Dewayne McDuffie, who co-founded Milestone Media, a company that expanded the role of minorities in comics both on the page and off. He also was the creator of Static Shock, a cartoon I used to watch when I was younger. Static Shock is one of the few major African-American characters in animation on TV that I can recall. One episode of the show dealing with gun violence earned the writer the Humanitas Prize.So its a big loss, my prayers go out to his family & friends. The reason for his death is currently unknown.
I think I'll watch some Static Shock tonight in his memory. 'Shock to your system!'
Here are a few new unlettered images from Issue 2. Above are pages 6, 2, & 8. Page 2 will be a 2 pg spread & it is also currently unfinished, but its getting there. Things are shaping up in a good way.
The pages center around the huge dodge ball war that takes place between the 4th & 5th graders in the issue 2. Page 8 is what sets up the plot for the issue. On that page the character, Jason, aka me, is tackled by a 4th grade girl & bitten on the face. Yeah, things get crazy.
Sometimes working on this book stuff becomes a struggle. I haven't really heard anything back from any e-mails that I've sent to local publications. It's really frustrating when I feel that I have something very good to offer. And I know I do. But at least some times I'm reminded why I'm doing this, even though I know its going to be struggle.
Today I led a drawing workshop with a bunch of children at the YMCA, and it was amazing (I'll post pictures soon). The kids really enjoyed themselves & had a good time drawing. And that was my only mission going into that workshop. I led it for free & gave out a few comics too. Beyond the goal to live off of my illustrations, my goal is to make an impact on children & help spread the joy that cartooning has given me.
And well, today that goal was reached.
My copies of issue 1 are finally on their way, its kind of funny that I've been with out a copy of my own book for this long. But I'm excited to see it.
AND OF COURSE, THE PACK DID IT! CONGRATS BOYS, YOU BROUGHT THE TROPHY BACK HOME!
It's finally time to see if all of those amazing young players Ted Thompson put together can win in Big D! And I am for one excited, like Raji at a candy store giving out free samples, like Matthews when he puts QB's out of commission.
I barely remember the last super bowl, but I'm going to take this one in, every pixel, every big play, let's bring it back to Lambeau boys!
Super bowl edition. This was actually supposed to be posted Friday of course, but I didn't have time. And of course, Go Pack!
It's a cold snowy day... so pick up Grade 5. On a snowy day like this, I don't know what else you would want to do. I mean you could watch TV, but reading is fun too, so give your eyes a break from the screen & pick up this thing.
It's now available in print here http://indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4728
And remember the digital version is still available on lulu.com
Before I left work today I found out I that I'll be having a snow day due to the snow storm coming that may give us 18 inches of snow. Yup, snow days are great, but then...
I got an e-mail from ka-blam.com telling me the book is now available in print at indyplanet.com. Yup, you can get Grade 5 #1 there for $3.50. And comic stores can get the book here at
http://www.comicsmonkey.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4728
