Kevin's Little Problem

Fallcon next weekend!

2008-09-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

The MCBA Fallcon comic celebration is almost upon us once again! Located on the Minnesota State Fair Grounds in St. Paul, the MCBA are celebrating their twentieth year of existence, and these shows are a blast! Kurt and I were welcomed by them last year, and it was one of the coolest conventions we've done. If you're looking to get some hard to find books, or just looking to talk to the creators of some of your favorite books (like us, hint, hint), this is the place to be. You can find all the info on the show at http://fallcon.mncba.com/, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Cartoon Commune stuff!

2008-08-25T11:54:00.001-07:00

Hey all!

I just finished my first script for the Cartoon Commune (cartooncommune.com), which is a company that creates custom comic books about anything. Absolutely anything. I can't give away what I did just yet because it's meant to be a surprise to a husband, but Kurt (yes that Kurt!) is polishing up the artwork as I type. Once our customer gives it to her hubby, I'll post a page or two of the script here. It was super fun to write, and hopefully, jobs through the commune will keep coming this way!

Another wedding comic

2008-07-17T09:15:00.001-07:00

Here's another script for a wedding comic Kurt and I did about a year ago. I was basically given a one page bio on the couple, and this is what I came up with. There were a few edits done by the groom, but this is the copy I originally sent to him. If you want to see the full book with all the artwork, go to imaginarytales.com and click on the Wedding Comics tab. Enjoy!

PAGE 1

Page 1, Panel One

The interior of Brian and Lisa’s house. Various wedding-preparation materials are strewn haphazardly around the living room. Invitation boxes stacked up in the corner, wedding planner books and magazines littering the coffee table, that sort of thing. Brian is sitting on the couch with his feet planted on the coffee table, absentmindedly wrinkling a few of the magazines with his shoes and knocking a few more onto the carpet. He is playing X-Box 360, fingers rapidly working over the controller. However, instead of watching his progress, his head is arched toward the bedroom, intent of persuading Lisa to come and watch him play.

1. Brian: Hey honey, c’mere and check this out!
2. Brian: I just unlocked the World War II costume for Captain America on Ultimate Alliance!
3. Brian: This is sweet! Now my shield does five percent more damage!

Page 1, Panel Two

Lisa enters the living room, purse in one hand, wedding planner’s guide in the other. She hovers over Brian, whose full attention is now once again focused on his video game. Lisa glares at the back of Brian’s head, not angry, but slightly preoccupied with all the wedding details and tasks that still need to be accomplished. Brian stomps his foot on the coffee table in excitement, knocking over a few more of the magazines.

1. Lisa: That’s…that’s nice.
2. Lisa: Hey listen. We have to go get the guestbook and the ring bearer’s pillow today.
3. Lisa: And then we have to go over the list of people who’re coming to make sure we have a final head count for the caterers.
4. Lisa: And then we…
5. Brian: OK, just let me find a save spot real quick…

Page 1, Panel Three

Lisa walks over to Brian’s foot perch, knocking them down silently, and reaches over to pick up some of the magazines as she does so. Brian’s fingers are still furiously attacking the controller in a blur of combos and special moves. His tongue wags out slightly from the corner of his mouth. At this particular moment in time, his world is the video game and absolutely nothing else.

Page 1, Panel Four

Lisa, realizing she’d probably get more accomplished without Brian tagging along, grabs her car keys from an end table and gently kisses Brian on his forehead, rolling her eyes as she does so. Brian still does not unglue his eyes from the television.

1. Lisa: Have fun honey. Love you.
2. Lisa: See you in a little bit.
3. Brian: Yeah. Love you too.

Page 1, Panel Five

Brian pauses the game and slyly looks at the reader.

1. Brian: Geez, I thought she’d never leave. How you guys doing out there in the future? Hopefully you’re having a great time at the wedding and the reception and all that other fun stuff.
2. Brian: I know I sure am. Or am going to be. Or whatever. This past/future stuff always makes my head hurt.
3. Brian: Anyway, this is the romantic story of Lisa and Brian. For those of you who don’t know it yet, read on. It should hold your interest until the food comes.
4. Brian: For those of you that have heard it a thousand times…just grit your teeth. It’s only eight pages and you’ve already finished one.
5. Brian: Enjoy!

PAGE 2

Page 2, Panel One

Flashback panel. I’m thinking for the ‘fake’ introduction to the relationship (all flashbacks on Page 2), go with a panel shaped like a cloud. Dreamlike. Lisa sits at her desk or is enclosed in a cubicle. There are a few random trinkets on her desk, and a Tim McGraw poster tacked to the barrier separating her from her other co-workers. Staring at her computer screen in a dreamy haze, her hands lazily wisp back and forth across the keyboard.

1. Lisa: Stupid TPS reports…

Page 2, Panel Two

Flashback panel. Same panel as Page 2, Panel One with the exception of Brian’s friend Mike. Seemingly appearing from nowhere, Mike stands directly behind Lisa, gaping at her country music poster. Lisa has yet to notice him, and continues to go about her business.

1. Brian Caption: My friend Mike installs office furniture for various businesses, and one day, he happened to be working in the same building that Lisa worked at.
2. Brian Caption: Stars aligned and fate was with us, as he noticed her Tim McGraw poster, parlaying that into a conversation about his awesome friend Brian, who it just so happens, also listens to country music. And is awesome.

