DID SOMEONE HIRE MY BRAIN A HOOKER, BECAUSE MY MIND HAS JUST BEEN BLOWN…

That's actually a line from the very first Dead Duck story, "The Soul-Taker's Apprentice." But believe me, it totally pertains to this blog entry….

I have received the final few preliminary sketches from Chris Sanders for his Zombie Chick pin-up. And I know that I've stated over and over that his previous sketches were just the pinnacles of greatness. But believe me, after having seen these last sketches, followed by the inked version of his pin-up, well, what can I say? The pinnacle just found a few more steps to climb.

Chris tells me that I'll have the finished colored piece by this Wednesday, and I'm just an emotional train wreck. Not only because my hero is going to be drawing my character, not only because my hero is asking my advice on how to draw something, not only because my hero and I are actually on a first name, equally admiring basis…

…but because I'll be contributing to Chris' final Zombie Chick drawing. God help me, does it get any better than this?

Chris' drawing of Zombie Chick has her positioned as if perched on something. Due to his hectic schedule, he asked me if I'd mind drawing that something for him. He suggested a tilted tombstone. So, a tilted tombstone it shall be. And a guarantee you it'll be the best goddamn tilted tombstone I'll ever draw in my lifetime.

Now you're probably wondering, "When are we going to get to see these incredible illustrations?" All I can say is, put it on the ever-growing pile of stuff I'm not prepared to show people yet.

Amongst that pile, you can include my recently completed cover for the Dead Duck graphic novel. I sweated over this piece for a full day, took my time, made sure everything was a perfect as I could get it. And to coin some 1950's hyperbole, I think it's swell. I promise to show you guys the finished product before the book comes out. That's all I can guarantee for now. Mustn't spoil the surprise.

In related news, I'm turning in my art pieces to EMU art prof. Richard Rubenfeld this Wednesday for the Michigan Comics Exhibition. I'll have four pieces on display, and there will be a reception on March 31st at EMU, followed by a panel discussion, which I will be a part of. More information when the time comes, but just so you know, block off the time now if you want to come. I'd love to see friends and family there.

A week ago, my friends Nick and Caleb shot the first footage of me at the drawing board, to be used for the documentary I mentioned last blog. I was actually kind of nervous, and found it surprisingly hard to draw with a camera literally on top of me. But it's going to be cool. More news as it comes.

And lastly, the big news. February 6th 2009 will be the launch date of the online Dead Duck comic. It will feature pages from the book, new material, and behind the scenes insight into my creative process. I'll send you all a link to the site when the time comes, and every Friday thereafter you'll be able to view a new page. But here's the thing….
The website comes with it's own blog. It has pretty much the same features as my current blog. That said, I don't know if I can feasibly convince anyone to read two different blogs of mine, especially given how freakin' long I normally make 'em. So I may have to jettison this blog after awhile, which would be sad for me since I've had it for a few years now. It's not going to happen right away, but it is a possibility. If that happens, I'll just start linking you to Apecmx.com and you can read my comics and inane thoughts there. But in the meantime, it's business as usual at The Duck factory. Just a heads up for when the axe finally falls.

Well, that's it for now. I really wish I had something I could show you, but you're going to see a lot of it on Apecmx.com, and the Chris Sanders piece is so juicy that I may have to make people buy the book just to see the finished product. And as promised, the cover will be shown in advance so you guys know what to look for in your local book and comic stores. But that probably won't be until a month or so before it's release in November. Patience is a virtue I don't possess, so I hope you all have stronger constitutions.

'Til next time, folks. As you're seeing right now, things are only getting bigger and nuttier than squirrel poop. Stay for the show and watch where you step.

--Jay