FUZZYFACE OR DIE!

Ok, here's the deal. We have TEN days to make our goal of only $3,500 to reprint Fuzzyface. It's an attainable goal, in that we'll be able to reprint over 1,000 copies of the book. We're only at 10% right now, but I know if everyone who loves indie comics and loves horror movies chips in, we can do it. I just want the chance to bring Fuzzyface to the masses.


Fuzzyface is the best comic I've ever worked on. And I believe in this project so much that I will cut my pigtails off if we reach our goal. But only if you, the readers help. It's been a rough, crazy road. Without a map or gps. And I know I jumped the gun when I launched the project. But don't make Fuzzyface suffer. Let the word be heard. It's a great book. The best horror comic in the business. Everyone who has read it has loved it. And since we sold out, I figured we needed to do it again. This time bigger and better. A prologue, epilogue, new pinups, new covers. The artwork will be gray scaled. It's gonna be amazing, but only if the fans get behind it. Here's the link. We know you won't regret making this pledge.

Kickstarter campaign
Support small press. FUZZYFACE OR DIE!

REPRINT FUZZYFACE on KICKSTARTER.COM

Hey all,
I am about to launch my campaign on kickstarter.com tomorrow to fund the reprinting of the the original graphic novel from Anti-Hero Brand Press, Fuzzyface: The Agnew Chainsaw Massacre 3.
Our funding goal is $3,500 in 30 days. This will give us the necessary funds to print 1,000 copies of the book with added features, print up postcards and buttons. If we exceed our goal, then we'll shoot for hardcover copies of the book, con appearances and other sweet promotional items.
Without you spreading the word about the gospel that is Fuzzyface, we may not make our goal. What I hope, is that even if you cannot fund the project, that you will facebook your friends. Write to local newspapers, and tweet about the project including links to the kickstarter page so people can get in on the action. Kickstarter is a great source not just for funding worthy projects, but promotion and networking. So please, feel free to use the images I am including here and in the press release I will also submit to my blog, a little bit later. Hell, copy and paste that fucker wherever you can.
Everyone who has read Fuzzyface has loved it. Venus of Necro did a fabulous job writing this epic tale of one deranged, puppetcidal little fuzzball with a chainsaw. But, Fuzzyface is a love story at heart. And I know the more people we get into this, the more will love the jokes, the comedy and tribute to Jim Henson and Tobe Hooper. Fuzzyface in a few words is, "Texas Chain Saw Massacre meets The Muppets." It's never been done before. It's the greatest combo since peanut butter and jelly, peanut butter and chocolate, bacon and eggs, bacon and bacon. It's that damn good. And I am damn proud that I have worked on a project this fun and successful.
LET'S DO THIS!

Fuzzyface Worldwide

The Muppets meet Texas Chainsaw Massacre? with the most lovable homicidal protagonist of all time in "the world's greatest sidekick" Agnew Pennyworth, in his starring role as, Fuzzyface. Equal parts of Jim Henson's family favorite Muppets and Tobe Hooper's Texas Chainsaw Massacre mixed in with a dose of Mary Shelly and bookended with the Youth in Asia characters Nash, Kyle and Grrry, Fuzzyface mixes twisted humor with strict monster movie guidelines and a huge dosage of crass behavior. Written by Venus of Necro and illustrated by John Chihak, Fuzzyface boasts a series of pinups by up and coming artists and a foreward by Henry Barajas, writer of El Loco and Girl Scouts in Space.
As of this afternoon, Fuzzyface: The Agnew Chainsaw Massacre 3 is now available on the internet for download on you "E" devices from Indie Aisle. Thanks to Ovi Demetrian Jr. a guy I met at Amazing Arizona Comic Con a few weeks ago. He approached me in Artist's Alley at the con and asked me if I was interested in turning some of my comic books into digital comics. I had wanted to do this for a while, as this was the easiest way to make Anti-Hero Brand Comics available to as many people as possible.
This is a massive step forward for AHB, and the potential it brings is great. Fuzzyface is the breakout book for us, and I believe is easily the most iconic of all our titles, with the series of coloring books called "got crayons?" very close in second place. For those of you out there still without a copy of this great book, all you need is $3 and you can download it in its entirety. Or get a monthly unlimited subscription to Indie Aisle and read Fuzzyface as well as many other awesome titles, like Dennmann's "Get That Chicken," and a ton of "Monster Commute" comics from Steam Crow. This is a super inexpensive way to get to check out a lot of worthy indie writers and creators. And it's not just limited to comics. There's novels and short stories available too.
For those of you who've heard the buzz, or want to check out the madness, just click here for Fuzzyface E Book.

Taking Fuzzyface National!

