Thus ends Part 009, “Gifts.” That means Part 010 starts next week. Isn’t this where I usually take a hiatus? I don’t think it’ll be necessary this time. And that’s about all I have to say. My sinuses are getting their asses kicked by whatever pollen is blowing through the Vegas Valley right now, and I can barely think. Or breathe. Or swallow. But check in next week for stuff. OK bye bye.

Something crazy’s happening, because I’m posting this not only ahead of schedule, but 8 days ahead of schedule. Could it be I’m actually caught up?! Craaazy.

Of course, I’m sure upon returning from Seattle, that will all be changed. But hopefully not. I have a feeling things will be crazy busier after I get back from Emerald City Comicon. Though, you know, I’m actually already back by the time you’re reading this, so this post ends up being like some sort of time capsule.

Anyway, if you didn’t know, the title of today’s strip is also the title of one of my favorite songs by The Faint. Enjoy this video while I go eat some Thin Mints:

As if I didn’t pack in a whole lot of awesome into this page story-wise, I had to go and one-up myself by tossing in that Kitty Pryde line.

Damn, I know: You guys are SO lucky to have this awesomeness to read.

Anyway, I’m actually getting caught up so I can go to Emerald City ComiCon stress-free this weekend. OK, so I’ll actually be totally stressed out about all sorts of stuff, but updating The Utopian will not be one of them. Oh, and if you are in Seattle or going to the convention, PLEASE come see me. I’ll be in Artist Alley at booth M-12. Pop! Goes the Icon. Bring cash. I’ll draw ya something. Or sell ya something.

See? If you stick around long enough, weird shit will happen.

First, a supreme thanks to the Alert Nerd crew for giving a little love in their weekly “The Bin” column last week. Of course, it’s only fair, because a few of the Alert Nerders were featured in …

THE SPECIAL GUEST STAR LIST FOR PAGE 77

So no one attempted to name all the real-life cameos in last week’s strip. It’s because I deftly selected a cross-section of unrelated pals from the replies to my Twitter question “Who wants to be featured in an upcoming strip?” Most of those included (and I tried to cram in as many as I had space for) caught themselves, though some others were confused and left shivering in the corner of their bathrooms. So, without further adieu, go look again at page 77 and here’s the guest list:

• Panel 1: Jeff Stolarcyk, Sarah Kuhn
• Panel 3: Robert Ludwick
• Panel 4: Jessica, Pj Perez Superfan #1
• Panel 5: Daniella Cortez and Michael Willoughby

That’s it! Capturing likenesses at such small sizes in weird poses is not the easiest thing to do, but much like all my cartooning, it’s more about capturing the essence. RIGHT? Right. See ya next week.

This is probably the closest I’ve come to missing publishing on the day (if not the time) scheduled as I ever have. But looking at the strip, you can see why, right? Aside from this being one of the most complicated pages I’ve ever drawn for The Utopian (some of those Hoover Dam scenes in Omega Comics Presents were a bit more technically challenging), I also had the added challenge of playing host to my girlfriend’s family, journalistic deadlines and pre-press on issue two of OCP.

BUT. Here we are: My Twitter followers may recall a few months back I mentioned there’d be an upcoming comic book shop scene, and I offered to put a few pals into the scene. Well, the response I received was overwhelming, and even though I expanded what was initially one panel into almost a full page, I could only fit in so many cameos. But we’re going to play a little game: I’m not telling who’s who. You have to guess. I mean, you should know who you’re looking at if you’re one of those Tweeple who responded. However, I’m putting challenge to you: If you can identify all six real-life people featured on this page (Twitter handles are fine), I’ll send you signed copies of both issues 1 and 2 of The Utopian and issue 1 of Omega Comics Presents, in which my epic story “Omega” begins. Just leave your response in the comments here, and be sure to include a valid e-mail address.

Otherwise, I’ll list all the cameos next week. See you then.

WHO … OR WHAT … IS “THE ZONE?!” AND HOW WILL IT AFFECT OUR HEROES? TUNE IN NEXT WEEK!

Heh, purple prose.

Hey, did you know you can buy the bonus-material-packed Utopian print comics at Comic Oasis in northwest Las Vegas now? You can. Now we have both sides of town covered.

Yep, kids, it was JUST A DREAM. Everyone relax! Everyone calm down! Put down your pitchforks!

Or was it?

BWAHAHAHA

Anyway, if I may direct your attention to the calendar, you might notice it’s Feb. 10 (actually, it’s Feb. 8 as I post this, but I am LIVING IN YOUR PRESENT). That’s the release date for the first issue of Omega Comics Presents, the excellent new anthology series from Pop! Goes the Icon. If you enjoy my nonsense comics here at The Utopian, you may enjoy the nine pages I wrote and drew for that comic, the first chapter of an espionage-action epic called “Omega.” So, you know, go check out the previews, and then go buy the comic. It’s only like $3.50 for four stories. That’s a steal. Or $2.50 if you buy digital. Crazy.

And here we are, kids — Part 009, “Gifts,” begins! I know, I know — you’re very excited. But shh, keep it down, some of us are trying to work.

There is some super-fun stuff coming up in this strip over the next several episodes, stuff I’m so excited about, I almost feel bad for making you wait at the pace of a page per week. But that’s what you get. So stick around, and if you need to get caught up, why not buy a print collection or two? They’re only like $3 or $5 each and allow you to enjoy The Utopian from the comfort of your bathroom … at least, until the iPad goes on sale.