Evan Dorkin's Blog, page 8
August 26, 2014
These Foolish Things
Haven't done a general update in a while. Anyway:
I'm still plugging away at the late second issue of The Eltingville Club. It's been a real mess, every page is crammed-full of OCD art and uncontrolled dialogue. I have no one to blame but myself. I'm really hoping to put enough harpoons in this whale to kill it off next month. If not, please attend my funeral, because I'm going to take the gas pipe if I can't toss this gorilla off my neck. I'm pretty depressed about the whole thing, the comic was supposed to be out in May and the book collection is obviously going to be pushed back, probably to next year. Ugh.
Once Eltingville is done away with I've got a Mad gig lined up and I'll be spending some time drawing commissions I owe some people. I'll probably be soliciting some new ones around then to keep the plate spinning going.
The House of Fun gag strip pages I did for Dark Horse Presents have been re-scheduled for DHP #4, shipping in November. Dark Horse will also put out the Hellboy: Weird Tales hardcover collection in November, which I have a story in.
Also coming out in November from Marvel is Deadpool Classic vol 10, which collects an Agent X two-parter I wrote and the 1993 Fight-Man One Shot I wrote and penciled.
The toy company Neca has released a 7" action figure based on the "rogue" Predator character from the Predator: Bad Blood series I wrote for Dark Horse Comics back in the '90s (these days available in the Predator Omnibus series vol 3). The series was drawn and the character designed by artist Derek Thompson, his art is also being used for the packaging. The Neca page for the figure is here, a write-up on the figure which includes photos of the packaging is here. There's a second Bad Blood figure coming out based on another character from the comic, which they've dubbed the "Enforcer".
Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites is now in a fifth printing. The book hit its four-year anniversary in July. I wish I had concrete news on when the next new issue of the comic will be done. Let alone the follow-up two-parter. And the second collection. Yeah.
I don't really have much work lined up for the future because of Eltingville wrecking the schedule, and that will obviously need addressing. I've been discussing a few things with a few people but nothing's nailed down. An editor at one known-quantity publisher contacted me about work, but never returned my e-mail follow-up. Dark Horse has shown interest in a pitch I sent them but the project still needs an artist. I'm working on another series pitch, something I'd be drawing, but that's a way's off even if it was magically picked up by a publisher today. I've got a few things I'd like to write, some short stories and a longer one-shot horror project, I'd like to do more House of Fun material, but these will need pitches, artists and whatnot. And almost no one's looking to pay anything for creator-owned short-form stuff, so, yeah, not really a viable business plan, eh? Most likely I'll be trying to scratch up some work-for-hire stuff unless/until something breaks. Who knows. In a perfect world I'd be working on Beasts of Burden. We all know the world is far from perfect, and screwy comic book schedules should be the worst problem any of us should have to face.
All right, gotta go eat something and then catch the work train to Eltingville. Choo-choo.
I'm still plugging away at the late second issue of The Eltingville Club. It's been a real mess, every page is crammed-full of OCD art and uncontrolled dialogue. I have no one to blame but myself. I'm really hoping to put enough harpoons in this whale to kill it off next month. If not, please attend my funeral, because I'm going to take the gas pipe if I can't toss this gorilla off my neck. I'm pretty depressed about the whole thing, the comic was supposed to be out in May and the book collection is obviously going to be pushed back, probably to next year. Ugh.
Once Eltingville is done away with I've got a Mad gig lined up and I'll be spending some time drawing commissions I owe some people. I'll probably be soliciting some new ones around then to keep the plate spinning going.
The House of Fun gag strip pages I did for Dark Horse Presents have been re-scheduled for DHP #4, shipping in November. Dark Horse will also put out the Hellboy: Weird Tales hardcover collection in November, which I have a story in.
Also coming out in November from Marvel is Deadpool Classic vol 10, which collects an Agent X two-parter I wrote and the 1993 Fight-Man One Shot I wrote and penciled.
