As if I didn’t pack in a whole lot of awesome into this page story-wise, I had to go and one-up myself by tossing in that Kitty Pryde line.

Damn, I know: You guys are SO lucky to have this awesomeness to read.

Anyway, I’m actually getting caught up so I can go to Emerald City ComiCon stress-free this weekend. OK, so I’ll actually be totally stressed out about all sorts of stuff, but updating The Utopian will not be one of them. Oh, and if you are in Seattle or going to the convention, PLEASE come see me. I’ll be in Artist Alley at booth M-12. Pop! Goes the Icon. Bring cash. I’ll draw ya something. Or sell ya something.

See? If you stick around long enough, weird shit will happen.

First, a supreme thanks to the Alert Nerd crew for giving a little love in their weekly “The Bin” column last week. Of course, it’s only fair, because a few of the Alert Nerders were featured in …

THE SPECIAL GUEST STAR LIST FOR PAGE 77

So no one attempted to name all the real-life cameos in last week’s strip. It’s because I deftly selected a cross-section of unrelated pals from the replies to my Twitter question “Who wants to be featured in an upcoming strip?” Most of those included (and I tried to cram in as many as I had space for) caught themselves, though some others were confused and left shivering in the corner of their bathrooms. So, without further adieu, go look again at page 77 and here’s the guest list:

• Panel 1: Jeff Stolarcyk, Sarah Kuhn
• Panel 3: Robert Ludwick
• Panel 4: Jessica, Pj Perez Superfan #1
• Panel 5: Daniella Cortez and Michael Willoughby

That’s it! Capturing likenesses at such small sizes in weird poses is not the easiest thing to do, but much like all my cartooning, it’s more about capturing the essence. RIGHT? Right. See ya next week.

This is probably the closest I’ve come to missing publishing on the day (if not the time) scheduled as I ever have. But looking at the strip, you can see why, right? Aside from this being one of the most complicated pages I’ve ever drawn for The Utopian (some of those Hoover Dam scenes in Omega Comics Presents were a bit more technically challenging), I also had the added challenge of playing host to my girlfriend’s family, journalistic deadlines and pre-press on issue two of OCP.

BUT. Here we are: My Twitter followers may recall a few months back I mentioned there’d be an upcoming comic book shop scene, and I offered to put a few pals into the scene. Well, the response I received was overwhelming, and even though I expanded what was initially one panel into almost a full page, I could only fit in so many cameos. But we’re going to play a little game: I’m not telling who’s who. You have to guess. I mean, you should know who you’re looking at if you’re one of those Tweeple who responded. However, I’m putting challenge to you: If you can identify all six real-life people featured on this page (Twitter handles are fine), I’ll send you signed copies of both issues 1 and 2 of The Utopian and issue 1 of Omega Comics Presents, in which my epic story “Omega” begins. Just leave your response in the comments here, and be sure to include a valid e-mail address.

Otherwise, I’ll list all the cameos next week. See you then.

WHO … OR WHAT … IS “THE ZONE?!” AND HOW WILL IT AFFECT OUR HEROES? TUNE IN NEXT WEEK!

Heh, purple prose.

Hey, did you know you can buy the bonus-material-packed Utopian print comics at Comic Oasis in northwest Las Vegas now? You can. Now we have both sides of town covered.

Yep, kids, it was JUST A DREAM. Everyone relax! Everyone calm down! Put down your pitchforks!

Or was it?

BWAHAHAHA

Anyway, if I may direct your attention to the calendar, you might notice it’s Feb. 10 (actually, it’s Feb. 8 as I post this, but I am LIVING IN YOUR PRESENT). That’s the release date for the first issue of Omega Comics Presents, the excellent new anthology series from Pop! Goes the Icon. If you enjoy my nonsense comics here at The Utopian, you may enjoy the nine pages I wrote and drew for that comic, the first chapter of an espionage-action epic called “Omega.” So, you know, go check out the previews, and then go buy the comic. It’s only like $3.50 for four stories. That’s a steal. Or $2.50 if you buy digital. Crazy.

And here we are, kids — Part 009, “Gifts,” begins! I know, I know — you’re very excited. But shh, keep it down, some of us are trying to work.

There is some super-fun stuff coming up in this strip over the next several episodes, stuff I’m so excited about, I almost feel bad for making you wait at the pace of a page per week. But that’s what you get. So stick around, and if you need to get caught up, why not buy a print collection or two? They’re only like $3 or $5 each and allow you to enjoy The Utopian from the comfort of your bathroom … at least, until the iPad goes on sale.

And so ends part 008, “Rebirth.” Next up? Part 009, “Gifts.” It’s going to be awesome. Things will happen you never expected to happen. And our page featuring guest appearances from fans and pals from across the internet will appear. So much good stuff. All kicking off next week. So be back here on Feb. 3 for the next chapter in the life of James Douglas.

Fists high!

Maybe I should name every strip after a Cure song?

Maybe not.

Anyway, welcome back. I did finally get in the first print run of The Utopian #2. Turns out that the printer HAD printed them as scheduled, but the box of comics disappeared from their warehouse mysteriously. So they reprinted the batch and got ‘em out to me right away. So if you pre-ordered a signed copy, it’s on it’s way to you RIGHT NOW. And if you didn’t, well, go buy a copy now so you can relive the excitement of parts 5 and 6 on the toilet. Heck, if you live in Las Vegas, you can just boot-scoot over to Alternate Reality and save yourself the shipping charges.

Next week’s episode wraps up the seemingly never-ending part 8, and then we’ll be right back the following week with a new chapter (no hiatus, yay!), “Gifts.” It’s going to be a complete change in direction for The Utopian, and brother, I mean it! You will be tickled pink at the strange new adventures awaiting your favorite non-emo, non-superhero! Stay tuned.

Fists high!

And we’re back. On track. Mostly. I’m about a few days ahead again, after really pushing myself to get a lot yesterday. I knocked out the inks, flats and shades for this page in a few hours last night, as well as doing two pages of ridiculously detailed pencils for the next issue of Omega Comics Presents and recording some music with my band. So it was a good day, as my friend Ice Cube will agree.

Oh. And allegedly, today is the day issue two of The Utopian print series comes out. I say “allegedly” because it’s now Monday and the books haven’t even shipped yet from the printer. Unless their online system is just inaccurate. Guess I’ll know by the time this goes live. I hope.

Holy crap. Kids, unless I am reading the time display on my iMac wrong, it is 8:41 p.m. — that means it is still Wednesday in most parts of the continental United States … and that means THIS COMIC IS POSTED ON WEDNESDAY AS SCHEDULED. I somehow defied my delay due to illness and managed to lay out, script, ink and color this strip in about three hours last night, and then finished the shading and lettering today. And though I personally feel it looks a bit rushed, I’m happy with the outcome. It got just the right punch I suppose.

Anyway, in case you haven’t pre-ordered your autographed copy of The Utopian #2 yet, this is absolutely your last week to do so. It’s shipping next week and I’m converting sales over to direct from the printer, so … get on it, if you haven’t yet. There are beautiful covers by Hernan Valencia and the dynamic duo of me + Steve Downer, so — DUH!

If you can’t find The Utopian print comic in your local shop but think it should be there, please contact me directly or ask your local comic shop owner nicely to contact me, because I’m having some issues with our current distributor, Haven, who’s taking a little more time than expected to get Pop! Goes the Icon products into their wholesale catalog.

And thanks. Happy New Year!