…And The War Was On Again
Not a whole lot to say about this page, except to thank you in advance for allowing me the indulgence of a titlecard for Season 2. When you see next week’s page, you’ll see why I wanted to counterpoint it with something minimal as an introduction to the second season.
Anyhow, I, blessedly, have two successive three-day weekends, now. This weekend is Columbus Day in the United States, and next weekend, of course, is the New York Comic Convention. Once again I’ll be there, tooling around, a mere mortal among the titans. The NYCC always gives me mixed feelings. I’m happy and excited to have the chance to meet up with some of the great artists I’ve been connecting with since I started drawing 6-Commando: Denny Fincke, Christopher Wrann, Anthony Bourne, and many others. But at the same time, it drives home for me the weird way in which my life has had to be divided up, with a professional side and a “comics” side, each with their own identity. It’s an uncomfortable balance for me to strike sometimes. Outside the comics world, I’ve had a very successful career, one which has given me good pay and a great deal of personal and creative fulfillment. Inside that world, though, I’m still a rank amateur, and it’s conventions like this one that drive that home to me. So I admit, I always go into these things with mixed feelings.
Anyway, I won’t be posting any meet-up information this year, since I’m not really going to be trying any major promotion this time – mainly I’m going to see people and just try to take it all in, just for its own sake. If anyone will be in New York for the convention and would like to get together or meet at the con or anything, you’re welcome to email and we can set something up. But mainly I’m just kind of taking it easy this time. Which will ultimately be for the best, I think.
Anyhow, I’m bound to thank everyone for the killer response last week – I’m really glad everyone is coming back to 6-Commando after the hiatus! And to show my thanks, I’ve posted what I’m calling an “Emergency Pinup” over on topwebcomics.com. I normally don’t do drawings “just because” but this one came together while I was doing my drawing warmup this week, and I thought you might dig it. It might be a good habit for me to get into. Who knows?
Anyway, that’s enough outta me for now. Have a good week, everyone!
May I just say, that pinup is possibly the most badass drawing in this comic yet (Possible exceptions mostly consist of Mike being a boss).
😀
It’s starting to look like a comic, isn’t it?
–M
I love the pin-up! Rucker doesn’t seem to be too into it, though. 🙂 Major Bronniford’s hair is great, I love it.
The title card has me curious for the next page. Will the poor falling FSR guy suddenly have a background behind him? Because that would be amazing. Can’t wait!
I’m really REALLY happy with how the chapter is going so far. I think you’re going to like it! And of course I’m glad you like the pinup, too. It’s been forever since I did one “just because” and I was happy how it turned out.
–M
Thanks for considering me as someone of note. Please come by and we can officially meet. I really dig your site and work. I will be in the small press area all four days. Each year I do the NYCC and its overwhelming and inspiring at the same time. You do good work, keep it up!
Oh, of COURSE I do! And you can bet I’ll come by at NYCC!
I’m glad you dig my stuff so far, too, man. This is my first attempt at a full-on graphic novel and it’s been a real learning experience all the way through.
–M
>>> Pin-up:
Hmmm… Placeman carries a dual-mag pouch on his belt, but UNA issues that hell of a revolver hand-cannon. Yeah, I do have a >eye for detail>> Strip:
Okay, this intrigues me. I take it we’ll see the focus shift away from the DRZ to Russia (or FSR territory). This will be interesting.
Actually, they hold regulation FRE bars; all UNA soldiers carry two days’ survival rations with them at all times. The acronym FRE stands for Field Ration, Encapsulated, though UNA soldiers call it “Food Refusing to Exit.” Each bar is a 1000-calorie protein and carbohydrate blast, and tastes like styrofoam with dried-out chocolate syrup on top of it. You need to eat them with a LOT of water.
They are not popular.
–M
You just made that up, didn’t you?
Seems like part of my post was cut! Oh well… I’ll try to figure out what I wrote again:
The character design is good, like always. I like the freckels. Especially on the shoulders. Attention to detail and all. Good, since most people don’t know freckles isn’t just a thing for the face, but also some other parts of the body (you did date a red-head once, right?). She kinda looks boyish right now, which is good as well and weeds out the typical “webcomic fanservice heroine” and replaces it with a more “realistic” option. This agrees with me very well.
Made it up on the fly? What would give you THAT idea?!
😉
Actually, I came up with the FRE gag a long time ago, but this was the first chance I had to work it in somewhere.
–M
By the way I also think Sarah is pretty tomboyish. I actually found her a more convincing soldier that way, and in an odd way, I’ve always found that aggressive and unconventional women are in some ways more feminine. I like female characters who give men a run for their money.
–M
I concur.
Personally I prefer women to be purposeful, strong of character and to have a mind of their own. Maybe that’s just me, but I always looked and look for a companion which is an equal and somebody I can rely on, both emotionally and personally since I’m 100% committed and ready to return those values.
Note: I’m not talking of “girlfriends” here, but of a companion. Maybe that’s because I reached a point in my life where I no longer want to “fool around” (actually never wanted to) but settle for the real thing.
I guess that kind of attitude seperates boy from men ultimatley.
AH! Great to see this coming back into posting phase sir! I will certainly indulge you a good titlecard, digging the use of space really. Curious to see how you are going to open this chapter, as the last one was quite intriguing. Cheers!