Alright, it’s finally here. I really am sorry I’ve been so slow lately – multiple projects and general exhaustion seem to have gotten the better of me for a while. Of course, I’m also thirty now, so old age will inevitably make my all-bologna diet less and less capable of sustaining the grueling pace of making a comic strip for no money. Guess it’ll have to run on grit and true love instead.

(Seriously, I don’t live on bologna. I promise I know how to cook. I just greatly enjoy bologna.)

I’m starting to bounce around ideas for things to sell to all of you, and I was wondering what you guys think of a fan club? Like, an old school fan club? I love those things. You get a certificate, and some other nonsense. If I could figure out a way to do a decoder ring of some sort (and I will) there WILL be coded messages on the website. And buttons. And hand drawn trading cards. If it’s fun, and won’t kill me, I’ll do it.

Hey, have you checked out my latest post on the Rarebits blog? You haven’t! Why it’s all about the toys of my life, and I drew little pictures for it. I think you’ll like it.

That’s it for now. I’m off to start work on the next comic – cross your fingers that I can get it out by Friday! Maybe I’ll skip school on Thursday…

Later,

J

Hey all, sorry for the longer than usual period between updates – it’s been kind of a long week. In a bizarre case of life imitating art – one of our cats has fallen ill, and sadly it looks like there’s very little we can do for him but try and make him as comfortable as possible. It’s been a bit hard to get motivated, but the new order in our lives is settling in and my energy is slowly coming back. But – enough of that. You don’t come here to hear my sob stories – you’re here for Billy’s.

Holy Fan Art!

It seems that Sam over at HCE has reciprocated for my fan art with a beautiful little Billy image:

I couldn’t have done it better, Sam!

Alright all – I’m gettin out of here to work on the next strip – but make sure you check out my latest post on Rarebits, and while you’re at it – all the other stuff. I think we’ve really been hitting our stride lately.

Later,

J

This storyline begins here.

Well, another half-week, another slightly above-average comic strip. I definitely draw better than my mom does, anyway. Quirky fact of the week: I started doing my underdrawing in red pencil, and the more refined stuff over it in blue. So it should be 3-D, right? Like those crappy books from when I was kid…

Billy the Dunce Strip #41 Playlist:

Arrested Development Season 2 (for about the 15th time.)
Hot Rod
Beasts of Burden #3 (seriously gang – go buy ALL these comics. B of B is amazing, and Dark Horse should make it an ongoing series. Don’t trust me – Read the shorts and spread the word..)

Seeing as how Been seems to have a particular outlook on life (based on this comic) and how to keep from being miserable, what do you guys do to keep the misery at bay? Me, I draw a webcomic. It makes me happy, for sure. (Also, flyky helps keep me pretty darn serene as well. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the contribution she makes to my well-being.)

See you in the comments,

J

Nonetheless, to fill the void of a comic delayed by the sad necessity of making copies for a living, I give you this:

It should cover my face better. No one wants to see that.

A giant copy of a panel I drew! Fabulous!

See, it's really big.

Estimated E.T.A. on the new strip – LATE tomorrow night. Working hard, wish I was hardly working. Whatcha gonna do?

This one was pretty fun to draw, despite the lack of movement. It’s fun just getting to know the lines of each character and their expressions. Plus, this marks my full conversion to brushwork. I didn’t pick up a nib for a single line. I did use a pen for the lettering, though. Letting which I’m still not quite happy with. Any suggestions?