In the deep waters

Hey everyone, welcome back to this week's installment of The Switch production blog! Thanks to Robb (two b's, dammit!) for filling in last week and curse me for missing the week before. I was heavily snowed in under deadline on a Black Panther project.

It's been a weird week in the comic book industry with the dismissal of a longtime DC Editor for sexual harassment/assault. The reason I bring it up here is because I'm pretty sure Tom has harassed almost all of the Switch backers, as well as the entire state of Minnesota and country of Vietnam, in one way or another. In case he gets arrested or murdered in the near future, there might be a little bit more of a delay while we figure it out and get the book finished. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail, after all.

I'm kidding, of course. Tom is actually a prince of a gentleman, especially with all various models he works with. He's kind of the anti-Terry Richardson if you know your fashion photographers. But the real reason I bring up sexual harassment/abuse this week is because it's a theme that actually plays a role in Electricia's story. There's an element of abuse of power in her relationship with Lover Boy; not that Electricia hasn't done plenty of heinous things herself over the years but the unhealthy dynamic between those two is an underlying factor in her desire to change her life for the better.

It's funny. Much like how Putin is much bigger news today than when I chose him as a villain in the book, the theme of sexual abuse of power has also exploded. All we have left is for Ronald Reagan to return from the dead and fight crime and we'll have hit the hat trick of prognostication. Truly, ahead of our time.

As for the actual production update, Tom and Robb this week informed our publishing partners at Dynamite that they're working on the last 10 pages of colors and should be wrapped by Thanksgiving. I'm cautious about giving out a date when the book will be finished because every time I do, I'm proven wrong. But I'm optimistic that we're swimming in the very deep waters on this and just about to drag it to shore.

Anyway, enough rambling. Here's some preview art this week, all out of context with stupid captions to throw you off even further...

"What did you do the floor with your claws, you stupid cat?"

"YAAAAAGH! WTF is going on here?!"

(That one might actually be the real dialogue from the book)

"Staring contest! Don't blink!"

"Putin love nothing more than pussy."

That's it for this week, guys. Thanks for all your support, patience, and kindness as we work to wrap this beast up once and for all. See you next time!

Hello Switches, Switchers...er, supporters of The Switch!

It’s me, Robb Miller the colorist, just checking in with the Friday blog update.

The end of production is very much in sight as I wrap up coloring the final pages and they are placed in the final layout and then word balloons, sound effects and everything else is added in!

I know I wasn’t initially an artist working on The Switch in the beginning but I do appreciate the patience of fans of this big graphic novel!

I know firsthand what it's like to back a project that doesn't come out on time. I have backed several crowd-sourced campaigns (including this one) and have had varying experiences with each. I have been waiting a long time for a camera band for my iWatch and still haven’t gotten it. Soon I will be like Dick Tracy! Supposedly the new bluetooth being added and ability to work with Series 3 iWatch is part of the delay.

I got my Hi*Fi Coloring for Comics book and a reward was having my name in the book (apparently not my last name though.) The Hi*Fi book was helpful in expanding my skills and helping me get the coloring job on The Switch!

I am currently working my way through my Andy Smith’s How to Draw SUPERHEROES Sketchbook! When I can’t think what to practice drawing, this guides me along!

I am excited to get Bart Sears’ DRAWING POWERFUL HEROES: Brutes and Babes! at some point. Remember the tutorials in Wizard Magazine?

There are several books from artists/creators geared to educate and entertain! I love to back people trying to do their own thing outside of a corporate umbrella but ironically, things sometimes take longer to produce outside of that corporate umbrella. Nothing is as simple as it first seems.

When I finally get my CMRA iWatch band, I know if will be top of the line and better than what I initially gave my support to. As one of only two people that have read the entire script for The Switch, I know all of you that supported it will feel the same. We're all so excited to finally be able to announce that the book is done.

Here are some black and white to color examples from the book.

If I told you what Dr. Hate was saying here, you'd hate me for ruining it!

I do have a last name, you know!

Call her Miss Jackson if you're Nasty.

"Your hair looks a little static-y today, Lover Boy!"

"Aren't our costumes supposes to be white? Shit!"

Keith will be back next week with another update. Thanks everyone!