Part 30 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.
This combines two of my interests: Corgis and 90’s alternative rock. Also, Brian the Corgi is named after my friend and former Parsons classmate — a genuine Corgi Enthusiast. Furthermore, Stumptown Coffee is some of my favorite coffee here in NYC.
Part 29 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.
Hey, another comic. Although I wrote this about a year ago, it’s lucky that Michael Jackson is recently in the news, what with that jury verdict.
Part 23 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.
Just to let you know, guys, but this is apparently my 400th comic I’ve published since August 2003.
Anyway, my marketing adviser and close friend, Allan, gave me the suggestion of releasing a new comic every Wednesday. Since it’s about the same day that The Onion releases its new content, Allan says that most people will most likely check out (read: “not work and dick around on the internet”) their favorite websites and consequently associate my comic with The Onion. It’s worth a shot, I say.
In lieu of Halloween, however, expect some at least two comics next week: one pertaining to the story arc and another loosely based on the story arc but has a general Halloween “feel” to it.
If you haven’t noticed the difference from today’s comic and last Friday’s, I decided to color Nigel’s wings blue instead of yellow from now on. This change, in my opinion, is more graphically cohesive and corresponds with the plushies I’ve made over the years:
Storywise, this is the first time Nigel (kinda) interacts with another main character other than Randy. Of course, both Nigel and Randy are “invisible” characters — in the sense that they’re never seen but guide humans in conflicts of morality — but in unearthly realms (like Heaven), they can be seen clear as day. Then again, it seems that Nigel vaguely knows ZCC.
There you go.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Part 10 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.
Another quickie with a reference to this comic. I’m almost done with my resume; better art, better jokes next week! I swear!
Part 9 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.
I’ll be honest, I did this comic at the last minute (script and photoshopped, archived material) and had not originally planned to use it in the storyline. I was more focused on revising my portfolio and resume than drawing new comics (scripts are done for the week, don’t worry); coincidentally, I myself am looking for a job/internship (with some graphic design firms, incidentally), and I have some nice prospects lined up.
Even though I wasn’t planning on using this comic, I wanted this week to represent the various jobs and ways of thinking surrounding work that Chris’ roommates share. And although Jeffro and ZCC weren’t scheduled to have any significant speaking roles (don’t worry — they both play an important part later in this story arc), it’s nice to see them somehow fit in this week’s theme.
As far as the content goes, I’m thinking that I’m becoming a self-loathing indie hipster (sic). You can definitely thank some of my friends. Going to a concert recently only reinforced my moderate contempt. There just seemed to be an air of arrogance and a need to maintain a certain aesthetic in what I feel are clique-ish social circles, and honestly, that kind of mentality had always bugged me ever since high school (read old Bluegoomba stuff). Now I’ve never genuinely claimed my music is hipper than yours, nor the clothes I wear and the books I read and the bars I go to are better. And if I ever do make those remarks, fucking give me a kick to the head.
Part 7 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.
Because Tourette’s and nicotine addiction are funny. And as for the title, “Fuck This Shit, I Need A Fucking Cigarette,” I was thinking of making that slogan into a pin (the second set of SF pins).
And if you don’t recall, the reason Aaron is stuffing sandwiches into ZCC’s toaster slots is this. See? Full circle.
