Here’s the truth – while making comics does pay the bills, I’m still living with my mom. This is partially because the oil and gas companies who have moved into the area have also imported pipeline workers from out-of-state, which means most rent-worthy spaces are gone, and what’s left over means rent prices have SKYROCKETED. So lack of places for rent, plus the places for rent being ungodly expensive ($500 a month for a room with no private bathroom is a pretty common listing around here), means living with mom because it’s more affordable.
It’s been ok, as far as living arrangements go. Mom works a full-time job outside of the house, which means I can work in my studio uninterrupted (for the most part. Her boyfriend also works from home but has his own office space set up). In fact, the only times we really see each other are at night.
That’s right, New Dimension Comics has been in business at the Ohio Valley Mall in Saint Clairsville, OH for 2 years. They’re having all kinds of sales that day, plus a special prize giveaway. Double plus, they’re letting me set up a table to sell my wares!
So if you’re a local, and you haven’t picked up a copy of my new book, Witches: The Sketchbook, come on over February 3rd from 11 am to 6 pm.
If you can’t make it for whatever reason, I’ve got ya’ covered: Witches: The Sketchbook is also available on Storenvy.
As an added bonus, I’m offering free sketch cards to folks who make an appearance at the shop. Here’s the rules to get a sketch card of your very own:
You have to make it to the New Dimension Comics at the Ohio Valley Mall in Saint Clairsville, OH February 3rd between 11 am and 6 pm.
Leave a comment below to let me know what you would like me to draw.
Keep in mind these sketch cards are wee – 2.5 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall.
Please keep it safe-for-work: this is a public venue and kids will be around.
And that’s it!
Depending on how it times out, I may even have some information about the KickStarter campaign for The Case of the Wendigo.
This panel is from Validation (written by Christian Beranek, drawn by me)
I like games. Video games are cool, but right now, my love is for tabletop games.
If you want to understand why I love tabletop games, especially Dungeons & Dragons, so much, I highly recommend you watch this TedTalk about why D&D is good for you, and this Cosmonaut Variety Hour video about Dungeons & Dragons.
Of course I’ve played other tabletop games, too: Evil Baby Orphanage, King of New York, Settlers of Catan, We Didn’t Playtest This At All, Quelf, and Pathfinder are all games I’ve trod the table for. But Dungeons & Dragons is my big favorite right now, especially 5th edition. 5th edition is really the best beginner’s version of Dungeons & Dragons that’s out right now (aside from the Starter Pack).
With that said, I’ve been wanting to make a new game for quite a while now.
Not just a new D&D 5th edition campaign (I’m already in the process of brewing one). But a new tabletop game.
Christian Beranek and I have been throwing around the idea of finally making Tiny Unicorn, which is a game mentioned in our comic Validation. That’s great. I don’t mean to discredit that.
No, I mean, making a new game.
The idea I’ve had for a little while is something based on the world of Charlie & Clow and The Case of the Wendigo. In my mind’s eye it would run off a D20 system, partly because I’m most comfortable with that, and partially because…
Ok look, I know there are games based on existing comics, movies, TV shows, etc that generally favor the Fate System as a root to base the game on. But I’ve looked at the Fate System and I just don’t like it. It’s too complicated and nonsensical, especially when it comes to how characters in the game take damage. While there are aspects of the D20 system that can make a game easy to break (by overpowering characters, spamming certain spells, etc), I still find it preferable to the mess that is the Fate System.
So anyway, yes, I’m thinking of brewing a tabletop game based on the world of Charlie & Clow and The Case of the Wendigo with the d20 system as its base.
I’ll be updating here on the blog if I finally get the chance to start this thing.
