I drove into downtown (hah!) Provo today to get my allergy shot, pick up a comic book or two, and grab groceries at Sam’s Club (the Walmart-owned membership warehouse).

The comic book store, Dragon’s Keep, had a big “CLOSED” sign in the front window, and the displays looked suspicously empty. I parked, walked up to the glass, and peered inside. Sure enough, it looked like the store wouldn’t be opening again, with racks emptied, furniture missing, and so forth.

I got depressed. I guess the feeling would be akin to an auto-worker hearing about plant closures. I started thinking about my own revenue stream trickle, and before long all the energy I had saved up for this afternoon’s coloring session had seeped right out of me.

I got home and called Dragon’s Keep. I got Jason on the phone, and he said “nothing’s wrong. We’re moving.” They got a great “move right now” deal on a larger store, and for the next few days things will be hectic. If/when they do a Grand Reopening, I’ll be there passing out sketches.

I feel much better now. Hey, look! There’s strips I need to color!

–Howard

I didn’t do any drawing today, and I did feel a little under the weather, but I’m pretty sure I’m all better.

No, my shoulder isn’t completely back up to spec, and I still can’t sleep on it, and I’m still taking Vitamin I and the occasional muscle relaxant, but life seems to be back to normal. That, for me, is going to have have to count as “all better.” Once I’m going to the gym again I can say “back in fighting trim,” and as of today that future proclamation no longer seems so far off. Like maybe Friday.

Nowhere is my progress more clear than in a comparison of photographs, one taken in the afternoon on July 14th, following my doctor’s visit the day of the injury, and the other taken about 20 minutes ago in my recently reorganized office studio.

Pictures behind the cut…

Obviously Elf has a thing for Tagon. The extent of that ‘thing,’ and whether or not its existence will ever be discovered, rewarded, punished, or reciprocated remains to be seen.

I’ve already written it. Your answers to the poll below won’t influence the story (much). I just want to know in advance how many of you I’m going to disappoint. 🙂

–Howard

On a good drawing jag I can pencil a week of Schlock Mercenary in under 2 hours. Inking that same week takes about 20 minutes per row, or another 3 hours. But that’s when I’m in the zone. I haven’t been in the zone since the shoulder injury.

So… today, I’m pretty pleased with myself. I really HAD to get 6 rows inked, which is 2 hours of solid work when I’m able to crank. I budgeted 6 hours for it, and figured that during that time I’d need breaks to loosen up my neck (my shoulder and neck tighten up while I draw), and at least one nap.

Well, I’m almost done with the fifth row, and I’ve still got two hours left. Yeah, my neck and shoulder ache, but this is by far the most drawing I’ve been able to get done in one day since the injury. I may not be back on my ‘A’ game, but for the first time in two weeks it’s been really clear to me that I WILL get through this, and I can see exactly how.

–Howard