Up From Genre City

Lines Only

So, there are several things different about this week's installment, and the same will go for future installments for a while.

1) The color is gone.  Convention season is fast approaching and I've got several things that need publishing, and losing the color temporarily has saved me literal hours in post-production.  Also, I really like how my new inking style is turning out, so now you can enjoy it unfettered.  Do so.

2) Everything Is Illustratored.  Yep, Borders and Lettering Balloons are now all done with the cool clear hand of a mouse and an Adobe Computer Program.  I figured my haphazzard attempts at drawing those things would just be too distracting.  And darn it, just plain unprofessional.  So, while the color will some day return, expect #2 to be pretty much the status quo around here.

Just thought I'd let you guys know.

Note: The installment in question is only available for free at the above link until the morning of 3/30/2005.  After that, it's subscribers only.

Chibi Chow Brand Dog Food

This week in Genre City: My favorite drawing of Kid Insomnia, hell probably my favorite bout of cartooning, ever.  In the panel where he catches Mister Peripheral, I don't know, everything just balanced perfectly on his head.  I could just stare at it all day.  Unfortunately, it's also a "Fresh Nib" page, meaning I just switched to a new nib as of this page and since it's so sharp, it tears into the page at regular (but microscopic) intervals, causing a lot of inconsistent line weight.  Which does not gel very nicely with my new Light Touch Inking Ethos.  My pencils are still tighter than ever, especially on the wee panels, which I used to draw with hardly any detail at all, and that's helped with damage control on this "Fresh Nib" Minefield.

You'll be happy to know that as if this page, I know exactly where KA's chapter is headed.  More depressing sentiment all around.  Christ, when is something nice going to happen to these people.

Also, for those of you on Genre City Boston Terrier Watch, that is indeed a Boston Terrier hocking Chibi Chow Brand Dog Food.  I ought to copyright that, it's such a clever idea.  Hey, I think, technically, I just did!  You rule, America!

Note: The installment in question is only available for free at the above link until the morning of 3/23/2005.  After that, it's subscribers only.

Using Metal Things Just To Settle Things

This week's Genre City, I have to say, is sort of the perfect encapsulation of the Genre City ethos, if such a thing actually existed.  You've got our main characters, you know, sorting their stuff out, while in the peripheral, your average superfantastical goings on are taking place.

This particular chapter is being written almost completely on the fly.  I have no earthly idea what's going to happen after the first panel of the next page.  Of course I know where Genre City is headed.  I've had the final ten pages locked in head for over two years.  I've got an amazing sequence in the middle.  But this here is the smack middle of the approach.  I've got to get everyone from here to the dance floor, and how they get there is sort of up to them.  All of our other protagonists have pretty defined arcs by necessity.  Kid Insomnia is sort of the wild card in all of this.  It's kind of fitting, though, that I came up with his exact design, which has not been changed at all, when I was fifteen.  He's the oldest member of our little Genre City family, and, at this point, the one most filled with surprises.  This ought to be a fun five pages coming up.

I am heartened in this predicament by all the lovely behind the scenes press Deadwood has been getting lately, which talks by and large about how much David Milch flies by the seat of his pants almost 80% of the time, creating new storylines on the fly when the characters warrant it.  You can expect a shitload of this in Genre City.  If you're not invested in the characters at this point (and this is perfectly possible, considering the screen time they've gotten as individuals), if you're just sticking around for the arcane pop culture references, well, I won't disuade you.  But know that Genre City isn't really about those things.  It's about these five strange and lovely people and the meandering way in which they get on with things.

Fair warning.

Note: The installment in question is only available for free at the above link until the morning of 3/16/2005.  After that, it's subscribers only.

