News

Hm. I really don't have anything really interesting to say today. In comparison to all the political, religious and ethical stuff I've been slinging around all week I think that talking about video games, comic books or metal would just seem anti-climactic.

Oh, who am I kidding. I can always talk about metal.

Here are some choice songs I listened to this week. All are rich in essential metals and are guaranteed to brutally blast away a lingering case of the blues.

"The Serpentine Offering" - Dimmu Borgir
"Ov Fire and the Void" - Behemoth
"Flying Whales" - Gojira
"World To Come" - Gojira
"While You Were Shouting At The Devil We Were In League With Satan" - Zimmer's Hole
"Happy Little Boozer" - Korpiklaani
"Night Marauders" - 3 Inches of Blood
"The Last Baron" - Mastodon
"Drink the Blood of the Priest" - Brocas Helm

Metal cures everything.
Rock on and have a nice weekend.

I was incredibly saddened and disappointed most of yesterday regarding the outcome of Question 1 in Maine, which may be why today's strip is such a downer. It could also be that I'm setting the stage for the conclusion of this storyline, but my sour mood probably helped with the outcome of today's comic.

In good news, however, it looks like Referendum 71 in Washington state is going to pass (albeit by about the same margin that Question 1 was passed), and kudos to Kalamazoo, Michigan for winning a fight for fairness and equality (because saying "passing ordinance 1856" is neither poetic nor exciting).

That's enough politics from me for now. However, if you'd like to read a story I posted about my own experience with God and love, be my guest... even though it pains me to be mentioning God and politics in the same subject.

Tomorrow I'll probably be back to talking about metal, video games, comic books and other nerd-tacular things.

Rock on.

The last time Dominic and Chief Thuen Gor met like this they got into a sight-fight, and the orc chief was just as pissed at Dominic as he is now. He may be more pissed now. I'm not sure. He's very mysterious.

At the time of this writing the results of the vote on Question 1 in Maine and Referendum 71 in Washington state had not been announced. Both, in some way, threatened to ban or repeal or take away the rights of same-sex couples to form a legal union. Needless to say I am all about the protection of love and equality everywhere, so later in the day today you may see another news post from me regarding the results of these votes. I'm crossing my fingers that it'll be good news and that the cause of love, equality and tolerance moves further ahead.

In regards to Maine's same-sex marriage vote, I have to thank my friend Allison Beal who, through her seemingly tireless efforts in the "No On 1" campaign, kept me abreast of the situation and inspired me to raise awareness on this issue in the form of my crazed Twittering to get voters in Maine to vote. Her dedication to this cause was really something I looked up to. It's one thing to talk about something you believe in, but it's another thing to get off your ass and do something about it. However the vote turned out, I salute you, Alli.

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

EDIT: The results just came in... and to say that I am disappointed and disgusted with the outcome is a tremendous understatement.

Normally I don't do two news updates in one day, but this is something I forgot to mention and I feel it warrants its own short news post.

If you live in Maine and you're voting today, vote NO on Question 1.

Please protect Maine equality.

I may be saying too little too late but I only just learned that the polls for this are pretty razor-thin, so I'm doing what I can (even though I don't even live in Maine) to reach those of you who live there and haven't voted yet.

Again, if you live in Maine and you're voting today, vote NO on Question 1.

Or Szark Sturtz will cry.

Something happened to me at ONI-CON this past weekend. Something that I thought would never happen to me, but once it occurred it felt almost liberating.

The following does not relate to any of the convention attendees that came to visit me at my table. You fine folks were nothing but courteous and fine examples of how people ought to act at these conventions.

It seems to me that, as time goes on, convention-goers are subscribing to the "if I can do it on the internet, I can do it in real life!" mentality. This leaves them to be as loud, rude, pushy and obnoxious as humanly possible. Everything from standing in the middle of a crowded room and shouting something random to pushing me aside (while carrying all my merchandise) to rush for an elevator. This behavior culminated in my grumbling "you stupid f*cks" as I pushed my way off of an elevator that nearly broke thanks to these morons piling in over capacity.