The toy company Neca has released a 7" action figure based on the "rogue" Predator character from the Predator: Bad Blood series I wrote for Dark Horse Comics back in the '90s (these days available in the Predator Omnibus series vol 3). The series was drawn and the character designed by artist Derek Thompson, his art is also being used for the packaging. The Neca page for the figure is here, a write-up on the figure which includes photos of the packaging is here. There's a second Bad Blood figure coming out based on another character from the comic, which they've dubbed the "Enforcer".
Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites is now in a fifth printing. The book hit its four-year anniversary in July. I wish I had concrete news on when the next new issue of the comic will be done. Let alone the follow-up two-parter. And the second collection. Yeah.
I don't really have much work lined up for the future because of Eltingville wrecking the schedule, and that will obviously need addressing. I've been discussing a few things with a few people but nothing's nailed down. An editor at one known-quantity publisher contacted me about work, but never returned my e-mail follow-up. Dark Horse has shown interest in a pitch I sent them but the project still needs an artist. I'm working on another series pitch, something I'd be drawing, but that's a way's off even if it was magically picked up by a publisher today. I've got a few things I'd like to write, some short stories and a longer one-shot horror project, I'd like to do more House of Fun material, but these will need pitches, artists and whatnot. And almost no one's looking to pay anything for creator-owned short-form stuff, so, yeah, not really a viable business plan, eh? Most likely I'll be trying to scratch up some work-for-hire stuff unless/until something breaks. Who knows. In a perfect world I'd be working on Beasts of Burden. We all know the world is far from perfect, and screwy comic book schedules should be the worst problem any of us should have to face.
All right, gotta go eat something and then catch the work train to Eltingville. Choo-choo.
August 25, 2014
More HOF Stuff on eBay
Some House of Fun odds and ends are up for grabs on eBay: SLG-era T-shirts, a Yo Gabba Gabba shirt, a Milk and Cheese bowling shirt, a M&C Heroes Con/Indie Island shirt, a CBDLF M&C sign, some HOF jewelry items Sarah made and a prototype set of the Milk and Cheese vinyl figures.
And some more sketch cards.
All proceeds help us during a tough time, more auctions will be happening, thanks, as always.
And some more sketch cards.
All proceeds help us during a tough time, more auctions will be happening, thanks, as always.
August 24, 2014
August 18, 2014
August 12, 2014
Gotta Have My Batman!
Figured I'd post this here as I assume not all of you folks check out my Tumblr, where I ran it recently. This here thing's a preview of an 8 page stretch of Fun Strips I done did for Dark Horse Presents last year.The gags were scheduled for the June issue of DHP but then the series was revamped and relaunched and so far my stuff's been lost in the shuffle. Hopefully it'll get a slot soon.
August 7, 2014
Onwards Toward Our Ignoble Deaths
So, the large scanner we bought to replace the old one that broke...broke. We gambled on a cheaper device and it might bite us in the ass, because apparently customer service sucks with this company. We'll see how that goes. This is a kick in the fun bits, because we really need a large scanner to scan and finish my pages, and we're not going to be able to buy what we need for quite some time if we can't get the replacement replaced. Whee.
This also comes at a time when work is already ruling/ruining our lives. Not comics' fault. I blame myself for most of this predicament, most of the lateness is on me. Sure, the hand injury sucks (some days when I'm lettering it looks like my hand's got Dick Smith (RIP) Scanners-era air bladders twitching through it) but I still should've been more on top of the book when I took that tumble down the stairs. I screwed up, didn't have Eltingville #2 worked out well enough to schedule it, tried, hoped for the best, got burned out after putting a lot into #1, hitched, freaked out a little, blew it. Pro tip: Be realistic about how much you can do and how long it will take and get it done. Sounds simple, right? Well, I'm even simpler, I guess.
