News

Don't worry, folks. We're not heading back into Maltak. It's just that Donovan being able to sense a bad review... on the wind... from another country... gives me the chuckles.

Other than that, no news to report today.

I'll be spending part of the weekend with my family for Mother's Day, so there's that. Otherwise... yep. It's a slow news Friday, and that's fine by me.

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

Some cool comic books hit the shelves yesterday.
These are a couple that I picked up and my impressions of them.

The only thing I really like about War of the Supermen is that the lengthy, drawn-out New Krypton saga is finally drawing to a close. This multi-year massive crossover storyline has done absolutely nothing for me and I cannot wait for J. Michael Straczynski (one of my favorite writers in comics) to take the helm of Superman once this is all over.

I cannot say enough good things about Red Robin. Chris Yost and Marcus To are an amazing writer/artist team who manage to capture Tim Drake as a kick ass street superhero who isn't weighed down by crushing angst or moral dilemmas. This title manages to be dark and gritty while being fun and adventurous at the same time. It's a great mix, but I'm sad to see Yost leaving as writer next month. Fooey.

I love Aquaman. I freely admit it. And the dark revelation of his "new" powers in the first issue of Brightest Day was impressive and disturbing. With Martian Manhunter and Hawkman & Hawkgirl also being spotlighted in this series, many of my favorite DC superheroes seem to be getting a push, so I'm hopeful that things go well. I hope.

Last month's issue of JLA All-Stars almost made me drop the title entirely. Anna Fortune's debut was a cheap deus ex machina save for the team, and the fact that she looks like a steampunk sorcerer ninja just made me angry beyond belief (note: I hate ninjas and steampunk). This month's offering saved the title for me and made me reconsider the character, as all her "ex machina" saves came unraveled and her inexperience almost killed, well, everyone in the world. The rest of the team is finally getting along, shines in their own title (finally) and looks like they're actually 1) competent and 2) enjoying each other's company. I'm going to give this title another chance... but I'll miss you, Damage.

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

That sure looks like a weird case of tusk-mouth, doesn't it? But didn't Luna "give the curse of tusk-mouth back" during The March Across Maltak? Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about that. More on this little development coming soon.

And in case the name "Gar MaDara" was a little familiar to some of you, it's in reference to an old crummy filler sketch of Donovan's first band that I did a couple of years ago.

And, finally, I am happy to say that all the problems with the proof of The War In Hell were successfully fixed and that printing of the fifth volume is underway. This is a huge weight off my shoulders and I can't wait to deliver the finished product to you fine folks.

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

Offended? Amused? Confused?
If so, then Taz MaDara did his job today.

I was out of it yesterday, but today I want to thank the fine folks at NOBRAND CON for giving me another lovely weekend with them this year. For two years in a row this has been an unexpectedly awesome convention, with great attendees and a staff that exceeds all expectations. If you're in the area and want to attend an intimate, friendly convention with an awesome staff and guests who are very happy because they've been treated far better than they should, then I cannot recommend NOBRAND CON enough. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

In closing... I want to go to this bar.

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

I just flew in from NO BRAND CON... and boy are my arms tired!

Actually, I'm so travel-weary and jet lagged that I'm in no shape to write a proper news post today.

I'll have a (hopefully) more entertaining and proper news post tomorrow. Right now I'm going to readjust my body to my time zone and that whole "not being in a plane" thing. Blargh.

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

I guess it's better that I missed an update yesterday. This strip works so much better as a Friday comic. Now with added splatter!

I'm at NO BRAND CON!
Come say "hi" if you're in the area!

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

As you can see, I received a lovely surprise from my printer yesterday in the form of the proof of The War in Hell... in which there were major printing problems on every single page.

I spent the entire day correcting ninety-six pages worth of mistakes and problems.

That is, I did so after I got over a massive panic attack and a good ol' "soul puke." Needless to say, the day left me in no shape to produce a comic for today, and for that I apologize.

But it's a good thing that things are back on track, because you can still pre-order your copy until 5pm Eastern Standard US time. Afterward you'll have to pay shipping and you won't get your exclusive print.

I'm shipping off to NO BRAND CON today! Hope to see you there!

