Welcome to the behind the scenes of "The Adventures of Bruce and Clark." In this post, you will find never-seen-before pictures as well as an exclusive interview with our creators, Winken and Smile. If you haven't seen the actual comic yet, be sure to check it out on Facebook. (Also, stick around til the end for the real deal/commentary/story behind the comic from me.) Enjoy!
ARIEL MA: Good morning to you both! A pleasure to have you here with me today.
WINKEN: Thanks it's a real privilege.
SMILE: Yes, thanks.
MA: Having always been a fan of superheroes I have to say I really enjoyed "The Adventures of Bruce and Clark!" Seems like this project would have been real daunting to do without professional camera and crew, yet you both pulled it off exceptionally well.
S: Thanks.
W: Thank you very much. That means a lot.
MA: So, what started this whole journey?
S: Thanks.
W: Thank you very much. That means a lot.
MA: So, what started this whole journey?
S: [looks at W] It started with a box of chalk.
W: [nods]
W: [nods]
MA: Right. Why Bruce and why Clark?
W: [laughs] I have to say, when S pitched the idea of doing this project with us as superheroes, I immediately picked Bat. He's always been my favorite, because he's got no super powers.
MA: And you like him because of that?
W: Yeah, well, there's this nitty gritty aspect I really admire about him. I'm sure other Batman lovers can relate. The lack of his powers just make him that much more real and awesome, you know?
MA: Yeah, sure, sure. [looks at S] Why Clark?
S: Because of JL8... and Henry Cavill [both S and W laugh]. But, Batman's cool too.
MA: Ah yes. Best of both worlds, eh? Going back to the whole working-without-a-professional-crew-thing, with a project on this scale, what would you say was the most challenging aspect of this production?
S: Mosquitoes and neighbors. They were always out at the wrong times.
MA: Or maybe you guys were.
W: [laughs] Yeah, at one point, we had a neighbor out back grilling smokies while we stood around in full costume, knee high socks included, and me in that mask. I'm honestly not sure who was scarred more, us or that neighbor.
S: [snorts]
W: Needless to say, we discarded the knee highs.
MA: Wow.
S: Yup.
W: Yeap.
MA: Uh, so moving on, the story line itself is rather... slow? Uneventful?
W: Boring?
MA: Uh. Yeah.
S: Are you saying our story sucks?
MA: Yea--no. Uh...yes. Any reason for that?
W: Well, it is what it is. I think I speak for the both of us when I say that each reader has their own interpretation of the story. All I can say is look for the subliminal messages.
S: [nods]
MA: I see, I see. Well, we've covered the protagonists, Bruce and Kent, but not the antagonist, La Peur. What is the meaning behind his name? And, why a flying monkey?
W: [looks at S] You want to take this one?
S: No.
W: Fine. Well, since S and I embodied Bat and Supes, so to speak, we brainstormed on our greatest fears, because it made sense that way. Among our greatest fears, we boiled it down to monkeys and birds. For the sake of security, I will not mention who fears which. [looks at S] You want to talk a little about the name?
S: No.
W: [shrugs] La Peur means "fear" in French--
MA: --oh, I see...
W: --so naturally we tied it into the whole theme of the monkey and bird. The French aspect is based purely on the mustache.
MA: Oh, well I can't say how many readers could actually relate to the fear of a flying monkey, but it does sound pretty intimidating. Is there a reason for his fate being left open?
S: Like we said, it's up to their interpretation.
MA: Oh hey, you speak...
S: [nods]
MA: ... or not. [clears throat] Well, our time's just about up here. Thank you both so much!
W: Thanks for having us! It was great meeting you.
S: [scoffs]
MA: My pleasure.
S: [whispers] Is it really?
MA: What?
S: Never mind.
In all seriousness, I hope you guys really enjoyed this one. This project was a collaboration between and my best friend, A (or S in the interview) and we had a blast brainstorming and bringing it to life.
Upon my first day of staying over at her house, she informed me that she had a box of (nearly) unused chalk. After browsing through many typical chalk art photos, we figured we wanted to do something bigger. Grander. A story, perhaps. But what story could we tell in just under a week?
