I feel that it’s too early in the game to start missing updates, but what can I say: I’m missing today’s update. The page is written and mostly penciled, I just need more time to get it just right.

Comic Anthologies:

I am hard at work on an exciting comics anthology story for the House of Twelve comics group. I mentioned in the previous blog post that the Twelve is going to put out a digital comic available on the iphone through Comixology. The difference between these iphone comics and others will be that ours will feature exclusive and never-before-seen stories.

Darryl, personally:

I thought I’d take a moment to say a few words about the comics I’m reading and will be reading this week.

I just received Ball Peen Hammer by Adam Rapp and George O’Connor from my friends at First Second Books. I don’t know what to expect but the art is gorgeous and I hear the story is very dark!

Just about to finish up re-reading the Japanese series Genshiken. Tomorrow I begin book nine, the final volume. The series starts out sort of scattered but treats the characters with a gentle touch that is rare in manga. I really like the way Kio Shimoku, the creator, draws hands. They are lovely.

I’m reading Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys. I am in the middle of Volume four and I’m on the edge of my seat! This is a thriller story about a group of middle aged men who, as children, appear to have inadvertently inspired the methodology by which an evil organization seizes control of the world.

I’m also reading Urasawa’s Pluto, but I’m trailing behind my reading of this title. This is a modern retelling of Osamu Tezuka’s classic Astro Boy story “The Greatest Robot on Earth.”

A few days ago, I read the entire archives of Machine Flower, a webcomic by Pana Stamos. I’ve known Pana, albeit in a cursory way, for years. She’s married to a friend of mine from college. Back then, none of us had an inkling of the talent that she was sitting on!
I’m also kind of obsessed with Jordan Crane’s comic book Uptight #3. The art is so good that it hurts to look at. Crane renders everything with a curvy, lively line that is so self-assured and definite that the reader has to really slow down and admire the technical proficiency on display.

Finally, I’m really excited to have received the R. Crumb Book of Genesis. I think that the idea of illustrating the bible literally is pretty brilliant. Though similar efforts have been done on a smaller scale, I believe that Crumb’s ultra minute attention to detail will reveal what “Bible illustrated” comics of previous generations miss out on. Fun fact, this is the only Robert Crumb book that I own!

Finally, I took Gunnerkrigg Court out from the library down the street from me. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this series so I’m pretty curious about what is in store for me. I’d much rather read a story this dense in book form so this works out well for me!

-Darryl Ayo