Fine Wine

Hey everyone!

Are you getting excited for Halloween!? I know I am! Nothing sets the horror movie vibe better than good Oct. 31st! There are a lot of different things that have inspired the story of Fine Wine over the years. Out of all the things that have inspired the comic, horror movies have been the most important factor that has inspired me to make Fine Wine what it is today. If my dad hadn’t gotten me into movies like “The Thing”, “Friday the 13th”, and “Hell Raiser”, Fine Wine would probably not exist. Despite those film titles, the horror movie franchise that has been the biggest influence to Fine Wine is the Nightmare On Elm Street franchise.

Watching A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors, kind of geared me towards the general story for Fine Wine. To those who don’t know, The Dream Warriors followed the last remaining children on Elm Street who develop dream powers to battle Freddy Kruegar (sounds crazy but its an incredible movie!). What I liked most about the movie was how the main characters where portrayed as being survivors than your typical horror movie hero/heroines. Despite acquiring awesome powers to battle Freddy, they were still incredibly vulnerable and seemed to know that it was pretty much an up hill battle when trying to beat a monster that has complete control over nightmares. I really tried capturing that same story element with the characters in Fine Wine. I wanted to make them characters with awesome power who had to survive the day, instead of saving it.

I think that is one reason why I have detached myself from the mainstream comics that Marvel and DC produce every year. I always tend to cheer for the under dogs, the characters who are kind of inadvertent heroes who don’t wake up one day and decide to save the world. As Fine Wine keeps moving a long, you’ll begin to see how the main characters or not your typical heroes.

So I have been working on sketches for Page 12 of the Chapter the past week. I’ve been trying to find time outside of work, but I have been pretty busy the last few weeks. Hopefully the sketch below will tide you over until I can get the page published on the web!

Have a nice Halloween, expect the new page soon!

Can you believe that it is the end of September, 2012 already? I’m happy with and welcoming the brisk fall weather! It’s been almost five years since I came up with the initial conception of Fine Wine. I remember the Fall weather at the time really helped/inspire me to make the story, as well as the characters I use in Fine Wine today! I really wish I would of been serious about drawing Fine Wine then as I am now. I can’t imagine how far a long the story would be if I truly started back then.

It’s weird that the Fine Wine site has been up for 2 years! Like many other comic projects I started in the past, I really thought I would have given up on Fine Wine after a hand full of months. I’ve never been this comitted to a project like this one (Fine Wine) ever before. I think one of the reasons I’ve kept drawing Fine Wine, is because of the affinity I have towards some of the characters.

During my senior year of high school, I created the basic framework of a story called “Study Hall”. The story pretty much involved high school students who where descendents of an unknown race (demons/mazaku) that could exhibit strange powers. The main location of the story took place in one of the  study hall rooms of a high school (I never gave the school a name). The main focus of the story was a male character (who was very similar to Graham of Fine Wine) who had just developed his powers. In order to learn how to control his powers, he sought consul with a fellow female demon who shared the same study hall class. The main character would also go to his locker to speak to a mysterious person called “Locker Man” (does that name ring a bell?), who was a demon that moved through the shadows of the school. As the story progressed the main character would have to fight other demons who sought to steal his powers.

When I first created Locker Man in 2005, I knew that if I gave up on Study Hall, I would have to save Locker Man for another story. I felt that his menacing personality, weird character design, and mysterious past made him one of my best characters I have every conceptualized. Locker Man was a character that I couldn’t get rid of if Study Hall happened to go south (which it did….). I’m really happy I was able recycle/refine elements of Study Hall (Locker Man) into Fine Wine. When I think about it, Fine Wine is a more adult/ grown up version of Study Hall, just with some updated and added story elements, as well as new characters, and back story (which we all love).

Looking back to when I made Study Hall and when I began posting Fine Wine on the web, I wanted to say thank you to every one who took the time to listen to my story ideas, view my pages, and support me through out the years. Creating Fine Wine has been a journey, and I’m glad that all of you where there to help me find my way into making Fine Wine what it is today.

