Apocalyptic Mind Debris

Oh man does this look good or what????

Welcome back my friends.

This is literally the only moment I've had the opportunity to sit at my desk since this time last week. Had the boys over the weekend and every day beyond that has been overtime at the day job or just been too damn busy to get things rolling, creatively or otherwise. So that is why you haven't heard anything about my new book's Kickstarter (that I teased two posts ago). But rest assured it is coming. I got a few last things to do... some pinups to draw and color that I want to include in the book but I want to make sure its 100% in the bag before I start trying to sell it. So maybe another week or two at the most. I do have some commissions to finish from the previous sale I did and I got another one this week from a longtime trusted client I always do work for, even when I am not taking any work.

So I really haven't had much opportunity to get work done. But this weekend coming up I should get some breathing room and I hope to take advantage of it. 

All work and no play make Adam go something something......

While I don't have much time or energy to go out and play and live some life, I get to enjoy other people doing it around me. My co-worker just flew to Seattle for a wedding this past weekend and asked if I had any ideas of what he and his wife could do. Immediately I suggested the Sci-Fi museum. They took me up on the idea and brought back a picture of something that I would kill to see there. Probably the main reason I'd go there... the TOS Enterprise Bridge set!!!! (Well, what is left of it) Check it out: 

Oh, to be there and see that... I would weep openly.

At home, our cable bill raised $22... because my move in special from last year expired. So I called the cable company to see what other packages they had... because if I am going to pay that much I might as well get my dick sucked a bit. So we upgraded from 25 MB internet to 75MB and 10 channels to 140 channels. Last night I sat down for the first time in three years and actually watched TV after we got home. Immediately the commercials pissed me off. Heh! I never watch TV for that reason. But I did promise myself I would check out a few football games this season. I didn't watch any last year. I'm not MASSIVE into sports but I do love a good game now and then. Something about football season turns my nerd into a little bit of testosterone flowing in this old dude and dare I say, I become a tiny bit of a "man".... heh! 

Funny shirt from an indie cartoonist. I forget the guy's name but his shirts are funny. Look him up!

When the kids were sleeping this past weekend, D and I finally caught up with Preacher. Holy shit, has it turned awesome! They are nailing Herr Starr so well and the new stuff they have added to the show really adds a lot to it. I'm very satisfied with what they are doing.

We also watched an indie horror flick called "House of the Devil," which was a decent watch. Very slow paced but stylized in the 70-80s horror movie style (ala Rosemary's Baby, The Omen, etc). Worth a visit.

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Okay, filled you in on a little bit of what is going on around me... now some discussion on actual artworking!!!!

Yes, I am finishing up the new erotica book. More hardcore pron from me. It will launch soon, I promise. I'm getting that creative mindset flowing again and shit is starting to ramp up. I even considered doing some comic shows to get the juices flowing again. I heard of a show in my old hometown of Mt. Pleasant, but artist alley tables are sold out. They have some more expensive ones available but I don't want to invest that much money into it. It was more of a whimsy to chase for a day. Maybe next year. But I am excited to tell you guys that I did sign up for MSU COMICS FORUM for next year February. So after skipping this year, I will make a triumphant return next year. So that is a start.

Also my new sketchbook has been very active: 

This week my mission is to finish all commissions and the pinups for THE EROTIC ZONE and get it all pdf'd and ready for the printer. THEN the Kickstarter will launch. Might take a few days or a couple weeks, but I will get it done.

May the spirit of Bettie Page guide my carpal tunnel-stricken hands to finish this erotica that the world so desperately needs! 

My spirit animal!

Next time we talk I hope to have it all figured out.

---Luvs, T

Life Progress

Welcome back my friends.

There's so much bullshit going on in the world right now. Yet another controversy in comics (guy drew girl too sexy again... how dare they), politics basically imploding (she did/sad, he said/they wont/will) and man, I'm just tired of all of it. Really sick of it. Every time I plug in, I just get dragged down by whats going on out there. I'm better off when I have my head in the sand and I am far away from all of it. So I forsee another break from social media. I cannot trust myself. Maybe this time, it might stick.

I got stuff I'm working on anyway. I am starting a major fruit/veggie fast this week. Its going to be tough but it has to be done. I'm busy working on Starslam 3 stuff, Patreon stuff, writing things, sketchbook works and other creative outlets. At least those things can distract me and always make me happy. I've tapped back into free form thought, writing and sketching in my large sketchbook. Check it:

Its rare that I share my journal/sketchbook randoms in this blog so enjoy that peek. Some dark shit goes on in there. I've done those books since I was in high school. They are my therapy.

The work on Starslam 3 continues. I scanned a bunch of new pages (about 22) and got them ready for coloring. Here's a scene where Starslam and Tara begin some flirting while working out. Hmmm....

