The Death of ZCC / Assisted Suicide.

 

Part 19 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

 

So what have I been doing in my month-long hiatus? Well, like my character Chris (who is very much modeled after myself), I’ve been searching for a job, namely a graphic design/web dev job. So there, I have a perfectly legitimate excuse. I actually drew this comic about a month ago, but I decided not to publish it right away. One of the main reasons was that I wanted to hoard a few polished comics so I can unleash them onto the public in one shot — like a squirrel hoarding nuts for the winter, or Jessica Simpson saving her virginity for that dood.

Now I thought it’d be funny if I put Destroyer — aka Dan Bejar of also New Pornographers and Swan Lake fame — on Indie Rawk Jeffro’s t-shirt. After all, he is destroying his friend/roommate, ZCC. I also thought it’d be nice to put Cloud’s Buster Sword, just because I don’t see a lot of references to Final Fantasy VII in comics nowadays.

To see what transpires next, wait for Wednesday. Another new comic will definitely be up by then.

Drug Trafficking Is A Job, Too.

 

Part 8 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

 

This comic is dedicated to a certain former roommate who happened to dread a certain drug test after being exposed to some certain second-hand marijuana smoke at a certain music festival.

I’m starting to think it’s time to give a sense of space and geography in regards to the comic, especially the space within Chris’ apartment. So yes, his roommate Aaron has a bunch of drug crops in his bedroom. Big deal. The real character he’s based on is apparently a drug dealer now, but you didn’t hear that from me. Especially if you’re a cop.

The “I Heart Drug” poster is a reference to a past comic. Originally, I couldn’t fit the “s” at the end of “Drug” due to a lack of space, but I think it’s exclusion adds a little charm to a poster that advocates casual to heavy drug use.

And lastly, I’d like to mention that I am absolutely in love with the band Voxtrot. I saw them live recently, and I strongly urge you to listen to them. Of course, I only mentioned them here to either generate discussion or successfully get some hits from wayward visitors searching for “Voxtrot” on Google.

Fuck This Shit, I Need A Fucking Cigarette.

 

Part 7 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

 

Because Tourette’s and nicotine addiction are funny. And as for the title, “Fuck This Shit, I Need A Fucking Cigarette,” I was thinking of making that slogan into a pin (the second set of SF pins).

And if you don’t recall, the reason Aaron is stuffing sandwiches into ZCC’s toaster slots is this. See? Full circle.

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.

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!

Cherub Downe.

Sorry for the delay. A certain coffee-shop manager had my sketchbook, in which she ransomed it for 100 dollars and my formula for eternal life. Next time you see Christina Head, remember the only way to kill her is to chop off her Head (Head, get it?)

So I introduced a new character, Cherub Downe. She’s the young, overly cute and adorable intern of Oakley Cupid who talks with a heavy lisp and wears a Rambo-style headband. She was definitely a fun character to develop, and hopefully you’ll enjoy her as this particular storyline progresses.

Also, this comic marks the reintroduction of Chris and his crew. For those of you who’ve missed the human aspects of the comics, don’t worry; they — under Oakley, Nigel, and Randy’s meddling — all have a major role in the future.

Duck Fucking.

I started this storyline over three years ago; I left the story unfinished midway through the Murphy’s Pub scenes. When I resumed drawing this story arc, I was forced to resort to Chris’s old design: brown-haired and with no hat. In this comic, however, I decided to use Chris’s current design with the hat.

Site-wise, the categories section is up and running. With the help of some awesome plugins by Hit or Miss and Polymorph, the categories are weighted just like Flickr Tags. Check it out!

Tying Up Loose Ends.

Again with the delays! What’s wrong with me? Anyway, it’s always fun to tie up loose ends. In other news, I — along with others — have a gallery opening this Thursday…

Grand Opening
7 pm – 9 pm
Thursday, May 4th
Wings Gallery
425 Fawell Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

The show runs through May 2006, and I’ll be showcasing a lot of my Sausage-Fest work. There will be refreshments and (if my package comes in on time), I’ll be giving away free buttons. This is your only chance, my friends, before I inflate the price and charge you all up the ass for Sausage-Fest buttons! SCROOGE MCDUCK!

Mallard About You.

Ever made out with a duck? IT’S AMAZING.

Meet My New Boyfriend.

Oy! Sorry for the delay. I was swamped with graphic design work yesterday, not to mention that it was also my 23rd birthday.

Jeffro and Caitlin are an even match for each other — at least when it comes to fighting. But, according to the first panel, where does one necessarily find a wrench and a hunting knife in a bar?

On the other hand, Caitlin and Kyle the Duck are a perfect pair: both are moderately sinister and both like to wear black.

Speaking of fashion, I have placed an order to the good people at PureButtons.com for 100 Nigel and Randy 1″ pins. These two are new designs apart from what I had drawn a year ago, so whoever owns the old Nigel and Randy buttons (Pat Doran, I’m looking at your general direction) you may wanna get a hold of these: