For Nerds Only

In preperation for my upcoming media blitz for Old Man Winter & Other Sordid Tales I'm having these nifty/nerdy bookmarks printed up.

I actually use book marks, but I'm sure I'm in the minority. I have this irritating (to the wife, anyway) reverence for books. I refuse to break their spines (Karen relishes doing so), and I ALWAYS use a bookmark.

Anyhow, I'll be leaving piles of these at my local comic book stores, sticking them into each book I sell and giving them away at any conventions I have a table at.

In other news, I've started inking pages for my "Tales of Snoop Doggy Dogg" mini-comic. The cover is pretty much done as well, but I've tried using a small linoleum block print to add some color without great success. I can't seem to get the registration to work out properly. I'm going to visit the cheerful pudgy Scottish (Irish?) guy that runs a tiny custom stamp place in the neighborhood to see if he can attach a handle to my linoleum block. That may fix the registration problem.

Cathy always knows just how I feel

It's been a hectic last few weeks.

I apologize for the fact that you have to look at Cathy and her diet soda over there, but most everything I'm working on is either in the sketch stage or is mind-numbingly boring self promotional type stuff.

"Old Man Winter & Other Sordid Tales" is currently being printed (I should get the books next week), so I'm compiling a list of magazines, blogs, newspapers, etc. to receive review copies. If you have any suggestions, pass 'em on. I've also been designing business cards & press releases to include in the press packets.

I don't know if any of you watched "Death on a Factory Farm", the documentary I suggested last week, but it was fantastic (in a disturbing kind of way). I wasn't previously aware that it was another film by Sarah Teale who was responsible for the equally disturbing "Dealing Dogs" doc. After watching "Dealing Dogs" I'd tried to get in touch with the undercover investigator. I was hoping to do a comic based on whatever information I could get from an interview with him.

I wasn't succesful finding him then, but the day after I watched this new film (which uses the same undercover investigator) my friend that works at the Humane Society in D.C. called me to see if I was still interested in contacting him. My buddy's buddy is buddies with the cruelty investigator, so he's going to pass my contact info. on to him. I hope he calls!

Interestingly, it does tie into one of my current projects. I've mentioned that I'm doing a comic adaptation of Gail Eisnitz's "Slaughterhouse". She is a chief cruelty investigator for the Humane Farming Association (HFA). HFA funded and organized the investigation documented in "Death on a Factory Farm". The circle is complete.

The deadline for the "Ducks On The Pond" book is coming up (March 31), so I'm trying to whip these contributors into shape. So far only Jeffrey Brown and myself have finished a piece, but I'm hoping all of the others who have promised something will deliver.

I'm almost finished sketching 3 new two-page comics about dreams I've had involving Snoop Doggy Dogg (I'm told he just goes by "Snoop Dogg" these days). I've also finished the cover for the Snoop comic, but I'm experimenting with hand-carved rubber stamp prints on it, so I'll post it later when I find one I like.

Porky's IV

Get thee to a television with cable...specifically HBO!

Tonight HBO is airing a documentary with undercover footage of factory farms. It promises to be retch-inducing yet informative. Their "Dealing Dogs" documentary was fantastic (undercover investigation of a puppy mill), so I hold high hopes for this one.

Ducks On The Pond

I've been gathering artists for a book written by Bill Liederman (previous owner of Mickey Mantle's Restaurant on Central Park) about bizarre sports phrases. The title of the book, "Ducks On The Pond" is an example of such phrases. I'm excited that some of my favorite cartoonists & illustrators have already signed on to do a drawing even before we have a publisher.

Once we have several good illustrations, Bill's agents will submit his manuscript along with the drawings for publishing bids. As you probably know, I am completely ignorant when it comes to organized sports, but it really doesn't matter in this case. We don't have to actually know what the phrases mean...just interpret them in a humorous way.

The first deadline (for the proposal) is the end of this month, so in my downtime from organizing and contacting aritsts, I've done a drawing of my own for the phrase "Tote that pigskin". I was even able to get my vegan/animal welfare views in there as a bonus!

If you are interested in the project and would like to submit something, please get in touch!

Saint Goblin's

I just got a message from an old client, David Buscher, that he's re-starting his business St. Goblin (graphic design). I did a logo for him based on his boston terrier, Goblin. After checking in on his website, I realized (although he may have told me before...I am getting old and forgetful) that he has forever marred his flesh with my logo. I am simultaneously honored and concerned. Actually, my wifey has a tattoo tribute to our dog, so I guess I'm just honored, not concerned.

David also runs Bluehouse Furniture & Cafe in Baltimore. It's an eco-friendly furniture store (on-line, too), so go shopping and support the guy! He had to close his flagship store recently thanks to this crappy economy, but I'm glad to report that his second (new) store is still alive and well.