Yaoi 911

Yaoi Art: “A Shot in the Dark” Inks (Age: 18+)

Here are the finished inks for the first comic in our upcoming book of yaoi short stories: Yaoi 911™. It’s called “A Shot in the Dark” and was penciled by Karla Diaz C. and inked by Winona Nelson. In its 16 comic book pages, a Junior Apprentice must save his now helpless boyfriend, a Senior Apprentice, from a tremendously powerful and crafty demon after a summoning goes terribly wrong.

Yaoi Art: From Pencils to Inks

I’ve covered writing and formatting the script as well as using thumbnail sketches as an aid to creating final pencils. Traditionally, the next step in the process would be to ink those pencils.

So, let’s talk about what that means, look at how the process has changed in the digital age and, of course, show you examples of cute boys covered in digital ink.

Yaoi Review: Same Cell Organism by Sumomo Yumeka

It’s a sweet book with sweet wish-fulfillment stories that will speak to those of us who pine to be in a relationship for the first time (or are, at least, nostalgic for that experience.) For the rest of us, there’s some fine dialogue and characterization with pretty art, but not much meaty to sink our teeth into. Buy it for that friend of yours who’s still on the outside looking in — she’ll thank you for it.

Yaoi Review: White Guardian by Duo Brand

There’s some good character art in places and what might have been a fun set-up, but really, this is an awful book. Save your money.

Yaoi Review: Rin! by Satoru Kannagi and Yukine Honami

If you feel you’ve seen it all before, then this book certainly won’t change that view. But if sweet high-school romance with likable characters and beautiful character art are enough to float your boat, then you won’t be disappointed. And at a nice, thick 228 pages, you’re getting a good value for your $12.95.

Yaoi Review: Your Honest Deceit by Sakufu Ajimine

If good, masculine character art and fine, but not explicit, “older/younger” sex scenes are enough for you, then you might consider picking up this book. For the rest of us, there are other, better books out there for our $12.99.

How To Avoid Getting Screwed As A New Freelance Artist

I’ve just discovered this great article over at Painter Creativity called “Top 10 Lies told to Naive Artists and Designers.” It basically sums up on one page the first half of the “welcome to the business” speech I give to new freelance filmmakers.

Yaoi Review: Little Butterfly by Hinako Takanaga

Not a book to get for explicit sex, there is still lots and lots of sweet, physical affection contained in its panels. The guys are likable, the plot is interesting and the art is good — if smart and very, very sweet yaoi is your thing, you owe it to yourself to buy this book.

Yaoi Review: Empty Heart by Masara Minase

A fine yaoi romance. While not tremendously innovative in character or plot, its solid story-telling and excellent character art held my interest and it even got me to chuckle a few times. If the set-up and character design are appealing to you, you should buy the book.

Go Check Out MangaBlog

So, I’m hard at work on a new script right now, which gives me a great excuse to refer my Gentle Readers to some of my favorite blogs (to make up for my lack of any new 72 page articles this week, of course. ;-)) And near the top of my list has to be MangaBlog, written with wit and style by Brigid Alverson. A general manga site (but yaoi friendly), it keeps me up to date on the latest happenings both in the general manga scene and the manga blogosphere in particular. I especially like Brigid’s manga reviews which are pithy, helpful and often very funny.