El Valiente - Lines

At the end of 2007, Virtus' further existence was threatened. No, I'm not kidding. I was fearing that I would have to give up all my dreams of future comics with my V-emblazoned lead character.

The reason was that I felt that I was an unintentional thief, who could have been sued for plagiarizing the famous official comic book character "El Valiente", a creation of Ray Ramos, known here on DA as

So I contacted him, almost begging for forgiveness and promises that I would drop Virtus design forever.

But do you know what he said? And I quote:

"Sue? Offended?

heh...I couldn't be happier that there are people out there still creating!

Keep it up my friend, if you ever feel guilty about anything it should be if you quit doing what you love to do and stop creating!

Arriba Los Tecnicos! loosely translated means...Rally the Good Guys!

Virtus and Valiente, together again for the first time!!!"

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OK, lets end this right now before it gets out of control and for everyone to see.

The only reason I would feel even the slightest bit ripped off or offended is if you didn't do anything with your concept!

In other words, NO, I don't feel like you've ripped me off or anything like that, your concept is way different from anything I am doing and although the masks are similiar, the characters are way different...

Virtus is in his own world and so is Valiente, trust me, you are doing your own thing, I mean if you think about it there are many characters out there that look alike but have totally different backgrounds for existing and being created.

All I can say is stop thinking you're a thief because you're not, I don't see it, you've got your thing going and I've got mine.

What I would like however would be a team up, maybe a pinup of your take on the characters!

What do you think?

p.s.
What's your name brother? Mine's Ray...nice to meet you!



And that was obviously the closest thing to a turning point in my life I've ever had. Until now, I had felt unoriginal and somewhat of a little dot on the big DA tapestry...

Ray Ramos, a guy who's been working in comics long before I started thinking of a possible career, came down from his high horses with a wise and open mind that put everything back on track, as well as encouraged me to go with my dreams...

Today, I wonder with touched tears in my eyes, if I would've been where I am now without him? Sure, he's an American Independent, I'm a little Scandinavian amateur with a comic that's about to debut in September... But still, I have come a surprisingly long way in such a short time, I've "rubbed shoulders" with proffessionals....

AND MANY MORE!

... while never letting go of my oldest DA friends...



... as well as gaining new ones...

AND MANY MORE!

So here's a little something that I put all of the little creative juice I have in my artistic veins, a tribute to Ray Ramos, truly a noble spirit...

But it's also my thanks to ALL of you who's been there for me, not only the ones that I've mentioned in these "Artist's Comments", but also those that have risen up to stand beside me when I was feeling down.

THANK YOU, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! FROM THE HEART OF KIM SEBASTIAN SANDBERG!

And to you, RAY RAMOS...

... Thanks for being such a good sport. ^_^

*sniffs* Oh, I need a napkin, that's how touched I am... I'm so sensitive...

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El Valiente (c) Ray Ramos

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Could someone tell me what I'm doing wrong with my lines?