Commission Work & Refreshed Synopsis and Story

Just wanted to share with those who occasionally stumble across this blog a recent commission I had done by a great artist named Carlo. His website is http://carlogarde.deviantart.com/ and he does amazing work. here is the picture he did (along with my colors):

Its more of a cartoon look to it and I think its really good. Thanks again Carlo!! Also I wanted to share an updated synopsis and story. When looking at the submission process, I have read that in telling a synopsis, you should be able to sum up the idea in one to two sentences. Man that is hard!!! But it was something that has helped me along with all of the brainstorming, and drafts.

Disciple 6

Disciple 6 is a story about a select group of individuals chosen by a supernatural power to walk past their own deaths and into a bigger destiny. Upon the horrific deaths that each of them endure, they are posed with a simple question: Continue to the afterlife? Or a new chance to live? With new found abilities, each one of The Cast battles with their own emotions, and have questions about purpose.

Our stories begin with the wait for the next member to die to this world, and arrive in the afterlife. But quickly all plans need to change when The Rook, founder of The Cast is confronted by a higher power, telling him to send who he has to rescue someone who is special to him. So Rook stays and awaits the next member’s arrival, as he sends Vionne, Hazard and Cordite to save someone they have never met.

Drawn in a traditional comic art style Disciple 6 has an original concept to back up the great art. Readers that enjoy team dynamics, complex characters, and exciting storylines will find Disciple 6 right up their alley.

2010

Well hello there friends. Welcome to 2010. A new year for new things. Life has been good to me. The remodel is coming along. Slower than hoped, but it hasn't really been a priority so I can't get too mad at myself for it. Blogging hasn't really been a priority either, as you can see.... But hey, I don't want to get too wrapped up in this Internet stuff right? When life is happening all around me. But an occasional ramble is always a good thing.
My kids are getting so big. Levi Drake is crawling around like a mad man, and smiling all the time. Also dealing with his sisters is obviously making him stronger. Sophia Grey's personality is growing also. Putting words together, asking questions. She is at that age where she is using words that we didn't teach her. I look at her thinking where did you learn that? Then i realize she HEARS it. so she says it. (i am not talking about BAD words here, just random ones, like "on top of" or "I am too high from the ground to pick it up...." Seriously? Sophia? You are too HIGH from picking up the toy off the ground? right.... Ella Shay, dancer dancer, loosing teeth like its going out of style. She is such an adult. She usually gets ready in the morning by herself. She also gets to take out "her dog" (Sophia says)
Work is going well. Still so much to learn about the selling of cars. And dealing with customers can be trying sometimes. I find myself complaining sometimes and I do not want to become that guy. That is not me.
City of Ember. have you ever seen that movie? Its based on a book (I haven't read) but the movie was very surprising. the "idea" behind it all was very interesting. I recommend those of you who haven't seen it to check it out. As we were laying there watching it, my wife (pregnant at the time with Levi) said, "we should name the baby Ember..." I looked at her red hair and thought to myself, it could be cool, but Levi was kind of what we were set on. Now Ember still lives on in my character that I created along time ago. Though a name was never set, Ember fits Perfectly. And guess what his real name is..... Levi Drake. (Drake means Dragon). Its funny how a life of making superheroes, powers, and stories, most of the great stuff comes from my wife, and it inspires me. I really like being a creative thinker. I try my hardest to create, and think of things that have never been thought of before. Some believe it can't be done. Some think the only thing to do is copy what others thing. I say poop on that!
Disciple 6 is moving right along. Its been such a blessing. Things that started just as thoughts in my mind, with the help of an eager artist wanting to break into the industry, and now the pro from Australia, who puts the finishing touches on things. This REALLY turns these sketches into the final product. This will be the last image I show the public. The rest I really feel like I should keep private until we finally do our submission. With that I leave you with the title page (not including script) I think that this is going to be a great year. At the end of the day, the only one that can stop me is myself. I have been blessed with a dream.

Disciple 6

Sophia sprinkled with some Levi

How Dreams Become Realities.......

Hey everyone. It has surely been a while since my last post. I apologize for that, but things in the world of MARS has been very busy. Busy, in a good way. Lets dive into it!

Bedroom. I have been remodeling my daughters bedroom upstairs in our house for..... a "few" months now. Its really stressful on my wife, though she understands that 2 evenings at the most a week, is hard for one man to get done (even if I get help from a 6th grader occassionally). I think that the room will be wonderful for my girls. I am realizing that I could honestly spend hours in LOWES and I could gut out my entire house. I think my inner "man" has come out. There is just something about building stuff that makes me want to grunt like Tim, the tool man Taylor.

Work. We are moving cars. It has been a good few months. A couple headaches, but we get through. October was my best month ever. I sold over 20 cars. It felt good, and I think I am getting the hang of it. I have also tried to get out in the garage more. Jay, who has worked on cars for 30 years here works everyday. If I want to learn something I dont have to go far. If he doesnt know how to fix it, he WILL figure it out. Really good mechanic. I am learning alot more about what sounds mean in a car. Its very cool.