Page 2, Panel Three

Flashback panel. Mike timidly approaches Lisa, hands shoved deep into his pockets, eyes focused solely on his shoelaces. Lisa spins around in her chair to greet her newfound friend.

1. Mike: Hi.
2. Lisa: Hey.
3. Mike: So, you like country music huh?
4. Lisa: Yep.
5. Mike: So does Brian.

Page 2, Panel Four

Flashback panel. Lisa wheels her chair slightly closer to Mike, curious about the mention of the mysterious Brian. Mike loosens up his stiff stance a bit, removing his hands from his pockets to accentuate his conversation with visual aids.

1. Brian Caption: Of course, she was instantly intrigued. I can’t really blame her.
2. Lisa: Who’s Brian?
3. Mike: Oh, he’s just a friend of mine. He likes country music too…
4. Lisa: You should set us up on a blind date!
5. Brian Caption: And that was that!

Page 2, Panel Five

Flashback panel. Close up of Brian and Lisa kissing and holding each other in a loving embrace.

1. Brian Caption: It was love at first sight, yadda, yadda, yadda, you all know the rest. The end!
2. Brian Caption: Now, if I could just take a moment of your time to explain the attributes of…
3. SFX Caption: BRRINGGG!!! BRRINGGG!!!

PAGE 3

Page 3, Panel One

The interior of Brian and Lisa’s house. Brian is still lounging on the couch, with his feet once again propped up on the coffee table. Picking at a bowl of chips, he sets down his soda, reaching for the cell phone in his pocket. He is obviously impressed and entranced with his own story.

1. Brian: You guys are gonna have to hang on a sec. It’s my cell.
2. SFX: BRRINGGG!!! BRRINGGG!!!
3. Brian: Hello?

Page 3, Panel Two

Brian stares dumbfounded at the reader, fumbling so he doesn’t drop his phone in his current state of shock. His right foot jerks a little knocking over the can of soda, as he timidly puts the phone to his ear.

1. Lisa (over phone): Brian, if you’re going to tell them our story, at least tell it the way it happened. Jeez!
2. Brian: Uh…honey…I’m not talking to anyone.
3. Lisa (over phone): Yes you are! You’re talking to the guests at our wedding…
4. Brian: How…how do you know that?
5. Lisa (over phone): I got a sixth sense when you proposed. Every woman develops it when they’re about to get married.
6. Lisa (over phone): I’m like Daredevil, only with better taste in fashion.

Page 3, Panel Three

Brian shrugs his shoulders and throws one hand to the gods above in frustration. He sticks out his tongue toward the audience.

1. Brian: OK then…if you’re so extra-sensory, what am I doing now?
2. Lisa (over phone): Don’t you stick your tongue out at me! And get your feet off the coffee table!
3. Brian (quieter): Yipes!

Page 3, Panel Four

Brian quickly returns his tongue to its rightful position in his mouth and lowers his hand, while simultaneously removing his feet from the table. He looks at the audience like he’s five years old and just had to go tell his mother he wet the bed.

1. Lisa (over phone): Honey, I’m sorry I yelled at you. Pre-wedding stresses and all. You know how it is.
2. Brian: Do I!
3. Lisa (over phone): But you know that was just a story we told our families because we wanted them to accept us as a couple and not focus on how we met.
4. Lisa (over phone): Just tell them the truth. It’s too late for them to take back the gifts anyway!
5. Brian: BaDumBump!

Page 3, Panel Five

Brian cups the phone to his shoulder and stretches his hands forward to crack his knuckles.

1. Lisa (over phone): Anyway, I’ve got to go, there’s still a bunch of shopping left to do. Tell everyone I said hi!
2. Lisa (over phone): Hey, does that mean they’re in the future?
3. Brian: It’s…it’s a bit complicated.
4. Brian: Weird. K! Love ya baby!
5. Brian: Love you too!

Page 3, Panel Six

Brian returns his cell phone to his pocket and just looks at the audience quizzically.

1. Brian: Lisa says hi.

PAGE 4

Page 4, Panel One

Flashback panel. For the remainder of the script, every flashback panel should have rounded edges. Brian is furiously typing away at his work computer. On his desk sit mountains of papers and other various tasks he needs to accomplish before quitting time.

1. Brian Caption: OK, so on to the real story then.
2. Brian Caption: I’d always been a career orientated person, and was super busy at my job.

Page 4, Panel Two

Flashback panel. Just replace Brian with Lisa. Same desk, same stack of relentless papers, etc.

1. Brian Caption: Lisa was too.

Page 4, Panel Three

Flashback panel. Side shot of Brian staring at his computer screen, eyebrows raised. On the screen is the text, “WE’VE FOUND YOUR 100% MATCH, BRIAN!!!”.

1. Brian Caption: So, I figured, what the heck, I’d sign up for a dating website. I mean, why not let the computer do all the leg work for me?
2. Brian Caption: After getting back a bunch of personality matches, I decided to e-mail the only girl who shared a 100% compatibility rating with me.
3. Brian Caption: How perfect was that?
4. Brian Caption: Her name was Lisa Mike.

