Sandra recieved an unexpected phone call while I was out seeing Corpse Bride (which was delightful, except for the part where juvenile delinquents threw bits of ceiling tile into the theater, no, I’m not making that up). Apparently one of the local charter schools is forcing their students out into the wide world as interns for a couple of days. The mother of one of these high school kids managed to Google me as a “cartoonist” living in “Orem.” One local telephone call later, she reached Sandra.

Okay, an intern RARELY gets to do anything interesting — even “real” interns from collegiate programs often get relegated to the snack-fetch-itorial field. A high-school level intern is, in fairness, likely to be little more than an observer in whatever business he visits.

In most businesses this would be annoying. Me, though, I thrive on attention. Now factor in the following: the young man who wishes for a two-day internship with me has some Photoshop skill. I bet I can get a week of strips flood-filled for free. In exchange, I’ll have somebody looking over my shoulder while I pencil and ink, and I’ve found that always makes me work harder.

I’m looking forward to it. Besides, for a few hours, I’ll be able to guarantee that at least one of America’s Youth is not throwing bits of ceiling tile into movie theaters.

–Howard

This article in my local paper, which covers the Woodbury Gallery’s Eisner Exhibit and Saturday’s mini-convention quotes me extensively.

All they missed was my URL. *sigh*. They have a “leave a comment” feature, though… hint-hint.

–Howard

This weekend I picked up a copy of “OZ F5: Gale Force,” in which a super-heroic Dorothy teams up with the equally super-heroic Tin Woodsman, Scarecrow, and Lion to dispatch the Wicked Witch of the West.

I haven’t had this much fun reading a comic book in a LONG time. It’s published by Alias comics, and you can probably order it at your comic book store for $5.00 or so. The 48-page, full-color graphic novel has the whole story in there, from the crash-landing atop the East Witch to the undoing of the West Witch. And there’s nary an advertisement to be seen, either.

One of my favorite lines: “Umm, Dorothy, if the monkeys where you come from don’t have rocket packs, how do they fly?”

Giggle.

–Howard

I’m feeling a little better. After writing my last entry I wandered around outside for a bit, picked a fresh red jalapeno, ate it, and then picked up my car from the dealer (bad ignition coil, 100% covered by warranty). Outside, plus PTrans depletion, plus endorphins, plus not having to spend money was kind of a boost.

And I HAVE gotten some work done today. My “Rule of Ten” seems to be working. At a minimum, every weekday, I must take 10 rows of Schlock Mercenary through one of the four stages of creation (script, pencil, ink, color). Adherence to this will mean 50 row-stages of work each week, which is 14 more row-stages than a week of comics actually takes.

So far I’ve colored 3 rows, pencilled 3 rows, and inked 3 rows so I’m at 9. And I’m gonna keep working, even if I do feel a little doldrummish.

–Howard