So, I have actually begun the quest of taking my project Fuzzyface national. Well, to be fair it's not just my project, Venus of Necro wrote it, but since I am the publisher, I am given the job of researching how to get this book out to the masses. It is going to take some work, but one thing is certain, I CAN DO THIS! I believe I can. Part of taking Fuzzyface national is a huge hurdle, funding. How do I get funding to take this story, that I know people will enjoy and clamor for? Well, I have learned a couple of things dabbling with the internet. It's cool, not only can I look up crazy shit on this thing, it's also very useful. I have found a few sites that will and or can help with this. kickstarter.com is one. They allow you to pursue funding through their site through private donors who log on and donate money to projects they like. Kickstarter.com will also be doing a panel at this year's San Diego Comic Con. I will be attending that panel.
Another option for funding is getting a grant. There are thousands of organizations that offer small business grants and service awards to anyone who works hard enough and goes out and does the leg work. Through Charlie Harris at Charlies Comics here in Tucson, I learned of the Xeric Foundation, which offers grants to self publishers of comic books. There is a six step process I have to submit to the review board. Part of which is a business plan; an expenditure report on how much I am going to ask for and then the distribution of the grant monies. Now most of the grant money would go towards the self publishing. Paying the press, the bindery if they're separate. Buying an ISBN if I need it. It would be helpful. And then buying copies of my book. These online publishing companies offer print on demand services, which limit cost and waste. Plus you don't have to sit on a huge inventory or rent a warehouse or ship things yourself. They drop ship for you. Or offer you to sell through an affiliate website. So, cost would be minimal, in as much as I would print several hundred copies to take to conventions and sell at comic book shops. The rest could be purchased online. And then there is the talent that has to be paid. As the artist, I'm not going to pay myself upfront, but with profits from sales. Venus is receiving a portion of the sales of the book, however she deserves a payment for the writing of the book. And then of course if this thing really blew up, like changing media (movies, video games etc.) Venus and I would renegotiate her earnings, as usually happens when something goes big time.
I was also thinking of trying to get the book carried through a small press company such as Oni, Top Shelf, SLG, Image or Darkhorse. The reality of that might not be so good though. Especially since one of my requirements is that the Anti-Hero Brand Press logo stays on the project. Cause it's my book. They're just helping distribute it. Kinda like Disney distribute Pixar's movies. That is something I am thinking a lot of publishing companies would not be up for. See they want to be able to take credit for these stories, and I understand that. But I'll be damned if I'm gonna let another company claim credit for this work.
So that leaves me with the most realistic option. Continue self publishing it through sites like lulu.com or ka-blam.com. Not bad sites. They come highly recommended from different sources. Doing so requires a few things. Choosing their level of print and distribution packages. Lulu seems a bit ahead, since they do projects other than just comics. They offer a wide variety of outlets for distributing your finished project, including amazon.com and amazon.co.uk. And with them there is the option of them giving me an ISBN for the book. Thing is, if I spend a little bit of money and get my own ISBN, then I am the publisher. Both Lulu and Ka-Blam offer the option of bringing in your own ISBN to the dance.
Writing down specs, drawing and reading bright computer screens with visions of Fuzzyface in the grubby hands of every other person in the country. Not a bad dream.

The Book of Grrry #3

I am back to work, after what seems like a really long goddamn time. Taking onto my plate two scripts (one still in progress) of the next edition of the Book of Grrry spin off from Youth in Asia, as well as the next script for Youth in Asia. I have written an issue 6 and an issue 5.5 for YiA, but wasn't totally satisfied with them. And since writing them I have begun thinking about changing the direction of the book as a whole. Still working with some ideas, and a lot of random thoughts floating around in my head. Which may be good or possibly disastrous. Plus I still have to script the origin story, titled, "Youth in Asia: Ten Years in Hell." This graphic novel will chronicle the origins of main characters, Nash, Agnew, Kyle and Grrry as their lives were prior to them meeting.
Also, recently posted online is the Fuzzyface interview, or what I will refer to as the Fuzzyface interview of Venus of Necro and myself conducted by Richard Caldwell on Bleeding Cool's website. Richard did a stellar job on his questions and I feel Venus and I were able to get ourselves across very well. And without being too wordy. Well, it wasn't easy for me. Have a read and let us know what you think.
Fuzzyface interview

