ONLINE COMIC REMINDER and a bit o' news....

I won't be doing this every week, mind you, but I figured to help keep the ball rolling, I'd mention just once more to check out my new online Dead Duck comic every Friday, which you can view HERE. Be sure to bookmark the site for future viewings.

Not much news to share at the moment, other than I've been busy putting the finishing touches on Dead Duck, uploading comics to the online site for future display, and pulling in as many art gigs and commissions as I can manage.

I've also created some new Dead Duck pieces recently. This first piece, which you can view HERE, serves a dual purpose. It allows me to express my fanboy excitement at the upcoming Watchmen movie (March 6th!), and to plug my graphic novel. I've featured this piece on Deviantart.com and it's had favorable responses, which probably means it'll get copied without my permission and spread throughout the internet like mono on prom night.

This next piece, which you can view HERE, will serve as the title page of the graphic novel. I'm not entirely sure what a title page's purpose is, since anyone who sees the cover will already the book's title. But this is how published books do things, so who am I to argue? Besides, it gave me the chance to draw my beloved duo one more time, and to write one of the weirder (and funnier) "Zombie-isms" of Zombie Chick's responses.

So, that's it for now. Be sure to check out the online comic tomorrow and every Friday onward. I should have some fresh news for this blog by this time next week, and will have an update about the impending Michigan Comics Exhibition at EMU in the next few weeks as well. Hit you with it all soon!

--Jay

THE DEAD DUCK ONLINE COMIC LANDS THIS WEEK!!!

Mark you calendars, program it into your Blackberry's, send out the smoke signals and carve it into your arms…..

The Dead Duck online comic launches this Friday, February 6th, at 12:00 am. That means anytime after Midnight (y'know, when we're gonna let it all hang out, according to Eric Clapton) you can view the first installment, which will be the very first page in the Dead Duck graphic novel. Every Friday thereafter I'll be uploading a new page from the book, as well as sharing behind the scenes factoids and trivia in a blog beneath each page.

Now, this doesn't mean that by viewing the online comic you'll be getting everything the upcoming graphic novel has to offer. Oh hell no. I'm only posting a handful of Dead Duck stories online, adventures that you can enjoy without prior knowledge of previous stories. But the really good and juicy stuff relating to Dead Duck's origin and other heavy storytelling will have to wait to be read in the graphic novel. That, plus you'll never see the awesome Chris Sanders' pin-up unless you get the book, and that alone is worth the wait.

For your benefit, I'm including a link to the online site here. Just click on the words below, then bookmark it on your computers so you can see the new stuff every Friday. Sound good? Hit me back Friday and lemme know what you think!

DEAD DUCK ONLINE

--Jay

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

2009, you've got a LOT to live up to...

(A sneak peek from "A Minion Of Death Takes A Holiday", the final story in my Dead Duck graphic novel. Click on it for full view.)

2008 is gonna be a tough act to follow. You think you got the stones, 2009?

It was August of 2007 that got the ball rolling. I met the editors of Ape Entertainment in Chicago, and began a months-long courtship that culminated with the signing of a contract in the early days of 2008. Dead Duck, my twenty-year-old brainchild, would finally be published.

As 2008 gained momentum, other cool stuff began to happen.

I met Lilo and Stitch creator Chris Sanders online, found him to be as much a fan of my work as I was of his, and brought him aboard to draw a pin-up of Zombie Chick for my Dead Duck graphic novel. (Oh, and he recently sent me some rough sketches of what the final piece will look like. I was in tears, friends. They were that beautiful. And those were just the rough sketches!)

I met syndicated cartoonist Dave Coverly, we became friends, and he opened up a world of opportunities for me. It is in large part because of him that I have that I've finally found my place as a professional cartoonist, and I'm the happiest I've been in my life since I first met my wife to be, Laura six years ago.

Laura took the initiative to apply to graduate school at Eastern Michigan, which forced us out of our stagnant little comfort zone in mid Michigan and into a bigger, scarier and by far more lucrative world. Her decision has been the biggest reason, in my mind, for my current success (and, it goes without saying, hers as well). I love Ann Arbor and I love Laura with all my heart.

So what's on the itinerary for 2009? Well, lots, actually.

In February, I'll be part of an exhibition of Michigan comics creators. I'll be displaying two original Dead Duck pages and two full color prints, to show my creative process. The exhibit will be held at Eastern Michigan, will becoming a traveling exhibit in the following months, and will include my friend Dave Coverly. I couldn't hope to be in better company.

Also in February, Ape Entertainment will be launching my online Dead Duck comic. It will appear once a week on their website, and will feature pages from the upcoming book, as well as original material and loads of surprises. More info on that in the next couple months to come.

And as has been reported continuously throughout 2008, November 2009 will finally see the release of DEAD DUCK, the graphic novel, in stores everywhere. I'm hoping to attend the Wizard World Con in August to do some promotion for it at the Ape booth, and I'll be doing a signing at the Vault of Midnight comic shop in Ann Arbor when the book is released. My friend and lawyer, Nick "Pro Bono"dono will be assisting me with press releases and P.R. stuff. And along with his friend Caleb, a talented man in Lansing broadcasting circles, we'll be filming a five-minute documentary about my creative process on Dead Duck, which will be screened during my signing at Vault of Midnight. And last but not least, I'm hoping to do a signing at Coy's Comics in old town Saginaw, which was my comic book buying mecca throughout my youth.

So there you have it, 2009. You've got a lot on your plate. Hope you can stomach it. If you can even tie 2008 in accomplishments I'll be impressed.

To the rest of you, thanks so much for sticking along for the ride. There's loads more to come, and I want you all there on the sidelines. Your friendship and loyalty has earned you a backstage pass to whatever comes next!