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

Tomorrow is the last day to pre-order your copy of...!



It's Wednesday, that magical day of the week when new comic books hit the shelves. It's put me in a picturesque mood down here in the news box.

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

Rachel's expression and giddy laughter today was inspired by the lovely and equally raunchy Jenny Breeden, who I have personally seen react in such a manner when confronted with "cute boys in kilts."

As far as Bumper's line about women loving musicians in makeup... either I've just done one too many anime conventions over the years or I've seen one too many rock stars wearing "guyliner." Probably a little bit of both.

Don't forget that I'll be at No Brand Con this weekend!

Also don't forget that Thursday is the last day to pre-order your copy of THE WAR IN HELL!

That's all from me for now.
Rock on... with or without makeup on.

Let me start off this news post by saying my girlfriend physically cringed when she had only heard what I was going to name Gregory's band.

I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Matt & Katie for their wonderful wedding over the weekend. I was honored to be a part of the ceremony and I hope I didn't make too much of a fool of myself on the dance floor. I also hope the video evidence of said dance floor tomfoolery never makes it onto YouTube.

This weekend I'll be returning to No Brand Con, so be sure to stop by and say "hi" if you're in the area! I had a great time there last year and I'm sure it will be just as awesome this time around.

Thursday is the last day to pre-order your copy of THE WAR IN HELL! Grawr!

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

The name of the Prontus club in today's comic is a (badly) veiled reference to the legendary New York City rock club called CBGB. While I never had the pleasure of going to a show there, the place was spoken of with reverence and awe by all my high school friends. It is sadly closed nowadays, but since this is a storyline all about music and bands I figured I needed to pay tribute to this temple of rock and roll.

And how did I pay tribute to CBGB? I made a club in Callan with a name that makes for a great gay joke. I are clever writer. Dur.

I'm off to another wedding this weekend, but my attendance won't affect Monday's update this time. Those of you wanting an encore performance of my cat Scamp doing his Spark impersonation will just have to wait.

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

I'm going to talk about a couple of comic books that came out yesterday, but not before reminding folks that THE WAR IN HELL is still available for pre-order and will be until the end of the month. Whee!

On to some comic books I bought yesterday.

The latest issue of The Brave & The Bold was as stellar and awesome as every issue since J. Michael Stracyzinski's been writing it. I'm also a big fan of Cliff Chiang's artwork, so that was a bonus. Wonder Woman, Zatanna and Batgirl team up for a memorable night out with a reveal that's not only powerful but a visual treat of a layout. I cannot recommend this title enough.

Power Girl remains fun and fast paced and I love it. This is one of the most enjoyable titles I've been reading so I urge folks to pick it up while the current creative team of Palmiotti and Conner are still on it.

Guardians of the Galaxy and Nova are kicking some cosmic ass. 'Nuff said.

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

First Nimmel, now Gregory. Haircuts (or, in this case, hair-lengthening) may appear to be a trend in these shorter, lighter stories, but I promise you folks that every character who gets the spotlight in these tales won't be going to the salon... unless I want another excuse to put a Flock of Seagulls hairstyle in the comic.

Also, Nimmel and Gregory seem to have inadvertently switched hairstyles in their respective stories. Chalk it up to one of those happy accidents or me just really liking long hair and unruly mop-top hair.

That's all from me for now.
And I raaaaaan. I ran so far awaaaaaaay.
Rock on.

Here are some quick news items today, because after all the traveling I did over the weekend and yesterday I'm too jet-lagged to write anything else of substance.

- I am honestly surprised I was able to get a comic done at all for today. See above for the reasons why.

- I named the hair salon after my girlfriend. It was her birthday yesterday and we started dating two years ago today. Happy anniversary, hon.

- My apologies to anyone who has one of the haircuts above. Mostly.

- The War In Hell is still available for pre-order!

- I had a great time in Miami celebrating the wedding of an old friend. I promise to be as enthusiastic for the wedding I'm attending next weekend, too.

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

Here's my sleep cat, Scamp, doing his best to serve as an amusing filler for you folks today as I fly home to Mookie Headquarters from Miami.

Barring delays or other inconvenient mishaps, the comic will resume normally tomorrow.

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