Hadoken. Or, whatever.

Originally published at www.mydestroyer.com. You can comment there.

So due to my involvement with the big boys at Transmission-x, I was invited to do a pin-up for an up and coming Street Fighter Tribute art book. I'm sure the book will be filled with comic industry heavyweights, so if my little grawin' gets in there I'm honored, not only to share page space with awesome artists, but also because I'm the biggest Street Fighter fan evar.

here's what I did:



And just the inks:



And this is a failed attempt at doing some hatching.



And here is a view of the various rough stages. If you look closely I drew the head a number of times before settling on what I used.



-ADC

ummm, new comic day.

Originally published at www.mydestroyer.com. You can comment there.

Yuppers. New comic up at tx.kissingchaos.com. The TX standing for transmission-x. The online comic collective I roll with.

Other than that, not much new to report. I've had family visiting the past few weeks, so I've been a bit preoccupied. Plus, this week was one of those where a few freelance deadlines converged, so I'm up to my ears in work. Which is a blessing and a curse. But whatevs.

Did a lot of writing on Kissing Chaos this week, and I'm super hyped to get the new story rolling after the current chapter of KC: 'Til I die runs it's course in two weeks. All I can say, for those who haven't figured it out, is that 'Til I Die (which begins in earnest in a few weeks) is a prequel to Kissing Chaos Vol. 1. So look out!

And I'm still fielding suggestions for the CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE (not really) chapter of KC:'Til I Die. Basically, I’d love the readers of this comic to choose the particular style/genre that I would adapt a specific chapter of KC: ‘Til I Die into. I’m going with film/TV styles, as there’s no way I’d be able to replicate another comic artist’s style. So, if you want to see a chapter of KC done in a slasher horror style, or in the tradition of 80’s action flicks, put your vote in by emailing me, commenting here or anywhere else on kissingchaos.com or myspace. Perhaps you would like to see a segment of the story done like a documentary, or a reality tv show… I’ll try and make it happen. I’m open to any and all suggestions, and the one that gets mentioned the most will be what we go with this round. (yes, I plan to try this a number of times….)

ADC

honest to blog. ugh.

Originally published at www.mydestroyer.com. You can comment there.

For a while I've been feeding my blog onto numerous websites, including the Kissing Chaos main page. I won't be doing that any more. The KC site will only feature blog posts germane (I've always wanted to use that word) to Kissing Chaos, and the mydestroyer dot com blog site will be my random bloginess. It's kinda sorta like that disclaimer: "the thoughts expressed on this blog in no way reflect the beliefs of kissing chaos dot com", sort of thing. I sorta want a palce to rant and rave and have it nothing to do with KC, and I guess that shiznet shouldn't be on kissingchaos.com.

So yeah, check out mydestroyer.com for my random thoughts and what not.

SUCH AS:

I've just started playing Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core on my sleek PSPslim! "But, Arthur! That game doesn't come out until the 25th, how did you get it?" To that I would say,"Quiet, you!"

ADC

Audience Participation time!

Originally published at www.mydestroyer.com. You can comment there.

A new KC:Til I die strip is online at tx.kissingchaos.com. It's kinda weird. I guess.

Once this current chapter is complete in a couple of weeks, I think I'll post a Kissing Chaos Primer. I figure there are many folk reading this right now who have never read one printed page in the KC saga, and try as I might to make the story accessible, I see a growing divide among longtime fans waiting for something to happen, and new readers who are in the dark. So, I will spend a couple of weeks to essentially enlighten the masses with a point form rundown of what has happened so far in the Kissing Chaos mythos. I'm thinking of doing it via a Scott Pilgrim style mind map, but we'll see.

And now for some audience participation! Choose your own adventure! (sort of)


For the next proper chapter of KC:'Til I Die, I was toying with the idea of opening the floor to the readers of this comic, and see what style of story you all want to see. I have a story in mind and plotted out, but thought it would be a nice challenge to myself if the audience were to choose in what style/genre I would execute the story. And I'm open to trying anything that is suggested, whether it be (in terms of film genre or style) 80's teen dramedy, 80's action film, 90's Pulp Fiction rip off, sci-fi, horror, old school noir, new school noir. I use film as an example, as I doubt I'll be able to draw like a particular comic artist, so emulating a style of comic book is probably not in the cards.

I'm not sure how to program a poll, so I'll keep this informal for now. Feel free to comment here, or on my blog, or shoot me emails with the style you would like me to try. If you have any suggestions for a style I'd love to hear them as well! The style/genre with the most interest will be announced when/if I get enough input!
The floor is open.

ADC

...randomness and future kissing chaos stuff

Originally published at www.mydestroyer.com. You can comment there.

The power went out inexplicably the other night. Spent a good part of the evening chilling by candle light, and periodically starig out the window wondering why seemingly my building was the only one with no electricity. It was kinda fun. Kinda kicking it old school...

Doing much work today, and with putting in some time with the visiting family, it's getting kinda hectic. Doing some screen printing of T-shirts for a friend, developing some new stories for other media, finishing up this weeks Kissing Chaos: 'Til I Die installment, and something else that I can't even remember...

Them's the breaks!

I dig get to try a McRib the other day. Tastes very similar to what I remember eating a a child. Fondly eating as a child, I must say. And while it was somewhat a satisfactory junk food experience, I do think the McRib would've fared better if it had remained a memory... alas.

I'm trying to Twitter a lot more. Check it out if you want to see what's happening in my boring ass life!

Back to KC for a moment. I'm thinking of doing a Kissing Chaos "primer" batch of strips for 'Til I Die. Basically, taking a couple of weeks to kind of catch everyone up on what's been going on in the story. I'm thinking of doing it Scott Pilgrim mind map style. So, this might happen as soon as the current Til I Die chapter wraps up in a couple of weeks.

Another thing I'm thinking of doing, is for the next actual story arc, is take suggestions from the readers/fans as to what classic genre to apply to the story I have in mind. I think it would be a fun challenge to try and mesh my planned story to a specific style of storytelling, and a cool way to include some audience participation!

Yes? No?

ADC

McRib.

Originally published at www.mydestroyer.com. You can comment there.

McDonald's is bringing back the McRib for a limited time in my area. I have fond memories of this "sandwich" from when I was a wee lad. Though I rarely hit up a McD's, or McDo as they say in France, I'll probably give the 2k8 iteration of this "food" product a whirl. What the hell, it's St. Patrix day!

BTW, I do love the Simpson's episode where they pay homage to the McRib. One of my faves.

ADC

don't you remember you told me you love me, baby?

Originally published at www.mydestroyer.com. You can comment there.

This week, (and this chapter) is pretty much inspired by nouvelle vague. The keyword being inspired, as I'm not referencing a film or director in particular, but the idea of playing with conventions of the genre and medium. Keyword, playing. But I digress...

Over the past seven years, Kissing Chaos has incurred a love it or hate it response from those who've come across the comic. In some cases a love to hate it relationship, and in others, a love to love it. It's often said that you can't please everyone, and with KC I often struggle trying to maintain a balance between the wide range of people who dig the comic. There are many distinct elements at odds with one another in the Kissing Chaos make up, from from sappy teen drama, surreal conspiracy theory, philosophical and artistic soap box, broad and often out of place road trip action and bad teenage poetry.

Sometimes if I focus to acutely on one of these elements, and stand to alienate the group of people who were attracted to another element of the story all together. In the past, I've dealt with this struggle by thinking one particular story arc lasts as long as the person holds the comic in their hands. If they don't dig teen drama, they can just pick up the next trade paperback, or the next one-shot and get there fill of X-files style, or it's contemporary, LOST style conspiracy laden plot threads.

However, now that I'm working not in 30 page, or 100 page chunks, but weekly snippets, it's taking a damn long time to get past each of these elements, and of course, the fear sets in...
'Til I Die has been plotted until it's completion. KC has been about "what does ADC want to read in a comic at this very moment" from jump, and it's going to go some weird places. I hope everyone sticks around for the ride!

ADC

Southland Tales

Originally published at www.mydestroyer.com. You can comment there.

Southland Tales. It's by Richard Kelly. Watch it. I'm pretty sure it's brilliant. Also read the comic drawn by my ol' pal Brett Weldele.

ADC

I believe in Ghosts (I-IV)

Originally published at www.mydestroyer.com. You can comment there.

Been a fairly big fan of NIN/Trent Reznor for quite a while now. Dare I say borderline musical genius? That said, the last two NIN albums, With Teeth and Year Zero just left me cold. Personally, I would blame the exploration of more traditional song structures, and lyrical content. My favorite works by Reznor must of been his mid to late nineties offerings, especially the instrumental numbers and meandering remixes where the vocals where all but decimated by beat repeats and distortion. So when I discovered via bit torrent that NIN had just released a collection of instrumental works, with many more similar projects to come, I was pumped! And GHOSTS I-IV does not disappoint at all! It's awesome if you are a fan of NIN.

I've always been a proponent of the internet, and despised the failing dinosaurs of industry and distubution that is the music industry (and comic industry for that matter), and even years ago when I had just started working with Oni Press had tried to come up with ways to do a kissing chaos book for FREE. This of course, was before the internet became THE INTERNET. BEfore Napster/KAzaa/ Bittorrent, before downloadable comics, before In Rainbows, and Niggy Tardust, and of course, NIN Nails' Ghosts.

Of course, one could say, hey ADC, you ARE doing a free kissing chaos comic. And they would be right. Kissing Chaos: 'Til I Die is free every thursday. But a web comic is still quite different than a free digital download of a product. At least in my mind. Brian Wood currently offers a free download of his great art book Public Domain. He told me it was just an experiment, but it did get me thinking of the days when I wanted to give away a free comic, and made me realize that I can do this, in 2008, with the technology at hand.

So, yeah, there's this little link on the main kissingchaos.com page, that says downloads. Soon, and very soon there will be something there. Some free print quality comics. Some wallpapers. And some other online experiments in the vein of Ghosts, In Rainbows, etc.

Keep it locked!

ADC

I thought this was funny...

Originally published at www.mydestroyer.com. You can comment there.

"Microsoft begging Sony for an Xbox360 Blu-ray drive."

Bow down to Sony. heh. In other video game news, Super Smash Bros., the new one has piqued my interest, but I haven't touched my Nintendo Wii in ages, and somehow don't think this game is the one to bring me back to the fold. Sure, the idea of playing Solid Snake is cool, but I can wait to play him on a PS3. The Wii just doesn't interest me. I kind of scoff at it's popularity, and tend to think the band wagon jumpers are sheep. But whatever....

The past week has been crazy. Lost of freelance work, which is good, and I welcome more! But also spent much time updating my various websites. Mainly the main KC page, and the Kissing Chaos: 'Til I Die web comic page. The weekly comic, updated every thursday is now being hosted on my own server. You can still reach it from the Transmission-x portal, it's just to alleviate server stress from the TX server, I mosey'd the KC pages over to mine. So if you have been pointing to KC:'Til I Die, the web comic, note that it can now be found at tx.kissingchaos.com.

I'm going to endeavor to post something new here on the blog everyday next week, and hopefully make a habit of it... wish me luck!

ADC

OMG. You're so postmodern.

Originally published at www.mydestroyer.com. You can comment there.

Although I'm 99% sure I'm using that term inappropriately, whatevs. I uploaded a new Kissing Chaos comic strip to Transmission-x.com. I'm pretty stoked about it. I totally stole a play from Dinosaur Comics, where I repeated mostly all the same artwork from last weeks comic. Not to be lazy, but it's actually part of the story, sort of. It's all kind of meta. And I'm 100% sure I'm using that term incorrectly. Click on the thumb to read the comic.

I listened to all things Say Anything while I was working on this one. Dreaming of Manhattan as I type this.

Also, I just watched Enchanted. Am I lame by LOVING it?

ADC

I'm weird.

Originally published at www.mydestroyer.com. You can comment there.

...because I started to redesign my main kissing chaos website last night. After a few hours I decided to call it a night, and head off to dreamland, or lack thereof land. I kept tossing and turning, mainly because thoughts of web design danced around in my head. After an hour or two of pseudo sleep, I got up and finished the re mix of the site. It's not a huge overhaul, as it pretty much works the same, and offers very little new content, infact, it has less content than it's last iteration. I tried to keep it very simple. But that will change shortly with the imminent arrival of a "DOWNLOADS" section. Stay tuned.

ADC