Terry Moore's Blog, page 5

FAQs

Some FAQs:

Where are you with the SIP novel?

With still a lot of work to do on the novel, I’ve had to put it aside to make sure a couple of other books come out this summer, the SiP Treasury and the SiP Omnibus Softcover. I plan to resume work on the novel after this years convention season.

When will you release a softcover Strangers In Paradise Omnibus?

Finally, we have it on the schedule for this summer. The softcover SiP Omnibus will contain the entire SiP series plus all the spin-off stories. To do this, it will be two 1200-page books (yes, 2400 pages), at the full comic book size of roughly 6 X 10, and the twin books will come together in one package for one price. The price has not yet been settled, but we are trying to keep it around $100. There will be no limited numbers or trickery to availability—we want everybody who wants one to get one. Watch this spot for more news.

Warning: the hardcover edition weighed 12 pounds, so the softcover twins may arrive at about 10 pounds. Start working out now if you want to carry one of these babies home from a convention.

What is the Strangers in Paradise Treasury you’ve mentioned releasing this year?

It’s a large format, full color commentary on the series with behind-the-scenes info on the story, the characters, the research, every cover and every book and every spin-off, where the ideas came from, how I worked and changed things, what was left on the cutting room floor… just all that extra stuff I could show and tell if you sat with me in the studio as we went through the series page by page and I pointed out how I did it and what I was thinking. I actually released a treasury years ago, but it only covered the first half of the series, so this year I am completing the book to cover the entire series. Also, the first treasury was published through Harper Collins, who printed the book and then didn’t tell anybody. It was a very expensive secret. If you have one, it is very rare and probably priceless. Donate it to the Smithsonian. They can put it on Lincoln’s desk.

The original SiP Treasury

Why isn’t the New York Comic-Con on your schedule?

After posting my convention schedule for 2013, I’ve had a lot of requests to add the New York con to my calendar. Unfortunately, I wasn’t invited. I only go where I’m invited, which I’ve found to be a good policy in life and comics.

What is in Julie’s box?

Everybody who reads Echo asks me this. The only answer you’ll get out me for now is, something so private and personal that she doesn’t want anybody to see it. Something that caused trouble in her marriage. Something that made tough girl (and slightly kinky) Ivy smile when she opened the box and saw it. …And that’s all the story tells us.  Don’t overlook that while Julie’s husband rejected what was in the box, and Julie’s association with it, Ivy assured Julie that Dillon would not. He had proven his undying loyalty over the course of the adventure. The box is a litmus test that asks the question: Can I trust you with this? Will you accept me? Everybody has something different in their box. What’s in yours?

A similar looking box has surfaced in Rachel Rising. Maybe somebody will open it.

Are you a lesbian?

No. Why, what have you heard?

So, why do your stories feature female characters?

For a lot of reasons, but here are two easy ones to remember. There are plenty of stories about men and what they do, nobody needs me to write another one. But what women do and why remains a mystery to most of humanity, so we need more of those stories.

Second, I’d rather draw women than men. When I started, I thought about having to draw the same character the rest of my life, and I didn’t want to have to draw some guy’s butt every day for the rest of my life. But I will happily draw Katchoo’s butt every day for the rest of my life. I can safely say, years later, I’ve never regretted my decision.

What do women want?

I have no idea, but life is better when they get it.

Will you (1) look at my unpublished story (2) draw my story (3) publish me?

I’m sorry, the answer to all 3 questions is always no. Here’s why.  (1)I won’t look at any unpublished stories for obvious legal reasons. (2)I don’t want to draw somebody else’s story, I don’t even have time to draw all the stories I’ve written. (3)Publishing is for business people. I self-publish out of necessity, so I can creative for a living.  If you want to be published, do it yourself.

What do you recommend to somebody looking to get into comics today?

These days the biggest road into comics seems to be webcomics. Because there are no business pressures on the newcomer, posting your work regularly on a website is a great way to test market your work and see what the world thinks. If you have something cool, people tend to spread the word which pushes you along until you can print a collection, sell merchandise and go to shows to meet your fans. If you are one of the lucky few who become an internet hit, publishers will approach you, offering a broader print exposure for a cut of your money. From there, it depends on how smart you are as to whether you make all the right choices and become the next pop idol, or you plunge into oblivion leaving an inky trail. Good luck!

