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Get Graphic: Gab Contreras' Jubilant Dirtbag

Art by Gab Contreras

Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen


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Even dirtbags deserve the full-color treatment. 

In Dirtbag Rapture (AUG211902), Kat sees dead people. And this newfound ability gives her the unwanted task of transporting ghosts to their final location. She's a little annoyed by it, but once she discovers that she is a pawn in the ultimate battle between good and evil, she'll come around. We hope...for all our sakes.

With a story that clearly has death on the mind, you'd think Dirtbag Rapture would feature a darker color palette. Colorist Gab Contreras, however, went for a brighter and more unique direction in order to depict the afterlife. The end result is a visual feast that feels appropriately supernatural while still going against conventions.

In the following interview, Contreras invites us into her process and shows us exactly how color transforms a story.

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How did you get involved with DIRTBAG RAPTURE?

[Writer] Christopher Sebela contacted me about this new project. When I read the pitch, I accepted right away!

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Your Twitter mentioned you like K-Pop, The Untamed, and Drag Race. Which do you listen to when coloring?

I like different kinds of music genres, but my daily easy option would be my huge Spotify playlist with like thirty hours of k-pop, on shuffle.

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What made you want to focus on coloring?

I think it was kind of accidental. I studied graphic design and I also like to draw, so when I understood the different roles in the creation of comic books, I wanted to be part of that, but I wasn't sure which was the ideal role for me. One day, I colored a drawing of a friend just for fun and there was no coming back. Then I started to color drawings I found on DeviantArt and there was a point when I decided to do it seriously and professionally.

I still like to draw, but I just do it in my free time.

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What tools do you use to color?

I color in Photoshop, with a Wacom Intuo Pro.

 

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How does character factor into how you color a comic?

Just like the other teammates on a comic project, I like to get familiarized not only with the story in general but with each character of the story. I set a mood for the story but I also try to transmit the characters' personalities through my color choices.

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What is your goal when it comes to bringing colors to the page?

I try to draw attention to the characters or actions through color contrasts and always try to set different moods, changing color palettes according to the scene.

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 You can discover more of Gab's work on the Witchblood from Vault. Be sure to follow her on TwitterFacebook, or Instagram.

Keep an eye on PREVIEWSworld.com's TwitterFacebook, or Instagram for more artist spotlights! 

ONI PRESS INC.
DIRTBAG RAPTURE #1 CVR A GOODE
(W) Christopher Sebela (A/CA) Kendall Goode
She's stoned. She's selfish. She's all that stands between us and the end of the world.
Where do you go when you die? Kat, a stoner with a flexible moral code, can answer that, and the answer is: not very far. Unfortunately for Kat's peace of mind, a near-death experience has left her with the ability to see and hear ghosts, as well as take them into her "mindscape" so she can bring them to locations of their choosing, essentially playing transporter to the deceased. But when Kat discovers she's the key to a demonic plan to screw up the whole world, she is forced to take an active role in the battle between good and evil. And she's not thrilled about it.
In Shops: Oct 06, 2021
SRP: $3.99
PREVIEWS Page #348

ONI PRESS INC.
DIRTBAG RAPTURE #2
(W) Christopher Sebela (A) Kendall Goode, Gab Contreras
Things are getting bizarre in Kat's world (even more bizarre than her normal day-to-day experiences seeing and speaking to ghosts). Wherever Kat turns, angels and demons are popping up, making demands and trying to sway Kat to join one side or the other. It's all starting to take a toll that even Kat has to acknowledge as her mindscape goes up in ghostly flames. So naturally, Kat's solution is to avoid responsibility and dodge having to deal with any of it by totally checking out and finding distractions-the fun kind. Turns out the road to the apocalypse is paved with downers!
In Shops: Nov 03, 2021
SRP: $3.99
PREVIEWS Page #329

ONI PRESS INC.
DIRTBAG RAPTURE #3
(W) Christopher Sebela (A) Kendall Goode, Gab Contreras
Kat has shockingly signed a deal with the devil. Well, not the devil, but an extremely unpleasant demon named Chad who is as chaotic and troublesome as they come. After being breadcrumbed with edibles and first-class flights all the way to Belarus to make a special ghost delivery, Kat finds herself at the proverbial crossroads and must decide if she's willing to be a pawn in the ongoing battle between good and evil.
In Shops: Dec 01, 2021
SRP: $3.99
PREVIEWS Page #318

ONI PRESS INC.
DIRTBAG RAPTURE #4
(W) Christopher Sebela (A) Kendall Goode (CA) Gab Contreras
The angels have crossed the line and Kat has officially had enough. You can be terrorizing, passive-aggressive, or hypocritical all you want, but you do not touch a girl's stash. Totally wiped of her regular reprieve, Kat makes a run for it to Grover's bunker to plan a way out of this hell once and for all.
In Shops: Jan 05, 2022
SRP: $3.99
PREVIEWS Page #334

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Troy-Jeffrey Allen is the producer and co-host of PREVIEWSworld Weekly. He is also the Consumer Marketing Manager for Geppi Family Enterprises. Troy's comics work includes MF DOOM: All Caps, Public Enemy's Apocalpyse '91, the Glyph Award-nominated Fight of the Century, the Harvey Award-nominated District Comics, and the Ringo Award-nominated Magic Bullet.


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