Deal With The Jesus.

Part 21 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

Continuing with the “Occupational Hazards” storyline from, oh NOVEMBER, Jeffro smashes his roommate ZCC (reincarnated as a talking toaster) into pieces. You see, after watching their other roommate, Chris, strive so hard in his hopeless job search, it’s Jeffro and ZCC’s intention to start up a band and prove they’re doing something with their lives. Of course, that means ZCC has to bargain with Death so he can be reincarnated into something that can actually play the guitar. In the afterlife, ZCC reunites with Death and tries to persuade her to give him a human body again. She replies she has a plan, but they need to see someone “higher up…”

Up to date? Good.

In this comic, I brought back Jesus’ angelic secretary, Ms. Milligan — a rarely seen, minor character that has popped up in a few comics. Also, the angel with dark hair and a scruffy beard is supposed to represent friend and fellow cartoonist/artist, Shane Pangburn, and NOT a relative to ZCC (although, in retrospect, that could become an interesting yet nonsensical plot device). Of course, my depiction doesn’t give him justice: he does have arms, shins, and a nose, and as far as I can tell, he doesn’t have wings. It’s actually Shane’s date o’ birth today, so if you see him, wish him (and his twin brother, too) proper congratulations for giving his mother what I can imagine was a most prolonged and excruciating labor process.

Another birthday comic next week, though I can’t promise it’ll relate to the storyline in any way.

ZCC and the Deathly Deaths.

Part 20 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

It’s been a long, long time since I’ve drawn ZCC’s real, human form and Death. Death has always been a fun character to draw, and this time I made her wings more bone-ish rather than just weird-looking spikes. Her character’s design has, in Project Runway speak, been “fashion forward,” and I like drawing her with today’s trends in mind. And don’t expect this to be her last experience; I have big plans for her and nearly all of the main cast in a future, very significant storyline.

As you might know from “The End Of The Road” story arc, ZCC’s body was blown to smithereens. I took notice of the fact that his body doesn’t exist anymore, making it impossible for him to return to his original form. Of course, that’s not going to stop him from being reincarnated.

I’m playing around with the concepts of physical death, the afterlife, and even theology a little, and ZCC’s storyline is just a way to fully express my creative writing skills.

The Death of ZCC / Assisted Suicide.

Part 19 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

So what have I been doing in my month-long hiatus? Well, like my character Chris (who is very much modeled after myself), I’ve been searching for a job, namely a graphic design/web dev job. So there, I have a perfectly legitimate excuse. I actually drew this comic about a month ago, but I decided not to publish it right away. One of the main reasons was that I wanted to hoard a few polished comics so I can unleash them onto the public in one shot — like a squirrel hoarding nuts for the winter, or Jessica Simpson saving her virginity for that dood.

Now I thought it’d be funny if I put Destroyer — aka Dan Bejar of also New Pornographers and Swan Lake fame — on Indie Rawk Jeffro’s t-shirt. After all, he is destroying his friend/roommate, ZCC. I also thought it’d be nice to put Cloud’s Buster Sword, just because I don’t see a lot of references to Final Fantasy VII in comics nowadays.

To see what transpires next, wait for Wednesday. Another new comic will definitely be up by then.

I Can Sing, Too!

Part 18 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

Sorry about the pretty heavy text at the bottom of the comic; poor planning on my part.

So begins side story C of the “Occupational Hazards” arc: Jeffro and ZCC start a band (the other stories, of course, being Chris getting a job and the whole Nigel/Randy affair — and believe me, they’ll all intertwine eventually). So ZCC’s been a toaster for about 2 years already, and I felt it’s time to give him an entirely new body. It’s also been a long time since I’ve drawn his original human form, too, which was more enjoyable to draw than a toaster. Toaster’s are too easy.

And I hate to outright reveal the small, important details of any artistic piece, but do take note of all the black and the crows. They may have “symbolism” later.

Frighteningly Semi-True Story: Life As A Cartoonist.

Part 17 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

A quickie comic featuring my old newspaper editor, David Chen. You can say that this particular strip is a tribute comic. For one thing, Chris’s comic “Tim Vs. Tim” is a spoof of the spoof “Felicity Mills,” and the dialog is based from this comic.

Furthermore this comic essentially recounts my days working for the college newspaper: it did take me at least 3 hours to draw a strip (which, nowadays, it takes more), and I did only get paid $8 per strip. Of course, would I trade my days at the newspaper for anything in the world? Hell no. I enjoyed what I did, I did get a little fame from the public, and I met some really creative and interesting people in the process. Of course, I wouldn’t recommend that job if you really needed to financially support yourself. You’d seriously get more money as a crackwhore.

Six Months Ago.

Part 16 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

Randy’s fate remained questionable after the end of this comic. Of course, even in this new one, his fate is unknown.

Also “Faust Pie” is a reference to another comic.

Occupational Funks.

Part 15 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

Oh, hello. Long time no see. With Halloween coming up, I’m really excited to produce some themed comics. The problem is, there are a few new characters in this particular storyline (“Occupational Hazards“) that I want to introduce before I draw any Halloween comic. Simply put, I don’t want to show new, pivotal characters without a proper introduction. Consequently, I’m forcing making myself draw enough “Occupational Hazards” comics just in time to take a break from the arc and produce strips for All Hallow’s Eve.

With that said, I intend to put out a new comic every weekday all this week and the next. No bullshit, just art and humor. I already have a few done and/or planned out, so stay tuned.

Also take notice of a lot of old characters popping up in the next few weeks. Nigel, for instance, hasn’t officially appeared since last summer’s “Love Is In The Air” storyline. Big things are planned for many of these lost and forgotten characters. Big things, indeed!

Triggered (Click).

Part 14 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

I’ve been meaning to put this specific comic up for at least two weeks, but I was trying to save it so I can release at least a full week of comics. I’ve been pretty uninspired lately, but I am the midst of inking a comic I hope I’ll publish tomorrow.

Anyhoo, so here’s a new comic — continuing from over a month ago.

If there’s one thing that I find funny on a personal level, it’s mental health. And honestly, if Third Eye Blind’s “Jumper” can’t prevent you from committing suicide, you might as well kill yourself.

Oh, Ceans!

Part 13 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

Word of advice: always know the details of the job you’re applying for, especially if it’s in the mental health field. If Sigmund Freud is your interviewer, you know you need to be ultra-qualified.

It’s been a while since the character Lindsey appeared (I think since Halloween 2006). Like the real life character she’s based upon, I drew Lindsey with a cat named Shiar.

Lastly, I’ve drawn some sketches of what Chris would look like if he cleaned up a little and didn’t stuff his messy hair underneath a cap. I think he looks more professional. Now I don’t know if I did it subconsciously, but he looks eerily similar to Jim Halpert from “The Office.”

Coffee Shop Classified.

Part 12 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

Sorry about yesterday; if you haven’t noticed, my sites were down since it seems the WordPress database crashed. Anyway, here’s a new comic, and probably a pivotal point in the storyline. We’re gaining momentum here, people!

Now, if there’s one thing I’ve noticed in coffee shop employees (at least back in my old schoolin’ grounds, the University of Illinois), it’s that a whole lot of them have nose-rings, love indie music, and are of the fine arts or literature major persuasion. It’s almost a proven stereotype, especially if you go to one of those small-chain or independent coffee shops. And I know my friends Christina (a coffee shop manager in real life) and Caroline had previously asked to appear in the comic; well, here you go.

And remember, there’s a contest going on for free books. No harm in trying.