Disciple 6. Most of you all know my stories of D6, and some are a part of the team. I recently "met" a guy from down under who is interested in doing colour, and ink for the book. This guy is a great artist, and very talented. With Andy doing the pencils, and this guy Matt cleaning things up, it is all falling into place. its a thing of beauty. Words can't describe how good everything with this project feels. I can honestly say I can feel the prayers, and thoughts of my friends and family. There are so many people in my corner on this project. All I can really say is thank you, and i really appreciate the thoughts and prayers. I will leave you now with VISUAL evidence of this amazing trip we are on with Disciple 6.
This is a random sketch I did years ago of Vionne. A much different interpretation from B.W.
One of Andy's first sketches of Robertson Ward. With some adjustments, he nailed Vionne.Some inking and cleaning Baker did, this sketch was becoming completeMatt Bakers coloring is breath-taking. This is one of the main reasons why I approached him. His work is unbelievable. Now, what began as a sketch, I can see standing next to Spidey and Sups. To see something born in a thought, and end up looking like this, even before, if this ever does get published, its just really really fufilling for me right now.

http://www.budnickart.blogspot.com to check out Andy's stuff

http://prisoneronearth.deviantart.com to check out Matt's

Next post will be titled "Photo Album" You will get to see the kids I call my own.

Submission Synopsis

Hey friends and family, just thought I would share with you the synopsis letter that I have to send in to the comic book company, along with 7 finished pages. It just might help you get to know the story I have been working on a little bit better. I am also in the process of building a website for Disciple 6 (being done by homebrewer himself, and fellow 01 graduate Matt Michielsen)

Here it is. It has to be under one page long. Let me know what you think!



D6

Imagine living your life, searching for a purpose, a meaning to it all, only to discover that in death you will finally achieve that purpose. Disciple 6 tells the tale of six such individuals from many different paths. Living lives of faith and compassion only to have them horrifically ripped away. Yet they have been selected and given a choice: continue to heaven, or return with a gift that could change the world. Long ago a being known only as the scribe, trusted guardian of The Domicle Archives (the physical records of all names marked for heaven and hell), was charged with forming a team to prepare for the coming wars. Throughout time he has set apart those worthy to serve.
First there was Zacheaus, or Z [code name: Rook], a man from biblical times whose life and death remain a mystery to even those closes to him. Next came Robert Ward [code name: Vionne], the group’s field leader, a knight of medieval times stabbed from behind by his own power hungry cousin. Then there was Anthony Childress [code name: Hazard], a strong yet gentle man who grew up as a slave on an early plantation, whose throat was cut after attempting to escape to freedom. Moving ahead to Abel Kissinger [code name: Cordite], a young art teacher, is chosen after saving a young girl from a fire. Then came the 5th member, a unique man named Leonard Maddox [code name: Griffith]. Born into this world as an anomaly, Leonard possesses large tan wings, and the feet of a lion. He is captured by a group of mysterious men; he simply calls The White Suits. Leonard later signs on with the team and awaits the arrival of the sixth member, and instructions as to their role in coming events.
This is where Patience or Passion, the first story arc begins. Leonard, restless struggles with waiting for the next member. He often takes his anger out on the evil that lurks in the city’s dark places. On numerous occasions, against Z’s instructions Leonard leaves the safety of The Sanctuary, a rundown church that serves as the team’s base of operations, in order to fight crime.
When it is announced that billion-dollar corporation DOZTECH INDUSTRIES is set to begin production on project: Cypacor, robotic policing units for the city. Christopher Dozman, younger brother to DOZTECH owner Mitchell, has plans on using these Robots for his own twisted will. Christopher has been in and out of the insane ward, honing in his abilities to control minds.
With the pending arrival of sixth member, a raped and murdered medical student named Grace Chambers [code name: Remedy], the team embarks on an intelligence mission following the Doztech company. While out near a Doztech warehouse Leonard spots men in white suits. Fueled by anger from his past, Leonard blindly follows them against orders. He falls into a trap that leads to the removal of his feet, and one of his wings. Before the removal of the second wing, the guys save him, and get him back to base, right in time for the 6th, Remedy, with her gift of healing, to help our broken friend.
Disciple 6 is sure to leave fans of traditional comic art, team dynamics, complex characters, and exciting story lines begging for more. Though the religious overtones are prevalent and important to the authors, this is by no means a tale written only for religious thinkers. Nor should it be marketed that way. This is a story of faith – faith in a higher calling, faith in our own abilities and beliefs, and faith in each other. “God” is not a character in these stories, only The Scribe who acts on His behalf. If Hellboy, Spawn, Ghost Rider, and Johnny Constantine can exist in the comic realm, why not a team such as this? I am confident people will find these stories of struggles compelling, even if it happens to be the “good” supernatural being giving out all the cool powers!
Disciple 6 is a creation of Matthew A. Rodriguez, with illustrations by Andrew Budnick. The entire 5 issue miniseries has been outlined and the opening act of issue one: An Ordinary Knight has been included in this submission. Thank you very much for this opportunity, and if you are looking for a comic that is authentic, and tells new and engaging stories, look no further. Welcome to the world of Disciple 6.

GRIFFITH JUMPS ON THE SCENE

As we get closer to a submission to Image Comics, I keep getting blown away by the artist that has partnered up with me on this project. Andy Budnick has been getting deeper and deeper into each character. I wanted to share with my friends and family a picture of Griffith that Andy did recently. I tried to ink it myself, so i do apologize ahead of time, I will post the drawing, and the inked. (the inking done by a professional would rock, and i think Andy still needs to do detail on the left arm)

The first 7 pages that we are sending to the comic book company are being work on right now. I am finishing with the synopsis letter, and the script for the first issue. I will post some of that as we get closer. Just a tease now of Griffith!!