This past Saturday I had my last signing appearance of the year (or ever?) at Summit Comics in downtown Lansing. Some friends dropped by and it was good to see them. I sold a few prints and books and did a quick cover commission of Neegan for a book:

I haven't shared much about the upcoming Patreon campaign. But the work is in progress. Here's a SFW non-spoilery look at what I'm doing so far for it. 

So that's the workload on the creative side. On the dayjob, things are ramping up to the busy season so I am looking forward to some major overtime (I hope). I need to save for several things for next year. Yet another move, and to get my boys jointly. I will need to buy furniture, clothes and other things to prepare for their days living with me. Little James is growing up so much:

This week they went trick or treating... Dressed as Superman and Spiderman! I won't attempt to tell them that such a team up would never happen in comics, but whatever! It seems like they had a good time:

James ridin' with his school crush.

Other than that, I am drifting through these somber days and trying to right my ship. I just gotta keep creating, keep ignoring the bullshit of the world, and get myself fit (mentally and physically). There's a lot of changes happening for sure. Its a scary time. But I will get through it like I always have. I have things to look forward to: My dad is coming to visit this weekend. I reserved my hotel for Horrorhound next year. I'm super excited about Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Kitty D and I have already made our lists and checked em 300 times. That NES retro thingie is coming soon. I'm toying with maybe getting a PS4 at some point during or after the holidays. Maybe treat myself for the hard work on the dieting and changes happening.

As always, onward and upward... to ALL of us!

Some Sketch Cover Commissions

Sharing some sketch comic covers I got hired to do. These are getting slabbed and graded via the CGC. Thanks for the work!

Various Goingz On

HEY ALL! Thanks for checking back! Bunch of stuff going on. I'm doing commissions and art pieces to replenish my convention stock. Here's a couple:

Also I have been recoloring/retooling a few of the old favorites. Here's a peek:

All three already got more comments and "favorites" on DA than they did the first time. Seems I'm on the right track! 

I got more commissions this week, including a stack of sketch covers headed my way that will be slabbed and graded through the CGC. Very exciting and great for the people who are getting them to trust me with such esteemed honor. Also I've been selling some promo cards through FB and selling off some of my collectibles on ebay. 

This is all in an effort to keep up with daily bills, which have fallen behind. First quarter of the year was quite tight and quiet. I kept afloat but just barely. The wife and I have done some talking and the decision was made for me to go back to overnight part-time work. To be honest, I am sort of looking forward to it. It will get me out of the house a bit and a break from the kids and talking to people. They can be a handful sometimes and it will feel good to know that bills are defintely covered. Plus the wife and I have some goals to finally drop a ton of bad habits we've always struggled with such as eating out all the time and saving money. We want to save for a house, really bad. But right now living check to check it just won't become a reality. 

SO: We've sat down and made up goals and expectations and have come up with a two year plan to make everything fall into place for us to get the life we want. And as we do this, many things will come to pass. Such as: Losing weight, staying active, less stress, comic conventions funded, comic printings/art materials funded, the ability to do more conventions in the future, a house (The one we want) and the ability to decorate it how we want, newer furniture, better style of living, all bills paid and other things. The only downside to all of this is I will likely have to get a late night job that likely don't pay super well and I will be struggling with a "regular schedule" of sleep. The wife will have more regularity than I will, but that is fine. I can grab whatever sleep I can and attempt to stay sane.

I know, reading all of this makes you scared that I am quitting or I won't have time to draw. Well, thats not accurate, exactly. I will MAKE the time to draw. I will still be as productive as I am now. In the past I have worked 2-3 jobs, went to college classes and STILL did my comics. So I am a good juggler, especially when its for things I am passionate about. So nothing changes. This is all a good thing and I hope I score a good job that allows me everything I need. I tossed out a ton of applications and like everything I do, I am just tossing it to the winds and come what may. 

No worries folks. This is gonna be great! I appreciate all the support and thoughts. We're gonna make it all work. And in the end, we'll emerge triumphant. Rock and roll!

Cheers, T

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY plans - May 3rd

Hey folks! I will be at CLEMS COMICS in DOWNTOWN LANSING, MI for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY. I'll be there from 11am-? and some of my pals will be there as well. I will have my books, prints, cards, art and more. I will be doing free sketches for kids 12 and under. I will be taking commissions at the show but to be honest, it will be VERY busy there! So its best to order your commission ahead of time and pick it up at the show.

Prices are 8x11 for $20, 11x17 for $40, add $10 for color to the price. If you need a piece done and want to pick it up at the show, EMAIL ME HERE and lets get it taken care of ahead of time. Because with all the sketches for the kids, time gets limited. So please, hit me up beforehand.

Make plans to come out and see us and get free reads for yourself and the kids! Plus the store is having deals. Costume contest, giveaways and more! Details are right HERE - Its a fun day, come check it out.

See ya there!

T