Currently enjoying a glass of shochu on the rocks. It’s been a long week and I’ve been treating myself to a drink after tough crunches. I used to be a strict beer guy but, lately, with the onset of my age and lack of binging with the dudes, I’ve refined my alcohol choices to something stronger and less caloric. Shochu is actually pretty healthy compared to sake and other liquors, or so the internet has informed me. It definitely leaves me with a less bloated feeling compared to beer so I’ve been testing it out over the summer. No hangover either which is a plus. Anyway, I’m planning on investing in a special shochu cup that will go well with my Battleship Yamato coaster illustrated below. It was an awesome find, btw. I’m so old…

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Fall already. I was noticing fall specials and seasonal food items being touted at all my local groceries starting a few weeks ago and it started to depress me but no use denying it now. Shorter days and longer nights are creeping up yet it’s still freakin’  hot. What’s up with that??

Been busy penciling all week. There’s new tech and settings in this chapter so it’s been taking me a bit longer to crank them out. I’ve had to cram in more story as well so the number of panels per page have increased as well. All part of adjusting as you go I guess. Looking back at chapters just 6 months ago makes me realize I’ve improved quite a bit so that makes me happy. A monthly truly does force one to improve.

Been watching episodes of Voyager now. lol. Picard still rules all other captains, tho.

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One of many new characters being introduced in my latest chapter.

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I finally watched Overnight. The documentary about Troy Duffy and the making of his movie The Boondock Saints. I don’t really need to repeat what you’ve probably already heard about the film and it’s creator so I won’t. It IS a train crash slowly unfolding in front of your eyes and I felt for all the people involved. They were nothing but loyal and patient. It was such an unfortunate and squandered opportunity. Like, OMG. It made me reflect and think of times when I had jobs and opportunities and combed over the thought process in my mind. What would it take to slag on your peers and people of authority to that extent? I have no idea… I suppose coming from a blue collar background and crusading for the little guy would be an admirable course of reasoning for talking to suits like you would your buddies but still. It’s a good cautionary tale. I still need to watch Exit through the gift shop. I’m really looking forward to that one.

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My lead protagonist, Nina. Kinda going for a Joan Jett dealy.

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Maaan, it’s hot… Just went to pay my rent and get some supplies… On my bike. I thought I could use the exercise but sweating like a pig is never fun or comfortable. I can’t believe this heat wave is lasting so long. It should’ve died down a bit by now. Dropped by Book-Off on the way back and picked up the second volume of AKIRA for 2 bucks. Woohoo! I have the entire set back home but I needed it for inspiration. The inks in the 2nd volume are the best out of the series I think. Really loose and rough but tight at the same time. I’ve been inking with tech pens instead of nibs for the past few months due to time constraints and it looks a bit flat so I’m trying to find a good way to give the lines volume. Just being in that store, y’know. Surrounded by manga new and old is inspiring in itself, tho. A shrine to all the creators in a way. Okay, I’m being cheesy but y’know what I mean.

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I just had cereal with milk that’s a week old. I’m such a rebel. Still tastes fine but if I find myself sitting on the can in an hour I’ll reconsider my rebel-ness.

I read that there’s a massive egg recall in the States right now. All those poor eggs. At least let them fulfill their egg destiny and toss them at something, okay? Speaking of which, if something like that happened here it would be, uh… pretty devastating. Eating raw egg is common place. Cracking one open on a bed of freshly steamed rice with a drop of soy sauce? Hells yeah. My parents started raising hens a few years ago just so they could enjoy that little piece of heaven. They would never trust eggs from a grocery so might as well DIY. I’m sure you’re curling your toes at the thought right now but it has to be experienced to be believed. This will be my ode to “tamago kake gohan”.

An image stolen from the net:

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Been listening to a lot of Ambient and Chillout music while I work lately. It helps me concentrate and focus for these 14+ hour drawing sessions. Speaking of hours, I’m currently trying to fix my sleeping schedule. I’ve been messed up since last week and I need to get it back on something normal. Mostly cuz I go get groceries at 12am and there’s nothing left but dehydrated vegetables and rice balls. Gotta stay up for another 6 hours… uhh…

Finished 2 chapters worth of layouts this past week. It’s the most stressful part of my job, I find, and when talking to other artists they feel the same. Basically, I’m in charge of deciding everything in a coupla days. I’m talkin’  panels, angles, characters and dialogue. It’s a lot to juggle and get right so that my editor gives me the go ahead. The longer the eventual and/or inevitable edits and adjustments take the less time I have to actually draw it. So, basically, I’m under constant deadline pressure. lol Maaan, I was so spoiled at Marvel! I’d get a script and it was off to the races. I really don’t know how those weekly artists do it. Even with their assistants to help with the drawing part, the backstage work of plotting out story and thinking up characters are up to you and your editor. How do they find the time! It baffles me…

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