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Anyone who's ever played a game of Dungeons & Dragons knows that the coolest magical items and spells are the ones that have a particular wizard's name attached to them. It places them above and beyond the countless other spellcasters of ages past and, in essence, immortalizes them. Bigby, Mordenkainen, Tenser, Leomund and Evard should ring a bell in the minds of my fellow RPG nerds.

I think "Miranda's Gem of Magical Empowerment" sounds nice. I think she likes the way it sounds, too.

I also took particular joy in drawing young Miranda. Happy little nerds make me immensely happy.

Also, thank you to the reader who sent me this wonderful time lapse video of the lunar eclipse, which I sadly missed due to cloud cover. I also want to thank the reader who clarified that all lunar eclipses happen during a full moon. It seems I still have a lot to learn.

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

I love "space cloaks." I've loved them ever since the cosmic superhero Quasar donned his third costume in the early 90s. To me a "space cloak" shows off the scale at which a magic user or cosmic-themed hero operates, and since Miranda is an archmage and has the spotlight in these last few comics of 2010, I felt it was appropriate to showcase the true extent of her magical power by setting her against the backdrop of the vast, awesome grandeur of the universe.

Why so much space talk today? It may have something to do with the lunar eclipse on this day, the winter solstice. And it's a full moon tonight, too! This is a rare cosmic event so be sure to head outside and give it a look if you can!

Of course, it's forecast to be cloudy and snowy tonight in my area, so I'm gonna miss it.

I wish I had a space cloak.

That all from me for now.
Rock on!

EDIT: The lunar eclipse happened overnight between the 20th and the 21st... and it was so cloudy that I missed it.

The post office during the weekend before Christmas is a sight to behold. The line goes out the door, and it's full of people who look impatient and aggravated for no other reason than they're there. And when they get to the front of the line one encounters people who apparently have never mailed anything in their entire lives. I swore I heard one person ask the clerk if they really needed an envelope to mail something.

I give post office employees all the credit in the world, and I especially appreciate the workers at my local branch. I'm there so often (with orders from you fine and generous folks) that they know me by name and are always genuinely chipper. I'm the only person I know who actually looks forward to standing in line at the post office.

Just a reminder that this is the last week of comics for 2010. The last comic will be on Friday and it will resume on Monday, January 3rd. My own little winter break.

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

Alas, not all the otherworldly beings that Miranda deals with are eloquent, charming or even friendly. This one was a hook-nosed grump with a penchant for storm-offs. Sounds a little like me on a bad day.

Today is the last day to take advantage of the no shipping sale in the SEER'S CATALOG. Tonight at midnight Eastern Standard US time shipping rates will return to the books. You can still order them, and I'll get them out in the mail as fast as I can, but I can't guarantee they'll arrive in time for whatever holiday you celebrate.

The shirts through SHARK ROBOT remain available, too. Yay!

That's all from me for now.
Rock on and have a great weekend!

Since today's comic ends with an explosive cliffhanger I want to talk about two of the many comic books I picked up yesterday, since I was inspired to learn the art of the cliffhanger from comics.

The second issue of Atomic Robo & The Deadly Art of Science hit the shelves yesterday and it continues to both impress and amaze me. The dialogue is snappy and natural. The artwork is unique and charming. The tone of this book is, and always has been, to emphasize the fun and adventure of comic books and to create a world you want to escape to, not from. Atomic Robo is one of the best comics out there and I highly recommend it.

On the other end of the spectrum, there was nothing charming or fun about the latest issue of Thunderbolts but it was one of the best issues I've read from an already magnificent team book. It focuses on the origin of Ghost, one of the more unique "heroes" to come out of the superhero genre. What I liked most about his origin is that he's not a trained soldier or a genetically engineered super-whatsit. He was an out-of-shape computer programmer who... well, I don't want to give the story away. Go pick it up and see for yourself.

Remember that this is the last week to take advantage of the holiday sale in the SEER'S CATALOG, and there are still awesome shirts available through SHARK ROBOT!

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

I am sad to admit that today's strip hits a little closer to home than I would care to admit. I talk like that to people all the time and I'm surprised no one has smacked me upside the head yet. Actually, I take that back. More than a few of my friends over the years have physically assaulted me because I can be an aggravating pain-in-the-ass.

This is the final week to take advantage of the no shipping sale in the SEER'S CATALOG, so if you've waited until the last minute to get your holiday shopping deals... this is the last minute!

There's also a little less than a week remaining in the nomination round of the 2011 Webcomic List Awards! I've always been curious if I could get nominated to this sort of thing and how I would fare if I made it that far, so if you enjoy the comic and you meet the nomination criteria be sure to give Dominic Deegan your vote!

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

There's a nod to the late, great Leslie Nielsen in today's strip. I maintain that if you can watch Airplane! without laughing you, in fact, have no soul.

On a more musical note (hee hee), the soundtrack that I've been using lately for Miranda's extraplanar interludes has been the sweeping, otherworldly sound of "My Kingdom" by Future Sounds of London. I don't normally partake of much electronic music but the eerie ambience this album creates is perfect for these interludes in other dimensions. At least, I think so.

Don't forget that it's the last week to take advantage of the no shipping sale in the SEER'S CATALOG! And don't forget about the great shirts available through SHARK ROBOT!