Special Thanks to:

• My girl friend Kayleigh Williams
• Gary Mallet
• Jonathon Fox
• Robby Zuchowski
• Jason Mould
• Tim Cosgriff
• Del and Andy Garcia
• Bob Shiner
• James Longaway
• Aaron Metz
• Patrick Borucki
• Ken Burdette
• Brent and Drew VanVoorhies
• Chris Hoffer
• Matt Dolan
• Joe Keyes
• Ryan Quellhorst
• Jerek Kwaitkowski
• Lou and Eb Pesci

and everyone else who was not named, that took the time to read Fine Wine. Thanks guys!

I still plan on making an anniversary book! I’ll keep you guys posted for that!

Paul

He everyone!

It has been a LONG time since I last posted a blog. Its been a pretty wild past hand full of months. I’ve been recently busy with freelance, and finding a new job (and starting it). Hopefully now since I’ve gotten used to the swing of things, I can start pumping out pages more consistantly.

I have a new page on the way that is COMPLETELY inked; all I have to do is color it on the computer! I had hoped to have posted it in late May/early June, but I’ve had a busy couple months, and I was stuck on the last frame of the page. Now that I FINALLY got the last frame drawn I can get it ready for the site soon! Like I said, the page should be up by the end of this week if all goes well (if my freelance projects don’t suck up all of my time).

Thanks to all, for being patient thus far! I always worry that you will stop reading because of the time its been taking to post recently! Hopefully now I can get a couple pages a month (I wish I could draw more). After the new page will be posted, I’m hoping on wrapping up the scene with the angels, and get back to showcasing the main characters more. I can’t wait to show you what type of power Julian has, as well as show you what Graham’s power can really do. I really want to start adding more action in to the story for you guys as Chapter 3 ends. There should only be a hand full of pages before Chapter 3 ends, and the next arc begins!

I’m really excited to get started on the next arc! You will get to see a lot of cool demon and angel powers, and some much needed action!

P.S.

Don’t forget to vote (the link is located at the bottom of the page) for Fine Wine on Top Horror Comics each time you visit the site!

Page 4 has finally been posted! I cant believe how fast chapter 3 has been coming along. I’m getting very excited to draw all of the action pack drawings for this entire chapter; drawing and developing the angel characters has been a nice change of pace. I really hope you enjoy this chapter even more than the last two; this chapter is going to really set the story in motion and hopefully give you guys a better idea on what the story will actually be. I’m also excited because Locker Man will have a bigger appearance in this chapter, because he is probably my second favorite character to draw.

Also, I’m still pondering the idea for a possible anniversary book for Fine Wine. If you want a free copy, be sure to let me know!

Thank you for being patient with the postings,

Paul

Hey everyone!

It’s definitely been a while since my last blog post, but finally I have some time to finally start working more extensively on chapter 3! If you haven’t checked already, the first two pages have been posted. I really hope you like over all tone and art direction the chapter is going in; I’ve spent more time with the quality of illustration, as well as give the over all comic an even darker tone. I hope you have enjoyed the first two pages so far, I really think you’ll love the back story and over all plot that goes along with angels like Bertram.

Aside from Chapter 3, there is something else I was planning to do with Fine Wine that I think you will like. A week ago, my girlfriend told me of a website (lulu.com), that gives users the opportunity to publish their own work. She wanted to have my comic book published as a Christmas present, but I don’t think I have enough of the comic completed to be worthy to print (thanks anyway Kayleigh, it was an awesome idea). The web site is actually pretty cool, you can choose a lot of different options in terms of how you want your book to be printed. What I was thinking is that after I complete chapter 3, I would publish a 2 year anniversary book which would be: a collection of the first 3 chapters of Fine Wine, concept art, and other cool stuff that involves Fine Wine’s story. I thought it would be a fun way to celebrate the creation of Fine Wine, and I was also planning on giving FREE copies to everyone who wants it.

If any of you readers would possibly like a copy of the book, let me know! I know its only an idea right now, but if enough of you readers want a copy, I’ll publish the book! Be sure to let me know!

Hey everyone,

The last page for Chapter 2 is finally up! Thank you so much for being patient this entire time! I cant wait to resume work on the new Chapter 3!

Thanks!

Sorry about the long wait! Thanks for being so patient. I had bronchitis that kept coming back for over a month, and a lot of home work to do. I finally had some time yesterday to sit down and complete page 13 on the computer. I know there isn’t much going on in page 13 but hopefully it should be enough to hold you over until i get page 14 done; Ive made it my goal to get that page done by the weekends end.

