Song of Straygo

So, I'm going to cancel Song of Straygo. I'm feeling really out of touch with the characters,, so if I can't write them, it basically  means no comic. There personalities and motivations are really nebulous to me,, maybe its because of the writing, or my idea about what the series could be is changing. But its most likely poor planning on my part. It definitely does not mean I'll never try to write these characters, this story or, and especially this setting again. But next time, I'll plan more. Most of the time, I worry I'm not smart enough to write this comic. I mean, everything is supposed to be designed around ravens, which stand roughly 2 feet, and don't have thumbs... (the Benflowers house is exception, because it was built by the family)..

Deep thanks to everyone who followed this comic, or even just checked it out once, and gave this huge red dog a chance.  it's a great feeling to know you have to create so as not to let people down, but wow do you feel like an ass when you have to make posts like this.

You can follow what I'm up to at my deviantart page, user is Black-Black. I'll definitely announce any new series/comics there! (and this journal too, when the time comes.) I'm still going to use the Straygo twitter (of course!) I have a few things I've been scripting already, but I know I need to choose carefully what I develop further.

Thanks Again!!

Finally added the second tier that was supposed to have showed up on Monday. I totally don't get how the multiple-page-updates on wcn are supposed to show. I'm sort of changing the format of how the pages show up fro ease of viewing,, like show one tier per page, and then you can click to view the next tier, but I might as well have a "strip" up more times a week. That's sort of more intuitive right? I'm used to thinking the comic I land on is all I'm gonna get, unless I haven't been reading for a few weeks.  If I go with that, I'd like to update alot more than I do now,, like five days a week. hmm.

As for the color, I'd like do more, but I won't be able to schedule that in the updates. I think getting more story out is more important.

But if anyone has preferences, let me know!

Sorry to reuse a photo, but here goes. The middle color straygo is what I'll be wearing as a badge. Prizes are to the left and right for basically people on the know of straygo. like I said before, anyone who looks closely enough at my stuff will see the same business cards, but  I give points for observancy. While supplies last!

Here's a thumb of the print in progress, panther rider vs. unicorn rider. I probably won't do the 3rd print now, just because I still have some other preparations to do.

A couple of weeks ago, JT Shea on the NightGig Studios Gigcast ( a webcomics podcast) announced they were going to Mega Con, and if anyone wanted to send some promotional stuff or minis, he would put it on the table. I didn't send a lot of stuff, but it still got me all giddy to squint and see my stuff in the photo. Images behind the cut. Thanks, JT.
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I'm ahead on the Song of Straygo story thumbnails for about 5 pages, editing the final dialogue for this weeks page.

Marscon- finishing with the masking on the next print, panther girl vs. unicorn archer. WIPs later when I have some
actual color laid down. I mentioned on the comics page there will be prizes for people at marscon. I'm going to make a straygo badge to wear, with just a character's head, and anyone who is like , "Whoooo! Straygo!" or whatever, will get a mini-sketchbook or straygo magnet, or possibly another mystery item (no, not a decoder ring). While supplies last. In theory, anyone who pays attention to what I have up in the artshow could do the same, but that's just fine, reward observancy!

Other developments: A friend asked me to contribute to her group Munny show. It's at Robot Love on the 17th of April. Munny's are vinyl monkey shaped toys. They are sold with different paint jobs by designers, but Kidrobot also sells blank ones you can design yourself. At first I wasn't sure I'd have the time, but then I checked out the Kidrobot site, and got super excited! I can't wait!

The new storyline is up and wot?! mysterious Raven? With medical background! I'm working hard to thumbnail the rest of the script. The plot outline is completed, but the actual pages aren't laid out. And as I thumbnail them, some parts of the story are changing... I've never had a set way that I plan out stories. Usually I just draw or write notes for a chapter over and over until it congeals together and then thumbnail it from memory.  I just have trouble finding a way I'm happy with and sticking with it.

Also trying to get all the prints ready for the Marscon artshow. (march 6-8) I want at least 3, and although I didn't really plan a theme, oddly clothed girls riding monstrous animals will have to do. I really don't hate pants as much as my comics may indicate.
Here's a WIP. still a bunch of work to do. the 2nds lineart is drawn, the 3rd unstarted but I know what it'll be of.

News Update! I just got back from Fall-con which was a blast!  Big thanks to anyone who bought a book or landed on this site by following the address on the promo cards. Got to talk to a lot of great people, Ursula Husted, Anne Marie Pellow, Jilly Foo, Tony DeZuniga, Dave and Kristy Strong, Rana Raeuchle, Paul Taylor and many more.
So what's happening with Song of Straygo, first, there will be a hiatus to October 27th. I want a little time to breathe and just worry about the scripts. You may note that the 27th is a monday, that's because song of
straygo is moving to monday to serve as a possible balm for the working masses, and yes more traffic for the site.

Also, part of the hiatus is to do some planning for a possible new webcomic, based on my mini-comic A Parent's Guide to Clown Safety. It is consistently one of the most popular little books I have done, and I do have quite a bit more to say about this important issue which has only begun to be tackled by the popular media and of course, our scientific and technological resources. Am I excited? yes.

Edit: hmm.. maybe not so much a clownsafety webcomic, but there need to be more minis.

The new story Luminous is kind of a return to the original planned looked for Song of Straygo, ala 3 years ago. Here are some pics below, originally created in alias sketchbook pro, a fun little program. They look pretty shoddy by now.

The new page is up, as well as a new section on the website. The new cast page is here.