Fuzzyface; The Final Production Note

Fuzzyface drops on Thursday at 6PM on Preview Night of Phoenix Comic Con. I got the rest of the comics printed, the fliers, and the ever present and going to be noticeable standup. It's going to be great.
I have worked very hard on this project, and am now doing an interview to help promote the book. I talked to Venus and told her that I would like to attempt to go national with Fuzzyface by submitting the finished product to small press publishers out there. I have a few "ins" in the comic book industry and may look into having the book carried by publishers these people work with.
Fuzzyface is the culmination of several years worth of ideas and work. It all started several years ago when I drew an eviscerated Grover with designs on using it as a t-shirt graphic. I then thought about my favorite movie, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and what a story might be like if Agnew were the protagonist. However, Agnew couldn't hunt humans. That just isn't done. No, Agnew needed something different, something that would give him an edge from a traditional horror comic book. It was decided that he should hunt down and kill stuffed animals. I think this was back in 2005 or 2006. This ended up laying dormant for quite some time. That is until Venus of Necro popped into my life and after hanging out for about a year, she decided she wanted to write the second issue of The Book of Grrry, entitled G2. It was a well thought out process and Venus executed the story and the characterization flawlessly. For Valentine's Day 2008 I drew a picture of Fuzzyface for her. She immediately dug the concept and inquired more about what I had planned for the story. I told her my basic idea, and she asked if she could take a crack at writing it. I of course wanted to see her vision. So with a lot of research (watching The Muppet Movie and Texas Chain Saw Massacre over and over) she worked the script out of her demented little mind. Venus then turned the script over to me, and I began the job of bringing the written word to visual life. This was back in late 2008. I put the project on hold for about eight or nine months before I finally got my shiftless ass in gear. I redrew the first few pages that I had originally executed in 2008, and then went back into doing layouts for the book. In all, I drew 54 pages of layouts for the graphic novel. After which I began the pencils, or at least went back to doing the pencils. This book was the single biggest project I have ever undertaken. Through the process, I met up with Venus several times to have her review the pages. Each time she was excited to see the progress I had made and her words coming to life. I met with Tucson Comic Con Social Media Manager, Henry Barajas whom I had met at Charlies Comics a few years before. I asked him to write the intro to the graphic novel. He agreed but only if he got to see the work as well. I consented as one of my provisions was to not let anyone, other than Venus view the work before it's completion. The work took me about five months of steady work. It would have taken less if I had been more vigilant during the inking process, however I began to get burned out. However, knowing the importance of this book and how many people wanted to see it finished. Well, the buzz is back and in just a few days it will see the light of day. At Phoenix Comic Con 2010, Fuzzyface will see the world...
FUZZYFACE IS GONNA KILL YOU!

We'll be at booth T121 in Small Press. Look for the cardboard standup of Fuzzyface.

Fuzzyface at Phoenix Comic Con

Fuzzyface is at the printers and it's just a matter of time until you're holding it in your grubby little hands. Above is the flyer that will be distributed at Phoenix Con this year. I have taken the guessing game out of your hands and put the cover art, the Anti-Hero Brand Press logo and the booth number on there. A very gracious friend will be at con most of the days, and she has willingly accepted, or actually asked to distribute flyers to promote Fuzzyface. In face the fliers were her idea. It seems that ladies always seem to have some pretty spectacular ideas when it comes to motivation and promotion. Hopefully my writer will pimp the shit out of Fuzzyface on the website she works for. I already have a guy who's open for interviewing me and Venus of Necro and doing a review of Fuzzyface.
I have gotten back a few sample copies of the book back from the printer. And the book looks amazing. The artwork came out incredible (if only to pat myself on the back), but others say it's the best work of my career. It is also some of the funniest and yet crudest stuff that's fallen out of Venus' mind into a comic book. She did a stellar job writing this book. Maybe, if we're all lucky, she'll want to do a follow up. But let's not count our chickens before they become chicken wings, and let's set this Phoenix Comic Con off like a revolution. The most anticipated book from Anti-Hero Brand Press drops in a few days.
As I stated before you can still preorder for the low price of $10 two locations in Tucson.

Charlies Comics
4554 E 22 St.
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520)320-0279
www.charliescomics.com

and

Safehouse E Bar
4024 E Speedway
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520)318-3090
www.safehousecoffee.com/

You better get your Fuzzyface on!........ or.........
Fuzzyface is gonna kill you!

Fuzzyface launch date May 27 FAST APPROACHING!

in just 16 days on May 27 the preview night of Phoenix Cactus Comic Con, Fuzzyface will debut. The sample copy is floating around in John's backpack where I am keeping guard of it. The best way to guarantee you get your grubby little mitts on it is if you preorder the book NOW!.... It is going to be a limited edition, very low print run for the first printing. Cover on the book which features 54 glorious pages of story written and poetically scripted by Venus of Necro and directed to its gritty yet hilarious conclusion by John Chihak, plus 9 pinups by some very talented artists such as Ashler, who did the cover and first three pages of Youth in Asia #4, Erik "Phour Nyne Guy" Arreaga, Paul Fini and others is JUST $12. I know, all that for only $12. And we appreciate that the economy sucks for a lot of us right now. And all of our dollars need to stretch, especially our entertainment dollars. But we are pleased to pretty much guarantee you're gonna love this parody and tribute to both Jim Henson's Muppets and Tobe Hooper's Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
So, either make your way up to Phoenix Cactus Comic Con May 27-30 or preorder the book through either Charlies Comics or Safehouse E Bar.

Charlies Comics
5445 East 22nd Street
Tucson, AZ 85711-5453
(520) 320-0279
www.charliescomics.com

Safehouse E Bar
4024 E Speedway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520)318-3090
http://www.safehousecoffee.com/


Sincerely,
Agnew Pennyworth

Fuzzyface "The final production notes" Pt. 20 Lettering

If there is such a thing as god. It's me. Cause I just finished lettering the whole goddamned graphic novel in two sittings over the span of two nights, and who knows how many freaking hours. I do know it took 6 sodas to complete and a hell of a lot of water too. It was such an accomplished feeling, having the sun come up today and being like, "One more page, c'mon you can do it." Kinda like when you're working out and you force yourself to go another five minutes on the elliptical or another rep when your muscles want to kill you.
So, Venus said she would like to color the cover of the book, and I also spoke with her about coloring the print that I penciled and Paul Fini inked. It looks so amazing. And I told him he better feel like signing copies of the print at this year's Tucson Comic Con.
Tonight, I plan on coloring the stand up piece I am gonna use to get people to come up to the booth. It's gonna be full color, and the image is pretty sweet. It's been approved by a fan. So look for a large full color Fuzzyface stand up at Phoenix Cactus ComiCon!
I would also like to point out that I am currently on the hunt for clothing for Agnew to be dressed as Fuzzyface at Phoenix ComiCon. If you know where I can get him a dress shirt, tie, apron and of course I gotta make him a mask, out of the souls of dead muppets. We have the chainsaw thing taken care of though.
Just remembering how this idea came from a picture I drew back in 2005 of Grover with his arms ripped off and his stuffing pouring out. And it grew to be the most anticipated graphic novel of 2010!

Fuzzyface production rolls on...

So, I've transferred the PDF's into tiffs and just completed 4 straight hours of digital cleanup. Things are moving along pretty nicely. Tomorrow I will commence with the lettering. I figure I should have the book lettered by the end of the weekend. I can letter a regular sized comic in one night if I push myself. And of course each time I letter I get a little bit better and little bit faster. Agnew supervised the entire process, and will continue to do so. I figure he deserves an executive producer credit in the graphic novel. At least something. Two of my friends just sneak peeked the inked pages. They were both stunned and laughing the whole way through. And they can't wait for the finished product. Venus is also very excited to see the book completed. It was a lot of hard work for her. The biggest project that both of us have undertaken to this point. And now that she is a mom, this type of work may not be coming along very often. So I suggest that you snatch up a copy when you see one. Cause it is easily both of our best works in my completely non humble opinion.
While at wings today, I began reading book 1 of 4 of the Eastman & Laird Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. It's good stuff. And it holds up pretty well. Especially considering that I didn't read it as a kid. The story flows pretty well if a little bit too fast for my liking. But then again it didn't grind to a halt like Alan Moore's stuff. He has a tendency to ramble and use way too many words. Thus is the British scribe way.
Last night I also booked my hotel at the Hyatt for Phoenix Comic Con. I am also going to register as a professional for San Diego Comic Con in the off chance I can get time and money allotted for that trek. It would be awesome. I have a friend who is going to share the hotel with me for Phoenix Con so maybe I could share the room with her for SDCC. Registration for pro's is all the way until May. So I still have a shot. Last year it was only open till January. It would be the very first time I would attend SDCC as a professional. I have heard if you go as a pro, you can get into all kinds of behinds the scenes workshops and tutorials and interviews and stuff. Plus, if I do go it'll be a lot less I have to spend, cause I won't have to pay the membership fee.
I cannot think of anything else to write at this moment. So until next time this will have to do.

Fuzzyface "The final production notes" Pt. 18

With less than one page of inks left to finish, I am nearing completion on production of the biggest project of my young career. Fuzzyface: The Agnew Chainsaw Massacre is an epic told in 54 pages of explosive hilarity and tribute. This project has been "in the works" for nearly 4 years now. As I first conjured up the idea back in 2006 (I believe) when I drew a picture of a dismembered and gutted Grover. The idea was to produce the image as a t-shirt with the slogan, "Childhood Sucks!" I then took this to thinking about the character Agnew, and my love for the Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The concept was to have Agnew, in the guise of Leatherface, hunting down stuffed animals and wearing their "fur" as masks.
When I was in the midst of a relationship with Venus of Necro, I told her about the story. She loved the idea and after writing the script for GS: The Book of Grrry #2, she demanded to write Fuzzyface. Knowing about her acumen for writing, and her knowledge and love of the Youth in Asia characters, I let her imagination run wild. She finished the script in lat 2008. And I began working on the art. However, due to the relationship ending, I decided to put the project on hold. I didn't pick up the script again until about September of 2009. I began doing layouts for the book. And after putting out about 20 something pages of layouts I decided to start the actual pages. I got into the teens and then decided to finish the layout pages. I finished with 53 total, and then added another page to make it an even number and to add another kill scene.
I met with Venus on a semi weekly basis to go over the artwork. In light of one small change, she agreed with everything I put to the 11X17 Bristol boards. I worked on the project while I was in San Francisco for APE Con. I worked on pages while I sat at my booth and conversed with my fellow exhibitors. I then came back to Tucson and worked on the book while attending Tucson Comic Con. I continued penciling pages while at work and at rest at the neighborhood coffee houses. After I completed pencils, I quickly decided to ink the project solo. I hit up a few people, but thought in the end, like Youth in Asia, Fuzzyface is my concept and my baby. I don't think I would have been happy with myself if I let someone else ink it. The inking process for my past books has always been murder on my wrist. Sometimes I would have to strap on my wrist brace and just muster though. Occasionally it got so bad that I could maybe ink one or two lines before I would have to massage my wrist. The inflammation got so horrible at times. This time though, the only thing that hurt was my elbow, and my fingers from gripping the pens really tightly. See, when I pencil, I'm looser and freer with my line work, but when I ink I tend to get tense and hold my wrist and instrument really tightly. It doesn't help that the pens I use don't have gel grips. Towards the end, meaning these last few pages, I have used a brush pen and a brush on some of the inks. I'm getting more and more comfortable with the brush pen, but I know I need to practice with the brush to begin to mast it.
So, I honestly think that people who have been waiting for this project are going to be happy with end result. The humor. The tribute. The whole concept. It is golden. And after we debut Fuzzyface at Phoenix Comic Con 2010 Memorial Day Weekend, we plan on submitting the book to various indie publishers so that we can hopefully we can get national exposure. So, my advice to you, is get to Phoenix Con this May and make sure you get your first print run, which will be modest, to say you were there when the stuffing hit the fan.

