Character Sketches for the "Trial of Socrates" graphic novel.
The "Trail of Socrates" proceeds..
As production has begun for "the Trail of Socrates", so has developement of its main characters. As a historical fiction story, developing the characters must follow their historical likeness as closely as possibly. However, many of the references left behind are statues and busts, often glorified by Roman sculptors.
Statue of the famous philosopher, Socrates.
Furthermore, getting the architecture era appropriate is key to excecuting the artwork for this story. During the late (or is it early?) 4th century b.c., or 403 b.c., the arch was not used in Greek architecture. In fact, it hadn't been invented yet! Well, it had been known at the time, but it was The Romans, who learned the arch from the Etruscans, who really understood and developed it as an important load bearing feature for architecture. So in this story, you will see as close to accurate of 403 b.c. Greek architecture, clothing, weapons, and culture as I can get it without a degree in Classic Greek Culture.
Yep, just another day as an artist working on a historical fiction graphic novel.
South west view of the Acropolis in Athens, under renovation.
A lot of the fun of this project is learning more about Ancient Greek culture. I've always been a big fan of Greek mythology as a young kid, and have day dreamed about the opportunity to one day actually draw Greek heroes and battles for a living. In my 20's I read a great book by Steven Pressfield called "the Tides of War", where I learned about Alcibiades, the famed Athenian general who lead Athens on a doomed expedition to invade Sicily. This provoked the ire of Sparta, which lead to the Pellopanesian war, and eventually (spoiler alert!) the defeat and death of Alcibiades at the hands of an assassin, Polemides. The blunder of Alcibiades lead to the defeat of Athens at large, and the instalment of the Thirty Tyrants by occupying Sparta, where the story of the "Trial of Socrates" picks up.
When the writer, Jave Galt, approached me about doing this story, I was immediately intrigued and excited to be the artist. So far, so good. Character sketches have been complete, and even some of the initial pages are being drawn out to create a brief video of the project to show off on Kickstarter (more on that later). For now, check out some of the cast of characters soon to be seen in "the Trial of Socrates".
Charamides, Critia's right hand man and cousin to Aristocles (Plato)
Critias, leader of the Thirty Tyrrants.
The irascible Socrates.
Aristocles, also nicknamed "Plato", meaning broad for his broad wrestling shoulders. A complicated character, as he's a fan of Sparta, but torn by his relationship to Critias and the actions of the Thirty Tyrants.