Happy New Year and so much love,

--Jay

BEHIND THE SCENES OF DEAD DUCK

I restate the fact that I try to only post blogs when I have news or at least some new art to share. And given that I've spent the past month and eleven days working on the final Dead Duck story in the book, I haven't had much to say or much time to say it. But last night I finished said story, and now I've got some stuff to share. So dig in, my friends.

The final story is called, "A MINION OF DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY." The plot is such:

For over a century, once every five years in Chigger Creek, Ontario, on the exact same date and time, there is a totally unexplained grizzly death. Eventually the town turned the freak occurrence into a celebrated occasion, and Chigger Creek Death Days has been presided over by Dead Duck, the sole deliverer of Chigger Creek souls, ever since. This year, however, no one has died, and the town is beside itself. It's up to Dead Duck, local Chigger Creek celebrity Chum Blockwell and Zombie Chick to solve the case. But can Zombie Chick stop romancing here toaster long enough to heed the warnings of the town see'er?

Intrigued? Hell, I wrote the story and I am.

Here's the first page.


I'm very proud of this opening page. As usual, I did a lot of research to get certain things bolted down, like the look of a Toronto Maple Leaf jersey and helmet. I actually used no reference at all for my panoramic view of Chigger Creek. I'd seen enough movies that took place in coastal towns that I was able to design my own with little difficulty. And living in Michigan, scenes like this are pretty commonplace. The Trojan Pork factory is a name I derived from "Trojan Horse." It didn't occur to me 'til after I drew it that people might think of condoms. The original name for the factory was going to be Pig Chum, but I thought that might make unintentional connections with my character Chum Blockwell, so I changed it. Pig Chum would've been nice, though.

Here's a panel showing the actual Death Days celebration.


Though I was mostly inspired by "Twin Peaks" in creating this story, there are loads of other things which inspired this as well. Both the book and movie of Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes", as well as the defunct HBO series "Carnivale" are definite influences. Carnivals by nature are just creepy as hell, so it was easy to derive inspiration from such a popular institution. To a smaller degree, Stephen King's book "IT" was in the back of my mind, but mostly just from the semi-annual murder concept.

But what really influenced me was "The Red Green Show." Chum Blockwell is a caricature of Harold Green, after all. And I'm currently waiting on a response from Patrick McKenna, who played Harold on the show, to see if he'd like to write a forward for my book. The Red Green influence also gave my story a warmth and humor that, without it, might have left the story genuinely horrific.

But I'm also a fan of small town life and stories about them. I grew up in a small town, and I know and understand the idiosyncrasies and strange, dark underbelly to even the most wholesome appearing communities. I have a real love for that kind of tale. And that's what I've told here.


This panel took me an entire day to draw.


With this story I really wanted to stretch myself artistically, and that meant coming to grips with perspective, an artistic method that's always given me headaches. But as you'll see from this diner scene, I very carefully made sure everything was in perfect line with the vanishing point, which would have been in the middle of Dead Duck's head. Sure, maybe it makes me anal-retentive. But I say, what good's an anus if you're not going to use it? Yeah.

Just to prove how anal I really was, here's the schematics I drew of the diner, just so I knew where all the booths and tables would go, even if I never drew them in the final piece. Sooooo anal….


Because there's so many characters in this story, I wanted to make sure each character looked unique and individual. For a story that takes place in a fantasy world (which most Dead Duck stories did), that's easy. But this was a story that, for the first time in Dead Duck's adventures, took place in the real world with real people. So I decided to use real people for reference.

I was watching one of my favorite horror films, "Jason Goes To Hell," while working on this story, and really liked the look of actor Richard Gant, who played the coroner who ate Jason's heart and took on his persona.




















So, Gant became the model for Jeff Geoffenheimer, a Chigger Creek resident. In the course of writing this story, I decided I wanted everyone to have a really unique name. And believe me, Jeff Geoffenheimer is hardly the strangest I came up with.








Because "Twin Peaks" is such a major influence in this story, I had to have just one blatantly obvious plug for that show. And that came in the form of my character, Cotton Goodly, a waitress at the Hunka Hunka Burnin' Loaf Diner who has a massive crush on Dead Duck. Cotton was based off the character of Shelly from "Twin Peaks," as played by Madchen Amick. I still have a huge crush on Madchen and her character, so this is a very fond tribute to her (obviously I'm living vicariously though my duck).















Here's a couple preliminary sketches of Cotton when I was trying to get her look down.





































For other characters I decided to use friends and family. After all, Madchen Amick, Patrick McKenna and Richard Gant may never know they appeared in my comic, but my loved ones will be first in line to buy a copy.

In this panel, though you may not recognize her from the back, is my beloved wife Laura. I put her in here in part because I thought it'd be a nice tribute, and in part because I thought it'd be something to see the love of my life and my dream crush in the same panel (god, I'm pathetic).









































In this panel, I've drawn the only person I actually know from Canada personally, my good friend and fellow cartoonist Chad. He's been a loyal supporter of Dead Duck from the beginning, and it mean a lot to me to be able to put him in this story, even in a small cameo.

These two panels feature a character based off my old friend Erin.

Erin has loads of freckles, which I thought would be a great feature for any character, so I made her the focus of this awkward situation.



















































And lastly, I drew myself as a little kid in this panel. I figure, hey, I created Zombie Chick, so I can sit in her lap if I want to. It's good to be me.

So that's it for this little behind the scenes peek at the final Dead Duck story. This is far from the end of the road for work on the book, however. I still have to color at least forty pages, design the cover, and work on getting the online Dead Duck comic up and running on my publisher's website. So I'll be filling you all in later. In the meantime, if I don't talk to you before, have a great Thanksgiving. I miss you guys and hope to talk to you all soon.

--Jay