Cartoon Thunder

Last year’s strip for New Year; note the changes in style, the lack of mullet on Jones, etc.

2010 has been a good year for the strip.  I’ve wandered around in style and story, been willing to do a few things to find the way I want to go, and have explored Jones’ character, though it took me until I think July before I really let his true character come out.  I’d say the bike drawings have improved, as have the character drawings.

I also got to develop friendships/connections/acquaintances with other guys doing biker cartoons, including Don “Thunder” Baggett, Matt Marino, and George Webber.  As a new guy to the comics thing, it’s encouraging to keep company with these guys.  Baggett’s been at it since some time in the late 70′s, George maybe longer, and Matt a few years longer than me–at least with his Motobasturds strip.

So officially we’re on hiatus until Monday, when I hope to be six strips (three weeks) ahead, maybe more. Material well in to February has been written and laid out in Illustrator panels, ready for art.  Remember that you can sign up to get the strip by email using the box in the sidebar.  This is run through Google’s Feedburner and is pretty darn secure.  Just this week around ten new subscribers have signed on, which is a good bump.

What to look forward to in 2011:

• Two strips a week
• Better story
• Better character development
• Introduction of love interests for each of the characters. In Doc’s case we meet his wife of many years, but the other guys still have to get hooked up. And maybe dumped a few times.
• Potential for a couple of tangential storylines, one involving a nephew of Doc’s who is serving in the military.
• More bikes, cars, trucks.
• Development of the town where Jones meets his friends and makes his home.

Thanks to all my readers for  a great 2010. I hope to entertain you more in 2011.  Tell a friend, drop me a line.