Reality Amuck™

Years ago when I started getting more into the history of comics and the process of making them, I happened across several mentions that due to comics using all capitals one could not use the word "flick" due to it looking too much like the f-bomb (I can only imagine that since Marvel has started using mixed case fonts Spidey can now flick something at J. Jonah Jameson).

Which takes us to Small Press Expo mid-October 2007 in Bethesda where I was attending my first convention of any kind in almost fifteen years. While talking to the Blank Label Comics members in attendance, Brad Guigar of Evil, Inc. (who has since left BLC to join "HalfPixel") introduced me to Chris Flick. I had "met" Chris online in a forum and he came across as a very enthusiastic cartoonist who was finding his footing in online comics and would soon be attending cons on the seated side of the table.

I didn't know how accurate of an assessment that would turn out to be. By mid-November Chris had started "Capes 'n Babes" and the next time I had the opportunity to meet up with him at a con (Baltimore Comic Con Oct. 2008) sure enough Chris was working his very own table.

This year, when I saw that Chris had put together a new book collecting the first 200 strips of "Capes 'n Babes" I was sure to order one at my first opportunity. After having a relatively crappy day at work on Friday, I came home to find  this on my drawing table in the office: (the day began improving)

A Package Awaits

I was initially shocked, having only rarely seen good art on my drawing table. (The other time was when I ordered some Sheldon originals from Dave Kellett). I was surprised to see a very nice sketch on the envelope itself:

Roy takes a jab at my name.

But when I went to open the package I was surprised again with another sketch on the back:

Surprise, another sketch.

I knew I had ordered an Artist edition, but this was definitely above my expectations. Anywho, I continued and carefully opened the package and I was blown away at the quality of this book:

Very nice

Very nice, indeed. The cover matter says that it was printed by Lulu.com. I had considered using Lulu myself in the past for another project I was working on, but I was concerned about the quality of the books they would produce. If this book is any indication of their products, I wouldn't worry.

As I mentioned above, I ordered the Artist Edition so I could get one of Chris' sketches in the front. When asked, I mentioned I'd like to have a sketch of Joey in the front. This is what I got instead:

That's not Joey.

I got a good chuckle out of this one. Also from a cartoonist standpoint I love the idea of making a page specifically for sketches. This way you don't have to try to find a place to squeeze in a sketch if someone orders an Artist Edition. Way to think ahead, Chris. Good idea. But this still wasn't Joey. I continued through the book.

About mid-way into the book I found a nice note from Chris and a couple postcards about "Capes 'n Babes":

Very smooth looking, no?

These looked very professional, and I'll have to ask Chris where he had them made next time I see him. These would be very handy to have a stack of to hand out at cons and comic shops. But still not my Joey sketch.

As I approached the end of the book, my disappointment mounting, I finally found her! He put a heck of a lot of work into this sketch:

Finally found her!

I didn't think to take pictures of the pages and pages of extras included in the book. I'll not give away everything but you get a ton of extras that include some of his commissions and other projects.

I have to say, Chris has come a long way since I met him back in Bethesda and I look forward to seeing him at another con. Holding this book in my hands this weekend has caused me mixed emotions. I am, of course, very happy for Chris. He has made something that is real and that makes people laugh. He's a talented artist and he's making something with his craft. I have nothing but positive thoughts for his future. But on the other side when we met in 2007 I had been drawing web comics for 4 years already. I had a site, I had a forum and I had a story to tell, but I didn't do the work that it took to succeed. I got lazy, I missed updates and I gave up. After SPX I felt the post con rush of creative energy and squandered it. Chris got that same surge and made something great.

I only mention that last part because it's high time I get off my arse and  do something with my cartooning. My long suffering wife has done nothing short of nagging me everyday for the past few years to draw, to post and to be a cartoonist. I have no excuse. Granted seeing strips like Chris' make me hesitent, because I'm not nearly that good, but seeing some of the stick figure strips make me wonder why I'm not putting a strip up everyday.

Congratulations Chris on an excellent book containing the first 200 strips of your great comic. I look forward to Volume 2. (Now where did I leave my pen?)