February Obsidian Update

Don’t know if you guys have noticed at all, but the logo for Obsidian Studios is changed yet again! That means with this year, and the changes that I have implemented, there will be a new comic logo, and other stuff as well that will be new. With these changes, I wanted to put up a new blog update about the current changes within Obsidian Studios and the changes that will be coming about really soon.

Right now, The Swaggernauts is in high gear, and the third page of the book is up today, and will be continuing to be going up every Friday! The book has gotten good response as far as the look is concerned. Folks like the polished and ‘clean’ look to the book. The promotions for it are going at a steady pace as well. The Swaggernaut t-shirt line based on the comics is also in full swing as well. Thus far I have been able to sell a total of 20 shirts. This is on the local level so I think that this is a good thing. The next step is to do a full blown marketing campaign after the fourth page is up and really work on getting the word out about the comic.

Until then I will be inking more pages, and drawing more pages until the end of the project. I’m anticipating big things happening with this book, and I know for a fact that 2013 is indeed the year of the Swaggernauts. To keep up with all things Swaggernauts, be sure to follow the Facebook page, as well as the Instagram page, and their Twitter. All of these will be updated, and revamped. The Swaggernauts themselves will be operating these social media outlets and letting you all in on their lives here on Earth.

On another note, I went to the comic shop today, and picked up a copy of a book that’s supposed purpose is to talk about creator owned comics and things of that nature. After reading the book and giving it a shot in my subscription box, I came to the conclusion that there was not a REAL magazine that was a source and haven for independent comic artists to shine and show off their works. I felt that I needed to do something about this, and with the encouragement of my fellows at my comic shop, I have decided that I will be putting together a magazine that will be dedicated to the comic creators, and their fans. As well as those that want to join those ranks. The name of the magazine has yet to be named, but more will be revealed about this venture in time.

For now, this is all I have for you. I appreciate the loyal base that I have here, whether you are following the blog, or just remember to stop by on a regular basis, I appreciate the patience and understanding. This year, I plan on doing a better job with keeping up with these blogs, and making things interesting for you all. Until next time folks, talk with you soon! 

Swaggernaut T-Shirts Available for Sale!

Hey guys, it's Ian Walker here. I just wanted to take some time to update more information here on the blog to let you all know about the line of t-shirts that I am coming out with in relation to my webcomic project The Swaggernauts.

Swaggernauts is an all ages book, but not all are too into comics. But no one is too old enough for fashion. I created a unique and simple line of t-shirts for Men, Women and Kids that is cool and fun. Also these will be able to spread the word about the comic as well. These t-shirts are not your cheap run of the mill 4.99 a shirt cheap copy shirt that will turn into a dust rag in 3 months. These are high quality t-shirts that can be worn for a variety of occasions. I look forward to getting these out to you guys and in your hands. There is a flat charge per t-shirt of $30 for adults, and $22 for kids large. Let me know what you think of this line.

To order your t-shirt, please click on the link The Swaggernauts Online Store to go to the storefront and get yours! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and let me know! Below are some shots of the t-shirts. Please enjoy!

The Swaggernauts Land in 10 days

Hey everyone, just wanted to send out an update about the Swaggernauts project. There is a lot of amazing progress going on right now, and I am proud to say that the webcomic is ready to go live, and we have a release date for the webcomic! The comic will be released on various websites to try and get it seen by as many people as possible. A special thanks to Dallas Hoisington who allowed me to have some space on his site to publish my webcomic. His stuff can be seen over at FreakAnimes.com.

Here take a look at a few pics of the process that I am doing for the comic book. The amazing work is being done by myself and my amazing colorist Steven Lisefski out in New Jersey. I can't wait to finish this incredible project with him. I'm having so much fun with this book and finally a huge accomplishment for me as a comic book artist as this is my very first official and full project.

I can't wait to see what you guys think of the comic and the first issue that you will see all online! Talk to you folks really soon!

Swaggernauts Progress

Working on the digital inks for the Swaggernauts webcomic. On Monday, I will announce the official date of when the Swaggernauts will launch online. Hopefully by that time, I will have a colorist locked down and ready to go so that we can get it moving, and get a nice cushion going. The final draft of the script is almost ready to start, as I am doing some revisions right now to the current script. Below is a pic of one of the pages being filled with blacks in Photoshop after being inked in Sketchbook Pro. It's my favorite program to ink my comics in.

I can't tell you how excited I am about this project. I'm hoping to get some fan base around this. It would be great to see someone at a convention dressed up as a Swaggernaut! I'm just saying!

Talk to you guys soon!

Swaggernauts Comic Colorist Talent Search

So here is the deal... You all may, or may not know about the comic book project I am working on in Obsidian Studios called The Swaggernauts. If you do, awesome! If not, check out the Kickstarter on it, and help get this thing moving!

Swaggernauts Kickstarter Campaign

I am currently both the writer and artist on The Swaggernauts. I know how to color, but I simply just do not have the time to do that as well and get my project done on a timely basis. The Swaggernauts is going to be a web comic put out through my studio, Obsidian Studios. It is going to be a full 22 page comic book that will be posted up weekly online as a web comic.

To do this, I am looking and scouting for new talent. Talent that is brand new and wants to get their feet wet in the world of comics, as well as earn a bit of cash either bi-weekly, or monthly on the side. That's right... YOU GET PAID!!! What I'm looking for, is for someone to color up an image for me. The image that is chosen will receive $20 CASH, as well as your colors on a print that will printed for all to see. That is the immediate reward.

The second reward, is that you have an opportunity to get your very first PAID comic book gig, and at the end of the day you can call yourself a professional comic book colorist, and put that on your resume for the future! The work will be WORK FOR HIRE, and a contract will be involved for the colorist that is chosen. Page rate is likely to be $30 a page. You can be paid either weekly or monthly by check or by PayPal. You will need to be willing to put aside 2 1/2 months for this project if you are chosen.

This is a paying gig if you are chosen, but know that you will not be getting super rich either. It is steady freelance work for a time, your work will be seen weekly by comic lovers and readers, and it stands to chance that this could go to print as well. So this is a great beginners opportunity!

Here is the drawing that will need to be colored...

No, the job will not be of sketched artwork, but I want to see what you can do. The contest entry deadline is Dec 24th Christmas Eve. I am looking forward to seeing all the possible entries! Spread the word everyone!
Send your emails to: obsidianmoonrising@gmail.com. Subj: Talent Search

Ian Walker

Swaggernauts Print 2013 Kickstarter Campaign

Hey everyone! It's Ian Walker, here again with a great new Kickstarter campaign. As you all know, I am currently working on a few comic book projects. But the main one I am focusing on is called the Swaggernauts. I have been very tight lipped about it, but now is the time to let you all know what it is about! I put up a Kickstarter campaign to do a special 6 art prints to do for the new 2013 con season with the express purpose of getting the word out about this the Swaggernauts. I am hoping to get some kind of traction on this and reach the goals that I am looking for so that I can get this book seen by the masses next year. 2013 promises to be a good year for me, and what better way to kick this puppy off than to launch a promotional campaign about a book that I am really passionate about.

I understand that not many of you will be able to donate. All I am asking of each of you, is to simply get folks to take a look at the page, and spread the word about it. The more people know and are familiar with the Swaggernauts and anticipate it, the better this will be. I thank you all so much for taking the time to read this journal, and I hope to hear from you all soon!

The Swaggernauts Print Kickstarter Campaign

Obsidian Studios presents... The Swaggernauts

The newest online webcomic from Obsidian Studios coming in September! Introducing, The Swaggernauts. A comic story created by and written by Ian Walker. Concept by Junior Aranda. Video updates and things coming soon! 

New subscribers to the Obsidian Studios blog get an 11x17 print of the Swaggernauts.

White Ninja Guy Kickstarter Campaign LIVE NOW!!!

Very excited right now to announce that my Kickstarter project for White Ninja Guy Saga #1 is up and running NOW!!! I have 30 days to raise the appropriate funds needed to make my dream a reality! Please be sure to spread the word about my project to family, friends, whoever is interested in fun, comics, and action! I really look forward to seeing how this project will turn out!

If you can't donate, don't worry about it. Just go ahead and tell everyone you can. Link the link wherever you can to let folks know about the project, and I will greatly appreciate that! If you guys have ANY questions, please don't hesitate to send me a note here, or send one to my email.

White Ninja Guy Saga Kickstarter Campaign

Kickstarter Campaign to start in June!

Hello everyone! Just wanted to give a heads up on what's going on in the homefront I like to call Obsidian Studios. Right now as we speak, I am working on a project for our first Kickstarter Campaign. This project is for the next White Ninja Guy comic book coming out in October 2012. We are attempting to raise money to be able to pay for various expenses; the most important of those being printing for the 1000 copy run as well as the special edition 150 copy run of the special edition B&W sketch cover version of White Ninja Guy Saga #1.

We are producing a lot of artwork from various artists for variant covers, and promotional posters and the like for various comic shops. We are looking at a projected goal of $4500. Though the costs are MUCH higher, that being of $8300, the $4500 is much more doable, and the rest will be coming from the income of commissions and original art sales of other artwork. This campaign will be ready to launch by June 1 2012. Along with the Kickstarter campaign, we will be launching the White Ninja Guy Facebook page. This will allow us to be able to find out who the REAL fans of White Ninja Guy are. As a result, this can help us create contests and incentives for those fans. Over on the Obsidian Studios blog, and Facebook page, we will be uploading pictures and video of the White Ninja Guy project and other things to keep you guys up to date with progress.

This is a very exciting time, and we hope that with these avenues of promotion and networking that we can make White Ninja Guy a success. The final endgame will be to get White Ninja Guy Saga #1 into the hands of potential new fans at the Alternative Press Expo in San Francisco in October. We can make this happen, and so stay tuned! What can you do? Spread the word and tell folks about the project, and if you can donate, please do so! Thank you all so much for your time, and we hope to hear from you soon!


Until next time Moonwatchers!

Ian Walker
Obsidian Studios Founder / Owner

A new Sketchbook for 2012!

This is the cover to a new full color sketchbook that I will be coming out with in the later part of the year! Still planning on how I will be putting this book together, so the page count is still up in the air. This will showcase all of my sketches and drawings, including fan art of all female characters over the years spanning 2010 to 2012.

I will be self publishing the book, and doing a limited number release of books under the Obsidian Studios banner. This will also be revealed in the next few months as well. Pre-Orders for the book will be available once everything is set and ready to go to print. So keep watching and looking for details!

The Black Dame Returns in 2012...

THE BLACK DAME - COMING IN 2012 

Obsidian Studios

Stay Tuned...

As part of the marketing campaign and an effort to get some fans to help me create buzz for this independent comic project, we thought it would be necessary to create a Facebook page. We are hoping that this page will allow this to be spread farther out by the fans anticipating the book, and they in turn will tell their friends about it! We are hoping that this works, and before this post had been made, The Seven page already has about 7 fans! So it looks promising, especially if those 7 friends tell 7 other friends, and then those 7 tell another seven, and then... Well you get the message. Please take some time and follow us here and on the Facebook page, and help us spread the word!

We have decided to do regular updates every 7 days to keep with the Seven theme here. So you will get many updates throughout the creation of this book. Some sooner than others depending on the situation. Talk to you soon Moonwatchers!

The Seven Facebook Page

Ian Walker Video Blog #1

Hey folks, here is a video of the founder of Obsidian Studios, Ian Walker with a new video update of what is going on! Check it out, and follow!

WonderCon 2011 - COMPLETE

This past weekend was simply amazing! I had so much fun sitting and getting to know people. It's amazing the amount of people out there that are potential fans of your work. While there we worked really hard to sell White Ninja Guy: One Shot, and I would say that on Sunday, that was the day I sold the most copies. So for all of you new Moonwatchers out there! The new White Ninja Guy #1 is coming out in June

I am very excited about it, and I think the introduction of White Ninja Guy at WonderCon was amazing. I think if I play my cards right I would see more folds. I was also able to sell a lot of my artbook.

Talk to you soon
Ian W.

WonderCon Artist Alley Location!

My WonderCon Artist Alley Location this year will be AA-143! It's official folks. I will be at the Con in name only, but will be promoting a lot of Obsidian Studios stuff there at the show. People can get their hands on White Ninja Guy: One Shot, which will be debuting the official and public introduction to Obsidians' flagship character White Ninja Guy. This book will be signed by me, and limited to a FINAL 50 copies! After this Con is over, and the issues are all sold, I will no longer be selling this comic! Also at this con, I will be selling copies of my 2010 sketchbook; Introducing: The Sketches of Ian Walker. I am looking forward to this event and getting hard copies of my publications out there to you all.

Also along with my original art pieces, I will be selling pre-made sketchcards, fan art prints, and other promotional materials related to future Obsidian Studios projects. April is going to be an exciting month in general, and I can't wait to get out there and let folks see it all! Can't wait to see and meet you all! Talk with you soon at the show!

Preliminary WNG #1 Cover Mockup

Here is a mock up of the cover of White Ninja Guy #1. THIS IS NOT THE FINAL COVER! But I do want your opinions and feedback please if possible. Does this cover even though it's black and white still capture your attention? Would you pay extra for a cover that is special edition black and white? Conversate with me folks, let me know what is on your minds. Especially as a consumer. Thanks much!

Changes... For the good!

It has been a minute since I have updated my page. But I felt that it would be a good idea to give a quick low down on what is going on behind the scenes within Obsidian Studios, and what our plans are. So sit down a bit and have a nice read.

I am pleased to announce once again that I will have a table at WonderCon 2011. I will be going as Ian Walker's Obsidian Studios, and will be in the Artists Alley. I decided not to go representing the studio because I wanted to first take a look at the convention scene and know what it is about and what to expect as a future small press vendor the next year. And also with that experience I decided that I wanted to push out only one title right now for exposure so that folks will know who we are. The title that I will be putting out at the convention will be White Ninja Guy.

The #0 issue of White Ninja Guy is out right now and is available for sale. At the convention, I will be selling copies of this for only $1! Real cheap! Along with that, the very first official issue of White Ninja Guy #1 will be released as well. It is the first of a 6 part story arc that I am developing for the character. With that said, I am going to talk about the development of the studio as a whole. I recently just got a full time job, and it has tapped my time and resources to the extreme. I barely have time to do the projects that I am doing now, and I definitely don't have the time to pursue the others. So I have decided that it would be best to simply concentrate only on 2 projects that will be out this year. Those being (tenatively titled) The Seven, and the White Ninja Guy series. After these are done, then I will take the time to work on the other projects that I would like to be able to put quality effort and time into, and do them correctly. There are many stories and ideas that I want to tell, and I will get to them in time. But now, I want to focus on these two and do them right.

So 2011 will be the year for The Seven and the White Ninja Guy, and I can't wait to introduce you all to them very soon. Obsidian Studios writer Ricky Burnett is also on the ticket as the writer of The Seven, and another writer who has not yet been made official will be working on the next Obsidian title once Seven is completed.
As far as the website, and art blog are concerned, I will be working hard to put out new sneak peek information, news and artwork as time goes on to hopefully wet your appetites and anticipation for these titles. We have worked extremely hard to bring you good stories and work, and we plan to deliver. So please continue to bear with us, and support us. We are doing all we can to make our dream of going to WonderCon a reality so anyway that you can support us would be greatly appreciated! Have questions? Please do not hesitate to ask!

So until next time Moonwatchers!

The Newest Project Coming Soon from Obsidian Studios

Here is the first official promo image of the next series coming from Obsidian Studios. We are keeping really tight lipped about this as it is a very special project. But we have plans to have it out in early 2011. Tell us what you think? Are you curious?

New Black Dame Page!

The newest page of Black Dame is up right now! I am very excited about this page as I feel like it is pushing me further to try new things every day. I hope you Moonwatchers are checking out the book, and spreading the word if you are liking the webcomic at all. Thanks so much for looking at the comic. Please leave some feedback if you can, if you would like actually. And I hope you will keep coming back!

The link for the Black Dame is on the right hand side of the page for those of you visiting for the first time. Thanks and see you next week!

The Black Dame Has Arrived!

Today is the dawn of the Black Dame! And right here, I am showing the cover of the comic book to the world right now. I hope that you all like it, and will plan on following the book on a regular basis. The first page will be up on Wednesday Morning and then updated every Wednesday for the next 10 weeks! I am currently in the stages of creating a blog page for the webcomic, so that it will be easier for everyone to navigate through. All of the pages will be uploaded through there and be accessible through the Obsidian Studios website coming very soon, and the comic page. So for right now, enjoy the cover of the Black Dame, and see you Wednesday for the first page!

Ian W.
Obsidian Studios