A Hundred Thoughts at Once

Hello friends!

I don't get much of a chance to write blogs as much as I used to. Just have been in heavy production with the new KICKSTARTER FOR STARSLAM BOOK 4 and commissions. Also my PATREON PAGE. Plus day job taking up lots of time. It is necessary though. I've just been busy. Looking forward to a vacation we will be taking to Lake Michigan in September for a couple nights of camping. To get away from it all is very much desired. I'm looking forward to some peace and quiet and nature surrounding me. Just disconnect and get away from it all. That is what I need!

My mind is so busy lately. So much going on. So many things that attempt to bring me down. I got a new sketchbook yesterday and it exploded into some sketches, writings and single panel comics all in one day. I've done this sort of thing since high school. I write poems, do quick sketches, to do lists and other various notes and ideas I hope to one day get to. I think I have about twelve fully loaded sketchbooks full of things. Maybe someday my kids will read them. But I've wrote some DARK shit in those. I hope they don't think I was a massive depressive person all my life! Usually my sketchbooks are for therapy. I get out the crap I am feeling. Seems like something new is always around the corner to come along and try to fuck me up. But that's life, isn't it?

Things are okay. My bills are paid. My Kickstarter is off to a good start. I'm pretty sure things will keep rolling and it will get funded. Its slowly trickling together. I'm damn proud of it. My colorist is working extra hard to get things rolling with me and he's kicking so much ass. I have some friends doing pinups and fan art for the book and beyond. Its incredible to see! I'm truly blessed in these things.

This week, this album turns 25 years old:

This is an album in my top 10 of all time. I got turned onto it by my friend Tim, to whom I am forever grateful for that. It took me a while to fully listen to it beyond a casual listen. I pulled it out while I was in some down times back in 2015. I call it the "soundtrack to my divorce" album. It was my therapy. It helped me fall in love again. I owe a lot to this album. I became a total Jeff Buckley fan, chasing down every live CD/DVD, his demos of his unreleased second album. I have all the Record Store Day releases too. Just a month ago I found the LEGACY edition with the extra disc and DVD full of videos and documentaries. Jeff was that soul of a poet whose life was taken from us way too soon. But man, what an album to leave behind. So fucking great.

Currently also I have been listening to this:

I saw the movie in the theaters a couple weeks ago and I absolutely loved it. My favorite of the year so far. The soundtrack comes complete with radio ramp ups and commercials. You toss it on and its like you are cruising around in 1969. I know people are trying to assign a certain agenda and crap to Tarantino now, but I think the man is just wonderful. He is my favorite modern director out there. I love all of his films. My favorites being Kill Bill and Jackie Brown. Just fucking awesome.

I don't get out to the comic shop much but I am absolutely loving the new YEAR FIVE Star Trek series from IDW. The art and writing on it are top fucking notch. I think I practically own every single STAR TREK comic that is out there. These new ones are greatness. Total wood.

And I am still diving through STAR TREK DISCOVERY, despite my initial reaction to it. I am almost done with the first season. As a show, I like it. As a STAR TREK show, I don't. But I do watch it. I like most of the characters. I just try to not pay attention that it is a Star Trek prequel and just think its an alternate timeline. Much like I think STAR TREK PICARD will be. But hey, at least I am getting new Star Trek. I'll take it.

So many cool things are coming. A BREAKING BAD movie, THE MANDALORIAN, STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER, GHOSTBUSTERS REMASTERED for PS4, LINKS AWAKENING and DRAGON QUEST 11 for Switch... I'm just bursting. Good shit is on the way! I can't wait.

I got big things coming up. I got this current Kickstarter that is running. Then Fantasticon Mt. Pleasant in October. A nice vacation in September and of course HALLOWEEN SEASON all the fall! Greatness just around the corner. For now, I just gotta clean house, keep drawing and enjoy the ride. Keep that depression and the toxic people at bay. I'm doing a good job of it so far. But man sometimes it is so hard.

I'm trying, folks. I really am.

Cheers, T

Starslam 3 Pages and Random Updates/Thoughts/Schemes

Hey friends! A blog of pure randomness, plus new STARSLAM 3 pages for you to see! First, here is the kitten we decided to keep. I have named him "Sebastian." Fear him, for he rules the night!