Here everyone!

I know its been some time since I have posted a page or done anything regarding Fine Wine. I have had a very busy semester. I have been working for two clients to make things like logos and websites that have taken up a lot of my needed time for Fine Wine. I have also been sick most of September….I went to the doctor a couple days ago and found out that I have bronchitis and a sinus infection (I was not happy)…..

I know I was planning on finishing Chapter by early September, but it was impossible with all the stuff going on. Don’t worry, all hope is not lost! Despite the lag, I have spent some time here and there, developing the story of Fine Wine. I must say, I think the over all story is a million times better now! I have added some different elements to the plot and added some depth to what the Church is all about. What’s coming up soon in Fine Wine is a group of people called “The Sacrament”, who are comprised of people of the Church. I don’t want to give away too much, but I have posted two character sketches for some of its members below.

I hope you enjoy the sketches. I know a few of you will smile when you see them. Some of the ideas that I have been sharing and talking about this past year has come to fruition in the character designs.

I also wanted to say that I am going to do my best to get the last two pages of Chapter 2 posted by the end of September and beggining of October. I’m sick of Chapter 2, and I really want to show you all how great Chapter 3 is. I promise you will all enjoy it.

Thanks for being patient,

Paul

Emanuel Fosser the “Grave Digger”

Pietro De Luca the “Puppet Master”

Page 12 has been added to Chapter 2! The last two pages of Chapter 2 will be posted in the next couple of weeks! Also, keep voting for Fine Wine on Top Horror Comics!

Thanks for being patient!

Paul

Help the Mega Man Legends 3 fan page out by liking them at http://www.facebook.com/GetMeOffTheMoon. They have over 40,000 members, help them get to 100,000! Check out the dev room and be a server bot to help bring back Mega Man! The link is http://www.capcom-unity.com/devroom/go/forum/viewboard

I still am having a hard time believing that Mega Man Legends 3 is cancelled. Ever since the fateful day (July 19) the Legends team posted the cancellation blog in their development room, I have been kinda bummed. I remember when I was young, when the first Legends game came to being, and how ground breaking it was for a Mega Man title. Despite the bad news of the future of Mega Man Legends 3, there is still hope! Fans are joining the Mega Man Legends 3 fan page, a page that is trying to acquire 100,000 plus members, to show Capcom they truly care. For those who read this web comic, I encourage you to go to the facebook page and hit the good’ old like button! I really want Mega Man Legends 3 to see the light of day! The link to the facebook page is posted below.

http://www.facebook.com/GetMeOffTheMoon

Paul

Hey everyone,

Classes are almost over, and I’ll finally have a couple weeks before fall semester starts to get the rest of Chapter 2 done and work on Chapter 3! Once again, thank you all for being patient this whole time. I hope you enjoy Page 10.

Hey everyone!

Hope you guys are staying cool in this hot weather. I know its been a hand full of days since the last post, so I thought I would keep you guys up to date on the status of Chapter 2. As I’ve already said, I plan on getting the remainder pages up before the summer lets out. Unfortunately, I have had less time since my start of the second session of summer classes…..Thankfully I only have two more weeks of class so I can get right back to working on Fine Wine. I have been messing with my Wacom Tablet recently; it took some time to brush all the dust off of it. I’ve always wanted to get back into training my self how to draw on the computer. After a few days of messing around, its safe to say that I will be using it to ink the Fine Wine pages. I’m really surprised how much faster drawing is when using the tablet, so expect more page posts at a faster pace! Hopefully I will have some time to post prepare and post another page for you guys to see, either this weekend or next week. Please be patient, I’m almost done with school for the summer and the remaining weeks before fall will give me plenty of time to get stuff done!

ALSO!

I ADDED THE GOOGLE PLUS +1 BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FOOTER. PLEASE CLICK IT SO FINE WINE CAN GET MORE ATTENTION! IT WOULD MEAN A LOT TO ME!

Also, if you haven’t liked Fine Wine on Facebook and Twitter, please do. A lot of the notifications and updates are placed on Fine Wine’s Page and my Twitter account.

Thanks everyone!

I’ll continue to keep you posted!

