david hopkins, antihero comics

01.29.10 - SPIRITS INTERVIEW

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:23:00 +0000

Awhile ago, my friend Kyle Kondas and I met at Uptown Bar to discuss my work in comics. It's part of his SPIRITS video series (click here for more details).

There was a frame/rate issue. The audio is slightly off in a few areas, but all in all, a good interview. I talk a lot and drink my beer.

UPDATE: The audio has been corrected!

01.28.10 - WE'VE NEVER MET

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:43:00 +0000

The latest WE'VE NEVER MET is now available. Look for it on the last page of Quick, DFW's weekly entertainment newspaper. This one might be my favorite thus far. It establishes everything I want you to know about the story. It flows well, and I love the last panel. Chad's art is personable, expressive, incredible. No surprise there.

click for larger version
I don't say it nearly enough, but thank you to everyone at Quick. I greatly appreciate all the attention this comic project receives. You always put a nice image of Liz (our protagonist) in the table of contents -- and post little blurbs here and there to direct people to it. I'm proud to be a Quick contributor.

Tonight, I'm working on the script through April 8th. These characters are coming into their own, and it's fun to spend time with them.

01.26.10 - DALLAS COMIC CON THIS WEEKEND

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:09:00 +0000

Kudos to Mark Walters. I stand up from my chair and begin the slow clap. Others join in. Mark, you brought in some great guests. This Dallas Comic Con might be the best one ever.

There's Tim Sale, Adam Hughes, Michael Golden, Mark Brooks, Todd Nauck, Terry Moore, Jim Mahfood, Mike Huddleston, Tom Feister, Matt Sturges, Renee Witterstaetter, Harold Ledoux, plus lots of local talent like James O'Barr, Brian Denham, Kerry Gamill, Josh Howard, Cal Slayton, Joe Eisma, and Brent Peeples.

From film and television, we have Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia from Buffy!), Adam West (TV Batman!), Sean Patrick Flanery (Boondock Saints!), and some tall dude from Twilight.

The cast of The Variants will be in attendance and G4TV's Next Woman of the Web Action Flick Chick, Katrina Hill.

click here for the full guest list

I'll be there, but I'm a regular. Beyond all the usual stuff, I will have copies of ONE NIGHT STAND for anyone who needs it. I'll have the KARMA INCORPORATED SCRIPT BOOK, which is only available at conventions. I'm handing out postcards to promote WE'VE NEVER MET and SOUVENIR OF DALLAS. I'm fairly sure that my artistic cohorts Paul Milligan and Brock Rizy will be seated on either side of me -- available for commissioned sketches. Chad Thomas said he'd visit on Saturday. Maybe we can convince him to sit for a while and do a sketch or two?

Bring money. Meet a celebrity or two. Ask Cordelia to sign your Buffy Season 3 DVD. Get some sketches from Paul, Brock, and Chad. That's a good weekend.

01.25.10 - DAILY WRITER, STRIVING FOR ORIGINALITY

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:19:00 +0000

Striving for originality (p. 23). Take a typical setting for a horror or fantasy novel and jot down ideas for atypical characters and situations that might take place in that typical setting.

Location: an old haunted house in the middle of nowhere

Instead of young good-looking people as our protagonists, how about casting an elderly couple? Grandpa is feeble, which increases the potential conflicts. Plus, Grandpa must reconcile his stubborn religious beliefs with the supernatural once he encounters it. Maybe they retired to this old house as the culmination of a life-long dream?

Ghosts and monsters of all kinds have been done. Animated puppets and toys have been done. Is there a monster that hasn't been explored? Internal and external. Shifting perspectives. It's all been done. This is tricky. I like the idea that there is no monster. The paranoia consumes the victims, but yes, I'm sure that's been done. If it gets too atypical, it would be absurd. Attack of the killer coffee beans? Attack of the killer air conditioning unit? Attack of the killing extremities? The character's ears detach from his head and attempt to kill him by jumping down the victim's throat.

One of the most disturbing movies I've ever seen was David Lynch's ERASERHEAD. When absurdities are taken seriously and left unexplained, the audiences doesn't know what to do with that.