Anyway, self-abasement aside, fate hasn't helped matters, we could really use less things breaking or falling apart or sucking. We've had almost no income while Eltingville stretches out our schedule like William Regal teaching a newbie a lesson. There's no Beasts of Burden work while I sit on my hands waiting to be able to write that again (and who knows, the way that's going). I've had to turn down work so as not to push Eltingville back farther, and my choice to go the clutter route on these last two issues really blew up in my face. As did my decision to not accept variant cover gigs, ha ha. I know, I know, stupid me, where was my business plan? In the library with Colonel Mustard, with the lead pipe. I'm hoping he uses the rope, personally.
So, anyway, we have more art up on eBay to help keep us trundling onward through Our Eltingville Summer, towards completion and some freelancer work that will help us get back on our feet (or at least up on one knee). The latest batch for your consideration includes a M&C pin-up, some sketch cards I thought came out really well (one's a really cute (imo) Gray Gargoyle card I don't have a good-sized scan of at the moment) and some way old pages we found in an envelope we didn't remember we had in the basement. There's a sad story behind those pages, but I won't get into it here. Let's just say, I wish we never had to be given those pages back.
The auctions are here. Please feel free to browse, whether you're up for bidding or not.
Next up, we'll likely be opening up some boxes and selling off some old SLG/HOF shirts along with some non-HOF collectibles and things. Yeah, it's a bit of a bummer but at least we have the opportunity to turn some stuff into money. Not everyone does. It's like magic! Smiles, everyone, smiles!
This also comes at a time when work is already ruling/ruining our lives. Not comics' fault. I blame myself for most of this predicament, most of the lateness is on me. Sure, the hand injury sucks (some days when I'm lettering it looks like my hand's got Dick Smith (RIP) Scanners-era air bladders twitching through it) but I still should've been more on top of the book when I took that tumble down the stairs. I screwed up, didn't have Eltingville #2 worked out well enough to schedule it, tried, hoped for the best, got burned out after putting a lot into #1, hitched, freaked out a little, blew it. Pro tip: Be realistic about how much you can do and how long it will take and get it done. Sounds simple, right? Well, I'm even simpler, I guess.
Anyway, self-abasement aside, fate hasn't helped matters, we could really use less things breaking or falling apart or sucking. We've had almost no income while Eltingville stretches out our schedule like William Regal teaching a newbie a lesson. There's no Beasts of Burden work while I sit on my hands waiting to be able to write that again (and who knows, the way that's going). I've had to turn down work so as not to push Eltingville back farther, and my choice to go the clutter route on these last two issues really blew up in my face. As did my decision to not accept variant cover gigs, ha ha. I know, I know, stupid me, where was my business plan? In the library with Colonel Mustard, with the lead pipe. I'm hoping he uses the rope, personally.
So, anyway, we have more art up on eBay to help keep us trundling onward through Our Eltingville Summer, towards completion and some freelancer work that will help us get back on our feet (or at least up on one knee). The latest batch for your consideration includes a M&C pin-up, some sketch cards I thought came out really well (one's a really cute (imo) Gray Gargoyle card I don't have a good-sized scan of at the moment) and some way old pages we found in an envelope we didn't remember we had in the basement. There's a sad story behind those pages, but I won't get into it here. Let's just say, I wish we never had to be given those pages back.
The auctions are here. Please feel free to browse, whether you're up for bidding or not.
Next up, we'll likely be opening up some boxes and selling off some old SLG/HOF shirts along with some non-HOF collectibles and things. Yeah, it's a bit of a bummer but at least we have the opportunity to turn some stuff into money. Not everyone does. It's like magic! Smiles, everyone, smiles!
July 15, 2014
Stuff For Sale: Let The Culling Begin
We have too much stuff, some of it has to go, and some of it is going on eBay. We used to collect pretty heavily back in the day, and even after we curtailed the habit, comps, trades, freebies and gifts continued (and continue) to come in. For which I'm grateful, because I love my stuff. I really do. But we have way too much of it, and it's been a tough year, so, it makes sense to try to wound two birds with one stone. Or something. You get what I mean.