Speed Lines

Not one to rest on my laurels, this week's installment of Genre City contains two more exciting innovations from The House Of Ben.  Okay, I didn't invent them, per se, but this is the first time I've used them.  First up, speed lines.  How could I personify the natives of Little Tokyo without them?  I have to say that during their implementation I was all "Good lord, these look awful," but once I was finished with them and they all came together, I think the overall effect is tight.  Those very speed lines necessitated our second pulse-pounding addition to the Birdie Toolbox: gradation.  Yes, for the the first time in the history of Genre City, we've got panels that look all computerified.  I don't ever intend to use this tehnique on anything other than stylized backgrounds, so don't sweat it.  You won't be seeing any metallic effects or subtle cape folds any time soon.  Eff that noise.  I'm pretty happy with our Japanese Characters this week.  By that, I mean the writing.  Not the stock characters I pulled from Bleach, FLCL, and, dang I don't know where I got Satoshi's dad from.  He sort of reminds me of a cross between Ranma's dad and someone from Metal Gear Solid or something.  Who knows.

Also, you might not know it to look at it, but this is probably the first page of many that will be influenced by the page design of one Eduardo Risso.  I've been hip-deep in back issues of 100 Bullets this week and it occurred to me that Risso designs pages that have at least one bleed panel (i.e. one that goes all the way to the edge of the page), with most of the other panels situated "in front of it".  You can see how I've echoed that technique in today's page.  I'm quite fond of the effect so expect to see quite a bit more of it in the days, weeks, months, and pages to come.

Note: The installment in question is only available for free at the above link until the morning of 3/2/2005.  After that, it's subscribers only.

Or Not Far Enough

This week in Genre City, a new chapter begins, leaving ol' Noah at the very edge of his own peculiar cliffhanger.  I'm quite happy with how the colors came across on this one but after staring at it for over five hours tonight, it's become quite clear that the fundamental gag of this page is the most baroque to have ever hit the pages of my already top=heavy comic.  I'm loathe to sit here and explain it, but I will if enough people comment along the lines of, "No, really.  What the eff is going on here."  I don't know, perhaps I've gone too far.  What do you think?

Note: The installment in question is only available for free at the above link until the morning of 2/23/2005.  After that, it's subscribers only.

The New Frontier

Today's installment of Genre City marks the beginning of a new era in inking and the first traces of some exciting new coloring developments.  As to the former, I had an odd epiphany when I realized I could gain better control over my line by not constantly applying the greatest possible amount of pressure to the CrowQ.  I'm really not all that great at this.  As to the latter, the watchful eye might notice a few intimations of actual depth and three-dimensionality in the colors, thanks to my keen new Intuos3.  I'm taking the babiest of steps here, and it will probably take a  while for me to get fully comfortable/slash competent.  How long is a while.  Consider that it was only this week that I realized it was perhaps not the hottest idea to be constantly applying the greatest possible amount of pressure to the CrowQ.

Note: The installment in question is only available for free at the above link until the morning of 2/16/2005.  After that, it's subscribers only.

SPX: Merqury City Meltdown

Just wanted to let everyone know, I will be at SPX in Bethesda, MD this weekend, October 1st to the 3rd. Table 6-B in the Versailles room, right next to Drew Weing. Why, you ask? Well, first off, to get the buzz going for my new enterprise, Interstate !. And, I guess secondarily, TO SELL MY VERY FIRST SELF-PUBLISHED MINI-COMIC, BEE-HA! It's got the very first Near, Mississippi story in it, which I've titled, "A Worrying Thing". (Sneak a peek-a-loo!) It also comes with a special bonus page and 12 pages of Everything Jake comics by Mike Rosenzweig. If you're there, say hello. And, also, buy the comic.

You can also read the prologue of Genre City in full color at my Computerless Computer Terminal.

Comments, Schmomments

I've got a message board now.

Feel free to start up some conversational shit over there. About the comic or anything I bring up here.

Go!

OMFG

To the three of you who may have tried to read my comic over the last few weeks, you'll note that it is no longer holed up on my website.

That's because Genre City is now under the completely professional auspices (I filled out tax forms and everything!) of Modern Tales.