How long will Rachel Rising be?

I’m aiming for 24 issues. That will tell the story of Lilith’s revenge on the little town of Manson in 4 TPBs containing 6 issues each. So, look for this series to continue for another year, coming to an end in the spring of 2014. Rachel fans, don’t despair, because I see more Rachel stories in the future if there is a demand for them.

What do you have planned after Rachel Rising?

I’ve completely outlined a new series and it’s ready to go. It’s a slightly different genre than anything I’ve done before, and it will be an all-ages story suitable for young adults. That’s all I’ll say until its time comes around.

Do you take commissions?

Once, sometimes twice, a year I put out a call on this blog and twitter that I will take a short list of commissions for 11 X 17 finished pen & inks at $1,000 each. At comic conventions I often accept a sketch list where I draw pencil portraits of my characters on 9 X 12 paper for $150. If you bought a SiP Omnibus Hardcover box set, I’ve given a lifetime guarantee to all owners for a free sketch in book one. Once in awhile I post, on this blog, studio sketches in pen or pencil for $100-300. So, between all that hopefully there is an opportunity to pick up a drawing at a price range you’re happy with. I’m sorry I can’t take commissions year round, but I’d never get the comic books drawn if I did! If you’d like to see a broad sample of my sketch art, go to my tumblr and browse the archives.

Can you be bribed?

Yes, of course. My vices are plentiful and well documented. Knock yourself out.

The 20th Anniversary SiP Print

Here is the first look at the 20th Anniversary Strangers In Paradise print we will have at the cons this year. Printing will be limited to a few hundred, signed and numbered. I just finished this layout on Photoshop and showing it to you immediately, so it’s not even printed yet. The debut date will be at Emerald City Comic con in Seattle, so it won’t be available for worldwide online orders until that weekend.

By the way, when I say “we” in my messages, I mean Robyn and me. If you’ve ever met me, you’ve surely met my wife Robyn. We are inseparable and do this crazy business together. Actually, I just draw my dreams and she handles the business. She’s the mastermind of the operation. There, now you know the whole story behind the scenes.

Anyway, here’s the newest image of Katchoo there is. I wonder who kissed her?

Lucca 2013… yes!

I was very excited to learn I will be going back to the comics festival in Lucca, Italy this year. This is made possible by my Italian publisher Bao Publishing, who has been wonderful to work with by the way. I will be at their booth in Lucca signing books and drawing a sketch or two I’m sure.

The Lucca Comics and Games festival is one of a kind, held in an ancient little walled town that has the best dining and shopping in the world. It’s also surrounded by countless small wineries and beautiful countryside. Clearly, a destination spot for any traveler, but a delight for cartoonists from all over the world who converge on the sleepy town every fall to celebrate comics in a big way.

My 2013 Con Schedule – The SiP 20th Anniversary Tour!

 

Here is my convention schedule for this year. These dates are confirmed for the Strangers In Paradise 20th Anniversary Tour!

I’m looking forward to getting back out onto the convention circuit after last year’s sabbatical. I really am. Comic conventions are fun places to be. Everybody is there because they want to be and every room is a pop culture explosion. What’s not to like?

So The Strangers In Paradise 20th Anniversary Tour will be:

Mar 1-3 Emerald City Comicon, Seattle

Mar 29-31 Wondercon, Anaheim

May 23-26 Phoenix Comicon

July 18-21 Comic-Con International, San Diego

Sept 7-8 Baltimore Comic-Con

Oct 31-Nov 3 Lucca Comics & Games, Italy

Special SiP Art For Sale-The SIP Omnibus Beatle Faces

Did you know that this year, 2013, is the 20th Anniversary of  Strangers In Paradise? Yep. 20 years ago today I was plotting my twisted little story and wondering whether I should self-publish. I’ll get into that more later, but to kick off the year I want to offer something special to SiP fans— a chance to own some unique things I’ve held onto all this time. I’ll offer these special one-off’s one at a time as we move through the year. I hope you enjoy seeing them.

