Some Dark Shadows comparisons...

In my last blog post, I went over some of my feelings and thoughts about Dark Shadows, and its various incarnations.  All of them have strengths and weaknesses.  Most fans tend to view the original tv series as "canon," but I would like to offer some comments...

With the various "casts," I do adore the original cast.  Here they are from 1966, or '67...



In all earnestness, though, pound or pound, I'd have to endorse the 1991 revival series as the strongest incarnation of the Dark Shadows mythology, save for one casting...

I could never warm up to Ben Cross as Barnabas Collins.



He never quite transcended from being a complete villain, which Barnabas was, when first introduced to the show, but became "sympathetic" when Frid's version literally saved the show.  Cross came across(no pun) as too arrogant.  And the gaunt features with the blow dried hair just didn't seem like Barnabas.

I did like what Johnny Depp did with the character.  For all intents and purposes, he was channeling Jonathan Frid.  He is a fan of the show.  You can tell by this pic from the movie that, while still in character, he was in "fanboy heaven" when four of the original series actors made their cameo appearances, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Lara Parker, David Selby, and Jonathan Frid.



So for my design of "Barnabas Collins" for a "Dark Shadows-the Animated Series," I gave a wink to both--mostly Jonathan Frid, but with touches of Johnny Depp.



Yeah, this image is in the previous post.  But I wanted to give my thoughts with it.  I'll be posting other comparisons and designs in the future.

Tootles!

What I have been working on...

I loved the Tim Burton "Dark Shadows" movie.  I viewed it 6 times when it was in theaters, and gleefully bought a DVD copy.  "Dark Shadows" is my "MLP."  Once, I was asked if I was excited about going to a local comics show by a giddy fan.  I said, "no," and was given a perplexed look.  Comics shows are work.  I can't remember going to a show, convention, event that wasn't "work related."  So going to a "Dark Shadows" festival is something I've put on a list of goals.  I want to go as a fan.  BID.

From the movie, I thought about developing an animated pitch.  Part of the problem has been developing the characters in the best incarnations.  Which version should be the inspiration?  So future posts may be of character development and look.  One caveat--I haven't seen the 2004 pilot, except what has been available on the internet.  I would like to see it in its entirety for comparison.  So I will admit that it has had little to no influence on my own DS reimagining.

For interiors, I would have to go with the sets from the Burton movie over any of the tv sets.  But for exteriors the clear winner is still the Carey Mansion.  I do think the "Old House" would need some modification to look more "colonial."  There also some other buildings on the "estate" to include, as the '90's revival had stables, and the DS '70's movies (using Lyndhurst) had an outdoor pool complex.

Here's what I've designed, character-wise, on Dark Shadows--the animated series so far.  This WIP needs about 5 or 6 more character designs.  I found when I started that it began to "balloon" with additional characters I'd like to include.  For these, I found that the original show would be the inspiration, such as Prof. Trask, Jeb Hawkes, and Adam.

One "character" I've had the most difficulty with has been "Collinwood."  I know what I would like to see in the design, but haven't found it, yet.  So I've used a photo of the Seaview Terrace for placement.  Sorry.

Here's the piece.  Click on the picture to see the whole thing.  Let me know what you think...

Maybe I should blog more often?...

I haven't blogged in 2 years.  Yesterday, I got a notification of a new comment on a blog post from 2011.  I admit to being somewhat shocked.  Not so much from what was in this "comment," but that anyone commented at all!  Particularly after 3 years.

What I found discouraging and disheartening about the comment wasn't so much the content as the anonymity of the author.  But maybe things will be clearer if you see the comment from "Anonymous"...

I wondered why you weren't doing any comics that glorified Jesus Christ, and now see that you are doing limited animations that laugh at the notion of first-time fornication on a prom night. Really, Mike, you should know better than this at that late stage in life. I've seen a lot of people fall away from God in this apostate age, but those who hold fast to Christ will gain an unperishable crown. The reality of this is evident in the lives of those who fully entrust themselves to His will and His care. So very few 'walk the walk' in the arts especially. Fortunately, soul-winning doesn't rely upon talent, but anointing and consecrated living. A Holy Ghost-filled believer can work wonders!"

I'm sure "Anonymous" means well.  But due to the fact the comment is anonymous, I have to discount its validity.  It falls into the category of the "poisoned pen letter," or the prank phone calls.  I would've preferred that if "Anonymous" were that concerned, "he," "she," or "it," would show me the decency of approaching me in the open.

I have the impression that either we have crossed paths at some point, which exasperates me that "Anonymous" didn't make the effort to contact me.  Would I have been open to it?  (Yes, I would.)  Would I have welcomed prayer? (Absolutely!)  But instead of approaching me with concern in private, it was decided the more prudent course was to be less private with little, to no, concern.

To "Anonymous,"--Thank you for finding my blog, and for taking the time to take a look at my artwork.  Had you completed reading my post about that particular project, you would've discovered that the "prom night fornication" was a ruse.  A set-up.  A bait and switch.  In the end, it wasn't losing virginity sexually, but of shapeshifter and werewolves getting their first "kill."

It was less porn, and more "Twilight Zone."