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8/30/06 ~ Dark Horrors from Arcana
Now available in the Previews catalog on page 238 --
Dark Horrors Anthology Volume 1 GN by Various Mature Themes, 120 pages B&W, $9.95 published by Arcana Studio (order code: SEP063063) I contributed a short story. It's illustrated by ZeeS and lettered by Justin Stewart. Thank you Aaron Thomas Nelson for inviting us onto this project. I'm happy with how it all came together. I wanted to work with ZeeS on something (anything!), and this gave me the perfect opportunity. A preview of page 2 (click to view the full size image)  The story itself is a personal one. In the sense that I consider my own greatest fear. Kennedy became "Kendra" and this tale about a father losing his daughter came out. It's still difficult to read these pages. I can't allow my own mind to wander too much. Understandably, Melissa had a hard time with it too. I'd be interested in other people's feedback about this, but from another perspective, this six page narrative could be viewed as an allegory for the crisis in New Orleans. It's not too much of a stretch when you have a panel of a distraught black man waist-deep in water calling for help, with no one responding. Without spoiling the ending, there's another panel that's particularly symbolic, which could just as easily be an editorial cartoon on the government's response. So yeah, a possible social horror story about negligence -- with a possible supernatural element. Maybe? I let Jim Lujan read it. He sent me this e-mail today: "That is deeply deeply disturbing... but SO SO Good,man! I'm going to have nightmares. PS...the art....FANTASTIC!!" Thanks Jim.
Alex Ness and Pop Thought take a look at the Viper Comics catalog. CLICK HERE
About Karma Incorporated: "Karma Incorporated was Viper's first non-fantasy story and it is intriguing. I can see why people might find it alluring to have the ability to reach out and hurt those who've hurt you." About Emily Edison: "This is a work that is family friendly, intelligent and fun."
Melissa has added several new photos to her flickr account. CLICK HERE
  In other news, file this under: WHERE THE HELL HAVE I BEEN? The band Pulp. With Jarvis Cocker. They are the best thing ever. Melissa just introduced me to their music a week ago. And so, we must ask the question. Where the hell have I been? Better late than never.
I'm in somewhat of a sour mood right now. I got a rejection -- one of my creator-owned projects. Sure, rejection is not uncommon when you're a writer, but I'll admit I was really excited about this possibility. It's not a story I've posted anything about, which for some you, you'll know exactly which project I'm talking about. (Vague it up for you?) The editor was very kind and professional, and clearly my pitch needs to be reworked. But still not fun. However, this cheered me up...
Presenting: The Rare Art of Cal Slayton
This past weekend was extremely busy for Melissa and me. I've haven't been this happy to see a Monday in quite awhile. Not that I didn't enjoy the live art show, the two Barnes & Noble signings, the Deathrow Rumblers fundraiser, and the championship bout for the Dallas Derby Devils--it was all great. I'm just relieved to take a nice deep breath, and find my routine.
I'll post pics from the art show soon. It went very well. Later in the evening, we had a pretty good crowd going. Brock and Kristian kicked artistic ass. The butcher paper "free art zone" was well-received. We filled it from end to end. Thank you again to Sarah Jane, Stephen, Edward, Brock, Kristian, and Stephanie. Yesterday, before the championship bout, they officially introduced the Deathrow Rumblers. Melissa got to skate the track with her team as the announcer called their names. Melissa's worked hard to get to this point, and it was an exciting moment. She looked comfortable on the track. The Rumblers' first exhibition bout will be in another month or so. Can't wait. I apologize to those people who read my weekly Pop Syndicate column (both of you). We recently bought a new computer. Well, new to us. It's my friend's G4, and now it's ours. The computer itself is great, but we're still needing to adjust a few things (for some reason the internet won't stay connected) and we need to add some more software--such as Microsoft Word. How does this relate to my column? Well, I use Microsoft Word. And yes, I am fairly obsessive about my word processing software. I'm hopelessly crippled without Word. Could I type my article at school? Sure. But stop using logic here, I'm making excuses!
Brock and I will be signing copies of Emily Edison at the Barnes & Noble in south Arlington this Saturday and Sunday, both days from 2 PM to 5 PM.
   On Sunday, we'll be part of a larger "new author" event. Thank you Kim Kelly for setting everything up.
My high school reunion is this October (WEBSITE). I just RSVP'd for the event. Usually, this is the obligatory oh-how-time-passes-don't-I-feel-old commentary. Eh. I like getting older. It's better than the alternative. High school was okay, but I'd much rather be where I am now. Back then, I didn't have Melissa. I didn't have Kennedy. And now, I could never imagine exchanging these days for those. Plus, television is better now.
It was fun scrolling through the class directory. I lived in Mansfield from kindergarten all the way through my senior year of high school -- those very familiar names, new last names, random careers attached, commentary and quiet desperation. Some people I'd like to see again. It's morbid curiousity. Are they happy? Those who were beautiful and cruel, the marginalized and forgotten, athletes and drama queens, the burnout, the stuck-up, class clown, class star, freak, fanatic, facist, awkward, quiet, fearless, always afraid.
These projects have been a long time coming. I started work on both Antigone and Jack Ruby almost three years ago. And finally, we've got some pages to show for it. Here's a sneak peek of two page spreads for each title section. They look even better posted next to each other -- almost as though we planned it that way.
  Antigone is being published by Silent Devil; Jack Ruby is still without a publisher. Each one is an adaptation from original source material (the play Antigone, obviously, and the Warren Commission's interrogation of Jack Ruby). Let me say this: writing adaptations are really, really hard. You'd think it'd be easier, because the story is already there. But I found myself continually constrained by the narrative, and struggling to re-discover the story and it's pacing. In many ways, I felt more like an editor than a writer. It gave me the opportunity to do heavy research, and become something of an authority on these two subjects. Thank you Tom and Brian for all the work you've done. The art is beautiful.
To promote their new Yaris 2007, Toyota is touring across the country sponsoring community art events. Brock Rizy, Kristian Donaldson, and I are doing a live art show at the Avenue Arts Venue next Friday (August 25th) as part of this tour.
There will be a live DJ and free food catered by the Meridian Room. Here's the details and location: www.yarisworks.com/events.php?id=33  If you are able to make it, that would be awesome. Tell others, post it on your respective blogs, MySpace, forums, etc. Thanks!
Speaking of artists (previous post), my friend Lawrence Reynolds updated his website. Check it out: www.vividfury.com
From his bio: "The next year I was introduced to two things that would change my life forever; the #2 pencil and Star Wars."
STUMBLEBUM STUDIOS IS PROUD TO PRESENT:
The Dallas/Ft. Worth Sketch Group! The DFW Sketch Group is the place where artists and writers from around the metroplex can gather to draw, write, talk, network and just plain old hang out together. The group will get together from 2 – 5, on the first and third Sunday of each month starting on September 3rd at the Barnes & Noble in North Richland Hills. Over a dozen artists and writers have already expressed interest in joining the group. Anyone who interested in hanging out, drawing, drinking coffee and having a good time is more than welcome. When: Sunday, September 3rd from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Where: Barnes & Noble 8525 Airport Freeway N Richland Hills, TX 76180 One block north of the North East Mall, I-820 and Highway 183, next to Garden Ridge. What You Need: 1. Yourself and any other artists you want to bring along 2. Art supplies (sketchbook, laptop, notebook, whatever you want) 3. Anything else you want, really Please RSVP at the email address below if you plan on attending! For more information contact: Paul Milligan – thesuperleezard(at)yahoo(dot)com www.stumblebumstudios.com
La Reunion TX has added some new details (and events) to their website. If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and have any artistic/creative interests, La Reunion is well worth your attention. (http://www.lareuniontx.org)
Sorry I haven't updated my site in awhile. Been busy starting a new school year. And I have some cool projects coming up -- a possible collaboration with the talented Diana Nock, co-creating a comic with my friend Jamar Nicholas, a short story with ZeeS, and a one-shot with Brent Schoonover. Of course, Antigone is coming out in October. Brian Kelly sent me the first 12 pages for Jack Ruby (still looking for a publisher). Cal Slayton and I are working on our proposal The Last Babysitter. I want to get all this stuff scripted by November... for certain reasons. But that's a post for another time. Karma Incorporated news coming soon?
An eight page preview of Antigone is now on Newsarama...
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=79898 And don't forget: It's available to pre-order in the August Previews Catalog on page 334 (order code AUG063534). Simply ask your retailer, and they'll get it for you.
My friend Clay Harrison gave a copy of Emily Edison to his co-worker's kid. That's really cool. I hope you enjoy the book. Let have all the kiddos hooked on comics! Start 'em young.
 Today, getting my classroom ready for school. My sister is here helping out. The students show up next Monday. I've got a new room... with windows! I can see the outside world. Listening to 3wk.
Just got back from Kansas. Brock and I went to Astrokitty for the final stop in our booktour. Of course, the tour never really ends. In a few weeks, on August 25th, we're doing a live art show at the Avenue Arts Venue in Dallas with Kristian (see previous post). And then for the next two days following, we're signing copies of Emily Edison at the Barnes & Noble in south Arlington. Eventually, I'd like to go to Star Clipper in St. Louis.
Let me say first and foremost, Astrokitty is one very cool store. It's located in downtown Lawrence, surrounded by lots of other cool locally-owned shops, restaurants, and bars. Joel is the owner of Astrokitty, and he's created a real sense of community among his customers. For instance, they have monthly sketch group gathering. Joe (not to be confused with "Joel") also works at the store. Such a great guy, he acted as our friendly tour guide last night -- and we even crashed at his apartment. We're very proud to be the first creators to do a signing there. Now the rest of you need to go.   If you are anywhere near Lawrence, get your butt to Astrokitty! And then afterwards, go have pizza at Ruby's around the corner. On September 30th, there's going to be a comic book convention --> CLICK HERE and scroll down. All comic book creators get a free table. Melissa and I are thinking of going for the weekend. Maybe. Jeff, Matt, Justin, you guys interested? Hmmm? A perfect excuse to check out the store. Also, while there, I met some other talented artists. In particular, Tom Avery with his online comic Cheating at Solitaire. If you're looking for a more "alternative" alternative to web comics, this is your guy. Fantagraphics needs to publish him.
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