Hitting Phoenix ComiCon!

This weekend, May 26-29 I will be at Phoenix ComiCon at booth #681 across from the AZ Ghostbusters exhibit. There's a lot of great stuff to be had at my booth:

Bedhead; The Book of Grrry; Fuzzyface; Youth in Asia and Got Crayons? The Adventures of Agnew Colouring Book. In addition to these books, I will also be selling Agnew "chainsaw" t-shirts and two of the last three mini Agnew's I have left.
Are you looking for original art, I am going to be doing sketchcards starting at $5 and 8.5X11" commissions starting at just $20.

Spend $20 at my booth and get a free Agnew "chainsaw" t-shirt (sizes are limited to stock on hand)
I will also be offering a couple of package deals:
Get both Bedhead ($10) and Fuzzyface ($12) for just $20, which would qualify for the free Agnew shirt and save two dollars

Get both Bedhead ($10) and the Book of Grrry ($5) for only $12... save five bucks

Get both a mini Agnew ($25) and Fuzzyface ($12) for only $30... saving seven bucks

Price list:
Mini Agnews... $25
Fuzzyface... $12
Bedhead... $10
Book of Grrry... $5
Youth in Asia tpb... $7
individual YiA issues... $3
sketch cover for YiA #4... $5
Agnew "chainsaw" t-shirt"... $12
Got Crayons? volume 1 or 2... $5 both for just $8

Original Art
sketchcards... $5 (inks) $10 (colors)
8.5X11" commission... $20 (pencils)
8.5X11" commission... $25 (inks)
8.5X11" commission.....$30 (colors)
11X17" commission... $50 (pencils)
11X17" commission... $75 (inks)
*all commission work is for one character only*

Phoenix Con AFTERMATH!

Ah yes, Phoenix ComiCon. Last weekend, Fuzzyface debuted at table T121 in Small Press. Thursday was a load in day and Preview Night. We were open for about 3 hours and had people stopping by to take a look. Actually the first two days including Preview Night were very slow. But towards the end of Friday, I lost my nervousness and began shouting at passers by with slogans like, "Fuzzyface is being called chocolate and peanut butter for your brain." On Sunday while people were waiting in line to see Stan Lee, I kept telling them how, "Fuzzyface is so good, Stan tried to steal the idea from me. I had to arm wrestle him to get it back!" Believe it or not, people stopped by and bought the book based, possibly solely, on the things I was shouting at them. One guy kept walking and was like, "Hey where are you going? Get back over here!"
Over all Fuzzyface was the absolutely clear front runner in sales. I was pretty much only pimping Fuzzyface during Con. And it paid off. We had a return customer from last year. Last time around this guy bought all the Youth in Asia books and a Chainsaw Agnew t-shirt. He walks up on Saturday, wearing the Agnew t-shirt, and says, "What do you have that's new?" He was so excited to see issue 5 of Youth in Asia and Fuzzyface. He began telling his friends all about last year when he bought a "Sketch Cover" variant to issue 4 and had me draw Grrry stomping on an Anime cosplayer.
During my rants and various shoutings at Con goers I had my booth buddies laughing. Practically falling out of their chairs. A few of them even chimed in and added their two cents on Fuzzyface.
Altogether Phoenix ComiCon was amazing and very fruitful.
Now here in Tucson you can pick up copies of Fuzzyface at the following locations (so far):

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

AND

Safehouse E Bar
4024 East Speedway Boulevard
Tucson, AZ 85712-4520
(520) 318-3090
http://www.safehousecoffee.com/

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.

Bedhead Vol. 2 to also hit Memorial Day Weekend

I decided I think I have enough sketches and assortments of new drawings to fill probably another few volumes of this sketchbook. The first on hit at Phoenix ComiCon in 2008. And I decided its time for another one. In conjunction with the prints and Fuzzyface, we're gonna have quite a bit of new stuff for sale. Plus other new stuff from last year's Cactus Con include, Got Crayons? vol. 2 "iCon," Youth in Asia #5 which has the first appearance of The Step Monsters, plus Em talks for the first time (in print anyways).
Things are looking good, although I have been in a creative rut these past few weeks. No real new drawings other than finishing up Fuzzyface. But I guess after a project of this size, it's probably normal. Especially considering that I don't have a usual writer I work with other than myself, and I try not to write ahead of myself otherwise I might get bored with the storyline, considering how slowly I usually work.
Look for a bunch of new Kyle and Grrry drawings in Bedhead vol. 2.