Page 4, Panel Four

Flashback panel. Side shot of Lisa staring at her computer screen, eyebrows raised. She is in her e-mail account and there are about ten messages, all from sender, “BRIAN”. The subject line on the most current message reads, “SO, ARE WE GONNA MEET SOMETIME?”.

1. Brian Caption: We messaged and e-mailed back and forth for a few weeks, and we really learned a lot about each other.
2. Brian Caption: Her messages always made me smile. And I threw on the charm like nobody’s business.
3. Brian Caption: The chemistry set was on fire, and we could both feel it, so we finally decided to meet face to face over lunch.

Page 4, Panel Five

Flashback panel. Lisa and Brian are sitting at Starbucks. Customers are working on laptops or enjoying the company of their friends. The two lovebirds are closely talking, hanging on each and every word the other is saying. Lisa is gazing into Brian’s eyes, her hands propping her head up. Brian is burying a fist into the palm of his other hand.

1. Brian Caption: We parlayed lunch into a conversation at a Starbucks that lasted over four hours.
2. Brian: And that, in a nutshell, is The Dark Knight Returns.
3. Lisa: Yowza! You’re cooler than Tim McGraw!
4. Brian Caption: I like to think that’s when she fell in love with me, but I could be off by a couple seconds.

Page 4, Panel Six

Flashback panel. The parking lot of Starbucks. Lisa and Brian are standing by her car as Lisa hands Brian one of her business cards as she opens the driver’s side door.

1. Brian Caption: As we were both leaving, I asked Lisa if it would be possible if I could see her again. She flicked me her business card in response.
2. Lisa: I’d love to go out with you again. I had a lot of fun today Brian.
3. Brian: Me too. See ya!
4. Brian (quieter): Yowza!
5. Brian Caption: Our next date was out to dinner and a movie. And, as a bonus, it was the first time we shared a kiss.

PAGE 5

Page 5, Panel One

Flashback panel. The same panel as Page 2, Panel Five, only this time it’s for real. Brian and Lisa are gently kissing each other as various Dr. Who characters swirl around them cupid-like. Think geek romantic.

1. Brian Caption: Yeah, it was as cool as it looks.

Page 5, Panel Two

Flashback panel. The interior of Brian’s car. Giddy with delight over his newfound love, Brian glances at his dashboard to see the ghostly visage of Jeff, CEC owner…pork pie hat and all, cigarette dangling from his lips, arms crossed. Brian is extremely taken aback by his disillusion, but decides to hear him out anyway.

1. Brian Caption: It was weird. On the way home, I could’ve sworn I saw a little man appear.
2. Brian Caption: Right then and there, I knew everything was gonna be all right.
3. Jeff: Hey kid. Now that she’s hooked, I think it’s high time you relaxed with a nice book.
4. Jeff: Have I ever told you about Watchmen?
5. Brian Caption: He had, but I listened anyway.

Page 5, Panel Three

Flashback panel. Lisa and Brian are attempting to sleep on an air mattress in a tent. However, due to the rain outside, the tent is floating on about six inches of water, as they perilously get closer and closer to the tent’s entrance. Lisa looks absolutely frightened, pulling the sheets up over her face.

1. Brian Caption: The next few months were a blur. We were always together, and we did a bunch of stuff.
2. Brian Caption: Lisa had never really been camping, so we bought some gear and set off on Memorial Day for a fun, relaxing weekend.
3. Lisa: That had seriously better be water.
4. Brian: Well this sucks.
5. Brian: Our tent had other plans.

Page 5, Panel Four

Flashback panel. The exterior of Brian’s truck. There are two sets of legs hanging out the window as the rain lightly falls.

1. Brian Caption: But it was cool. We just slept in the truck instead.

Page 5, Panel Five

Flashback panel. Lisa’s annual family gathering at a park or picnic area. Tied between two trees hangs a banner reading, “ACTION in JACKSON”. Lisa is off in the background talking with a small group of family members, while others play catch, lounge at picnic tables, and eat corn on the cob. Brian is slowly sipping a drink from a plastic cup, talking to Erica, Lisa’s younger cousin. Erica is smiling at Brian, and the two seem to genuinely like each other.

1. Brian Caption: At Lisa’s annual family gathering, her cousin Erica planted the seed that became that in which you are currently attending.
2. Brian Caption: Or reading about.
3. Brian Caption: Or…whatever.
4. Erica: So you gonna marry her or what?
5. Brian: That cool?
6. Erica: You’d better. I like you.
7. Lisa: What are you guys talking about over there?
8. Brian and Erica: Nothing!

Page 5, Panel Six

Flashback panel. Brian is at a jewelry store scratching his head as he picks out Lisa’s engagement ring.

1. Brian Caption: So, I was all set.
2. Brian: That’s the one.

PAGE 6

Page 6, Panel One

Flashback panel. The interior of BW3. Brian and Lisa are seated at a booth waiting for their food. Brian’s hands are cupped in front of Lisa, and are trembling slightly. Lisa just stares at his hands, not knowing what they conceal.

1. Brian Caption: We were out to lunch when I popped the question. I was totally calm about the entire thing.
2. Brian: So…uhh…do you maybe…wanna…
3. Lisa: Are you doing what I think you’re doing?

