This is the pencil drawing for my first comic presented for public consumption. It is a dream sequence for Agent Eben 07 who has been sleeping ever since an unfortunate encounter with Russian literature. Ninja Dan has dragged Eben through a Gypsy camp, up a mountain, and into a castle, but despite a yeoman’s effort he remains mysteriously asleep.
The Intelligence Cleaner Agency asked me to assist D. Bethel in the declassification of the “For the Love of Russia” file. My recruitment was predicated on my unique ability to peer into the dream state of secret operatives. My techniques for remote viewing remain highly classified, but I will give you the following glimpses into my process.
I first began by zeroing in on Eben 07 through a series of sketches.
I really wanted to see how far I could push the character to make it my own and have it still be recognized as 07. I have found it essential to the remote viewing process to visualize the subject as one’s own mind’s eye visualizes.
As the character of Eben 07 began to emerge clearly in my mind’s eye, I started working on my concept sketches to detail the images I was receiving remotely.
My initial sketches were very rough, but a coherent image of Eben 07’s dream was beginning to emerge. I refined my concept sketches into a thumbnail sketch that I felt adequately represented Eben 07’s precise state of mind.
Once the thumbnail was complete, my remote viewing session ended and the artist in me took over to develop the following rough:
Eventually, after some additional effort, I completed the final pencil sketch above. I then took the project into the computer where I cleaned it up, darkened the lines in Photoshop, and added the word bubbles, dialog and sound effects. Originally, I was planning on digitally coloring the dream sequence, but I realized through much scrutiny in my remote viewing that Eben 07 was dreaming in black and white. I felt obligated to stay true to 07’s state of mind. You can see the completed version at Eben07.com.
For those of you who have made it all the way down this post, I provide for your reference and mine, some photographic evidence of my brother and I being possessed by the spirit of Eben 07 during my remote viewing experience.
First my bro Adam (aka madhollywood):
And finally yours truly:
That’s pretty cool.
What is this dream?
I really like the way you put liner notes in after the comic, really adds a new interesting element. Great job.
great job Jay. I really like it.