From pencils to final image: a sneak peek at one of my favorite panels from Episode 8! Outman is holding a stack of flours, each based on real products (who knew there were so many?) It was time-consuming but super fun to add my own spin to each design to fit the final image. Check out the transformation!
Author: Guillermo X Ubilla
Super Bee!!
One of my favorite parts of creating the comic is fleshing out the characters and the world of My Super Ex. Early on, I decided that Outman would be a big fan of superhero comics as a kid and continue to be one even after he became a superhero himself, never seeing the irony in that.
In developing Outman’s character, I got to create a superhero that he would be really into, and thus, Super Bee was born. Powered by his super stinger and even sharper bee puns, it was fun to create little moments for Super Bee to pop up throughout the comic.
Here’s a sneak peek at a cover and two-page comic that Outman is reading in this week’s episode. I plan to release the full comic later this year. Bee on the lookout for more buzz-worthy updates! 🐝
WiP – Episode 7
Pencils to final image on one of my favorite panels of episode 7.
WiP Episode 06
Pencils to final image on one of my favorite panels of episode 6.
Choosing character colors: Outman
Creating the color palette for Outman was one of the first things I tackled when designing the My Super Ex characters. Since I wanted him to always be in his superhero outfit, unlike the other characters who would change clothes regulary, I took my time to get the colors just right.
I set myself two goals with his color palette. First, I wanted him to be instantly recognizable as a superhero, but not your typical one. So, I started with the traditional blue and red spandex uniform that universally signals “superhero.” However, I knew I needed to tweak the shades to make him stand out from the norm. Second, I wanted his palette to reflect his personality. Originally, Outman was conceived as a more “bro-y” character—always ready to party and a bit self-involved. In my sketches, I noted that college parties were the best time of his life, and he idolized the frat guys from ’80s and ’90s comedies.
As I gathered references, three things stood out: pastels, shorts, and boat shoes. None of the images I collected featured primary colors; instead, they were filled with pastels. Shorts and boat shoes were also a recurring theme. So, I incorporated these elements, transforming the primary blue and red into pastel versions and dressing him in shorts and boat shoes.
Although Outman’s personality has evolved over the past two years, I still think his color scheme fits his character perfectly. I’m pleased with how it turned out and think it continues to represent him well.
WiP Episode 05
Explore the evolution of a panel from this week’s from its initial sketch to the final image, and see how it’s adapted for each format I share weekly. Dive into the behind-the-scenes process of bringing My Super Ex to life!
What it takes to share in three formats
I’m working to making “My Super Ex” as readable as possible regardless of how people want to read the comic. I’m making each comic in a unique format:
📖 Page Layout: Perfect for print and large screens, where you can see all the panels at once.
📱 Mobile Layout: Designed for smaller screens, allowing you to swipe through one panel at a time.
📜 Webtoons Format: Ideal for smartphones, letting you scroll through the episode in a continuous vertical format.
Each format requires a different number of files to create one issue. Even though each episode is different, the images show about how many files are needed for each format. And each episode includes a few extra assets to round out the presentation for each layout. The goal is to make sure you can enjoy the story no matter where or how you’re reading it!
WiP Ep 3
Here’s one of my favorite panels from the third episode of ‘My Super Ex.’ Creating each panel is a journey, and I wanted to share a behind-the-scenes look at the stages it goes through before reaching the final image.
🔍 Stages Breakdown:
-Initial Sketch: Rough outlines and concept.
-Detailed Drawing: Adding finer details and refining the lines.
-Inking and Coloring: Bringing the panel to life with inks and vibrant colors.
-Final Touches: Adjusting shadows, and highlights.
📱 Since each panel is designed to be displayed in three different formats, here’s how it looks on:
-Page Layout: The full-page version for print and digital comics.
-Mobile View: Optimized for reading on your phone.
-Webtoons Format: Perfectly formatted for scrolling on Webtoon.
SuperBee!
One of the most fun parts of creating this comic is imagining the characters and the world of Super City beyond the main storyline. Last fall, I began thinking about some bonus comics I could create to provide a glimpse into Maddie and Outman’s daily lives. Since Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, I decided to create a few comics (which I’ll release this October) showing how they would celebrate, focusing on their Halloween costumes.
This led to the idea that Outman would dress up as his favorite comic book superhero, giving rise to SuperBee. You’ll spot SuperBee appearing here and there throughout the comic, and maybe one day we could even delve deeper into his world and his story.
WiP Ep 4
I create each comic in three formats: a full-size version for print, a square version suitable for mobile devices, and a vertical scroll for reading on small screens. I work on each panel in its own file, drawing it once and then adjusting its layout to fit each format. The first two images show the original panel in its own file and how it looks in its final format. This method requires more work at the beginning of each comic, but it gives me greater flexibility and, in my opinion, a better end result.