Full steam ahead at the Inadequate Locomotive Company
It's been a tricky summer for me, and it will be a tricky autumn. In August I drew three weeks-worth of so-so Bobbins comics, trying to keep going just to have something to do, then I ran out of steam altogether. Events finally caught up with me.
It's going to take me a while to get back on track, though today was the first day in several weeks where I actually wanted to write and draw, which is a good sign. But progress is much slower than my usual brisk clip, and there are going to be several weeks where I can't run any webcomics at all. This isn't normal and I don't like it, but there we are.
But on an optimistic note, here, in what may prove to be a terrible tease for something that takes a dog's age to manifest, is the cover for Solver 8. I drew it today! Fingers crossed for the green shoots of recovery. Let's see how I go on.
And what could THIS issue be about?
Comments (25)
FWIW I'd be happy to put my "That was cool! What's next?" appetite at bay and coast for quite a while on back-catalogue flashbacks and such while you recharge. (However it is you do that: A distant mountain retreat where all pens, pencils and stylii have been banned? Driving Uber and podcasting your conversations with passengers? A year-long gaming binge through the Final Fantasy oeuvre? Hibernation pod?)
Drawing is a big part of my recuperation, I find it very therapeutic, so I can't head to any pencil-less zones!
Finally Lottie is taking on some Elder Gods... At the Mountains of Madness!
Please look after yourself and take your time. We'll still be here when you're ready.
Nuns! Or mountains! Mountain nuns!
Maddona's Eye View of Lottie lying down?
Strangely, I was discussing conical bras the day before I drew it so I think that might have crept in.
Nuns on the Run!
Adding to the other calls for self-care, John. You spoil us as is! Looking forward to Lottie becoming Chibi Bodhisattva.
GASP! Lottie is going to Twin Peaks!?! SO BEAUTIFUL! Jokes aside. Please, don't be stressed. Sometimes things just become difficult for a while.
I would love a Grote/Cooper team-up.
Nuns? Umbrellas? Strange birds seen from the back? Definitely grabs my interest.
Take care of yourself John and take all the time you need
Take the time you need. The mountains look like folded bat wings to me.
A hopefully diverting question John - I've noticed that a few of your recent covers have this mirror symmetry going on, Circus Windows comes to mind - any particular reason for that or just an aesthetic you're enjoying at the moment?
I find something very satisfying about symmetry for a cover, it makes it more "graphic" if that makes sense. I used to think almost solely in graphic terms back in the day, working as a designer, thinking about balance and space. It's nice to lean into that occasionally as it's quite hard to do with my comic pages.
You really are a wonder of nature. I hope you can allow yourself enough rest to get back to full steam, even if it takes longer than is comfortable.
Take care of yourself, John.
Obvs advising the PM on net zero and the cost-of-living crisis? Unless she's solved it herself by the time you're done...
Lottie makes mountains out of molehills.
Hooray! A strip about Chinagraph pencils! My hero! 🤩
22 pages of Lottie drawing on OHP slides, doing an issue-long presentation about her love of the X Files.
Wishing you well John…
I hope you're ok John.
Can't wait! I'm solvereighting already!