For those who looked through the archive on Monday only to find all the strips “SOLD,” that was a glitch. Plenty are still for sale. My apologies.

And thank you for those who purchased! I’m glad that ball is rolling.

So they’re leaving Tornitus 6. Funny how for months I was planning that out, and then it took about 2 months to play it out. But I’m very happy, as well as excited for all that’s next.

If you want to read their visit to Tornitus 6 all together, it starts here in the archive, or read it via the TAGS here.

I haven’t had the time to keep up on news or anything the past couple weeks. Been writing short stories and spending time with friends. For some reason I’ve had suspense/horror audiobooks on rather than sci-fi. Then I suddenly switched over to Burroughs’s “Tarzan,” which is amazing, except on occasion when it gets too far into stereotypes. Having recently read “The Moon Maid” I am surprised how much he manages to rein himself in.

All is well in my world. I need some tea.

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Strips are now priced at $80 (plus $6 s&h)

The majority of you (from my poll) said that the price of $120 was fair, but some asked for a lower price, and many said that in the current economy that they couldn’t afford $120. For that reason, and after much deliberation, FOR NOW, they are being sold at $80.

So, go. Peruse. Purchase. Follow the big blue square. There is also links to the original artwork so that you can see what you’re purchasing.

If not, I highly recommend donating, or linking to me from your favorite site.

Regarding today’s strip, if you feel at all lost, THIS LINK will bring you the the strip where Dimitri goes to Gahhrt’s bakery (and then meets her daughter), and immediately after Gahhrt’s bakery is the strip where Pierrot sees the Furryite Sandwich Shop. Or you can click on the Dimitri or Pierrot tags below.

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sold! Link to the Original Artwork

Read the iphone version

For those who don’t recognize it, Emily is using a laserblade. Nogg mentions the device once and then is shown using it once (view the laserblade tag).

Summer has arrived in Seattle. It’s been damp and chill here all year, so this means very nice summer temperatures (and not boiling like the east coast, sorry guys!) I modified the bird feeder to keep the sparrows from tossing the seeds around willy nilly. We planted more tomatoes, I was chosen to wield the shovel. Why? WHY?!

I spoke on the phone with my friend, Kevin Moore, who is examining the greater questions of comics: what, how, why, why bother, etc. To me it’s always come down to “what.” I love creating things, it’s almost a compulsion. My energies are constantly like an arrow pulled back in the bow, the only question ever is what target this time.

I generally pose the question to myself as this: if I was wealthy and didn’t have to do another day’s work in my life, would I still create? Yes. Okay, so if that is the case, what would I create under those circumstances? And that is kinda how I determine my projects.

Anyhow. Ramble ramble ramble.

Enjoy your lemonade. You can’t make it back into the lemons life gave ya.

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Had a lovely week, and it’s 11:45 and I’m just uploading the strip, 15 minutes to go.

A good week. On Thursday I wrote a 5,200 word sci-fi/horror short story, which was very exciting. I love playing with ideas. Discussed scripts with Tom over at Marooned. Started work on a new MAD Magazine assignment I got. Good times.

Beth and I saw a very silly 4th of July parade from a bar window with Dan and Leslie. Later, I went to potluck and made an apply pie with granny smiths (oh, and a few days ago I made both pizza and Southern Red Velvet cake from scratch). Beth and I then watched the fireworks from a half dozen towns, including the Seattle finale, on our drive home (nice timing!)

And then today’s strip (and Wednesday’s) have just kicked me up and down the street. Building the bikes and backgrounds and piecing it all together. A grueling pleasure, but a very very good grueling pleasure. :)

Thanks for the link last week from Sunset Grill!

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Not a lot of blog in me today, no doubt I’m resting after Monday’s generous supply.

I like today’s strip. The action of Tornitus 6 is finally coming to head. And I’d like to think that it’s possibly up there in the “pretty zone” with two of my favorite comics, Dicebox and Family Man.

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In February, I took a trip to Houston to visit my good friend, Trail. While there, he and I went to see a conspiracy theory movie regarding 9-11. About that movie: I don’t know what to believe, although I admit I’m uncomfortable with the number of unanswered questions.

But, the main reason we went was to watch people who are entrenched in conspiracies as a lifestyle. This strip is inspired by that evening.

Oh, and I realized after drawing Brekt, that she no doubt (subconsciously) was inspired by the finger puppets my dentist used to give me.