It wasn't until the next morning, during our jog, we wondered about possibly incorporating ourselves as different characters. Having just read JL8 and excited about the prospect of then-new Superman movie, we both agreed that superheroes would be a good way. Choosing between Bruce and Clark came easy for the both of us. Bat has always been my favorite superhero and Superman was also a fave for A and so it was settled. (To be honest and fair, we love them equally. Also, on a side note, Henry Cavill is extremely handsome.)
Coming up with the plot was no doubt the most challenging aspect. It had to be relatively short and simple as I would only be in town for a week. All the shots had to be easy to draw and take. We threw around the idea of the both of us hanging around in some kind of cupcake or donut shop, just chilling and waiting for something to happen (as most amateur pseudo-superheroes do).
One particular gag (that hits rather close to home) revolves around the smoothie shop, Bearly Blended. The shop was born from a period of time when my mother went through a phase of blending up random vegetables and fruits for the family and called them "smoothies." She would offer these concoctions to my friends whenever they came over to hang out and despite my constant warnings, A was caught off-guard one time and was obliged to try a "smoothie." The rest, of course, is history. (The smoothie shop was originally named Barely Blended, but it was changed to its current name to include a pun/joke that was unable to make it into the final cut due to time restraint and lack of detail on our part.) Also, if anyone can place the inspiration behind the motto on the shop sign, then power to you.
The concept of the flying monkey, as mentioned partially in the interview, came from A and I's respective fear of monkeys and birds. Hey, just admit it, you'd be scared too if you saw a flying monkey coming at ya. To make this character seem more grimy and "villain-esque", we added a gold hoop and scar to his face. The mustache was a play on his origin. With a little help from Google, we found out that La Peur meant "fear" in French. Thus, a villain was born.
As many of you may have noticed in the comic strip, the surfaces were quite inconsistent. Because A and I had planned to do the entire strip on her driveway (and possibly a brick wall), we started with the driveway first. (Some of the easier ones include the beginning and end title and several interjections.) Later on, however, we realized, space was going to become an issue once we tried incorporating ourselves into the frame.
After two days of complete obliviousness and stupidity, we ventured into A's backyard hoping to be inspired and lo and behold. There stood a beautiful and spacious wooden deck in all its glory, beckoning us to come draw on it.
"WHAT THE HECK WERE WE THINKING?" I later asked A. Somehow, the deck had never been considered. But then again, this was A's house, not mine. Say what? I'm not pointing fingers. (Love you, A.)
The deck worked wonders. The dark wood contrasted beautifully with the pastel colors of the chalk. The rest of the project was completed on said set. There we giggled and there we died of embarrassment and mosquito bites. Somehow the neighbors picked the particular day we wore shorts and long socks to barbecue out back. They were scarred. I know it. I would have been too.
Weather had predicted rain for days and days and yet by good mercy, we were not the least affected by it. The day we finished, the skies opened and the rain poured down, smudging most of the chalk.
Overall, the project proved to be challenging but oh-so rewarding. Thank you to everyone for the very gracious comments! Perhaps there will be another adventure down the road...but for now I bid you adieu. Have a great week! I'll be seeing ya.
S: Mosquitoes and neighbors. They were always out at the wrong times.
MA: Or maybe you guys were.
W: [laughs] Yeah, at one point, we had a neighbor out back grilling smokies while we stood around in full costume, knee high socks included, and me in that mask. I'm honestly not sure who was scarred more, us or that neighbor.
S: [snorts]
W: Needless to say, we discarded the knee highs.
MA: Wow.
W: Yeap.
MA: Uh, so moving on, the story line itself is rather... slow? Uneventful?
W: Boring?
MA: Uh. Yeah.
S: Are you saying our story sucks?
MA: Yea--no. Uh...yes. Any reason for that?
W: Well, it is what it is. I think I speak for the both of us when I say that each reader has their own interpretation of the story. All I can say is look for the subliminal messages.
S: [nods]
MA: I see, I see. Well, we've covered the protagonists, Bruce and Kent, but not the antagonist, La Peur. What is the meaning behind his name? And, why a flying monkey?
W: [looks at S] You want to take this one?
S: No.
