Hey all! Here’s an early look at a new comic I’m making called BAD RAT. Think Stuart Little meets Grand Theft Auto.
My very first comic VOODOO BIRD was a gritty black and white short story. In a way, it’s remained the thing closest to the types of stories I want to tell. The ones that itch at me and won’t leave me alone as I take the trash barrels to the curb or file my taxes.
I’ve meandered my way through anthologies, sprawling full-color sci-fi graphic novels, and multiple issues of superhero adventures. I’ve done Kickstarters and signed publishing deals and had deals go sideways, and everything in-between. In the process, I’ve worked with an ever-expanding network of international artists, colorists, printers, publishers, and distributors.
Each new thing presented a whole basket full of new challenges, new mistakes, and new learning experiences. It’s been cool to continually push the limit of what one person can produce from his attic office.
Collaboration with talented artists is a lot of fun, and working together as a team to bring something to fruition is its own kind of magical high-wire act.
But BAD RAT represents a kind of return to what I set out to do all along – raw, gritty, silly, funny, violent, profane, ridiculous comic books. And it’s all by me- written, drawn, lettered, and published exclusively by yours truly.
I’ve dug into an entirely new toolbox to assemble something of a personal production line. The end result is I’m able to rapidly put together pages and get ideas moving fast and furious style.
With BAD RAT, I’m channeling the energy of my inner 14 year old. The kid with a chip on his shoulder smuggling worn copies of Evan Dorkin’s MILK & CHEESE into class, or reading Matt Wagner’s GRENDEL until the wee hours of the morning.
It’s been a lot of fun. I’m making myself laugh, which is half the battle in life overall.
Here’s a peak an excerpt from the upcoming BAD RAT #1. I’m aiming to land the issue at around 32 pages, made up of 2-3 different stories.
SIN CITY with a RAT. Yeah, that’ll do nicely. Enjoy!