An atypical situation might be to explore an idea besides claustrophobia. Many horror stories have the character's trapped within their setting. Even if they are abandoned at sea, they are still in a setting they can't escape. The SIXTH SENSE and EXORCIST were interesting variations, because no matter where they went, they couldn't escape the horror -- because it was within them. SIXTH SENSE offered a fascinating resolution. The boy learned to live with his situation.

A house lends itself to a confinement story. What if the house followed the couple wherever they moved? They would move into a new house, and it would transform into their old house, but no one else in the town would ever notice. It's always been that way. Even if they moved into a condo or apartment, entire communities of people would just disappear -- replaced by the house?

01.22.10 - WHITE SUIT CONSPIRACY

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:53:00 +0000

April, darling, you may not want to read this blog post, especially the last two paragraphs.

Okay. So I went to Banana Republic tonight, and I bought a new navy blue pin-striped jacket and a button-up shirt. Even though I don't normally spend a lot of money on clothes, I will confess that I love wearing nice clothes. I fantasize about having that "look": nice suit and shirt, nice shoes, nice pants or jeans.

I don't think too many people know this secret of mine. It's not like I visit the dry cleaners too often. I hardly ever iron my clothes, and I tend to wear the same five shirts and the same brown jacket over and over again. It's sad. However, deep down, I want to look good. April might have come to this conclusion, considering the frequency of my question: "How do I look?" I linger a little too long in magazines that feature a section on men's fashion. Also, it's a rare day that you will find me wearing a t-shirt with an ironic or witty statement. Please.

The truth is out. Now, comes the real confession. I have figured out what I need in order to get published. I need a white suit. If I were to obtain one, my writing career would take off. Tom Wolfe. Ernest Hemingway. Mark Twain. Wes Anderson. John Lennon. They are one with the white suit. (A few articles on the mystique of the white suit: here and here) A white suit possesses magical creative properties.

If any local Dallas designer would like to be the proud provider of my white suit, I would happily post a banner link on the right margin for a full year. I will be your white-suited spokesperson. I will take good care of my suit, and I will wear it to every convention, signing, and other social event. Oh yes, it's happening. Spread the word.

01.21.10 - DAILY WRITER, ON MOTIVATION

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:47:00 +0000

For my Creative Writing class, I picked up a copy of THE DAILY WRITER by Fred White. It's a collection of meditations and exercises to help establish a regular writing routine. I assign a page for each day in class. I thought it might be good for me to write along with my students. If nothing else, it gives me something else to post on my blog. I will try to keep these writings down to a brief 10 minutes. After all, this is a starter activity -- if I spend too long on it, that defeats the purpose of the activity. I tend to pause too much for rewriting and editing. If I'm so brave and willing to ignore the backspace key, you'll get a mostly stream of conscious response.

On Motivation (p. 22). Begin a journal entry with the words: "The real reason I want to be a writer is as follows..."

The real reason I want to be a writer is as follows: I love stories. It's not that I especially love telling stories. Although, I do. It's the story itself. I love stories in all formats, media, and genre. I could bury myself in a movie, a television show, a comic book, a novel, an audiobook, an episode of This American Life, and I would be perfectly content. I think when you love stories, when you get as hungry as I do for them, you have to start creating your own.

Originally, this contemplation of the "real reason" stressed me out. I couldn't objectively evaluate my motivation. What if it's just because I wanted to be good at something, anything, so I figured I would stubbornly push forward in this direction? Regardless of a lack of natural talent. What if it's merely the desire to call myself a "writer". Admittedly, this reason gave me pause. Sometimes, I hate telling people I'm a teacher. It's not that I hate teaching, but I hate the immediate reactions. You tell someone you're a teacher and they go into their theories on how to fix public education, or they offer sympathy for my career path. If you want to know my thoughts, I really don't think that public education is as bad as we think it is. It's better to tell people you're a writer, because they have no instant talking point. They probably don't believe you when you say you're a writer, but whatever. As I pondered this prompt, I wanted my reason to be something noble: I have a passion for the written word or I want to transform society with my insights. Nah. I'm a big nerd for good stories. I obsess over them, and sometimes it's more permissible to obsess over something you're working on than an episode of The Office. (I mean, how many years have I been working on ASTRONAUT DAD?)

There you go, first entry. More to follow. Maybe.

01.14.10 - POSTCARDS

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:39:00 +0000

I just completed an order of 1,000 5x7 postcards through Overnightprints.com. We should have them in time for Dallas Comic Con.

