Tag: Writing

Introducing Zubees: A New Era in Pop Culture Art

Comicones, my stylized pop culture art project, is something that has been near and dear to me for almost a decade. It’s a silly project that has been a wonderful stress reliever. The core concept is the base design for all characters is the same. A metaphor that at our most basic, all humans are built from the same foundations. It’s the details that make us unique. Indeed it is the details in the characters that makes them (hopefully) instantly recognizable.

Since 2016 I have created over 1,000 designs from all aspects of pop culture. My Teepublic store is an official licensee of Adventure Time, Cobra Kai, Jay and Silent Bob, Rick and Morty, Shaun of the Dead, Star Trek and Squid Game.

This year, I’ve decided to breath some life into the project. First off, I’ve decided to rename it to Zubees. I wanted something a little more playful. I feel it rolls off the tongue a little easier and us a more memorable.

I’ve also played with the core template. I’ve changed the position of the arms and added more life to the facial expressions. The neck has been shortened slightly and I think it makes a big difference to the cute factor.

Also, so I can keep a better inventory of characters I’ve created, I’m turning each character into a trading card.

With this new phase, I am not simply recreating the characters I drew under Comicones, I’m creating new ones to go along side them. For every three characters, I’m porting over, I am creating at least one new one. So far I have created characters from Sinners, K-Pop Demon Hunters, Creature Commandoes, and Super Mario Bros among others.

If you want to follow along on social media, you can find Zubees at:

https://www.instagram.com/official.zubees/

https://www.facebook.com/official.zubees

https://x.com/zubees_official

I will be posting unique designs over the various platforms to keep fans engaged.

Is there a character you’d like to see? Let me know in the comments.

Progress on My New Writing Projects: Updates Inside

After a little gremlin in the system, my site is back online.

A quick update on things.

Shadowblade

Issue #3 is still being finished. Kevin is still hard at work coloring. I have finished the lettering and all covers are done. We still have a little ways to go, but it is going to be worth it.

Death Just Wanted To Eat Waffles

I just reached page 200 and am deep into the second act. As this is the conclusion to the trilogy I have a lot of threads to wrap up.

*secret horror script*

Turned over to the director. More news coming as soon as I can. NDA’s and all that.

Trading Grandma

My new screenplay that is actually going to be a stage play first. It’s a dark humor script that I will reveal more later. Wrapping up the first draft. Hoping to get it finished on the flight to Tokyo next week. In other news, I’m going to Tokyo next week!!!

Are there any projects you’re excited for?

Creating With Bipolar Disorder and Clinical Depression: Part Two – Impostor Syndrome: The Villain Within.

Well then, that is a rather long title.

Despite the medications, the therapy and the life changes, there is still one hurdle I continuously struggle to overcome:

The main villain in my story.

The impostor.

Impostor syndrome has followed (plagued?) me my entire life. Through relationships, friendships and my career. It’s everywhere I go. Am I a good enough husband? Father? Friend? Employee? …and yes, writer?

Despite all of my self-doubt, the evidence is there that combats the impostor. I’ve been married almost seventeen years, and every day I wake up excited to see my wife’s smile. So obviously I’ve done something right there. My wife and daughter adore me, just as I adore them. I’ve been at my current job 25 years next May. They wouldn’t keep me around if I were useless. I constantly wonder if I am good enough to release a novel, a comic or a screenplay? Despite the fact I Have released all three and for the most part reviews have been positive.

Even though there is tangible proof I am succeeding, I still feel like there is a smokescreen hiding a failure. I spend more time worrying if I am good enough than I do enjoying the successes I have achieved. And that is a problem.

There are many textbook strategies to combat this. These include acknowledging my feelings, talking about it, and celebrating achievements. Another strategy is challenging negative thoughts. Finally, seeking professional help is also recommended.

I understand that this is common. It affects so many other people. Yet, this feels like one of the more personal mental health issues. Talking about it is a challenge for me as it always feels like I am just fishing for compliments. Am I? I don’t think so. That’s not to say I don’t like compliments, but when I discuss it, I feel I sound pathetic. But maybe that is just the impostor talking.

I try to celebrate my achievements. I am proud of what I have achieved so far. I have written movies that were released. I have released comics and novels. I have achieved the goals I set for myself as a kid. I am a screenwriter, an author, a writer. Am I a good one? Well, that depends if you ask me or my impostor. You will get two different answers.

I already see a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner twice a year for my bipolar disorder and anxiety. I’m not sure I can add yet another issue into the discussion.

I’m not sure where this particular blog is heading to be honest. Does it help seeing it typed out? Maybe? Am I just asking more questions I can’t answer? Also, maybe.

How does this effect me as a writer?

Well, I’m still writing despite the immense self doubt and fear. So maybe the impostor doesn’t have as much control as I think it does.

Yours,

CWC (The real one, not the impostor, hopefully)

Back in the Saddle Again

This past weekend I was a guest on an indie comics panel at Phoenix Fan Fusion. This was my first panel in almost seven years and it felt really good to get back in front of an audience again. By next year, we should be close to wrapping our first trade for Shadowblade and we’re talking about getting a panel together dedicated to the project. Watch this space!

Shadowblade comic now in development

After a few years of development hiatus while we worked on Dr. Saville’s Horror Show, I can finally announce that we have started work on our next big project, Shadowblade.

Shadowblade is going to be both a comic book series and a movie series and the coming weeks and months we will be sharing a behind the scenes look at the development of the project.

To get us started, here is a look at Kalli, one of our two lead protagonists in the series. This series of images shows the creative process from script to lettering. As the first issue is still in development, there may be minor changes to the lettering and coloring, but this shows the overall feel for the project. My writing partner, Kevin, is the colorist on the series and he has previously colored for Marvel on such franchises as X-Men and G.I. Joe.

Shadowblade created by Craig W. Chenery & Kevin R. Phipps
Story by Craig W. Chenery & Kevin R. Phipps
Written by Craig W. Chenery
Pencils and Inks by Gianluca Testaverde
Flattening and Colors by Kevin R. Phipps
Lettering by Craig W. Chenery