Page 6, Panel Two

Flashback panel. Now it’s Lisa’s turn to cup her hands over her face as Brian unclasps his, revealing the ring that lay inside. Tears begin to form at the corners of Lisa’s eyes as she nods her head in disbelief.

1. Brian Caption. I told her she didn’t have to answer right away, but surprise, surprise, she eventually said yes!
2. Brian: You’ve got until you graduate.
3. Lisa: I love you.
4. SFX Caption: BRRINGGG!!! BRRINGGG!!!

Page 6, Panel Three

The interior of Brian and Lisa’s house. Brian is once again on his cell phone trying to be manly by wiping away the tears that were beginning to form at the corners of HIS eyes as he recounted that special day.

1. Lisa (over phone): You knew I was gonna say yes, you big softie.
2. Brian: I know…I like to create a mood of dramatic suspense.
3. Brian: How are you doing, baby?
4. Lisa (over phone): Good. Almost done with everything. I should be home in a little bit.
5. Lisa (over phone): You know, if you’re gonna cry, there’s Kleenex in the bathroom.
6. Lisa (over phone): Bye!

Page 6, Panel Four

Brian looks sheepishly at the audience.

1. Brian: I…I wasn’t crying.
2. Brian (quieter): I wasn’t.

Page 6, Panel Five

Flashback panel. Split panel. The first side has Lisa walking past a massage and nail salon with her head bowed low. The second side is Brian, at his local comic book store tearfully parting ways with a stack of new releases, hand dramatically draped across his forehead, not wanting to let go of his books.

1. Brian Caption: You know what you need for a wedding? Money.
2. Brian Caption: A lot of money.
3. Brian Caption: So we had to go without the stuff that we usually care about so much. Lisa had to cut out getting pedicures and being pampered, and I…
4. Brian Caption: I had to stop buying comic books to save cash.
5. Brian Caption: That is until…

PAGE 7

Page 7, Panel One

Flashback panel. The interior of Brian and Lisa’s house. The couple are relaxing on the couch watching television when they are both startled by a breaking news bulletin. On the TV are pictures of Captain America and a closed casket.

1. Television: This just in! Captain America is dead! We repeat, the Soldier of Liberty has been assassinated! We bring you live to…
2. Brian: Honey, I…
3. Lisa: Go baby. Go.

Page 7, Panel Two

Flashback panel. Brian at the comic book store, desperately clutching the death of Captain America issue. Though somber, he is prancing around the shop doing the cabbage patch, oblivious to the steady stream of onlookers.

1. Brian Caption: And see? That’s one of the thousands of reasons that I love Lisa. Not only is she loving, forgiving, and sweet…
2. Brian Caption: …she gets me. Like no one else.
3. Brian: My fiancée is the coolest! My fiancée is the coolest!

Page 7, Panel Three

The interior of Brian and Lisa’s house. Lisa is walking in through the front door with loads of bags wrapped around her wrists. Se even has a small one hanging from her mouth. Brian leaps from the couch to help her.

1. Lisa: C’n u melf me?
2. Brian: Yes I can help you. Here.

Page 7, Panel Four

Brian grabs the bag from Lisa’s mouth and gently kisses her on the lips as she begins to set the bags down.

1. Lisa: What was that for?
2. Brian: ‘Cause. You sure you don’t want to run? There’s still time y’know.
3. Lisa: Nah. The invites are already in the mail.
4. Lisa: That’s a lot of postage.

Page 7, Panel Five

As Lisa drops the last bag, she glances at the audience. Brian goes back to sitting on the couch, with Lisa soon following.

1. Lisa: They’re still here?
2. Brian: Yeah. We had to stall them with something until the food came.
3. Lisa: Man, this was the best we could come up with?
4. Brian: It was either this or ask your uncle to start up a game of charades.
5. Lisa: Brrr…

PAGE 8

Page 8, Panel One

Lisa and Brian wave goodbye to the audience.

1. Brian: Later guys! Have fun tonight!
2. Lisa: Don’t forget to tell me how pretty I am in my dress!

Page 8, Panel Two

Lisa waves her fist at the audience.

1. Lisa: Don’t…forget…
2. Brian: I’d tell her if I were you…

Page 8, Panel Three

Large panel. Brian and Lisa are both in their wedding attire facing each other, holding hands.

1. Caption: The beginning!

New pages...

2008-07-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are the first two pages of the new book Kurt and I are currently working on. It's a mature readers book about the two of us trying to get the comic stuff of the ground, and trying to be taken seriously in the comic industry. I'll be posting a few pages from time to time...

PAGE 1

Page 1, Panel One

The vast expanse of outer space. Asteroids blast through the darkness as numerous stars and suns orbit their planetary bodies. Shooting from the top left corner of the panel is a tiny spacecraft, and conversely, rocketing from the upper right corner of the panel is another ship. Different in form but not in purpose, the two ships are on a collision course with each other. And destiny.

1. Caption: “It is a story that is familiar yet different at the same time.
2. Caption: “For our world to be forever changed, these two…
3. Caption2: “Dude.
4. Caption: “Uh…these two ships will have to…
5. Caption2: “Dude! Seriously.
6. Caption: “They…they’ll have to…
7. Caption2: “For the love of Christ!

