HUH!

Huh, the cosmic polar bear introduced in issue 8.

Obsession

I try not to go on about this, when you are writing a comic book that is supposed to be funny you try to keep it light.  But the reason I self publish my comic is really that I can not stop.  It has been such an integral part of my life, putting these stories together, creating characters, and drawing and sketching these ideas that I can't stop doing it.  That doesn't sound so bad, having comic book stories stuck in your head all the time.  It probably doesn't help me be a productive adult (my apologies to my wife Wendy) and it can be very discouraging.

The fundamental difference with me and someone who is not obsessed with creating comics is simple, they get more relaxing daydreams while I keep thinking about what should happen next and what I should be working on.  But there is a more subtle difference as well that I forget a lot.

No one else takes this seriously. I obsess over this and always try to come up with stories, or ways to try and get people to check out my stories (try to, I need help with that part), but for everyone else it is unimportant.They go on with no thought for it and don't even remember it (friends, family, random aquaintences, whoever).  The perspective is so different.  For me this is vital, but for them it is trivial.

So, not to be ill tempered about it (it just is what it is), I have to try and keep it in perspective.  So I try not to talk about it as much as I think about it, and I try to give them a break and not expect them to be interested if they're not.

Sometimes it feels so crowded in my head, but sometimes it is very lonely.

Issue 9

Issue 9 is officially ordered through Ka-Blam (my printer, a great company to work with).  Hopefully, it will not have any problems.  It will be here well in time for the next show I am doing, which looks to be April (Yikes).

Now that it is complete I am moving on to concentrate on a few other projects before I go on to issue 10; a new issue of Dyslexic Cosmic, a one shot story, and a print idea I am almost finished with.  I hope to have all of those complete by Heroescon, but the one shot will be a challenge (more on that later).

I hope to have the chance to get my comics out there this year, but shows are looking few and far between.  I need to come up with a new my way to get the word out.

Deadline

Issue 9 is complete and ready to upload.  I am waiting to have Wendy double check me on this (always a good idea), and we will upload it tonight.  I am very happy with the issue (I am a bit bummed in general, but happy with the issue).

So far I do not have many shows for this year.  I will miss the next Roanoke show in March, and there are 2 in Richmond that I can't do because of work (that happens a lot, getting old).  I have a spot for a booth in Heroescon, so I won't be hidden by the back wall, this is a big gamble but hopefully I will reach more potential readers that way.

With issue 9 under the belt I will now move on to the next project on the list, more on that later.

One of the cool things about 9 is that I am using some art from a long time ago to tell the story of Huh.  These have been in the works for a very long time and I am using some art from 1996.  It is quite a bit different that my recent stuff, so I hope you like it.

Something a little different than comics

I am home, and with a deep breath it begins.

My days are numbered, but still I have been wishing the last five of them away.

The first thing is to remove my name tag.                                                                                                                         For two days only those who know me will have access to my name.

Next off are the clothes, I can now wear what I like and I do not like these.

Even the socks must go, down to the fuzzy remains between my toes.                                                                         I erase all evidence of my time there.

From here I see endless possibilities and potential.                                                                                                                   Sleeping late, watching movies, and a hundred other things I won’t get around to doing.

I live for two days, foolishly wishing that two days could last as long as five.                                                                        But they pass, relentlessly and mercilessly taking me back to putting on those clothes, socks, and nametag.

Then I go back, and with a long deep breath it ends.

 

Friday

By Brian Wingrove

Here is an early version of issue #9's cover.  Still working on it (mostly the background color).  Wanted to put it out there.  I am very close sending this issue to the printer.

Progress

I have finished inking the last page of issue 9, and started on the cover, so I am well underway of making my goal by completing this issue and having it ordered by the end of the month.  The first weekend of the children's production I have been directing "Schoolhouse Rock Live Too" has gone by and done very well.  That is both rewarding, for seeing the kids do a great job, and a relief that this long process is nearing its end next week.  However, this play has been a wonderful experience, I used to be the Technical Director for that program for 6 1/2 years and I miss the kids, and it is a great creative outlet that I have missed.  It gave me something to look forward to to get me through work (which is not great, but this is not a blog about that).  But when it is done I will put that time into Issue 9, the second Dyslexic Cosmic issue, and a third project I've written and will begin the artwork as soon as I can.  Not to mention a print idea or two.

Hopefully all of those will be done by Heroescon in June.  If everything works out as it appears to be I WILL be set up again this year.  I missed last year because of work (Grrr) but Bear Butt Comics should be back bigger and better this time.  Its a lot but I have put off a lot and feel the need to get back full swing.

And the obsession continues.