Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Forward
I haven't posted on this blog in awhile. No time, really. I'm only signing back on to this blog to say that I recently have rebuilt and simplified my website, www.torcpress.com. There's a new Online Store with my new comic "7 Worlds" as well as a new Blog. I've always found it's about impossible to run two blogs, so I'm officially shutting this blog down and moving all operations to the Main Site and the New Blog. Trying to streamline a little.
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Mr. Chaos
I've had this Quixote Coyote strip ready for a few days, but things have been crazy, so I only really got around to posting this one this evening. The bright side is that I really like this one, unlike the previous one which was kinda bleh. Anyway, Quixote Time...
Other than that, I'm currently in a state of Creative Flux. As usual, just as I'm getting ramped up to do something, something else pops up. It's freaking annoying. Anyway, we'll see how things go.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Inverted Pac-Man
I think Mondays are gonna be Movie Nights now (Woo-Hoo!). So, didn't get much done last night. But I got a few moments today, so I hit the board for a bit and got a Quixote Coyote strip done. Not particularly funny, but it's alright. Anyway...
Sunday, May 15, 2016
The Return of the Man from Nowhere
Welp, lessee... I got Married to my Darlin Mei, we bought a house, moved into the house, and became commuters, all in the space of a month. Crazy. Anyway, it's time to get back to work (and no, I don't mean the Sawmill. I've been back to work there for awhile. Groan). So, it's time for the return of Quixote Coyote!
Since it's been awhile, and this has been a very long storyline, allow me to recap. Quixote Coyote is an adventurous Coyote. After his Great Uncle died, Quixote inherited a big old mansion. Two caveats: 1) Quixote has to spend three nights in the Mansion, and 2) The Mansion is Haunted. It's Night Three in the Mansion, and things have gotten complicated. Quixote's arch-rival Waldo Wolf and his Pack are planning on invading the Mansion and pummeling Quixote. Waldo's sister Wanda (who might have a bit of a crush on Quixote) is aware of this attempted pummeling, and she has convinced Quixote's best friends, Sancho and Panda, to re-enter the Mansion with her in order to warn Quixote of the impending danger and, perhaps, even the odds.
Welp, here we go...
Ahhhhhh, good to be back.
Since it's been awhile, and this has been a very long storyline, allow me to recap. Quixote Coyote is an adventurous Coyote. After his Great Uncle died, Quixote inherited a big old mansion. Two caveats: 1) Quixote has to spend three nights in the Mansion, and 2) The Mansion is Haunted. It's Night Three in the Mansion, and things have gotten complicated. Quixote's arch-rival Waldo Wolf and his Pack are planning on invading the Mansion and pummeling Quixote. Waldo's sister Wanda (who might have a bit of a crush on Quixote) is aware of this attempted pummeling, and she has convinced Quixote's best friends, Sancho and Panda, to re-enter the Mansion with her in order to warn Quixote of the impending danger and, perhaps, even the odds.
Welp, here we go...
Ahhhhhh, good to be back.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Quixote and Conventions
Here's a Random Quixote Coyote strip:
Welp, things are gonna be crazy for awhile. I had this strip worked up earlier in the week, but I've been on pins and needles making phone calls and moving puzzle pieces, so I've been a little distracted. I'll be doing some work here and there until the end of March, and then TORC Press will be on break for... well, pretty much the whole month of April. I will be at SPACE, but that will be about it for awhile.
Speaking of SPACE, here's my Convention Schedule for the remainder of the year. I'm mostly sticking to smaller, local shows where the tables are inexpensive or, in some cases, free. Anyway, here's the rundown:
SPACE-- April 9-19-- Columbus, OH-- The Small Press Alternative Comics Expo is my favorite show of the year. It's pure comics, which means I don't gotta bring around my crappy Sell-Out Portfolio. Instead, I can push my comics that I love, and people will actually be receptive to them. I love that. Totally worth the six hour drive.
Free Comic Book Day at Comic Quest-- May 7-- Evansville, IN-- The Best Darn Comic Shop on the Planet hosts the Best Darn Free Comic Book Day on the Planet as well. It's a great show, and I always have a great time. As an added bonus, the people are surprisingly receptive to Small Press Comics (although I'll be bringing my crappy Sell-Out Portfolio with me). If you are within driving distance, this show couldn't be more recommended.
