Hiatus Daze #9.

Oh, where art thou, Randy?

I’m taking the week off to come up with more material and work on some personal projects. Don’t worry, I have three comics already written, and I do want to take the time and make sure the art meets my standards. In the meantime, do enjoy Jeffro’s Music Blog and his new 8tracks music mix — the guy is exploding all over the internet!

Hiatus Daze #8.

Alright, so it’s been a really, really long time since I’ve updated. I won’t go into excuses, but there is new content floating around in limbo. Also, I’m proud to say that both Pat Doran of “The Way Life Should Be” and myself are presenting our work at this year’s Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago! I, for one, will be selling prints, NEW plushies, NEW pins, original artwork, and NEW BOOKS. So if you want to see some fresh content that won’t appear on this site, you should stop by!

WHO: Pat Doran, myself, and friends as “The Burnt Orange Art Collective”
DATE: Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14.
TIME: 12pm to 10pm each day.
WHERE: Wicker Park, along Division St. and between Damen and Hermitage.
SPECIFICALLY WHERE: Our booth will be located smack-dead at the intersection of Wood St. and Division.
COST: Free, kiddies!

If you want a sneak peek of what the stuff will look like, check this out; most of it are works in progress, but you’ll get an idea.

And as for new comics on the site, I’ll definitely continue with the “Occupational Hazards” story arc once Renegade is over and things are settled. Here’s an idea of what’s coming up, folks:

GET EXCITED.

Cheers, Folks.

A special announcement from me to you. Later folks.

Frighteningly Semi-True Story: Life As A Cartoonist.

 

Part 17 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

 

A quickie comic featuring my old newspaper editor, David Chen. You can say that this particular strip is a tribute comic. For one thing, Chris’s comic “Tim Vs. Tim” is a spoof of the spoof “Felicity Mills,” and the dialog is based from this comic.

Furthermore this comic essentially recounts my days working for the college newspaper: it did take me at least 3 hours to draw a strip (which, nowadays, it takes more), and I did only get paid $8 per strip. Of course, would I trade my days at the newspaper for anything in the world? Hell no. I enjoyed what I did, I did get a little fame from the public, and I met some really creative and interesting people in the process. Of course, I wouldn’t recommend that job if you really needed to financially support yourself. You’d seriously get more money as a crackwhore.

Hiatus Daze #7.

Professional/Interview Chris & Dark Chris

A sketch of what is to come while I get my scanner fixed.

Hey, remember that contest I had about the free books and pins? Well, here are the results.

Occupational Hazards.

 

Part 1 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

 

Yes, I am going to draw comics full-time again now that I no longer have to worry about school (although finding a real, professional job may take some importance — but not really). As such, this entire storyline revolves around the search, the discovery, and the trials of working. The arc will tie up some loose ends from other arcs, create new plot threads, bring back some old characters, and introduce new ones. I have a lot in store for this comic, so be prepared… or afraid…. well, whatever emotion comes naturally to you.

And Happy Birthday to TWLSB Friend, Tom and fellow cartoonist, Marty. May old age bring wisdom and happiness to your remaining years.

New Years 2007!

Happy New Years to you all! And check out both the newly completed Story Arcs and Extra & Goodies sections.

Love is in the Air.

The thrilling conclusion, kinda! More characters, more questions, and more lovesick drama with a mix o’ humour!

I really enjoyed drawing this comic, although inking everything was a bitch — especially when my hand and arm were a little shakey after drinking a lot of caffeine (damn your delicious addictiveness, Full Throttle!). The guns, in particular, were really fun to draw just because drawing firearms asserts my masculine and violent side.

Other small details:

The boarded up hole in the guys’ apartment is a result of a giant, toaster-headed robot breaking through the wall.

The “Doran” sound in the fourth panel is a tribute to fellow cartoonist, Pat Doran.

Both Kyle and reincarnated ZCC are visible in Chris’s photo, indicating that Chris and Lizzy have retained their friendship after “The Rules of Attraction” Storyline (in which Lizzy hardly makes an appearance after its conclusion).

There is a Broken Social Scene poster on Chris’s wall. I am seeing them tomorrow, and I am very excited.

I just started watching “Veronica Mars.” Damn you Christina and Shane!

Though I do want to slowly ease myself out of the usual college humor of my older comics, it’s obvious that all events still take place at my University, U of I.

Random, non-linear comics starting Friday (minus Randy of course), so stay tuned!

Old Time’s Sake.

The last time Nigel and Randy were at Yurkanigan’s was when they had to deal with Jimmy the Voice of Indifference and Apathy. Coincidentally, Oakley Cupid — like Jimmy — is another metaphysical being that have crossed paths with Nigel and Randy.

Now, if you don’t know this or you’re just as dull and dim-witted as a rock, “Yurkanigan’s” is a cross between the restaurant chain, “Bennigan’s” and my old, DI comic buddy, Matt Yurkanin. He wrote the strip “Thoughtless” back in what I consider the “Golden Age” of Daily Illini comics. You can check out his old strips here at Collegiate Comics.

Hiatus Daze #4.

I just got back from California, but I do have a few comics ready to scan and upload. In the meantime, here are a few photos of Nigel and Randy in Cali. Enjoy the rest of the photos here.

MORE PHOTOS HERE.