The past few weeks have had me KNEE DEEP in book production on the huge Drive hardcover — but it’s now off the printer, so I’m happy to say it’s back to Sheldon for me! My apologies for interruption in new Sheldons!
As a fun bonus, I thought I’d share this quick video, “How A Sheldon Gets Made,” which takes you through the digital, then analog, then digital steps I use to make a Sheldon. I put it up on Instagram, which I’m trying to use more and more to share stuff. Anyway, hope you like it!
Drivers! I want to pitch you on a fun idea. I REALLY want to start up a regular, fun DRIVE PODCAST where we talk about the stories-behind-the-story, the characters, the aliens, the technology…and answer your questions. It’ll be super fun.
But here’s what we need to do. Hosting the podcast on Libsyn will cost a small amount, as will hiring an audio editor. So I’m hoping you’d be willing to chip in for a TINY AMOUNT, by signing up on Drive’s Patreon at ONE QUARTER!
We’re only $70 away from making it happen on Patreon, so it wouldn’t take many of you! I hope you’ll consider it! Thanks, friends!
For those of you not familiar, there’s an amazing DRIVE WIKI that’s being generated by readers…and it’s getting really good! Check it out, here!
And if you’re up for it, feel free to jump in to add dates, facts, character backgrounds, and details that might be missing!
And a huge thank you to super DRIVER Ret Samys, who’s taken on the bulk of the work, so far!
For folks who liked this pen-and-ink illustration that I shared, the other day… I put it up on eBay, starting at one penny. Go snag it!
Here’s the LINK: http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-Quick-Dip-/291928333849
This week, we start a new TALES OF THE DRIVE story, by “Scenes From A Multiverse” cartoonist, Jon Rosenberg!
And happily, it’s a Nosh-heavy story, which instantly guarantees I’m gonna love it. 🙂
If you enjoy it, make sure you check out Jon’s scifi strip: SFAM, or give him a shout-out on the Twitters!
As I always do, I’ve moved around the archives of “The Esteemed Gentleman Alonso, Who Came From The Stars”, to that it now reads continuously in the archives.*
The story begins HERE. And huge thanks, again, to Evan Dahm for the amazing story!
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*The reader comments for those strips won’t match up, anymore. Alas, we live in a fallen, imperfect world of ash and woe and great gnashing of teeth.
This story really gutted me.
When you sit and read the 12 pages in one sitting, and experience the slow monotony of life that Alonso plodded through for ten long, boring years — you get this great sense of melancholy for the decision he was facing. And you get such a clear picture of how Alonso’s own harsh treatment from his life in the Empire was echoed right back onto the village, after the crash.
And the Catch-22 of his breaking into the ring.
Oh, I loved it all so much. It had all the elements of a good Twilight Zone, to me, and I couldn’t have loved it more.
And this story is a GREAT example as to why I don’t edit the invited “Tales of the Drive” artists. I would’ve been so tempted to speed up the first few pages, or add in some humor. But none of that was needed, and in fact: Would’ve ruined the mood and tonalities of the story. This is a Drive story I never could’ve told, and I’m so happy it exists. And I’m so happy and grateful to Evan Dahm for agreeing to do it. I want the “Tales of the Drive” stories to expand not only the story universe of Drive, but the ways and means those stories are told, and this did an amazing job of all three of those.
If you’d like to see more of Evan’s work, you can see it at Rice Boy and Vattu on his Tumblr. And of course, if you’d like to tweet any kind words directly to him, he’s on Twitter at @EvanDahm
A million high-fives to the folks who sent in DRIVE cosplay: This was an awesome show of support for the Kickstarter, and I love it!
Today we’re starting a new TALES OF THE DRIVE, by Evan Dahm of Rice Boy fame!
“The Esteemed Gentleman Alonso, Who Came From the Stars”
This story took me by surprise, when I was lucky enough to read it! It lingers with you, while you unpack and consider the ramifications of the story’s 10-year Catch-22.
It has the feel of one of the more contemplative episodes of Twilight Zone, if you’re familiar with the show: A pace that allows for a slow dawning realization of menace.
I like it! I think you will, too!
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And! If you’re not familiar with Evan Dahm’s own excellent work, check out Rice Boy!
I’ll be at San Diego Comic-Con Wed through Sun at booth 1228, with a whole BUNCH of convention exclusives! Exclusives like:
– “Pickles” Posters
– “Keeping the Homeland Safe” Pug Posters
– Drive Keychain/Bottle Openers
– Drive All-Key Cards
– And magnets out the wazzoo!*
*(Can’t make it to the show, but want these exclusives? Join up for a quarter at Patreon.com/sheldoncomics or Patreon.com/drive before July 25th to get the secret Patreon store link!)
