Moo

Here is another "sketch". This one is of an Ancestor from Scott Siglers Podcast novel "Ancestor"

There might be some site interuptions in the next couple of days, KeenSpace - the folks that host me, changed thier name to ComicGensis and it has come time to jump to the new server. I'm thinking that I might take advantage of these to overhaul the site and make a few design changes -- When it's all done the new URL for the comic will be arcanetimes.comicgen.com -- the Keenspace URL will just redirect you there.

Sneak Peek

I am drawing the next strip -- I swear. To tide you over till it's ready... here is a sketch fom yet another project. This is one I've been working on for a few years. You'll hear more about it when it is 100% done.

Death to Uni-taskers

Alton Brown's new re-designed site went live today and my shirt is on it. Go look at it's golden glory!

The REALY BIG news

I've made mention from time to time about some big news that I couldn't talk about just yet. Well I finally got the go-ahead.

I like to watch a show on the Food Network called "Good Eats". I'm a big fan of the show and it's host Alton Brown. I switched to kosher salt because of him. -- if you haven't seen it, do go catch a few. It's like cooking with Mr Wizard. His goal is not just to give you a recipe but to teach WHY it works -- the Science of cooking.

So - Last year I did a little cartoon inspired by the show and sent it to a few friends... who sent it to a few friends...etc...



and somewhere in that chain was Alton Brown himself.

Long story short -- I'm designing a new line of shirts for Foodie-Guru Alton Brown. Host of "Good Eats". The first shirts are back from the printers and should be going on sale next week.

The really weird thing about this all is I didn't go looking for the job... he came to me. It's unsettling.

This is not the image on the shirt... for that you will need to wait one more week, but I just couldn't not say anything any more.

Answering Criticism

Hey PNM - I'm sorry you feel that way. Mostly 'cause I half agree.

Trust me, while you may be pissed that I haven't updated the comic, I am far more pissed. Not updating affects me and what I think about myself a lot more than it probably affects you guys.

When I started, I had the time to do this thing. And it is still my intention to finish it. but people keep throwing money at me to work for them instead. (yeah I know - poor me)

I love doing the comic - but freelance art is my ONLY source of income. I don't have a day job. If I turn down art orders to work on free content for ArcaneTimes - I don't eat. And I like eating.

I HAVE been writing this sucker. I know what happens next. But until I can afford to work on this -- I can't afford to work on it.

All will be resolved

Sorry about the lack of updates, big things are happening here at Casa' Arcana. Some annoying, some exciting, and others scary. To all the kind folk that have stuck through this rough patch -- I will be back soon. SOON!

Again with the Running and the Screaming

Here you go -- hot off the pixels.

Let me be the first to say I really like the room I have to play with in this new format.

now.. GO SEE SERENITY!

Risky Business

Arrr-- Talk like a pirate day is over which means I am another year older. 34 years at last count. Hoopa! (...hoopa?)

Today's strip was drawn with a brand new set of Staedtler markers, given to me for my birthday by my good friend Nicky. They lay down a solid black line, but lack the 'bounce' of my Pigma Microns. Which is too bad as I use so many other staedtler products it would be cool to add them to my system.

I made it to the Firefly Min-Marathon in Kirkland over the weekend along with 300+ other Browncoats - It was a mighty fine shindig...

The next big Seattle Browncoats meet-up will be at the Meridian 16 on opening day. Serenity tickets are on sale now via Fandango. Folks here plan to saddle-up for the 7:30 show, but Eli and I will be in attendance for the 4:40, and 10:20 showings as well.
We have done the impossable - and that makes us mighty.

This Old House

A little late today - but still in under the wire. Browncoats can spot the nod to firefly in this weeks strip -- can you?

the 3 brides

I was talking with Aaron Williams about taking the strip in a new direction. I asked him what he thought it needed and he said "more slutty vampire chicks". I tell you... that man is a genius.

The Old Man

Well. Here it is. This is the start of the new direction for the strip. I'm trying for more story this time around. Let me know what you think.

I wanted to put these up twice a week (Tues-Fri) but a 'perfect storm' of freelance work drowned that idea -- for now. So it looks like they'll be up every Tuesday til I can work it up to speed.

Watch This Space

are you ready? -- I'm not. But I'm working as fast as I can. I'm drawing new 'sets'. and working out new 'sleeker' designs for all the characters.

Just to settle any worries, everybody in the old strip will be in the new version. Think of it like that sequel to "a Fish called Wanda". The one with all the actors from the first one -- but now they work for a Zoo -- and it's not as funny...

... wait. Forget I said that.

The Bridge

Here is my opening page (a two page spread) from the start of my run on Girl Genius. 'The Bridge' will be the first page of the 5th collection. Weep at it's beauty. WEEP I TELL YOU!