CIL-Con-- August 19-21-- Mattoon, IL-- So, in theory, by the time this show happens, I will actually be living in Mattoon, so this show will actually be in my backyard. After years of driving at least 2 hours (or more) to every single show I go to, it will be very cool to just travel across town to work a show. Very cool indeed. Anyway, this will be a bit of an interesting show, because it's a Paranormal Convention, as well as a Pop Culture/Comic Con. So that's interesting. I'll be curious to see how things turn out. I'll need to beef up the crappy Sell-Out Portfolio for this one (Groan), probably add some (Groan) Batman or Spiderman or whatever. It would really cool if there's a market for Small Press Comics at this show, but better safe than sorry.
Crawford County Comicon-- September 24-- Robinson, IL-- My friend and comics-comrade-in-arms, Micheal Kassinger is hosting this show, which is not too far from me. There was a similar Con last year that was a pretty decent little show, so this should be fun. I will definitely need some decent prints in the crappy Sell-Out Portfolio for this show though. Art definitely sells better than Small Press Comics at this show.
NobleCon-- October 14-16-- Ironically, this show used to be in my backyard, but after I move it will be an hour away. Ha! Anyway, my good friends Deb and Dan Longoria are putting on a show in Noble, IL of all places. I think it will be a very Gaming heavy show, so that will be a bit different. I'm looking forward to it, as I may try a few different things at the show. I figure this show will definitely require me to have my Prints on Point.
Anyway, that's the schedule for the rest of my year as of now.
Welp, things are gonna be crazy for awhile. I had this strip worked up earlier in the week, but I've been on pins and needles making phone calls and moving puzzle pieces, so I've been a little distracted. I'll be doing some work here and there until the end of March, and then TORC Press will be on break for... well, pretty much the whole month of April. I will be at SPACE, but that will be about it for awhile.
Speaking of SPACE, here's my Convention Schedule for the remainder of the year. I'm mostly sticking to smaller, local shows where the tables are inexpensive or, in some cases, free. Anyway, here's the rundown:
SPACE-- April 9-19-- Columbus, OH-- The Small Press Alternative Comics Expo is my favorite show of the year. It's pure comics, which means I don't gotta bring around my crappy Sell-Out Portfolio. Instead, I can push my comics that I love, and people will actually be receptive to them. I love that. Totally worth the six hour drive.
Free Comic Book Day at Comic Quest-- May 7-- Evansville, IN-- The Best Darn Comic Shop on the Planet hosts the Best Darn Free Comic Book Day on the Planet as well. It's a great show, and I always have a great time. As an added bonus, the people are surprisingly receptive to Small Press Comics (although I'll be bringing my crappy Sell-Out Portfolio with me). If you are within driving distance, this show couldn't be more recommended.
CIL-Con-- August 19-21-- Mattoon, IL-- So, in theory, by the time this show happens, I will actually be living in Mattoon, so this show will actually be in my backyard. After years of driving at least 2 hours (or more) to every single show I go to, it will be very cool to just travel across town to work a show. Very cool indeed. Anyway, this will be a bit of an interesting show, because it's a Paranormal Convention, as well as a Pop Culture/Comic Con. So that's interesting. I'll be curious to see how things turn out. I'll need to beef up the crappy Sell-Out Portfolio for this one (Groan), probably add some (Groan) Batman or Spiderman or whatever. It would really cool if there's a market for Small Press Comics at this show, but better safe than sorry.
Crawford County Comicon-- September 24-- Robinson, IL-- My friend and comics-comrade-in-arms, Micheal Kassinger is hosting this show, which is not too far from me. There was a similar Con last year that was a pretty decent little show, so this should be fun. I will definitely need some decent prints in the crappy Sell-Out Portfolio for this show though. Art definitely sells better than Small Press Comics at this show.
NobleCon-- October 14-16-- Ironically, this show used to be in my backyard, but after I move it will be an hour away. Ha! Anyway, my good friends Deb and Dan Longoria are putting on a show in Noble, IL of all places. I think it will be a very Gaming heavy show, so that will be a bit different. I'm looking forward to it, as I may try a few different things at the show. I figure this show will definitely require me to have my Prints on Point.
