An Across the Board Update
All things comic book.
I just realized that I have a lot of plates spinning, as far as comic books go. Does that analogy still make sense? Back in the 50’s, in the early days of TV, variety programs like The Ed Sullivan Show would put on these people who basically did parlour tricks. And one of the tricks was to keep plates spinning on these long, thin poles for as long as possible. You’d have to keep working the poles like a hula-hoop, or get the plate spinning like a basketball on a finger to keep the plate from falling off the pole. But, I think those kind of acts died with David Letterman’s “Stupid Human Tricks”. Unless that’s what America’s Got Talent is. I don’t know, I’ve never watched it.
Anyway, I have a lot of plates spinning, as far as comic books go. Obviously, we’re hard at work on Undisputed #2. We have all the pencils done, and Francesco Iaquinta is working on the colors now. From there, it’s off to Marco Della Verde for lettering. I fully expect that we’ll have the book done well before we launch the Kickstarter campaign on August 23rd.
We’re also making progress on my short story, “One Way Ticket”, which will be featured in the upcoming anthology Bigfoot: A Comic Book Anthology from Lonely Lemming. I’ve been partnered on that with Emilia Sandu. So far we’ve got the inks done. Waiting for the colors, and lettering. The plan is for Lonely Lemming to run a Kickstarter campaign in July for the book. So I’m hoping for delivery in August or September. I hope to have some copies for sale by Plastic City Comic Con, if not, I should have them in time for Southern New Hampshire Comic Bash.
I’m also working on a short story with Tanner Ogle (who’s done one of our Undisputed #2 variant covers) to submit to some anthologies. This one is called “Go Tigers!” and is about 3 girls playing Bloody Mary. This is my first shot at doing something in the very broad “horror” genre. I just got the pencils for page 1, I’ve also seen the character designs, and it’s going to look absolutely killer. I’m going to submit this one to Alterna Comics’ “It Came On a Wednesday” anthology series. If it doesn’t go there, Tanner and I will find a home for it somewhere.
Between all that, there’s the x-teenth pass at Taking Out the Dead (which I’m now calling Boston Falling). I’m pretty happy with the script, but there’s one part I want to tighten up. I’ve been working on Boston Falling/TOTD now for 20 years. One more pass won’t kill me. Christopher and I plan on talking Boston Falling in 2026, after we’re done telling the Undisputed story fully. So, at some point next year, I’m hoping to have issue 1 of Boston Falling available. I have adjusted the plan for Boston Falling. Originally, it was going to be an ongoing series. But I think I can tell a good story in 2 issues. If I can do that, then maybe I’ll be able to tell more stories in that universe. I am desperate to tell this story. I need to get rid of it after 2 decades. So if I only get 2 issues, I’ll be able to tell the story, and be content.
Then there’s Seabase 7 (working title), which a stab at a sci-fi thriller (in the vein of Aliens). It’s set on the ocean floor off the coast of Cape Cod. I’ve got 3 pages done. This one is probably going to be a one-shot. By the time I get to doing art on this story, I hope to be able to find a publisher to work with.
Aside from all that, I keep looking for anthology opportunities, particularly anthologies that accept writer-only submissions. Because, I’ll be honest with you, it’s costing me a small fortune to get “Go Tigers!” done, and I’m going to be able to recoup about the 25% of the outlay for it. I’m just doing it so I can get some more published material out into the world.
I’ve said it before, but making comic books is an expensive hobby.
As far as conventions go, I have three booked.
July 25th - Worcester Punk Rock Flea Market (waiting for confirmation)
August 23rd - Plastic City Comic Con (Undisputed #2 KS Launch Party)
October 4th - Southern New Hampshire Comic Bash (my first out of state convention)
Hopefully I’ll see some of you at one of these shows.
But, I think that’s all I’ve got for now. Until next time…
Support indie comics & support indie wrestling.
I love you.
—pjc.
From what I know about "AGT", it IS that kind of show. Except the singers get most of the glory.