Well, believe it or not, here were are: the end of the regular Utopian web series. What a long, strange trip it’s been. A year and a half ago I started this thing on a lark, retelling a story I’d originally conceived when I was still in high school, almost AHEM AHEM years ago, mainly just to secure pro credentials for San Diego Comic-Con. And now? Now I’ve not only produced 109 pages of The Utopian webcomic, but I’ve also launched an indie comic publishing company that’s produced an ongoing anthology series (Omega Comics Presents), an upcoming benefit anthology one-shot (Tales from the Boneyard) as well as four print issues of The Utopian. Oh, and I’ve had contributions to all of the above.
Because of my involvement in making comics, I’ve not only had the honor and pleasure of meeting and working a slew of new, talented people, but I’ve also been invited to participate in group art shows and to collaborate on projects with people in ways I never thought I’d even consider. I’ve had the opportunity to help put Las Vegas on the map within the global comics community, as well as get heavily involved with the local scene here, especially in securing the future of the annual Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival.
I’d like to thank, primarily, all of you who have read, shared and commented on this webcomic over the last 18 months. I’d also like to thank all the people who contributed to The Utopian in one way or another, including cover colorists Stephen Downer and Tiarra Wantz and cover artists Mark T. Zeilman and Hernan Valencia. As well, thanks go out to the local stores who have graciously opened up shelf space to carry The Utopian, including Alternate Reality Comics, Comic Oasis and MaximuM Comics. And my long-suffering girlfriend Sara, to whom nearly every evening during this production has been spent watching the back of my head as I sat hunched over a Wacom tablet.
Of course, she doesn’t get me back entirely after this. While I am going to take a short break to work on a few TV/film writing projects, I’m still working on my serial contribution to Omega Comics Presents, the action thriller “Omega,” and I have some other hush-hush comics projects in the works that can now come off the back burner.
One more thing: If you’re one of those “waiting for trade” types, well, the entire first volume of the Utopian saga will be available in a single trade paperback collection soon, hopefully in time for your Christmas shopping pleasure. It will not only feature the entire story in its entirety, in full color, but also full annotations for every page, revealing a lot more of my inner monologue than you probably would want.
That’s all, kids. It’s getting late, and Criminal Minds is coming on in a few minutes. Thanks again, and hope you’ve enjoyed. Excelsior!
As has been teased around these parts for a little while, the Utopian trade paperback collection is finally ready for your reading pleasure. While it will be on sale at Amazon.com in a couple weeks for $19.95 a pop, I’m offering an autographed copy to you lovely people