COMMS

I’ve been asked how come Steven Butler’s and Jim Amash’s name are not on the front cover of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS, as they significantly contributed to the MOBIUS: 25 YEARS LATER chapters that make up a large part of the book. The most I can say is this was done at their request, which I am honoring. Their contributions are acknowledged prominently on the interior credits of the book. As for any other arrangements I may or may not have with them, that’s a topic that will remain private. In fact, I have entered into business arrangements with several creators who have worked on the SONIC and KNUCKLES series, and those too will remain private.

There is no one more appreciative of his fellow colleagues than I, especially when we’re talking about those who were in the trenches with me during the time I submitted work to Archie Comics as well as those who assisted me however they could during my fight with Archie Comics. It’s because those events continue to have a ripple effect to this very day that explains my reticence concerning discussing certain topics.

While there are those who publicly supported me during those days (and they know who they are), there were others equally supportive but for various reasons kept it confidential, which given their circumstances are completely understandable. I won’t go into detail but the reasons are many, ranging from the very personal to the deeply professional.

The point is I was witness to and recipient of acts of kindness and support, but it’s going to be a long time before I can acknowledge certain individuals who came through for me, if ever. Chances are there are matters held in confidence that will likely go to the grave with me.

I have been quite clear over the years about the ownership of my work and my ability to move forward building on that work. THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS is part of that. I have the right to repackage my previous work for future audiences. As for other creators who contributed, they have a right to benefit as well. And they have a right to their privacy, which I will continue to respect. 

My production artist Tom and I are currently getting ready all the remaining pages for THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS that aren’t pages intended for the SHATTERED TOMORROWS section, as just about everything else is finished. He’s already prepared the SPECIAL THANKS section for inclusion in the book, and while I’m looking at a week at most to lock the names of those who pre-ordered a copy, or the Limited Edition Print or the T-Shirt or any combination of the above (which some of you have and I wanted to acknowledge that), my printer is looking for the material sooner rather than later.

So I’m sending a first pass of the pagination formatting so they can get started prepping the first 2/3 of the book while I race to complete the remaining pages and extraneous details for the final polish. The SPECIAL THANKS pages are in the back, which is buying me additional time to make this LAST CALL announcement.

This project is as real as it gets and it’s all because of those of you who enjoyed the stories and wanted more. If the interest, the passion, the support wasn’t there, I’d have called it a day and moved on to other things.

But people wanted this, and their purchases made possible a commitment to the printer, who’s already been paid a sizable chunk of the cost. The orders coming in now have covered the remaining cost of printing and we’re now working on getting ready to pay the shipping cost of the books from overseas to here in Los Angeles.

I still haven’t hit the 200 order mark, but that’s okay as this was never about how much money I could rake in. Rather, it was all about how viable undertaking this project would be. If I was going to do this, I wanted to do this in the formats of my choosing, both print and digital, and getting it out to as wide an audience as possible on a global scale, which is already happening. Mission accomplished as far as I’m concerned.

So those of you still sitting on the fence, now’s the time to jump in and fully commit so I can acknowledge my gratitude inside the pages of my latest work. Those who jump later will still be acknowledged on the app as I can’t promise anything more beyond that.

It’s been a long, crazy ride, but it wouldn’t be happening without you guys. Thanks with much appreciation.

I know I said I posted the last sneak preview, but it’s been taking me a bit longer than I thought to complete these last few pages. Mainly, I keep shooting for the moon and striving to keep improving and adding detail as I go along.

Take the scene shown above which is from the flashback sequence. It’s a moment that was actually depicted in a chapter of MOBIUS: 25 YEARS LATER, but in the context of the flashback sequence is a necessary moment. Not to cast any negative aspersions on the original version, but lifting it “as is” for insertion into the new sequence wouldn’t have worked, thus the necessity of me spending time working on a version that does.

I’m putting the same effort into each and every illustration on every page. More than that, as I go along, I’m having to make corrections to keep everything as consistent as humanly possible while still working to wrap up work on the project. If you notice, the chair Lara-Su is sitting on is different from what was originally depicted as I opted to depict furniture that accounted for the ergonomics of Echyd’nya tails as opposed to human-based designs. So there’s world building going on even in the smallest details.