Either that or a french tickler.

In other news. You should visit the Sci-Fi Air Show. Or watch an At-At Day Afternoon. And if you haven’t heard, there is now a bionic cat in the world (unfortunately, he can’t run 60 mph and doesn’t have infrared capabilities). And…. I have another book review!

This past week I listened to the audiobook Bellwether by Connie Willis. And I have to say that i found it quite good.

I thought the book was solid all the way through. I’ve read “To Say Nothing of the Dog” and “Doomsday Book,” and I would highly recommend those as well, but at times they were a bit dry and confusing. In this one, it kept my attention and focus, it was scattered in an intriguing way I did not find confusing, the characters were interesting and funny and likable, the topic (fads and chaos theory) were enjoyable and interesting, and it felt just the right length.

The basic story is that of a quiet scientist as she tries to find the fad origin for hair bobs. An incompetent assistant, the intervention of an increasingly bureaucratic management, a sheep/ostrich rancher, and a professor studying chaos theory all contribute to her world becoming a lot less quiet. The story is told with humor and social commentary, and is told through the protagonist’s eyes, who filters most things in terms of fads: present and bygone.

I also REALLY enjoyed the woman who read it, Kate Reading. I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and think a lot about what a reader contributes. In general I am able to enjoy a book regardless the reader, but some definitely enhance a book, and a few have made listening intolerable. Jim Dale does an excellent job with the Harry Potter books, in fact he won awards for it, but I’ve listened to other books read by him and they were a bit less impressive, and have the theory that a significant part of his strength in reading HP was the fact that he did a good job imitating the voices from the movie (especially Maggie Smith) and we were all already familiar and possibly fond of those voices.

Anyhow. I digress. Bellwether: I highly recommend it. Solid & fun.

And I’ll end on a final related digression: three years ago at the Portland Comic Fest I was part of the epic art battle, during which we were given two words to draw, I believe the words were “Knids” and “slippage.” I forgot what the other guy drew, but it was simple, easily digestible, understandable, and he DEFINITELY won the contest.

Anyhow, slippage, of course, made me think of Connie Willis’s novel “To Say Nothing of the Dog,” inspired by (and featuring characters from) Jerome K Jerome’s “Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog).” In her book, “slippage” (if I remember correctly) is the time space continuum adjusting itself so that you can’t go back in time and create an incongruity. It often occured when you were going to a very important time (which really shouldn’t be tampered with) and you kinda ended up near it, but not close enough to mess with it. Which is why in my drawing I featured 3 men in a boat, and a sore bottomed knid, the great glass elevator, and to top it off I drew the Oompa Loompas in the chocolate factory. And as you can see, I gave them a song.

slip and slide
you cannot hide
in time, 3 men in a boat
I hate to get your goat
but your hurt ass is extra wide

I definitely LOST the contest. But a few people (who I presume knew the book) applauded very loudly. :)

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This weekend I’m afraid i didn’t see the Karate Kid or Toy Story 3. Instead I saw Micmacs (trailer here), by one of my favorite director Jean-Pierre Jeunet also known for his films Amelie, City of the Lost Children, Delicatessen, Alien Resurection, and A Very long Engagement.

All of his films have a lovely childlike clockwork art feel to them, which has never stopped delighting me. This one has a strong anti-weapon-manufacturer theme, a rise-in-the-gutter-rather-than-historical steampunk sensibility, and is one of my favorite con movies since Redford/Newman in The Sting.

But there is little more to say. Just see it. if you don’t want to risk the $10 theater price tag and don’t know his work, rent and watch any of the others. They will equally delight.

The drawing up top is of Dany Boon, who played the lead character “Bazil,” and below is a drawing of Julie Ferrier, who played the part of La Môme Caoutchouc.

The re-design is coming along, as you may notice. The rest of what i intend to do is mostly cosmetic, so if you have any further suggestions, let me know.

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Jon Rosenberg’s been up to no good lately. From the evil of his mind has sprung a new comic, check out Scenes From A  Multiverse.

Thank yous going out for two lovely write ups, first by Tom Dell’aringa (of previously mentioned strip, Marooned) and second by Christine, which was totally awesome.

Also… So, I’ve had the original artwork up for sale, and I’ve even dropped the price (currently $120 plus s&h), but they’ve not been selling. In an effort to change this, I have a little poll for you. I also welcome comments regarding it.

