Drawing Comics on an iPad

As some of you know, I used to be a comic artist. I had already decided in the mid-90s to draw comics, but my path led me to study computer science and from there into game development, where I worked for many years also as a graphic artist. Since I love comics, I later drew comics independently, which I owe especially to the former Marvel editor Jim Salicrup, for whose new company Papercutz I was able to draw stories for Tales from the Crypt. These days I work as a game developer and write comics on the side, which appear in Germany as graphic novels at SPLITTER-Verlag (MAYA and DARK ZERO). Since I still have the urge to tell stories with drawings myself, a few months ago I started using the remaining time of the day, which I normally spend with my wife on the couch in front of the TV, to try out whether you can draw comics on the iPad from the couch. Here are a few of the pages that were created. The last double page is not finally finished with grayscales and thus incomplete. One page per evening. It works... but it's not really relaxing ;)

Gremlins 3

I am a big fan of 70s and 80s cinema. Especially genre films that celebrated their peak in the 80s. Therefore, I am of course also a very big fan of the masterpiece GREMLINS. I was all the more excited for the release of Gremlins 2 and was bitterly disappointed in the cinema. What have they done with this film? A catastrophe would be an understatement. Where the first part had a perfect mix of magic, emotion, horror, and humor, the second part only presented slapstick and exaggerated nonsense. The film was a satire of the first part. Now a third part is coming to theaters soon, as Hollywood apparently has run out of ideas. I have little hope, but I'm glad that Chris Columbus is apparently taking over the direction. Hopefully he returns to his old form. After all, it was he who conjured the magic into the script of the first part.

I posted a criticism of Gremlins 2 on Twitter, which has now even made it into an article on Metro.co.uk. But see (and read) for yourself: https://metro.co.uk/2025/11/07/gremlins-fans-baffled-third-film-confirmed-terrible-sequel-24642020/

Interview in German ZACK Magazine

Frank Neubauer interviewed me about my SPLITTER comics, MAYA and DARK ZERO. I also had the opportunity to discuss my new novel, PLANET OF SPIDERS (PLANET DER SPINNEN). Get your copy of ZACK here: GET THE NEW ZACK MAGAZINE HERE! (CLICK!)
The comics you can order here: https://www.splitter-verlag.de/maya-1-odinsblut.html
And here: https://www.splitter-verlag.de/dark-zero-1-schwarze-sphaere.html
My novel (written as DAMIEN ZORN) you can find here (English version):
GET THE ENGLISH SCI-FI NOVEL HERE! (CLICK!)
Or here (German edition):
GET THE GERMAN SCI-FI NOVEL HERE! (CLICK!)

Planet der Spinnen - Die Ankunft (German Sci-Fi Novel)

Damien Zorn’s debut novel PLANET DER SPINNEN - DIE ANKUNFT (PLANET OF THE SPIDERS - THE ARRIVAL) will be released in German on August 1, 2025. It will be available wherever books are sold and can already be pre-ordered as an eBook via Amazon KDP.

ORDER THE BOOK HERE (Click!)!

I recommend this novel to all readers of DARK ZERO and MAYA!

What’s it about? Here’s the summary:
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS! Sixteen-year-old Hope only knows Earth from stories. Her home is a colony spaceship heading toward a distant star system.
One day, she and her friend Ricky discover a mysterious file that changes everything. Dark secrets about the mission and her parents come to light, and when the ship encounters something unknown in the new system, everything spirals out of control.
In the midst of the chaos, the future of humanity rests in Hope’s hands:
She must uncover the truth—or they’re all doomed.

In Damien Zorn’s gripping science-fiction thriller, daring adventures and vivid characters collide with the irresistible charm of the ‘80s—inspired by classic adventure films and epic space sagas.
Dive into a world of breathtaking action, dark secrets, and rebellious heroes fighting for survival.
An epic debut that blends nostalgia with the future.

Don’t miss the unique new voice of DAMIEN ZORN in science fiction! By the way, an English edition of the novel is planned for the near future.

More about DAMIEN ZORN you can find at: www.DamienZorn.com

Tagesspiegel Interview!

