Stay tuned.

Yep! Only one of these cute lil’ James Douglas figures exists, and the only way to get it is to be at Phoenix Comicon this weekend. Bazaam!

I know it’s way past due for me to post this here (because I’ve already done so in like three other places), but just wanted to say “thanks” to all who came out on Jan. 22 not only to support The Utopian, but also and especially The Shade Tree shelter. The folks at Shade Tree were very excited and thankful for the large amount of donated items and money we were able to bring in. Thanks again to Alternate Reality Comics and everyone who helped out.

Check out photos from the event here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=609267&id=181902175401

And if you didn’t get your copy of The Utopian trade paperback yet, you can do so at Amazon.com, or Alternate Reality Comics and MaximuM Comics if you live in Las Vegas or Henderson.

One more thing: If you HAVE purchased a copy, it would be super cool if you could please review it at Amazon.com (even if you didn’t buy it there). Thank you!!

Also: Check out this nifty little feature from today’s Las Vegas Review-Journal about the local comics scene. Sexy pics of geeky people await!

Hope to see you Saturday!

You might be asking yourself, “Self, what’s the point of me shelling out cash for something I can read on my computer for free?” Well, let me give you today’s TOP TEN REASONS TO BUY THE UTOPIAN TRADE PAPERBACK:

1. It makes a great gift, much nicer than an e-mailed link.

2. We’ve seen your bookshelves, and let’s be honest — it can only improve your collection.

3. Your coffee table looks lonely.

4. It features 6,000 words of annotations revealing the secrets behind every single page of story.

5. This website doesn’t pay for itself.

6. The books are printed in the USA, and if you don’t buy one, not only are you not helping our economic recovery, but you’re letting the terrorists win.

7. I will personally sign any copy you pre-order directly. All those bastards on Amazon.com can’t say that.

8. When you’re done with it, you can donate it to your local library, which makes you a better person.

9. Every time an order comes in, an angel gets its wings.

10. No one wants to read 109 pages of comics on a computer monitor.

So there you have it! What are you waiting for? ORDER NOW! ORDER LOTS! ORDER ORDER ORDER.

(And thank you.)

If you’re the type who’s been waiting for the final chapters of The Utopian in printed form, well, your wait is nearly over! This Saturday, at MaximuM Comics at 520 S. Marks St. in Henderson, Nev. (in the Wal-Mart center), I’ll be officially unveiling the final issue, as well as signing copies, doing sketches, kissing babies, breakdancing, jousting and solving world hunger from 12 to 3 p.m. The store will be giving away free stuff in a raffle, as well as offering snacks and beverages, and maybe even a chair for me to sit in!

Of course, that day is ALSO the grand re-opening of Alternate Reality Comics (4110 S. Maryland Parkway), so I recommend preparing yourself for a day of comic book awesomeness. Stop by both shops and show your support for the magic of four-color fantasticness!

If you don’t live in Las Vegas and still need your copy of The Utopian #4, you can order it online anytime from our friends at IndyPlanet. Or, you know, demand your local shop-keep carry the thing!

Hope to see you all this Saturday. Excelsior!

So things are going pretty well over here in Utopian world. Even though you haven’t seen new page updates (and, well, after page 109, why would you?), I’ve been working on all sorts of behind the scenes stuff, not the least of which includes ensuring copies of issue number four arrive in time (you did pre-order yours, right? No? GET ON IT.). We’ll be doing a release party for that in Vegas in November, but let’s talk about that later, eh?

Primarily, I’ve been prepping for a few different upcoming comic conventions, the first of which most concerns us now, because it starts in just four days: Long Beach Comic Con (in Long Beach, Calif., naturally). Though this is only the second year for the event (held at the Long Beach Convention Center), it’s kind of huge already. You can find me all weekend, from Friday, Oct. 29 through Sunday, Oct. 31, in Artist Alley, at table #2104. Where might that be? Check out this handy map!