Anyway, that's the schedule for the rest of my year as of now.
Friday, March 11, 2016
DOLPHINWORLD!!!
So, we got dark this morning, and that made me uncomfortable, because I don't really do dark anymore. But it's Seven Worlds Week, and my dark side had to come out, so there's that. And it's time to wrap up Seven Worlds Week, so let's bring out the Brightest, Shiniest, Dumbest, Most Pointless, Most Awesomest World of them all. I know you've all been waiting for this, and so I give you the Unrepentant StupiAwesomeness that is
DOLPHINWOOOOOOOORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ahhhhh! That felt good. There's a monkey with a tornado coming out of its head. That's so nice.
Anyway, the concept behind Ultra Dolphin World is that video games used to be so weird. I mean, all of those old games were so trippy, y'know? Why were ghosts chasing Pac-Man? Why did Pac-Man have to eat those dots? What the heck was going on with the Mushroom Kingdom, and why were two Plumbers the only people who could save the day? They were all so weird and colorful and full of character. The graphics may have been primitive, and the difficulty level may have been borderline impossible, but the sheer amount of inherent possibility in those old 8 Bit Games was amazing.
Anyway, anyway, the idea is that, way back in the 80s, there was a bizarre video game no one remembers called "Ultra Dolphin Bros". TORC Press, desperate for readership and realizing the appeal of licensed properties, purchases the Comic Book Rights to this game that makes absolutely no sense. The higher ups at TORC Press then forced Joseph Morris to try to cobble together a comic about this video game. And so we have Walking, Talking Dophins and Monkeys with Clouds on their Heads. Oh it's so stupid. Oh it's so wonderful.
Anyway, things are getting absolutely crazy, and I need to get ready for SPACE in a few weeks, so I probably won't post a lot next week. If I get a chance, I'll hopefully drop a couple of Quixote Coyote strips. I really enjoyed Seven Worlds Week. It was a lot of fun.
DOLPHINWOOOOOOOORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ahhhhh! That felt good. There's a monkey with a tornado coming out of its head. That's so nice.
Anyway, the concept behind Ultra Dolphin World is that video games used to be so weird. I mean, all of those old games were so trippy, y'know? Why were ghosts chasing Pac-Man? Why did Pac-Man have to eat those dots? What the heck was going on with the Mushroom Kingdom, and why were two Plumbers the only people who could save the day? They were all so weird and colorful and full of character. The graphics may have been primitive, and the difficulty level may have been borderline impossible, but the sheer amount of inherent possibility in those old 8 Bit Games was amazing.
Anyway, anyway, the idea is that, way back in the 80s, there was a bizarre video game no one remembers called "Ultra Dolphin Bros". TORC Press, desperate for readership and realizing the appeal of licensed properties, purchases the Comic Book Rights to this game that makes absolutely no sense. The higher ups at TORC Press then forced Joseph Morris to try to cobble together a comic about this video game. And so we have Walking, Talking Dophins and Monkeys with Clouds on their Heads. Oh it's so stupid. Oh it's so wonderful.
Anyway, things are getting absolutely crazy, and I need to get ready for SPACE in a few weeks, so I probably won't post a lot next week. If I get a chance, I'll hopefully drop a couple of Quixote Coyote strips. I really enjoyed Seven Worlds Week. It was a lot of fun.
BrokenWorld
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Today, we enter the 6th World in our Seven Worlds Week tour, and, unsurprisingly, it is the world of darkness and horror. The title "Pulp Horrorshow" has always served as either my testing ground for new concepts or for when I wanted to get down and dirty and dark again. In this case, it's somewhat both. For months now I've been trying to write a Horror story, but it's not been easy for me. Monsters, Violence, and (until the last few years) Gore have always been a staple of TORC Press, but I've always written stories about the battle of Good vs. Evil, with Good usually achieving a hard-fought victory in the end. But Horror, True Horror, typically doesn't work like that. Not only does Good rarely triumph, but even if it does, the victory is usually hollow and short-lived. Sure, you killed Jason, but he'll be back, and he'll probably kill you in the sequel, y'know? More often than not, Horror is about the inescapable inevitability of Death, and the Fear associated therein. That's why the Purge has quickly become such a Cult Classic Film series, because it introduces such a terrifying concept, in that for 24 Hours everyone could, potentially, be out to kill you. From your coworkers that secret hate you, to that neighbor that can't stand the way you take care of your lawn, to that person you accidentally cut in front of at the grocery store, suddenly everyone could become a Grim Reaper hungry for your blood.
