I wrote this in the summer of
1990. Fauquier Magazine was featuring me in their September issue
as 'Artist of the Month' or something like that. I had the strip
half finished and when I found out that the magazine wanted to
feature my artwork, I worked overtime to get it done. Unfortunately,
they didn't end up using any of Friday in '52. So
this is it's official debut. The only people who have seen it
are close friends and family. (The original artwork was created
on paper in pen and ink with hand-cut Zip-a-tone screens. Some
of the half-tone screens became "ugly" when scanned
and reduced for this on-line presentation. For instance the screen
tone of Frank's car has been digitally replaced with a solid gray
tone. - Ed.)
I wanted to do a period piece.
I was working for a film company at the time, and was very interested
in how filmmakers pay very close attention to detail when making
a movie set in a specific time period. I thought it would be neat
to make a comic strip story that looked like a black and white
50's movie. I am also a big antique car buff, and wanted an excuse
to draw some 40's and 50's style cars. Friday in '52 is
probably the best story I've ever drawn. It took a lot of time
to do, but I think it was worth every minute.
I hope you enjoy it. - Thom
Shepherd (6-30-98)
Note: In November of 1986, Thom Shepherd and Darren
Wheeling formed Starving Artist
Productions and over the following
two years created ten animated short films and three live-action
works. They also collaborated on various comic book projects.
Thom has since married, moved to Nashville Tennessee and become
a professional singer/songwriter (He wrote the hit song "Riding
with Private Malone"). Darren, on the other hand, still sits
in his basement drawing silly pictures, but at least his drooling
problem is almost gone.
|
