News

I've been talking a bit about conventions lately. They've been on my mind because, frankly, I do quite a few of them and I'm already pretty solidly booked up until the summer.

A few of you have dropped me e-mails saying things like "have you ever considered coming to this convention in this part of the country?" or "that convention in that part of the country?" The official answer is that I'm always open to trying new conventions in new areas if my schedule is permitting, but I'm always more likely to appear if a convention is willing to invite me as a Guest of some sort.

So, if you want me to come to your favorite convention let the people running the show know that you'd like me there. It's a lot more impressive to con planners if there are a bunch of people saying "invite him!" than having some webcomicker waving his arms and going "invite me cuz I are awesome!"

And now, with that in mind, I have to start getting Volume 4 together so I can have it available in time for the spring and summer conventions.

That's all from me for now!
Rock on.

Yesterday I mentioned my attendance at the first ever New England Webcomics Weekend and today I'd like to reaffirm my enthusiasm about it.

I am still super-psyched about this thing.

I'm not on the Official Guest List but rather on the Cartoonists In Attendance list. That's fine by me. I think that's just a matter of available table space, anyway.

And besides, one of the reasons I'm so excited about this event is that it's not really about sales and merchandise. It's more of a social gathering and showcase for webcomics, by webcomics. A place for established and aspiring creators to talk shop and just chill out together in an environment that celebrates our industry.

It will probably also be a really fun time. So check out the website for more info, stop by if you can, and maybe we can chill out and talk shop... or talk about anything, really. I'll probably have a smile on my face for about three straight days.

That's all from me for now.
More on upcoming conventions tomorrow.
Rock on and geek out.

I've got one foot out the door as I write this news post, so I'll make this a quickie.

I'll be attending the first ever Webcomics Weekend at the end of March whether I'm listed to appear or not. Would I like to be listed on the Guest List? Of course! But even if they don't put me on the Cartoonists In Attendance list I'll be there because an event like this deserves all the support in the world.

Now I'm going to put my other foot out the door and talk more about this with you fine folks tomorrow.

I mentioned a long time ago that traditional orc society is very cruel to women. I think the Spirit Father further illustrates that point today, even if writing his dialogue made me cringe... and it made my girlfriend smack me upside the head.

Keep an eye on the convention schedule, as it may have a last-minute update. I'll let keep you folks updated once I know more.

That's all from me for now.
Rock on and geek out.

KATSUCON was an absolute blast. If there was any behind-the-scenes drama or complications or miscommunications or anything of that sort I was unaware of it. I was too busy reuniting with old friends, making plenty of new ones, and greeting the greatest readers in the world.

There may have also been an incident where my face erupted in a cloud of pixie stick at the Guests Uncensored panel. Blech.

Much love and respect to all you wonderful readers who came to say "hi" to me. You made this KATSUCON another one for the record books.

Much love and respect to all my new and old friends at:
Applegeeks!
Art Fight High School!
Erfworld!
Stupid & Insane Defenders Against Chaos!
Blue and Blond!
Evil, Inc!
Starslip!
Sheldon!
Girl Genius!
The System!

I'll be updating my convention schedule before the end of the week, as well as the also-neglected Table of Contents. I'm trying to get better at updating things around here besides the comic. I swear.

That's all from me for now.
Rock on.

Tonight my girlfriend and I will be taking an overnight train ride down to KATSUCON. It's a pretty lengthy trip but I'm excited about it.

First of all, I like trains.

Second, I've never ridden one over the course of a night before.

Third, my girlfriend's never ridden a train long distance before so this is going to be a whole new experience for her.

I'll probably read, play my DS, sketch a picture or two and fall asleep until we reach Virginia. I'm a very exciting travel partner, I know.

See you folks at KATSUCON!

This weekend I'll be heading to KATSUCON for the fifth year in a row. It's crazy to even be able to say that. This convention means a lot to me because it has a lot of history for yours truly.

Over the years at this con I've met people who have become some of my dearest friends and acquaintances. There are too many names, too many memories and too many shenanigans to list all in one place, and it's because of them that I look forward to Katsucon each and every year.