I'll distribute the remaining cards to various DFW comic book stores and other strategic retail locations. The hope is to spread the word about our work in D Magazine and Quick.

Postcards designed by Paul Milligan. WE'VE NEVER MET art by Chad Thomas. SOUVENIR OF DALLAS art by Paul Milligan (again).

01.12.10 - AN UPDATE ON MY LOCAL STUFF

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:29:00 +0000

This week, I've been working on SOUVENIR OF DALLAS for D Magazine's March issue. It's covering affordable dining in Deep Ellum.

In addition to some other freelance work, I'm plotting WE'VE NEVER MET through the month of April. Here's a sneak peek at what's coming, without spoiling too much.

January 14th: Disaster Picnic 2010. Already scripted and illustrated, this one will come out on Thursday. We're introducing another major character, Patricia.

January 28th: Already scripted, this one flashes back to what else happened at Lee Harvey's on New Year's Eve. Keith and Patricia are involved.

February 11th: We return to Disaster Picnic 2010. In honor of Valentine's Day, Patricia and Liz talk about relationship problems. Actually, Patricia does most of the talking.

February 25th: SXSW, part 1. The band loads up and prepares to make the trip down to Austin for SXSW.

March 11th: SXSW, part 2. The band in Austin.

March 25th: SXSW, part 3. The band in Austin.

April 8th: SXSW, part 4. The band returns from SXSW, and they're happy to be back.

01.05.10 - GOODBYE YEAR OF THE OX. HELLO TIGER.

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:14:00 +0000

This traditional "year in review" posted a little later than usual. We returned from vacation on January 2nd, and came home to a broken router. Two trips to two different AT&T stores, a call to tech support, a missed security question ("Who is my favorite singer?"), and a $100 router later, now I'm back online. April is sick. Unfortunately, that's her holiday tradition. And Kennedy is still on California time. She's wide awake, while I'm trying to convince her that she's tired. It's a lost cause.

This year has been good. April and I have been together for over two years. It's hard to believe it's been so long. That's pretty serious, right? I think so. More adventures to follow. Kennedy is five years old now. She's in public school, which has been great -- and no longer paying for the Montessori Academy is kinda like giving myself a raise. However, most importantly, she's learning a lot and enjoys school. Score one for America's education system. Cynics need not comment. One of last year's resolutions was to pay off my debts, and I'm happy to report I'm almost there. I only have one bill left, not including mortgage. I should have everything settled come this May. Then I can have... something called a... savings? I believe this is what adults do with their money. Then the money makes more money, all by itself. My biggest frustration of last year was not getting any new graphic novels on the shelf, but hopefully 2010 will be more generous. I'll just keep writing and pushing forward. Anything else to report? April says I make my posts too long, so I'll stop now and get to the part you've probably skipped to anyways: the lists.

Previously: 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008

Memorable events for 2009:

* G1 Google phone
* Kennedy's 5th birthday party
* Roadtrip along Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur and Carmel
* 4th of July Fireworks at Laguna Beach
* Getting Berkeley (dog #2)
* Kennedy's first day of Kindergarten
* Officiating Chris and Sasha's wedding
* Debut of "We've Never Met"

Favorite comic books I read in 2009:

* Monster
* Pluto: Urasawa x Tezuka
* Asterios Polyp
* Stitches
* Three Shadows
* You Have Killed Me
* Parker: The Hunter

Favorite TV Shows I watched in 2009:

* Lost
* How I Met Your Mother
* Dollhouse
* 30 Rock
* Carnivale
* Venture Brothers

Favorite movies I watched in 2009:

* (500) Days of Summer
* Away We Go
* Synecdoche, New York
* Pirate Radio
* An Education
* The Brothers Bloom
* Inglourious Basterds

Favorite food for 2009:

* Barra Kebab Masala from Tandoor

Favorite music I listened to in 2009:

* A Camp, Colonia
* Old Canes, Early Morning Hymns
* Ramona Falls, Intuit
* Robert Gomez, Pine Sticks and Phosphorus
* A.A. Bondy, American Hearts

12.31.09 - SOME END OF THE YEAR LINKS

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:29:00 +0000

First, thank you to everyone at Golden Apple Comics in Los Angeles for hosting us. There was some confusion at first, because our contact person was out all week with H1N1. So, I showed up with a box of comics (early as always) and they didn't know they were having a signing -- but it didn't phase them at all. "Cool. Let's set you up over here." Introductions were made, and we were good to go. Plus, with California locals Christopher Higginson, Cat Staggs, and Sina Grace, we were able to bring a lot of people to Golden Apple. The people at that comic book store were all very nice. It was good to hang out with Christopher, Cat, and Sina -- and thank you Christian Beranek and Christina Weir for stopping by and supporting us.