I haven't really tapped into my inner darkness for awhile, either. Not since the two issue "Death Moth" solo series where I (pardon the pun) attempted to Purge every last Toxic, disgusting, deranged, horrifying concept from my mind and put it all on paper, creating the single most disturbing, radioactive, unreadable comic in the history of the Universe (I made sure I was on a very solid footing relationship-wise with Mei before I showed her that particular comic). I haven't really sunk to those depths in awhile, so finding a decent Horror story was hard for me. Luckily, I also recently watched the absolutely brilliant TV series "Hannibal", which gave some concepts and visuals, and started the ball rolling on ideas for a new Horror series. The concept I ultimately came up with serves as something of a compromise. In BrokenWorld (World #6), things are much like they are in our world, but the walls between reality are thin, and horrible things are starting to seep in. People are being slowly driven mad, and there a group of Monsters/Spirits that feed on those that have fallen prey to their inner darkness.
Anyway, I've only got one page done, but here's a page from "Pulp Horrorshow" Volume 5 set in BrokenWorld. I apologize in advance.
Creepy, right? It creeped me out a little just drawing it. Anyway, if you want to know what one of those shadowy figures looks like, here's a drawing I did of him last week. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the Bandersnatch.
Anyway, one more world to go, and thankfully, it is quite literally the Polar Opposite of this one.
Today, we enter the 6th World in our Seven Worlds Week tour, and, unsurprisingly, it is the world of darkness and horror. The title "Pulp Horrorshow" has always served as either my testing ground for new concepts or for when I wanted to get down and dirty and dark again. In this case, it's somewhat both. For months now I've been trying to write a Horror story, but it's not been easy for me. Monsters, Violence, and (until the last few years) Gore have always been a staple of TORC Press, but I've always written stories about the battle of Good vs. Evil, with Good usually achieving a hard-fought victory in the end. But Horror, True Horror, typically doesn't work like that. Not only does Good rarely triumph, but even if it does, the victory is usually hollow and short-lived. Sure, you killed Jason, but he'll be back, and he'll probably kill you in the sequel, y'know? More often than not, Horror is about the inescapable inevitability of Death, and the Fear associated therein. That's why the Purge has quickly become such a Cult Classic Film series, because it introduces such a terrifying concept, in that for 24 Hours everyone could, potentially, be out to kill you. From your coworkers that secret hate you, to that neighbor that can't stand the way you take care of your lawn, to that person you accidentally cut in front of at the grocery store, suddenly everyone could become a Grim Reaper hungry for your blood.
I haven't really tapped into my inner darkness for awhile, either. Not since the two issue "Death Moth" solo series where I (pardon the pun) attempted to Purge every last Toxic, disgusting, deranged, horrifying concept from my mind and put it all on paper, creating the single most disturbing, radioactive, unreadable comic in the history of the Universe (I made sure I was on a very solid footing relationship-wise with Mei before I showed her that particular comic). I haven't really sunk to those depths in awhile, so finding a decent Horror story was hard for me. Luckily, I also recently watched the absolutely brilliant TV series "Hannibal", which gave some concepts and visuals, and started the ball rolling on ideas for a new Horror series. The concept I ultimately came up with serves as something of a compromise. In BrokenWorld (World #6), things are much like they are in our world, but the walls between reality are thin, and horrible things are starting to seep in. People are being slowly driven mad, and there a group of Monsters/Spirits that feed on those that have fallen prey to their inner darkness.
Anyway, I've only got one page done, but here's a page from "Pulp Horrorshow" Volume 5 set in BrokenWorld. I apologize in advance.
Creepy, right? It creeped me out a little just drawing it. Anyway, if you want to know what one of those shadowy figures looks like, here's a drawing I did of him last week. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the Bandersnatch.
Anyway, one more world to go, and thankfully, it is quite literally the Polar Opposite of this one.
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