Maybe I'm just getting older and my tolerance for this sort of thing is deteriorating. When I was a teenager I certainly lacked common sense, but one thing I know I didn't lack was common courtesy. There seems to be a general disregard for that with these convention crowds nowadays.

It all came to a head on Halloween night, sitting with some good friends of mine in a public courtyard enjoying some excellent wine from a nearby wine bar when some of these aforementioned knuckleheads came yelling through the area. Before I knew what I was doing I just turned my head and snapped, "Shut the f*ck up."

They shut the f*ck up.

I feel a trend coming on.

I'm back from ONI-CON and I hope everyone had a very happy Halloween while I was gone. I hung out in Texas in a viking helmet, which by itself is a pretty nifty statement.

The convention was a blast, albeit crowded in the hotel. Many thanks to all the fine folks who came to say "hi" to me, including the folks at Complex Actions who, if they remain true to their word, will have a new comic up today featuring their meeting with yours truly. Apparently my facial hair translates very well into comics.

Just in case you forgot where you first saw that prophetic text in today's comic, it was Luna who first "translated" it.

I fell behind in sending out October's Donation Wallpaper before I left for Oni-Con, and for that I apologize. If you haven't received your wallpaper from October yet it will be in your inbox by the end of the day today.

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

If you're reading this, then you're probably not at ONI-CON with me. If that's the case, I'm very sorry because you're probably missing out on a good time.

I wrote this news post before I left, so hopefully I arrived in one piece and am currently getting ready for a thoroughly awesome weekend.

Halloween is Saturday. I'm sad that I won't be home with my costume-savvy girlfriend and other mischievous cohorts, but at least I'll be in a sufficiently nerdy atmosphere and will thus be among my own kind.

That's all from me for now!
Rock on and Happy Halloween!

Oh god.
Oh god oh god I am so effing sore.

Mastodon and Dethklok was so overwhelmingly metal that I am in a great deal of pain from the shoulders up. That's what I get for throwing up the horns and swinging my head around all night. I'm not as young as I used to be, and my body is reminding me of that. Totally worth it, though.

I'll keep things brief today, since by the time you folks read this I'll be hopping on a plane to Texas for ONI-CON! I was able to get enough strips done so the comic will update normally for the rest of the week.

We shall see if there will be a Monday update, but I'll try to keep you folks posted as things develop.

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

Just in case you've forgotten, and it has been a while since we've been here, the cave of the Crone does indeed have this effect on those who enter it. It also gives me a break from writing those "I'm speaking in orcish" brackets around everyone's dialogue.

While I'm feeling nice and linky, here's where Dominic had his vision of Azazia's death. Hukthak, or Roki, was indeed there in the background, but it has been a while since that smoky vision came up so I figured a little reminder couldn't hurt.

In more metal news, I've got tickets to see Mastodon and Dethklok tonight. I cannot be more excited and will probably overload on pure awesomeness.

This concert tonight, plus my early departure tomorrow for the trip to ONI-CON may require some Friday Halloween filler instead of a comic. I've been working to get enough strips done to cover my absence and it looks like everything will update normally... but just in case something comes up, I figured I should at least give you folks a heads-up.

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

Anyone who's seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show will most likely get the admittedly dumb reference to it in today's comic, and if you didn't see the reference beforehand you're definitely seeing it now.

I don't know why, but the revelation of Hukthak's name in this manner sent me into such a state of giggles that I couldn't help but put it in the comic. It may be because Tim Curry was the voice of Emperor Doviculus in Brutal Legend. Maybe.

Speaking of Brutal Legend (again) I want to thank you folks who helped me search for those Brocas Helm songs. I found them, downloaded them, and now love them at my leisure. Much obliged, my very metal friends.

Don't forget that I'll be at ONI-CON this weekend!

