All righty.
I'm back. Didn't even know I had gone, did ya? Well, I did. For about a month. Then SG offered me... an offer I couldn't refuse. So, here I am.
Anyway. Good news, everyone! If you follow me on Twitter, then you probably already know this... My new comic, The Unstoppable Force, is premiering in a few stores the week of December 30th, 2009 as part of Indy Comic Book Week. It will have a full-color cover and black-and-white interiors, as well as a look at the webcomic Grim and the JC on the back cover. It's being printed by the good folks at Ka-Blam, and will be available in a dozen stores (and hopefully online at IndyPlanet). I'll post a list of the stores here, and on my website, once all the copies are in the store owners' hands or on their way via expedited shipping. Suffice to say, 8 or so of the stores will be in the DFW Metroplex (natch), 1 will be in Minnesota, and, I think, 4 will be in.. New York City!
I'm only having 100 copies of this Indy Comic Book Week Special printed, and ALL of them have been sold or spoken for. Every. Single. One. I grant you, 100 isn't going to blow anyone's mind but my own, but I still think that's pretty nifty. The weight of it all, the pressure, hasn't settled in, yet. Though, I suspect it will show up once I deliver/ship the real books. I just hope what I've written is good enough. The art excites me every time I look at it, but confidence in my words to match... it isn't exactly lacking, but will be suffering a minor crisis soon.
More to come. Also, Workland Tales will be updating around the first of the year. We've had technical difficulties for the last 6 weeks and been too busy to really fix it. But, it's up and running again and new comics are definitely in the pipeline-- look out!
-Rob
Edit: Holy Crap! Why didn't I post the cover? Duh!
I'm back. Didn't even know I had gone, did ya? Well, I did. For about a month. Then SG offered me... an offer I couldn't refuse. So, here I am.
Anyway. Good news, everyone! If you follow me on Twitter, then you probably already know this... My new comic, The Unstoppable Force, is premiering in a few stores the week of December 30th, 2009 as part of Indy Comic Book Week. It will have a full-color cover and black-and-white interiors, as well as a look at the webcomic Grim and the JC on the back cover. It's being printed by the good folks at Ka-Blam, and will be available in a dozen stores (and hopefully online at IndyPlanet). I'll post a list of the stores here, and on my website, once all the copies are in the store owners' hands or on their way via expedited shipping. Suffice to say, 8 or so of the stores will be in the DFW Metroplex (natch), 1 will be in Minnesota, and, I think, 4 will be in.. New York City!
I'm only having 100 copies of this Indy Comic Book Week Special printed, and ALL of them have been sold or spoken for. Every. Single. One. I grant you, 100 isn't going to blow anyone's mind but my own, but I still think that's pretty nifty. The weight of it all, the pressure, hasn't settled in, yet. Though, I suspect it will show up once I deliver/ship the real books. I just hope what I've written is good enough. The art excites me every time I look at it, but confidence in my words to match... it isn't exactly lacking, but will be suffering a minor crisis soon.
More to come. Also, Workland Tales will be updating around the first of the year. We've had technical difficulties for the last 6 weeks and been too busy to really fix it. But, it's up and running again and new comics are definitely in the pipeline-- look out!
-Rob
Edit: Holy Crap! Why didn't I post the cover? Duh!
This is why YouTube exists:
p.s. here's a sneak peak at a page in the upcoming Unstoppable Force comic:
p.s. here's a sneak peak at a page in the upcoming Unstoppable Force comic:
Okay, so, I know almost all of my blogs and announcements and the like are usually plugging something I'm working on, as opposed to being personal updates on my (very boring) everyday life. Well... I'm afraid this is yet another one of those plugs.
As you may or may not know, I'm working on a new comic series called The Unstoppable Force. I suppose you could call me the brains behind the project, but I wouldn't be anywhere (or remotely as excited) without my friend Taylor Lymbery doing the artwork. I really do love what he's doing and I think you will, too. So, in that vein, here's a new page for the Unstoppable Force website, I'm calling it Taylor's Sketchbook.
It's pretty bare at the moment, but these are some of the character profiles he's mocked up. Here's a taste:
That's Nikola Tesla as his alter ego, Human Dynamo. I can only take credit for the helmet and the idea, the rest of it is all Taylor. I hope you like it as much as I do. I'm going to go ahead and stop talking here, because I could carry on forever. Just check out what else he's done, so far here.
