A slow week this time for 24 karat mail letters. (Then again I haven't really dug into my AOL email account... (I wish I could access it without having to boot AOL.) Anyway, this week, I'm starting GD3.. I think I'll be finished with it pretty quick. The story came together so *smoothly* GD1 and GD2 were really great for setting the main story up, and now, with GD3 I can reap the rewards. Anyway, lets hear what my readers have to say this week, hmmm?
Fred

Subject: I guess you could call this Fan mail.
Date:Mon, 12 Jul 1999 06:32:38 EDT
From: Salandrian@aol.com
To: fredgdp@frontiernet.net

Umm Hi. I just recently finished GD collect series and just wanted to
say that your comic was the best I've ever collected. It makes references to
Cartoons, Themes, and Issues that I grew up with. I'm 20 now and still have a
small collection of comics, toys, or favorite episodes. I'd just like to say
that I appreciate the effort you put into your work, and hope to see more in
the future.

--Falon.

P.S. Is there gonna be a wedding Issue for Cheetah and Stripe?

<---reply--->

Thanks for writing, Falon.. and by the way... the wedding issue was last year.
Issue 40 :)

George Panella wrote:

Hey Fred,

(If you're short on time which I'm sure you are you can just skip to
the bold questions below, thanks)

This is the first time I ever written any comic book artist, but I figure
who better to start with then Fred Perry. You are the man, your art is clean
an beautiful. But I'm sure you hear this all the time. I jumped onto your
comic at issue 41. I know, I know, I'm a late bloomer, but I'm trying to catch
up. But I tell you that was all it took since then I've been buying each one.
I was surprised to find out that you were not from Japan or had any relation,
but a full fledged American, and that inspired me. That's why I wrote you. For
the first time I saw that there was a market for AmeriManga style comics. Now,
I can't compare to you in the art department, but coming from a big entrepreneur
background I did a lot of research and decided I'd like to become an Indy
(independent) Publisher. I still have many fears of (like many others before me)
not making it, but I'm going to give it my damnedest and hope for the best. And
I give you most of the credit for this inspiration. I can only hope that a few
years from now me and you can be talking at a convention about our experience's.
So as I'm collecting my story ideas, revving up the web site, and read the
production guide from Brenner Printing, I wanted to run a few quick questions
by you that I'm sure you have answered many times in the past and I'm truly
sorry for asking again, but I'd like to know (wow that's a long sentence).

I got the Staedtler Pigment Liners which you said you use to ink your art.

1) I'm still curious as to what kind of paper and paper size you use?
With the paper I've been using the Pigment Liners bleed a lot.

2) Another thing that I've been wondering is what size paper do you draw on for
a poster? I can't imagine that you draw on a 22x34" or bigger that must be
really hard to work on and color also.

3) Now that the comic is going into color are you going to have to change the
way you draw and ink? Will you be coloring the comic?

4) What program do you/they use to color comics anyway?

5) I heard much news about an Gold Digger OVA, is this an outside animation
company, or did you put together an animation team?

6) Also how independent or dependent are you on Antarctic Press, are they just
your publisher or are you their employee?

I know some of these question are weird but someone has to ask I guess.
What advice would you give someone like me that is hoping to start their own
Independent Comic? Am I crazy? Do I have any chance?

I know your not really an Independent Publisher but I thought you might have
some ideas, and I know that just know the supplies you use won't make me a
better artist, But I'm just trying to get the clean style in B&W like you do.

OK, AUK I'm almost done. If you ever do read this and answer any of these
questions I thank you for taking your time, and I only wish you continue
to make great comics that I aspire to.

Sincerely,
George W.

<---reply--->

Well, let me see.. I'll try to answer as best I can... And as far as starting
an independant comic... well, I can say that the environment isn't as friendly
as it was in the good old days. (the 80's) still, don't let that hold you back.
The next big thing could be yours! And as for your questions...

1) It's hard to find a good paper that keeps pigment liners or other ink from
bleeding. Here are the factors... Ink viscosity and Paper fiber density. If
I'm stuck with a loosely dense grade of paper, I try to bump up the ink
thickness by keeping the pens a little cold. (not frozen.) I do this by using
a water bottle with cold water or ice cubes.

The best solution is to work were its cool and use Smooth finish bristol...
(Good fiber density.) Size:10x15 or 8x12 depending on the paper available.

2) 10x15 for posters.. but sometimes I go to 20x15.(2x10 x15)

3) I change things slightly. I do a lot more detail in the background... this
replaces my mood shading I usually use for backgrounds... The colors help me
push and pull things into and out of the background, so I can concentrate on
details. I'm not going to color most of the issues.. Joe Weltjens will handle
that. (he's really good!)

4) Joey uses Photoshop 3.0... I use Photoshop 4.0

5) Well, I'm drawing it myself.. It's sort of a learning experience.. and I'm
really getting the job done the way I like it.

6) Well, AP is my publisher.. and if I find they aren't enough to get the job
done, I can leave any time I want. Still, I know exactly how they work, and
I'd hate to have to start from scratch with another publisher.

---Sign Off---
Well, I'm getting back to work.
Catch you all next week! F.