Words from the Creator
2020 Updates; Tribute; Lore; Adaptation; Thanks
Updates
Sat May 23 – Studio work
Continued detailing a reproduction study of an anatomy photo.* . I developed a logo for “Caverns of Mnemoth”, ” The Temple of Vir Bakkok”, and a sound track for the “Whistling caves: Jotugg Mnemoth”. ** I detailed most of the “Witchfynder ” logo with mech pencil.
I went through all the Deviant art accounts I made in the past year – for brand names ( ie, Congo Jongo, Witchfynder ect,..) using them briefly. And went through Lurid Max, checking the 5 notes, and responding; and started going through the backlog of notifications.
Vintage Pre Code Deliveries Processed
Delivered last night: ‘Nightmare ‘#7 (skywald) magazine ( another iconic cover; a painting I had wanted to study, with great interior panels- ion additional to ‘Nightmare’ #20 , which arrive earlier ).
*(I plan to do Studio art Sun, Mon, Tues. And try to post some new pieces soon)
** Which can accompany concept artwork I already featured on 2 pieces. Thus far, it has the best use of percussion, and synth voices choir, to date.
I got ” Out of night ” #1 photographed, and into mylar ( pre-code horror, key issue; great panels inside); I photographed the interiors of four high value pre code comics, and a dozen from the bronze age. *
*[ a marathon, of standing, and moving slowly, turning brittle pages, wearing nitrile exam gloves, and photographing each pages, from several positions.]
Riot #1 CGC (5.0) arrived**.
** [ in two more sessions – I can spread over the next 2 weeks; to get more studio work completed as normal;] I could have the highest value ones in mylar: ie, Zoot comics #10, Tomb of Terror #3, Dark Mysteries #4 ( 1951 – Masters Publications), Strange Tales #16 ( 1953: Marvel Comics); and more,Jumbo ( Sheena), and Jungle Comics; and a variety of pre-code horror key issues ( from the 1950’s).
I am taking some time to stock up the vintage reservoir, from which to develop studies, to redraw, for over the next year. I will aspire to post top quality new artwork soon*.
I wrote to 100 Senators about Malfunctioning PUA Claims website
Today I sent letters* to 100 U.S. Senators, regarding the malfunctioning PUA ( Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) website in my state**.
* (copy and pasting the detailed account; all 50 states, in 5 hours). [ yesterday, we stocked up on food for the next 2 weeks]
**13 replied immediately ( saying out of state, no response), 10 thanked me for the report, and said they’d follow up with a response.
My goal was to be a voice for the many others who aren’t able to access the system, while the officials in my state* repress data, and deny citizens aren’t being paid ; and blaming them for not filing properly.
*My particular state’s senators are notorious for being cronies, and complicit in the malfunctioning system – so I sent letters to other senators**.
** after seeing that a report was sent to my state’s gov, reporting 1,000 had still not received any Pandemic payments since applying in Mar.
Video clips: Bitcoin
I converted by BTC to BCH – since the video clip store I had planned to purchase 2 items for reference, was having temporary problems processing BTC ( and I saw BTC drop $2 dollars in a handful of days); but BCH is rising, noticeably.
Another clipstore, honored a botched BCH conversion/payment, and gave me download link to the video. I watched it, and stored copies. Thanking the proprietor.
Crime SuspenStories #22
I’m still winning Crime SuspenStories #22 for $2,500*. It’s high unlikely it will go uncontested. But, just to be more prepared, should I win it; I have plenty of plans.
Either way, is a win. Trading out 7 mainstream CGC’s ( that are high in availability) for the rarer Crime SuspenStories #22, at $2,500 ( the best price on the market: $3,500 B.O. is the best alternative, at that condition (CGC 4.5)) is still a net win.
Not getting it now, allows me to focus on what I have, and not take time to ship the CGC’s; time I can spend writing the scripts I have planned.
*The auction ends in 3 days. Then, if I don’t win it, there is nothing further I need to do regarding my finances; while waiting for my various pandemic assistance funds.
