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!

To be honest, it’s been a while since the last time I posted a new page (to you it’s been a week, but since I’ve been working so far in advance, to me, it’s been almost a month), so I don’t quite remember where we left off in our little fireside chats here.

Well, first, all the silly behind-the-scenes legal nonsense I was going through upon announcement of another comic series called “Utopian” is over and done. That new Image series is now called “Halcyon,” we’re still “The Utopian,” and all is good and well in the world of comics! Now go buy more!

Oh, speaking of buying more, if you’re one of those people who likes to have a printed comic book in hand for leisurely reading, or if you love The Utopian so much, you want to share it with your loved ones, issue four should be available for pre-order now in our online store. Check out the neat-o cover drawn by me and colored by Tiarra Wantz:

Coverlicious!

Yep! Anything else? Oh … did you want to talk about the kinda shocking stuff happening in the comic itself right now? OMG DO IT RIGHT NOW BELOW IN THE COMMENTS OK?

And thanks.

I know, I’m killing you guys. Ask all the questions you want in the comments or Twitter. I’ll try to answer what I can without giving away too much.

In other news, I’ve finished the cover for the fourth print issue, which you should be able to buy pretty darn soon (I’d check in the store, because you know I’m posting this almost a month ahead). Art has been handed off for coloring, but here’s a little sneak preview of the line art:

Yeah, I know, not much to go on. But I sure drew it pretty, didn’t I?

See you next week!

I kinda figured James would be fine if someone shot him. Didn’t you?

Hmm.

This can’t be good.

I’m waiting for a call back from Marc Guggenheim’s lawyer, so for all I know, either a) You’ll never see this page I’m posting from a month in the past because the “Utopian” name is tied up in litigation, or b) The strip will be renamed “The Dreamer” when Guggenheim buys the rights to the name for ONE MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILLION DOLLARS.

Well, THAT’s all over now.

See ya next week!

But we’ve seen this trick before, right?

Maybe not.

It’s been a busy time here, back in the past (i.e., August). Sending official letters to parties involved with the publishing of the OTHER “Utopian” comic, getting ready to publish another issue of the Utopian print comic, finishing my contribution to a charity anthology I really think you should go check out, etc.

Also: I’ll be at some places with some stuff. Come see me!

Things sure are getting exciting now, huh?!

Seeing as how this is September for you guys (but still August for me), there should be an announcement here any time now about pre-sales for the fourth print issue of the Utopian. Yep. Probably going to do a bloggy-blog about it, even.

That is all for now. Lots to do!

Oh man, you guys, I love T-Rex so much. Maybe I should spin him off into his own comic, where he decides drug dealing is Nowheresville and turns to a life of helping others. Can’t you just see it? T-Rex at the Rec Center? No?

Whatever, you’re just mad because it’s September where you are, but it’s July where I’m posting this. If that made sense, congratulations, you’re as mad as me.

Booked my hotel for Long Beach Comic-Con today, so I guess I will for real be there. Oct. 29 to 31. If you’re in SoCal, you should come and visit me. I’ll have comics and prints and hugs.

Hey! I’m back. Um, yeah, back from New Jersey. You remember I was gone, right? And … OK, so I’m still posting these suckers a month ahead, which is great, except for all I know, my web server blew up by now, which means none of you are reading this.

Anyway …

During my Jersey Shore getaway, I did not get a tan nor any gold chains, but I did finish laying out the last eight pages of this strip. Of course, you don’t know just when those eight pages are gonna show up here, but we are definitely on that final road. So enjoy. Responsibly.

Someone needs to give me an all-ages Spider-Man or X-Men book to write. STAT. Seriously. It would be so good you guys, all snappy dialogue and sneaking around schools and stuff actually happening. Write your local politicianMarvel editor.

In other news, I’m wrapping up (though by the time you read this, that should be “wrapped up”) my eight-page contribution to the comic anthology I’m editing for the Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival, a place you can find me in November. It has a cute emo girl, a robot and asteroids. What more do you need to know? Visit the Tales from the Boneyard site for more info. It’s for charity, yo.

Oh man, an homage to page 29? Say it ain’t so!

Happy 100th page, Utopian fans. To celebrate, I’m traveling back in time to July 6, just so that I can go take that vacation all over again. Yessir, I hope it goes well.

I do like to sometimes use the storytelling device of referencing previous scenes to draw parallels and enhance developments. I swear, it’s not just to reuse page layouts because I’m lazy. And as The Utopian races toward its inevitable conclusion, these sort of reprises will make more sense. You have no idea how awesome this story will be when it’s finished and available in one collected volume. You’ll buy it, and read it, and then ask yourself, “Why don’t I remember it being this awesome on the web?”

I will too. Except for the buying part.