New Threads
Current mood: calm
Category: Fashion, Style, Shopping

Yes, I'm one of those silly hipsters who love Threadless shirts and listen to college rock.  So sue me.  At least I'm not emo (that I know of)!

So I got a couple of new shirts off Threadless just now and wanted to show them off before I even got them.

No More Bento:



It's disgusting how much I've wanted this shirt.  Many moons ago I saw it on the site but they were sold out then suddenly I get an email notification in my inbox saying they've reprinted it.  They listened to my vote!!  I can't wait for this one even though I'll look like a fool wearing a bright orange shirt.

The Captain's Dream:



I've got a stupid love for boats.  I've never been sailing and I've only been on a few boats in my life but for some reason I would love to live the life of a sailor so this shirt really called out to me.  Man, that sounds so gay (I'm really not trying to be offensive and I hate using the term gay to describe something but it really does sound gay).  My recent cruise cemented this want in me.  I know a cruise isn't really living a sailor's life but it's a few days on a boat, dammit!  I think these thoughts stem from the fact that my Grandpa was in the Navy and my Uncle has been a sailor/fisherman for most of his life.  He was also in 'Nam but I don't know if it involved boats.  I even heard the Maloneys decended from an infamous pirate in Ireland.  Dope.

Currently listening : Weekend in the City By Bloc Party Release date: 06 February, 2007

5:13 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Thank You, Everyone!
Current mood: ecstatic
Category: Art and Photography

Wow. Wow wow wow wow.

I just received word from Tom Waltz that the Children of the Grave TPB has completely sold out! So I just wanted to thank everyone who supported us and a very, very big thanks to Tom for basically doing all the work and getting the word out in such an awesome way. If he didn't write so well, I would tell him to look for a job in public relations.

This is just so unexpected. I mean I had faith in the book and there weren't an obscene amount of books printed but still, to sell out is really an amazing feeling.

So thanks, everyone! Really, this just makes my day. Wub.

Currently playing : Okami Release date: 19 September, 2006

6:33 PM - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Happy New Year!
Current mood: Hungover

Ugh, well my head is swimming still but I just wanted to say happy new year to everyone. I didn't really like 2006 that much but I get the funny sensation that 2007 is going to be an important one for me. Usually the upcoming years don't really carry any promises of possibility but it just seems that things are going to happen in 2007, both in real life and work life. I'll see you guys around.

Currently reading : The Best American Comics 2006 (Best American (TM)) By Harvey Pekar Release date: 11 October, 2006

2:28 PM - 7 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

That Time of The Month
Current mood: sleepy
Category: Art and Photography

Yeah, I don't like writing but I do like to say hi now and then.  What a crappy title I've given this post.

I'm onto issue 3 of Star Trek now.  It's weird doing monthly books.  It's only been a couple of months and I'm already almost halfway done with the longest series I've ever done (not that I've done that many series).  In the past I would still be on issue 1 of a series.  I can't say if I prefer a bi-monthly (sometimes longer) schedule or one of a monthly persuasion.

As a nitpicking bastard, I do like the extra time I can spend on a page when I don't have to do one a day and it can be very difficult for me to have to use shortcuts or cut back on details.  However there is something wholly satisfying about a monthly book.  You get a whoooole lot of work done and it's a great feeling to steam along.  

The process of drawing Star Trek at such a rapid pace is proving quite educational as well; forcing my hand and my brain to work faster.  I've learned to cut off the fat on my pages I guess.  You know, the fat may make the steak look bigger but you sure don't want to eat a fatty steak.  Ha ha.  Shit, I just made that up.  Can you tell?  Feel free to use it in your lives and as advice to your children.

Oh, and before I go I would like to ask people on the internet to stop saying "I just threw up in my mouth a little."  Stop it.  It's not funny and you're not clever when you type it as a comment on something.  Do you think you're the first one to reference it?  I'm not sure if "Dodgeball" made that line up but that's the first and only time it was used decently that I know of.  Now that it's everywhere, it just bugs the crap out of me.  Bah, sheep, bah!!