New pages go up every MTF over at Girl Genius Online... so blame them for me being too tired to be funny... Wait, that's not fair.

I was never funny

so it begins...

I was going to get a new strip up for you guys today. NO REALLY!... but Eli snagged a pass for me to see "Batman Begins" tonight at the Cinerama. So... um... maybe next time.

In Other News: I have been tapped to be the new colorist for Girl Genius. My first page goes up on the website on June 27th (I belive). I have already finished the first 4 pages of what will be Girl Genius Collection 5. Wo0T i say.

oooOOO That Smell

I'm going camping this weekend. Apparently there will be some sort of massive "event" where people hit each other with sticks going on at the same time. I however am not going to take part in the stick hitting or, in turn, the being hit by same said sticks. Nor do I intend to acknowlge the presence of such activity.

I

will be

camping

.

Other News: Super big thanks To Sean and Erin for being so cool and making sure I got a seat in the May 26th screening of "Serenity". Thank you guy. You are the best.

12 Step Program part 1

this one has been on my back-brain for a few weeks... more to come

New Strip Overdue

Yes...yes.. Sorry all. I have been working hard on drawing three dozen bankrupt businessmen-cum-Mexican wrestlers for 'Secret Tijuana Deathmatch', a new Cheapass Game. I'm sorry that this has impacted the strip. Come rain or shine I'll have a new comic up tommorow. One day, I hope to be big enough that I can lure other artists to do guest weeks for me.

One Side Note: I just upgraded my home PC and lost my all my emails and the entire contents off my address book in the process. Wheeeeeeee!. If you have contacted me recently and are waiting for a reply, please send me another missive.

Two By Two...

Seriously... anybody got an extra ticket?

Computer Bad!!!

Just like the preamble says. Computer Bad was done as a note to my work's Tech dude to explain the problems we've been having with the PC a few years ago.

Meanwhile... the packing still goes on.

Arcane Flashback

Arcane Flashback is an old strip I did back when I was testing out the viability of using Blogger as an Auto-Updater. It did not work well. When I jumped ship to Keenspace many of the old strips did not come with. This is one. It features an early "small hair" Lex design. I'm also in contact with a guy that has copies of my REALLY OLD college strip. Hopefully I can get them soon so i can show you all.

FIRELY NEWS! Trailer. Serenity. Tuesday. (It's not up yet, But I figured I'd pass along the info anywhew)

According to Joss Himself...

EXCLUSIVELY on Apple movie trailers will be a small, medium, large or FULLSCREEN trailer for Serenity the major motion movie. Yeah, THE trailer. And the following Friday said trailer hits theaters.

Now, here's a word of warning: this trailer ain't shy. If you're looking to live totally spoiler-free, know that there's plenty of key dialogue and images running through this bad boy. It's pretty tasty, though, and it doesn't give everything away. But close scrutiny will definitely learn you much of what's to come. (Anakin TOTALLY goes evil.) It's a nice piece to while away the time till September, and hopefully should intrigue th' peeps that don't have coats of brown.

UPDATE: It's there! It's there! It's there! It's there! By all that is good and holy WATCH THIS TRAILER!

Moving Day

Hey Guys. Sorry about the non-strip but things are real hectic.

Meanwhile gor read about how Superman is a Dick

We moved all the big stuff yesterday and now We begin the task of sifting though the remaining stuff. We got 8 more days to clean out the old place. Eli says we can do it, and I have relinquished all thought processes to her. I do as I am told. I am merely an instrument of her Will. So far that seems to be working out. I'll try to post some pictures of my new studio once it's set-up.

Cel Phone Update -- All the votes are in, and with a 9-out-of-10 show of support by ArcaneTimes readers the winner is ... Cingular! I am picking up phones today. Thanks guys!

True Story

As unlikly as it may seem, "True Story" is a true story. Grrr.

The Poker night I mention is in fact the semi-regular poker night at Phil And Kaja's. Which can be a lot of fun. Other regulars include Payne, the real life model for... Master Payne from Girl Genius. Erin Lindsey, creator of Venus Envy and James "Cheapass" Ernest.

One cool side effect of craming a whole bunch of really wierd people in a room together is things like Dealers Choice the Complete Handbook to Saturday Night Poker. Which started life as Phils notebook of odd (read: "candy-ass") poker rules for when you get sick and tired of Texas Hold 'em.

Gag-A-Day

Today's strip was written by Phil Foglio. Phil and I were at a tiny little Game con two weeks ago, and there was very little to do - so we talked a great deal about things that nomally never come up in day-to-day work related conversation. Like the "Gag-a-Day" review. I don't know why, but something about calling the strip a "Gag-A-Day" bugs me. It is! I'm not saying it's not. I just wish that style of comic had a better name.