Page 1, Panel Two

Same scene as Panel One. The two ships have almost met each other in the center of the panel. Entering the panel from the right corner is the lovely Kurt L. Wood. Circa 2008, Kurt is wearing a green military style hat and sporting a Nuclear Man t-shirt. Visibly angered, he’s wagging his hands in the air, talking to someone off-panel to the left.

1. Kurt: C’mon man! What the hell are you doing?
2. Kurt: What is this? Space?
3. Kurt: You have us meeting in space?
4. Kurt: Real fucking original.

Page 1, Panel Three

The beautiful Kevin J. Smith enters the panel from the left. Wearing a button-up collared shirt, he glares as Kurt begins to tug at the space scene behind him, pulling it down, crumpling it to the ground. Kevin looks disgusted by his partner’s obvious lack of respect for his craft.

1. Kevin: Hey, hey!
2. Kevin: What the hell man?
3. Kevin: What are you doing to my set-up scene? It’s the basis for this whole book!
4. Kurt: This is supposed to be a bio-comic.

Page 1, Panel Four

Sneering, Kevin gets in Kurt’s face, waving a fist at him, while Kurt is mashing his foot on the remains of the space scene, unseen on the bottom of the panel. There is absolutely nothing in the background of the panel.

1. Kevin: It is. I’m just taking a few artistic liberties with the story.
2. Kevin: Most writers do it, y’know.
3. Kurt: Do most writers always use first person narration to tell their stories too?
4. Kurt: ‘Cause you use that a lot. In like every book we’ve ever done.
5. Kevin: It establishes a voice. Gives the readers someone to connect to, dumbass.
6. Kurt: It’s kinda hacky is all.

PAGE 2

Page 2, Panel One

Wheeling backwards, Kevin looks genuinely hurt by Kurt’s comments. He decides to strike back. There still are no backgrounds in the panel.

1. Kevin: Hacky? We’re talking hacky now?
2. Kurt: My artwork isn’t hacky. It’s got a general flow to it. Minimalist. Makes it easy for the reader to follow.
3. Kevin: It sure does. It’s real easy to follow sparse artwork with no detail.
4. Kevin: Nice backgrounds by the way.
5. Kevin: Real meticulous.

Page 2, Panel Two

Kurt looks at the background, his hands batting the top of his head. Kevin stands off to the left, his arms crossed, feeling that he got the final, best word in. There are still no backgrounds in the panel.

1. Kurt: This is what your script called for! Nothing in the background!
2. Kevin: I know.
3. Kevin: I just figured you’d use some artistic liberties.
4. Kevin: Artist.

Page 2, Panel Three

Now it’s Kurt’s turn to get in Kevin’s face, his right fist balled up and wagging above Kevin’s head. Kevin has a ‘bring it on’ look plastered on his face. There are still no backgrounds in the panel.

1. Kurt: You know what?
2. Kevin: What?
3. Kurt: Let’s settle this right now!
4. Kevin: Fine! You wanna go to Chili’s?
5. Kurt: Oh, you bet I do asshole!

Page 2, Panel Four

Completely blank panel.

Page 2, Panel Five

Kevin and Kurt return to the panel holding each other’s hand. Kevin has nacho chip crumbs all over the front of his shirt, and Kurt has a ring of what appears to be salsa around his mouth. Both look settled and serene, the past anger from the previous panels completely melted away.

1. Kevin: Chili’s. I swear, is there anything your bottomless chips and salsa can’t resolve?
2. Kurt: I concur. Friends?
3. Kevin: Uurp! Only for, like, ever!
4. Kevin (quiet): I love you.
5. Kurt: What?
6. Kevin: Nothing.

Well, well. We meet again blog...

2008-07-08T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

Haven't posted in a bit (decompressing from both the Chicago-Con, and a bbq that the missus and I put on this past weekend), but all is well. WizardWorld went really well for Kurt and I. We sold a bunch of our swag (and a lot of it was to random people, not friends!), and we got the word out about Brandon's Little Problem a little more. Kurt was uber-successful with his commissioned artwork, and his sketch cards almost completely sold out! All in all, we made some new friends, made some cash, and had a great time! Thanks to everyone who supported us and pick something up! On the writing front, I have officially started on the next book Kurt and I will be doing...I hope to get him the first few pages by Thursday, and I'll post them on here in a few days...

The table

2008-06-26T18:37:00.001-07:00

So Kurt's down in Chicago, and I got this pic from him of our table o' goodies and figured I'd share...

Off to Wizard World Chicago!

2008-06-26T09:05:00.001-07:00

Kurt and I are off to Rosemont, Ill. this weekend for the Wizard World Chicago comic convention! Kurt's probably already on his way down, and I'll be leaving tomorrow morning, so I'll miss the Preview Night. We'll be down there shilling (of course) out our book Brandon's Little Problem, and our new Imaginary Tales Comics t-shirts. Along with all that fun swag, Kurt'll be doing his commission thing, and he's also got a bunch of head sketch cards available too. Check out his blog for a bit of the art. We'll be in the Artist's Alley at table 5716, so please stop over and say hello, and if you dig our stuff, pick something out in support of ITC. A quick update on other ITC happenings...we've begun working on our new book, a one-shot about the two of us doing an indie all-ages comic, so if you ask nicely, you may just get to read a few pages of the script even before Kurt does! Anyway, for more info on the con, check out http://www.wizardworld.com/, and we hope to see you there!