I'll tell you, having a batch of kittens around is a joy but also a pain in the ass sometimes. Mommy cat keeps howling while we are sleeping and her kittens are starting to wander around. Empty nest syndrome or something? I have no idea. Another few weeks and the other two cats will go to new homes. I'm sure I'll miss them, but I also like the idea of things returning to a bit of normal around here.

I've been watching the new MST3K on Netflix. So far, its pretty good. Nothing will ever compare to the original Joel episodes for me, but that is okay. There's enough there to keep me interested and they do callbacks to the old shows quite a lot. I'm about halfway through the episodes now. After that, I'm gonna try to tackle Better Call Saul. Speaking of which, Kitty D is hip deep into some Breaking Bad now herself. We watched a bunch of episodes last night after work. So good!

Caleb's tree at work is in full bloom for the spring! Check it out:

CALEB LIVES!

This Carpal Tunnel thing is a distraction to be sure, but I am dealing with it. I'm doing daily exercises and at work I wear a brace for pressure points. My colorist Andy graciously sent me some ice spray to try out. I need to get a hand brace to wear at night when I sleep. Life adjusts. I'm determined to not let this thing slow me down. I got writing and drawing to do. And I'll go down with the ship if I have to!

For those who participated in the TALES FROM THE GORE Kickstarter: All the books on my end are mailed out and done. The only ones left to ship are the Olya Stevens related sketched books and the commissions. Its hard to get together with a gal who lives 30 minutes out of town and has a ton of things going on (as do I!). But rest assured we will and all the mailers will go out within the next couple weeks with her books. Thanks for your patience. I'm damn proud of the book.

I got a couple messages asking if I will be back at Summit for Free Comic Book Day. Unfortunately, I will not be doing anything for Free Comic Book Day as I will have my kids that weekend. That is okay, because I don't have anything to sell beyond books as it is. I will try to get an appearance rolling next year. But if you are in the Lansing area, check out Summit Comics in downtown anyway as they will have a great guest lineup, prizes and hey, FREE COMICS! Great for the kids and their reading, ya dig?

While I'm talking about comics, I wanted to briefly mention that I am still busy working on Pleasant Life 2 and comics for the Patreon! Right now I got about 60 pages done for Pleasant Life 2 and three new stories done for the Patreon... as well as all the old content I already have created for it. I hope to launch that Patreon sometime soon... this summer! In addition to comics, it will have a new BLOG there as well as an exclusive PODCAST. You only get this content if you are a paying subscriber. Trust me, I think the content will be well worth it for you to dig into. Tons of erotica and a bold new step into that direction, full on. For now, that's enough teasing....

Okay, by the blog's title I promised you some new STARSLAM 3 pages and so here they are! Obviously I cannot show you any pages with T&A as this blog is visually PG-13 for the most part. But rest assured there are PLENTY of naughty pages done so far for the book. As for our progress we got 48 pages completely done and in the can. There are 16 more floating around in various stages of pencils and inks. Wednesdays are my main drawing days on the book and so I hope to push a new batch out tomorrow. But for now, here are these new ones for your viewing pleasure:

Candid photographs!

Doc Nelson and Bear Girl have a special journey of their own in the new book!

Um, we're gonna need a bigger boat!

Updating the team's image!

I got a plan in my head as to when you will see this book complete. I'll be working all summer on it to get it done. With Starslam 3 and the upcoming Patreon stuff, you'll be seeing a lot of my erotica comics headed your way!

Thanks for reading...

--T

A Couple of Reviews...

Its been a while since I've actually reviewed anything here, but some big stuff came this week in the mail and on TV so I thought I'd chime in on it.

First up, we've got a new making STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES (TOS) book called "These are the Voyages." Now some of you know by now that I am a massive Trek fan and am unbeatable in TOS trivia and factoids. I've read every autobiography, making of book, read all commentaries and everything possible on the making of the original series. Its hard to get a fact past me. But every now and then, something comes up that really gets me and teaches me things I didn't know. And this book is just that. Not only does it collect the best bits from other books about the making of the original Trek series, but gives us new, unheard information. This literally tells us every behind the scenes detail about the writing of each script, things that changed, what day things were shot and where, what the actors remember from the shoot and during what day, how sets were built, each episode's budget, deleted scenes or aborted concepts, never before published photos of outtakes and making ofs and so much more. And it isn't afraid to tell us more of the "seedy" details about TOS Trek and its makers. If I had one complaint, its that the pics aren't in color. But I know the cost of printing books and it probably wasn't in the cards. But still, thats a very minor point.