Anyway Phil and Kaja's Not-A-Gag-A-Day webcomic went live today.
Go read GIRL GENIUS ONLINE

P.S. Does anybody know a good cel-phone company? I'm going to make the jump to the 20th century and get a pair for Eli and I. But I am in mortal fear of picking the wrong company. Any Thoughts?

Ripped From the Headlines

I watch Law & Order allot. It is the show of choice at Casa' Arcana. Mostly because there is always a version on at any given moment. What with Law & Order SVU, or Criminal Intent (which features Eli's TV boyfriend Vincent D'Onofrio), Trial by Jury... and of course Classic L&O.

anyways this strip is inspired by my constant viewing of this show and is topical to boot!

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Reuters) - People in Florida will be allowed to kill in self-defense on the street without trying to flee under a new law passed by state politicians on Tuesday that critics say will bring a Wild West mentality and innocent deaths.

The "Stand Your Ground" bill passed the Senate last week on a 39-0 vote and now goes to Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, who indicated he will sign it. -- More Here

Woooooooooooooot !

For those that do not know - my day job is art assistant for Phil and Kaja Foglio, working on the Mad Science comic book Girl Genius...

Hereafter know as the EISNER NOMINATED Girl Genius !

...Again... Woooooooooooot!

Brians!

While packing my books for the big move (a quarter mile down the street) I found an old sketch book with this basic joke in it. I cherry-picked the better ones and re-drew for your reading pleasure. Huzah!

Pain is Funny

Whenever I'm at a games store or convention, I can't resist the urge to look for stuff I did art for. Sometimes it's well displayed and I am happy. I get a giddy little feeling in my stomach. "I did that" I want to say. "Look! ... That's my name!" - Luckly I have some self control and can often resist the urge. Try and play it cool.

The flip-side to this adrena-pride however is the bargin bin. I approch these like a 7 year old child taken to an open casket funeral. Fear and dread dripping from my bones.

One Week and Counting

One week from Monday, Gil Genius Online goes live. Girl Genius is the mad-science bonanza by Phil and Kaja Foglio. Starting April 18th they will be releasing pages every M-W-F, picking up where the old print comics left off. Want to learn more about the who's, why's and how's?...

Read Kaja's blog -- Diary of a Cartoon Girl

Must... Kill... Girlfriend...

Writer's block is so frustrating it goes around the bend, and cracks funny on the back of the skull with a whiskey bottle.

I really was up at 3 am that morning trying to write ANYTHING. It's so disheartning to just sit there staring at a blank page. And oddly, it's not for lack of ideas... I have many ideas for things that I'd like to do with my comic. But when it comes time to sit down and put pen to paper... Nothin'. GRRRR!

Then comes the doubt. "Did I use up all the funny?"... "was I EVER funny?", it's around this point I reach for the afore mentioned Whiskey bottle. ahhh... Whiskey, you make everyone funny.

In other news. Like the new site design? I felt it was time to streamline it a touch. Let me know what you think guys...

Arcanetimes Fan Club?

Welcome My Minions. I am Cheyenne Wright, and this is a link to the ARCANETIMES Fanatics Club. It will be the cornerstone of my Empire of Greatness(tm)for which I am destined.

too much? .... I can never tell anymore.

Hows this.... Howdy! My name is Cheyenne and I've started this google group to give folks that read my comic a place to share ideas and give me feedback about my comic. It will also give them a chance to get to know me better.

You see... at a recent poker party James Ernest came up to me and told me I needed a better PR deparment. It seems that on his recent trip to GAMA he was showing off his new game and telling folks that I was going to be the artist on it. To which the reply was "oh yeah... she's good"

I am used to this. I've grown up with the name Cheyenne. Had it all my life. Up untill 4th grade folks would often think I was a girl. Thoughout high school I had to deal with clumsy attempts to embarass me by mocking my name.

Even now when my girlfriend Elizabeth and I are introduced it's often as "Cheyenne and Eli" -- to which the intoductee inferrs that I, the 6 foot 4 bearded one is Eli... and that the beautiful love of my life is an exotic dancer (not that there is anything wrong with that - some of my best friends are exotic dancers)

I can not change this perception of me... Alone. If only I could be
famous.

Help make me famous kids.

Mitch Hedberg 1968-2005

"My lucky number is four billion. That doesn't come in real handy when
you're gambling. "Come on, four billion! Fuck. Seven. I need more
dice."Mitch Hedberg

I saw Mitch perform in his last performance in Seattle at the Moore theater, as part of a double bill with Steven Lynch. It was around Christmas and as we left he had set out cases of "Happy Holidays - from Mitch" tree ornaments. I remember seeing 2000 + people wandering through the late winter evening . Wrapped up in scarfs with their arms cradling the sparkling gifts. Delicate nuggets of joy. I'll miss you brotha'.

UPDATE - Mitch Hedberg dot Net is offline