A picture of us at the signing (click here)

A nice review of ONE NIGHT STAND (click here)

My interview with CBR about ONE NIGHT STAND (click here)

The latest WE'VE NEVER MET is now available, featuring the new logo by Jenni Leder. Look for Quick in racks around town. (click here)

This week's Quick also features some love for the web series The Variants.

12.23.09 - FIGHTING DAVID PARROT

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:46:00 +0000

In 2003, I scripted this short story titled "Fighting David Parrot." It was part of a project on childhood enemies. The story gathered dust along with a few other scripts (totaling 100 or so pages), that never found an artist -- or the artist never finished. All hidden away on my computer's hard drive. Recently, my friend Phillip Ginn asked if I had any stories he could illustrate. He was itching to work on something. I looked through my files and re-discovered this one. I emailed it to him.

Today, he emailed these pages back to me.

I really love his artwork. To see more comics by Phillip Ginn, make sure to visit his website.

12.22.09 - D MAG, QUICK, NEW LOGO, AND STUFF

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:12:00 +0000

The January issue of D Magazine is now available in newsstands around town. It features a new installment of SOUVENIR OF DALLAS (click here). Also, this week's Quick has the latest WE'VE NEVER MET (click here).

SOUVENIR OF DALLAS covers the opening of Main Street Garden in downtown Dallas. I attended. (What? You think I make all this stuff up?) It's a beautiful park, and finally we have some green in a downtown dominated by concrete. Score. However, being satire, it wouldn't be any fun for the comic to leave it at that.

WE'VE NEVER MET introduces Trenton, one of Liz's best friends and a fearless bike rider. I was a little worried that I'd get a negative response from the biking community, especially my friends at Bike-Friendly Oak Cliff. However, with the exception of this twitter post from Pedal Dallas, I haven't heard much. Maybe everyone is still worn out from the Observer's big story on the subject? Yes, it's not a good idea to ride on the highway without a helmet and other proper equipment (rear-view mirrors, etc). It's also probably bad for someone to ride with you, standing on your back wheel pegs, at night, on the highway. This comic might stereotype bicyclists as having unrealistic expectations of their place within traffic. If you feel slighted, let me know! Alas, responsible behavior just isn't as funny. Given the chance, Trenton will grow as a character. Mostly, I wanted to make one big statement with this issue: It is possible to live in Dallas without a car, but it's probably not easy. Trains, buses, and bicycles will be instrumental, along with other creative alternatives.

The next WE'VE NEVER MET will come out December 31st and will debut our new logo, designed by Jenni Leder.

Currently, Paul, Chad, and I are working on some postcards to promote SOUVENIR and WE'VE NEVER MET. I should have them ready by January's Dallas Comic Con.

In other news, I shipped ONE NIGHT STAND to retailers yesterday. If you live near one of these stores, pick up your copy on December 30th. On that day, I'll be signing at Golden Apple Comics in Los Angeles with Cat Staggs, Sina Grace, and Christopher Higginson.

Comps will be sent soon to the artists involved. If you are a ONE NIGHT STAND artist, try to wait for your comps. I want regular store customers to have a chance at this mini-comic. Supplies will be limited.

One random link: Here's a humorous and insightful review of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (click here). It's 70 minutes in length and worth every minute. This video actually doubles as a fairly good Creative Writing lecture on critical mistakes made with characters and plot. Valuable stuff to keep in mind when you work on your next story.

12.20.09 - AN ANTIHERO CHRISTMAS TRADITION THAT WON'T DIE

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:04:00 +0000

No, I haven't forgotten. It's December 20th, which marks the 5th annual posting of O Holy Night (trainwreck version).

Share the song with others. Re-tweet it. Sneak it into your favorite Christmas mix. Request it on KXT.

Holiday cruelty at its finest.

12.14.09 - ART CON 5

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:13:00 +0000

This past Saturday was the 5th annual Art Conspiracy (commentary and slide show by the Observer: click here, video by Ben Smithson: click here). I said it a few years ago, and the statement still holds true, this is the coolest event in Dallas. Art and music, all in support of a good cause.

photo by Ange Fitzgerald
Here are a few things I noticed:

* The programs looked pretty. I kept looking at them throughout the night. Delicious full color, nice, glossy paper.

* Partnering with KERA's Art&Seek was genius, a good match for both sides.

* Last year was the year of Red Stripe. Lots and lots of Red Stripe. I'm glad they added more variety this year.

* April is a really good artist, and she needs to go further with it.

* It's a crime that Kristian Donaldson did not participate this year. (I know you were probably busy, but Dallas art is incomplete without you.)

* Never heard The Boom Boom Box before. I really like them. It makes me feel like I'm 17 again, in a good way.

* Paul Slavens looks like a pimp, in a good way.

* I was happy with my piece until it went for only $40. I know that's shallow, but I'm thinking about the charity here. Yes? No, I'm shallow. Next year, just wait, next year, I will blow minds!

* April and I bought our first piece this year, an amazing print by David Wilson.

* Don't try to outbid a guy in a pinstripe suit.

* Gosh darn it. They stuck to the schedule.

* Tania Kaufmann has the best artist bio ever. "Pew Pew."

* I missed some of my friends who were there, and I didn't get a chance to chat with them. Just reminds me that I need to visit Dallas more often.

* Everyone was talking about how cold it was this year. It wasn't that bad.

* Best stage ever (click here).

12.11.09 - UPDATES

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:34:00 +0000

Here's another WE'VE NEVER MET character sketch by Chad Thomas. This is Trenton. He will make his debut next Thursday, December 17th.

Also, my friend Jenni Leder is designing the logo for WE'VE NEVER MET. Expect it to appear January 2010.

12.08.09 - MINICOMIC GETS AROUND

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:33:00 +0000

Here's a list of all the incredible stores that will receive copies of ONE NIGHT STAND for December 30th. Hopefully, there is a retailer near you. At this point, I'm at full capacity and cannot add anymore locations.

Zeus Comics and Collectibles in Dallas, Texas
Titan Comics in Dallas, Texas
Lone Star Comics in Dallas, Texas
Keith's Comics in Dallas, Texas
Good Records in Dallas, Texas
Madness Games & Comics in Plano, Texas
Heroplex Comics and Games in North Richland Hills, Texas
Boomerang Comics in Lewisville, Texas
Austin Books in Austin, Texas
Domy in Austin, Texas
When Nerds Collide in Allen, Texas
Allstar Comics & Games in El Paso, Texas
Atomic Comics in San Antonio, Texas
Skylight Books in Los Angeles, California
Meltdown in Los Angeles, California
Golden Apple in Los Angeles, California
House of Secrets in Burbank, California
Hi De Ho Comics in Santa Monica, California
Isotope in San Francisco, California
Comic Relief in Berkeley, California
Hijinx Comix in San Jose, California
4 Color Fantasies in Rancho Cucamonga, California
Jim Hanley's Universe in New York, New York
Midtown Comics in New York, New York
St. Mark's Comics in New York, New York
St. Mark's Comics in Brooklyn, New York
Rocketship in Brooklyn, New York
Jim Hanley's Universe in Staten Island, New York
Pulp Nouveau Comix in Canandaigua, New York
Challengers in Chicago, Illinois
Quimby's in Chicago, Illinois
Chicago Comics in Chicago, Illinois
Brainstorm Movies, Comics, & Gaming in Chicago, Illinois
Comix Revolution in Evantston, Illinois
The Million Year Picnic in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Hub Comics in Somerville, Massachusetts
Comicopia in Boston, Massachusetts
Reading Frenzy in Portland, Oregon
Cosmic Monkey Comics in Portland, Oregon
Floating World Comics in Portland, Oregon
Zanadu - Downtown in Seattle, Washington
Zanadu - University in Seattle, Washington
SpazDog Comics in Phoenix, Arizona
Samurai Comics in Phoenix, Arizona
Big Brain Comics in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Source Comics and Games in Falcon Heights, Minnesota
Bizarro Wuxtry in Athens, Georgia
The Dragon's Horde in Stone Mountain, Georgia
Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, Oklahoma
Astrokitty Comics in Lawrence, Kansas
Star Clipper in St. Louis, Missouri
Copacetic Comics Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Atomic Books in Baltimore, Maryland
Sarge's Comics in New London, Connecticut
Green Brain Comics in Dearborn, Michigan
Velocity Comics in Richmond, Virginia
Ssalefish Comics in Winston Salem, North Carolina
Tangled Web in Spartanburg, South Carolina
Zaldiva Comics and Collectibles in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Strange Adventures in Fredericton, New Brunswick
Strange Adventures in Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Beguiling in Toronto, Ontario
Comics Mart in Singapore

Now, I must return to more folding and stapling.

12.07.09 - ART CONSPIRACY THIS SATURDAY

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:46:00 +0000

Art Conspiracy V is this Saturday, December 12th. Lots of artists. Lots of cool music by Telegraph Canyon, The Crash That Took Me, The Boom Boom Box and RTB2. All reasonably priced at $10 to benefit Resolana. Information, including a map, here: www.artconspiracy.org

Art & Seek posted some of the behind the scenes info: Frank's studio | Jason's studio | Cari on THINK

I've participated in Art Conspiracy every single year since the beginning, plus I was one of feature artists for Art Con's SEED 2008. I'm rather proud of that.

This event represents what I love most about Dallas. So much earnestness goes into making Art Con work. There's none of that pretentious detachment. It's always a little rough around the edges, but everyone believes in the art, the community, and their ability to make the world a little better. Hard not to sense a connection between the success of Art Con and all subsequent endeavours such as La Reunion TX and Bike Friendly Oak Cliff. There's an unyielding optimism in the ability to remake our city into the kind of place where we'd want to live. It's contagious.

My piece this year will be similar to the previous two years (here and here). Except this year, I'm including a graphic element along the top 1/3. And instead of a comic script, I'm going with some unpublished prose. Yes, prose.

Saturday at 7 PM.

12.06.09 - MY KICKSTARTER THANK YOU

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:58:00 +0000

While I spend this weekend folding and stapling some 500+ minicopies, I thought I would take a break to thank the 34 backers who contributed to my Kickstarter project.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Jenni Leder, Adam Gutierrez, April Wenzel, Justin Stewart, Andrew Dalgleish, J. Kyle Fagan, Leah Wilson, Dawn Toh, Tania Kaufmann, Andy Baio, Deborah Driscoll, Vincent Kukua, Zack Sinkler, Phillip Ginn, Brandy Davis, Kevin Nguyen, Gordon McAlpin, Holly Lindem, Jamie Tanner, Kristina Egrigoz, Geoff Johnston, Sarah Jane Semrad, Wim Bens, Jamie Baker, Steven New, Sarah Nash, Dan Hughes, Jessica Stewart, Nate Bramble, Jason Rodriguez, Abeni Garrett, Jonathan Foisset, Sarah Gaydos, and the Samlis

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I still need contact information from some of these people. If that's you, I sent an information request through Kickstarter weeks ago -- please respond. If it got lost in your inbox, then message your address to me. I can't send you a copy of ONE NIGHT STAND or any other goodies, if I don't have your address.

Later this week, I will post a listing of every retailer receiving copies of ONE NIGHT STAND. Look for a store near you, so you can purchase a copy on December 30th.

More exciting news: I will be in Los Angeles for Indy Comic Book Week. Christopher Higginson, Sina Grace, Cat Staggs, and I are signing at Golden Apple Comics. I'll send more information once I have it.

12.03.09 - NEW "WE'VE NEVER MET" THIS WEEK

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:26:00 +0000

Our second installment of WE’VE NEVER MET is now available. Pick up a copy of Quick in racks around town. You can see it online, but it’s not quite the same as the delicious full size print version.

This one was trickier.

Here’s how the process works. I script something and send it to Geoff Johnston for comedic feedback. (“A third public radio station that broadcasts only pledge drives” was Geoff. I forget the original line.) I don’t consider myself a naturally funny person. I mean, I can be funny, but it’s like calling someone a designer because they can put together Ikea furniture. I know what funny looks like. I know how to follow the directions to get to funny, but it’s not a nature process. For this reason, I try to keep WE’VE NEVER MET from being a straight forward “gag comic.”

After I banter with Geoff for a bit, I then send it to my editor Rob Clark for further feedback and approval. (We had several revisions on the final line.) Then, it goes to Chad.

With WE’VE NEVER MET is in its infant stages, we’re still working through the character designs. This one introduces Liz’s friend Addie. Although she looks great now, we had a difficult time designing Addie. I knew what she needed to look like in my head, but something was lost in communicating it to Chad. That falls on me. What you see on the page is version 4.0. Chad was tremendously patient -- hairstyle, clothing, and body type. I was in full out nitpicky mode.

In the end, I think this comic is better than our first, but it wasn’t the graceful process that you dream it will be. Eventually, we’ll fall into a good rhythm.

12.01.09 - PLAYLIST

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:59:00 +0000

No one really demanded it, but you're getting one anyway -- a soundtrack to WE'VE NEVER MET. Raid your iTunes store and grab the tracks.

1. You've Got Your Heart - The O's
2. Send My Regards To London - Elvis Perkins
3. On The Radio - Regina Spektor
4. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
5. Black Rain, Black Rain - A.A. Bondy
6. There Is Nothing - Clem Snide
7. Mouthwash - Kate Nash
8. Breakin' Up - Rilo Kiley
9. Just A Friend - Biz Markie
10. Back In Your Head - Tegan & Sara
11. The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders, Pt. 1 - Sufjan Stevens
12. Change Is Hard - She & Him
13. Bye Bye Love - The Ditty Bops
14. Say Yes - Langhorne Slim
15. We've Never Met - Neko Case

This is what I've been listening to while writing and thinking about Liz.

11.20.09 - INTERVIEWED BY FANBOY VIDEO

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:26:00 +0000

At Dallas Comic Con, Oliver and I talked about HOW TO LOSE BIG, the KARMA INCORPORATED Script Book, and EMILY EDISON.

Fanboy Video also interviewed Cal Slayton, Brian Denham, Brent Erwin, The Variants crew, and J. Scott Campbell.

11.19.09 - FIRST COMIC AND A RANT

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:46:00 +0000

Today, Quick debuted WE'VE NEVER MET, the bimonthly ("every other week") comic by me and Chad Thomas. You can find the print version in racks around the Dallas Fort Worth area.

Lovely, isn't it?

For this project, I'm trying to create a narrative that operates on a few levels. Yes, it will be a humorous self-contained comic on topical issues. Yes, it will also be an ongoing story about a "poor little rich girl" searching for love and trying to start her band. And it's an opportunity to editorialize about Dallas and the creative community within this city.

So, let me share two observations:

OBSERVATION #1. This first comic page was inspired, in part, by the efforts of PAC-WE -- a Dallas based group dedicated to insurance reform and equitable access to health care for freelance creative professionals. I've noticed that a few times every year, there's a huge benefit concert/auction/gallery show etc to help some poor local cover medical expenses and a necessary operation. Think about that for a second. Some guy or girl needs heart surgery, and we hold the artistic equivalent of a bake sale. Something is seriously wrong with health care in America, if this is how we handle it. On one level, it shows the incredible charity of people in Dallas. (If I need a kidney transplant, I know the Happy Bullets will be playing somewhere in my honor!) However, it also reminds us of how limited insurance options are for someone self-employed.

OBSERVATION #2. With this first comic, I also wanted to say something about Dallas's consumption of art. We have no lack of talented people, and yet, our patronage of local art, local theater, local film, local fashion, local comedians, local music, local comics (!) is sorely lacking. Artists love their art. We cherish our art, but we'd probably raise more money selling jello shots at a bar on McKinney Avenue. This says something about what Dallas values. This might be true of anywhere in America, but the reputation of "plastic Dallas" is a hard one to shake.

Last Saturday, April and I went to see Elvis Perkins at House of Blues. These drunk girls next to us were talking the entire time. Why you would pay that much money in service fees alone and not enjoy the concert is beyond me. Another girl next to us told them to shut up. (Something we were all thinking.) These drunk girls then began to torment this other girl, and one even poured her beer on the girl. Why you would waste your $6 beer is also beyond me. I overheard the persecuted girl reply sourly: "Welcome to Dallas."

Really? Really?! Do the drunk idiotic girls of Dallas make a bigger impression than the thoughtful concert-goers who genuinely adore Elvis Perkins? Oh yeah, and then that drunk girl tried to pick a fight with someone else.

