I’ve had a relaxed but productive couple of weeks since completing issue #1. Delia Awesome now has a Facebook page (please note the handy link located in the sidebar), I’ve been working on the script for issue #2, and am writing not one, but three articles on various aspects of this project.

I’m also waiting on proofs to come back from the printers, which is pretty damn exciting. With any luck, I’ll have hard copies available no later than mid-October.

Anyway, here’s a fun thing that I cobbled together from some of the artwork on this site…a side-by-side comparison of Delia’s original design and her final, revised appearance:

I’ve decided to post an informal preview of what amounts to the first chapter of Delia Awesome. So head on over to the comic section and check out the first ten pages of issue one. I may still need to make the odd tweak here and there, but otherwise these pages are in their final form. Enjoy!

That’s it. That’s the day. Mark your calendars. Tell your friends.

Delia Awesome issue #1 will be out on August 1st. I know the date keeps slipping, but I can now say with certainty that the first issue will be complete before the end of the month. Whether that’s two days or two weeks before July 31st remains to be seen. (I’m guessing it’ll be closer to the former.)

I make no excuses. The occasional and unwelcome interruption of my day job, illness, the rare social obligation, and the fact that – apart from the contributions made by my editor – 95% of the work is being done by me alone have all had their impact. Though it’s really the latter-est of those reasons. Creating a long form comic on one’s own, from scratch is a lot of fucking work. Christ, I spent over four hours last night designing a font for it. Then there’s the penciling, inking, shading, laying down all the word balloons and copy…not to mention all the time spent tweaking the final product and correcting mistakes.

But it’s all worth it when you start to see something you’re (cautiously) happy with take form. And in no more than three weeks time I’ll know if it’s all been worth it.

Anyway, as a treat for the few people who actually follow this blog and a surprise for those who simply stumble across it, I’ll be doing a soft launch of issue #1 as soon as it’s ready. But seeing as how I have no idea when that will actually be, you’ll just have to keep checking back. But August 1st is the official, hard launch of the comic…meaning it’s what I’m telling people on Facebook and putting on the flyers I’ll be leaving at Quimby’s, Chicago Comics, The Empty Bottle, New Wave, and so on.

Really binding stuff, I know.

July 1st. Delia’s (re)debut is nearly here. Her redux-over, maybe?

Terrible wordplay aside, I’m in the home stretch – and really doing my damnedest to make sure “July 1st” doesn’t become a more nebulous “first week of July”. But hey, shit happens.

Anyway, I’m gonna try and post a little preview along with some reflections on the whole project very soon. But right now actually producing the comic has to take priority over everything else, so my musings on Delia Awesome may have to wait until sometime next month. Either way, it won’t be long now before this site serves as more than just a repository of status updates. See y’all in a couple of weeks.

It’s a beautiful Monday morning, I’m sitting outdoors with a cold beer in my hand, and the dog is happily patrolling her backyard kingdom. Before you get too jealous, bear in mind that A) I’m poor as fuck and B) the rest of the day will be spent hunched over my desk churning out page after page of Delia Awesome #1.

It’s been an exciting month since I posted the cover art preview. The big news is that I found an editor. And after a couple of meetings and a couple of script revisions, the true heavy lifting can begin. Delia Awesome marks the first time I’ve ever collaborated with someone in this capacity – and I gotta say it’s been a great experience. Not only has Jane’s input been an invaluable resource in laying the foundation for Delia’s story, but being accountable to someone does wonders for keeping me (mostly) on track.

Now for the announcement: Delia Awesome’s official debut will be July 1st, 2013! The entire first issue will be available to read with weekly updates starting in August. Tell your friends.

The first draft of the script for Delia Awesome #1 is complete. I’m gonna let it percolate for a couple of days while I work on an unrelated show poster and then start right in on the revisions.

A lot has happened since last August.

I got back into my abusive, on-again-off-again relationship with educational publishing. I started a new graphic novel project with this guy. I resurrected a long-dormant comic project of my own. I picked up the odd bit of illustration work here and there.

And my wife and I separated.

Consequently, I spend a great deal of time these days drinking and not sleeping. Which – through the occasional gin and exhaustion induced hallucinatory episode – has aided in both the creative and self-reflective processes. Though it’s been mostly the latter. You could say I’m on a sort of alcoholic, mania-fueled vision quest. But it’s starting to pay dividends. After an exceptionally weird evening out several days ago – one in which I’m fairly certain half the events were imagined – I was finally able to leave behind all of the anger I felt towards my wife. More importantly, I saw straight through my own stupid bullshit. So now it’s just on to dealing with the fact that I have no love in my life. Which – if nothing else – has the advantage of not manifesting itself as explosive arguments at parties. It’s also just bonkers for inspiration.

In the midst of this, I heard Delia’s voice in my head.

“Hey, Mike…it’s time to let me out.”

And for the past few days I haven’t been able to jot the notes down fast enough. Delia’s story is really coming alive in my mind and filling out in ways I’d never planned it to. In time, the half-dozen pages currently featured will be scrapped and archived somewhere else on this site and a new, better comic will take its place. Until then, here’s a selection of recent sketches featuring Delia’s new look. Expect updates to follow somewhat sporadically – since I don’t want to spoil too much.

Oh, and if you’re wondering where I’m drawing inspiration for Delia’s revised appearance, it’s this gal:

Anyway, Delia’ll be seeing y’all real soon. In the meantime, take care everybody. I mean it…all three of you who follow this blog. Be happy and be well.

So by now all three of you that follow this comic may have noticed I haven’t updated in nearly a month.  I definitely should’ve mentioned this at the beginning of August, but I’ve gotten sidetracked by a short-term project that will likely take the remainder of this month and a small portion of next.

But Delia Awesome ain’t dead!

In fact, I’ve actually come up with some ideas for a fourth volume of the series (well, technically it will be volume 3, with what’s presently the third series becoming part 4).

So sit tight, and she’ll be back soon.