Wedding comic script

2008-05-28T17:42:00.000-07:00

I got married last May (this week is actually our one year anniversary), and Kurt and I did an 8 page comic about how Brooke and I met that was passed out at the ceremony. Here's the script that Kurt turned into beautiful pictures. The actual finished pages can be seen at http://www.imaginarytales.com/.

PAGE 1

Page 1, Panel One

The interior of a bridal shop. Think a David’s Bridal type store with dresses everywhere, shoe boxes stacked up, and other wedding accessories littering the expanse of the shop. Sitting on a couch near the dressing rooms are Kevin, (yes, I AM referring to myself in the third person for this. It’s easier), and Brooke. Kevin looks very relaxed, excited to tell his story to his invisible audience, but Brooke seems antsy, as if there are a lot of different, and obviously more important, things she needs to get accomplished. She’s glaring at Kevin, not angry, but distracted. A notebook of things to do for the wedding dangles haphazardly from her right hand.

1. Kevin: Hi everyone!
2. Brooke: Uhh honey, who are you talking to?
3. Kevin: Them.
4. Brooke: Them who?
5. Kevin: The people who’re gonna be reading this.

Page 1, Panel Two

Brooke turns her gaze to the ‘reader’ that Kevin is staring so intently at. She apparently does not see what he is seeing. Kevin is waving at the ‘reader’.

1. Brooke: Reading this.
2. Kevin: Yeah, this wedding comic.
3. Brooke: Right…
4. Brooke: Are you acting like this because you didn’t wanna come here today?
5. Kevin: You mean you can’t see them? They’re right there. Say hi to your family.
6. Kevin: Hi new family! Hi old family!

Page 1, Panel Three

Kevin and Brooke look at each other. Brooke has a very quizzical look on her face, but she’s smiling nonetheless. She is making the famous ‘quote, unquote’ signs that I do so love. Kevin just glances at her, half amused, half serious.

1. Kevin: What?
2. Brooke: You are so weird sometimes, you know that?
3. Kevin: Am not.
4. Brooke: OK, so, what exactly are we telling our ‘family and friends’?
5. Kevin: Our story. In eight pages or less of course.
6. Brooke: Oh, of course. Well, go ahead I guess.

Page 1, Panel Four

Kevin turns back to the reader, casually crossing his leg and propping his elbows on it. Brooke just looks at her wedding notebook, a look of insurmountable stress washing over her face. She has a lot of stuff to do, and Kevin’s not helping.

1. Kevin: AHEM! It all started back in October of 1979, when…

Page 1, Panel Five

Brooke launches up from her seat next to Kevin on the couch and makes her way to the changing rooms on the right side of the panel. Speed lines materialize behind her. Brooke’s moving quickly. She doesn’t have time to sit around while Kevin goes that far back into their story. She needs to try on dress and accessories. Kevin, obviously, does not. Kevin looks bewildered as to why she doesn’t want to help him continue his story.

1. Brooke: I’m so out of here.
2. Kevin: What’s wrong? Where’re you going?
3. Brooke: I have to try on dresses and stuff. I’ll listen from here.
4. Brooke: Make sure you don’t lie too much.
5. Kevin (quiet): You lie.
6. Brooke: I heard that!

PAGE 2

Page 2, Panel One

Kevin sprawls out on the couch and resumes his tale. There is an attendant from the bridal store that follows Brooke into the changing room. She gives Kevin a curious glance as she passes by.

1. Kevin: OK, I’ll fast forward a little bit. It was late October, 2003, and I was celebrating my 24th birthday at the BBC, an Eastside bar.
2. Brooke (OP): Umm…honey? It wasn’t a bar. I mean, I would’ve only been 19 then, and I never stepped foot in a bar until I was 21.
3. Kevin: No, it was the BBC. Don’t you remember, I thought you were older, but you showed me your fake ID?
4. Brooke (OP): No, no, I never had a…I mean…why would I have…that’s just…
5. Kevin: Honey, they had to find out sometime. It lessens the brunt if it’s in comic book form. Trust me.

Page 2, Panel Two

Brooke’s head pops out from the changing room area. The veil on her head is crooked, and part of it is covering her eyes. She looks toward the ‘reader’, a nervous over exaggerated smile plastered across her face. Kevin also looks at the reader, winking. He is obviously amused by the whole situation.

1. Brooke: I love you Mom!

Page 2, Panel Three

Brooke pulls the veil out of her eyes and shoots a menacing glare toward Kevin. He just smiles back at her.

1. Brooke (quiet): You are so dead when we get home…
2. Kevin: I love you too baby! Good luck in there!

Page 2, Panel Four

Flashback panel. I’m thinking that the flashback panels would work best with rounded edges instead of square ones, but it’s artist’s choice. The interior of the BBC. It’s your typical college area bar, packed with people drinking, playing pool, putting money in the jukebox, etc. There is a banner over the pool table area that reads “Happy 25th Jason, and Happy 24th Kevin!!!”. Kevin is standing in the middle of the panel, talking to Jessica and a handful of other people. One of them is Brooke.