This is the end all, be all, best "making of" book I have ever read. I'm only halfway through right now but take it from an expert: THIS IS THE REAL DEAL! If you are into the details of behind the scenes of the making of an iconic series, I highly recommend this book. And the best part is, this only covers the first season. There are two more books coming!! Order yours now via Amazon right HERE. Kudos to the writers of this book and a hearty thank you from the hardcore fans for assembling all this juicy info into one big book. (with two more on the way)

Lastly, there was the "BREAKING BAD" finale this past Sunday. Now, I'll stay spoiler free, so no worries. Overall, I would say that I was very satisfied with it. There were parts I didn't see coming and excited me with their awesomeness, and then parts I sort of figured would happen. Some things that happened that just make sense when you see how everything fell together toward the end of this show's run. I am excited to pour back over the series to see anything I have missed. I have been holding off until either the wife wants to give it a chance or I get the big complete series box set thingie. Either way, I will revisit this great series again. I only aspire to write a story this good. Thanks to everyone involved with the making of this show. Hell of a ride, hell of a vision.

T

Say My Name....

Hey folks. Celebrating tomorrow's festivities a bit early. My fav. TV show that is currently running is "BREAKING BAD." And for those that don't know, the "meth" they cook on the show is actually rock candy, with blue food coloring. So its become quite popular to make your own home brewed batch. I thought I'd give it a try.

My first try today I didn't cook for long enough. The whole thing is tricky. Cook it too much and it turns yellow, meaning when you add the blue coloring to it, it turns green. (Kryptonite!) And too little turns it all soggy and not hard, like you want it. There's a "just right" formula you have to follow. I got mine right HERE. So you can try your own cook. Just keep the Jessies of the world (those who like to sample the goodies) away from your product. It eats into your profits!

Anyway, my second cook turned out great! I got two baggies worth and I'll be snacking on them tonight and tomorrow during the show.

 

While researching other recipies, I came across this cool looking cake! I want that for my next bday!!

I will miss the show a lot. In a way, I am glad its ending cause I know its really going to deliver. But I'm also sad that its going to be gone. It really is a great show. Some of the best tv writing I've ever seen. I hope to soon one day go to the filming locations from the show. I am that big of a fan.

Oh well. Walking Dead returns in a month. Not NEARLY as great a show, but it will pass the time. :) But for now, bon voyage Heisenberg. I hope the ride ends as memorable as it will in my head.

(On an unrelated note, I've noticed a definite spike in hits to the site here. I appreciate everyone coming by and reading up on my stuff! Much love to you. Keep checking back. HUGE things cooking!)

Cheers, T

BREAKING BAD CONTEST!!!!

Hey folks, lets celebrate the final week of my fav. show currently on TV and my 20 year anniversary in comics with a special promotion/contest!

What I'm cooking up is this: You have from this moment till next Sunday night, Sept 29th at 11:59pm Eastern. If you PREORDER MY ARTBOOK this week before that time, I will include a custom made "BREAKING BAD" 8x11 full color commission! This is for this week only. Starting right at this moment, until next week Sunday, the 29th at 11:59pm Eastern.  All you gotta do is click the above link and pre-order my artbook. And you get the book shipped to your home with a free sketch inside, free shipping, AND a FREE "BREAKING BAD" related commission for no additional charge! Customized with whatever character you want, doing whatever you want. Want Gus vs. Walt? Want to see Walt and Jesse cooking the RV? A sexy pose with Skylar and Ted? Whatever you want, I'll draw it. And it comes with your awesome ARTBOOK that you pre-order from me!

The book itself is done at headed to the printer this week. So the book itself will ship either late October/Early November, whenver I get it back from the printer. But this is the best deal around. $25 gets you the book, sketch inside, free shipping and a free customized Breaking Bad related commission all in one package deal. (8x11 is limited to 1-4 characters, on bristol with inks and copic markers, with background if desired. I am pretty open to anything you would want done, just EMAIL ME and ask if you have any questions about it!)

Simply CLICK HERE to preorder and you are in on this deal. ACT FAST!!!! Deal ends the night of the finale. But get your order in quickly so  I can start on your customized Breaking Bad commission now and you can get your book quicker when it comes!

"I am the one who knocks."

Luvs, T