For the three or four of you who have avidly read Genre City and praised its name over the past year or so, this may come as a bit of a disappointment. After all, I'm starting the comic again from Page 1 again and, even though its got sparkling new lettering that is already, on Day 1, garnering gasps of praise and admiration, at two updates a week, you're going to have to wait a whole heck of a long time to see how the story you've been reading pans out. Also, you'll have to pay to read it. (Although daily updates are free until they're replaced). (And once the first 7 pages are done [in a few weeks] they will be free forever). (So basically you have until midnight Wednesday to read Page 1 or you'll have to subscribe). (Which really doesn't cost that much considering the ridiculous amount of material you'll have access to). (Not to mention my new Promotional Artwork, which is so fabulously tops).

I'm reminded of Jed Bartlett's speech at a VFW Hall before he was elected Fake President of Fake America, where he admits to completely boning the Vermont Dairy Farmers who had voted him Governor in order to help impoverished children.

Well, my three or four Vermont Dairy Farmers, I am going to have to completely bone you to help impoverished me. I hope you'll continue to support Genre City in its new home with its new and very special lettering. It updates Tuesday and Thursday. I make money every time you read it. So please support your newly Professional cartoonist and check it out.

It launched today, June 1, 2004. You have been warned.

We Lost The Game Because Of Blockhead!

It's been a little bit of a while because I just moved, okay? I know you've all been breathless.

Exciting News Break #1

Someone actually signed up for the Genre City Newsletter. Next Stop: Two Subscribers!

There Have Actually Been A Lot Of Things Catching My Attention Lately

A We3 Preview

This looks so awesomely cute and violent and great. I subtitled the Barbelith thread, "Watership Down By Law". My, aren't I clever.

An Astonishing X-Men #1 Preview

Legitimately funny and home of the most convincing image of Katherine Pryde ever released. Sold.

The Complete Peanuts Vol. 1

This thing is so effortlessly beautiful, it will restore your faith in comic art.

Micah Wright Is A Total Douche-Chill

What more can I say?

Manga Is Slowly Garnering My Attention

Over the past couple of days, I've picked up Mahromatic, Kiss Me Kill Me, Iron Wok Jan, Getbackers, Negima, and Kare Kano. I've been hard pressed to find any consistent Manga Review site, except for the marvelous Previews Review. Once I read this large batch of stuff (along with the large batch of stuff I didn't get to read before the move and from this week's paltry batch of new comics) I will most likely have some words.

David Foster Wallace Writes Well About Math

Everything And More is very entertaining and readable. Even if you don't generally like math. It's reminded me how much I love Wallace's voice. He was very nice when I met him, too.

The Second Issue Of The Believer Is Turning Out To Be Better Than The First

No small feat, that. I've been buying The Believer monthly since it came out but have made no attempts to really read it. Same goes for McSweeney's product. I rabidly seek it out and then put it on the shelf, where it remains pretty. But I finally decided to at least get through the issues of The Believer I had and the first issue was a crackerjack. Got me interested in the work of Susan Straight, had a great chat with Beth Orton and some wonderful writing on Dickens, along with a nice opening salvo from Heidi Julavits (whose name I had been misreading in my head pretty much since the first time I saw it), among tons of other fascinating things. The second issue has a great piece by Sven Birkerts that sums up and validates much of what I love in contemporary literature. Thank you, Sven. I am less ashamed. I really don't get the backlash that nearly all McSweeney's products get. Sure, the Achewood strip was classic and very apt, but all too often the stuff is pigeon holed as one thing when its clearly not. A mag like The Believer shows this very well. There's such a wide array of subject matter that, well, I just can't see slamming their output because of one small segment of it.

Wow! What a recap.

Quick Notes: Sunday's Sopranos was so great, and even better having been titled "Unidentified Black Males", and if every episode was that good, I'd understand. Last week's Angel was jaw dropping. Kill Bill Vol. 2 was better than Vol. 1, mainly because it didn't frighten me as much and I am a big baby. I no longer have DVR, so it's so long West Wing until the summer starts. Not that I'm too concerned. Scrubs is a great show.