Tall Tale Features and Elora Video
Category: Art and Photography

Hey all,

Anybody still tuning into this blog when I manage to post, I thank you. You're truly stalwart. As you know, SuperFogeys kind of took over my life. Sorry about that, but it's your fault.

This thing just keeps growing, and he's my latest news, as per the psuedo press release I fashioned (catch up with me afterwards to see some Elora-related tomfoolery):

HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Debuting today: TALL TALE FEATURES!

I've joined what I'm referring to as a "cartoonist collective" called Tall Tale Features. Today is opening day (which makes me a charter member, natch) and I hope you'll all head on over and check it out.


Tall Tale Features is a group of professionally minded cartoonists who have banded together to say "Hey, quality webcomics found here!" (Look, I'm gonna level with your guys here. I'm the novice of the group. I don't know how I got an invite. Everyone else at Tall Tale is either syndicated or making actual money at this thing. Shh! Don't tell them I slipped by.)

So who's a part of this illustrious group? Role Call!

• Lucas Turnbloom of Imagine This
• Brian Anderson of Dog Eat Doug
• Dave Reddick of Legend of Bill
• Mike Witmer of Pinkerton
• Scott Metzger of Stewart
• Brock Heasley of The SuperFogeys

Yeah, that's some serious talent up there. Head on over to TALL TALE FEATURES to find links to each one and check 'em out. Quality stuff!

What else can Tall Tale offer you? Glad you asked. On the main page you're going to find a frequently updated blog filled with news about your favorite comics, pop culture musings and whatever else we feel like talking about. It's also your source for the latest news on all the Tall Tale comics.

Getting into the site a bit more, you'll find a bios of each of the creators on Tall Tale and a link to "TTF Radio" a podcast that will be starting up shortly, hosted by Tom Racine and featuring the Tall Tale crew on a rotational basis.

But the heart and soul of Tall Tale Features has got the be the FORUM. There you'll find separate forums for all your favorite Tall Tale webcomics, along with other forums for discussing nonsense, movies, etc....and a place to plug your work.

Like I said, Tall Tale officially kicks off today so now's a great time to get in there, register on the forums and start being a part of things. We expect big things ahead and hope you'll be there.


-Brock


And for those of you that stuck with me through that... what follows is a link to a minute and half video my mom took of Elora after they watched "Enchanted" together. As my mom says, she rambles a bit, but she does have a point! For those of you have read and enjoyed my many Elora stories, this should be fun:


Elora's take on Enchanted

10:21 AM - 8 Comments - 14 Kudos - Add Comment

Elora’s Rough Morning (or I Got Parenting Skillz)
Category: Life

Elora was having a rough morning. The typical blow-up between her and her mother over which clothes she'd be wearing that day to school resulted in a few more tears than usual. Neither Erin nor I could figure out why.

It was either be late or forcibly put in her in the car. She was smart not to kick me this time.

By the time we pulled up to the school, the effusive crying had turned into mere whimpering, but she still wasn't about to exit the car. I got out, opened her door, and leaned in close while my butt was hung out to dry in the winds of the cars passing us by.

"Elora, I'm gonna get hit by a car. Let's go, sweetheart. It's time for school and you're about to be late."

Still she sat there. I was irritatingly close to being late for work if she didn't get going soon. The last thing I wanted to do was what she actually needed. That would just take up more time.

"Sweetheart, do you want me to walk with you to your class?"

She nodded yes and off we went. When we got to the classroom (now opened and ready for business), it was more of the same. No way she was going in.

"Elora, talk to me. What's wrong? Why don't you want to go to class? Is it because of your clothes?"

Nothing.

"Is it Joseph?" I knew she'd be having trouble with a particular boy in her class lately. Making fun of her clothes, being her friend one day and then not the next. That sort of thing.

She nodded yes.

"Have you talked to Mrs. Wagner? Do you want to go in and talk to her about it?"

Nothing. By this time some of the students in her class had noticed that something was wrong and were coming out to see her. "What's the matter, Elora?" "Are you okay, Elora?" This made Elora retreat even more. I needed to get her in the classroom—fast. It was time to be inspiring.

"Elora, sweetheart, it doesn't matter what Joseph says about you. If he's not being nice to you then we don't care what he has to say. You have other people that care about you, other friends in your class. Mrs. Wagner is there to help you too and if you have any problems, you can always talk to her about it. I know she'll help you and talk to Joseph if you want her to."