Today I’m offering this set of four portraits—Katchoo, Francine, David and Darcy—drawn exclusively for the SiP Omnibus box set that was released in very limited numbers in 2007. You may have seen this Beatlesque graphic on tshirts or online, and here is the original art. It comes as a set of four, you can’t break it up because these are designed to be shown as a group of four, whether framed individually or in one cleverly matted frame. Pen & ink on 9 X 12 inch strathmore art paper. Price is $1,000. It’s first come first server on this, as this is a unique one of a kind offering, but to be fair, I am waiting to post this until both sides of the Atlantic are awake. To purchase, contact the lovely Robyn at sipnet@strangersinparadise.com  Good luck!

Art For Sale: 4 pieces

Happy New Year! My New Years’ resolution is to stop working out.

I just completed Rachel Rising 14 and sent it to the printer. So, we’re looking at a release date in late January.

Going through the art folders now, I’ve found a couple of things that should go to a good home. I can’t keep ALL this stuff, even though I want to. But it’s dangerous to keep all my art in one place, in case disasters strike—and they do (many well known sad art fire/flood/hungry dog stories).

So, I have 4 pieces for you. If you see one you want, just email the lovely Robyn at sipnet@strangersinparadise.com

1. This is Katchoo on a monster. I’m pretty sure that’s a hair extension because, trust me, her hair isn’t really that long. (Sometimes I draw hair like McFarlane draws capes, aka for the fun of it) This piece was done for Babes & Monsters, a book of pinup art based on the title theme by the artists attending the upcoming Emerald City Comicon in Seattle, March 1-3. I’ll be there. Art is 9 X 12 inches, centered on 13 X 16 inch Strathmore art paper. Not your usual comic book vertical format, because the book will be more of a A5 size guess. Price: $1,000.  (THIS IS SOLD NOW)

2. This is a cover I drew for The Oz Wonderland Chronicles, a wonderful series by Ben Avery and Casey Heying, published by Buy Me Toys, featuring a fresh take on Dorothy, the wizard, the scarecrow and more from the world of Frank Baum.  Art is on official DC art paper, 11 X 17 inches, and quite striking in person. I like the layout on this one. Price lowered to $350.

3. This is a sketch I drew for the cover to Rachel Rising 16. It’s our favorite bass player Jet, buck naked, drawn on cheap copy paper, 8 1/2 X 11, and I filled it from corner to corner with the drawing. The unrefined tooth of the paper actually does nice things with the pencil lead, giving it a grain look that adds to the piece when you look at it in real life. There are always two aspects to art, how it reproduces and how it looks in person. Good art always looks better in person, I think. Probably an exception out there but it hurts my brain to think of one. Price on this is $250.  (THIS IS SOLD NOW)

4. The real deal… the final cover art for Rachel Rising 16. Drawn in pencil on my last page of official DC Vertigo art paper, 11 x 17. I guess this paper will be a collector’s item soon when Warner Bros changes it somehow. The end of an era.  As you can see, I modified the sketch idea, working with the background, turning the gaps in the smoke into windows to hell. For the marketplace Jet has to wear clothes, so I gave her a dress that, Robyn informs me, wouldn’t stay up. Bad Terry. I was listening to the soundtrack of The Ring when I drew this, so I added rings in the art. They resonate to something we should be afraid of. Yeah, I know, scary, right? Wow. Just keep telling yourself, “It’s just a drawing. It’s just a drawing.” Price on this, $1,000. (I know, that’s a lot of money, but I drew and erased my ass off on this one. The erasing alone is worth $200. Maybe $215.)  (THIS IS SOLD NOW)

note: the text TerryMooreArt.com is not on the art, that’s just to ID the image as it makes its way around the web.

2nd note: how weird to have more than 140 characters. See, blogs do have a purpose.

Rachel Rising 16 cover?

Maybe. It’s what I made for my Diamond solicitation for April 2013. Between now and then I may have a change of heart, or plan, or story. April is a long way off.

 

ECHO and SIP: Film Rights Available

In the spirit of the Open Information Act, I realized I should officially announce that the film/TV rights to Echo have come back to me. So the rights to Echo and Strangers In Paradise are both available. They would make a swell holiday present for that special filmmaking sweetie in your life.

SiP Print in color

Here’s a beautiful color rendition of the 2012 SDCC Strangers In Paradise print, with color by Manuel Clavel. He did this out of the goodness of his own heart. Enjoy.

1st look: Rachel Rising #15 cover art

Smoochie boochies.