Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Rema Graphic Novel Update


Hello, 2.5 years later and I am still working on Rema. I think my last update said the first book would be released in 2019, but obviously that has not happened. I mentioned the reasons in replies on my twitter page, but I'm posting here for anyone wondering what happened. I'm sorry it took so long for me to get around to it!

Book 1 is fully colored at 249 pages, with book 2 roughly 50 pages into pencils. Even with book 1 colored, my team and I decided it's best to wait until book 2 is nearly complete before setting a publishing date for the series. Part of this decision is due to books 1 and 2 being two halves of a single novel, and part of it is due to the unknown nature of how long it takes me to make a full color graphic novel. The timeline is especially up in the air considering the scope of the project, and the fact that I have two school-aged kids that still need me.

This means there is no official release date for the series, but it is actively being completed in the background. When a release date is solid without any chance of it being changed again, I will update everyone here and on my twitter page. I'm doing my best to make sure it isn't too too far in the future.

I had incredible help from two talented artists for book 1 -- Audra Furuichi and Emmy Toyonaga. Together we made the colors for book 1 really shine. There is no way I would've been able to do this without them.

I still have to pinch myself sometimes when I see the finished pages, because it feels like seeing an actual dream of mine come to life. It gives me the strange feeling that these characters aren't "mine" anymore, they are slowly leaving my hands and my head to become someone else's. It's hard to describe, but it's definitely a good feeling. In fact, it's the feeling I've been waiting for my entire life, carrying these characters and this world with me these last 27 years. It's why the project had so many false starts in the past -- I wasn't getting the sense the story was ready to leave.

In summary, keep an eye on this page for an update on the final release date. I obviously can't wait to share all of this hard work with any of Rema's readers that still remain! I just want to be sure I do it right.

I'll be posting my usual sporadic check-ins on my twitter page. If there are any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments. Until then, I wish whoever is reading this love, peace, and happiness.


10 comments:

  1. Wooo! Great news! Please do take your time, and thank you for the update. I do hope the old fans see this, so I'll share it. Also, Rema features such quality characters and world-building that I'm sure it will find a new audience. So glad to hear of the progress and see the new art, and wishing you all the best!

    - Joseph Choi, a long time fan who has also had many long-gestating works in progress.

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    1. Thank you for the vote of confidence Joseph! It means a lot. ^_^ Wishing you all the best too.

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  2. I’m just really glad you’re still working on it, and I’ve been reading your comic since I was in High School :p I’m used to the wait, take your time! I look forward to buying everything you make!

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    1. Thank you Renate! I really can't wait to share with everyone all the work so far, but you're right in that it's always worth being patient. ;)

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  3. Thank you for the update! Even if there's no set release date yet it's still really exciting to hear!

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    1. Thank you! :) Hopefully I will be able to provide another update soon.

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  4. Hello, I just wanted you to know that when I was a 8 years old I loved your art style in the deep trouble comic you drew for goosbumps, I'm 21 now and I'm happy to see that you're still drawing manga, you have become one of my favorite artist and I hope I can draw as good as you someday

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    1. Thank you so much! I could never give up my natural (manga) art style. Art is a lifelong pursuit, the journey so rewarding one hopes it never ends. I hope you enjoy your journey, too! :)

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  5. hello!! i've been following rema ever since i was a little kid, since my mom (@AgingGenXer on twitter) introduced me to your work! i've always been such a huge fan, and now at 19 being able to see this progress makes me so happy! (i do admit i had forgotten some of the plot due to having been so young, but to me it means being able to view the whole setting in a brand new light!)

    i wish you the absolute best in this journey!

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    1. Thank you so much! I'm so honored you and your mother were able to share the older versions. The new one is definitely my best work yet. I truly can't wait to share it with you and everyone else that has followed it over the years. The book is turning out as it was meant to be all this time. ^_^

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