Yeah, that didn't have anything to do with anything but I figured since every person on Earth visits this site daily that it would be a perfect forum for my message.

Stop it.  And buy Star Trek in January.  Baaaahh.  Please.

Originally posted on me site.

Currently watching : The Blue Planet - Seas of Life Collector's Set (Parts 1-4) Release date: 27 August, 2002

3:15 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Star Trek 5-Page Preview
Current mood: hungry

Issue #1 was finished last week and the publicity train is starting to be stoked.  I have no idea if stoked is the proper term to use there but let's run with it, shall we?

You can see a fully colored and lettered five page preview at IDW's website.  I just saw that painted looking variant cover of Picard.  That is so cool!  Who the hell did that?

Oh, and I'm already being lambasted (Tom used that word when telling me the news and I liked it so I'm using it) on the Newsarama boards.  Luckily Chris Ryall (my editor) and Tom jumped in front of me to hide my tear streaked face from the internet.  Anyone else want to defend me?  That would be awesome!

And if you're in a "logging into message boards to talk about Star Trek" kind of mood feel free to join the discussion at IDW's Star Trek forum.  I've accepted the fact that maybe my last name really doesn't have a "y" on the end and I've been the one writing it wrong these many years so my name over there is Casey Malone.  Stop in and say hi.

Anyways, there's always more news coming.  I'll keep you posted.

12:57 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

It's Coming
Category: Sports

12:07 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Beyond the Forbidden Forest
Current mood: sick
Category: Games

My lord!  While browsing Kotaku today I came across a commercial for the Commodore 64.  My family used to own one and the only game I can remember is "BEYOND THE FORBIDDEN FOREST."  (Caps lock used for impact and spookiness).  I had very distinct memories of the game which is strange because I was probably only 5 years old or maybe even younger.  The fact that I can remember specific things about the game is very important because I have really horrible memory, especially when the memories are over 20 years old.  But that game has always been rattling around in my head but that may be because I used to be scared shitless while playing it or watching my brother play it.  It might just be emotional scarring that keeps in firmly lodged in my grey matter.  Here's a video I found of it:

..>

Anyways, for my sake and no one else's, I would like to list some of the things that I remember:

- That god damned title screen.  That was so scary!  The booming thunder and lightning flickering.  Jesus christ!  Why did my parents let me play this game?

-  Shooting the "arrow."  That little white stick flying across the screen and missing your target which spelled certain doom.

-  Some of the enemies I remember.  The scorpion, the mosquito, and I'm pretty sure there were bees too.  Oh, and that worm thing in the video as well.

-  I think the deaths were pretty gruesome.  If I remember correctly the mosquito would land on your head and suck your blood and brains out.  Awesome!

-  I don't recall that floating light thing in the sky when you kill an enemy (what the hell is that anyways?) but the arrow it shoots out is familiar.

-  Running into the background and foreground.  Hi-tech!

My brother and I never beat the game as it was very difficult.  We were usually only able to kill a couple of enemies at best (at least my brother was able to) so watching the end boss in this video is kind of weird.  I'm tempted to download an emulator to play the game but I think it might be best to just keep the memories in my head.  Besides, I might get nightmares if I play it again.

Oh, and can you believe there's no Wikipedia article about this game?!  That's the first time I haven't been able to find what I was looking for on there.  Kind of makes me feel special.  I would start one, but I've already listed everything I know here.

Well, thanks for strolling down memory lane with me.

Currently listening : Since We Last Spoke By Rjd2 Release date: 18 May, 2004

1:26 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Comic Geek Speak
Current mood: anxious

Preparations are underway as I am scheduled to appear on the latest Comic Geek Speak podcast.  And by preparations I mean me sitting here stressing out.  Eh, it's what I do.

They'll be calling me in about an hour for a quick phone conversation.  Apparently the world just can't get enough of my nasally monotone voice describing boring anecdotes.  Since my appearance on the Catch da Craze podcast way back on episode 23 I've been approached with countless narration jobs (watch out Morgan Freeman!) and contracts for books on tape.  I turned them all down naturally as only friends and family should be privileged enough to experience my stirring renditions of the Meow Mix song sung with my smooth as molasses larynx.

