Cartridge

The grind

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:48:13 PST

Posted by Chris on 2009-11-08 17:57:18

You read that right! Scott Smith of Slackerz will be at my table at DWEX, so you're going to be getting double the awesome for your money when you come see me! I'll have copies of Cartridge: Mint Condition and some buttons for sale, so if you live nearby, you can't miss out on this!

Well, I've got to get working on next week's comic so it won't be late. Since I'll be out this weekend, the comic will probably be updated on Monday morning or Friday night. We'll see. Anyway, I've got a lot of preparations to make, so I'm off for now!

Batarang'd

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:15:09 PST

Posted by Chris on 2009-11-01 14:15:52

Alright! I've finally caught up on my sleep, and It's time to get a blog put together.

First of all, I got my table at DWEX settled. My books are in, and everything is prepared! I'll be at table #3, so come check me out! Check out a map of the event below. (Click for a large version.)

Hope you all had a great Halloween! I had a great time. Went out as Clark Kent.

As far as this page goes, I'm honestly not too happy with it, but I just need to keep pressing on so I don't fall behind schedule. Got some nice pages ahead of us. See you next week, everyone!

Batarang'd

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:03:25 PST

Posted by Chris on 2009-11-01 14:15:52

Blog post to come. Need sleep badly.

Boss Stage

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:58:05 PDT

Posted by Chris on 2009-10-25 18:23:50

Well, here we go! This marks the beginning of the third and final chapter of this arc. I chose this title not only because the guys will finally facing a huge challenge, but also because this chapter will be the biggest challenge yet for me, from both the artistic and writing sides. I'm nervous about pulling it all off well, but I'm also excited to finally see this story coming to a close.

I'd better take this opportunity to plug my book, since this chapter cover will be a high-traffic page. Remember that the book is not this story, but completely separate content featuring the same characters.

You can buy copies (both signed and unsigned) in my store, but at the moment I am sold out, and won't be able to restock until after DWEX.In the meantime you can buy unsigned copies from IndyPlanet,

Well, I need to get working on this chapter. See you all next week with page one!

We're doing this, man

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:59:01 PDT

Posted by Chris on 2009-10-18 20:53:44

And so Haunted By Demons comes to a close! This chapter didn't really turn out much like I'd imagined it, but it still got us where we needed to go. The next chapter will be the last in this arc, and then we'll move on to much shorter, more lighthearted stories. At least for a while.

That's really all the news I have for now. Looking forward to DWEX and I'm getting to work on chapter three, so I'll see you back here next week!

Doomed

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:28:51 PDT

Posted by Chris on 2009-10-11 19:11:06

Wow, it's hard to believe this chapter is almost over. The next page will be the last in chapter two, and then we begin the third chapter, the last in this arc. I'm excited to be working on the end of this story, but I'm also really nervous about the heavy pressure to make it all satisfying.

I hope you're all excited about DWEX. I know I am. Plans are finally starting to come together, and I'm looking forward to making my first con appearance.

Anyway, I've got some comic work ahead of me, so I'm going to get on that as soon as possible. It was a very busy weekend for me, so I didn't have time to work on my buffer. I'm still ahead of my schedule, but not as much as before. See you next week, kids.

The Abyss

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:20:25 PDT

Posted by Chris on 2009-10-04 18:07:22

Well another week, another comic! Hopefully in time I'll be able to give you more than one page a week, but sadly I'm stuck at this rate for now until my life gets less busy. Fortunately I've already finished next week's comic, since I'll be out this weekend with family. I'll be home before Sunday, though, so the comic will update on time.

Played through Fable 2, and I have to say, while I enjoyed it, I think Yahtzee was completely on target. The actual gameplay is way too short. If you were to ignore all the time-burning stuff like getting married and making people like you (none of which really makes any difference as far as I can tell) you can breeze through the game in an afternoon. And working in-game is almost as boring as working in real life, and a thousand times more repetitive. Still, it didn't completely suck, I'd just say it's more of a rental than a purchase.

Anyway, I've got more comic work to do. I've already penciled some of the third chapter of this arc. I can't wait to show you guys. I've gotten much better since the last time I showed the guys fighting zombies, so this chapter is going to be a lot more fun.

See you next week!

I'm Bat-Milton

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:11:37 PDT

Posted by Chris on 2009-09-27 19:25:07

I know this page kind of looks like it ends on a punchline, but it really doesn't. It flows directly into the next page. Tried to avoid that, but I just couldn't pace it correctly. Really, I ought to be glad it looks like I meant to end the page on that panel and let you see the truth with the next update, but a lot of you guys tell me you really enjoy it when I use this blog space to talk about the work that goes on behind the scenes to make this comic.

Anyway, I'm feeling pretty ill this weekend so I'm going to cut this blog short. Thank goodness next week's page is already finished. I can spend my free time in bed instead of hunched over a computer. And here's the comic book promo video one last time, in case you haven't visited in a while. See you next week, kids.

Big red

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:27:27 PDT

Posted by Chris on 2009-09-20 18:39:55

Welcome back, kiddies! This has been a great week! I got an order of copies of Cartridge: Mint Condition in the mail this week, however it only took me a few hours to sell out! This is why it's a good idea to follow me on Twitter, since that was how I announced that the books went on sale. Anyway, I have a much larger order coming in, but you'll have to wait a bit longer if you want a signed copy. However, if you don't care about the signature, you can always buy a copy from IndyPlanet!

Oh, and in case you missed it last week, here's the video for the new book again:

Well, keep on reading and I'll see you here next week!

Choices

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:05:47 PDT

Posted by Chris on 2009-09-13 19:24:28

I'm gonna shut up for a sec and let this video do the talking for me.

Did you watch that? Good. Because the comic is now for sale!!! At the moment the store entry reads "Sold out" (because technically I am) but there is a hyperlink to IndyPlanet's entry where you can buy unsigned copies of the book right away!

Actually, I think that's all I really need to say this week. Enjoy the promo, and I hope it sells you on the book. I'm really proud of it. See you guys next week!

Portable Prison

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:06:06 PDT

Posted by Chris on 2009-09-06 19:05:55

What a week! I barely got this comic done in time, but I managed to buckle down and not disappoint you guys. First of all, I received my first few copies of Cartridge: Mint Condition this week! I'm extremely happy with it and can't wait to put it on sale. I've added the product to the store, and I will be adding an option for signed copies as well, but I won't be able to sell them myself until I get a good-sized stock order in. However, I've submitted the comic to the printer's own store, IndyPlanet, so if you really need your Cartridge fix as possible, the comic will be available on that site very soon. I'll keep you guys posted and notify you as soon as it's added to the store.

Oh! And before I forget, (because I meant to post this last week) I want to tell you guys about this awesome band called I Fight Dragons. DJ Coffman linked them on his twitter a week or so ago, and once I looked into them I was hooked. If you sign up for their mailing list they'll send you their EP as a free download, so you should go check it out now! My iPod has been happily playing their stuff since the moment I finished the download. My favorite track has got to be "Heads Up Hearts Down," which I plan to make into a ringtone as soon as I'm done typing this blog.

What makes this band so awesome, you may wonder? They're a rock band that uses modded game controllers as instruments, combining 8-bit and 16-bit music to their rock sound. That by itself isn't what makes them special, though. I've seen the old "8-bit blended with rock" gimmick before, and it's never won me over. The reason being that the other bands I've seen were using the gimmick as a way to attract attention to their otherwise mediocre music. It was enough to get me to listen once, just out of curiosity, but I never got hooked on any of the songs. That's where I Fight Dragons is completely different. They're an insanely talented group, and I truly believe they would be completely awesome even without the video game sounds. Instead of being a gimmick to attract attention, it's a tool that helps set them apart from other bands. That's why I can't get enough. Not only that, but all the other bands I've seen using video game sounds had them pre-recorded and it wasn't really a part of the live performance. I Fight Dragons have actually turned their controllers into instruments capable of live performance. I can't even begin to imagine the insane amount of work this must have taken. Check out this video to see just how much creativity and hard work has gone into their act:

Well, that's all for this week! Now I've got to get to work on the next page.

Back to the present

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:47:11 PDT

Posted by Chris on 2009-08-30 19:29:18

And we're finally back in the present! Sorry the flashback took so long. Like I said last week, this story was written a long time ago, and among other things, one of the problems I hadn't considered when I wrote this story was how incredibly long it would take to tell everything on a once-a-week update schedule. Believe me when I say I'm trying everything I can to speed things up. I've already chopped out huge chunks of the story as it is. I expected to be able to take my time and explore all sorts of areas of Jerry's life, as well as Evan and Milton's friendship, but I'll have to find ways to write it into future stories. From here on out, I'm focusing on gearing the story into a faster pace. At least the new layout will help me with that. The new dimensions allow me to fit almost a whole extra half page into each update, so it's making it much easier for me to pick up the pace while keeping each update as satisfying as possible.

As far as the print comic goes, Ka-Blam currently says my order is printed and ready to ship, so it's a matter of days before I have them in hand. Now, the first run is a small test run to check the quality, and the extra copies I ordered are already sold. I'll be ordering more soon, and I may do preorders, depending on how well I am doing financially at the time the first order arrives. If I do, I'll be sure to throw in a nice little bonus of some kind.

By the way, my pal Koltreg has a new comic running, and you should go check it out! It's called Super Feudal Communist Russia Team Squad Now!, and it's looking great so far.

Well, that's all for this week. See you next week, when we'll learn more about Jerry's plan!

Zap!

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:04:07 PDT

Posted by Chris on 2009-08-23 20:57:26

Yeah, I know the onomatopoeia is a bit corny, but I love the way it lends a sort of old-school comic book feel to a page.

I'm actually a bit happier with the art in this page than I usually am. Although I know a lot of people look at silhouettes as a cop-out standing in for true detail, I think when there's reason for it, it's far superior to full detail.

This brings us to the end of the flashback portion of the story. Next week we'll be back in the present with the zombie-filled mall. It may seem like an abrupt end to Jerry's tale, but in time you'll see why it was done that way. I hate that I have to keep telling you guys "Just wait! It will all make sense soon!" but the truth is when this story was written I was all excited about making it huge and epic and full of character development that I didn't give much thought to how well it would actually pace as it unfolds before the reader. All I can say is hang in there. This story has a satisfying conclusion and once we reach it I've got plenty of better, shorter, and funnier stories in store for you. Things will only get better.

By the way, I've sent in a small test-run order to have Cartridge: Mint Condition printed, and if it goes well I'll be ready to place a large order and start selling it soon! I may make the option for signed copies if there's a demand for it. We'll see. Going to be at least a couple of weeks until I know if the book is ready to sell.

Into action

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:03:14 PDT

Posted by Chris on 2009-08-16 20:01:40

Hello there, Cartridge readers! Above you will find the new format for the comic, and I hope you enjoy it. Don't see any reason why you wouldn't, since it's easier for me to draw, and offers more content for you! On top of it all, this format is print-ready, meaning if I should choose, I can print these comics. Not that I currently have any plans to print anything from this arc, however.

But that's not all the news for this week! I'm proud to announce that I've finished work on the first print issue of Cartridge! That's right, I will soon be submitting the work to a printer and you will be able to purchase Cartridge: Mint Condition very soon! It includes a total of four stories involving our main characters, two of them are short, and two of them a bit longer. All in all it comes to 24 pages! The stories will eventually run on this site, but the comic in will include material exclusive to the print edition. More details on that once I have some hard copies in my hands!

Well, that's all for now. See you next week, everyone!

Groovy

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:49:52 PDT

Posted by Chris on 2009-08-09 20:24:19

I should hope that by now, you guys are used to constant change around here. That's a good thing, because you're going to see some more changes very soon. As of next week, I'm dumping these dimensions for the dimensions of an actual comic book page. It's going to allow me to fit more panels into the comic, and overall I like the feel of the pages a lot better. Why the change? Because I'm almost done with an actual print comic book of Cartridge, and while working on the comic book, I had to completely rethink almost every aspect of how I make the comic. My new system is FAR more efficient, and it allows me to get pages done much faster, and those pages are laid out a lot better as well. Things are looking up for this comic.

Also, this is a great time to mention that we now have a store! Right now we have only one product for sale, 1.25" buttons, but we have plans to add the comic book very soon, as well as some other products. I made an offer on Twitter to include a doodle with each of the first five purchases from the new store, and I still have a couple left. So buy now before someone else does!

Well anyway, I'm still making plans to attend Dallas Webcomics Expo, a.k.a. DWEX, and I've actually cleared some of the things that were preventing me from being able to make it. We'll still see if I actually can attend, but chances are improving!

Anyway, that's plenty of blogging for now. Enjoy the comic and I'll see you guys next week! I've got a comic book to finish!