"Murder Track" ("Speed Racer")
Pencil Marks: I knew even before I started to attempt a manga-style based picture, the experience was going to be tough. When I handed it to Tony, I had an idea what the script was going to say, but to try making it a little more authentic, I asked him to come up with his own dialogue. I wanted that 'lost in translation' appeal and figured shoving him into the deep end without a little warning would do that. Naturally, he pulled through as always, but even with his skills, it seems nothing could have fixed this awful mess I created.
In the end we wound up with a shoddy manga-like page in full blown color, reading from left to right (instead of the proper Eastern method of right to left), dialogue which makes no sense, and it doesn't even end in a cliffhanger.
I can't speak for Tony, but as far as my involvement with this goes, I have brought dishonor. - Jake
Ink Smudges: Man, this is just painful. The previous week I was boasting I had all my bugs worked out after the long sabbatical, and then this picture hits.
Out of all the films for this summer, Jake and I felt "Speed Racer" was going to be the 'lock' of the season. We had a solid idea we felt comfortable with. Hell, there wasn't any back and forth over the concept like most weeks. Jake told me his idea and I was immediately sold on it. But sometime between concept and completion, things just fell through.
My first gripe was I just couldn't in good conscience turn in a non-colored final piece. I'm not that skilled of an inker to put it out there in all its nakedness. So, I decided to follow the Wachowski Bros. idea of filling it with color. At least there I succeeded, but in a way if also failed, because to me it still looks rough.
Then came the final insult. I understand Jake's plan for a 'lost in translation' scripting, and a few years ago I probably would've been able to pull it off. But once I was done, and in the thick of things, nothing sprang to mind. So, not only did I come up with some of my worst dialogue ever; it's not even hilarious like I was shooting for.
I do stand by this picture though. A wiser man would've said to just delay the pic until we came up with something else. But I personally feel everyone should be able to witness this: warts and all. - Tony