But I guess I'll do the Comic Geek Speak guys (and all you listeners) a favor and go on their show and discuss the upcoming Enigmas book.  The podcast should be up next week.  But for now, I've got to get back to my stress exercises.

4:50 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Current mood: artistic
Category: Art and Photography

Soooo, the news broke and now the world knows that the artist for the new Star Trek:  The Next Generation comic book from IDW is Casey Malone.  Man, I should really just change my name to Malone.  I think it has been written without the "y" more times than with it.  Why?!

But that's not what's important here;  'Tis but a sidenote.  What is important is that now I can talk about how I'm working on the new six-issue miniseries from IDW.  But of course you already gathered that information from the article, right?  If not, I suggest you read it now.  Actually, I learned a bunch of stuff that I didn't even know from it and there are some really cool questions in there.  I really enjoyed how they start out right away by asking Chris Ryall (my editor) why IDW would be doing a book based on an outdated property.  No, that's not sarcasm I'm using, either.  I was curious too :)

I've been pondering (yes, full-on sitting and pondering) what this will do for this site.  Will people track me down?  Do I actually have to update now?  Maybe put some new art in the gallery?  I'm guessing the answer to all of these questions is yes so expect some changes around here.

One thing that I really want to do is make this a journal of the creative process.  I really enjoy other blogs that keep up with creators and give a peek behind the curtain like Sun of Gelatometti and Gabeart (although Gabeart is a bit new and barren right now).  

One "blog" that I would really like to emulate is Bungie's (the developer of the Halo games) Weekly Update.  I don't miss that thing for the world.  Every Friday afternoon I head over there and see what's happening.  If I could get away with one update a week I would be happy.  I don't think comic book creation provides enough stories for multiple posts a week anyways.

Oh, hey.  I've had this cartoon from Wiley's Non Sequitur saved on my computer for so long and now I get to use it because it finally illustrates my point (I'm not shrinking this damn jpeg!)



Drawing comics sounds cool, fun, and exciting (Right? Right?!) but it's really me sitting at my desk or my computer by myself all ... day ... long ... and usually into the night too.  Sounds fun, right?  One update a week (or more) describing the process of creating the book should suffice.

So expect future updates and more info on this sweet new gig I landed (thanks IDW and Tom!).  Oh, and I also have this Mr. Boffo comic I love saved here.  Oh, Mr. Boffo.  You crack me up.

Currently listening : Led Zeppelin II By Led Zeppelin Release date: 21 June, 1994

8:58 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Vow Of Semi-Silence
Current mood: pensive

Shelby left for Vegas yesterday and I now realize Im a hermit. Yesterday I spoke probably a maximum of 5 sentences out loud. I can remember every instance. I told Shelby goodbye in the morning and to be careful, I called her later at night to see if she arrived safely, and I said, Yeah, you too to the people working the front desk at the gym around midnight when they told me to have a good night. Of course, the workers surprised me with the Have a good night so the, Yeah, you too came out funny as I was drinking water as I spoke and my throat was all choked up from the workout. What spewed forth was incoherent scratchy crazy-man speak I fear. So I just kept walking out the door, picturing them sitting there giggling after me making jokes about the strange noise that came out of my mouth. Even the call with Shelby was the usual jumble of grunts and mumbles I use when on the phone (I hate phones). So if youre counting only coherent sentences, I probably only spoke two yesterday: One in the morning and probably one on the phone.

Today I havent muttered one word yet and its three in the afternoon. Im tempted to let out a yelp or something right now as I type this because Im thinking about it too much but I wont allow it. I cant stop now. I have to go to work and interact with, ugh, humans soon. I wonder if it will be difficult.

God, I want to yelp. Agh, its ready to go in my mouth. I can feel it waiting. I have to stop typing about this to get my mind off it. Man, this blog needs some normal posts.

4:40 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment