Wow! We broke the top 200 on Buzzcomix! Thanks for your support, guys! If we can make the front page, we’ll reach a lot of new eyes.

Also, I fixed that type-o.

And the forum link works now (thanks, Josh!)

Over in the forum, alert reader nitpicker44 (a.k.a. Don) notes:

On page 2 of Formation, the “Ford Trimotor” has eight-cylinder radial engines. This is unworkable (all single-bank radial engines of which I know have an odd number of cylinders). The original Ford Trimotors had 9-cylinder Wright Whirlwind engines. Later versions used a similar Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine.

(linkage mine, both above and below)

For his keen vigilance and impressive knowledge, we’re awarding Don a No-Prize! Congratulations, Don!

Regarding the engines, Braden does note:

I did notice that all the radial engines of the correct size that I saw had 7 or 9 cylinders. I thought I’d kind of make up a new engine to reflect that the pirates have been tinkering on a pretty substantial scale with their machines.

You’ll see a lot more weirdness of this variety as we go on, but please don’t let that stop you from pointing out places where our story diverges from reality. We like this kind of stuff, too.

I concur!

-V.

1)  Whoohoo!  We’ve got a guest strip up at Anders Loves Maria!  Thanks, Rene!  (warning:  Anders Loves Maria is NOT an all-ages strip–it contains adult sutiations and graphic depictions of real regrettable intimacy.)

2)  Over in the forum, alert reader Cal has a follow-up on the dynamics of rotary engines.

3)  It looks like I’ll be making it to New York ComiCon after all!  We don’t actually have a spot, ourselves, since Braden can’t make it, but I will actually be moonlighting as a booth assistant for the wonderful Phil Foglio!  If you’re in the area, stop by and say hello!  Also, be sure to visit the Rare Earth Comics table, the guys will be hard-drawin’ all weekend long.

4)  Now, the bad news.  Due to con scheduling and several large art deadlines for Braden, we’ll be on a reduced production schedule for the next couple weeks.  We’re off this week, and then we’ll be spreading out the next issue over the following two weeks.  Sorry for the interruption, we will return to scheduled service ASAP!

-V.

Hi, Everyone!

Managed to make it back fron New York ComiCon in one piece, despite the best efforts of that city’s subway system.  I spent ninety-five percent of the con behind the Studio Foglio booth with Phabulous Phil Foglio and Tyreless Gary Tyrrell, two of the most charming gentlemen you could hope to be trapped in a small space with.  I took no pictures, but I did get to meet a couple of you, though I neglected to get any names because I am a punk.  I will endeavour to do better in the future, when we’ve got our own booth (we have a couple cons on the agenda this year, we’ll post when we have details).

The con itself was quite busy–Saturday was sold out, and if you’ve ever been to the Javits Center, you know that that’s saying something.  The crowds were so thick, I really only stopped at a couple of places, forcing myself to ignore the sea of beautiful molded plastic and hobo cantinas.  Happily, that means I kept my purchasing down to one book, thus staving off debtors prison for at least another few weeks.

-V.

Speaking of upcoming appearances:  The word is out!  The first New England Webcomics Weekend is happening March 20-22, right in my back yard!*  A whole slew of webcartoonists will be storming the Pioneer Valley, probably the only place in New England where it won’t actually seem all that unusual.  I’ll be here (obviously), and there’s a good chance Mr. Lamb will, as well.

I’m putting together a forum thread so we can chat about the event, so if you’re planning on attending, stop in!

-V.

* more accurately, in the building where I work.

Hey, guys!  As part of a new barrage of site updates, we’re adding Project Wonderful ads to the site–you can see some over in the side bar, there*, and we’ll be rearranging out topbar in the next few days.  So!  Don’t be shy!  Engage in the internet’s most egalitarian and user-friendly advertising system TODAY!

-V.

* over there, guys  ——————->

Phew. I was afraid this one wasn’t going to make it before friday morning.

Over on the forum I’m awarding a no-prize to whoever first identifies the plant depicted on the coin on page 2.

Hey, guys, just a quick note:  the official registration page for Webcomics Weekend is up!  It’s still free and everything, we just need to get a head count for building-inspector purposes, so go on and register!

-V.

UPDATE:  Wow, geez!  If I’d known registration was gonna fill up in two days, I’d've said something sooner!  Sorry, guys–we’re working in expanding capacity, so if you’re wait-listed, hold on to hope, we may yet find some space.

Hey, guys.  Sorry for another split update this week, between NEWW and various art obligations, we’re opting to get the second page to you next week.

BUT!

We’ve only got a couple weeks left in Chapter 2.  After that, we’ll be changing up the format a bit, which will allow us better control over our update schedule, and hopefully allow for more story flexibility (unrelated to format, I plan on mixing up the storytelling a lot more in the future).  Watch this space for more news!

New England Webcomics Weekend was amazing. So many creators and fans getting together and talking and hanging out. It was like the world’s biggest college dorm lounge. (Your lounge may vary. Mine were great.)
Sadly, I didn’t take nearly as much advantage of the opportunity as I ought to have. Representing a fledgeling webcomic, I felt obligated to stand behind our work at the table. Also, rubbing shoulders with the kings of the webcomics industry (in some cases, quite literally) was a little intimidating, so I apologize to the folks around whom I kind of just lurked nervously. Next year, should we be so lucky as to get a table again, I’ll be happy to mingle and schmooze and not be a hermit.
Many, many thanks to Meredith & co. for organizing the best not-actually-a-convention in the world.

EDIT: Okay, had to get rid of the old subject line. It was bugging me too much.