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Songs from the Wastelands is an epic chronicle of post-apocalyptic Earth, and is the brainchild of longtime friend Allan Robles. Below is the third page of a 12-page dry run we’ve been doing.

Take note though that this is not meant to be a stand-alone read; much of the back story will be revealed by the “real” comic book; this is, for all intents and purposes, a sampler. It just so happened that Allan and I were in our “wouldn’t it be cool if…” moments, so just to get our feet wet, we did this.

This battle scene was the biggest sacrifice we had to make, since we were constrained by our 12-page limit. The original concept called for at least a two-page spread featuring tons of carnage and gore. Yes, I am a boy I’m still not comfortable with the decision to cut it short, considering that the battle plays a huge role in Damien’s decision to leave his wife. I guess this is the best time to mention this, though: the battle had to take place at a certain time, given that Damien’s adversaries possessed certain… advantages… that were nullified by a certain phase of their moon, which, of course, doesn’t occur very often.

There’s a lot that happens between the panels; after Karl gives the order to ready their weapons, they are ambushed at the rear, and chaos ensues. Damien decides to go after the ‘Alpha Male’ alone, ordering Karl to take charge.

Because of the changes to this scene, panels 1,2, 4 and 5 weren’t pencilled in, and I had to draw them myself, which explains why the art’s a bit different. This was also the page where I didn’t have my Intuos 3 with me, so I think I consumed an entire bottle of liquid paper for this one.

Please note the Beauty and the Beast reference… “This [the] beast is mine!” I fought long and hard to get that one in. It was supposed to be: “Take whatever booty you can find, but this beast is mine!” but saner heads prevailed and I agreed to compromise. My undying gratitude to the person who spots the next Beauty and the Beast reference.

• Page 1
• Page 2
• Page 4

Songs from the Wastelands
Allan Robles, Story & Pencils
Jorge Cosgayon, Inks

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