"Oh yes there will be stuffing!"

Fuzzyface production notes pt. 14

This is gonna be one of the final production notes for Fuzzyface. I believe I will put all of the production notes in as extras for the graphic novel.
Page 50 was finished on Sunday morning while at work. I am truly happy with the way the final pages are unfolding. The detail is on and I am following and embellishing on the rough layouts that I did. I still need to meet with Venus to talk about final production extras. I also need to meet with Henry Barajas who is set to write the intro for the book.
These final pages are closing out the story and giving a little something more than "just" the Muppets meet Texas Chainsaw Massacre. And while people may not understand the method to my madness, there is only one song in the script. And it's kind of a back ground thing.
The thing people need to remember is that this is a sincere tribute to Jim Henson, who helped make my childhood memorable and a happy thing to remember. His work on projects from The Muppet movies to Muppet Babies, which helped me realize imagination is a powerfully good thing, and one of my all time favorite movies in Return to Oz, starring my favorite actress Fairuza Balk. Return to Oz even inspired me to take about six months to design and then get a tattoo to commemorate my imagination. Henson was light years ahead of his time, and in my very not humble estimation, a freaking God. I do not anoint Godhood to just anyone. I mean not even Stan Lee has achieved Godhood in my book. But that has a lot to do with ego and politics.
The second homage being paid here is to horror master, Tobe Hooper. His vision in TCM has inspired two tattoos and the basis for Fuzzyface as the protagonist. And if you truly wonder if the "heavy" in this book is really a protagonist, then you probably don't know much about the rules of horror movies, and you obviously don't understand the compelling nature of Agnew.
The final homage is to Mary Shelly, the creator of Frankenstein. I will leave it at that, cause I don't want to give away the ending to this book, suffice it to say, it pays tribute to this amazing piece of literature.
I have also solicited reviews for Fuzzyface, from an online cohort, Nilskidoo, who has a blog here http://nilskidoo.blogspot.com/?zx=8a5a502e8319477 as well as the comic book reviewer, Mark Miller on www.aintitcoolnews.com. So keep us in mind as I am also hitting up a local shop owner to review the book, as well as possibly Wita, from the Girls Entertainment Network here http://www.girlsentertainmentnetwork.com/index.php.
I am still awaiting pinups from some area artists, and have simply FOUR pages left for the story. This is John Chihak, counting down to page 54...

2009 in review and 2010 for Anti-Hero Brand Press and the Hardcore Comic Book Icon

2009 had it's moments for the Hardcore Comic Book Icon and Anti-Hero Brand Press. First was hitting up Phoenix ComiCon in January. People seemed to get a kick out of Got Crayons? I got to be booth neighbors with Phour Nyne Guy, Erik Arreaga. He told me during the convention that he really liked Agnew and wanted to know about his origin and what he was all about. This led to Erik doing an amazing piece of artwork for me to use with AHB promotion. It's a super wicked sadistic looking Agnew that got to be on the back cover of issue 5 of Youth in Asia.
Issue five saw print in late July, and debuted at Animeland Tu-Con. It had a variant cover which paid tribute to Gene Colan's cover to Howard the Duck #5,featuring a roided up Domo Kun versus a very different looking Agnew Pennyworth. The book also saw the first appearance of the Step Monsters, the hot all girl punk band from Apex City.

In October, the Hardcore Comic Book Icon traveled to the Bay with his trusty sidekick, Agnew at his side, for APE Con. There, I took pics with Jeff Smith, Jimmie Robinson and made a lot of new friends and some new fans. I also got a huge boost when on my way to the airport to come home we stopped at Isotope The Comic Book Lounge and slung copies of Youth in Asia to owner James Sime. Who throws one hell of an After the mayhem APE Con party. The Icon vowed to come back for 2010, and just to visit this awesome city again. I also got to see Alcatraz during it's 75th Anniversary. Which was very cool. I had no idea the historical significance besides being home to Al Capone and never successfully having been escaped.

Upon returning home to Tucson, one week later in fact. The day after the third annual Wonder Woman Day, I learned that a friend of mine, and former girlfriend, Lisa Berrie had been murdered back in August of 2008. I had wanted to help expand Wonder Woman Day to Tucson, but after hearing this I knew I had to do it.