The biggest motivating factor for all the extra work as been the reaction I’m receiving not just from the THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS pre-orders, or people ordering other Lara-Su items, but from the people sending email stating how much they’re looking forward to the book’s release and seeing the story continue. More than that, the expression of love for the original stories and the excitement of seeing my characters again in new material has been extremely gratifying for me. The support of the team assisting me with the translations and app programming has been consistent and much appreciated.

I didn’t do a Kickstarter primarily because I wanted to use a different model, one that supported my effort to do THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES as a digital app release as well as a series of graphic novels as opposed to comic books. I’m now receiving orders from over 30 states plus the District of Columbia as well as 5 countries outside the continental USA.

It’s taken me a bit longer than I anticipated, but everyone who has emailed me or ordered has made it clear how much this project matters to them. (Some have even ordered multiple copies much to my surprise.)

I will be including a personalized Thank you note with each order as my expression of gratitude to each individual who ordered. Being able to pull this effort off in the manner I always envisioned wouldn’t have been possible without their support.

It’s back to the drawing board for me, but my thoughts will be with those who made it possible. Thank you and take care.

Bernie and I attended a showing of a very funny, very intelligent, very sensitive new film playing at the theaters titled AMERICAN FICTION, starring Jeffrey Wright as a writer who wants to be recognized for his work without labels, as he doesn’t feel his work should be classified solely for the African-American section of the bookshelves. Sterling K Brown portrays Wright’s brother in the story. Needless to say, events force his hand to rethink his position out of necessity while fighting to retain his integrity. We enjoyed it a lot and encourage everyone to check it out.

***************************************************************************************

I want to express my appreciation for everyone who has pre-ordered a copy of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS. At this time, I’m still working on finishing up the last few pages, while my production artist Tom is prepping the completed pages into a format for submission to the printer.

Currently, we’re approaching 120 pre-orders, so there’s still opportunity to acquire a copy with a limited edition LARA-SU print, and I’m still adding names to the SPECIAL THANKS page right up to the point when I finish the art for the last page. Once we get into proofreading and pagination, that’s it. No more names added to the book. (I will, however, continue to add names to the SPECIAL THANKS page that can be accessed in the Lara-Su app.)

I had a chance to show my neighbor – who ordered 3 copies, one for him and one for each of his sons – the prototype I received from the printer, and his reaction was a revelation to me. I wasn’t surprised that he placed an order for my book, as he has a track record of supporting artists of all stripes, but what did surprise me was his expectation of the book being a smaller size and printed with a softcover. Upon seeing the book was both larger in size – slightly bigger than your average comic book – and sporting a 4-color hardcover format, he couldn’t contain his very positive reaction, expressing how beautiful he thought the presentation was. I fully believe everyone who has ordered a copy will have the same reaction.

***************************************************************************************

I still haven’t decided how distribution of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS will occur beyond direct ordering thru my website and convention appearances. What I do know is should I sell out the number of copies I’m having printed initially, the second printing will not be exactly the same as I’m already planning what editorial changes I would make for a second printing. And that’s if I do a second printing. I’m still trying to decide if I will have more LARA-SU SURVIVE! T-shirts printed as I sell out of certain sizes.

***************************************************************************************

Of course I’m bummed out my beloved Buffalo Bills didn’t make the Super Bowl this time around, but it was another entertaining season leaving me looking forward to a better outcome next season. Sometimes it’s not about the end result but the journey taken that matters more.

Likewise, I’m looking forward to seeing Trump wiped out financially once the results of the NY civil trail are in. For my money, Trump should already be in jail and totally disqualified from seeing his name listed for any office on any ballot. Anyone arguing they would be deprived of the ability to vote for their preferred candidate – in this case, Trump – should realize what a weak argument this is. Millions of Americans since the founding of this country have been deprived of being able to vote for a specific candidate over the years for a variety or reasons. Trump is not entitled to special treatment that no one else ever received. If anything, he pissed away any rights he had when he encouraged the insurrection of January 6, 2021.

