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"Being the leader of an estranged pack in a post-apocalyptic segregated society isn't easy . . ." - ARMOR
I originally created SCRUFFY PUPPIES in early 1986, wrote and drew a rag-tag 2 issue comic book series later that year. I was only 13 years old at the time. A four years ago, due to unfortunate circumstances (or fortunate as I wouldn’t have followed this path if things didn’t happen the way they did), I dug out all my old artwork and characters. I originally tried to make them look more realistic, but found the characters lacking the charm and style of the original drawings. So I kept the original look as much as possible, just revamping them here and there to clean them up a little, and found that it’s not only more pleasing to the eye, it’s also more fun to draw and write for these characters.
The second chapter is practically identical to the original issue done 20 years ago! You’ll notice that at that time, I was greatly influenced by none other than KEVIN EASTMAN’S and PETER LAIRD’S: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, one of the greatest independent comics of all time. It’s reflected in the panel work and story telling of that particular chapter. I found out though, that the world of SCRUFFY PUPPIES is a little different from modern day. Although the themes are universal (love, fear, survival, insecurities, joy, courage, doubt, etc.), one might not be able to dive into the story without knowing why things are the way they are. Because of this, I wrote a background story listing all the events that lead up to the present day SCRUFFY PUPPIES story. This eventually became an unprecedented nine page intro (chapter 1), unheard of in comics (if you know of another, let me know), which I’ve included on this website for your viewing pleasure .
FUN FACT: ARNOLD SCHWARZENNEGER’S likeness as the “President of the United States” along with world leaders on the first page was planned over a year before he ran for Governor of California. Am I psychic or what?
The 3rd chapter is funny because it’s an entire chapter of 25 pages dealing with an event that took up a mere two pages in the original book in 1986. It’s ALL action! I was still discovering(testing?) the characters and their relationships to each other. It’s a fun chapter to read to be sure, but I feel the real break-out chapters are 4 & 5, where I really started feeling I knew the characters well. I introduced new characters that added dynamics to the entire story, and I was able to be more playful with the art.
Ever since then, the stories write themselves, and I have been overjoyed with the direction the “PUPS” are taking me. My characters have become living, breathing, dynamic personalities, and I’m delighted to have you share their journey with them--their triumphs and defeats, their joys and sorrows. May the PUPS do for you what others (ELFQUEST, TMNT, X-MEN, ROBOTECH, etc.) have done for me!
Chapters 6 & 7 were a great triuph, both in improved art quality AND story telling. The story really begins to take shape in exciting fashion. This was my favorite, thus far and yet, it just got better with chapters 8-10. Issue 8 dealt with a lot of the background story defining the SCRUFFY PUPPIES. I felt it was essential for the story as a whole, adding a new dimension to the characters and bridging the reader further to the story. Chapters 9 & 10 go even further, adding dimension to the "bad" guys, as well as lots of action, great story advancement, character development, and a cliff-hanger ending!!! Delighted I am indeed!
WOOF, Brent Joseph
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 Scruffy Puppy Art |