Steampunk is awesome. But more than that, it's taking current technology and powering it with older power sources, i.e. steam or clockwork. It's also a re-envisioning of the past, showing what we could've done. I think it's cool, because it gives me a chance to play with alternate history.
Why do you like steampunk so much?
I like the 1800s a lot. I like the 1800s with robots more. And I also like drawing gears and whatnot.
Who has two thumbs and draws this comic?
This guy, right here. Chris Downey.
Who has two thumbs and writes this comic?
That guy, right there. Chris Downey.
Well, who’s that?
Well, he’s an art major at SUNY Oswego, and he loves lamp. More than that, I fear I may not say. I may already have said too much. What medium is this done in?
Li'l bit of ink, li'l bit of Photoshop 7.
Will you draw something for me?
Sure, just give me a description and wait until I have time. Oh, and telling me how you want it drawn can help (y'know, what medium you want, how you want whatever's in it to look... stuff like that).
Why is his name Jeffries?
I dunno, Nancy, why is your name Magill? And why do you call yourself Lil?
What's with Jeffries' arm?
It's mechanical. He lost it when he was a kid, and now he's got a prosthetic more advanced than those available today.
Waldo?
Can you find him? But yes, his name is Waldo. Go read some Heinlein.
Why did you start this comic?
I had an idea in my head, and I had to start putting it down on paper before I lost it. I also wanted to do something other than the sword-and-sorcery of Trials in the Light (now discontinued). As much as I like what I've done there, I have to follow a story that was set down before I started the comic (although, I have taken some liberties). I wanted to have something that wasn't dark fantasy, and, strangely enough, something without a ton of swords and superpowers. I wanted to involve the everyday people in a world that wasn't corny, and also wasn't Tolkien-esque.
How long does a page take to do?
Well, lessee... I have to do a sketch to get the layout and write the dialogue... That can take up to an hour... Then I have to pencil it... that's about an hour and a half... Then comes ink, which is another hour... Then color, which can be as short as half an hour if I'm in the zone. So, about... 4 hours? Sometimes more. It depends on how many panels I do.
Do you enjoy doing this?
Good lord, yes. Why else would I draw it?
Why do you hand-letter it? Your handwriting is terrible.
I like going through the finished inks and being able to read it right there, instead of having to look at it on a computer. Besides, my penmanship is improving. It's legible; don't complain.
I've got a character for you. Put him in the comic.
If you want to put a character in a comic, make a comic yourself. I have my own feel for the characters I use, and I have no need to convolute the story because you feel like you've got someone you want to see in it. I know it's mean, but sometimes the characters I hear about are, to put it politely, less than good. I like my own people just fine, thanks.
Can I use your characters?
Unless it’s something which can fit very easily into the timeline of the comic, and won’t interfere with the story at all, I have to say no. I want my comic to be a single world, not split off into a million little branches across the internet.
Link exchange?
If I like your site. Don't be afraid to ask.
Can I dance if I want to?
You can leave your friends behind.
But my friends don't dance!
If they don't dance, then they're no friends of mine. Also, that wasn’t a question.
Do you do any other comics?
Not anymore. A while ago, I was working on one called Trials in the Light, a retelling of the first Final Fantasy, but I gave that up in favor of spending more time on Empires of Steam. I also have another four comic projects in the wings (The Frozen, Vigil, White, Monster), but those will not be started for a couple of years yet. I want to be able to get Empires of Steam going a bit more strongly before I seriously consider starting those.
Wanna illustrate a comic for me?
I promise nothing, but send me a script sample.
Are you single?
I thought these were frequenty asked questions.
All images and characters copyright (c) 2008 Chris Downey.
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