UPDATE: There’s a blog post below that is relevant to your interests. As long as your interests are picnics and burial mounds.
Hooray! It’s up! Sorry for the delay, but I had a very important project that I had to do.
We did ten pages of these in one day. Thankfully the kids didn't riot when she read the book to them.
Now Ky’s preschoolers (hopefully) understand what peace is a little bit better. It’s not such an easy concept to get across.
Also on the mixed blessing newsfront – I’ve got to take next week off from Billy. I know, I know – there’s bound to be some sort of riot. But it must be risked. Turns out I’ve got oodles of work that actually pays money right now, and one of those gigs is an honest to goodness book. Like, with a real publisher and whatnot. BUT, I’ve got about 40 sketches to get done by the 15th. Which is compounded by the fact that my brother is back from Iraq and visiting my hometown pretty much the exact same weekend. Rock and a hard place, you know? I’ll try and make it up to you by posting something in the blog area (below the comic post. I know it’s been a while.) a time or two next week, so check back or look on twitter and facebook.
Lately I’ve actually been picking up a decent number of gigs – more than I’ve ever had. Problem is, as I get more paying work, the time I have for Billy is going to get harder and harder to find. The only way I can take that time back, is for Billy to start bringing in some actual, y’know, money. So I stuck a donate button up in the sidebar. I don’t like it, but after doing this for two and a half years, I figure I’ve earned a respite from my neverending self-imposed rules. So do your thing with the paypal if you’re feeling it. Just like Radiohead, man.
Thing is, that’s only going to go so far. I LOVE Billy. This comic is my life’s work. I mean, I’ve been with these characters since I was nineteen, and they haven’t given up one centimeter of real estate in my imagination since the day I created them. They aren’t going anywhere. But to keep doing it as often as I do now (or more often, if that would ever be possible), I need to get more people to the comic. So if you enjoy this comic, tell somebody. Or, if you know of a website that does webcomic reviews or plugs, tell them about Billy. Cuz’ I need you guys.
Aaaaaanyway, I’ll talk to you guys next week – seriously, check back even the comic is off. I’ll have some fun sketches of the kids up or something in the blog. I’ll need to blow off some steam on some funtime drawings for sure.
Later, and thanks -
J.
I’d scream noooooooooooooo! but honestly I completely understand. Everyone who has done a thing out of love (not money) for numerous years will understand. All of the Authors I read passonatly (Alan Dean Foster, F Paul Wilson, H Beam Piper) have taken breaks from writing for a time (well… Piper committed suicide, I guess thats a break of sorts). The other online artists take breaks too.
As for spreading the word, would it “wrong” of me to put a link to the first comic on my deviantart page?
Back to the comic! This one’s background just blows me away with the detail. Everything from the Plaques on the wall to the map holder on the counter. Love it.
I don’t know why, but this whole scenario (in the comic) reminds me of the old Tales From The Crypt episode where the landlord of the apartment was never seen – everyone had to look into a camera by his door while he spoke through a loudspeaker.
Breaks are to be expected! You’ll be back before we know it
I really rather like the Peace Poster!
… I wish I had something more insightful to say beyond that. Sometimes giving up a little is better than fighting a lot?
Hey – I’m still posting! (see below) The only reason I’ll ever take a break is because I’ve got to put a bit of food in my mouth. Billy is the way I express myself, and the way I spit back my experiences in a meaningful way to the world. I’m just lucky that my mode of expression fits the times. I couldn’t imagine being an artist who depend on mystery in this day and age.
@Gourd: You should see the other eight pages. It’s interesting trying to distill a concept as deceptively complex as peace to a format that three and four year olds will understand. [
Okay, I just noticed this: does the floor mural really say “Rube Goldberg institute” under Billy’s bag?
Jason,
A: I love Billy. Not in the way you do, because he’s not in my head, but in an almost better way, because all I have to do is jump in and experience what you’ve already created. I link to you through my site, and I talk you up as much as I possibly can everywhere. It’s that good.
B: I am also pretty cognizant of the need for some things to at least defray their own cost in time and sweat. Here’s a wee bit for your piggy bank.
And the detail in today’s is amazing. As always, looking forward to the next page as things unfold — albeit a little more slowly perhaps than previously.
@Toafan: Yes, that does say Rube Goldberg Institute.
@JE and really, everybody else, too: For right now, most of any donations are going to be put back out into promotion of Billy. I’m dead serious about wanting to get more readers. I want to be able to justify doing some more with the comic – like printing this first issue when it’s finished. And I’ll really like to be able to do more prints like the one I’m working on right now.