GUEST BLOG: CE Alum Alex Wilson on "The Time of Reflection" and Comics Experience!

CE alum and Creators Workshop member Alex Wilson has launched a Kickstarter campaign for his and artist Silvio dB's comic project "The Time of Reflection", which ends in about a week. Below is a Guest Blog by Alex, discussing the project and Comics Experience.

I was a trial member of the online forum and workshop here at Comics Experience when someone shared the info about "The Huntsman's Challenge," this special Eagle Award competition co-sponsored by the Universal Pictures film Snow White and the Huntsman, requiring an original five page, full color dark fantasy comic.

With a deadline only about a month away, I was inspired and impressed with a number of veteran workshop members both for committing so quickly to the challenge and for their amazing encouragement of each other.

Inspired and impressed, yes. I wasn't surprised, though. Members of this forum have treated me as part of the group literally from day one... when I joined and immediately jumped into a monthly writing challenge with a deadline that evening. Critiquing five scripts and writing my own piece for the challenge left me without enough brainpower left to do a proper introduction post.

I'm fairly certain I wouldn't have heard about the competition in time to do anything about it if it wasn't for my friends here at Comics Experience. I also might not have been inspired enough to join in the fun without their examples.

If I hadn't met CE Staff member Paul Allor here, I might not have purchased his Clockwork anthology and seen his collaboration with Silvio dB, which led me to check out Silvio's other work (including a story he created with fellow CE member Amy Chu) and his website to see what his coloring style might be like.

And of course the script wouldn't have been in the shape it was in without the feedback and encouragement of so many active forum members.

And when the judges selected "The Time of Reflection" as one of the two finalists (Paul and Amy's stories were among those shortlisted, by the way!), with the winner to be selected during an open voting period, Comics Experience members and staff (thanks Rob, Andy, everyone!) were among my most vocal get-out-the-vote champions. I wouldn't be surprised if a healthy percentage of retweets and Facebook Likes and other social awareness that led to votes and support for our comic could be ultimately traced back to this community right here.

Finally: when we won the Eagle Award, I found out about it from a CE friend before I heard anything official.

A few weeks ago, we launched a Kickstarter to fund a printed version of "The Time of Reflection." The enthusiasm and encouragement here continues to be amazing and overwhelming, as members of the CE community were among the first to back the project.

But when I think about Comics Experience and why I became a full member after my trial expired, I don't consider it as a collection of these generosities or the many quantifiable ways I've benefited from being a part of this community these last eight months.

I think of the amazing people who I look forward to seeing at the next comics event or convention, whether I'm going as a guest or as a fan. And I realize that, for less than the cost of a flight + hotel + attendance fees for the average weekend convention trip, I get a full year of having that communal experience anytime I want, where I can discuss comics with new friends who are as serious about funnybooks as I am.

Thanks, Comics Experience. Looking forward to the next eight months!

-- Alex Wilson

Check out more information (and support the project) on "The Time of Reflection" on Kickstarter!

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If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
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CE Alum Alex Wilson Launches "The Time of Reflection" Kickstarter

CE alum and Creators Workshop member Alex Wilson has launched a Kickstarter campaign for his and artist Silvio dB's comic project The Time of Reflection.

And not only was the original script workshopped on the Creators Workshop, but the story thereafter received an Eagle Award! Specifically, it won the 2012 MCM Expo Award For New Visionaries (aka "The Huntsman's Challenge" or the "Eagle Awards New Talent Competition".)

The story crosses the fairy tale of Snow White with the cross-cultural Trickster myth in a traditional high-fantasy setting.

It was selected as one of two finalists by judges Steve White, Tony Lee, and Mark Buckingham, and then was named the overall winner via a vote.

While the story was printed in the London Comic-Con program, it hasn't otherwise seen print.

Alex's Kickstarter is to produce two versions of the story: (1) a booklet (12 glossy pages) on thick paper stock with the complete 5 page comic, character sketches, and Silvio's gorgeous concept illustration on the back cover; and (2) a signed and numbered Limited Edition version which, at 28 pages, will include the story, the full script, the complete unlettered pages, the layouts, and some additional commentary on the making of the comic.

The Kickstarter reached its initial goal in less than eight hours, and, as of this writing, stands at over $2,700 with more than 100 backers. Alex has since set several stretch goals, the latest at the $3,000 mark.

In addition to the book itself, those pledging can receive other incentives including art prints, original sketches, jigsaw puzzles -- and even the opportunity to have Alex create an original song commission for you!

With more than twenty days left as of today, there's still plenty of time to jump on this Kickstarter!

Or check out the video right here:

Best of luck to Alex and Silvio with the Kickstarter!

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If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Alex Wilson & Silvio dB's "The Time of Reflection" Wins 2012 Eagle Award!

As reported by The Beat, the story "The Time of Reflection," has won the 2012 MCM Expo Award For New Visionaries! (You may have heard this referred to as "The Huntsman's Challenge" or the "Eagle Awards New Talent Competition" as well.)

Writer Alex Wilson (a Comics Experience alum and Creators Workshop member) and artist Silvio dB had their story selected as one of two finalists by judges Steve White, Tony Lee, and Mark Buckingham, and then were selected as the overall winner via a vote.

