Back in 2005 I started working on a graphic novel called ‘Dei Umbra: The Shadow of God.’ It was the most massive comics undertaking I’ve ever attempted, weighing in at 190 pages. Now, after fifteen years, I’m proud to announce that I’ve finally finished it!
190 pages of manga-style epic sci-fi adventure, with an investment of thousands of solitary man-hours. This project has been hanging over me like my own personal Sistine Chapel, eating up my weekends, for the past fifteen years, and it’s DONE. You might be able to just begin to imagine a smattering of my elation.
To be fair, it wasn’t the only thing I worked on during that time. About five years into it, I began to yearn for other creative outlets. It’s hard to stay inspired over one idea year after year. Perhaps I shouldn’t have, but I divided my time somewhat. In between pages of Dei Umbra I wrote two novels and began two other comic books. The novels (“Fade the Thief” and “Charlatan: City Full of Ghosts”) I’ve been shopping around to publishers without a nibble, but I haven’t given up yet. I’m 49 pages into a new superhero comic called “Warlock,” and 15 pages into another one called “Fearless.” So yeah, I’ve been moonlighting a little bit. But still.
I’ve already begun the process of finding a publisher for Dei Umbra. As with the novels, I’m beginning with the largest publishers and working my way down to the smallest. Unlike with novels, comics publishers don’t require that you wait six months before submitting to another publisher. It’s only a one-month wait, so the process should be somewhat quicker.
Once Dei Umbra is in print, I’ll probably have to remove it from my website, but you can read it now for free!
-Crylock
Aw Yeah! Congratulations Brian! I know you wanted to finish “Dei Umbra” for a while. The ending was great! I’m glad the portal closed and he decided to stay in that realm.
(•ヮ•)
It has been a while…oh ok… years since we’ve seen each other ( • н•) . I remember you were a fan of Halloween Brian, and I found your favorite classic headless horseman song by Thurl Ravenscroft. We listened it near Halloween that year near the Olympic College library.
It will be good to chat again, besides, i didn’t know if you are working at the college with this COVID-19, or if I could stop by and chat again. I’m doing ok though, my Moma made masks at home for safety. Please let me know how you are doing Brian.
Please respond back
Robin W.
Hi Robin! I’m sorry I didn’t find your posts until now. My WordPress blog was deluged with spam, and your posts were buried under hundreds of posts full of bot-generated drivel. I’ve finally got a spam filter in place, and I’m starting to get things back under control.
I’m still working at the college full-time. I’m there every day Monday thru Thursday until 5. Things have slowed down a lot during the Covid pandemic, and there are still very few in-person classes happening. It would be great to see an old friend if you find yourself in the area and have a few minutes to drop by!
Nice ending Brian! Nice way to tie it all up. I’m happy you got to finish “Dei Umbra” I know you had wanted to finish it for a while. I always loved the corruption of power as shown in the series.
I’m an old friend and it will be nice to chat and see how things have been. Last time we met was I think when I found the headless horseman song by Thurl Ravenscroft for Halloween.
Robin W.
Dei Umbra is awesome!
It is a wonderful comic to read.
It is nice to read your works. I found out about your comic universe at college, and I was looking up Thurl Ravenscroft’s Headless horseman song at Halloween and learning manga art from a great teacher.
I enjoy the power play and the misuse of it in the story. Keep up the good work Brian.