First round of Stuff Auctions are here. Some comic book things, a few collectibles, oddball items like a Space Ghost PR kit.
Even if you're not in the market for anything, we do nice listings that may be of interest. Sarah takes good, clear photos and handles the auctions in a very professional manner. Sometimes I write stupid listings (like the SGCTC auction). It can lead to fun.
FYI, we'll be putting up some more HOF art soon, but, since my art has a very limited audience (my thanks to our repeat customers, you know who you are) I can't go to that well too often. I don't have a big following, and I don't have Batman or Deadpool pages to sell. Stuff has a larger appeal. So, "Stuff ahoy!", to quote a lazy purple and orange stuffed bear from a video game franchise.
Later, pond skaters.
First round of Stuff Auctions are here. Some comic book things, a few collectibles, oddball items like a Space Ghost PR kit.
Even if you're not in the market for anything, we do nice listings that may be of interest. Sarah takes good, clear photos and handles the auctions in a very professional manner. Sometimes I write stupid listings (like the SGCTC auction). It can lead to fun.
FYI, we'll be putting up some more HOF art soon, but, since my art has a very limited audience (my thanks to our repeat customers, you know who you are) I can't go to that well too often. I don't have a big following, and I don't have Batman or Deadpool pages to sell. Stuff has a larger appeal. So, "Stuff ahoy!", to quote a lazy purple and orange stuffed bear from a video game franchise.
Later, pond skaters.
July 2, 2014
Art For Sale...Possibly Appetizing Old Art For Sale...
So, we had a really great time at Heroes but did very poorly at the table, and we did terribly at a one-day show the week before that, and we kinda needed to do some business because things aren't so hot right now, so...yeah. Art for sale. To help keep us doggy-paddling through what is going to be a very rough sea this summer. With Eltingville #2 stretched out (my fault), a bum drawing mitt and two shows back-to-back in the red....well, you get the picture. Art for sale.
Up on e-Bay right now we have some Mad illos, a page from Bill and Ted (sniff), a Milk and Cheese pin-up, some production art from the Eltingville pilot (starting cheap, imho) and a two-page complete Eltingville Club story from Dork #6. These are the first Eltingville interior pages I've offered up for sale, so, if that matters to anyone, there you go.
The listings are here.
In the coming weeks we expect to be listing some HOF odds and ends as well as some things we're looking to divest of from our collection. So, watch this space, if you are interested, I'll be updating with whatever we make available.
Up on e-Bay right now we have some Mad illos, a page from Bill and Ted (sniff), a Milk and Cheese pin-up, some production art from the Eltingville pilot (starting cheap, imho) and a two-page complete Eltingville Club story from Dork #6. These are the first Eltingville interior pages I've offered up for sale, so, if that matters to anyone, there you go.
The listings are here.
In the coming weeks we expect to be listing some HOF odds and ends as well as some things we're looking to divest of from our collection. So, watch this space, if you are interested, I'll be updating with whatever we make available.
June 18, 2014
Heroes Con June 20-22
We're heading back to Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC this weekend, and as usual we'll be hauling some of our comics, books, art and crafts out there, along with whatever else we toss in a box in the hopes of exchanging it for money over the weekend.
We'll be at table space AA 1116 in Indie Island, bunking nearby Stephanie Buscema's set-up. As usual, there's a huge guest list featuring creators from across the comics board, mainstream, indy, alt, all-ages, vets, newbies, old, young, male, female, etc. I'm excited to be going as a fan because Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez will be there, as will Jeff Smith, and other folks I haven't seen in a while and am looking forward to saying hello to if they're still speaking to me. If I have time I hope to attend the Los Bros spotlight panel.
Speaking of panels, I'm on the humor panel (Saturday, 4:30, Rm 201), pretty much the only kind of panel I'm ever asked to do. I enjoy them, don't get me wrong, but I'm kind of feeling pigeonholed after doing a lot of these and I really don't know what else to say anymore ("Influences...the Direct Market isn't interested in humor even though the general public is and some of the most popular webcomics are humor ones...DC lost its smile...the death of paying anthologies and the rise of the net changed the game...I feel old and outdated and want to die...ha ha ha, blah blah blah), but Tom Spurgeon of the Comics Reporter is moderating so it should work out fine.
We'll have copies of The Eltingville Club #1 and Beasts of Burden: Hunters and Gatherers on hand, as well as a batch of Milk and Cheese hardcovers and a very limited supply of the now-vintage Beasts collection (they're on back order and didn't ship to our LCS on time). We'll also have copies of Sarah's Action Girl copies at $2 a throw (we're out of several issues and the rest are starting to go, fyi) and some HOF crafty jewelry things she's made, as well as Emily's handmade hair clip sets. I think we have a handful of Milk and Cheese buttons left, and I found two hidden-away sets of the old, self-produced '90s M&C beer mugs which we'll be bringing along (one's already been claimed). I have some new pages and pieces in the portfolios, some high ticket (for us, at least), some cheap as chips. Mad illos, M&C pages, an Eltingville two-pager, a Bill and Ted page, Hellboy: Weird Tales pages (DHC is putting a hardcover collection of that series out, fyi), the Urbs/Sims comics I did for the Electronic Arts website a ways back, and some pin-ups and odds and ends. I'll also be doing a limited number of commissions, if no one asks then they'll be severely limited.
Anyway, if you're going and are so inclined, feel free to stop on by, say hi, and give us your money until we cry.
We'll be at table space AA 1116 in Indie Island, bunking nearby Stephanie Buscema's set-up. As usual, there's a huge guest list featuring creators from across the comics board, mainstream, indy, alt, all-ages, vets, newbies, old, young, male, female, etc. I'm excited to be going as a fan because Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez will be there, as will Jeff Smith, and other folks I haven't seen in a while and am looking forward to saying hello to if they're still speaking to me. If I have time I hope to attend the Los Bros spotlight panel.
Speaking of panels, I'm on the humor panel (Saturday, 4:30, Rm 201), pretty much the only kind of panel I'm ever asked to do. I enjoy them, don't get me wrong, but I'm kind of feeling pigeonholed after doing a lot of these and I really don't know what else to say anymore ("Influences...the Direct Market isn't interested in humor even though the general public is and some of the most popular webcomics are humor ones...DC lost its smile...the death of paying anthologies and the rise of the net changed the game...I feel old and outdated and want to die...ha ha ha, blah blah blah), but Tom Spurgeon of the Comics Reporter is moderating so it should work out fine.
We'll have copies of The Eltingville Club #1 and Beasts of Burden: Hunters and Gatherers on hand, as well as a batch of Milk and Cheese hardcovers and a very limited supply of the now-vintage Beasts collection (they're on back order and didn't ship to our LCS on time). We'll also have copies of Sarah's Action Girl copies at $2 a throw (we're out of several issues and the rest are starting to go, fyi) and some HOF crafty jewelry things she's made, as well as Emily's handmade hair clip sets. I think we have a handful of Milk and Cheese buttons left, and I found two hidden-away sets of the old, self-produced '90s M&C beer mugs which we'll be bringing along (one's already been claimed). I have some new pages and pieces in the portfolios, some high ticket (for us, at least), some cheap as chips. Mad illos, M&C pages, an Eltingville two-pager, a Bill and Ted page, Hellboy: Weird Tales pages (DHC is putting a hardcover collection of that series out, fyi), the Urbs/Sims comics I did for the Electronic Arts website a ways back, and some pin-ups and odds and ends. I'll also be doing a limited number of commissions, if no one asks then they'll be severely limited.
Anyway, if you're going and are so inclined, feel free to stop on by, say hi, and give us your money until we cry.
May 30, 2014
One Reason Eltingville #2 Is Late
Crowd scenes.
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