I setup an Ameritrade account
Seems a good time to get Blizzard stock.( after reading about it for a couple hours.)
I set up an Ameritrade account* . Currently considering a safe bet, for short term gain, Blizzard Activision**. To potentially make short term gains in the meantime, with money that is sitting in my account ( to cover balance payments for the year).
*( I know someone who has been making thousands daily, buying and selling; and following his transactions).
** ( AMD, Nvidia, Netflix are some others that have potential; as far as video games and entertainment).
Sat May 16 – ( 7:29pm – 10:30pm )
Topics: Vintage, Auctions, Commission for Crime Suspenstories #22, Covid -19 Federal Benefits, Eta new studio work- Thanks for your interest!
Hundreds of New Comics: Delivered.
50 are scarce, Pre-Code books, in nice condition.
Link to Jungle Comics covers. ( can post later)
Processing. (For Reference Material)
Interior page photos. It’s too time prohibitive to upload everything I’ve photo graphed; but on a rainy day, ( or when I stay up too late, or otherwise , affected) it’s nice to have supplemental content to share.
I processed about 20 vintage comics* – deliveries came all at once, 3 days in a row. Over $6,000***. I looked for golden age, and pre-code books that were relevant to my projects and interests. Purchasing everyone I could find**, that was in good condition, and at a value****.
*( photo graphing interiors, before putting them in 4mil mylar, with fullbacks, to later study covers)
**(which I have been aware of for several years)
*** $6,000 was how much I could comfortably get on credit, assuming the federal pandemic payments come to me, eventually. If not, I have other means to make the money, over the length of the zero apr for 15 – 18 months, cards.
****I found more values, than usual, and alot of top condition, scarce books.
Crime Suspenstories #22 at auction again
I spent the better part of several days, looking at options for possibly financing the purchase of a Crime Suspenstories #22 ( auction ending in 9 days) at comic link.
I have already maxed out 5 credit cards*
*( I’ve been a lifetime student, and never interested in material possessions, beyond their ability to promote strength or health; so I never purchased things on credit before, )
I’m slightly out of my comfort zone, using credit. But I wanted to make my best effort*, in this situation, with possible government public assistance money related to pandemic, reported to be coming.
*I have done some art, but in posting, more than twice a week, I ended up staying up late – following another Crime Suspenstories #22** auction. If I had another $3000, I’d go ahead and get the CGC 4.5 up for auction at Comic Link* ( for another 9 days).
*They offered me a payment over time, and when I called, for info; he said I could put books on consignment, for a down payment. Which is not a good deal ( they keep 10%) – meaning I lose $200, don’t get time to draw their covers, which was the whole point; and I get no profit off the books.
** My goal with getting that book, was to have one of the most sought after, pre-code horror covers; while it is on the market. In 3 years, I’ve mostly seen copies 3.0 or less ( dirty, torn, faded: for $3,000).
I asked Josh, if he thought the EC comics were on the market, more so after Russ Cochran’s death in Feb 23 2020; he didn’t think so.
Hopefully, the next time the book is on auction, I have saved (earned enough ) to get the pinnacle of pre code horror books. For myself, I’m in no rush; but for my subscribers, and audience, I feel, It would make a big statement, delineating, defining, and grounding the foundation for the Luridmax artwork, in pre-code ( E.C comics ).
Unless I get $3200, suddenly, I won’t be getting the book now. I looked into it ( because there is still potential that $12000 in pandemic assistance might come my way; but it won’t be in time for this auction).
I always thought it would some sort of fantastic, thing, to have the original Crime Suspenstories #22; and no time more greatly appreciated, than when I am running LuridMax. Like bringing the enthusiasm, and impression the cover had when I saw it in the overstreet comicbook price guide my father got me in 1991.
Rare, Full- Commission Opportunity!!
I honestly have no idea how much my subscribers earn, or what they spend recreationally. One thing, I thought of* – allowing a trade**.