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

Ah. What a lovely weekend I had.

I did abso-freakin'-lutely nothing of importance and it felt great.

But now it's back to work.

This Halloween weekend I will be returning to ONI-CON and I couldn't be more excited. A few years ago I moved to Texas and Oni-Con was the first convention to welcome me with open arms. I had such a great time there that I vowed to return, even though I'm back on the east coast. I have a soft spot in my heart for this show and the people who run it, so be sure to stop by and say "hi" if you're in the area.

I may also be in costume on Saturday... seeing as it's Halloween and all!

On a slightly nerdier note, I just finished Brutal Legend and have this to say about it... if the gameplay was as stellar as the story and the soundtrack it would've been the greatest game I've ever played. Slightly choppy gameplay (and absolutely aggravating Stage battles) aside, this game had some sharp writing and a killer musical score that kept me plowing through it until I reached a brutally sweet ending.

Speaking of the game's soundtrack, if anyone knows where I can find a copy of Cry of the Banshee and Drink the Blood of the Priest by Brocas Helm I'd be very appreciative. I love those songs and can't find them anywhere.

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

In case you can't remember how Dominic knew about the demonic poison and its relevance to the Crone of Maltak, here's where he first pitched his theory. We'll see if his theoretical solution to this problem is still applicable.

In other news, I have admittedly fallen a little behind in sending out book orders, what with my grandmother's passing earlier this month and a slew of other things. Rest assured that I will be caught up with all orders by the end of this weekend, so if you've been waiting a long time for your order, I do humbly apologize.

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

If this looks familiar to you as well as Dominic, it's because it's a sight like this that started this whole adventure, only without the wicked implications of ruining everything.

Other than that, this remains a pleasantly dull week with very little news to report. Normally I'd be upset with this level of humdrum, but considering how busy October has been I'll take a few days of nothing. It's quite refreshing.

So. Yup. Back to the blah.
Whee!

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

I'm posting most of yesterday's news post again because:
1- I have absolutely nothing of interest to say today.
2- This is important and I feel it should be emphasized.

Katherine Bray-Strickland has to be one of the toughest women I've ever met, if for no other reason than she went through the rigors of medical school while undergoing pretty serious cancer treatments. Those treatments have, unfortunately, become even more serious, but she's showing all the fight and determination that's characteristic of one of the toughest women I've ever met.

And so I come to you, my readers, who have shown me some incredible displays of love and compassion to share some of that with Katherine Bray-Strickland. You can read the Supporting Kati blog to send her some encouragement and that general positive energy you've been so kind to share with me over the years. Right now this brave and unbelievably tough young woman needs it more than I do.

In (unfortunately) similar news, my pal James Riot is selling prints for breast cancer awareness and to help a close relative. The blog says it all. The guy's a good buddy of mine, his artwork is incredible and this is a noble cause if I've ever seen one.

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

First of all, congratulations to Chris and Julie Mow on their beautiful wedding this past weekend. I didn't get as many decent pictures as I wanted because I was too busy enjoying the celebration, but I'll post what few good pictures I got in my deviantArt gallery soon.

Now then. On to more serious stuff.

Katherine Bray-Strickland has to be one of the toughest women I've ever met, if for no other reason than she went through the rigors of medical school while undergoing pretty serious cancer treatments. Those treatments have, unfortunately, become even more serious, but she's showing all the fight and determination that's characteristic of one of the toughest women I've ever met.

And so I come to you, my readers, who have shown me some incredible displays of love and compassion to share some of that with Katherine Bray-Strickland. You can read the Supporting Kati blog to send her some encouragement and that general positive energy you've been so kind to share with me over the years. Right now this brave and unbelievably tough young woman needs it more than I do.

In (unfortunately) similar news, my pal James Riot is selling prints for breast cancer awareness and to help a close relative. The blog says it all. The guy's a good buddy of mine, his artwork is incredible and this is a noble cause if I've ever seen one.

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