The advantage to re-drawing about half of the Factor of 01 to be consistent in print format means I get to completely rework things I have not been entirely happy with. Originally the first panel, while it worked, wasn’t entirely what I wanted. This is closer, and while I don’t think I’ve got the handle on 3 point perspective that it demands, I think it’s good enough to serve the purpose.

I also won’t be replacing this on the web site until the next strip is redrawn. I’ve completely changed the beat of the action. That’s the worst part of the original artwork. I really do not like staging fight scenes in my comics, so I do it badly. In the first Jet-Pack Jenny comic, there’s actually two strips that were all black as a cop-out, albeit done on a dare. That second panel is also the second part of my lesson in how harsh a mistress perspective can be. Never ever say you can fix perspective in Photoshop, it will still not look 100% right.

I think I’m probably pushing the definition of Alphabeast a touch close to the edge with this entry but, heck, maybe there’s enough precedent that I might be able to get away with it. That’s me, a loner, a rebel… Anyhow, I’m trying to suggest that U is for Uncle Scrooge, that lovable 1%er from Duckburg who just can’t seem to keep from flailing around in all his accumulated filthy lucre.

I had a hard time coming up with something for U that wasn’t a unicorn or Ultraman that still interested me in drawing it. I gotta admit I’m a little burned out on straight up mythological creatures and I’m turning my eye in a more pop cultural direction. Plus, the local Cartooning Club of which I belong just had a discussion around the recent Carl Barks book from Fantagraphics and so ducks were on my mind. Quack!

Another quick sketch of Gnome idea I did while avoiding finishing an actual piece.  haha.

I’ll post the actual piece once I’m finished.

peace,

Herc

Quick color sketch of a Gnome idea I did while avoiding finishing actual piece. haha.
peace,
Herc

My 15 year-old self would be in rapturous joy over this week’s T-themed Alphabeast. I was a huge, huge, huge, huge, huge fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles all through my junior and early high school years. In fact, the first comic I ever bought that wasn’t from a grocery store or a 7-11 but from a proper comic book shop was TMNT #21 way back in 1989. Buying that comic set me on this sad path that you see me stumbling down even today. So yeah, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, WHOOP! WHOOP! Heroes in a half-shell, turtle power!!

He’s a nasty little spud. It took me a few extra days to zap this fella into myAlphabeasts trap but here he is, a Class 5 Full Roaming Vapor also known as Slimer. Like everybody in the whole entire world, I love Ghostbusters with an ectoplasmic, spectral passion that is only barely exceeded by my noble devotion to hot dogs. So, put ‘em together and you’re really crossing the streams. Also, bustin’ makes me feel good.

This week’s R-themed Alphabeast is derived from an Native American legend among the Lenape tribes concerning the brave and selfless Rainbow Crow. According to the story, the Crow was once the most beautiful of all birds, with brightly colored feathers and a light and lilting singing voice that charmed all who heard his song. One dire winter, however, the animals of the Earth found themselves freezing to death under piles of snow and ice. They decided to send an emissary to the heavens and implore Kijiamuh Ka’ong, the Creator Who Creates By Thinking What Will Be, to unthink the winter weather and thus, save them all. The Rainbow Crow selflessly volunteered and flew for three days before reaching the Creator.

Once met, Kijiamuh Ka’ong said he could not untink the winter but he did offer Rainbow Crow the gift of fire to take back to the creatures of the Earth so that they could warm themselves until the snow and ice abated. So Rainbow Crow set off for Earth with a blazing stick lit by the sun in his beak. As he flew the fire burned closer and closer to his body, scorching his beautiful feathers and covering him in soot. Not only that but the smoke from the branch continually went down his throat and made him hoarse and shrill.

When he finally returned to his friends the Crow was no longer a thing of beauty but had become the blackened and raspy creature we know today. However, if you find a Crow’s feather and hold it up to the light, you can still see all the colors of the rainbow glimmering within.

So dudes, cut those nasty crows some slack. They’ve had it pretty hard.

I was thrilled to be asked to contribute a pin up to the upcoming first issue of Sketch Charlotte member in good standing Bridgit Scheide’s really fabulous Brother Nash comic. For real, Bridgit is just about the hardest working and most talented cartoonist I know and her comics are always excellent reads (that sometimes feature adorable bugs who love cheese crackers). If you haven’t yet had the great pleasure of reading Brother Nash, click on over to this link and you can read the whole of issue 1 totes for free:

www.webcomicsnation.com/bridgitalldigital/brothernash/series.php

Thank you again, Bridgit!

A few new sketch cards.