***************************************************************************************

A final note for now: If you plan on attending this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, I slated to be found at Table II-24 in Artists Alley this July. I’ll have more details as we get closer to the convention. And now it’s time I get back to my drawing board. Thanks for your time and take care.

I received the proof copy of the cover art from the printer this afternoon. Of all the many aspects of this project I was most concerned about, this was it. This is what will initially sell the book more than anything else. This is not to downplay the content inside on any level, but this is what people will see when they receive their copy in the mail or displayed on my table at a comic convention.

The back cover is actually a very glossy pure white, but I couldn’t take a picture without the glare washing out some of the details, nor could I do a scan without the distracting shadows.

The binding looks great and stands out very nicely when placed on a bookshelf.

If you think this looks great, what until you see the interior pages, especially the new material. Yes, it’s taken me a long time to get to this point, but this is only the beginning.

This book is not print on demand by any stretch. Once I receive the copies I ordered, the pre-orders will be sent out and whatever I have left will be sold through convention appearances and mail order on my website. Comic shop owners are welcome to contact me to discuss ordering copies for their stores via email.

If you haven’t ordered your copy yet, what are you waiting for? I’m still wrapping up work on the last few pages as a result of the level of detail I’m adding to the story and art. While I’m doing so, I can still add names of those who do order a copy to the SPECIAL THANKS page.

Yeah, I know I said mid-January I was shutting down adding names, but I hadn’t anticipated my perfectionist nature kicking in the way it has. I used to pencil a page a day working 12 to 14 hours a day, and here I am penciling, coloring and lettering as rapidly as I can as I work 14 to 16 hour days to get this done. With each page, I keep adding even more levels of detail to the overall design.

So please forgive me for sounding like a commercial. I’d love to post a sample of the completed pages, but I don’t want to spoil the surprises awaiting everyone. Those who enjoyed my work previously, this is my best effort yet. Check it out!

I’m still at the drawing board working, but I thought I’d take a few minutes to report how everything is coming along. I feel more like a film director than a comic creator these days as I find myself making changes I hadn’t anticipated simply because I was thinking more like a comics creator than a film director.

Initially, I wrote the script with a specific structure in mind, figuring roughly a page of script with twelve to fourteen word balloons and/or captions translated to five or six panels of illustrations per page on average. That’s generally how I worked previously up to this point. That said, it became apparent while working on a specific sequence that here was my chance to work out a lot of different story points while tying them together into a more cohesive whole.

When I first wrote the M25YL chapters, I surmised the catalyst for the events set in motion was Sonic’s disruption of the space/time continuum at 3 key points: (1) the use of the Ultimate Annihilator in SONIC issue 50, (2) events in SONIC issue 125 that resulted in Knuckles return to Sonic’s reality and SONIC issue 144 depicting Sonic’s use of the tachyon chamber, which met with disastrous results. (To get the full effect of this sequence, you’ll have to check out the Lara-Su App.)

Had M25YL gone the distance in the pages of SONIC published by Archie Comics, Sonic would’ve eventually had a bittersweet ending on a very much changed planet Mobius. For the purposes of THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES, however, this is the last point anyone sees Sonic. Whether he is permanently gone or in another corner of a vast multiverse, that’s for each individual reader to decide.

In THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES, it is the above-depicted event as well as one other key inflection point that sets off a chain of events depicted in SHATTERED TOMORROWS and beyond. In fact, the other key inflection point initially sets off the changes, which results in a somewhat different cast of characters at the tachyon chamber.

My initial purpose for writing this chain of events was to establish what came before did happen but because of certain actions taken, irrevocable change is the result, and there’s no going back.

At this point, while THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES continues the stories of characters who have been around for a long time, people need to understand that neither Archie, IDW or SEGA were ever invested in any of the characters beyond the SEGA core list of characters. They are never going to show up in any Sonic film, game, comic or any other format people would like to see them in.

So rather than play with people’s feelings and give false hope, from this point forward THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES is its own stand-alone universe.