1. Kevin Caption: So anyway, my friend Jessica comes to the party with a group of people, and introduces me to the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen in my life.
2. Jessica: Happy birthday Kevin! I want to introduce you to someone. This is Brooke. Brooke, this is Kevin.
3. Brooke: Hi.
4. Kevin: Hey.

Page 2, Panel Five

Flashback panel. Kevin and Brooke embrace each other in a passionate kiss in front of the entire bar. The people surrounding them look surprised and a few of them begin to clap.

1. Kevin Caption: And I guess things just escalated from there.

PAGE 3

Page 3, Panel One

In the bridal shop, Kevin is sitting there with his hands folded behind his head, a dreamy glaze washed over his eyes. Brooke’s hand has emerged from the changing room, and is pointing an accusatory finger Kevin’s way.

1. Brooke (op): That’s not the way it happened and you know it!
2. Kevin: I know. Would’ve been hot though huh?
3. Brooke (op): Just tell the truth!
4. Kevin: OK, OK. Jeez…haven’t you ever heard of using a little artistic license?

Page 3, Panel Two

Flashback panel. Kevin and Brooke share a quiet moment in a corner, away from all the buzz of the bar. Brooke is brushing her hair out of her eyes, and Kevin is looking at the floor unable to make eye contact.

1. Kevin Caption: Still, I laid the groundwork that night. Jessica told me Brooke already had a boyfriend, so what did I have to lose right? Anyway, I was a bit tipsy.
2. Brooke Caption: You were drunk.
3. Kevin Caption: I was drunk.
4. Kevin: Hey, uhh…when you realize your boyfriend’s a tool, have Jessica give you my phone number, OK?
5. Brooke: Yeah…yeah, I will.

Page 3, Panel Three

Flashback panel. Yet another drinking establishment. Kevin is sitting with a few friends at the bar, notably Jessica. Kevin sticks his hand out to Jessica.

1. Kevin Caption: Flash forward a little bit over a year. Brooke and I had seen each other numerous occasions since our initial meeting, but she was still with her boyfriend, and I had had some…colorful relationships…
2. Brooke Caption: To say the least.
3. Kevin Caption: …and we hadn’t seen each other for a while.
4. Kevin: Hey, have you talked to Brooke?
5. Jessica: Yeah, her and her boyfriend broke up.
6. Kevin Your phone please…

Page 3, Panel Four

Flashback panel. Kevin is using Jessica’s cell phone to call Brooke. He looks a little nervous, but there is a fire in his eyes as he dials.

1. Kevin: Hey, Brooke?
2. Kevin: Hey, it’s Kevin. What’s up?
3. Kevin: So…how’ve you been?

Page 3, Panel Five

Flashback panel. Split panel. In one half of the panel, Kevin is laying on his bed, kicking his legs around in a circular pattern as he talks on his cell phone. As this is his old apartment, various comic book posters adorn the walls, and there are action figures strewn about the room. In the other half of the panel, Brooke is sitting cross-legged on her bed, with a pillow in her lap also talking on her cell phone. There are Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp posters on her walls.

1. Kevin Caption: For the next few weeks we talked every night, sometimes for hours. But, neither of us could work up the courage to ask the other out on a date.
2. Brooke Caption: I never had Johnny Depp posters on my walls!
3. Kevin Caption: I imagined you did. Depp and me have so much in common.
4. Brooke Caption: Like I have a lot in common with Natalie Portman?
5. Kevin Caption: Touché.

Page 3, Panel Six

Flashback panel. Close up of Kevin’s cell phone.

1. Kevin Caption: Finally, one of us took the initiative.
2. Brooke Caption: You’re really admitting it was me that asked you out? Finally?
3. Kevin Caption: What can I say? I’m a non-traditionalist.
4. Cell Phone Text: To: Kevin
From: Brooke
When are we gonna go out on a date?

PAGE 4

Page 4, Panel One

Back at the bridal shop. Kevin is standing up carrying about ten boxes of shoes over to the dressing rooms. He’s visibly having trouble maintaining his balance as he sets them down by the door.

1. Kevin: Here you go baby!
2. Brooke (op): Thanks hon! Don’t come in here though, you can’t see the dress.
3. Kevin: OK, I’ll just continue the fairy tale then?
4. Brooke (op): You are so weird…
5. Kevin: And you love it!
6. Kevin Caption: Anyway, we went on our first date…

Page 4, Panel Two

Flashback panel. The interior of an Alterra coffee shop. Customers are working on laptops or enjoying the company of their friends. It is a double level coffee shop, and in the upper right hand corner, Kevin and Brooke are sitting at a small table conversing with each other.

1. Kevin Caption: We went out for coffee at Alterra, and then we went to the Vox for a couple of drinks afterwards.
2. Brooke Caption: And I was of age now!
3. Kevin: Blah, blah, comics, blah, blah…
4. Brooke: Blah, blah, psychology, blah, blah…

Page 4, Panel Three

Flashback panel. Kevin and Brooke are sitting at the Vox with a few drinks covering the expanse of the tabletop. There are various patrons all around them, but our protagonists are obvious to them all. If possible, maybe have the crowd surrounding them just be sketched or faded somewhat to show that their main focus is just on each other. However, Brooke has a bit of drool coming out of the right corner of her mouth. Either she is wiping it away, or the light in the bar is glinting off of it.