As you may or may not know, I'm working on a new comic series called The Unstoppable Force. I suppose you could call me the brains behind the project, but I wouldn't be anywhere (or remotely as excited) without my friend Taylor Lymbery doing the artwork. I really do love what he's doing and I think you will, too. So, in that vein, here's a new page for the Unstoppable Force website, I'm calling it Taylor's Sketchbook.
It's pretty bare at the moment, but these are some of the character profiles he's mocked up. Here's a taste:
That's Nikola Tesla as his alter ego, Human Dynamo. I can only take credit for the helmet and the idea, the rest of it is all Taylor. I hope you like it as much as I do. I'm going to go ahead and stop talking here, because I could carry on forever. Just check out what else he's done, so far here.
Grrr... Argh...
My computer has been FUBAR since I returned from Dragon*Con in Atlanta-- hence my "absence," if any of you were wondering. I think I've narrowed down the problem to a corrupted wireless network adapter, but I can't find my original install disk and the Dell website is god damned retarded. I think I'm going to call in the Geek Squad tomorrow. Sigh. More money goes down the drain.
The Unstoppable Force is moving along. A little slowly, due to both me and the artist being busy, and the site hasn't changed at all. I really want to show you guys what we're working on, but since I'm at my parents' house right now, I only have access to one thing: the unfinished first page to the mini-comic we're producing. I hope this will tide you over... Enjoy!
My computer has been FUBAR since I returned from Dragon*Con in Atlanta-- hence my "absence," if any of you were wondering. I think I've narrowed down the problem to a corrupted wireless network adapter, but I can't find my original install disk and the Dell website is god damned retarded. I think I'm going to call in the Geek Squad tomorrow. Sigh. More money goes down the drain.
The Unstoppable Force is moving along. A little slowly, due to both me and the artist being busy, and the site hasn't changed at all. I really want to show you guys what we're working on, but since I'm at my parents' house right now, I only have access to one thing: the unfinished first page to the mini-comic we're producing. I hope this will tide you over... Enjoy!
You know, weed really is the best medicine. All day, I had a nasty crick in my neck from a weird sleeping position. I tried Advil and Tylenol pain reliever throughout the day, but neither worked. I get home, smoke-- maybe-- half a bowl, and in what seems like seconds I have no more pain. Plus, I feel fucking fantastic in general. Just don't ask me to operate a crane or a firetruck.
No more rants at the moment. But if you want to know what's on my mind, generally, you should continue to check out my webcomic where I try to update at least weekly. Sometimes I will miss a week or two, but I try compensate for that other times, posting three in a three day stretch. I really have no excuse for the lack of updates, except that I'm always constantly working on other projects at the same time, and I usually only head to Workland Tales when nothing else is clicking. Or, when I have an idea I just have to share.
As for the other projects, there's my: novel, I Am My Brother's Keeper, the first draft of which was finished in December; my new comic/webcomic series that will be called The Unstoppable Force (website coming soon); another new comic series that is tentatively entitled Blood-to-Blood, but I'm open to suggestions (it's a sci-fi/stonepunk take on werewolves); and various short stories, comics, and film scripts that I've already spent too long on. The novel, the two new series, and Workland Tales are my main focus, and they simply get juggled.
I really want to show you guys The Unstoppable Force. I think it's going to be great, and I hope it lives up to its title. I'm determined to try til I fail on this one. We should have something ready to show by the time Dragon*Con rolls around on Labor Day weekend. Speaking of which, if anyone knows of any cool things to do in Atlanta before last call, please educate me.
Ciao.
No more rants at the moment. But if you want to know what's on my mind, generally, you should continue to check out my webcomic where I try to update at least weekly. Sometimes I will miss a week or two, but I try compensate for that other times, posting three in a three day stretch. I really have no excuse for the lack of updates, except that I'm always constantly working on other projects at the same time, and I usually only head to Workland Tales when nothing else is clicking. Or, when I have an idea I just have to share.