In November, Anti-Hero Brand hit up the second annual Tucson Comic Con. We had a lot of people stop by and check out our stuff. I shared space with the talented Mike Moran and Venus of Necro split time between our booth and another. As you know Venus is the writer behind G2 The Book of Grrry and the forthcoming Fuzzyface.

The end of the year (ie the last several months) have been dedicated to the graphic novel Fuzzyface. I have, up to the end of 2009, finished almost 39 total pages of the proposed 54 interior pages, the cover and 1 pinup which is gonna be inked by Paul Fini, creator of Bliss and Plant Guy.

Goals for 2010 involve exhibiting at the biggest show there is, San Diego Comic Con International, splitting a booth with Phour Nyne Guy. Debuting Fuzzyface a month or two before at AHB's third straight Phoenix Comic Con. Getting the ball rolling on the origin story called Ten Years in Hell. Punching out Got Crayons? vol. 3. Youth in Asia issue 6 and the third installment of The Book of Grrry, and collect the series. The Hardcore Comic Book Icon plans to make waves in the industry this year, by promoting the hell out of Fuzzyface. I would very much like to make some more connections within the industry so I can begin my trek to working full time in comics and art.
I would also like to get storyboarding and preproduction done for the Youth in Asia live action movie teaser/trailer.

Fuzzyface production notes pt. 12

Upon the completion of page 38 I bring you the 12th installment of the production notes for the graphic novel, Fuzzyface. Things have been crazy hectic and I feel like I am moving at an incredible pace. One I know I have never worked at before. And I feel most accomplished in what I have achieved. 38 pages, 1 pinup and 1 cover, DONE! 4 pinups by other artists, turned in. 16 pages and god knows how many pinups remain.
I sat in Crave today for roughly 6 hours, drawing and fucking around online. During that six hours or whatever it actually was, I finished the missing 1/3 of page 37. Crave closed at 7. I immediately drove up the road to Safehouse and commenced work on the very next page, 38, a splash page of a kill scene. "The kill scene," for Fuzzyface. I put as much as I possibly could into this page. Having to stop to wrap my wrist up to help the swelling of my tendons.
I am so fucking psyched to have this page done. And I know this book is gonna kill at Phoenix Con.
I've made a new friend online, who assured me they will be stopping by my booth FIRST thing when they hit up Phx Con. We'll see if anything shiny keeps her from that goal.
So you know, a lot of fucking work is going into this graphic novel. And not just by me. Four artists thus far have turned in pinups. And others are working on their's. Venus of Necro wrote a kick ass script for the book. And she hopefully will be able to sit in for a few signing sessions at Phx. And Henry Barajas is gonna write an intro the likes of which you have never read. And the peeps at Phoenix Con have asked if there are ways to help promote this book. And not to mention to printer. They're gonna work fucking hard on giving this book the best possible scan and print job they can.
So when you buy Fuzzyface; remember how much work, and all the love that went into bringing you the most anticipated book in history from Anti-Hero Brand Press ever!

Fuzzyface production notes pt. 10

Another day, another bunch of artwork to work on.
Finally I am up to page 30. I did a few panels of it last night while at Safehouse after touching up the finishes to page 29. But tonight I worked on a pinup I got an idea for as I laid down to go to sleep last night. This is the first pinup I have done for the Fuzzyface graphic novel so far. As I have so many other responsibilities for this project, I thought I should wait on doing some. But the bug could not be squashed and I had to crank out the meal worms in my head. It came out like I was envisioning and I feel it should be a piece people are going to like a whole lot. I am also planning on making it a print for sale at the convention too.
On the subject of pinups, I just talked to another old friend of mine who is an artist here in Tucson as well. I asked him about doing a piece for the graphic novel to which he only wanted to know what the book was about and where he could see some references. I directed him to the fan page on facebook, and he said he would get back to me. Others are emailing me and letting me know their pieces are in progress. Erik Arreaga, who is also known as Phour Nyne Guy is doing a piece for the book as well. I met Erik at Phoenix Cactus ComiCon back in January 2008. But in 2009, my booth was right next to his. During the three days of mayhem, he asked me about Agnew, and what his character was. He began sketching out a piece there at his drawing table between commissions for fans. He told me he would send it to me when he finished. And when he did, it looked truly amazing. Erik made Agnew so sinister and dark that it really related back to his original origin I created for him back in 1996. Erik told me I was free to use it anything I wanted as long as I gave him credit for the work. I said no problem and immediately slapped it on the back of issue 5 when it came out, along with his byline and words about Youth in Asia by various creators and reviewers. It looked great, and became the standard back cover for all the reprints of all Youth in Asia issues.
Others contributing pieces for the graphic novel are Mike Moran, who is known around town as ShinMilkman, Juan Heinrich, Test1ne, and hopefully with any amount of luck Simon Bisley and Jimmie Robinson. Venus of Necro is talking to Jimmie about possibly having a piece in the novel, and Simon Bisley expressed love in Agnew and interest in doing a pinup or some kind of artwork for a later volume. In fact a Simon Bisley quote will accompany Agnew into infamy with Fuzzyface. If you've looked around various places on this thing we call the internet than you might already know what I'm talking about.
GOtta get back to work. New ideas, complete with deadlines. Wow I actually feel like a grownup now.

