Inktober 2025 – DC
Can’t have a Batman theme without Harley.
Day 8 prompt: reckless
Day 8 return: Harley Quinn
Digital
Inktober Day 8
Reply
Tag Archives: drawtober
Comic Collection Stats: A Year in Review
Summer is over and the kids are back in school. Everyone is thankful for that. For me, I’ve been working, playing games, drawing, and reading comic books. Its a tricky balancing act, trying to find time for all my hobbies, while trying not to neglect my family.
/ art over the summer
/ inktober
/ comic collection stats
/ video games for the remainder of the year
//
As I mentioned in my last post, I wouldn’t have much art to share, but in less than two months, I actually feel I have more to share than I expected.
First up, can’t go wrong with Spider-Gwen. She has a new number 1 issue on the stands and a new costume.
Next up, the exiled sorceress-warrior Wysta, the Wayward Wytch of the Spider Sect. From my favourite comic book of 2025, Bug Wars.
And a current work in progress piece, currently not shared anywhere else. Kpop Demon Hunters. This has become a new favourite in the house as my young boys enjoy the movie. As its very trendy, I figured I’d draw the 3 main characters. and I’m very happy with the progress so far, so I will likely turn this into a full coloured piece and print it as a poster for the boys. By then it might not be cool – but who knows. So far I have completed Rumi, and sketched out Mira and Zoey. But I’ve been taking my time, which I think shows in the final results below.
As an annual tradition, I like to do the #faceyourart challenge, to make a collage of all the faces I’ve drawn over the last 12 months. Mostly from Drawtober in this collection, but its a cool visual. This is from August 2024-2025.
Speaking of Drawtober, the prompts for this year have been posted. I’ve come up with ideas for all, and the KPOP demon hunters drawing is a good warmup for me, leading into October, as the summer I didn’t draw much. After reviewing the list, I have a general idea for each one, but, if I decide to apply a theme, I also have a backup plan: to do all Batman/DC characters as a theme. As I get closer to the start of the month I’ll decide which route to go.
//
In comic books news I’ve come to the harsh reality that I am collecting too many. I think I’m around 70-75 books a month. So I’ve been slowly cutting back on some titles, and watching the miniseries conclude through the end of the year so hopefully all I have left is the on-going books. My goal is to get the number down to around 50 by 2026. And then get a little more strict. Average 10 a week I think is a good number.
Here are some stats from May 2024 – 2025
+991 comics
+840 read (2023 I had read 85% of my collection. Now its up to 87%)
2024 saw 63% increase annually over 2023 in new books
Batman overtook Spawn as most collected character. And Spider-Man made the top 5, booting out Joker who is now in 10th.
It’s always interesting to look back on the collection stats year after year.
//
In video games, I’ve been a little all over the map.
Doom Eternal, I play a mission here and there, but like the name implies, the missions feel eternally long so I need a break after each one. 18 hours in – although I think that number might be a little inflated. Can’t imagine I’ve actually played that long.
Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition, like Doom, I play for a bit once a week just to make some progress. 5 hours in.
Gears of War Reloaded, playing in co-op every Wednesday. We have finished act II. 3 hours in. We are also still playing Skull and Bones, and have Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora on our shortlist.
Dredge. What I thought was going to be a cosy fishing game has turned into quite the time sink. 30 hours in, and I’m nearly done. I’ve completed the main story and 1 DLC, and 1 left to do.
Star Wars Outlaws, just started this, 4 hours in. So far its a pretty impressive game. Big maps, pretty visuals and an interesting story.
Spider-Man 2. Definitely my primary game right now. 10 hours in and starting to get interesting, with the introduction of Venom. As expected, the game has a very good photo mode, so I spend a lot of time taking pictures.
See in you in October with Drawtober.
Rogan
Holding On
Yeesh its been 5 months? I’m not going to dwell on the pointlessness of calling out how delayed this update is, and because I don’t want to make it a long winded post that goes on and on, I won’t state how I’ve been meaning to make a post and keep forgetting. Futile. This post will catch us up to the end of 2024. And then I’ll make a follow up post for January and February.
Last update was in September where I was talking about my Substack, and Drawtober. And Drawings and Games, and Comics, etc, etc.
Well in October I drew a lot. 31 days. Successfully completed the full tilt for Drawtober.
Here’s the link to the gallery, which can be found under Arts: Drawtober 2024, and I even followed the official Inktober prompts. After October, I didn’t draw for the rest of the year. Here are a few of my favourites:
I did one more drawing for my Substack, before Drawtober kicked off. I read DC’s Far Sector. A Green Lantern story featuring newly chosen Green Lantern Sojourner “Jo” Mullein:
Speaking of Substack, I finished the year with 36 weeks completed. Wrapping up with Far Sector, Bear Pirate Viking Queen, Watchmen, Fables Vol 1, Snowfall, Birthright Vol 1, and Night Club Vol 1.
I haven’t really decided if I want to continue this year. I mean I’d like to after a little break, but maybe not try and tackle one graphic novel a week, and then write about it. Maybe make it a bit more select. I felt that my random selection was a good idea, but then after reading the book, I found that I wasn’t that enthused to talk about it, if the book wasn’t amazing. So then it wasn’t fun. It was homework. So I might think of something else this year. And we’re already into Feb, so I better start thinking about whatever “that” is, quick.
//
In gaming news, I finally beat Final Fantasy VII Remake. 30 hours and 36/63 achievements on Steam. I haven’t played the Intergrade DLC yet, but I will before I start Rebirth.
I haven’t played The First Descendant in a while. I should probably go back to that at some point to wrap up the story. 23 hours, and G760/1000, 21/24 achievements. I’m in the last zone. I randomly got excited about Metal Gear Solid again, so I bought the Master Collection versions of 2 and 3. Replayed 2 last week, 15 hours, and 25/51 achievements. But now with MGS 3 Delta Snake Eater coming out in August, I’m torn between replaying the Master Collection version, or just waiting and playing the remake.
I played The Callisto Protocol, which is an excellent Dead Space-like game. G750/1540. 12 hours.
I played the Mafia 1 remake, the Definitive Edition release from a few years back. G570/1000 – 16 hours.
I also finished God of War and played Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
Illestrader and I finally finished the main campaign of Suicide Squad, and won’t be looking back to any of the post game content. G535/1000, 18 hours. We’ve since moved onto Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand, which is a co-op rpg-lite platforming melee combat game. It’s been ok. The visuals and scenery are decent.
So this year will be the year of the sequels:
- Horizon: Forbidden West (currently playing)
- God of War: Ragnarok
- Spider-Man 2
- The Last of Us II
- Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
- Mafia II: DE
Looks like I’ll be playing a lot of PlayStation titles this year while my Xbox gently weeps.
I think that mostly catches everything up. I didn’t really talk about books or new art, post Drawtober, but I’ll save that for the next post next week, which will catch us up into 2025. I’ll go into more detail regarding my love of MGS, God of War, MAfia, FF VII, and Miles Morales. Oh and Horizon Forbidden West. Sounds like quite the follow-up. Hope I’m up for it.
Take care,
Rogan ❤
Post-Drawtober
I really should have been updating this area with weekly posts during Drawtober, but I guess I was just focused on the art that it didn’t happen.
But that’s why I’m here, posting now, mostly. During Drawtober I was able to fully complete 10 character drawings. Fully rendered in colour. I’m very happy with the final products which are shared below. I had one final piece planned to end the month right on Halloween, drawing, appropriately, Hallows Eve, but it didn’t happen. Saved for another time I guess. As I had discussed in the last post, I spread it over 9 sets of 3. Sketch, ink, and colour.
In order:
- Dove – Dawn Granger, who took up the mantle from Don Hall
- Zatanna Zatara
- Fire & Ice – Double helping for thanksgiving weekend. Fire and Ice.
- Mystique
- Katana
- Batgirl
- Mr Sinister – Nathanial Essex
- Deadpool – Bad Deadpool. Good Deadpool.
- and Madelyne Pryor – The Goblin Queen
Also during the month, I played Starfield (of course), finished Remnant in coop, started Redfall in coop, played Cocoon, also got Spider-Man Remastered, Dead Space Remake, Alan Wake Remaster, and started Star Wars Jedi Survivor, and Jusant. So I was busy all around.
Redfall has been a perfectly adequate coop game. You are a team of vampire hunters, and the story takes place in a large town surrounded by water which has been frozen in place. Not like ice frozen, but frozen in time. We have to take down vampire nests and bosses. Upon release the game was poorly reviewed. Repetitive gameplay, easy A.I. enemies, etc. It’s received a few quality of life improvements and visual upgrades and it plays fine. I think some people were expecting a game of the year contender like Arkane’s last release, Deathloop, which this game is not. But it’s still perfectly serviceable.
Star Wars Jedi has been fun, but story has started off pretty slow, but it appears to be building to more so I reserve any further judgements till later.
Cocoon was a fun indie game, like Limbo or Inside. Cool art style and decent play time length. I do enjoy me these arty simple indie games.
And I’m currently playing through Jusant where the gameplay loop is climbing. It’s a relaxing type game. Straight forward puzzles. Collectibles. Another good looking arty indie game.
The rest of the games I mentioned I bought but haven’t played yet, except Dead Space and Spider-Man. Dead Space, just half an hour on the PC to verify if I get XBOX achievements or not, which I don’t, so I’ll be playing it on the good ol’ Xbox. After I finish Star Wars. Probably.
And Spider-Man I’ll probably leave till after Starfield. I got the Remastered version for the PC with the Miles Morales DLC. it was on sale to celebrate the release of Spider-Man 2.