Another child from her Kindergarten class, a boy who was obviously even later to school then we now were, marched up at that moment and gave Elora a big grin and a wave.

"Hi, Elora!"

As he made his way into class, I turned back towards my trembling daughter. "You see that, Elora? You have lots of friends in this class. What difference does it make what kids like Joseph say when you have good friends like that?"

"But daddy," Elora said, finally turning her gaze away from the fascinating cement she'd been staring at for the past 5 minutes. "That was Joseph."

"Oh."

Luckily Mrs. Wagner came in at that moment and rescued her.

And me.

***

A week later the official word on Joseph is that: "He's nice only when my daddy is around. When I'm by myself he is NOT nice."


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Now playing: Air Traffic - No More Running Away
via FoxyTunes

2:09 PM - 6 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

Death and How to Live It
Category: Life

I think a lot about death, that's no secret. I'm not morbid (I don't think). I'm just fascinated by the way death can define and enhance one's view of life.

A lot of people think of death as a tragedy, but I don't really think it has to be like that. My own father died at the age of 47 in what can certainly be termed tragic circumstances (shot three times in an armed robbery, see: local news every other night), but I don't often think of his death as a tragedy. For those who live a full life and accomplish their purpose there is no tragedy, only a passing (a term which I hate; more on that in a moment).

"Uh, he was 47."

Yes, I know that, but dad had a pretty fixed idea of what he was probably going to do in this life and how long he was going to have to do it. 47 was probably a lot longer than he actually expected to last. He left behind 4 sons and a wife and his life as an example. His life was full, but short.

The tragedy is in the circumstances of his death. Two men pulled the triggers and for them I feel sorry. I've done things in my life that I have regretted and wept bitterly over, but I have never done anything so horrible as kill another human being out of malice.

Part of my belief system is that one day, whether in this life or the next, we will come to a full realization of all our sin. Full. Realization. What is in store for those men? Have they experienced this pain already? I feel very, very sorry for them. My father got the better end of that deal.

My cousin Robin died this past Friday. This weekend will be her funeral and there will be those who will say that she "passed." They won't be wrong in saying that, but I don't like it. Oh, yeah, absolutely—when someone dies they pass from this life to the next. That's what happens. I believe in life after death and that is an accurate term to describe what happens.

If you're already on the other side.

On this side of that particular veil, let's just call it like it is: She died. She's dead and she's not rising again for a good long while (the resurrection also being a part of my beliefs).

Saying that she or anyone else "passed" is mixing the medicine with the sugar. I'll take mine straight, thank you very much. Let's embrace the death, in all its ugliness and glory. Let's ask some hard questions and learn something along the way.

And oh, man, was this one ugly. 2 and a half-year cancer battle that ended the life of a 31-year-old wife and mother. Robin was only 2 and half months younger than me.

Robin and I are the oldest of about thirty cousins. We've led our own lives, but been close more than we haven't. I feel this one. I haven't fully processed it though, so don't ask me how. I just know I feel…something.

The doctor's don't know why Robin had cancer, and neither do I. I don't really need to. I learned a long time ago that stuff happens. There are times when God gets in there and does his thing, sure, but there are plenty of other times when man exercises his free will or the nature of this world takes over and stuff happens. I'm okay with that. I even find it comforting.

My faith is that God is my Father and that He loves me. That means I trust Him. If things are going well for me, I give Him all the credit. If things are going bad, I know it's not His fault. He'd rather I was happy and be done with it. But that's not why we're here. We'd learn nothing about walking on our own if he picked us up every time we were about to stub our toes.

So I'm okay with a little tragedy now and again. I embrace it because I know that when I'm experiencing it that I'm fulfilling part of my purpose. I'm becoming who I need to become.

I am comforted by the fact that stuff happens because I don't sit around wondering what God's up to. I don't wonder why things are the way they are or why there is evil and tragedy in the world. Stuff happens and then God is there. If you want 'im.

And here is God now, this week, as we deal with Robin's death. I don't know what will become of her little girl. I don't yet know how her husband is handling all this. If I were him, I'd be a wreck. And that's a good thing. There is something to be gained from that. Understanding. Perspective. Love. The void that Robin leaves in the lives that she is closest to is the tragedy of her death, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing.

