The Utopian - Best Friend

Best Friend

So … I apparently originally wrote the accompanying text for this post in the WRONG FIELD, so when it went live, there was … nothing. But it’s OK, the whole of the text was this:

“Who is this ‘James’ guy they keep talking about? SO WEIRD.”

Yeah. Anyway, we’re now just over a month into the Utopian: Foundation, so I thought I’d check in. First, to those of you coming from The Webcomic List and Reddit: HI. Your thoughts are appreciated in the comment section, but so are your votes. Thanks for stopping by.

I’ve been doing a lot of brainstorming in the last week or two for the remainder of this first story arc (which is going to run for many months, so we have plenty of time to figure out what’s happening) and for subsequent arcs, but more than ever, the soap operatic aspect of this strip is becoming more and more apparent. And you know what? I’m OK with that. I hope you are too. If not, let me know, and I’ll properly address your concerns. WITH MY FIST.

In other news, there’s going to be a solar eclipse this Sunday. Wear protection.

Free Comic Book Day at HellPop!

Pj Perez at MaximuM Comics

Hey! A quick update to let you know that I’ll be signing, drawing and, um, I dunno, high-fiving over at HellPop! inside the Arts Factory Las Vegas during their Free Comic Book Day celebration this Saturday, May 5 (duh) from about 5 to 10 p.m. I’ll have what few copies I have left of the Wondercon-debuted ashcan, plus other comics and stuff. If you live in the area, come down, pick up free comics, listen to loud bands, and then maybe have a drink with me afterward.

Wondercon exclusive ashcan comic preview

If you’re headed to Wondercon this weekend (March 16-18) in Anaheim, Calif., please stop by Artist Alley table #121. Why? Because I’ll be there, of course, and not only will I have trade paperbacks of The Utopian for sale at a special price, but I’ll also have this:

utopian foundation ashcan

This 8-page, full-color ashcan comic features the first 10 strips of The Utopian Foundation, and will be available ONLY at Wondercon this weekend. I’m only printing 50 copies, so if you want one, PLEASE get to my table as early as possible. If you know for certain that you’re coming and want a copy, I will happily hold one for you if you let me know in advance.

Otherwise, stop by just to say “hi,” beg for a sketch, or maybe buy something. Hope to see you there.

The Foundation is laid April 15, 2012

The Utopian Foundation

The Utopian: Foundation is a serial comic strip about young people living in a Southwestern U.S. city whose lives are all connected – and shaped – by the influence of “The Utopian,” the idyllic alter-ego of James Douglas, who gave his life to help end corruption and what he perceived as “evil” at Sagebrush High School.

Foundation is a sequel to the original Utopian series that followed James’ exploits. You can buy print collections of the first volume; however, no previous knowledge of the series is required to enjoy the new volume. But it wouldn’t hurt.