the deadpan comics blog

brand spanking new Chep Whittaker is Dead page

2007-03-11T17:03:00.000-07:00

...is now posted here. The action continues as G&G question their first suspect, Carl. Carl's a long time friend of theirs... but then again, who in town isn't? And so, what do they think they'll uncover in their investigation that they don't already know? It's possible that good ol' Carl might be keeping from his pals and so if HE is, then who else in town is?

Start from the beginning here.

Grazer and Friends: Series 1

2007-03-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

I've recently lent my hand to another project with Uyugomiak. This comic is, in the words of Uyu, about "Three men trying to be cool" and "a circus sideshow for the millenium". And that sums it up nicely. Check out Series 1 here.

new Chep Whittaker is Dead page

2007-02-25T14:23:00.000-08:00

...is now posted here. The story continues in Chapter 2.

other artwork

2007-02-22T09:36:00.001-08:00

Back with my latest offering of... clay figurines. I've gone through a playing with clay phase and some of the products can be seen in my Toys!2007 catalogue.

Recently, I picked up my pencils and started working on new Chep Whittaker illustrations and with any luck, time-wise, I'll get on to posting a new page. Thanks for continuing to check in! More soon...

Getting "a head" and Chapter 2

2007-01-26T09:48:00.000-08:00

I've been working with some new designs for the GG doll - the head at least
modeling it after the grayscale images that appear in the book, such as this one:
I'm really beginning to like how the grayscale (or at least from this image, b&w) style comes across in the plush toy format. Though I wonder if it will catch on with the kids? Life doesn't have to be all crayons and colour, right? :)

Anyway, the other reason for posting today is that I finally found some time to sketch out page1 of chapter 2. That's now posted at deadpancomics.googlepages.com. Enjoy!

The Backstory Here

2007-01-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

Ok, when I started posting on this site, I didn't think I'd get as many visitors as I seem to be getting so perhaps I better back up and explain what this is all about. Back in September I began working on the Geddy and Gould series. It was completely random but I was amused by the idea of Geddy Lee and Glenn Gould going on a long car ride together, and chatting away. That was the original concept. Within a month it changed into something a little more readable: a small town murder mystery, with Geddy and Gould as volunteer homicide detectives. Note that I didn't say it became more *believable*, it just now had a plotline of sorts! Chapter 1 was completed by the middle of October, which I took to Canzine 2006 with me and some very wonderful people purchased. (BTW, there are a few copies still available for a mere 2 bucks [to cover shipping and handling etc.]).

Anyway, this blog is my way to release bits and pieces of my brainstorms related to the progress of the book and to keep in touch with those who are interested in following this story. I just wish I worked faster to get the next part out to you. I'm very pleased that you've all been visiting this site and especially grateful to those who have taken the time to send me their comments.

Thanks again for reading,
pmd

Substandard Comics? I think not.

2007-01-02T12:26:00.000-08:00

Uyugomiak has finally built a home on the web for his own brand of comic wickedness. He refers to his work as "sick and twisted bits, darkly-humourous chunks, and arterial spray of the utmost light-heartedness". And I'd have to agree.

I tend to run a clean house here and strive to keep this a family-friendly site but it is also my opinion that from time to time all families need to witness first hand the profoundly bizarre and demented (beyond their own bizarre and demented practices, of course). The kids would do well to see that people like Uyugomiak do exist lest they begin to wonder that their parents' advice and warnings are at best vacuous, or suggestive of some form of impending senility. And so, it is with the intent to edify both young and old minds that I highly recommend a visit to Uyu's universe.

To Stultify or To Stuff

2006-12-28T08:36:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Jen for this article on "going home". I suppose I can relate to it to some degree but I've been in back home in Toronto for the past week and I really can't complain too much. I too gave up on the idea that I'd get some "work" done while I was here (sorry student papers sitting in my backpack) but I've surrendered to something good: the sewing machine that had been tempting me way before I stepped foot in my sister's apartment.

Behold, the outcome of a few hours of stitching and stuffing: a Glenn Gould doll prototype.

It's rough, I know. For one, he has no feet. He's also missing his trademark hat and gloves but like the Chep Whittaker book, it's a work in progress. Geddy Lee is in the brainstorming stage but rest assured, he'll get his own plush form soon enough. I've already had a few people interested in the Glenn doll so it looks like I might have to take this into "mass" production.... when I get back "back home", of course.

I've waited a loooong time for this...

2006-12-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

When I was young, I loved collecting Wacky Packages and Garbage Pail Kid stickers. This might explain something about me, or at least where countless hours of my childhood years disappeared to. At one time, me and some neighbourhood friends even created our own mock Wacky Packages line of cards. I really wish I still had them but like many other things they, sadly, got thrown out in the trash at some point.

Well, today I feel immense joy and pride in being able to relive a part of this childhood memory. And so, I present to you, my very own Garbage Pail Kid card.

mmmmmmmm... Fudgesicles and venom-spewing snakes (not to mention, urine-sipping rats)! What's that you say? You want your own too?! Don't despair, you're just a click away.

P.S. email me your very own "kid" and I'll post it here for the utter repulsion/enjoyment of others.

Pig City

2006-12-05T08:11:00.000-08:00

More artwork from the Pig City series.
The Pig City site is "coming soon" but can be found here.

"Glenn in Discovery Mode"

2006-11-28T07:59:00.000-08:00

A Pig City Christmas Countdown

2006-11-27T07:56:00.000-08:00

In preparation for Christmas, I've added the first of my Pig City greeting cards. Feel free to download and mail to your loved ones! Note: as a Christmas gift to you, I've left Adam's hair and watch uncoloured. Let the kids give Mr. Thompson a "Christmas hairdo".

Geddy v.2.0

2006-11-25T08:36:00.000-08:00

2006-11-19T10:27:00.000-08:00

Pig City Teaser

2006-11-18T13:17:00.000-08:00

I have another project in the works with Uyugomiak and Trevor O. This was drawn by me and coloured by Uyu.

G&G: comic noir detectives

2006-11-18T13:00:00.000-08:00

This isn't actually a new image but it was one of my favourites from Chapter 1. I've added "Geddy & Gould" in Impact Font and now, for some reason, it reminds of some 80's LP cover - maybe a cross between Billy Idol and Hall & Oats?

Gould Films in NYC

2006-11-09T09:45:00.000-08:00

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is showing "Glenn Gould on Film".

Films 1 through 5 were shown over the past few weeks but there's still a chance to see 4 more:

Skipping the Romantic Era
The Last Gould
Conversations with Glenn Gould: Bach
Gould and the Philosophy of Recording

The series ends on Saturday, November 18 with:
A Panel Discussion: Gould’s Ghosts: Music in the Digital Age

A Strange Animal

2006-11-09T08:30:00.000-08:00

First sketch of Gowan, from A Criminal Mind video.

In 2005, Maestro offered his own interpretation of this song and video which I happen to really enjoy.

Glenn in Graffiti

2006-11-09T08:10:00.000-08:00

Glenn Gould in the news. (Thanks to Brendan for drawing it to my attention).

"Barbara Moore, the 62-year Texan woman charged with illegally possessing Glenn Gould memorabilia, was found guilty of two misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of stolen property on October 24, reports the Associated Press. The New York jury acquitted her of two felony counts of grand larceny."

Read on and you'll get a sense of why, in this case, a trial by jury is so tricky. To quote "The New York Times writes that other jurors said they were 'reluctant to send a gray-haired woman with a cat and not much money to jail over what appeared to be scribbles that most people would have crumpled up and thrown in the trash.'".