One day this will all be laid out for us to see. Some people believe that life doesn't have a narrative. That writers impose order on a world that has none. I disagree. Mightily. There is a narrative to life. Acts and structure. We usually can't see it until much later, but that doesn't mean it wasn't there in the first place, or even, as some would have you believe, that we're manufacturing it.

Narrative is always present (which is not the same as saying that everything happens for a reason—remember: "stuff happens"). The question is, what is death within that narrative? The last act? The conclusion? Epilogue?

Cliffhanger.




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Now playing: The Arcade Fire - Neighborhood 1 (Tunnels)
via FoxyTunes

2:09 PM - 5 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

FREE SUPERFOGEYS BOOK!

Hey all,

Been busy, busy, busy lately. Well, pretty much always now. You know how it is.

The newest SuperFogeys book, "Collected Works 2 - The Techno Shuffle" is done and at the printers. Those how have ordered a copy will get it soon!

In the print version, I have an exclusive 6-page story entitled "Captain Spectacular and Star Maiden in the Inevitable Dimension" that fills in some blanks on some story points in book 2. You can check out a one-page preview of the story here.

***

FREE BOOK!

Now then, there is another version of book 2 out there, but this one is a digital version you can get for FREE.

And while you can’t get the Captain Spectacular/Star Maiden story in the free book, you CAN get an exclusive-to-digital short story entitled "The Secret Origin of the Space Pig." And I’ll just go ahead and preview that one right here:



So, where can you get the rest of the story, along with the rest of "The Techno Shuffle" collected?

Go on over to The SuperFogeys Collected Works 2 on Wowio to download your copy right now.

And hey, go ahead and grab The SuperFogeys Collected Works 1 on Wowio while you’re at it! Doesn’t hurt to have the whole story! It’s all free!

If you’re don’t already have a Wowio account, don’t worry. It only takes a minute or so. Wowio is a free ebook site, so it’s not going to ask for any credit card info and you won’t be paying a dime.

What WILL happen though is that for every person who downloads a copy of the book, I’ll get 50 cents. It’s a great, small way to support the SuperFogeys.

(Unfortunately, at this time, Wowio is not available to anyone outside of the U.S. I hear they’re working on it though.)

Thanks again for everyone’s terrific support! Much more to come!

Brock

10:34 AM - 1 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

The Cover to the SECOND SuperFogeys Collection
Category: Art and Photography

Well, the book goes off to the printers this weekend!

Thanks to all of you that have pre-ordered! Time's running out, but it's not too late to get in a last minute pre-order to guarantee yourself a copy.



You can ORDER THE SECOND SUPERFOGEYS COLLECTION by clicking here!

Remember: The second book will have all of Chapter 3, plus a 6-page bonus story (the equivalent of 12 strips!) telling you exactly what happened between Captain Spectacular and Star Maiden and why.

Cost is 5 bucks, plus shipping. Order books 1 and 2 together for the same shipping price AND a discount.

Thanks for everyone's support over the past year or so. More stuff ahead. Watch this space!

-Brock

12:41 PM - 5 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Potential SuperFogeys T-Shirt Design
Category: Fashion, Style, Shopping

Hey all,

I mentioned in my last blog that we're moving forward with SuperFogeys T-Shirts. We have several designs cooking, but I wanted to share with you my current favorite to see what you think.



This is a design idea my wife Erin came up with, executed by me. The colors here in no way represent the final colors of the shirt and design itself. There may even be more than one option. This is just me having a go at it to see what it would look like. Here's a closer look at the design itself:



What do you think? Several of you have expressed interest in SuperFogeys T-Shirts. Would you wear that?

1:25 PM - 11 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

My SECOND Audio Interview and Other News
Category: Art and Photography

remember how I pointed y'all towards the Webcomic Beacon a couple weeks ago for an audio interview I did with them? Well, one of my regular readers obviously didn't listen to it because he invited me onto his podcast as well. The The Gigcast.



Anyway, my Gigcast interview (Gigcast 128) should be going up any minute now! We covered a wide range of topics and if you've already listened to my Webcomic Beacon interview--don't worry. This is about 90% new material. There's almost no crossover between the two. Plus, this one is a little more in-depth. I've been told it's actually interesting.

Check it out here.

****

In other news:

*Wrapped up the WebSpace pages last week. If you go to my MySpace home page, you can see the full complement of SuperFogeys characters on MySpace as part of my top friends. Go on, give 'em a click.