The Tagesspiegel conducted an interview with me about the new science fiction comic series MAYA and DARK ZERO, which I invented and wrote. You can read it (in German) here:

https://www.tagesspiegel.de/kultur/comics/science-fiction-comicautor-chris-noeth-musik-hilft-bei-der-entwicklung-guter-bildergeschichten-13406227.html

DARK ZERO #2

In just a few days, the second comic album of the sci-fi action series DARK ZERO will be released—a series I created and wrote, brought to life with ultra-dynamic artwork by Marvel artist Jethro Morales. So, what’s the story about? Well, you could describe it with the elevator pitch: "Star Wars on crack!" Definitely a comic for adults, featuring not only a fascinating world and story but also violence and sex. The series is currently being published in Germany by SPLITTER Verlag. Same goes for my second series, MAYA, of which two albums have been released so far as well. That series follows a young girl who gains superpowers. While DARK ZERO is set in the distant future, MAYA takes place in our near future. The stunning covers are done by Tina Valentino, with colors by Bryan Valenza, Arif Prianto, and VAGRANT.

The artwork here is my own interpretation of NICA, the main character from DARK ZERO.

If you’re interested in licensing the comics, feel free to reach out directly to SPLITTER Verlag: www.splitter-verlag.de.
You can buy them at any comic shop, order them online anywhere, including Amazon, or directly from Splitter:
DARK ZERO 1: https://www.splitter-verlag.de/dark-zero-1-schwarze-sphaere.html
DARK ZERO 2: https://www.splitter-verlag.de/dark-zero-2.html
MAYA 1: https://www.splitter-verlag.de/maya-1-odinsblut.html
MAYA 2: https://www.splitter-verlag.de/maya-2.html

Since these are completely new series, I’d really appreciate it if you could spread the word to all your comic-loving friends if you enjoy them.
Thanks for your support!

Time Flies Too Fast!

 

It's already February, and I find myself wondering—where did all the time go? I'm working on my first major game while also juggling my comic projects in my free time. Routine makes time slip by in the blink of an eye—crazy!

Art from DARK ZERO #2 by Jethro Morales / VAGRANT / TEXT: Chris Noeth

 

Recently, I took a moment to reorganize my projects and priorities. As some of you know, I run a YouTube channel mainly dedicated to comic art. While I’ll definitely showcase more of my game there in the future, it's still too early for that. I upload whenever I find time, so if you have any specific requests for what you'd like to see, feel free to reach out!

But today, I want to talk about my current comic projects—MAYA and DARK ZERO. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported these projects so far, especially the Kickstarter backers! Since both are completely new sci-fi series without an established fanbase, their success was uncertain—it was a leap into the unknown. My approach? I created stories that I personally love and hoped that others would love them too.

But here’s the challenge: How do potential readers and future fans even hear about these comics? Even being published by one of Germany’s best comic publishers, Splitter Verlag, doesn’t guarantee instant recognition. The style of these comics isn't exactly what’s trending today—they're aimed at adult readers, featuring raw language, violence, and sex, much like the bold graphic novels of the 80s. You don’t see much of that anymore.

Since only the first issues of MAYA and DARK ZERO have been released so far (with MAYA Vol. 2 just launching a few weeks ago), I’d love for readers and fans to help spread the word! Tell your comic-loving friends about these two German indie productions and let your local comic shops know you enjoy them! These stories were conceived, written, and developed right here in Germany, brought to life with the help of an international team of artists.

Your support means the world to me and helps ensure the continuation of these stories!

Speaking of which—I just finished writing MAYA Vol. 3, and Ricardo Silva has already been working on the artwork for a few weeks now. Let me just say—it's gonna be CRAZY!

And if you don’t want to wait too long for more, mark April 2025 on your calendar—that’s when DARK ZERO Vol. 2 drops! If I had to describe the series in one sentence, I’d call it "Star Wars on crack!"

So, thanks again for all your support, and I hope you continue to enjoy MAYA and DARK ZERO!

- Chris

MANGA?

While sketching, I’ve been working hard to break my annoying habit of overworking drawings and getting lost in the details. To fight this tendency, I’ve started doing three-minute sketches. The goal is to teach myself that even unfinished and imperfect drawings can have charm, and to combat procrastination. After all, it’s about the output you produce, not obsessing over a handful of ‘perfect’ drawings. Imperfection is fine as long as the art is appealing and, in comics, effectively tells a story.

