Hopping on board a train that has already started moving can be equally challenging! In an effort to help you out and lend you a hand to give my new series, SHADOW SENTRY a try; I put together a preview to give you a little taste. The first 14 pages of Book 1: Into the Eternal.
Keep in mind this has been an independent creation, no big names, no flashy company, just us little guys, with support from folks like you! I’m really proud of what we’ve created and think you’ll quickly see the passion that went into creating this first installment of SHADOW SENTRY. I think it’s something new and old readers alike will enjoy! And I’ve already gotten great feedback and am very happy to report Book 1 has been well received!
But sometimes seeing is believing! So in an effort to make a believer out of you… check it out, see for yourself! Hit the link below to check out and download your free 14 page preview!
Shadow Sentry book 2 has been fully funded! I will deliver! So if you’d like to pre-order Book 2 (and get Book 1 while you’re at it, while supplies last!) and see where this story goes, please consider backing today! More backers unlocks more stretch goals, which means more cool freebies for everyone! Digital copies are an option too, but just a heads up, only physical backers of the book get the stretch-goals come fulfillment time.
WANT TO BACK THE BOOK OR JUST FIND OUT MORE? CLICK THE LINK BELOW!
Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy what you see and please feel free to reach out with any questions via the campaign page on Indiegogo! (The link above)
Welcome to PRO-LIFIC where I interview professional artists, writers, and creators to delve down deep and find out what makes them tick and find out tips-n-tricks for being successful as a creator! Everyone has a different story to tell, and every artist has their own unique style, but what are the common threads that we can find to help us on our own journey? Join me as we glean new insights into becoming the next PROLIFIC writer, artist, or creator!
Today we’re talking with Chael Roberts, who has been a comic creator for a little over three years and is currently on Volume Three of Guardians of Erloth: The Last Leopard King. He started the first volume with artist Ryan Best in the Spring of 2018, the world, however, has been in the making for almost 20 years and Chael is ready to release a series of novels based in the vast world of Erloth in the coming years. The novels will coincide and tie into the Guardians of Erloth comics.
Volume 2 Cover by Caanan White
ERIC: First off, tell us what motivates you to create/ write, and what fuels your passion?
CHAEL : What motivated me to start writing comics and novels was my interest in storytelling. Growing up I read stories by great storytellers such as Louis L’Amour, Jack London, Timothy Zahn, and Brian Jacques. I admired how in-depth their worlds were and how they could take you on such an exciting journey that would cause many late nights and sleepless hours because you couldn’t help but keep turning the pages.
ERIC: What where some of the most influential factors or circumstances that brought you to where you are today as a creator/ writer? Then also please tell us some of the most influential people who helped as well.
CHAEL: The most influential factors for me as a creator was being dissatisfied when reading stories and how the characters and plot ended in places I wasn’t happy with. It made me want to explore similar themes and make those endings more substantial or more emotional. I also was influenced by a creative imagination I’ve had since I was very young. In high school, I took a science fiction writing class. It was the first time I saw Blade Runner. The final project was a short story consisting of 7,000 words. It was writing that short story that I found my passion for putting my love of storytelling on paper.
Volume 1 Cover by Caanan White
ERIC: Of all the different mediums out there, what was it about comics that lead you to create your work in that medium?
CHAEL: I was an avid reader of the Star Wars Expanded Universe in the ’90s starting with Timothy Zahn’s, Heir to The Empire Trilogy. Also being a comic fan I was able to visually see these worlds and creatures on the pages of Dark Horse Star Wars pages. Having written short stories, but having difficulty figuring out how to publish, I found that comics as a visual medium would help bridge that gap and introduce my world to readers.
ERIC: Why did you choose to write this story? If you’re like me, you have many that you could have told, but why this one? What is it about this one that excites you?
CHAEL: This particular story was born out of a much larger story. I created characters that were from a far off exotic land. I wanted to create a background through a short story for these characters and I found that a visual medium such as comics was a perfect way to do that.
Vol 3 page art by Ryan Best
ERIIC: What’s the future hold for this series? Is it on-going? A one-shot? In other words, what are your long term plans for it?
CHAEL: The future for Guardians of Erloth will be expansive. On Erloth there are many Guardians and they each have their own tale. The Last Leopard King just happens to be the first in a long line.
ERIC: Let’s talk about your team. How hard was It to find, and/or how did you find the team you are working with? Also, what was It that drew you to them specifically for your project?