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 Part 16.... "inks"

My left elbow has this dull, annoying pain in it. My fingers are cramping, but my wrist actually doesn't hurt so long as I'm not holding a pen. I jokingly bitched about having to ink this project by myself. When in all actuality, I wouldn't have this any other way. Even though the story was written by someone else, Fuzzyface is very much my baby. My second baby, as Youth in Asia will always be my first.
The choice to ink the book came from no small amount of peer pressure, but also, cause I know the story will look more professional as well as add to the subcontext of the story. But other than that the only thing I really have to report is that I began inking yesterday, and I now, after a bit over 24 hours, have 5 pages inked. So, be on the lookout for Fuzzyface. The book is going to rock. And I really feel this is what's going to force people to take notice.

Fuzzyface "The final production notes" Pt. 15

SO last night while at work I finished the pencils for Fuzzyface. But a few people think I should ink the pages. It's 54 pages, and it took me serious time to do. I realize it would take less time to ink than it did to pencil, but I want to have this ready to go for Phoenix Con, which is in May. I know I could ink it in time, but I wanted to get review copies out in advance of the actual release in late May. Now I don't know, cause I think I could do some pretty great stuff in inking the book. I have some thinking to do on this, but I can't really waste any time.
A lot of personal things have been going on. Things I thought were positive and in actuality they were and maybe still are. These things have spurred on my creativity and my work ethic. I have to look into that and make it all work for me in the long run.
So, to let you know, the pencils are DONE!... and the thought process on the inks begins in earnest.
I know the fans and people waiting for this project are going to be pleased with the result. Also, I am still awaiting pinups from some artists. Inked or naked, either way... "Fuzzyface is gonna kill you!"

Fuzzyface production notes pt. 13

On towards the final pages of Fuzzyface, I am still cranking out art. This project hasn't broken me quite yet. Tonight I finished page 46 and moved onto half of 47. The little extras thrown into the background of page 46 should make some people very happy. Or at least make then laugh a little. One was on request from a few people as to something I had to add to the book.
So there is less that 8 pages of interior artwork left in Fuzzyface. This whole process has been both successful and trying. I can't take too long of breaks from it or I know I won't finish it. And I really want to see this project through to the end. But some turmoil has arisen from it as well. It's not always easy creating a comic book, and sometimes circumstances will come up that cannot be avoided. However, I do have to say that, I am truly satisfied with the output and the support this as yet finished book has seen. We have people all the way up in Idaho chomping at the bit for this comic. Something that was revealed to them almost a year ago. So, I definitely HAVE to finish strong. If not for those reading these comics, I would just have a seriously time consuming hobby that no one else appreciated. With that I am very thankful for the fan outcry and support for this project.
There is always the possibility of a sequel, I mean it is a horror story. But I'll cross that insane bridge when I come to it. Right now I am working on polishing the pencil work for the final pages. And with the near completion of this project, I am gearing up to solicit presales for the book to help raise funds for the printing, and promotion. So if you're wanting a copy, presale prices will be slightly cheaper than retail AND you can guarantee you get a copy. Cause it is set to debut at Phoenix Con in May, and I can't guarantee how many will be in the first print run, or if any of those copies will make it back.

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. 11

The sag continues in many different ways. I just got another pinup submitted the other day by a good friend of mine, local tattoo artist David Williams. He told me what he had planned but then flipped it and did something else, and it looks FREAKING AMAZING! I seriously want to go back to the shop and make him tattoo this on me. So, now four artists have turned in pinups, with still more to come.
3 more interior pages have been finished and I am done with 33 and onto 34. So many deaths already and there are still a few more to come. Lots to do, and be inspired by this holiday season. I hae to work on XMas Eve and XMas night as well, but I guess someone has to do it, might as well be me, since I know I do a good job and I really care about my guys. It will give an opportunity to do some more work on the book, and on a holiday no less.
I have spoken with a few people at Cactus Con about promotion of Fuzzyface the graphic novel, as well as possibly being in a panel or two. A friend of mine from art school suggested doing a large cardboard cutout stand up of Fuzzyface to help draw attention to our booth at Cactus. We're gonna be in Small Press again this year, and we plan on having a lot of different things for people to buy this time around.
With five pinups, that includes mine, in and 33 full pages done, along with the cover, I am making great time on this project. The past few pages have just seemed to blur by, but they are all looking great visually. The storytelling is flowing and progress is serious in this man's mind. I'm motivated to get this whole project in the can, but I am having a fantastic time while this journey moves towards its destination.

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.