I’ll edit this post later to add it, but I do know the hall isn’t massive: So, you can just look for the big, red-and-white banner that says “HALFPIXEL”. I’ll be the one givin’ out high-fives (and the occassional low-five, if circumstances warrant).
I just noticed that there is ONE last Artist Edition of Nerds on Parade. Which is neat, because I can guarantee you’ll get #300 out of 300, with the extended, one-hour(!) sketch found only in that last book.
First one over to the store gets it! 🙂
[EDIT: ‘Twas gone in 60 seconds, just like the movie. But! There are still regular copies of Nerds on Parade in the store!}
Here’s a fun fact that you may not be aware of: “Sheldon” appears in no paying newspapers. None. Zip. Zero.
Here’s why I bring that up: In the last few months, I’ve gotten more than a few e-mails from concerned Sheldonistas asking “…how was the strip holding up?” with all the newspaper bankruptcies. And they’re always a little surprised when I e-mail back and tell them what I just told you: The strip only appears here…and completely free to all online readers.
And I’m realizing that perhaps I’ve taken it for granted that people know that. Because these e-mails have kept rolling in over the last few months, and always with that same concerned sentiment. So it’s definitely something that needs clearing up. If you’ll allow, then, let me assure you of three things:
1.) The daily Sheldon strip is now and always will be 100% free to read.
2.) The (growing) Sheldon archives of 2,500 strips will always be 100% free to read.
3.) The death of newspapers won’t impact that. The global recession won’t impact that. If anything, the confluence of those two events means people will need a daily laugh more than ever.
So let’s shake hands on it: The strip stays free to read. Deal?
This weekend, Feb 13-15, I’ll be appearing as a special guest at Katsucon along with my Halfpixel stablemates Brad Guigar and Kris Straub.
The show runs at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA. Here’s one of those cool Google map thing-a-ma-jigs:
If you’re planning on picking up a Sheldon Original Art at the discounted con price of $25 off, make sure you e-mail me so I bring the exact one you were hoping for. But other than that, I’ll be giving out free, personalized sketches…and will of course have all five Sheldon collections, the “Pug” and “How To Make Webcomics” books, shirts and more.
Hope to see you there!
My favorite part? The smart alec journalist who said the robber “transported” himself out the store on foot.
My second favorite part? That both clerks knew it was a bat’leth.
Sheldon reader and comedy song-smith Tom Smith sent in the best thing ever, today: A song (Link: MP3 file) riffing off of today’s strip, called “Could It Be Shplove?”
I love this so much, Tom — thank you thank you!
If you liked Tom’s song as much as I did, be sure to drop him an e-mail.
COULD IT BE SHPLOVE
Words and Music (C) 2009 by Tom Smith
Everyone sings romantic songs,
You know what I’m speakin’ of,
They all sound the same, because besides the girl’s name,
The lines have to rhyme with “love”.
That doesn’t leave too many options
Half a dozen words tops, and they’re gone,
So it thoroughly rocks that there’s lint from your socks
But not the socks you’ve got on
Could it be “Shplove”?
(Yes it could, it’s all right, it’s all good)
Wonderful “shplove”,
(Filling my heart, between my toes, good place to start)
I can write a song without mentioning the perfect skies above,
Because now, at last, I know… it could be “shplove”.
There’s “dove”, which is pretty romantic,
“Like a hand in a glove”, which is sweet,
There’s “shove”, only good for break-up songs,
And “foxglove”, kind of a cheat.
More songs have been written about love
Than all other songs that there be,
After all this time, shouldn’t more words rhyme,
Well, I guess that it’s up to me.
Could it be “gruhve”,
(The Grandpa noise made while picking up Grandson’s toys)
Beautiful “thpruve”,
(The grand display, your spit-take after tasting Ocean Spray)
So many possibilities to take advantage of,
It doesn’t have to end here, it could be “shplove”.
“Zuv”, the single hair that grows back, messing up your tan,
“Cruhve”, the dead corn muffin mix that’s baked into the pan,
“Bluhve”, what’s left of truck tires that have shredded in the street.
Come on, songwriters, get to work, the world is at your feet.
Could it be “k’shkuhve”,
(The sweet perfume of your new Klingon costume)
Beautiful “fthuhve”,
(When you kill the boss on Level 12 with awesome sauce)
I’ve so many ways to sing to you how much we are in love…
Because now, at last, I know…
It could be “grduhve” (the macho smile you fake so no one knows you’re hurt)
It could be “shmuhve” (the drop of chili that just ruined your new shirt)
It could be “kwuhve” (the guy in front of you standing up the whole concert)
It could be… shplove.
Along with our New Readers page, the audio tour will tell you everything you need to know about the site! Give it a whirl!
It’s here, in case you wish to join the pitched battle!
Just remember: Fight with honor, fight with strength, then turn and spit! ‘Tis the Dental Hygienists way!
Sarah’s a big Star Trek: DS9 fan, but didn’t recognize what the shirt was saying at first, until her mom pointed out the Klingon bat’leth symbols on the sides. The first shot, which I really love, is her laughing response to it. Thanks Anne, and thanks Sarah!
(…and for everyone who’s wondering, the WWAKD? shirt is currently not being stocked in the Sheldon Store, but we may have it again for Christmas ’09.)
Heads up for Virginians, Washingtonians (of the “DC” variety) and east coasters in general: I’ll be appearing as a special guest at Katsucon
along with my Halfpixel stablemates Brad Guigar and Kris Straub.
The show runs at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA from February 13-15, 2009.
For all three days of the convention, I’ll be giving out free, personalized sketches…and will of course have all five Sheldon collections, the “Pug” and “How To Make Webcomics” books, shirts, Glornaks, and copious high-fives. I’ll also have Sheldon Original Art, so if there was one strip you had your eye on, make sure to e-mail me to ensure I bring *that* one. The Original Art will be at the convention price of 25 smackers off. (Dollars, not kisses.)
I’ll also be appearing on two web-focused panels while there:
SAT, 10-11 AM: “Print, Web, or Both: What Should a Comic Artist Do?”, and…
SUN 11-12 PM “How To Make Money While Giving Your Content Away Free”
The Halfpixel guys and I were hoping to talk at American University while we were there, but it looks like that won’t pan out. So! If you have an college art or web program, and would like us to come talk while we’re there, drop me a line. (Here’s what other folks have said about past talks of ours.)
