Supercrash!

Q: When did you create Supercrash?

A: Supercrash is a relatively old story I created a little more then 10 years ago. It started as a pretty modest, amateur and badly drawn comic with a protagonist that was a little too much like an idealized version of myself. It also made (failed) attempts at humour at times.

Thank God, the comic evolved. Supercrash gained a distinct personality, a stronger universe, and hey, it actually became funny! Proof that you can turn a somewhat mediocre comic into something more edible with a little work.

Q: How long do you plan on making the story?

A: At this point I have no idea. I hope I’ll be able to make it as long as possible.

Q: Have you ever considered publishing Supercrash as a real comic book?

A: Oh I did. Sending portfolios to publishing companies was the first step I undertook when considering publishing my comic. But it got turned down quite a few times. Consequently, I turned to the Internet as my way of showcasing my work. I thought making a webcomic out of Supercrash would be an excellent alternative to classic publishing because it’s more accessible, and it’s easier to find your target public there. That doesn’t mean I’ll never consider having my work published on books though. It’s still something I long for.

Q: How long have you been drawing?

A: Since I was able to. If you want to know more about me, I created a nice little section for that.

Q: Oh, nice story! What is going to happen next?

A: What kind of weird question is that? Keep on reading and discover it by yourself!

Q: Hey, I love your art! Do you accept requests, art trades or commissions?

A: First of all, thanks! Second of all, I don’t do requests, I don’t have time for them. I’m generally not too interested in art trades either, but it’s going to be easier for me to say yes if you have something interesting to offer in return (as in “art skills”, get it?). For commissions, I’ll take them or not depending on how busy I am, but you could always ask me.

Q: Who made your website?

A: I did. Almost everything under the Bourgy.net and Supercrash.net domains are done by me, using a combination of HTML, CSS and PHP coding. Of course, some parts of the code are software taken from someplace else. That is the case for the Supercrash comic engine, which runs on WordPress (with the Comicpress theme). The discussion board runs on PHPBB3 Forum software. Lastly, the news system on DJ Bourg‘s website is really a blog created via Blogger.

The entire website (Supercrash & DJ Bourg) is hosted by Powweb. It’s been tested on Windows versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, Mozilla Firefox 3, Google Chrome 1.0.154.43, Apple Safari 3.2.1., and Opera Browser 9.6.

Q: What programs do you use to create your stuff?

A: I use the Adobe CS4 Suite (which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash and Dreamweaver) for most of my artsy activities. The drawings are performed on a Wacom Intuos3 graphic tablet. For the few times when I’ll draw on traditional media, I use Copic Sketch markers.

Q: Where can I get this stuff?

A: Buy them! Unfortunately, this stuff is expensive. Adobe Photoshop CS4 is worth about $600 US, but you can get a cheaper version, which is called Adobe Photoshop Elements, for about $80. It often comes bundled with scanners and other hardware, so watch for that next time you purchase a scanner. There are also a lot of free alternatives for Photoshop on the Internet, like the very first version of OpenCanvas or The Gimp. Furthermore, art universities often offer rebates on software, so check with your institution if they sell the program for a reduced price.

For Copic Markers, check with your local art store if they have them in stock, or if they can order them. Other than that, a few online stores sell them. But be warned, a single Copic Marker can go for up to $8 US. If you’re lucky, you can find places that sell them for about $5.

Q: Hey, you’re a Super Mario Bros. fan! Why don’t you upload some of this stuff here?

A: Because this website is entirely devoted to my original creations. My DeviantART gallery is where you can find most of my Mario stuff there. I do have some of this stuff on my gallery/portfolio as well, if you’re really looking for the best.