Yep, so somewhere in the back corner. I’ll have all first three issues of The Utopian, other anthologies with my work in them, and nifty extras, like these awesome Utopian paper dolls created by the charming and talented Tiarra Wantz:

So, if you’ll be there, I’ll be there. Bring me a pretzel or beer money or something and I’ll even draw you something.

Well, believe it or not, here were are: the end of the regular Utopian web series. What a long, strange trip it’s been. A year and a half ago I started this thing on a lark, retelling a story I’d originally conceived when I was still in high school, almost AHEM AHEM years ago, mainly just to secure pro credentials for San Diego Comic-Con. And now? Now I’ve not only produced 109 pages of The Utopian webcomic, but I’ve also launched an indie comic publishing company that’s produced an ongoing anthology series (Omega Comics Presents), an upcoming benefit anthology one-shot (Tales from the Boneyard) as well as four print issues of The Utopian. Oh, and I’ve had contributions to all of the above.

Because of my involvement in making comics, I’ve not only had the honor and pleasure of meeting and working a slew of new, talented people, but I’ve also been invited to participate in group art shows and to collaborate on projects with people in ways I never thought I’d even consider. I’ve had the opportunity to help put Las Vegas on the map within the global comics community, as well as get heavily involved with the local scene here, especially in securing the future of the annual Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival.

I’d like to thank, primarily, all of you who have read, shared and commented on this webcomic over the last 18 months. I’d also like to thank all the people who contributed to The Utopian in one way or another, including cover colorists Stephen Downer and Tiarra Wantz and cover artists Mark T. Zeilman and Hernan Valencia. As well, thanks go out to the local stores who have graciously opened up shelf space to carry The Utopian, including Alternate Reality Comics, Comic Oasis and MaximuM Comics. And my long-suffering girlfriend Sara, to whom nearly every evening during this production has been spent watching the back of my head as I sat hunched over a Wacom tablet.

Of course, she doesn’t get me back entirely after this. While I am going to take a short break to work on a few TV/film writing projects, I’m still working on my serial contribution to Omega Comics Presents, the action thriller “Omega,” and I have some other hush-hush comics projects in the works that can now come off the back burner.

One more thing: If you’re one of those “waiting for trade” types, well, the entire first volume of the Utopian saga will be available in a single trade paperback collection soon, hopefully in time for your Christmas shopping pleasure. It will not only feature the entire story in its entirety, in full color, but also full annotations for every page, revealing a lot more of my inner monologue than you probably would want.

That’s all, kids. It’s getting late, and Criminal Minds is coming on in a few minutes. Thanks again, and hope you’ve enjoyed. Excelsior!

To be honest, it’s been a while since the last time I posted a new page (to you it’s been a week, but since I’ve been working so far in advance, to me, it’s been almost a month), so I don’t quite remember where we left off in our little fireside chats here.

Well, first, all the silly behind-the-scenes legal nonsense I was going through upon announcement of another comic series called “Utopian” is over and done. That new Image series is now called “Halcyon,” we’re still “The Utopian,” and all is good and well in the world of comics! Now go buy more!

Oh, speaking of buying more, if you’re one of those people who likes to have a printed comic book in hand for leisurely reading, or if you love The Utopian so much, you want to share it with your loved ones, issue four should be available for pre-order now in our online store. Check out the neat-o cover drawn by me and colored by Tiarra Wantz:

Coverlicious!

Yep! Anything else? Oh … did you want to talk about the kinda shocking stuff happening in the comic itself right now? OMG DO IT RIGHT NOW BELOW IN THE COMMENTS OK?

And thanks.

I know, I’m killing you guys. Ask all the questions you want in the comments or Twitter. I’ll try to answer what I can without giving away too much.

In other news, I’ve finished the cover for the fourth print issue, which you should be able to buy pretty darn soon (I’d check in the store, because you know I’m posting this almost a month ahead). Art has been handed off for coloring, but here’s a little sneak preview of the line art:

Yeah, I know, not much to go on. But I sure drew it pretty, didn’t I?

See you next week!