Intermission — April 23 — Bigfoot Problems

There are some Bigfoot problems that hit harder than others — and for certain legendary figures, male pattern baldness anxiety isn’t just about looks… it’s about legacy. Today’s comic imagines what happens when one very famous cryptid starts wondering if his myth might not survive a receding hairline.


What I’m Watching: Invincible, JJK, and the Great Animation Trade-Off

I’ve been watching Invincible with my sons, and I’ve got… thoughts.

First off: the story? Very, very good. Genuinely compelling stuff — even though the violence and gore is way past my personal comfort range. I'm not super comfortable with one character shooting another. The stuff that happens on a median-level episode of Invincible is a real challenge for me.

As someone who does NSFW comics, I'm constantly amazed at how perfectly acceptable Invincible is... yet an animated series based on Phil Foglio's XXXenophile would have people losing their ever-loving minds.

Further, it's a little disappointing to go from watching Jujutsu Kaisen (which we're also following at the moment) to watching Invincible.

JJK features jaw-dropping visuals and animation that constantly raises the bar episode after episode. It's phenomenal.

On the other side of the spectrum, Invincible clearly put all of its budget into getting celebrity voice talent. Some of them are very good.

I just wish a few of those Amazon dollars had been spent on the animation. Some of the scenes are pretty clearly PNGs that get enlarged to show an object moving through space, and it's a goddamned embarrassment.

But the story itself is very, very good.

Philadelphia Comic Con

Wizard-World-Philly-LogoIt’s hard to believe, but the kids are almost out of school and Philadelphia Comic Con is just around the corner! It kicks off Thursday, June 19, and goes through Sunday, June 22. That’s the weekend after this one! As you may have noticed, I’ve cut waaaaay back on my convention appearances. Aside from Emerald City Comicon in Seattle and (possibly) Baltimore Comic Con, this is the only convention I have on my schedule at this point. If you’re coming out to the show, here’s how you can find me. I’ll be directly across from one of my all-time heroes, Neal Adams! WizWorld_Phila_map_2014_detail The good news is that I’ve got a ton of great stuff lined up for that weekend — books, panels, consultation opportunities, and more!

Books

Webcomics_Handbook_GumroadUnfortunately, the eighth Evil Inc graphic novel will not be available in time for the show (in fact, the Kickstarter to fund the book will be wrapping up right around the start of the convention). However, this is a great chance to pick up my new tutorial, The Webcomics Handbook. In fact, you can get your hands on one of the limited-edition hardcovers that aren’t available in stores or online. Either way, it’s a great opportunity to pick up a book that covers webcomics — art, business and beyond — from the top down. And, of course, if you don’t have the earlier Evil Inc graphic novels, this is a good time to pick them up, have me sign ’em and do a personalized sketch for you. I’ll also have copies of some of my other books there — like Phables, a collection of comics about everyday life in Philadelphia.

Original Art

I’ll have a bunch of Evil Inc originals on hand as well. If you have a favorite strip, please drop me a line and let me know so I can have it available for you to look at. These originals are done with black archival ink on heavy bristol board, and the blue pencil sketch is still visible under the final art. They really do look good when people mat-and-frame them. Many an outhouse wall have been significantly spruced, I’m telling ya.

Commissions

If you’ve seen me at conventions, you know the deal. You can get on my commission list at the show and I’ll do a personalized piece of art just for you. $20 for a single figure (little or no background), and $40 for a completed piece. However, if you buy a book, I’ll do a headshot sketch inside the book at no charge whatsoever.

Comics Consultation

As I’ve done in the past, I’ll take a small number of scheduled consultation sessions. This is similar to the Skype sessions that I offer. In fact, I’ll have you use the very same online form to pay for and schedule the session. You will receive a complimentary copy of The Webcomics Handbook (the limited-edition hardcover that sells for $50) when you show up for your consultation. Once you’ve signed up, I’ll get in touch and we’ll schedule the best time for you to come over for your one-on-one consultation. I usually host these sessions at my booth — since we’ll have a little elbow room there — but I’m more than happy to accommodate any special requests you might have. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Panels

I’ll be hosting three tremendous panels during the convention. Webcomics Roundtable Friday, June 20 5:30-6:15PM Room 109 The world of webcomics has undergone its biggest upheaval since its inception. From the new ComiXology app to Net Neutrality, from Kickstarter to Patreon, there’s an awful lot to keep track of. Webcomics veteran Brad Guigar gathers a roundtable of webcomics notables to talk about these questions and much much more! Webcomics 101 Saturday,June 21 1:30-2:15PM Room 105 Wanna start a webcomic? Sure. We all do. But where to start. Brad Guigar, author of “The Webcomics Handbook,” — the popular sequel to “How To Make Webcomics” — takes you on a step-by-step tutorial of setting up a site, using social media for promotion, and making money from your work. Patreon Primer Sunday, June 22 3:00-3:45PM Room 109 Patreon has become the most significant force in comics crowdfunding since Kickstarter. Webcomics veteran Brad Guigar leads a guide to using Patreon successfully to fund your comics business.