So, I created a quick three-minute sketch of a young girl in a spacesuit, and because I had some digital screentone textures ready, it immediately looked like a panel from a Manga. That idea stuck with me, and suddenly, an epic story popped into my head. I’ve started exploring the opening of this story in a series of thumbnails, which I’m excited to share with all of you.

Would you be interested in reading a Manga aimed more at adult readers, centered around a young girl aboard a colony spaceship traveling to a distant part of our galaxy a few decades from now?

MAYA #2 insider gag...

A little inside joke for everyone who’s already read MAYA 2... 😉

Don’t get it? No worries! 📚
Grab a copy of MAYA 2 – Die Flucht (the escape), the brand-new sci-fi action comic for adults, published by Splitter Verlag! 🚀

✨ Dive into this action-packed sci-fi world, and this joke will suddenly make perfect sense. 😄

Who here has already read MAYA 2? Drop a comment below! 💬

MAYA #2 is OUT NOW!

It's here! The second installment of my science-fiction superhero comic series MAYA, developed by me (I'm the creator / writer) and published in album format by Splitter Verlag in Germany, is now available! Both the first and second volumes are available as stylish hardcover editions in comic shops, online, or directly from Splitter Verlag. The interior art is done by Ricardo Silva with cover art by Tina Valentino. The colors are done by VAGRANT and Arif Prianto.

What many readers don’t realize: MAYA is a German original production—not a licensed comic from the USA or the Franco-Belgian market. And because it’s an entirely new series, it needs your support! Many comic shops and fans may not know this yet or could be waiting to purchase the books until the series is complete (the first story arc will consist of three parts).

This is where you come in:
To help MAYA gain the recognition it deserves, we need to spread the word to all comic fans out there! Building a small but dedicated fanbase for MAYA—and for my second comic project, DARK ZERO—will make it easier to convince comic shops and publishers to continue supporting these German comics. This, in turn, will allow me to bring you even more stories from the world of MAYA and the DARK ZERO universe in the future. And I have big plans for both! ;)

So please, help share this message with all the comic lovers out there!

Thank you so much for your support!
Your Chris

Chris Perfect Pencil Brush for Clip Studio Paint – Free Download!

As a comic artist, I’ve been experimenting with creating the perfect pencil brush for Clip Studio Paint. I needed something versatile for sketching character designs, laying out comic pages, and even working on light and shadow greyscales—all directly on my iPad.

After a full day of trial and error, I finally developed a brush that works like a dream. It’s now my go-to tool for everything:

• Thumbnailing layouts
• Drawing detailed page designs
• Adding shading and greyscale tones

While I’ve tried other apps like Procreate on the iPad, Clip Studio Paint remains my top choice for digital drawing—whether I’m working on my iPad or my Wacom Cintiq. There’s just something about the flow and feel of Clip Studio tools that makes it unbeatable for penciling.

Do you want my new brush? It is easy to get... just help me spread the word about my comics MAYA and DARK ZERO (available in Germany as we speak) and then DOWNLOAD the brush HERE! ;)
Or just click on the sketch image below to start the download. On how to use and install a brush in Clip Studio Paint check there help pages.

Have fun and do not forget to share your works.

Supergirl

Did I ever mention that I’m a huge Superman fan? ;) ... But you know what… that’s exactly why I’ve rarely dared to bring him to paper. It’s intimidating! So, I always end up sketching Supergirl in my “Drawing by Imagination” sessions instead. :) Hehe.
But I love this character just as much and would love to officially draw her one day. Did you hear that, DC Comics? :) Hehe.

BTW: If you want to see a video of the drawing process you can go to my TikTok and later YouTube.

#Supergirl #Superman #DCComics #ComicArt #DrawingByImagination #ComicArtist #SupergirlFan #DCUniverse #DCFans #ComicBookArt #SuperheroArt #SupergirlSketch #DCComicsArtist #AspiringArtist #SketchingSupergirl

 

 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisnoeth

Wanna see the "Making Of"... go to TikTok!

 

TikTok making of video: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisnoeth

More TikTok news...