In comic book news, I got to meet Dan Slott, Spider-Man writer, which was pretty cool. He had a signing at one of my local stores. So I got some books signed. NBD.
And I’ve gotten a few too many books as of late. But what else is new?
Books for week of Sept 27
Books for week of Oct 4
Books for week of Oct 11
Books for week of Oct 18
Books for week of Oct 25
Books for week of Nov 1
I think that catches me up for the month of October. I think I’ll take a drawing break through out November. Catch up on sleep, and watch TV shows. And then December I’ll start looking into the comic book again with a renewed energy.
Good night,
IROGAN
G387,766
Starfield
Alright, so this will be a rather large post today. My last update was end of July, and then I was on vacation, so today’s will encompass all of August and first week of September. Lots to share, including my first impressions of Starfield.
//
Wrapped up Need for Speed Unbound:
The writing was actually pretty funny in the final act. They make Fast and Furious jokes, and actually said “Need for Speed”:
Overall the game was ok. A little grindy with the constant cop chases, and I was irritated in the beginning when I was making very small amounts of money after races, and by the end, you just make stupid money. I guess because the S cars have more expensive upgrade parts and the final buy-in is higher, but still. By the last week, I was maybe only doing one or two races per day/night cycle because I was so tired of getting chased by cops, and just wanted the story done.
After NFS was done. I had a week or so to kill until Starfield released, so I got Immortals of Aveum, which is an EA FPS High Fantasy magic spell casting game. Pretty decent over-all. But I wanted a palette cleanser before I jumped into Starfield, and nothing else in my queue interested me at the time. And I wanted something that would be a relatively quick completion. Below, the female character is Zendara. She’d be fun to draw.
//
In the art studio I’ve been busy. As I mentioned in the last post, I was playing Exoprimal quite a bit, and had the Vigilant class design stuck in my head and needed to draw it:
Then the Blue Beetle movie came out, so I draw Blue Beetle – but didn’t see the movie:
Made a little bit of progress on the colour wheel challenge. Re-did female Riddler, and added Catwoman. 3 more colours left, Purple, Pink, and Red. Purple I think I will do Neo-Joker, Pink will be Two-Face, and Red will be Rose Wilson, daughter of Deathstroke:
Then I got some inspiration by Cammy’s new Street Fighter outfit. She’s chopped off her hair, but the jacket she now wears has this long belt that kind of mimics the long ponytail she used to have, which is a pretty cool design:
After Cammy, I thought, since Drawtober / Inktober is around the corner, that I should get a head start. Populate a list of characters and start sketching them out, so that in October, I can flesh them out, ink and maybe add a splash of colour. But this way it will take a lot of the stress away if the base is already done. So far I have Dove, Zatanna, Spiral, and Fire & Ice. Definitely off a good start. Hopefully I can have 31 ready for October. Having time off this month will help.
//
Comics for the week of Aug 2:
Comics for the week of Aug 19:
Comics for the week of Aug 24:
//
Alright, the point of this one-sided conversation we’ve all been waiting for: Starfield. A review, of sorts, in progress.
Starfield will be the first Bethesda Game Studios game that I’ve tried, in earnest. I’ve tried Fallout 4 before, for about an hour or so. Got killed by big bugs in the wasteland. Couldn’t wrap my head around the slow-motion gun aiming. Called it quits. Was never really interested in the Elder Scrolls games or setting as I tend to gravitate to sci-fi over fantasy (although I did play Bioware’s Dragon Age Inquisition). But guns and spaceships are more my style, and I did like Bioware’s Mass Effect series, so I have high hopes for Starfield, even though RPG is usually not my first choice.
But so far I am liking it. I appreciate that you can diverge off the main quest and focus on other activities like Faction Missions or other side-quests. I initially started down the main quest, but after arriving in New Atlantis, and meeting the Constellation group, and acquiring Sarah as a companion, she brought me to the UC Vanguard headquarters to discuss a rumour of one of the next artifacts. But mid discussion with the Commander, he had a dialogue option about enrolling into the UC Vanguard services. So I did, and was then whisked away on a side adventure involving Xenowarfare. I guess those weird artifacts will have to wait.
I’m playing on the PC which has been ok so far. I have an RTX 3080 and it handles it decently at 4k, 35-40fps. It defaulted to Ultra settings. But I think I could get more out of it after adjusting some shadow/reflection/particle settings. See if I can get those FPS up. Haven’t tried it on the Xbox Series X. Likely won’t.
Visually the game is both very good looking and also kind of meh, depending on the environment. But I guess with a game this large, it can’t be all amazing. Overall though, very pretty. And it has an in-game photo mode, so that’s a bonus.
I’m not deep into the game yet, but I have time off work for the next few weeks, so by the time my next update roles around I should have more in-game photos and new stories to tell. I’m also thinking about the whole role-playing aspect, and considering doing a short story or Captain’s Log journal, similar to what I did with The Division.
Until then, Above and Beyond.
iRogan
G377,240