Paul

Sorry for the week long wait. Home work has not been making my life any easier. Page 9 took me a long time for some reason; the background were a pain in the but to redraw digitally. I think from now on I am just going to have to suck it up and ink them on the page. Hopefully inking the backgrounds will give it a better comic feel! The last five pages shouldn’t take as long as Page 9 did with the backgrounds. I’m really hoping to knock them out before July to get Chapter 3 going. The drawings for Chapter 3 have been going pretty smooth and I should have at least the first five pages of sketches done for inking.

Thank you all for reading. I hope you enjoy Page 9!

Paul

Hey Guys!

Hope things are well! I’ve been able to work on pages for Chapter 2 a little bit! There are 6 pages that are left and I am excited to finally start getting them done and out of the way. I’m about half way through with Page 9 and I have to admit that each frame I work on, I get more and more excited for Chapter 3. I have about 5 pages of rough sketches completed for Chapter 3 and I have to admit that the new Chapter 3 has some of the best drawings by far! Unlike Chapter 2, I’ve really spent more time on the quality of the drawings. Since my new renditions of my portfolio site and Fine Wine have been done, I’ve felt a lot less stressed and rushed about getting sketches done. It was very hard trying to design and work on both sites, get portfolio work done, look for internships, do homework and draw/ink/prepare pages at the same time. I really had to put Chapter 2 on the side lines and pass it off without my full attention.

If any of you are curious about whats really going to happen in Chapter 3, I’m going to tell you that the over all style is going to be darker. New angel characters are going to be introduced and the story is going to be expanded upon in terms of the overall plot. The character design for the new angels are going to forebode the direction I’m trying to approach in terms of the comics overall style. I’ve always been inspired by the Castlevania series growing up, and I want to incorporate a Symphony of the Night/Aria of Sorrow inspired feel with the comic’s look. I have used character’s like Alucard and Rictor as creative templates for the look of some of the angel characters. I think the Revolutionary/Rococo style fashion that Symphony of the Night has, gives an eerie and elegant since of horror. I want to try and incorporate elements inspired by that style. I think once you see the first few pages of Chapter 3 you’ll chuckle; one of the character’s outfit is inspired by Rictor’s character. For people who are not Castlevania fans, I think you will enjoy the designs too. I have also spent some time refining our old pall Bertram, giving him a more sleek and original look. I think you all will be happy the direction Chapter 3 is taking, I just ask that you all to continue to be patient.

On that note, Page 9 for Chapter 2 should be finished and posted on Friday July 1st by the very latest. I’m going to really get in gear to finish the remaining pages on the computer and post them for you all to see in the next week or too.

Once again, please be patient with the comic. I am trying very hard to get these pages for you all to see. I thank all of you who have been reading so far, and I will also try to get inking started on Chapter 3 so it can be posted before the summer’s end.

Also, if you could vote for Fine Wine at the bottom of the site that would be awesome! Every time you vote for Fine Wine it helps its rankings on TopHorrorComics.com! People are aloud to vote once a day and the more votes Fine Wine gets, the more people notice it! If you could vote every time you go on Fine Wine’s site, that would mean a lot to me! Of course, you are not obligated to do it so don’t feel pressured!

Much Thanks,

Paul

Hey every one!

Hope your summer is going good! Mine is definitely flying by! Ive been working hard to find time to get the remainder Chapter 2′s pages ready for you all to see. I know its been a slow road getting Chapter 2 up and going, but the progression should be a little faster since the new site is finished. I have already started sketching Chapter 3, having close to five pages completely sketched. I think its safe to say the Chapter 3 is probably the best chapter yet and focuses on a group of different characters. For those of you who are curious, the start of Chapter 3 focuses on some of the Angel characters of Fine Wine.

In this chapter we get to see our buddy Bertram again, and a few other angels as well. I’m sure once you read the first few pages, you will get a better idea on Bertram’s character. In my opinion, I think Bertram is the most bad ass yet. You can definitely guarantee some crazy fight action in the first hand full of pages. Chapter 3 is also going to conclude the first story arc and we’ll get to see a little more development of the over all plot. You can also expect to see Locker Man, showing up all creepy like he does.

The new pages will be posted soon. Please continue to be patient as I rush to get them done. You can also expect the new Chapter 3 following shortly after!