 

 

🎨 New Beginnings in Digital Sketching! 🎨

I've decided to take most of my practice sketches digital from now on! 🖥️✨ While digital drawing (especially in comics) has its downsides—like not being able to sell original comic pages—there are so many benefits to explore. One of them? Sharing my work with you in a whole new way! 🌟

I’m planning to post most of my sketching videos on TikTok 🎥—showcasing my process and creative journey. Most of this sketches exclusively! So, if you’re a fan of comics, sketching, digital painting, or tools like Clip Studio, Photoshop, or Procreate, be sure to follow me here:
👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisnoeth

With enough followers, I'll regularly upload new videos to inspire and connect with you all. 🚀 Let’s create together!

And don’t forget to check out my comic series MAYA and DARK ZERO, published by the amazing Splitter Verlag in GERMANY! 💥📚

Thank you for your support—it means the world! ❤️

#Sketching #DigitalArt #ClipStudioPaint #PhotoshopArt #Procreate #ComicSketch #DigitalPainting #ComicsCommunity #ComicArt #SplitterVerlag #DarkZero #MAYA #GraphicNovels #FrancoBelgianComics #ComicLife #TikTokArt #ComicDrawing #ArtistsOnTikTok #SketchDaily #ArtProcess #DrawingAddict

 

Chris on TikTok

 If you have a TikTok account you now can follow me there to get updates on new comic related and comic drawing related content: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisnoeth

Millarworld rocks!

I have been a huge fan of Mark Millar for years and proudly call myself a Millarworlder since the early days of the Millarworld forum.
Today, I’m excited to share my take on one of his most iconic characters… Hit-Girl!

More info about my upcoming comic pitch...

In my spare time (of which I unfortunately have far too little as an indie game developer), I work on my own comics, mainly as a writer. My two series, MAYA and DARK ZERO, are currently published by Splitter Verlag and are available in every good comic shop, on Amazon, or directly through Splitter.

Recently, I began working on a new comic series and have been searching for a style that allows me to work on the comic pages conveniently—on my iPad with Clip Studio Paint—while relaxing on the couch with my wife in the evenings. In the video, you can see the style I’m using for this comic: rough blue-line sketches directly followed by inking.

My aim is to achieve a somewhat sketchier, rougher look, as sketches often have a more appealing, dynamic feel than fully refined drawings that focus heavily on details. Ultimately, a comic is primarily about the story! Popular series like Something Is Killing the Children and The Walking Dead show how effective this approach can be.

So here’s LUNA, the main character of my new story, which I’ll be pitching to a publisher in 2025. While I’m keeping the plot under wraps for now, I can share that it’s a sci-fi horror story set in a Bavarian village in Germany.

For more updates and sneak peeks at my projects, feel free to join my Discord channel, where I often share “secret” previews, or follow me on Instagram and other platforms. And lastly, don’t forget to check out my Splitter comics, and please like and subscribe to the YouTube channel. ;)

 

Comic Project 2025...

 👀 Something's watching you... ready for 2025? 👽

 Join the DISCORD for more info... https://discord.gg/6Wqzu2jCrB

#ComicDeutschland #SciFiComics #HorrorComics #ComicNerds #ComicKultur #Alienvasion #ComicCommunity #ScienceFictionLovers #DeutscheComicCommunity #Comics2025 #comics #comicartist #horror #scifi

Rogue in the Savage Land - Marvel X-Men

 

🚀 New Video Update for Comic Fans! 🎨

I'm working on my own comic creation pipeline and testing ways to make my drawing process more efficient—perfect for anyone interested in how comic artists save time! 😉

This time: ROGUE from Marvel’s X-Men comics—one of my favorite characters, inspired by Jim Lee! 💥 To speed things up, I’m sketching directly from memory, then moving straight to digital line work.

If you’d like to learn more about my process and follow along with my projects, feel free to subscribe to my videos! 📹 Plus, it would mean a lot if you checked out my published comics with SPLITTER: MAYA and DARK ZERO. You can find them at SPLITTER, your local comic shop, or on Amazon.

🎉 Comic culture lives on—let’s build it together!

New Comic Project in 2025!

 Here's a sneak "secret" preview of a new comic project I plan to pitch in 2025. It will be set in Germany and, if all goes well, fully developed by me.

CLICK HERE