Some of my favorite among them include the first thing Hawk ever said to me, being crushed behind a table with Matt Boyd and Ian McConville, rooming in Tim Buckley's brief Virginia apartment, geeking out like a fanboy (with the flu) when Phil Foglio came up to me and said he enjoyed my work, and getting the most heavenly back massage ever from a woman who would become my current girlfriend (hi, sweetie).

So come by and say "hi" to me at KATSUCON this weekend. Chances are I'll be in an excellent mood and looking to make some new memories.

There are times when something or someone you love does something wrong and you feel the need to point out their mistakes. Not because you're mad, but because you care and you don't want to see them make the same mistakes again.

This, unfortunately, is how I felt on the first day of IKKICON. I've been attending this crazy little convention since its maiden voyage three years ago and enjoy myself enough each year to make the trip from Boston to Austin.

Doubts were cast, however, when I arrived on Friday to discover that the convention had neither a hotel room for me to sleep nor a table to sell my merchandise, two things I had been promised as a Guest of the con. Thanks to the quick thinking and generosity of Ken Wallen of Guest Relations, Amelie and Sky Pirate I was eventually provided with both.

Further evidence of miscommunication and disorganization followed when I arrived at the Iron Artist panel to discover that the convention didn't have anything for the artists to draw with. For a solid hour and fifteen minutes I did my best to keep the crowd entertained with terrible jokes and various hijinks, with much help (once again) from Amelie and Matt Herms. We eventually did our best with a copy of MS Paint and a projector. I'm still debating whether or not to share the atrocities of art I created that night.

The next two days, however, turned into the IKKICON that I've known and loved for the past three years. I chatted with some great fans who showed me much love and support, and for my part I tried to do the same... for instance, the kind folks at PTME Productions. I did my first Hentai Iron Artist (in which I created atrocities of art that I'll never put online). I was spoiled by Barb the green room manager who is not only a phenomenal cook but a first-class hugger. I mingled with some of the voice actor guests who, I discovered, actually like it when we webcomics guests come talk to them.

It was a bumpy ride at first but I ultimately enjoyed my time at IKKICON. Many, many thanks to Ken, Amelie, Matt Herms, Sky Pirate, Barb, Meghan, Wes, Porsche, and everyone who came to visit me at my humble little table. It's folks like you who make these trips awesome.

My next stop is KATSUCON this weekend. I'll rant a little tomorrow about my history with this particular convention and why it means so much to me.

That's all from me for now.
Rock on and geek out.

This year's IKKICON was quite an experience, to be sure. On the whole I'm glad I went, but for the first few hours I was admittedly doubtful. Still, it remains a great con for me to attend and I ultimately had a fun time.

It is, however, very late as I write this update, since it's a long journey from Austin to Boston. I'm exhausted and will write a more proper update tomorrow, including links and hijinks galore.

In case you missed them late last week, February's Donation Wallpapers have gone up for your inspection and approval. I do hope you like them.

And don't forget that I'll be returning to KATSUCON this weekend, so be sure to stop by and say "hi" if you're in the area. There may or may not be hijinks.

That's all from me for now.
Rock on... zzzzzzzzzz.

It's a funny feeling when I don't spend the nights before a convention scrambling to get stuff done to cover my weekend absence. With the cut down to a Monday through Friday updating schedule I was actually able to take things relatively easy. Having two conventions in a row used to be incredibly stressful for me. Now I feel... not stressed.

This is awesome.

I'm catching a super early flight down to IKKICON this morning so I'll see you folks there! Have a nice weekend!

That's all from me for now.
Rock on and geek out.

Every Thursday I used to do comic book reviews of the week's comic books I'd pick up. I'm still debating whether I want to go back to doing that, but I'm slowly leaning towards "yes." I never saw myself as a comic book afficionado. I just like talking about the comic books I buy every week.

That said, there are a couple of issues this week I bought that left me particularly giddy.

Darkhawk! Whee! He's got his own mini-series! The nineties were a terrible era for comic books in general but there were a few gems that came out of it. I grew up reading Darkhawk and I'm psyched that he's getting a little time in the spotlight. Say what you like, but I think that armor is awesome.

