10/22/2008

Several years ago on a City of Heroes Fan forum (now known as COHGuru)  several players began to take screen shots and turn them into simulated comic covers. 

I began making them with Starmax.  It was a while, and this was followed by others.  More and more.  As I continued, I got better.

The software I use is PhotoImpact Pro  (Ulead software)- currently version 11.

When I started doing Doctor Futura Covers, I discovered a technique using an Artistic effect called Colored Pen.  This changes the screenshot to a drawn state, but tends to bleed out some of the color.  Using Brightness and contrast controls, you can bring it back -- making a shot that looks more drawn.  Depending upon how much you use Colored Pen, (I've used anywhere from 30 to 50 setting wise), and then how much you use brightness and contrast to reverse the color bleed, it changes the look of the image considerably.

I've started to do some of these covers for characters NOT my own.

I decided to set up this Gallery to better show off my efforts.

Added 7/17/2007 -- Phenomeno covers 1 thru 6.

Added 8/8/2007  -- Flagborn covers 37 thru 40.

Added 8/28/2007  -- Flagborn covers 41 thru 50.

Added 12/27/2007 - Doctor Futura 39

                                    Lightforce Issues 1-20

                                   Crusading Cavalier Issues 1-13

                                   Black Barb Issues 1 - 4

                                   Pside Effect  1-3           

Added 05/19/2008   Black Barb Issue 5

                                    Doctor Futura 40-45

                                    Crusading Cavalier 14-15

                                    Cybersword 1 - 21      

                                    Phenomeno Issue #1 (series 2)   

                                    Manadroid Issue 1 - 5  

                                    Starkind  Issue 1 - 3

                                    Voltavya Issue 1 - 6

                                    Photon Defender (1-4 under Custom covers)

                                    Paragon Team Up (1-2 -- under Custom Covers)

                                   Dragonknight (1-3 -under Custom Covers)

                                   Lightforce 21 - 22

Added 05/29/2008  Psirex 1-4

Added 06/06/2008 Cavalier 16-18

CURRENT COVER  COUNT:  253