Samurai Mouse - Pretentious Moi Issue 1
Script and art by Bren
I was commissioned to draw a single comic page for a new independent publication in Hong Kong, Pretentious Moi. I was given an open brief, and a 2 week deadline. I wanted to draw something dynamic and imaginative, that suggested a story. At the time I was reading a lot of Blade of The Immortal, and watching Kurosawa films. One morning while walking to my studio I saw a tattoo of a mouse dressed in a robe with a samurai sword. I then developed the idea of a Samurai wearing a mouse mask, similar to a Kisune Fox Mask.
Thumbnail
Since I only had a page to work with, and I'm primarily an artist, I wanted to draw something dynamic with an interesting composition. I wanted to suggest a story and a character, and let the readers imagination ask questions and do the rest.
Composition was the most important thing for me in this piece, so I thought about how I could use large shapes to direct the eye through the page while telling a story and emphasising tension and action. I decided that introducing the character in the first three panels gave me an opportunity for a close up in the main image, the shape and direction of the sword linking the first panel to of the Samurai relaxed to another panel of the samurai tensed and ready for battle.
The tense triangle shape of the samurai's legs, taking a battle stance, heightens the tension and provides a visual link between panels
Pencills and Inks
As always the final artwork was an iteration of the thumbnail. While I do thumbnails digitally I always create final artwork traditionally on paper. I take the time to evaluate the original composition and refine it. My process is very iterative.
With comics work I find good planning is really key to success and creating these dynamic compositions. A tight deadline really helped me push this without overthinking.
