This Is HUB #4 In My Series: Trying To Draw A Graphic Novel The Old School Way (Why Isn't This "Just" a Comic Book?)

Hi everybody: When I write these hubs I do so more for me than anyone else; but like my fellow hubber Lisawilliamsj, I am kind of interested in what you think - so leave a comment if you dare, on my writing, art or the music I listen to. I guess that's the thing that Hub Pages lacks - a dedicated way to talk to just one person about whatever, without becoming a chat room (whispering somebody like in the game WOW would be nice - it means I would know that there were actually live people out there real time). I guess Hub Pages may need a chat of sorts - I'd love to talk to SOMEBODY about what I like occasionally without having loads of comments that I didn't make or answer cramming my inbox.

I think calling something graphic means it can be explicit in nature. That means you could get more blood, guts, potty mouths, sex scenes (drawn out or implied) than in what is typical of what I'd call a 'regular' comic book. (I like to call them "comix" referred to in the plural. It's a personal issue. Pun alert!).

In spite of what I've seen in research, implying graphic novels are better rendered than comics, LOTS of times the art of the comic book has it's awesome high notes, as well as low ones. Same for graphic novels. (The first page I illustrated is nothing but emo stick figures! Read my hub # 2 to see the first page re-worked!)

I've seen a graphic novel that was drawn well but I guess (not sure) it was so - overly worked - by computer, the reader's perception of depth was all but erased. That means the entire book looked flat and uninteresting. And still cost a mint. Hey! I know some women like that! Hahahahaha!!!

I did a little research online and saw that my graphic novel fits the generalized standards of what a graphic novel should be: 'Longer story line, adult theme' (sorry "under agers") but in general, a big ole' comic book! A fantasy novel with pictures, hand drawn the old school way! With a pencil! That has lead in it and no wires!

The following links are the ones that I used in part, to confirm my suspicions about just what a graphic novel should be: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphic_novel, http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070620185823AAHNEBK, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-graphic-novels-and-comic-books.htm.

My novel of course, will have a moral. I saw some old Star Trek: The Next Generation" sci-fi on TV and none of them has a "moral of the story", as my Mom would say. They all seemed to end and leave me saying, "That's it? That's all?" So I decided to go with the REALLY old Star Trek idea of wrapping up the story with something - a moral or joke, so the reader knows I'm finished. Besides just a "FIN" or "THE END" written out in big letters on the last page.

That said: Here's another drawing for you!

More on how I think I should draw hands and feet and the size of character's heads, later!

Music I listened to while writing this hub:

"Galaxie", by Blind Melon, off of Soup

"I Wanna", by the All-American Rejects, off of When the World Comes Down

"King Without a Crown", by Matisyahu, off of Youth

"Lips Like Sugar", by Seal and Mikey Dread, off of Seal: Best 1991-2004 (my friend and I played this while I was driving in his truck once, the thing has a speaker for the time of day - the bass notes on it are awesome

"My Friends", by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, off of The Red Hot Chili Peppers: Greatest Hits I used to not get this band. Then one day I was waiting for a light on Pico Blvd going east and KROQ played some song of theirs, I think it was Scar Tissue, not sure. Then suddenly I got it - and now I can't get enough!

"Santa Monica" by Everclear, off of Sparkle and Fade. Sad title of record (pun alert to Spacehog fans) but I love the song!

"1901" by Phoenix, off of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix