I’m trying to paint a picture here. The nerd judicial system is not somewhere you want to end up. The rules are harsh and Byzantine in their arrangements. If you think the nerd police are going to protect you from a random, Xena-inspired beatdown, you’re sorely mistaken, my friend.
The site redesign is pretty much cemented in place and I’ve anchored the store in place. We have TONS of t-shirts available for pre-sale until May 16. Baby doll tees and hoodies, too. Please place your orders now to assure delivery. Drop some of our new 1″ buttons into your shopping cart while you’re at it.
I wrote up a couple of paragraphs explaining the new direction of the store front and its renewed focus on customer service in yesterday’s blog. If you haven’t read it, you might want to scan over it quick so we’re all on the same page.
Something I didn’t mention yesterday was my new commissioned artwork service. If you have something you’d like me to draw for you, I’m game. Read all about what kinds of illustration and designs I can provide as well as check out a couple of samples here.
Because I’m promoting different aspects of the site like crazy, don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list over there on the right. Be the first to know all the latest information, site changes, convention appearances and whatnot. I’ll also be offering merchandise and advertising discounts for mailing list members down the road.
Speaking of conventions, I just added a new information to the page detailing my appearance at Wizard World Chicago August 5-7. You can get all the details about that here.
And lastly, it’s Friday, so that can only mean one thing: The Friday Five. It’s a little even we host every week in the THorum. We ask 5 questions, you answer them. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to the community as well as get to know other members. Sign up today and join in the fun.
More movie stuff later if I think about it. I feel kind of bad that I haven’t offered any new commentary lately. But it’s pretty late right now, so I think I’m going to bed.
Punches to the head shouldn’t tickle and people shouldn’t expect them to. The juxtaposition is too jarring.
Today’s Web Comics List incentive sketch is actually a “two-fer” – as in, “two fer the price of one.” I drew one sketch and wasn’t really communicating what I wanted it to, so I drew a second one. Still, I thought the first one was a good drawing and thought it would be a treat to share both. So I did.
At any rate, so ends this weeks Shopgirl extravaganza. I hope you enjoyed it.
Can I be candid with you a minute? Right now I’m working on an archive application that will make using the site much easier for you in the future, but it requires me to go back and touch every page and look over every comic I have. It has put me in a very reflective mood.
Sometimes I think about how far I’ve come with the comic and I’m really amazed. Three years. MORE than three years of my life I’ve wrapped up into this. I can’t imagine a day where I don’t do it.
But sometimes after taking stock and looking back at these old comics, I think “Man, even though the art wasn’t any good, some of these jokes are much better than what I’m doing right now.”
I don’t know guys. I think I’m in a slump.
It’s been a long one, too. A few months at least. Used to be, I’d enter into a slump and rebound after a month or so. In my mind, at least. These days, I can’t seem to snap out of it.
I can make excuses for myself. Tell myself that it’s been a rough year. It has. Moving to a new house, losing a grandparent, general job and life stresses. It gets to you.
Sometimes I look at the competition and I’m really envious of the guys who gave something up to do this full time. The five days a week guys. That’s something to aspire to. I’m sure it’s hard work – and although their comics are supporting them – I’m sure it’s not much money for the effort. But I imagine them to be very happy people. They get to do this all the time. What an honor.
I’ve expressed this before, but I often wonder what would have become of Theater Hopper had I started it during college and not 3 years after graduation. Would I have gone for it? Hard to say.
I want to make this the best comic for you that I can. I want to make it so as many people as possible can see the work I’m doing and hopefully get a kick out of it and become fans.
Sometimes it seems no matter how much hustling you do, no matter how many connections you make – at some point, things have to level off. I’m worried that right now is one of those times.
I think I know the answer to this problem and most of it to keep your nose to the grindstone and keep putting out work. I think the other half of the problem is to do something new or stretch artistic muscles I haven’t used in a while.
I don’t want this interpreted the wrong way. Theater Hopper is a hobby for me. A successful one at that. I see the traffic that comes through my site and I’m stunned that so many people make this web site part of their daily routine. I think about all the cool people I’ve met and talked to. These are wonderful rewards. But I want to keep growing.
Things will be different after we celebrate our 500th strip on November 25. Maybe a larger storyline is in order. Maybe a crossover. But I’m on the hunt. I want that spark back. I want to light it up for you guys.
Sincere thanks for all your support. I appreciate it. Everyone have a great weekend.