You can read the full winning story on Alex's website right here:

The Time of Reflection (full story)

The winning story was included in the MCM London Comic Con show program, printed in conjunction with Snow White And The Huntsman from Universal Pictures.

The competition required a dark fantasy story (complete with five pages of color art!) with only a month from announcement to deadline. Two other Creators Workshop members, Paul Allor and Amy Chu, also were named to the judges' shortlist!

Alex Wilson writes fiction and comics in Carrboro, NC. His work has appeared/will appear in Asimov's Science Fiction, The Rambler, LCRW, Weird Tales, The Florida Review, Futurismic, ChiZine, Pif, and Dragon. Locus Magazine has called him a "promising new writer," and Publishers Weekly also has nice things to say.

Currently, Alex is shopping both a humor novelette and a full color crime graphic novel to publishers and agents. He runs the audiobook project/podcast Telltale Weekly and publishes the minicomic/zine Inconsequential Art. He is a Clarion grad, WotF finalist (prose), and, now, also the writer of an Eagle Award winning comic!

Congratulations to Alex and Silvio!

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If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

"The Time of Reflection" is a Finalist in Eagle Awards Competition!

We're pleased to announce that writer Alex Wilson (a Comics Experience alum and Creators Workshop member) and artist Silvio dB had their submission, "The Time of Reflection," selected as one of the two finalists for the MCM Expo Award For New Visionaries (sometimes called "The Huntsman's Challenge" or the "Eagle Awards New Talent Competition").

The final winner will now be determined by a vote.

Please VOTE HERE before May 7, 2012! It only takes a few seconds.

"The Time of Reflection" was shortlisted in both categories of art and story and can be viewed in full on the Eagle Awards voting website OR on Alex Wilson's website right here.

The winning story will be included in May’s MCM London Comic Con show program, printed in conjunction with Snow White And The Huntsman from Universal Pictures. Universal will also provide a selection of prizes.

The contest, judged by Steve White, Tony Lee, and Mark Buckingham, required a dark fantasy story (complete with five pages of color art!) with only a month from announcement to deadline. Two other Creators Workshop members, Paul Allor and Amy Chu, also were named to the judges' shortlist!

Congratulations, Alex and Silvio! And good luck in the voting process!

Three CE Alums Named to Judges' Shortlist in Eagle Awards/MCM Challenge!

Yesterday, April 10, 2012, the finalists were announced in the Eagle Awards/MCM Huntsman’s Challenge new comics talent competition.

We're thrilled to share the news that submissions from THREE Comics Experience alums and Workshop members placed in the Judges' Shortlist!

In the category of Best Story, CE alum and staff member, Paul Allor, placed third with his story "The Edge of the Village," with art by Dwa, and colors by Donna Gregory.

And also in the category of Best Story, CE alum Alex Wilson tied for fourth place with his story, "The Time of Reflection," with art and colors by Silvio dB!

The art by Silvio dB in Alex's story ALSO tied for third place in the second category of Best Art! (Shown at left.)

And also tying for third place for Best Art was a submission by yet another CE alum, Amy Chu, entitled "Long Live the Emperor," featuring art and colors by Cabral! (Shown below.)

To have stories submitted by three Workshop members and alums take FOUR of the spots on the Judges' Shortlist is quite an accomplishment.

We want to send a big congratulations to all those named, as well as to all our Comics Experience alums and members who submitted to the contest, despite the tight submission deadline!

Keep making comics!

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If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Workshop Members Take On the Eagle/MCM Challenge!

On January 27, 2012, the Eagle Awards and MCM London Comic Con announced a new competition for comic artists and writers.

The "Huntsman's Challenge" competition called on comic creators to submit a completed five page story, in color, with a plot relevant to a dark fantasy setting. The catch? All submissions -- of finished stories -- had to be submitted in a month, with a deadline of February 29th.

Despite the short deadline, members of the Comics Experience Creators Workshop community were up to the challenge, with no less than FOUR members submitting completed stories!

Since the winners haven't been announced, we're only going to share quick peeks at early character designs or panels representing each story, but it looks like a very interesting range of dark fantasy stories were submitted!

Here are the entries from Workshop members (in alphabetical order by title):

Bonita and the Creature Writer: Joe Sergi Artist: DaFu Yu Colorist: John Hunt Letterer: ET Dollman
Edge of the Village Writer/Letterer: Paul Allor Artist: Dwa Colorist: Donna Gregory
Long Live the Emperor Writer/Letterer: Amy Chu Artist/Colorist: Cabral
The Time of Reflection Writer/Letterer: Alex Wilson Artist/Colorist: Silvio dB

The competition is to be judged by Titan Publishing senior editor Steve White, bestselling writer Tony Lee and Eisner-winning artist Mark Buckingham.

The Judges will select two winners: one for best design and art, and another for best writing. Both winning teams will be nominated for a new Eagle Award, the MCM Expo Award For New Visionaries and have their story included in the MCM London Comic Con show program. Both winners will also be invited to the 2012 Eagle Awards ceremony and after-party, along with industry passes to the full London Comic Con weekend.

We wish everyone the best of luck in the competition!

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If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook