New column is out and I sh!t the bed on #Inktober

But it's all OK

The new Long Box column is up over at The Frederick News-Post’s arts and culture magazine, “72 Hours.”

This marks a return out of The Hole, to a degree, and a return to regular service until The Hole beckons again, as it does from time to time.¹

I mean, I was doing OK there for a while, kicking out pages and doodling along to #Inktober quite happily — and then the fog hit. A combination of life, news and stress all came together in a perfect storm. Everything other than trying to make it through the day ground to a halt.

I’m not trying to be dramatic, but I’ve realized over the years that I only have a limited amount of energy to expend doing this human stuff, and when circumstances conspire to require an outlay from that account for physical, mental or emotional struggle, other areas of my life (such as art, engaging on social media and time for friends) go comatose until I’ve dealt with the Other Stuff.

Basically, all systems are dedicated to life support.

In short, I’ve barely lifted a pencil since Oct. 21 or thereabouts². I tried, but the thought of drawing a semi-coherent line, then another, until I had a picture, felt like climbing a mountain. And writing? Pish. Anyone who’s subscribed to The Long Box can see how much I’ve dropped the ball there, right?

Some of those sources of stress that have required a significant allocation of RAM have, or are starting to, ease. This is a relief, because I owe some “very important people” commissions³.

This project may never see the light of day but here’s a disturbing panel for you to think about in the wee hours.

So, news?

The Awesome Comics Podcast’s third DUI anthology is out and it’s incredible. I’m privileged to have a single-page story (the very first one in the book, if I may brag for a moment) next to some of the UK’s most splendid artists and writers.

“Soon, nothing” is a very personal piece about the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia on my mum. This has been a thread I’ve been pulling on for a while that may become something larger and more nuanced. Anyhow, I knew DUI was the right place for this story when editor Eamonn Homes announced profits would go to the UK mental health charity MIND.

At 35 panels, I’m giving old Frank Miller a run for his money.

1. I really wish this was as sexy as you guttersnipes seem to think it is, but it’s really not.

2. I got to the 20th prompt, “Frost.”

3. If you’re one of these people, I promise you will get what you asked for.