W: Fine. Well, since S and I embodied Bat and Supes, so to speak, we brainstormed on our greatest fears, because it made sense that way. Among our greatest fears, we boiled it down to monkeys and birds. For the sake of security, I will not mention who fears which. [looks at S] You want to talk a little about the name?
S: No.
W: [shrugs] La Peur means "fear" in French--
MA: --oh, I see...
W: --so naturally we tied it into the whole theme of the monkey and bird. The French aspect is based purely on the mustache.
MA: Oh, well I can't say how many readers could actually relate to the fear of a flying monkey, but it does sound pretty intimidating. Is there a reason for his fate being left open?
S: Like we said, it's up to their interpretation.
MA: Oh hey, you speak...
S: [nods]
MA: ... or not. [clears throat] Well, our time's just about up here. Thank you both so much!
W: Thanks for having us! It was great meeting you.
S: [scoffs]
MA: My pleasure.
S: [whispers] Is it really?
MA: What?
S: Never mind.
Upon my first day of staying over at her house, she informed me that she had a box of (nearly) unused chalk. After browsing through many typical chalk art photos, we figured we wanted to do something bigger. Grander. A story, perhaps. But what story could we tell in just under a week?
It wasn't until the next morning, during our jog, we wondered about possibly incorporating ourselves as different characters. Having just read JL8 and excited about the prospect of then-new Superman movie, we both agreed that superheroes would be a good way. Choosing between Bruce and Clark came easy for the both of us. Bat has always been my favorite superhero and Superman was also a fave for A and so it was settled. (To be honest and fair, we love them equally. Also, on a side note, Henry Cavill is extremely handsome.)
Coming up with the plot was no doubt the most challenging aspect. It had to be relatively short and simple as I would only be in town for a week. All the shots had to be easy to draw and take. We threw around the idea of the both of us hanging around in some kind of cupcake or donut shop, just chilling and waiting for something to happen (as most amateur pseudo-superheroes do).
One particular gag (that hits rather close to home) revolves around the smoothie shop, Bearly Blended. The shop was born from a period of time when my mother went through a phase of blending up random vegetables and fruits for the family and called them "smoothies." She would offer these concoctions to my friends whenever they came over to hang out and despite my constant warnings, A was caught off-guard one time and was obliged to try a "smoothie." The rest, of course, is history. (The smoothie shop was originally named Barely Blended, but it was changed to its current name to include a pun/joke that was unable to make it into the final cut due to time restraint and lack of detail on our part.) Also, if anyone can place the inspiration behind the motto on the shop sign, then power to you.
The concept of the flying monkey, as mentioned partially in the interview, came from A and I's respective fear of monkeys and birds. Hey, just admit it, you'd be scared too if you saw a flying monkey coming at ya. To make this character seem more grimy and "villain-esque", we added a gold hoop and scar to his face. The mustache was a play on his origin. With a little help from Google, we found out that La Peur meant "fear" in French. Thus, a villain was born.
As many of you may have noticed in the comic strip, the surfaces were quite inconsistent. Because A and I had planned to do the entire strip on her driveway (and possibly a brick wall), we started with the driveway first. (Some of the easier ones include the beginning and end title and several interjections.) Later on, however, we realized, space was going to become an issue once we tried incorporating ourselves into the frame.
After two days of complete obliviousness and stupidity, we ventured into A's backyard hoping to be inspired and lo and behold. There stood a beautiful and spacious wooden deck in all its glory, beckoning us to come draw on it.
"WHAT THE HECK WERE WE THINKING?" I later asked A. Somehow, the deck had never been considered. But then again, this was A's house, not mine. Say what? I'm not pointing fingers. (Love you, A.)
The deck worked wonders. The dark wood contrasted beautifully with the pastel colors of the chalk. The rest of the project was completed on said set. There we giggled and there we died of embarrassment and mosquito bites. Somehow the neighbors picked the particular day we wore shorts and long socks to barbecue out back. They were scarred. I know it. I would have been too.
Weather had predicted rain for days and days and yet by good mercy, we were not the least affected by it. The day we finished, the skies opened and the rain poured down, smudging most of the chalk.
Overall, the project proved to be challenging but oh-so rewarding. Thank you to everyone for the very gracious comments! Perhaps there will be another adventure down the road...but for now I bid you adieu. Have a great week! I'll be seeing ya.
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