I've been waiting months for the new Legion of Three Worlds and this one did not disappoint. George Perez is an old school comic book artist who knows how to pack a lot of action onto one page. The man is a god of the craft, as far as I'm concerned. Unfortunately, I still find Superboy-Prime to be one of the most irritating villains around.

Werewolf By Night is a great horror book and is a successful reminder that being a werewolf sucks.

Deadpool's new solo series is the funniest thing I've read in a long time.

I am heartbroken that Blue Beetle's series is ending.

And although none of these titles came out this week, Green Lantern, Atomic Robo and The Incredible Hercules are my favorite titles being published right now.

That's all from me for now.
Rock on and geek out.

Convention Season, as I like to call it, is starting up for me again and I've begun to notice a growing trend that is a little unsettling. It began a few years ago and I've only seen it grow in momentum as time has gone by. I wish I had more clever name for it, but I call it "webcomic backlash."

Some conventions don't see webcomics as valid guests any more. Maybe this is because there are quite literally tens of thousands of webcomickers nowadays and we're a dime-a-dozen. Maybe it's because some webcomickers acted like prima-donnas once they had received Guest status at some conventions. Maybe some convention planners just don't like webcomics. I honestly wish I knew, but I can only speculate that it must be some combination of the aforementioned things.

I'm not saying this is the case with every convention. The ones who have invited me to return or debut as a Guest have treated me with nothing but the utmost courtesy, and for my part I've done everything in my power to give back to conventions who honor me with Guest status.

Still, if you're a con-goer and you like seeing me and my fellow webcomickers at conventions it couldn't hurt to let those who run your favorite convention know it. Most cons have feedback sessions at the end of their weekend and many planners pay close attention to their website's forums, so sound off if you feel so inclined.

That said, I hope to see you at IKKICON this weekend and KATSUCON the weekend after!

That's all from me for now.
Rock on.

There's no cheat sheet needed for the revelation of the name "Azazia." It's never been mentioned before and it is but another mystery in this tale of orcs, wizards, and creepy necromancers who do impromptu tongue replacement.

It is becoming clearer to me that the decision to go down to a Monday-through-Friday update schedule was an awesome idea. Not from a creative standpoint, but from a convention standpoint.

So far nearly every convention I am slated to attend is within one weekend of another one, and it's happening in pairs. If I was still updating seven days a week the amount of filler doodles, reduced updates and stupid photos of me looking exhausted would be aggravatingly increased. Many of you have written to me and told me you miss the weekend strips, but clearing them off my schedule for the time being was one of the best decisions I could have made.

Speaking of two conventions in two weeks, don't forget I'll be down at IKKICON this weekend and KATSUCON right afterward. These are two conventions I'm always happy to return to so be sure to stop by and say "hi" if you're in the area. I'll most likely be in a good mood.

More on conventions tomorrow.
That's all from me for now.
Rock on.

Roethlisberrr-! Ah.
Actually, that was a pretty awesome game.
Well played.

I'll be heading down to IKKICON this weekend, so be sure to stop by and say "hi" if you're in the area! As I mentioned last week, since the comic only updates during the week there shouldn't be any interruption in updates. This message brought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department.

February's Donation Wallpapers ought to be up for your approval before I head off to IKKICON. There will be two of them this month, too.

That's all from me for now.

Not updating on the weekends has given me the opportunity to do something that I haven't done in a few years. I get to present a cliffhanger once a week that isn't resolved the very next day, namely whatever comic is posted on Fridays. It's fun for me because I do so love a good cliffhanger, and if you've been reading the comic for a while you'll know that I've made that perfectly clear over the years.

A lack of weekend updates is going to make everyone's lives easier next weekend and the weekend afterward, when I'll be attending IKKICON and KATSUCON consecutively. No filler weekends, no missed comics, no cutbacks on updating, no photographs of me looking exhausted on a Monday. Now that Dominic Deegan only updates during the week there will be no interruption of the comic, even on those occasions when I'm attending two conventions in two weekends.

That's all from me for now.
Have a nice weekend, and rock on.