So, here we are, on your actual “Brink”
It’s been a really, really long time, hasn’t it?
Well, I continue to get kind, encouraging notes and emails from lots of different people, so I thought I’d check in, although it’s still going to be irregular for a while.
First and foremost, the above: I’m drawing again! How I find time for this, I don’t know, but it’s partly due to the enormous amount of air travel I’m doing at the moment. I’m dividing my time between three states and two countries, and have been for the past year or more. But a friend of mine, also a talented writer, agreed to collaborate with me on a graphic novella in a very unique style, and the above is a little preview of what we’ve been working on. It’s a noir mystery thriller featuring muppets. Yes, you have that right.
Well, not muppets exactly, but definitely cartoony people. My mother, one of the few to have seen my work over the holidays, calls them “the weird nose people.” Well, okay. But it’s the first serious bit of art I’ve been able to engross myself in for nearly two years, so it’s not nothing.
Okay, so, second, I will NOT be going to SPX this year. I’d been hoping to use it as a venue to resume 6-Commando and the above project in print, finally, but alas it was not to be. But still, it was worth a try.
And as for 6-Commando, I’m still not ready to come back to it, for a number of reasons. I will come back, I think, but a number of experiences I had a few years ago – death, arguments, quarrels over stupid things, and, now, the disappearance of people I know and love into war and violence, have not left me in a position to continue this story with a fair mind to the characters in it or to the story that I intended to play out. And instead of changing the story to match my mood (which would be unfair and probably petulant and capricious) I’m giving the whole thing a very long and continuing rest. It’s not done, and it’s not over, but I’m not ready for it yet.
In the meantime, my thanks to everyone who’s given me support as I’ve sorted myself out. Things are happening. They may not be what I wanted or expected, but they are happening nevertheless.
Also – if anyone is a colorist and is interested at taking a stab at a very unconventional comic, let me know. No guarantees as it’s early days yet, but I’d be interested to talk at least.
Looks GREAT! I can’t wait to read it!
Thank you, D! We’re working hard on it now, I don’t know if we’ll have it ready for SPX this year but next year we will, if we get space.
Oh and there’s a good chance I’m going to SPX this year after all! More on that later, but it’s got me retraining my editorial muscles to see about that much delayed thing – the first 6-Commando softcover. More on THAT later, as well!
Whoop!! Glad to hear the creative juices are flowing more freely now!
Is that a Bergman-Mars I see before me? Great that you are still functional & on the mend.
“The handle towards my hand? Come, let me clutch thee!”
And yes, it is. Standard sidearm issue to the national police force in their country.
I’m grateful its something from you.
Thanks for saying so!
Pleasant surprise for my monthly check in. Hoping your available time increases without decreasing your income.
Well I did speak too soon as I’m already abroad again, but as I’m better equipped to draw on the move it’s mainly about time and stamina! I was in my late 20s when I started 6-Commando and I’m now in my early 40s, and so I’m in no way the man I was when I started out in comics. But I am still in the mix!
I have been concerned. I’m so glad your lack of progress on 6 commando does not represent homelessness, death, or imprisonment. Being both too busy to work on it, and emotionally not ready to give it the fair treatment it deserves, are fine reasons, and thank you for telling us. All the best, and looking forward to muppet-noire.
Well, if working too much is a crime, I’m on death row. But I’m alive and healthy and in spite of it all, I’m moving forward again.
I guess I‘ll just wait some more.
Good to know you’re doing well. How’s the cat?
Yeah hopefully not too much more. It was refreshing to see, in some of my earlier pages, that some of it surprised me in how satisfactory I still find it. It’s not in any way perfect, and very much “my first work” but worth finishing, and I do think the ending, when I get to it, is going to be one you’ll find very satisfying.
It’s great to hear from you. How lucky that I just so happened to check out the website.
Lucky for me! I realize how much good will I burned by going on such an extended (and ongoing) break but there’s really been nothing else to do about it. But I’m still here and working, on one thing or another!
Glad to see an update! Hope things improve on your end
Well I’m just back from overseas (doing a lot of traveling right now) and although I’m not done yet I actually did some reasonable drawing on the airplane. I’d never have thought it possible but there it is.
As far as improvement, my schedule basically just got extended by another three months so it looks like a full year and a half more til this project is over with. But one can still hope!
Interludes are always welcome!
Almost ready with the next post! Got dragged overseas for a week but I’m back. And I’ll tell you with the new iPad Pro it’s remarkable what I can get done on an airplane.
Nice. My entire personal workflow runs through iOS integrated apps and the iPad Pro is a really useful device.
But I do enjoy using a real pen with real ink and a classy notebook from time to time as well. 🙂
Kool daddy-o.
Oh, yeah, it’s like, Reals-ville, Charlie! I ain’t no flat tire! I ain’t no cube, man! No way is this putting me on the road to Squaresville, baby!