While working on the pages to complete the material for THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS, it enabled me to find answers to questions now rather than down the road. I felt like the writers of the film CASABLANCA who were dealing with script issues throughout the filming, including not even having an ending to the story. But when they came to a certain point in the process, they realized they had the answers all along but just didn’t know it until the right moment.

It’s been like that with me on this project. What really struck home was the realization that the answers to the questions stayed true to the premise of all the characters. You’ll just have to follow along to find out what those answers were.

In the meantime, I also have to report once I have copies in hand THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS will be shipping to (currently) 22 states in the continental US, 4 countries outside the US on 2 different continents. If your country is not listed on the checkout page, please drop a line to me so I can add it to the list. (Unfortunately, at this time, I am not able to ship to Russia, North Korea, Iran and a couple of other countries for reasons I need not go into here.)

I’m still working on the last pages so there’s still time to get those last orders in before I lock in the SPECIAL THANKS page for the book. (People will still be listed in the app once the book is sent to the printers.) Your support is needed and much appreciated. Thank you.

You’ll excuse me if I take a break from the drawing board, but I’ve been a fan of the Buffalo Bills since I was a kid. My father took me to my first Bills game back when the team was playing in War Memorial Stadium and Jack Kemp was the Quarterback. So there was no way I was missing today’s playoff game, especially when Quarterback Josh Allen is the most dynamic player currently playing in the NFL.

Don’t believe me? Check this out:

Josh Allen is a baddddd man 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nPrPlguowg

— Jenna Cottrell (@JennaCottrell) January 15, 2024

QBs don’t normally score touchdowns this way, but Josh is far from your average QB. There are 31 starting QBs who have yet to run a play this spectacular when leading their team to victory.

I’ve had my break, now it’s back to the drawing board until the Bills host the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY next sunday. (And yes, I’ve actually attended games in that stadium in similar weather conditions.)

Monday, January 15, 2024, is supposed to be the cut-off for anyone pre-ordering THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS getting their name included on the SPECIAL THANKS page. The deadline has now been extended to January 22, 2024, for a couple of very good reasons. Actually, three.

One: I’m awaiting a proof copy of the book to establish if the cover art placement meets with my satisfaction. That should be arriving sometime later in the week. Two: I still have to proof the digital files being sent to the printer. Most importantly, three: I still have four of art to finish.

I took a little more time than anticipated primarily because I was reworking a couple of sequences I originally thought were more straightforward than they actually were. It was only while working on the sequences that it occurred to me if I made an change here and an adjustment there that I could tie my M25YL chapters, my story THE STORM along with SHATTERED TOMORROWS in a way that really nailed their continuity in the grand scheme of things.

I originally envisioned THE STORM as one in a series of stories that took place during THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES but were not a part of main story action. If anything, the series of stories I envisioned were meant to add to the broader world perspective from the main story.

In THE STORM, we see the relationship between certain characters whose interactions would detract from the main focal point of the story, but whose actions have relevance to the bigger picture. Likewise a story planned about Lien-Da’s personal life doesn’t work as part of the main narrative, but it does reveal layers of a pivotal character to the greater narrative. These stories constitute what I consider part of the ELSEWHERE narrative.

I’ll talk more about the ELSEWHERE stories at a later date, but suffice it to say, it was only while working on a sequence that I saw how to tie that story even tighter into the main narrative that I felt it worth the extra time time to make the effort.

Beyond that, I had worked in a cushion to allow me time to do a final polish before shipping everything off to the printers. The overall schedule remains the same, with the arrival of the printed copies arriving sometime in late April or thereabouts, the pre-orders being sent out to those awaiting them once I have the copies in my possession, followed by the book’s official premiere at the San Diego Comic-Con in July.

Before I get back to my drawing board, in answer to more than a few requests I’ve been receiving lately, it’s actually a Cintiq Pro 24 that I use a stylus upon it’s calibrated touch screen. It’s comfortable and I wouldn’t think of using anything else to create THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES with. You can see it in the photo above.

As usual, anyone still having questions can always email me. Please allow time for a response. Thank you.

For my money, nothing I’ve shown so far truly conveys my approach to THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: SHATTERED TOMORROWS graphic novel I’m working on than the scene above.

First, it firmly establishes the story as science fiction that could easily take place on a planet located in the STAR TREK or STAR WARS universes. Or a number of sci-fi universes. PLANET OF THE APES, anyone?

Second, it’s a pivotal First Contact moment for Commander Mykhal Taelor as he encounters a vid-log left behind by an inhabitant of the place he’s exploring. Obviously, something major has taken place, but is he stepping into the middle of it, or it’s aftermath? Is Lara-Su asking for help? Or is it too late?

Third, Commander Taelor is as important to the story as Lara-Su is. He’s explored the vastness of space. She hasn’t. Taelor is important for another reason. He’s a guide to this new world he’s about to experience for the readers both old and new. He’s our avatar, asking the questions we would if we were in his place, trying to make sense of the differences between the cultures.

I’m looking to expand horizons with this effort. Go not just beyond my comfort zone, but way beyond. In many ways, working on this story has proved to be a learning curve for me as well, going beyond anything I’ve ever previously worked on in comics.

Unlike most comics, there are consequences. I’m not going to cheat by killing someone off and then bringing them back, or a character makes a bad decision but gets let off with a warning they should be more careful the next time. Things happen, and everyone has to deal with what happens next no matter. And the choices only get tougher.

For the record, I’m bouncing around from page to page, working on panel 4 of Page 10, then skipping onto panel 3 of page 7 to the first couple of panels on page 15. That’s how well mapped-out the story is. It actually keeps me thinking what else I can add to the narrative as I work on it.

And now, it’s time I got back to the drawing board. I have some deadlines to meet. Thanks and take.

For some time now I’ve been telling everyone who asks that THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES is not for all ages, that parents should look over the material to decide whether it’s appropriate for their children or not. I say this because I’m not bound by restrictions dictated by the editors at Archie Comics, the Comics Code of Authority and/or SEGA, and I refuse to be.

As a parent myself, I’ve seen what my kids growing up were exposed to and their reactions to many things where there’s no filters or shielding from in the real world.

Take a look at the news these days. Kids are aware adults are doing nothing to shield them from being gunned down in the schools, that owning a gun has a higher priority in our society than saving kids lives. There are wars going on in Ukraine and Israel where people are getting killed every day that kids are exposed to on the TV and internet. Even going out to a store, a theatre or any other place where people gather, and it’s pretty common for kids to hear someone pretty clearly in any number of ways use the word “fuck”. Especially if one person is annoyed with another, or has no sense of common courtesy.

So as I was working on a specific panel on a certain page, while figuring out the layout of the story point being depicted, it occurred to me I was depicting a beautiful moment during a crucial story point and I was about to censor the presentation because it might get someone upset because moments like this were never depicted in an Archie or IDW comic or even a SEGA game.

As I worked on the rendering, I thought about the women I encountered in my travels who had their infants with them on a subway or bus or park and suddenly needed to accommodate a hungry baby. I also thought about the time my son Steve was being born and what I saw when I was in the delivery room.

When I finished the drawing, I knew there was no way I was altering or deleting this from the story. I also knew when similar moments occur in the story to come, there would be no dumbing down. No censorship.

When I wrote my KNUCKLES stories, I can’t tell you how many kids I met at conventions who told me they loved the Knuckles series because the main character was just like them, a product of a broken home. These kids knew their parents weren’t getting back together and were appreciative when I was just as honest stating there was no happy ending for Knuckles with his parents either.

My grandchildren are growing up in a world far different from the world I did, and in many ways, the story I’m telling with my characters is a reflection of that change and the world they now now live in.

For the record, if a person watches STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS or FOR ALL MANKIND, that’s the kind of storytelling these days I’m shooting for with THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES. There will be no apologies and no going back to previous expectations. It’s a brave new world with plenty of surprises.

In the meantime, there are 12 days remaining if one wants to be listed on the SPECIAL THANKS page as a show of support by pre-ordering THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES: BEGINNINGS.