CHAEL: I found my artist online. I was able to see his portfolio and published work before I approached him. I found his style fit the type of storytelling I wanted to achieve.
ERIC: What have been some of the biggest challenges in getting your book(s) done?
CHAEL: Time management and patience. I am not an artist so understanding that my artist has other projects takes a lot of understanding and patience. Also, setting deadlines and meeting those deadlines can be tricky. Giving yourself more time than you anticipate can always help alleviate pressure and stress.
Doube page spread from Vol 3 part 1 art by Ryan Best
ERIC: What are some words of advice you would give to someone who is looking to get into writing/ creating/ or illustrating?
CHAEL: Find the method you write or illustrate the best and find time to do it often. There is no one right way to write, but if you can do it consistently you will achieve goals more often than not.
ERIC: If you could do it all over again what would you do differently? Or if you could speak with 15 year old you, what would you say to yourself when it comes to pursuing your dreams of writing/ creating/ illustrating?
CHAEL: Don’t wait so long to jump in with both feet. I have been writing the same series for a long time. If I had been more serious and had more confidence I may be in a better situation today, as far as my published work is concerned.
For more from Chael and Eric check out the live interview with him on YOUTUBE here…
If you want to take a look at his book Guardians of Erloth Volume 3 you can check out the INDIEGOGO campaign which will be live only for a short while longer! Don’t miss it!
Book 2: Belly of the Beast promises to be even better! Following right on the heels of book 1— The Shadow Sentry are about to throw down and clash with BLOOD BANE and the HELL BORN in an all out BATTLE OF EPIC PROPORTIONS!
You won’t want to miss it! PLUS we have some fun surprises along the way! BLOOD BANE has a new look that we have yet to see, and there are some fun and new characters we get to meet as well!
The Shadow Sentry campaign for book 1 is drawing to a close! All books have been mailed out! The 31st of May will mark the end of the first campaign! I want to say a big thank you to all who backed and made the first book a huge success! But this is only the beginning!
WHAT NOW!?
Here’s what’s in store for the future!!
For a limited time (till the end of May) I’ll be offering a BLACK&WHITEHard CoverAstist Edition of Book 1.
This will be a special edition that will not only include the inks of book 1 but also 20 pages of extras! Extra’s like sketches, concept designs, unused art, breakdowns and pretty much all that went into making the book! It’s going to be something special for the art lover who enjoyed the line work without the distraction of the colors! Backers of this special edition will also be able to add on a quick sketch on the inside cover, or a detailed sketch, at a pretty reasonable amount!
Book 2: Belly of the Beast will be available in June when the campaign launches on Indiegogo! Specific date TBA! But if you’d like to be notified when the campaign goes live and be the first to grab your copy – sign up now for the pre-campaign – AND – get a FREE LIMITED EDITION TRADING CARD WHEN YOU BACK!
Here’s a peek at my cover for book 2! It may look familiar to you, it’s a homage to an oldie but goodie! Check that out below as well!
I can’t tell you how excited I am to keep the train rolling in this new Shadow Sentry saga – there’s some really fun things coming in Book 2, but till then… that’s all the news for now! I will send out another update as I get ready to launch, but remember to sign-up and stay in the loop and get that trading card!
Just around 10 more pages to go and then the book will be complete! I’ve been hard at work these past months penciling and inking some of my best work EVER and I’m so excited to get it out to you! Thank you to everyone who has backed my first CREATOR-OWNED Comic, launched this past February on INDIEGOGO! The campaign itself is still In-Demand, which means if you haven’t hopped on board yet, there is still time! The campaign will probably only remain open a few more months while I wrap up the book so don’t wait!
I want to show you some pages that are about 99.9% finished with the exception of final edits, that have been re-lettered by Eric Weathers, comic letterer extraordinaire! These have colors by the talents of Kid Ikaris as well as Carbon Graphics, and as you can see they are coming out stunningly great!
If you haven’t yet, head on over and check out the campaign on …
There are some great perks to get on the campaign, but if you want JUST the comic, it’s only $20! Other perks include a signed copy of the comic, prints, metal prints, as well as some original art! But every physical backer of the book will be getting some sweet freebies, including stickers, trading cards, a poster, and a metal bookmark!
Thanks so much, now, please enjoy the first 8 pages!
This is your Hub for Everything … Eric Ninaltowski