Fuzzyface production notes pt. 9 "release date and printing/binding"

Decisions were made today about when to release Fuzzyface, as well as the parody rights when involving copyrighted or trademarked characters such as the Muppets. I have done a little research on parody and its use in the market against copyrighted materials. It looks as though we should be ok.
The decision made today was to release Fuzzyface: The Agnew Chainsaw Massacre at Phoenix Cactus ComiCon 2010. We can get press for it, as well as buy ad space for the release in the Phoenix Con program. This will also allow for more time in the printing and bindery process. Henry Barajas, who is getting into creating comics and is into the local comic scene here in Tucson is set to write the intro for the graphic novel. He got to see the work in progress and says that it looks like my, "best work to date." I take this an incredibly good sign, since Venus and Mike Moran have both stated the same. I too have looked at my storytelling abilities and also the overall quality of the work. My line style is still the same, but as Henry pointed out, he would like to see more shading and detail. When he saw the work he relayed that this is what he was talking about. He thinks the story is hilarious and says he can't wait for it to be finished. Venus is super excited as this is her second piece of published work through Anti-Hero Brand Press. Her earlier work is the second issue of The Book of Grrry, which was titled G2. Although somewhat nervous about others reading her work, Venus expressed somewhat of a relief in having this accomplishment come to fruition. She sighted that since the story in G2 and this story Fuzzyface were not based upon her own characters, she had an easier time in letting them become known by the public. Venus is also excited at the possibility of sitting in on an hour here or there for signing at Phoenix ComiCon. At the Memorial Day Weekend comic con, Venus will be the proud mother of a two month old baby girl. So she is uncertain as to her availability. I told her not to worry, as if she is not able to make it, I will bombard her with plenty of opportunities to sign as many copies of the graphic novel as possible before Mike Moran and I trek up to Phoenix. But I want her to be able to be there, should the web tv show she works on be covering the event.
The book itself has reached page 27 of the pencils. I have actually, and finally reached the halfway point for the artwork. I have a list of artists wanting and in the process of creating pin-ups for Fuzzyface, and a new creator in Henry, revving up to write the intro. Henry says he is psyched and looking forward to it. And I told the gang that I would be announcing preorders soon, online so that people wanting a copy could guarantee a first print for a lower cost than the still to be decided upon retail price. Talks are in for a price tag of either 12 or 15 dollars for the graphic novel, but that will include all the extras, such as the script, the layout pages, pin-ups and a sceduled running commentary/conversation between Venus and myself. As well as other possible extras to be decided upon and announced.
Then there is the question of printing and bindery. I would like to have the novel perfect bound like is traditional in the comic book industry. It is also pretty standard with comic shops too. As James Sime, owner of Isotope Comic Book Lounge in San Francisco told me he was worried that a spiral bound trade or graphic novel could and potentially would damage existing stock on his shelves. And that he would be more than happy to take collected works so long as they were perfect bound. There is a good option here in Tucson, with a locally owned and operated bindery called, Tucson Complete Bindery. They work pretty fast, as long as you have planned enough time for yourself and they are willing to do small, medium or very large jobs. Their prices are also very reasonable, as well as I do like to work with local businesses. My preferred printer, although not local is top quality at what they do, as well as able to work on a tight deadline.
So things are shaping up nicely with the book. As this past week, I got almost three whole pages done in one 24 hour period. From Sunday night when I was at work doing n overnight, till when I almost collapsed at Safehouse Monday night, I had completed pages 24, 25 and two thirds of page 26 AS WELL AS a pin-up for a collected edition to be called "Get That Chicken" a webcomic by Denny Riccelli. I have to get the pin-up scanned and then emailed to him, as my large format scanner is still being a pain in my ass and not working. But a lot of work has gone into Fuzzyface. And it is a labor of love. I am happy with page rate and the physical results I am seeing with this project. And in addition to a few other people's opinions, I too feel like this is my best work to date.