**EDIT** I closed the poll and will ponder the results. Thank you all for your input! **EDIT**

And just so’s you know, I’m working on a site redesign. Including a “New Readers” page, a functional “Characters” page, banners, plus a general makeover of a few things. If you have additional suggestions in this arena (or have any after I manage to make the changes, hopefully this week), I welcome those too.

Lastly, apologies to all who are subscribed to the Spacetrawler email notifiation. I didn’t realizes the settings were arranged to email everyone whenever I posted a page (not just a post). You were sent one regarding a character page re-design, which was under construction, and has been deleted. And the settings have changed, so hopefully, the last of that.

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The folk over at Star Pirates asked me if I’d review their web-based game. Playing’s free, and I’ve been out of the gaming loop for a while, so I put on my helmet, got into a Starship Sloop Mk. I, and spent a pleasant evening on Mars station.

It began with me not having a clue what to do. But as I found out, in the first 4 skill levels, nobody can really attack you. So, it gives you non-pressure time to examine all the options, to go to the asteroid belt, pick through space debris, or bet (and lose) money. With exploration, I found the interface simple and easy to use.

Along with this, within the first hour I was approached and offered friendly advice by a random player, who then gave me (as a newbie) a helping hand in the form of a Graviton Beam (which I installed). Shortly after that, I was greeted by an official welcoming pirate who gave me rum (which I drank), and more advice along similar veins. I felt very welcomed.

I enjoyed myself. I played long enough to be able to attack other pirates, or…. more like vice-versa. But in star pirates, a good drubbing is a cheery hello. Or, so I was told. Hrm. Wait a second.

As far as I know, you can’t actually die. When you get destroyed by someone, you are told various things such as, “Regenabots are working on you and prevent your movement.” So, dying does mean you might have to sit out a couple minutes, but it leaves you open to do any dang stupid fool thing you want, and give you a chance to talk about duct tape or waffles in the “shoutbox.”

I liked it. It seemed a good text-based community game. The “shoutbox” was always lively with chats. People were friendly. And it seems set up that you can spend hours upon hours there, or you can just pop in for an occasional few minutes.

Anyhow. That’s my review, I think it’s a good community. I spoke with them about setting up a SpaceTrawler fleet, and they did! So, if you wish to join Rickshaw Boans’s Crew, just follow this links from here. Enjoy!

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I made quiche again. And chocolate chip cookies. Beth was dive-bombed by the hummingbirds, who love that we feed them as long as we don’t go near the feeder. Had a really nice correspondence about humor and editing with fellow sci-fi cartoonists Tom Dell-Aringa of Marooned. Plus for the next week we have sun in Seattle. All is well.

I just listened to the audiobook for Kushiel’s Chosen, and felt it to be as solid and good as the other two I’ve read. It’s fantasy, and not sci-fi, but I thought I’d review it anyway.

I started reading the Kushiel series with 4th, Kushiel’s Scion (I try to start from the first book in a series, but no doubt it was labeled “the 1st of the Imriel trilogy”). While reading it, I wondered who these seasoned secondary characters were who seemed strangely developed. So it was fun to go back to the first (Kushiel’s Dart) and second book and see their origins.

I think the main thing that carries these novels is that Carey is a skilled writer. She writes personalities I remember seeing (and being?) in high school, but she makes them interesting, makes me care about them, and writes them convincingly as adults. The action moves well and holds my interest.

I’d call these books romance novels, but they do push the bill. There’s the romance kissing going on, a clever and sexy female protagonist, men with long hair and vambraces. But Carey pushes it further with hardcore S&M. And while the S&M gets fairly extreme, Carey wisely keeps the description light enough to keep it from turning into porn. A tricky balance.

On the negative, I think it could have used a strong editorial cut. But… the extra stuff didn’t feel excessive, so perhaps it is worth it to be able to enjoy the characters I like for that much longer.

Kushiel’s Chosen largely takes place in the fantasy world’s equivalent of Venice: gondolas and men whistling at women. Me personally, I’m not a big fan of that. I like different worlds to be different worlds. And it may have been intensified by the woman reading it, who played up the accents. While at the same time, I think the reader, Anne Flosnik, does a lovely job, and keeps it lively and engaging.

I don’t know when I’ll read book #3. The books are long enough I’m not compelled to read one right after another. But this is the third time I’ve come back to the series, and I’m sure in a few months, I’ll be on to the next.

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