Well, kids, that does it for Part 005, “Revelations.” You’ll not want to miss next week’s kick-off of Part 006, “Fight or Flight.” Yes, the title is as telling as you think. Get yourselves warmed up.

In the meantime, if you’re the type of person who likes to read comics the old-fashioned way, printed on dead tree pulp, you may want to tell your favorite comic book retailer to pre-order the first issue of The Utopian, now available from Haven Distributors. It’s item code #UTOPPOP001 if they ask. Remember, the first print issue not only collects the first four chapters of The Utopian webcomic, but also features new cover art, new splash art, new pin-up art, exclusive behind-the-scenes material, and more!

We’re just about caught up here on the back end. While producing the weekly strips, I’m also finalizing preparation for the first print issue of The Utopian to go to the printer next week. Almost everything is ready, just waiting on a few items from outside parties. Once everything is in and finalized, I’ll be bombarding you with info and begging for your money, so hang tight!

You know, it’s interesting: What you end up seeing posted here in August was plotted back in April or May. So as the months roll on, the specifics of the story changes somewhat, while remaining basically true to the original plot outline.

In the original plan, this would have been the end of this fifth chapter, “Revelations.” But after scripting this week’s pages, it became obvious to me we need a few more pages to get all the revelations into this chapter. So check back next week for the last two pages of Chapter Five, as the implications of this little tête-à-tête begin to reveal themselves!

There’s so much I want to say, but as this strip is a few hours late, I’ll save it for next time. Gotta go!

OK, I know this is late. I’m sorry. For some reason, it took forever to get today’s strip done. I don’t think it’s going to get easier.

That being said, the first print issue is almost ready to go. Still waiting on a pin-up or two, but everything else is 95 percent ready for the printer.

Some stuff came up today that I’m hoping won’t put next week’s strips behind as well, but if they do, I promise it will be for a good reason. Otherwise, tune in next Wednesday as usual.

Oh, also: If you’re a comic creator and want to see your stuff in print, Pop! Goes the Icon just announced a new anthology series. You should get on that.

There’s some really wicked stuff coming, but in the meantime, we have to go down the road, no matter how difficult it is.

Have I ever mentioned that I enjoy drawing the dream sequences more than anything else?

I’m not usually very happy with my artwork — let’s be honest, here, I’m doing adequately, but there’s a reason I write full-time. But I have to say, when I finished digitally inking the third panel on this page, I had to hold in a shout of “f*ck yeah!” (mainly because my girlfriend was sleeping on the couch next to me), because I think this is my favorite thing I have ever drawn in 33 years on this planet. Probably because it doesn’t look like I drew it. But I dunno, you tell me?

Just when James thought his dream sequences were getting predictable …

Not that it matters to you kids, but in sharp contrast to last week, this week’s strips are being posted days ahead of schedule (even though you still see them on Wednesday and Friday). Because I finally got caught up. I guess not having an internet connection will do that.

In other news, I’m almost finished prepping files for the first issue of The Utopian print comic. What will you get in the print collection that you can’t already view for free online? How about original cover art, a brand new splash page, a behind-the-scenes essay, special pinups and — this is the real exclusive part — the never-before-published four-page story that inspired The Utopian? Hell yeah, kids. But you’ll have to hold your breath for the fall.

This has not been a good week for Pj and the internet. I don’t want to get into the details (I’ve save it for a blog post elsewhere), but I have had no access at home, been mostly unable to update my Twitter feed since the Denial-of-Service attack yesterday, and it took me about an hour at an internet cafe to finally get my laptop connected to the free wi-fi here.

Man, I hope this strip is worth it.

Aaaand … we’re back. Didja miss me? After almost a week in San Diego for the big ol’ nerd fest (about which you can read here) and another week moving into the house my girlfriend and I just bought, The Utopian is back from a week hiatus with a brand-new chapter, “Revelations.”

So buckle up and get ready for what’s coming in the weeks ahead. I guarantee you won’t know what hit you.