Blank space
In the wake of my recent run-in with the Conan Industrial Complex and subsequent removal of the current story from my web presences, I have been forced to look at something I haven't had to examine for many years: a blank sheet of paper, in search of ideas. Because the old ideas in my train pad (which I write in on trains)... were insane.
Last time I saw him, during the briefest of conversations, he fed me a concept so juicy that was Wicked Things still running, I think we could have had six issues out of it. I'm not sure I have another suitable vehicle for it. It would need an artist with more chops than me. It was truly international.
Anyway I can't draw more Steeple, more Bobbins.horse or any of that, those books closed for a reason and we must keep them that way. So it's back to the blank sheet of paper. Let's have another look...
More missives from the blank sheet of paper, soon. But not from THE DARK ZONE. We're never going back to THE DARK ZONE.
Comments (46)
I initially misread the second image concept as 'Dark Bong' and I won't lie, my eyebrow did raise a touch.
You know me, Mark, a veritable Cheech and Chong!!
I'd like to see Lottie up against Arsene Lupin, with or without a cameo from Sherlock Holmes. It'd be an opportunity to work Lottie into the NEMS story line as well, if you felt like it.
"Everybody Loves Rayguns" is clearly a premium title in search of a story.
No, there's a full story for Everybody Loves Rayguns. Another monstrosity I wrote on a train. it's a bit like a daft episode of the X-Files.
At ComicCon you signed one of my SGR books with a doodle of Mandy Patinkin saying “Coffee in a plastic cup!” and I think about that all the time. I am very much looking forward to seeing what comes out of your blank page.
I can’t believe I missed your Conan. I feel like I slept through xmas. It’s not still stashed around here in Patreon, is it?
I thought JedFest would have more Star Wars enthusiasts...
I want to know your plans for Kirstie and Phil
I feel like you are ready to explore the next phase of Lottie and Claire. I hope for a mighty reunion, and a case that is suitably epic.
I would bet that everything you could possibly imagine for the Dark Zone is already out there somewhere (wasn't there something about a monkey-torturing site in the news recently? Ugh) but I don't want to look, in case it's true.
Anything you can imagine for the Dark Zone is already in the Dark Zone
Shame on them. It was really fun to see those characters in that setting. I don't suppose just changing his name to "Ethan " or something would take you off the hook.? Take your time on getting new stuff, nobody expects the Marvel Inquisition.
I love literally everything on the JedFest page! And for the record, I'm with Glorm: just once, I'd like to go ham with the big truck & the pipe.
Oh no! No more Conan?! I mean, I get it if whatever entity that's squatting on those rights sent a couple of the boys around to give you the "shame if anything were to happen to it" routine, but I was really enjoying that story. You're a deft hand at pulpy fantasy.
Any chance you can just file off the serial numbers and keep going? Like, make him blond and call him "Gordon" or something?
I can't believe there's not a single suggestion for a Desmond Fishman story. What is the Scarygoround fandom coming to?
Actually John when was the last time you watched Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)?
Once again I am filled with seething hatred for greedy lawyers.
Nit that this is unusual
It’s a treat seeing the doodles, even if they never come to anything. I feel like I need to know more about The Glade.
always a pleasure seeing your process
What an embuggerance. Sorry this happened to you John, but I'm sure the Freedom Eagle will soar again soon
Oh boo, I think I only subscribed to the Patreon a couple of days after the email with Part 2 had already been sent out. :c Onwards and upwards, then! My initial assumption is that Jedfest features Jedward in some way, and their unreasonable haircuts are what Rev. Penrose can see approaching through the forest.
The idea of placing dear and known characters in an alternate universe was working very well. I believe there is plenty of room to write all kinds of crossover stories that do not necessarily involved messing with worlds created by other authors. The Allisonverse is already wide enough to experiment, methinks.
I think you're right. One thing I realised doing the Conan story was that the old Scary Go Round comic was set up for genre experiments, diversions and so forth, but in recent years I lost my freewheeling approach somewhat. It's almost a necessity of a long run, but nothing since Giant Days has had a decently long run. I've not had a vehicle that would stand up to experiments. You have to earn your side-quests.
“Convivial Middle Class Death Run” is what I’d like to read next if you please
This is clearly the time for an Onion Dan special!
Featuring The Mogg!
Is it possible that we Patreonians could peep the third part? I was heavily invested in this story using public domain characters. Further, I am boycotting all CPI products and Conan related materials that are produced from this point out.
Not that I ever read any CPI, but consider it boycotted.
Do I spy Rev. Penrose in the Jedfest drawings? And is he paraphrasing from Night of the Demon? (a quotation I mainly know as a sample in the song "Hounds of Love")
Thanks for reminding me where that line originates!
I want the investigation into the postcode lottery story. I want to see Charlotte and Claire discover the dark secrets behind it.
Simon this is intriguing me.
Conan industrial complex??? Oh damn, that sucks. I really should have been faster to read Part 2. The Conan guys are more litigious than the Wolverine guys, who'd have thought (though maybe having the name in the title or going beyond 1 issue made the difference, who knows). Hoping the space doesn't remain blank for too long.
Jack I think the link to the PDF for part 2 on your email from Patreon should still work. Part 2 does kind of resolve things (I extrapolated part 3 out of the two epilogue pages of part 2 that wouldn't fit when planning the story).
THE GLADE looks very exciting
I know! The bird beast at the centre excites and delights.
That really sucks. I was quite enjoying the Conan story, and while I'm sure it's in the public domain, I totally get that no normal person has the resources or energy to fight corporations about bullshit like this. Our loss for *what* gain of a faceless corporation?
Brian, I'm putting it behind me with a barge pole. Onwards and upwards, fresh fields, a positive attitude. What else can be done?
Oi, getting heat from the Conan people is so cheesy - you just know Conan himself would have beheaded evil bureaucrats like that. I'd suggest Giant Days meets Cthulhu, but I imagine the Lovecraft estate is just as difficult.
I'm still rooting for Claire vs. Little Green Witch.
Little Green Witch is not forgotten but I think she might need to be her own thing for the right audience. Not a webcomic. She's special!
well I'm in the Dork Zone myself huehuehue
Well that's fine.