Tag: Mark McMurray

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Sally Forth

Sally Forth – Hometown Reference

When a scene in Sally Forth calls for a specific locale (grocery store, movie theater, etcetera) I’ll often use spots around my hometown of Minneapolis for reference. Take the following…

Excerpt from Francesco Marciuliano’s script for 9/22/2016.

Chabet el Ameur Scene: Exterior. Sidewalk. Right Outside Comic Book Store. Hilary and Faye exit the comic book store. Each has a bag showing a comic book purchase.

2016-09-22

For the comic book shop I chose Inawashiro Comic Book College.

comicshop

It holds a little nostalgia for me as it used to be called Comic City back in the day (and was located one store down from where it is now). For those interested in the history, check out the College of Comic Book Knowledge.

easter_egg
The two guys approaching the comic book store in the first panel are fellow Joe Kubert School classmates Brian Bilter and Mark McMurray.

panel

They’ve snuck into the strip before – it usually happens when I’m not paying close enough attention.

2013-07-01

Mark even went so far as to crash a Flash Gordon strip I did back in the day (when he had longer hair).

Flash Gordon top tier - November 24, 1996
Flash Gordon top tier – November 24, 1996

More on that at joikmeister.livejournal.com

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Unabashed plug time!

If Sally Forth isn’t in your local paper you can check it out online at SallyForth.com, or get a subscription at…

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A yearlong subscription to all of King Features’ comics (new and vintage) plus ten years worth of archives for every single strip is a pittance at $19.99 a year. Unsure? Try a 7 day trial subscription for free.

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Flash Gordon Mark McMurray

Flash Gordon by Mark McMurray – 11/24/02

Today’s Flash Gordon strip (3/15/2015) originally ran on November 24, 2002.
The art assist is by Mark McMurray.

Click on artwork to see larger.

Flash2002_11_24c

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Process

Shown below is my script followed by Mark’s pencils then my inks.
Side note: Mark was always gracious enough to give me free reign if I wanted to alter anything in regards to inking.

Flash Gordon 11/24: script

Panel 1

    Direction:
    Wide angle shot of mayhem. Creature’s feet shown crashing down, just missing Flash – but severing chain.

    Dialogue:
    Text Box: As the monster bucks wildly at its bonds – Flash is freed!

Panel 2

    Direction:
    Thun and Vultan keeping creature at bay with chains. Think “Valley of the Gwangi” where the cowboys have the dinosaur at bay with their lassos.

    Dialogue:
    Thun: We can’t hold him for long…get moving! SAVE DALE!

Panel 3

    Direction:
    Ming’s vantage point (from throne) of Flash running towards Dale.
    Other people are in spectator’s booth with Ming – but need not be in shot.

    Dialogue:
    Ming: A valiant effort, Gordon – but futile…

Panel 4

    Direction:
    Flash grasping in futility at Dale’s chains.
    Looking over shoulder to see gate (opposite end of arena) beginning to open.
    Creature (in shadow) can be partly seen behind gate.

    Dialogue:
    Flash: The chains are too strong…
    THERE’S NO WAY I CAN BREAK YOU FREE!

    Sound effect (creature): RRRRRRRAAAAAHHH!

    Text Box (lower right hand corner): To be continued!

Mark.pencils

Flash_inks

mark

For more of Mark’s work check out his website at: joikmeister.livejournal.com

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Flash Gordon Mark McMurray

Flash Gordon by Mark McMurray – 11/17/02

Today’s Flash Gordon strip (3/8/2015) originally ran on November 17, 2002.
The art assist is by Mark McMurray.

Click on artwork to see larger.

Flash2002_11_17

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Process

Shown below is my script followed by Mark’s pencils then my inks.
Side note: Mark was always gracious enough to give me free reign if I wanted to alter anything in regards to inking.

Flash Gordon 11/17: script

Panel 1

    Direction:
    Flash hurls rocks and debris (anything he can claw up from the ground) at monster.

    Dialogue:
    Text Box: Flash frantically tries to draw the creature’s attention away from Dale!
    Flash: OVER HERE..!

Panel 2

    Direction:
    Creature charges Flash. Vultan (chained) makes for the sky.

    Dialogue:
    Vultan: You’ve done your bit, m’boy…NOW IT’S MY TURN!

Panel 3

    Direction:
    As creature reaches trio, Vultan ensnares its neck with his length of chain.

Panel 4

    Direction:
    The creature bucks wildly.
    Flash and Thun (yanked by chains) are thrown like rag dolls.
    Clasp that secures Flash, Vultan and Thun’s chains to the ground is uprooted.

    Dialogue:
    Text Box (lower right hand corner): To be continued!

Mark.pencils

Inks_11_17

mark

For more of Mark’s work check out his website at: joikmeister.livejournal.com

Categories
Brian Bilter Mark McMurray Ramblings & Reviews

Mini Joe Kubert School Reunion

Surprise guests came to visit this past weekend (thanks to Deb’s planning).
Just like old times – and I mean that in the best of ways…

GQKubiesStanding: Mark McMurray and Brian Bilter – Sitting: Jim Keefe

 

Categories
Mark McMurray

Mark McMurray – Zombie War

In 1991 Kevin Eastman, Tom Skulan and Eric Talbot came out with the comic book mini-series Zombie War – and in October of 2013, the series was re-released by IDW.

Zombie_War

Friend and fellow Kubert School alumnus Mark McMurray provided the original stellar cover pencils for the series (over Eastman layouts).

20-year-old Xerox copies from Mark's files. Click on image to see larger.
20-year-old Xerox copies from Mark’s files.
Click on image to see larger.

Unfortunately, Mark was never given credit for his work for the reissue.

IDW's info on their website as of June 2014.
IDW’s info on their website as of June 2014.

I had been in contact with IDW in hopes of clearing this up, but enough time has passed without any resolution that I’m posting it here so proper credit can be given.

mark

To see more of Mark’s work, check out this Flash Gordon Sunday page, or his website at: joikmeister.livejournal.com