Surgically Enhanced!
It’s been quite a ride these last few weeks. A TIA (mini-stroke) that was more than a little terrifying, then figuring out the cause, then a few stressful weeks worrying that the cause might bring on another stroke (most likely worse). BUT! The cause, a PFO, is treatable with heart surgery. So we did that last week. It’s pretty incredible what they can do now. Heart surgery through a femoral vein, home that day. I was awake during the surgery (they call it “twilight anesthesia”) and it was easy, zip-zap-zoop. Recovery though… that sucked. Haven’t had that much pain in quite a while. Not being able to hinge at your waist, drive, lift things, handle stairs, etc.
I’m pretty much good now. I have two little puncture marks on my black + blue inner thigh (not from Ruxy, alas) and a pair of little gore-tex umbrellas in my heart, sealing the opening between two ventricles that shouldn’t be there. Never thought I’d be the guy who would need heart surgery, implants, and a shit-ton of medications but here we are. Ready to move beyond that now and keep going.
Thank you for sticking with me!
I’ve been thrown off lately, but still planning on sending out the 2nd Monday of the month. I’ll be shifting to Substack for future updates. Beehiiv is a great service, but it’s a place for more traditional businesses to grow… not small indie comic book guys like me. So I’ll see you on Substack!!!
No, Kickstarter. Just no.
So Kickstarter has banned adult content. I first found out about this after backing MR Gunn’s Kickstarter project and finding it suspended. Stickers… stickers w/ boobies. This is where we are now.
You’ve seen MR Gunn’s covers for both Ruxy Vampire and Spectress & Sabanion:
… and you will continue to see MR Gunn’s covers.
This is because the payment processor that Kickstarter uses, Stripe (a pox upon them), is cracking down on the naughty. It’s pretty ridiculous. Kickstarter is going to lose out on millions of dollars every year. I’ll have to figure out what my next step is. Spectress & Sabanion Issue #6 will definitely launch on Kickstarter but Ruxy Vampire will most likely have to find another home. Probably Backerkit. What a pain in the ass.
Media Absorption
Comics I’m Reading
The biggest, newest title I’m reading is Invincible Universe: BATTLE BEAST from Image Comics and what a fucking blast that is! I delightfully giggled my way through the first TPB and added it to my pull list. I continue to rage with envy at Robert Kirkman’s storytelling ability and vivid characters. Exciting, gory, and hilarious!
Pop Culture News & Links
Next Resident Evil movie teaser is out. Looks different… closer, darker, bloodier and genuinely scary.
See also: Evil Dead Burn.
Jamie Dornan will be Aragorn in The Hunt for Gollum as Hollywood tries to wring every last dime out of LOTR.
I have a shred of hope for Stephen Colbert’s LOTR movie pitch. Colbert is a genuine enthusiast/scholar and has probably forgotten more than I’ll ever know about LOTR. Keeping my fingers crossed for this.
Excited about Marvel Midnight. Comics are doing well right now but, honestly, the Absolute DC titles seem to be doing all the heavy lifting. Marvel Midnight will be similar to a mashing of DC Comics’ Vertigo and the Absolute line. It’s own universe with dark tweaks of existing characters. Sign me up. Maybe I’ll let them include Ruxy, Spectress, and Sabanion if the contract is right.
Thank You!
Work continues on art for Spectress & Sabanion #6 and the Ruxy Vampire #3 script. More to follow!