*We are moving forward with SuperFogeys T-Shirts! Expect at least 4 designs available for preorder soon in The Th3rd World Store.

*Chapter 4, "Dictator Tot's Revenge" starts tomorrow. If you haven't been keeping up with the SuperFogeys, now's a great time to check it out and see how Chapter 3 ended. www.superfogeys.com Start with strip number 60 to begin Chapter 3.

*Book 2 still available for preorder at the low price of 5 bucks (plus shipping). PREORDER BOOK 2. We will run out (just like last time), so preordering is the only way you can guarantee yourself a copy. The second printing of Book 1 is also available. Order both for a discount and savings on shipping.

*Yes, I still can't muster the energy to write a blog like I used to. Perhaps one day...this SuperFogeys stuff takes up a serious chunk of time. What have you all done to me?

-Brock

11:59 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

My Audio Interview
Category: Art and Photography

Hey all,

Before I get to the business at hand, I just want to thank those of you that have pre-ordered the second SuperFogeys book already. Not a lot of pre-orders in quite yet, but hopefully that will change. I'm extremely grateful for the pre-orders we already do have, however. You guys are stalwarts!

You can order both books at The Th3rd World Store.

T-Shirts and Poster coming soon! Watch for that!


****


Now, what's this interview all about? There's a great podcast out there called The Webcomic Beacon. They're new, but they already have a fairly large base of listeners.

Anyways, last night I did an interview for them that will be included on the podcast set for release Friday. Episode 9, "Developing a Webcomic Style."

You can find the podcast at their website at the link above, or, if you have iTunes, you could do a search for "Webcomic Beacon" in the store and download it from there.

I make a complete fool out of myself. No seriously, I'm a complete train wreck. Halfway through answering their last question, I forgot what the question was. I hope you can't tell, but I don't know! I still can't remember what the question was!


****


LOST is back tonight! I don't care if your arm got cut off in the paper shredder, today's a good day!

1:02 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

SuperFogeys Book 2 Available for Preorder! Details Here!
Category: Art and Photography

Hey all,

Been a while now, hasn't it?

Just wanted to let you all know that SuperFogeys Book 2 just became available for pre-order at the Th3rd World store!

PRE-ORDER THE SECOND SUPERFOGEYS COLLECTION

Now, what sorts of goodies can you expect in the print collection? Well, I'm sure there will be some surprises, but the one thing I can confirm is an all-new story entitled "Captain Spectacular and Star Maiden in the Inevitable Dimension" written by me and drawn by Julio Molina-Muscara of Omega Chase fame.

What's that story all about, you ask? Check tomorrow's SuperFogeys strip (Thursday, Jan. 17) and all will be made clear. Sucker's gonna be awesome.

Also, you'll note that you can buy Book 1 again along with Book 2 and you'll receive a discount. Just in case you missed out the last time.


And one more thing...

Ever been on a different computer and wanted to check out the latest SuperFogeys but couldn't remember the web address? Wonder no longer. Simply go to...

www.superfogeys.com

...and you're there. Much easier, no?

Hope this finds you all well. 2007 was an interesting year and I'm hoping 2008 is a little less interesting, but just as fun. I turn 31 on Sunday. Can you believe that? Why am I drawing old people in their underwear at my age? I mean, just what is wrong with me?

Ah, well.

Feel free to address any concerns on the books or ask any questions in the comments below. I realize we had our fair share of hiccups with the last pre-orders, but we learned a lot from that and we won't be seeing those kinds of problems again.

Brock

11:45 AM - 11 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

The First SuperFogeys Contest Follow-up (The Trivia One)
Category: Art and Photography

I've gotten a lot of messages over the past few months about the first SuperFogeys contest and people not getting their prizes. This was the one with the trivia questions.

If you are a winner of one of those contests (and you know who you are), could you email your address to contests@th3rdworld.com? Also, be sure to include your name and, if you remember, the character sketch you were supposed to win.

We're sorry for the mess. Won't happen again.


As for the latest on the Superfogeys... looks like I'll be doing a telephone interview for a webcomics podcast soon. Should be fun and I'll keep you posted on that and link you when it happens.

Also, SuperFogeys 88 goes live tomorrow morning. Can you believe it? SF 100 will be the end of chapter 3 and I'm doing something extra special for it. If you haven't been reading Chapter 3, now's a good time to catch up.

www.th3rdworld.com/superfogeys.php

3:35 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Wanna Read The SuperFogeys Collected 1 FOR FREE?
Category: Art and Photography

Yep, it's true. You can now read the first SuperFogeys book in its entirety for FREE.

