money for nothin’, and chicks for free

So here’s what happened with that gig – I wrote a couple of paragraphs for some kids movies I got to watch for free, as I was still working at the theatre at the time. Most of them weren’t great (“Underdog” was passable and even a bit funny in places). This lasted for…three issues? I think? At which point the publisher decided to have his wife write the reviews instead.

Shortly thereafter, the magazine disappeared. I’m fairly certain that I had nothing to do with it. In the end I did actually get a cheque, and though it was modest I was just happy to have had the opportunity. [November 9, 2011]

INTERESTING TIMES 1ST BIRTHDAY COMIXTRAVAGANZA

Suddenly, an entire year had passed! And I knew I had to do something special, so I just started linking the standard frames together and told a rambling, nonsensical story filled with callbacks and pop culture references. Also, in typical I.Times style, barely a third of it is true.

Honestly I’m not crazy about this comic and have had a terrible time trying to come up with anything to say about it. I don’t hate it either, it’s just…hm. Hard to put into words. And isn’t that exactly the kind of insightful commentary you were hoping for??

Okay, fine! Let’s try. It’s pointlessly long and not particularly funny. The artwork is serviceable but why did I bother bringing back the masked man? And the last two panels are only there because I was re-using the entire three-panel frame each time (you can see the curves in the corners) and rather than lop them off I decided to fill them out with, well, filler.

But don’t listen to me. I am sometimes my own worst critic and have a long history of utter disdain for my own work simply because time has passed between writing it and re-reading it.

Let’s focus on the positive. I like my imaginary Tom Selleck moustache and accompanying expression. I like the panel where I threaten that guy with a knife. And I like what should have been the final panel (the one with the date in it). [May 22, 2011]

not IF, but WHEN

A commenter “Andrew”, who is also a friend of mine, noted that everyone else who left comments on this comic seemed to be a fan of the game “Rock n’ Roll Racing”. RnRR, as I’ve just decided to start calling it, is a racing game for a few different consoles in which various freaks and aliens race around ugly, square-cornered tracks for reasons I do not care to learn. The only redeeming feature of this game is a selection of MIDI versions of popular rock songs, such as Ozzy Osbourne’s “Paranoid” and “Highway Star” by Deep Purple.

Anyway, Andrew pointed out that I was alienating my fanbase by positioning myself so firmly against this game. I didn’t respond at the time but if I did I would have said “Good. I don’t want them as readers anyway.”

An example. Earlier this year I accepted a dare to overcome one of my greatest fears. I succeeded and prevailed because if I failed the dare it was agreed that I would have to play forty hours of Rock n’ Roll Racing. Do you see? I am willing to change my own life (for the better, as it happens) in order to NEVER HAVE TO PLAY THAT GAME AGAIN. [May 22, 2011]