This will be an ongoing theme in WE'VE NEVER MET. Who owns our reputation?

I don't mean to suggest that it's an "us versus them" situation, an expansion on jocks versus nerds. (In all fairness, there are some cool places in Uptown, West Village, and Victory Park.) I hate to acknowledge it, but I've been to the Doublewide numerous times, and the bar area often looks more crowded than the stage area. Deep Ellum struggles to keep music venues and art galleries open, and it's our fault. Dallas fails to support local creators. Is this an unfair assessment?

My friend Matt told me a story about a couple that went to Hawaii and ate every night at Chili's. A little absurd? In the same regard, why would you live in Dallas and not check out jazz at Amsterdam Bar on Mondays, eat at Cowboy Chow, visit the Kettle Art gallery or the Public Trust, drink coffee at Murray Street, enjoy a local band at Lee Harvey's on a Friday or Saturday (no cover), watch a midnight movie at the Inwood, cheer your favorite roller derby team, hide away for a weekend at the Belmont Hotel, see a play from the Audacity Theatre Lab or Undermain Theatre? These are just my personal favorites, off the top of my head. I know I'm missing a lot.

I don't mean to sound pessimistic. I'm really not. All the elements for Dallas being a great city are there. These elements just haven't come together on a scale that would allow it to have any momentum. Instead, we just keeping pushing and pushing. I hope WE'VE NEVER MET might get people thinking and talking about what's great in Dallas. Or maybe, as retribution, someone will pour their beer on me.

11.11.09 - QUICK PRESENTS COMICS!

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:25:00 +0000

In my little world, this is a big deal.

Next Thursday, November 19th, Quick (Dallas-Fort Worth area’s free weekly entertainment newspaper) will debut a full page, full color, comic series written by me and illustrated by Chad Thomas. It's titled: WE'VE NEVER MET. It's the story of Liz, a girl who grew up in the secure bubble of Dallas wealth and privilege -- and after graduating, moved to a studio loft in Exposition Park to pursue a career as a musician, working two part-time jobs.

It's a story about the small creative community within Dallas. You can expect some humor, some local flavor, and if they will let me, a little bit of relationship drama. The comic will appear every other week in Quick.

Alternating weeks with WE'VE NEVER MET will be a comic feature written by Stacy Austin Sheffield (aka Geoff Johnston) and illustrated by Cal Slayton.

Let me emphasis how cool this is: Quick is publishing a regular ongoing comic series. Nothing syndicated. It's specific to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I'm excited to see what the response will be.

Thus, I now have a comic in D Magazine (illustrated by Paul Milligan) that appears every other month, and a comic in Quick that appears every other week. D Magazine has a readership of 30,000 people. And Quick reaches more than 90,000 per week. The potential audience is staggering.

UPDATE: "With a circulation of 65,500 and 6.45 readers per copy, we get about 422,000 readers every month. So there." - Tim Rogers of D Magazine

On an artistic level, I'm encouraged by the freedom I've been given and the opportunity to write something ongoing. It will be interesting to sit back and see where the story takes me. WE'VE NEVER MET may only last a few months, or it might be the beginning of something epic. Who knows? Either way, it all starts November 19th.

11.08.09 - BETTER THAN A CAMERA

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:42:00 +0000

Josh Boulet sketched this piece while I was teaching my class for the ArtLoveMagic Artist Workshop -- that's Ben Moss on the left and Michael Lagocki on the right. We had a great conversation that probably could've gone another hour. Oh well, some other time.

Right now, I'm listening to Robert Gomez's BRAND NEW TOWNS. (Check him out on iTunes. I love his music.) Staying up, and I'm working on a new project for Quick, a collaboration with Chad Thomas.

More details in the next few days.

11.05.09 - ONE NIGHT STAND COVER

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:13:00 +0000

Here it is, as designed by the amazing April Wenzel --

I have approximately 8 minutes left on our Kickstarter pledge drive. That's 8 minutes left to pre-order ONE NIGHT STAND. I'm visiting some print shops today to get estimates and find the best deal possible. I'm also working on my class for Saturday's ArtLoveMagic workshop. And last night, I met with Geoff Johnston and the editor of DFW's Quick to discuss a project. (Announcement coming soon.)