Fuzzyface production notes pt. 8

SO as to keep everyone abreast of what has been going on in the world of creating comics, I just finished the pencils for page 23 last night. I began the night as I begin so many Wednesday nights with chicken wings at Rocco's Little Chicago with Venus of Necro. After wards, Venus and I went to Ave Coffee for sketchbook, where she looked at the finished layouts and the finished pages, plus the newly inked cover art for the book. She approves vastly of all the work, and asked a few questions which we sorted through. She is very excited to see this monumental story hit the comic book racks. She is worried about one thing however; that people will feel that this is a slam on Jim Henson. I assured her that we could do away with those worries if she wrote the intro to the book. She's super busy with work and being pregnant right now that she may not be able to meet that deadline. I hit a friend, Henry to possibly write it too. He in interested. And I told him the only things he has to put in there for sure is that this is my attempt to pay tribute to a man who brought light and happiness to so many people. Jim Henson, in my mind is a god. He took a piece of fabric and turned it into a whole universe. Through what is fondly referred to as "Muppetry," Jim Henson made my childhood, and those of so many others a happy thing to remember. His work on such visionary films as Return to Oz, The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth paved the way for so many new ideas in the industry. And The Muppet Show was the first and only of its kind. A weekly variety show starring Muppets and their crazy antics. In fact the only thing pissing me off about it at the moment is that Muppets is not a recognized word here on the spell check. Muppet, singular, however is. How odd.
No, Fuzzyface is not a slam on Jim Henson in any way shape or form. I think Venus worries about this because of one particular panel, which shows a tombstone with the name J. Henson on it. I assured her that people wouldn't recognize it that way, however some might. And even without the grave marker some people might feel like we're bashing Henson's legacy anyways. Cause people are like that and they perceive things how they may. I don't blame them or get angry about it, cause I mean people look at me and see pigtails and a sidekick and they think a million things other than hey, "there goes a guy who is one of the best caregivers in Tucson," and that maybe it's just the way I choose to look. People always want to think the worst of things right from the jump. So to those of you who may pick up the GN Fuzzyface, let me assure you now, it is, in no way anything other than a personal tribute to the man and the idea that brought happiness to the world.

Ideas are common place, but this is a good one

Today I came up with a good idea to add to the graphic novel, Fuzzyface. I decided, that doing a running commentary/conversation with Venus of Necro in the back pages of the GN would make for an interesting DVD-like extra. I messaged her about it and asked if she were up to it. She said it sounded like a good idea and that she would be willing to participate.
Basically I was thinking that how we would do this is by having the conversation or commentary via IM. I am unsure otherwise how to do this, except maybe to do it as a podcast and then just transcribe the whole thing. If we do it via IM, then she has to have a copy of the rough layouts in front of her at the time. My guess is we could also try this at a place with wifi. It's kinda cheating but then we can both be looking at the same things. This will eventually be reformated and edited to fit with the layout pages in the back of the GN. Plus, I was thinking that in addition to this, there would be pinups for the GN done by myself and other local and nonlocal artists. I have lined up a few friends, as well as Erik Arreaga. 49 Guy from the kommisson.com. He's an amazing artist, and during Cactus Con this past year, he asked me about Agnew and what he was. He also drew the piece that is on the backs of most of the current printings of Youth in Asia single issues. I tagged him for it and he says he would be up for it. So, here we go!

Fuzzyface production notes pt. 7

So last Friday I finished (finally) the layouts for Fuzzyface. The book is set to be 53 pages long. I know fucking crazy not only is it an odd number, but it's also a prime number. And don't ask me how I remember that either. But it's going to be 53 pages, all in one graphic novel. And Saturday night I got back to work on the interior artwork for the book. I finished page 18 and then last night I got most of 19 done too. So I am technically 1/3 finished with the interiors. And this book is looking sweet. We're into the meat of the story. Nobody has died, yet. But we are coming close. And it's gonna get messy.
I am having a ball drawing this, and I am super glad I went back and finished the layouts, cause I make a lot more progress, and waste a lot less time when I am doing the finished artwork if I have already done some draftsmanship on the pages where editing and visuals are concerned. I know the readers are going to be very happy with this project. Both visually and story wise. Cause Venus did a fabulous job crafting this tale.
I plan for the book to be in print by the first quarter of 2010. I am looking for some of my artist friends to do some pinups for the book. I would also like to get a write up about it, which would mean I would have to do a prerelease for press and other pros, so I can use their quotes for promos.
Simon Bisley offered to do a pinup of Agnew for me. Maybe I can talk him into doing one so I can use it with the book. I'll get on that today.
So, progress and art are back on track. The book is still looking fabulous and I am still rolling along at a good pace. Fuzzyface means business.

Fuzzyface. a masterpiece of horromedy

So I have foregone working on the interior artwork for Fuzzyface; The Agnew Chainsaw Massacre for a bit. The reason being is that I had yet to plot the second half of the graphic novel. Venus of Necro wrote an amazing tale filled with a lot of laughs and a lot of stuffing flying, so in order to get this done properly I had to stop for a few days and finish the plots. Which for me is essentially doing rough layouts. I consider it plotting in my book, and it's my blog so I'll call it whatever the hell I want.
With the use so far, I had not had any splash pages in the story. But for the last few sit downs, I have figured a few good places for them. The one I did last night looks really good. It's been so hard to make stuffed animal-like characters alive and believable. I am so used to drawing people. However I have been encouraged with the work. And I am having a lot of fun working on this project. I can't wait until it is finished just so I can see it completed and see how much people enjoy it. My friend, Mike even said from the teaser piece of artwork I showed him at Tucson Comic-Con looked like this was going to be the best work I had done yet. It's just such a different story that I feel really free when working on it. I just blaze through pages when I work on them and it feels really organic how I interpret Venus' story.
I have not shown anyone other than Venus the artwork. Not even the page layouts. Cause I want this to be as big of a surprise for people , who are used to my style on Youth in Asia. I look forward to getting the layouts done so I can get back to working on the penciled pages. Look for Fuzzyface in the first quarter of next year. I will be submitting it to all the comic book shops and venues that are currently selling Anti-Hero Brand comics.