*if not now, for the future maybe:
* I normally don’t like the idea of offering commissions, because, I tend to have alot of ideas daily, and then find it frustrating, to be working on a project***I agreed to; especially longterm.
***But that’s mostly related, to experiences where I was paid less, for 3 months of daily concentration, than I could make in 2 weeks, doing some casual menial, wage labor, cushy educational office job, or guard work.
In this, one case, I’d wholeheartedly make an exception. If anyone wanted, 40 pages of precise, specific commissioned pages ( inked, and colored) – that could enable me to purchase this book in the next 8 days. I’d contract myself, to work exclusively on their commission, start to finish ( June, July Aug : 3 months ) , ( putting every other project on hold) – provided I can post it here.
Alternative: a totally private, personal set of 20 commissioned pages, ( inked colored at 11 x 17″ ). With 3 revisions per page* I don’t show anyone else**.
*( I normally, hate revisions, and it’s a big reason I stopped doing commissions; but in this case)
* * And, if necessary, I pause subscriptions until it’s complete.
Just an idea. Like I said, I have no idea how much subscribers earn. I know, of people spending $6000, or more for an 18 page personally commissioned comic. It’s a possibility, doesn’t hurt to ask.
It would be based entirely on your script ( unless you wanted me to script it), and any characters of your choice. Panel by panel, the more specific – the more likely your are to be pleased. I would coordinate with you every other day, with updates, for sketch approval ( by email, attachment) , before inking and coloring. And do my best to match your desired inking style, and expressions on the characters faces, and drawing style ( and physique proportions). The final product, could be saved without dialogue (just art) , and then have versions with 3 dialogue variations. ( three files, with 25 pages each; with different dialogue)
Link to the auction item in progress:
I would write up a legal contract, to ensure you get your money’s worth as agreed ($4,000: for 40 pages, public use. 6 digital copies, variants, costume, nude, X 3 dialogue ). I would send a transfer request through my checking account – after the transaction is completed ( the only payments Comic Link accepts is through a credit card, or check or money order; they accept wires, by a fee). I would complete the auction; upon winning Crime Suspenstories #22, your commission would become my fulltime job. And I would be willing, to invest 1 month studying the features, styles, characters, or elements to be drawn, that are key to the commission, in addition to the 3 months making the actual comic. Up to 4 months full time work ( 9 hours 6 days a week)
If you are interested, just send me an email, to the same address that I used to send weekly updates ( I will check once a week; and definitely several days before the auction is over). I am currently winning the item at $2,500. I anticipate it going to $4,000.
The Cgc 8.5 is a Pedigree, Gaines File copy. Likely to go for $10,000. I’m not assuming anyone has that kind of money – but it is a once in a lifetime opportunity*, which I would wholeheartedly put my best effort into.
150 pages for up to 6 months solid uninterrupted – resuming after a month holiday break, working another 4 months: total of 10 months.
( to acquire that book, while its available in CGC 8.5 Pedigree Gaines File copy)
Just ideas. The offer is quite a bargain, for pages, per hour, at the level I detail and effort I would put in. I’m not expecting anyone to be able to afford it, but, you never know.
Good news. I got to bed early last night, and anticipate doing some quality studio work next week. I liked the production accomplished when I was following the New comicbook schedule, I described several weeks ago.
Covid-19: Benefits Bureaucracy
My states website for processing claims for federal pandemic benefits, is dysfunctional*.
* In two months, I spent 5 days total, preparing the application, itemizing income, dates, sources – and re-entering the data, online, to have to restart the application dozens of times ( beginning Mar 27. I mailed an application to the state.
At the end of March, it was reported* that the state website was improved.
* I tried it, and filed a claim. But it was dated, by the late April date.
Essentially, the short version of the boring unhappy, story, is that the system is designed, still, to prevent people from actually receiving benefits* –
*through ‘website’ malfunction, delaying tactics, that prevent the user from posting a claim. After May 20, ( in 4 days ) the special provisions for the pandemic are over, and it currently seems, no retroactive compensation. I haven’t even received the $1,200* promised all citizens ( 2 months since they began)-
*I filled out by paper, as they advised, and then processed the new online applicants 1st.