How is this possible? Well, there's this great service called Wowio that lets you download books and comic books for free. No catch. No service fees. Check out the listing for the SuperFogeys:

The SuperFogeys Collected Works 1 on Wowio

All you have to do is set up a free account and you're off. A free PDF of the entire SuperFogeys book.

"But Brock," I hear you say. "Why would I want to do this when the the first two chapters of the SuperFogeys are already available for free on Th3rd World's website?"

Oh-ho! Haven't you heard about all the great new stuff in the SuperFogeys book? Stuff like the never-before-seen Spy Gal story "Operation: Valhalla" drawn by Mike Hartigan and myself and the surprise EXTRA SPECIAL BONUS FEATURES featuring Swifty and Dr. Rocket are only available in the book! You must read it!

"But Brock," you say as my patience is tried yet again. "If it's free...how do you make any money? Don't you want to eat something besides Top Ramen at some point in your life?"

And this is the great thing about Wowio: every download of the book puts 50 cents in my pocket.

"So wait...I don't have to spend any money at all to show my support of the SuperFogeys and you get money anyways?"

Exactly.

Tell your friends! Wake the neighbors! Get Great Grandma Georgina on AOL if you have to! Spread this news far and wide!

Wowio is a great service. I'm sure you'll find great benefit in setting up an account there and you will get some SuperFogeys goodness besides! This is a win-win all the way.

The SuperFogeys Collected Works 1 on Wowio

And don't forget about the SuperFogeys' sister book at Th3rd World. You can also download ESKIMO DAVE for free on Wowio! Featuring a 3-page bonus story drawn by YOURS TRULY!

Eskimo Dave Collected Works 1 on Wowio

Remember: FREE. Thanks for your support!

-Brock Heasley

Currently listening : I-Empire By Angels & Airwaves Release date: 06 November, 2007

9:11 AM - 5 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

SuperFogeys Contest!!
Category: Art and Photography

For those of you not keeping track, SuperFogeys just recently hit strip 75 and to celebrate, I'm starting a contest!

In this current chapter, "The Techno Shuffle" the Fogeys are going online and exploring "WebSpace." There they are seeing profiles of characters we've seen (and some we haven't yet!), as well as creating their own. In fact, if you keep an eye on my top friends list, you'll see an new, cartoonish-looking friend once in a while. So far, these two have made their debut:

The Healer's MySpace Page

The Space Pig's MySpace Page

Okay, now here's the contest details:

We'll be seeing more than a few of these WebSpace pages before Chapter 3 is over and that's where you come in. I'm looking for a new character, created by you, that will be featured in the strip on their very own WebSpace page!

Not only that, but a real-life MySpace page will be created in your character's honor, just as the Healer and all the other characters featured this way will have.

Each entry must include:

1. Your character's name.
2. A brief personality description, i.e. "What's the concept?" (must be either a superhero or a supervillain—doesn't have to be a fogey!)
3. A brief visual description of your character (drawings, no matter how crude, preferred but not necessary)
4. Your name and favorite SuperFogeys character.

The criteria I'll be looking at for the winner:

1. Originality
2. Humor
3. Good visual

Some of my very best ideas have come from readers just tossing 'em out there. The entire concept for the SuperFogeys came from a reader suggestion, as well as the characters Bingo Knight and Dictator Tot (not that your character has to have a punny name). If you want an idea of what kind of character would win, I suggest reading through the strip. Whoever the winner is, they must be able to fit within the SuperFogeys universe.

WHAT YOU'LL WIN:

1. Your character featured in the SuperFogeys strip as a WebSpace Page.
2. Your character will have his/her own MySpace page.
3. Credit as the creator.
4. All original art I create for your character and the strip they appear in will be snail mailed directly to you!

WHERE TO SEND YOUR ENTRY:

heasley@th3rdworld.com

DEADLINE:

November 20th, 2007

Sound good? Now get crackin'!


FINAL NOTE: The first SuperFogeys print run has sold out. Thanks to everyone who pre-ordered and supported the book. The response has been great and it seems that everyone was very happy with their purchase.

If you'd still like to get a copy, never fear. We'll be printing more soon and you can still order them from the Th3rd World Store!

9:03 AM - 5 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment