Off-topic for a second: I’m still in shock over the news that Heath Ledger is dead. Just doesn’t make any sense at all. Obviously he will be remembered most for his role in the groundbreaking film Brokeback Mountain, but we comics fans have reason to mourn as well because he’s gonna be in The Dark Knight this summer as the Joker, a role that has generated phenomenal buzz already. (And yeah, I’ve already seen comparisons to Brandon Lee and The Crow.) Naturally, I wish his surviving family well. Watching TDK will be a surreal experience to say the least. Ledger had the goods, that’s for sure.

Anyway, I do want to tell you about my new project, so let’s do that now…

I consider myself a small press guy. That’s how I got my start, way back in 1993 when I was still in college. I’ve learned a great deal about myself and the industry in general through self-publishing, and I’ve been so very fortunate to have made the friends that I’ve made as a result. I began self-publishing with an eye towards breaking into the industry, i.e., working for Marvel or DC or both. Now, though, I’m more interested in making comics for myself.

Make no mistake, at some point I would love to create the next Blankets or what have you, but for right now I just wanna get back in the game and have some fun telling stories. And for me that means returning to my mini-comic roots. Of course, a lot has changed from when I began, not the least of which is the advent of the internet. Not sure how I’ll adapt to it – but at least I’ve got this blog to help out.

Normally I’m a writer-artist. This time I’m just writing. Partially to hone my writing skills and partially to work with people I’ve wanted to collaborate with, for one reason or another. I’ve already completed the first of several story ideas I hope to use and I have an artist. Details to follow (what’s the point of giving it all away at once?), though I will say that my plan is for making 24-page ashcans, with covers by me, and my goal is something I haven’t had in a long, long time – a table at the Small Press Expo this fall.

From time to time this year I’ll write about my experiences self-publishing; the things I’ve learned, the struggles I’ve endured, in addition to providing updates on the books, hence the new category.