Happy New... MAY?!
Where did I go? Am I back? Did I leave?
I’ve been meaning to say hello for 5 months now, but it was what to write after hello that had me all up in my head. Some things in January/February of this year had me a little peeved. I’m not a big internet ranter, in fact, I try to be a force for positivity online – but some things in the indie comic community, and really the world at large, had me feeling some kinda way. I started ranting in a newsletter – I don’t think it would have done me any favours, or made me feel any better. So, I hit delete and thought I would wait until I have something to talk about.
I still don’t. Not really.
I was wooed. I entered juicy discussions in December/January about illustrating a book. I signed an NDA early in the piece, and after much back and forth, I finally agreed and signed a contract to join a big, hefty project. One that would eat up all of my 2026 and a huge chunk of my ‘27. So, I thought I’d wait till my involvement in the book was announced to post a newsletter and talk all about it… it’s still not been announced. The script is still in the editing phase. The characters are all designed and ready to roll, but I’m not allowed to show anything before the publisher does.
Homie is in a holding pattern. My work has me drawing a lot. A LOT. But I needed to immerse myself in some ol’ fashioned indie comic goodness. So I’ve not been idle.
SLUGGISH IN HARDCOVER
I’ve re-lettered all four issues of Sluggish and tidied up a few panels for better character consistency from start to finish.
The hard part has been finding a home for it. This newsletter can feel a little braggy to me sometimes. I celebrate my wins here, and while I’m not ashamed of that, I am aware it could be misinterpreted. So I thought I’d front street this new Sluggish journey.
As I’ve talked about at length, Sluggish was my first real foray into using my cartoony style and comedic storytelling to tackle a hefty subject matter. I thought it might be a challenge for readers to accept, but it ended up being my most critically acclaimed writer/artist outing. My style of art has opened a few doors in kids’ publishing, but dang if it doesn’t crossover well into the adult publishing world. Lots of rejections be hitting the Psycho Janitor inbox this year. Which is the process. I’ve been playing this game a loooong time. I know the rules. It’s old hat. But the list of places to put ol’ Herb isn’t super long to begin with, so we may be running out of options.
Why don’t I just publish it myself? Psycho Janitor that shiz! Yeah… and that may end up being the case. But I’m a maker. An artist, a storyteller – marketing ain’t my bag. I put out the 4 issues myself, meaning I’d be selling the Hardcover to the same audience and asking them to pony up again – blerrgh.
But we ain’t licked yet. I still have some places to investigate and pitch to.
POCKET FULL OF POSIES
Ya know who is getting a hardcover…?
The original story is being reprinted with 3 new stories. A bunch of new art. New blood. New violence. Same love. Coming to Kickstarter in a couple of months or so – it’s time Rosie had one last moment in the sun.
WHAT THE HELL IS A MILK SPRITE?
Let’s find out together. Ben Sullivan and I have collaborated once again. This time on Gary Dellar’s GRIT for Reverie Publications.
The script is done, and the rough pencils are in my inbox to letter. This all-ages indie comic spins out of the pages of TOBY and his MAGIC PENCIL.
FURRLOUGH
A shoutout and a thank you! Peter Lane’s Skye’s Cavern Library debuted on the worldwide comic book market in the pages of FURRLOUGH 202. Thank you muchly to Pete for having me on letters and edits in this issue. His next Furrlough outing sees me join him as co-writer – meaning Pete is responsible for giving me my first internationally distributed comic book writing credit. Thank you so much, Pete. And here’s to your continued success!
MIDDLE AGES
GobGob and his friends keep landing in my mailbox once a month, thanks to The School Magazine in NSW. I think chapter 4 was the last one to drop, meaning we’ve got 6 left before the story wraps.
WHAT’S NEXT?
I want to tell you all about a crazy script I’ve been working on here and there. Whether it makes it all the way through to drawn and published remains to be seen. But, until then, HEAD F**K is everything the title would have you think it is. A real head… well, you get it.
Meanwhile, this guy is pitched and awaiting news…
If he doesn’t land where I hope he does, I’ll share the first few pages here.
Alrighty, thanks for putting up with me. I hope to be back in your inbox sooner than later. Now, in the famous words of German Action Star - Arnol Swizënheimer…
