comics, which I keep handy on my drawing table. I wish that book had existed when I did this the first time...I probably wouldn't even have to even be doing this!!

[JohnM]

Page of the week.

[GriNGo]

Man, I loved the original version a lot. Fail to see the purpose of the "digital remaster". Anyways good luck.

[Steininger]

I know mid marathon the last hing you need is someone saying, "hey, man.. why are you doing this?"... but... The original version is bursting with life, energy, and flaws (flaws are good). That makes it feel human and organic and fleshy and disgusting and beautiful. Even the lettering in the original has that life. As a piece of art - the original wins hands down, no question about it. The new one is pretty, sure. You know how to use photoshop very well and now your work can look like everyone else here. Ah good. We can all feel safe again and say we love the new version! Looks slick! I know Bisley and Fabry are not "cool" right now - but it's a lot cooler to have traces of them in your art then the plasticity of just another photoshop painting. This may sound harsh - but it truly saddens me to see such great stuff - ACTUAL PAINTING! being put aside in favour of a bland pretty trend. Boo. Regardless. The first is done and already does exist, so in the end, it will be an interesting thing to reflect on when you have the two version and can flip through them side by side. Cheers and best of luck with the marathon! Also - thank you very much for sharing your process of this - I really appreciate it and enjoy this.

[Assi]

man i really really like this ide, it's so awsome, i am eagerly looking forward to more updates

[7seven-design]

is a great work
congratulation o__O

[JohnM]

Stein- thanks so much for your comment, it's true what you say, you might be right...to my knowledge I've never even heard of anyone doing something like this..it is a but nuts, isn't it? Your post is like my own internal argument leading up to this. I'm turning 40 this year, maybe this is my mid-life crisis? I'm a pretty simple person when it comes to philosophy about art and creation, but I can tell you what got me to this point of no return...besides enjoying drawing guys punching each other.

I don't know what your experience has been, but I believe every artist finds themselves in the creative woods at some point, we're a bit lost, and we aren't quite sure which way to go. For me, what I've learned is the only way out of the woods is to follow the thing you've followed your whole creative life...your compass or whatever, and the worst thing to do is to stand still waiting for the path to illuminate...it just won't. Sometimes the compass is pointing off into the dark and you have no idea what is fucking over there.
This is what my creative compass is telling me to do, which I honestly have a great number of reservations about going this way. I'm doubtful that I will even find a publisher, I can write a long list of reasons why this is probably not a good use of my time...but the damn thing is pointing like crazy, what can you do, turn your back on the thing that has driven your creative decisions your whole life?

I can be honest with myself about the doubts, once you're committed you've got no other choice than to push on, what's the alternative, for me it's what it's been for the past 10 years, the feeling of standing still, and a laundry list of excuses why I haven't moved in a direction. So, I'm on the path now, and I'm actually really glad I followed the compass...the compass was right, and very little of it has anything to do with photoshop. I'm moving with purpose in a direction, with a project near and dear to my heart, what lies over that hill, I have no idea..does life as a creative being ever get better?

JM

[Danny_K]

That's a mean pig you got there... brutal and interesting to read and watch.
Follow your compass buddy he didn't let you down so far did it?
I really love the remake of this, it brings atmosphere and more life to the whole story, I think for people who have not read the original oink like myself could be a real treat.

[Pegahoul]

This is so cool ^^ both version looks great.
Love your studio

[Féfé]

I didn't know this comic. Your painting technique is very cool ! Congrats !

[JohnM]

Page of the week.

[bhanu]

I completely understand What you are saying sir..... Sometimes you gotta what you gotta do...
And I am loving this comic now.... I liked the earlier version too.... it was so dark and dirty but this is just as good. Its still dirty and dark, but its become wiser;for lack of a better word.
Godspeed

A fan.

[andreasrocha]

Amazing stuff, man!

[JohnM]

Some new pages, I'm going back to hand lettering, digital works for some things...not for others.

[conte]

Hardcore!

[Pavel Sokov]

This is awesome! Gotta love that orange cover especialy

[bhanu]

Hi Mr. Mueller.
Have been a fan of your work since the first time I laid eyes on it. umm I dont know how to put it but heres a fan tribute to your Oink.


looking forward to your comic. And i am loving how its shaping up.



If you want this removed from the thread please let me know.

[JohnM]

Bhanu how could I be anything other than flattered,there is a punk rock vibe about that piece, it looks like an album cover, dig it!

Jm

[HumbleEgo]

This is a compelling undertaking for many reasons. Thanks for sharing your process.

I think, overall, the change is for the better (the palette on that cover is so tasty!) and it's cool to see the things you've learned applied to old material. The matured sense of color and light is really apparent throughout.

In a few cases, I think you've upped the rendering and color sensibilities at the cost of some readability.
{Example}

It's a hard trade-off, especially because the original had that great pulpy, punky, underground feel. Kudos for being un-a-feared to take it in a new direction and I look forward to more!

BTW, are you attacking these chronologically or in some other order?

[henrytoy]

Very good work; It's a pity there is much violence

[Ivica Stevanovic]

I missed the first edition (1996), but this new one I will Not. Great atmosphere and style transformation!