As for the other projects, there's my: novel, I Am My Brother's Keeper, the first draft of which was finished in December; my new comic/webcomic series that will be called The Unstoppable Force (website coming soon); another new comic series that is tentatively entitled Blood-to-Blood, but I'm open to suggestions (it's a sci-fi/stonepunk take on werewolves); and various short stories, comics, and film scripts that I've already spent too long on. The novel, the two new series, and Workland Tales are my main focus, and they simply get juggled.
I really want to show you guys The Unstoppable Force. I think it's going to be great, and I hope it lives up to its title. I'm determined to try til I fail on this one. We should have something ready to show by the time Dragon*Con rolls around on Labor Day weekend. Speaking of which, if anyone knows of any cool things to do in Atlanta before last call, please educate me.
Ciao.
What follows is a rant (or, mellow, sensitive tirade) against Amazon's Kindle device, originally in response to Annika who questioned why I would boo the thing over on the Twitter. I admit, it's a little grumpy-old-manish. And kind of long. You have been warned.
<rant>
Kindle is the one thing I'm fairly antediluvian about. I just don't see the appeal of reading a book on a digital screen that isn't that much bigger than the palm of my hand. I stare at screens all day long for my job, to get news, to be entertained, and to pursue my creative endeavors. I love taking a break from all that with a book that's printed on paper.
As well, I enjoy taking baths and reading, and I don't think it would be a very good idea to read a Kindle in the bath. It's one thing to get a drop of water on a couple pages of a book, quite another to accidentally drop an electronic device into the tub.
Also, I love the smell of books; it's part of what makes reading a book so special-- it uses all of the senses. Well, except for taste... unless I'm doing it wrong.
Finally, I love going into bookstores, whether it's a Borders or a Half-Priced books or a mom-and-pop operation on Main Street, U.S.A. I can spend hours in a bookstore, just going from shelf to shelf and finding things I'd never know about otherwise. I mean, occasionally I will order a book off Amazon, but only when none of the shops around me have what I'm looking for and I don't want to wait.
I still own almost every single book I've ever bought, borrowed and forgot to give back, or just plain stole because I was a stupid teenager. I hate parting with books, because my copy of this or that book will always be mine. I can write in them, highlight them, whatever, and it doesn't decrease the value (personal, monetary, or intrinsic) of the book itself. Unlike DVDs, which I tend to sell off a truckload of every year to get rid of movies I never watch anymore or to replace with newer versions. But a book is a book is a book. It won't suddenly become out of date or necessitate an "author's cut." They don't need batteries or an electrical output, and they'll never get too scratched. They can be battered, bruised, and falling apart, but the content never suffers. Books are permanent. Or, they used to be...
In summation, the Kindle scares me. I'm afraid it will, eventually, kill off printed books as we currently know them. And there are just too many things I love about a single copy of an individual book that the Kindle can't replace. I really don't want to live in a world where I can't go to Borders and just wander. Maybe there will still be stores, but instead of bookshelves they have kiosks where you can plug your Kindle in to get special features or brand new releases you can't get anywhere else. That doesn't sound like very much fun to me, though, just another reason to be "plugged in". Books allow me to unplug. I need that. The human race needs that.
Oh, and lest we forget the artists/photographers, graphic designers, and layout specialists that create the cover art, book jackets, and interior look of each and every single book that gets published. What will they do for a living if Kindle maims the printed book and defecates on its corpse? Won't somebody please think of the artists?!
</rant>
Update within the Spoiler
<rant>
Kindle is the one thing I'm fairly antediluvian about. I just don't see the appeal of reading a book on a digital screen that isn't that much bigger than the palm of my hand. I stare at screens all day long for my job, to get news, to be entertained, and to pursue my creative endeavors. I love taking a break from all that with a book that's printed on paper.
As well, I enjoy taking baths and reading, and I don't think it would be a very good idea to read a Kindle in the bath. It's one thing to get a drop of water on a couple pages of a book, quite another to accidentally drop an electronic device into the tub.
Also, I love the smell of books; it's part of what makes reading a book so special-- it uses all of the senses. Well, except for taste... unless I'm doing it wrong.
Finally, I love going into bookstores, whether it's a Borders or a Half-Priced books or a mom-and-pop operation on Main Street, U.S.A. I can spend hours in a bookstore, just going from shelf to shelf and finding things I'd never know about otherwise. I mean, occasionally I will order a book off Amazon, but only when none of the shops around me have what I'm looking for and I don't want to wait.
I still own almost every single book I've ever bought, borrowed and forgot to give back, or just plain stole because I was a stupid teenager. I hate parting with books, because my copy of this or that book will always be mine. I can write in them, highlight them, whatever, and it doesn't decrease the value (personal, monetary, or intrinsic) of the book itself. Unlike DVDs, which I tend to sell off a truckload of every year to get rid of movies I never watch anymore or to replace with newer versions. But a book is a book is a book. It won't suddenly become out of date or necessitate an "author's cut." They don't need batteries or an electrical output, and they'll never get too scratched. They can be battered, bruised, and falling apart, but the content never suffers. Books are permanent. Or, they used to be...
In summation, the Kindle scares me. I'm afraid it will, eventually, kill off printed books as we currently know them. And there are just too many things I love about a single copy of an individual book that the Kindle can't replace. I really don't want to live in a world where I can't go to Borders and just wander. Maybe there will still be stores, but instead of bookshelves they have kiosks where you can plug your Kindle in to get special features or brand new releases you can't get anywhere else. That doesn't sound like very much fun to me, though, just another reason to be "plugged in". Books allow me to unplug. I need that. The human race needs that.
Oh, and lest we forget the artists/photographers, graphic designers, and layout specialists that create the cover art, book jackets, and interior look of each and every single book that gets published. What will they do for a living if Kindle maims the printed book and defecates on its corpse? Won't somebody please think of the artists?!
</rant>
Update within the Spoiler
Made it back from Austin in one tired, hungover, little bit sunburned piece. Also, my forehead broke out again from sweating so damn much. All of that actually means I had a great trip, even if I didn't get to see/do everyone/everything I wanted. Full length blog post coming once I get rested up.
Boy, are my arms tired.
Boy, are my arms tired.
There will be a new Workland Tales comic posting at midnight CST. For those of you in the Rocky Mountains or the Pacific Ocean, it'll be before that. Ha ha ha. Hee hee hee. Ho ho ho. If you follow my Twitter account, you already saw that joke. It's probably not funnier, or even a joke, the second time. Ah, well.
When you see the new comic, IF any of you even bother to look at it, you'll notice that I'm still not comfortable enough with the WACOM to put anything I've done with it up on the web. That's mostly true, though, a few things in this comic are thanks to the WACOM... but they're very, very small and probably don't help/hurt, regardless.
Hopefully, and I think I mean it this time, comics will be more frequent. It's tough, though, when you work full-time, are working on a novel (second draft), have other projects such as short stories and comic ideas in the air, and try to have a social life. Some things suffer, and the comic, considering I don't see a real future in it, is the first to get hit.
In other news... I'm going to Austin in a couple weeks and I'm pretty excited about it. Haven't been since last summer and we're kind of doing a revisit of that trip. First we'll be hitting Fredericksburg and all of it's wineries and breweries. We hit a couple of each last year, but couldn't stay for long because we still had to check in to the hotel in Austin. This year, we'll be staying in F-burg for a night and then moving on to Austin. We're going to drink their milkshake. Drink it up!
Metaphorically speaking, of course.
Cheers.
When you see the new comic, IF any of you even bother to look at it, you'll notice that I'm still not comfortable enough with the WACOM to put anything I've done with it up on the web. That's mostly true, though, a few things in this comic are thanks to the WACOM... but they're very, very small and probably don't help/hurt, regardless.
Hopefully, and I think I mean it this time, comics will be more frequent. It's tough, though, when you work full-time, are working on a novel (second draft), have other projects such as short stories and comic ideas in the air, and try to have a social life. Some things suffer, and the comic, considering I don't see a real future in it, is the first to get hit.
In other news... I'm going to Austin in a couple weeks and I'm pretty excited about it. Haven't been since last summer and we're kind of doing a revisit of that trip. First we'll be hitting Fredericksburg and all of it's wineries and breweries. We hit a couple of each last year, but couldn't stay for long because we still had to check in to the hotel in Austin. This year, we'll be staying in F-burg for a night and then moving on to Austin. We're going to drink their milkshake. Drink it up!
Metaphorically speaking, of course.
Cheers.
FEBRUARY 2010
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