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

I don't know about you, but "Monday the 13th" sounds a lot scarier than "Friday the 13th."

Anyway, as you can see we're beginning another week-long interlude concerning new developments with The Beast. I really, really enjoy doing these because I get to play around with otherworldly layout and draw bizarre wizards from other dimensions for Miranda to talk to.

This is the last week to take advantage of the no shipping sale in the SEER'S CATALOG! I'll be running to the post office every day sending out orders as fast as I can, so if you've waited until the last minute to treat yourself to a holiday gift or get some volumes for someone, now's the time to do it!

And don't forget about the shirts available through SHARK ROBOT!

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

And so ends The Court of Karnak. It was dark and bloody and hellish but I do hope you folks enjoyed it. As always, I welcome your feedback on the story.

Here's a brief schedule of things to come in these last few weeks of 2010.

- There will be two more weeks of comics this year. The last comic of 2010 will be on Friday, December 24 and updates will resume in 2011 on Monday, January 3.

- Next week is the final week to take advantage of the no-shipping sale in the SEER'S CATALOG. I'll be sending orders out as fast as I can.

That's all from me for now.
Rock on and have a nice weekend!

THE STORM OF SOULS is in and all orders are out as we speak! The new cover looks awesome and I couldn't be happier with it. There's still time to take advantage of the no-shipping sale in the SEER'S CATALOG so be sure to order your books today!

Man. At this rate I'll be a proper salesman.

I mentioned in my interview on TGT Webcomics that some people assume Miranda is supposed to resemble my mother, and that is an incorrect assumption. My mother and Miranda are quite different... except for the crocheting habit. Where else do you think Dominic gets all those scarves?

It may also be a "hello" to all the crafty women in my life. You know who you are.

As for Karnak, well, we can't have him getting too happy.

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

I am well aware how sappy today's comic is and I don't care. I love moments like this when they're well-earned and I think Bulgak earned it. He was in Hell, after all.

For those of you who followed my freak-out on Twitter yesterday regarding the shipment of The Storm of Souls, 1) I hope you enjoyed it, and 2) I'm going to be doing my best to remedy this further delay and hopefully getting your orders out in the mail today.

Again, follow me on Twitter for the latest updates on this matter. Who knows? Maybe you'll be treated to another freak-out... but I sure hope not. I'd like to get these books out before the holidays.

On a happier note, I was interviewed over the weekend by TGT Webcomics. If you have the time to give you can hear the host make me blush, listen to me ramble about airport delays, memorable conventions, and inadvertently insult my mother. Kinda. Sorry, Mom.

Seriously, Kurt (the gracious host of TGT Webcomics) was a real pleasure to talk to. I must be grateful to him not only for the invitation to his show and his kind words, but anyone who is still a fan of mine after listening to me talk for ninety minutes is a real trooper deserving of praise.

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

Believe it or not the conclusion to yesterday's comic was an accidental reference to the movie Watchmen. It wasn't until many of you pointed that out to me that I said to myself, "Oh yeah. That was a Rorschach line!" Good movie. Better graphic novel.

Today's comic is gruesome and dark, but it was more fun for me to draw than it probably should have been.

If all goes well the new copies of THE STORM OF SOULS should be arriving today, and if there are no problems I will be turning right around and shipping everyone's orders out via the "as fast as I can afford" method at the post office. You fine folks can stay updated on these matters by following me on Twitter, where I'll either be tweeting from the post office or having a panic attack. Maybe both.

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

Karnak probably should have lost those chains in the explosion, but I couldn't help myself. I just think he looks neat wielding them, so he'll continue to do so.

I also seem to be in the habit of halving the total number of horns on his head each time he gets transformed by a soul's explosion. He started with four, ended with two at the conclusion of the War in Hell, and now he's down to one at the conclusion of The Court of Karnak.

Of course, now he has wings, which I think are awesome.

Don't forget that the no-shipping sale is still going on in the SEER'S CATALOG and there are still awesome shirts available through SHARK ROBOT! They make great gifts for the grumpy seer in your family.

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

The folks who handle my books tell me that the reprint of The Storm of Souls should be in my possession on Tuesday the 7th. Those of you who ordered it, whether alone or with other volumes, may rest assured that I will be scrambling like a madman to get your copies in the mail on that very same day. I may need to get a prescription for blood pressure medicine at the end of all this, but what's the holiday season without some major medication, huh?

Tomorrow is also the last day to pre-order the new t-shirt designs from SHARK ROBOT! These designs stick around based on the strength of their pre-orders, so if there's a shirt you like be sure to let Shark Robot know by ordering during the pre-order period!

The Court of Karnak wraps up next week, when the damned deal with the fallout of Bulgak's soul supernova.

That's all from me for now.
Rock on, and have a great weekend!

Sorry for the late news post, folks. My internet crapped out on me until very early this morning.

The fine folks who print my books informed me that the new shipment of The Storm of Souls should be here at headquarters by the end of the week. Once they're here, everyone who ordered them can be assured that I'll be sending them out with the "as fast as humanly possible!" option from the U.S. Post Office.

If there are any problems with the reprinting of volume three I'll let you folks know how I plan on dealing with that after I'm through ripping my hair out and banging my head against the wall. I don't anticipate any problems because my printing company is very thorough and effective... but still... you never know if and when things are going to go sour on you.

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