I’m not complaining. But I do want to account for the time I spend, to give an idea of what to expect.
It is not a surprise when others prove unhonorable, that is ordinary, and to be expected. My goal, is to put forth my best effort, and be immune to the dissapointments of others, by having only expectations for that which I can control, or influence. The government can use strategems, to deceive, excuse, and cover up fraudulent behavior, but that doesn’t have an inherent power to dishearten, make cynical, or weaken my will, effort and gratitude for the joys I have privilege to. Its the direction of the focus, that frames the perspective. I am concerned about doing my best; and that can be done, when I get proper sleep.
I am eager to focus on drawing, inking and coloring. As well as building the html links ( test game).
New Video References:
One factor – the animation potential: I went ahead and purchased some bit coin, and got 2 videos, made recently, with special effects – featuring pre-code horror scenes. They were better than I remember from the 1990’s. The producer had a note, indicating 44 hand made frames. One daunting aspect of animation, is the many frames, which go by in seconds.
I watched the 1985 Red Sonja, ( in the background, as I processed pre-code comics) today. Definitely like the positive aspects, the relationships and characters. I would like to see adult pre-code horror content, mixed with adventure. I don’t enjoy the videos I purchased, ( to study the sfx scenes) for their stories – mostly lack of. But, wanted to see the sfx, and get an idea of what the limitations are; and what art work, animated uniquely can present.
Html Game Templates
ETA on html game templates: 3 days uninterrupted. But, I have a certain amount of drawing, and posting to the website. The amount of art I want to post, takes about 2 -3 days uninterrupted. So, to get the game templates done, I have to do less of something else – or work on it a little each week. Each time I post it takes 3 – 6 hours. If I only post once a week, for a little while: I could get it done. We’ll see. The key, is getting to sleep early.
Auctions
The main task that kept me up the past couple weeks, were auctions. I have no more auctions. The items I ordered have 98% been delivered. And I have processed 1/3 of them. I don’t need to process them all – my current goal, is to get the highest value ( oldest, most fragile) into mylar; 50 ( which I can process 3 – 6 in a day, if I photo interiors; 20 if I don’t). Some of the mainstream, ( that are already in digital form, and free to acquire from ‘Get comics’ – ie, archives with every issue of Batman, or Avengers, ect) I put away already.
I had a pretty daunting amount of tasks, but have plowed through, to find I am now coasting, easily, to completion. At which point, I look forward to producing peak amounts of studio work, and finally, getting some inked pieces, with logos, colored.
Federal Pandemic Stipend
I would have put off anything I can, but the Pandemic stipend, is a significant amount – and from the news, reports, I am qualified to receive it. It’s still uncertain what the ultimate outcome of that is. Whether, bills will be passed to get retroactive compensation for the 3 months of the quarantine, and 3 months after. Or if the present state of denying claims, with a faulty website, will be the excuse the state makes, for giving as little as possible – despite the news, politicians, claiming otherwise*.
*I’m not mad, so much as feel I should know better, than to trust current politicians, news, which has been known to deceive, misrepresent and trick the public, for it’s own advantage. And I’m aware – all the while – that the time spent trying to get the application to go through, I could be more productive with art, scripts, or physical tasks. But make the effort to give due diligence to the process, because the potential benefit is anywhere from $600 – $12,000.
Hopefully, at next election time, the millions affected by this, will recall our governor’s stance (blaming the applicants for ‘filling out the forms incorrectly’ and claiming, falsely, that 99% of the people eligible for the claim, got paid.) and elect officials that are actually interested in serving the public, rather than merely appearing to do so.
I think, the despair many citizens, are reporting, is cabin fever, exacerbated, by concentrating, and repeatedly writing a case for how they are unemployed,( how little they earn – how much they are making). It’s a humiliating subject. And the last thing people need, while an actual pandemic, is leaving fear, and loss in its wake – is a diabolically inefficient pandemic claims system, that puts the anxious, on hold, multiplying their anxiety, extending it – aggravating it, as they give up time, for a system, that makes them wait, but doesn’t reach the goal ( even afters 2 months). It makes them feel powerless, hostage to a bureaucratic process, that feels like quicksand ; as they repeatedly enter data, into a website that appears to be programmed in something designed when technology was in the 1990’s. Many feel worthless – shattering their illusion that government officials, and society at large is benevolent, and cares about their rights, and is fair- a reality, that many were rudely awakened to, earlier in the administration; but just reached home, for citizens who weren’t formerly on the receiving end of the callous measures of the new regime, until the quarantine.
Anyway. ( I can continue this tomorrow – its about 10pm. If I simply go to bed now, tomorrow, I can get process more; and pave the way, for quality studio time, ideally for next Tues post – but if not, then next Sat. I really want to get some inked, and colored work out.) Just wanted to mention the opportunity for hiring me in a contract for a large series of personal commissions:
Synopsis: private at half pages, public use- I retain rights to post and sell, double pages:
Public: 40 pages for $4000. 150 pages $10,000.
Private: 20 pages $4000 75 pages: $10,000. *
Private: I pause the subscription, service to prioritize your project. Current members will remain on, and I will post once a week, whatever I can draw in that day; until the project is done.
Inked, colored.
$4,000 = 4 months coordinating every other day, working fulltime, 9 hours 6 days a week.
$10,000 = 6 months, a 1 month break, then 4 months working full time, 9 hours 6 days a week; coordinating every other day.)
( I would keep the original art. You would get scans of pencils, digitally colored versions, or color scans (depending on how I color it), at the highest size the website will allow. I would make a private page for your project, for easy access to work in progress, and completed pages. And set up a deviant art stash (exclusive for you), where you could easily post comments, in addition to email correspondence. 1 revision per week. With 1 additional revision at the end of each month, for anything completed that month. With 3 additional revisions, at the end of the 4 mo ( or 6 mo, and 4 mo).
Payment has to be in a format, that I can use to pay* comic link, and received in such a manner that I can acquire the book, and pay after the 10 days remaining in the auction completes. ( they offer, a 30% down payment: and 3 equal monthly payments for the remainder.)
*They, unfortunately don’t accept pay pal. But they do accept check, money order, credit card- and a wire. If you want to win the item yourself, and send it to me, that is fine with me, as long as I get it.
Anyone who can fund either the cgc 4.5, or 8.5: whether, all in one sum, or the pay over 3 month; will get the aforementioned reward: in a contract, and it would become my priority.
And update as to when I anticipate posting more studio art, while I process the plethora of deliveries of comics, that I hope to create great content in the style of classic GGA, and authentic pre code horror classics.
Honoring Legends
In it’s time and place Dolcett, is exquisite pornography, done with excellent anatomy, and cartoon characterization. But, out of the context of the excesses of consumer surplus eras; it’s brilliant extrapolation of the convergence of explicit porn, and horror ( such as Hardgore), and the Stepford Wives (1972 novel)- it’s countless, inferior iterations, render the genre as a source of relatively hackneyed content. What is now referred to as dolcett, is a giant umbrella, beneath which less imaginative derivatives spawn. As though by calling it ‘Dolcett’, they have a license to not add anything beyond extending scenes from his body of work.
The former, doesn’t add beauty, it is cynical, and detracts humanity from the characters, the protagonists are devoid of admirable traits, and reads like a farce, lampoon, or satire- ( at best very Dark Humor) leaving the viewer to find their way back to moral solid ground themselves; in that way, a comparatively irresponsible, rebellious, presentation, callow in scope.
Story Telling
Adaptations
Gratitude
Thank you for your interest and kind contributions. I look forward to getting more exciting progress toward the goals – game, colored, inked work; and the best reference material I can find, to improve facial expressions, and compositions ( backgrounds, and supporting cast).
Have a great week! Warmest regards.