1. Brooke Caption: I even drooled on myself at the Vox! I was so embarrassed!
2. Brooke Caption: I thought that I would never see this boy again!
3. Kevin Caption: To no one’s surprise, I thought it was the cutest thing ever. I’m cool like that…
4. Brooke Caption: Or severely disturbed…

Page 4, Panel Four

Flashback panel. The interior of Kevin and Ryan’s apartment. There are action figures and comic books everywhere. Like, everywhere. Brooke is sitting on Kevin’s couch, and he has his head in her lap. They are still talking.

1. Kevin Caption: After we left the Vox, we came back to my house for a little bit.
2. Brooke Caption: You totally thought you were gonna get some.
3. Kevin Caption: Did not! I was playing it cool as a cucumber.
4. Kevin: Blah, blah, zombies, blah, blah…
5. Brooke: Blah, blah, Hanson, blah, blah…
6. Brooke Caption: I did not bring up my love of Hanson on our first date. It…it was like the second or third…

Page 4, Panel Five

Flashback panel. Interior of Kevin’s super-awesome Dodge Neon. Kevin and Brooke are sitting in the front seats, and Kevin has just pulled the car into park at the front door of Brooke’s apartment. Both look extremely nervous.

1. Kevin Caption: We talked for a really long time, but I knew I had to drop her off at her house eventually. I drove her home, and then came the inevitable awkward silence…
2. Brooke Caption: I didn’t think he wanted to kiss me…
3. Kevin Caption: So she just got out of the car. Yup. Just left.
4. Brooke Caption: I was waiting for you to make a move!
5. Kevin Caption: I have no moves!!!

Page 4, Panel Six

Back at the bridal shop. Kevin is looking at the price tags on the various items that have accumulated on the couch next to him. His mouth is agape. Brooke is walking out of the changing rooms, all smiles as she has her hands full with even more highly expensive items from the store. She is also looking at the ‘reader’, now able to see them properly.

1. Brooke: K, baby! I think I’m all set here for now. But we have to come back to get the signature book and ring bearer pillow and other stuff in a few weeks.
2. Kevin (Quiet): $150 for a bra?!...
3. Brooke: We should probably go home and address some of the invitations anyway…
4. Brooke: Oh hey! I didn’t even see you guys there!

PAGE 5

Page 5, Panel One

The interior of Kevin and Brooke’s house. You’ve been here before, but feel free to draw it however you want to. Kevin and Brooke are sitting on their couch in a similar fashion to the way they were sitting on the couch in the bridal shop. Brooke, sitting with her hands folded in her lap, is still extremely happy-go-lucky. Kevin looks absolutely exhausted, a five o’clock shadow covering his face. He is shaking slightly. On the coffee table in front of them are mountains of wedding invitations and envelopes.

1. Caption: Six hours later…
2. Brooke: Awesome! We got all our invitation stuff done. You can finish up your story now hon!
3. Kevin: So…so cold…mouth so…dry…

Page 5, Panel Two

Flashback panel. Interior of Kevin’s car. Same style shot as Page 4, Panel Five. Brooke is quickly exiting the car, with Kevin helplessly watching.

1. Kevin Caption: Cough! So yeah, the first date ended with no goodnight kiss. Nada.
2. Kevin Caption: So, I called her up the next night and told her to stop by the house…and bam!
3. Brooke: Bye!

Page 5, Panel Three

Flashback panel. Big panel focusing on Kevin and Brooke as they share their first passionate kiss. There are a bunch of different comic book characters (Spidey, Superman, etc.) flying around them with Cupid bows and arrows. Think geek romantic.

1. Kevin Caption: First kiss!
2. Brooke Caption: Which I, yet again, initiated.
3. Kevin Caption (Quiet): You always take the credit for everything…
4. Brooke Caption: What?
5. Kevin Caption: Nothing!
6. Kevin Caption: And from there, I knew this was the girl for me!

Page 5, Panel Four

Flashback panel. It’s Christmas time, and Kevin and Brooke are sitting by their tree in the dining room. Kevin is down on bended knee, holding out an engagement ring. Brooke is sitting cross legged on the floor, her hands cupped over her mouth and nose.

1. Kevin Caption: So much so that I figured there was no point in trying to fight it. So I proposed.
2. Brooke Caption: It was so sweet! He led me on a treasure hunt throughout the whole house, and the final clue was all about him. When I looked at him…
3. Kevin Caption: …I did the whole bended knee thing. Yeah, I’m that good.

PAGE 6

Page 6, Panel One

Back in the living room. Brooke is lying on the couch with her feet in Kevin’s lap. He is playing with her toes.

1. Brooke: Don’t let it go to you head.
2. Kevin: But it was pretty cool. That’s all I’m saying.
3. Kevin: No conceit.
4. Brooke: Anyway, we decided it was probably for the best to move it together.

Page 6, Panel Two

Flashback panel. Brooke is moving in to Kevin’s house. Kevin is trying to lift Brooke’s dresser off of his foot as Brooke watches helplessly, trying not to laugh. Kevin has a look of extreme pain on his face in the form of a grimace.

1. Kevin Caption: It was purely for financial reasons.
2. Brooke Caption: Uhh…yeah. Financial.
3. Kevin: My piggy toe!!!

Page 6, Panel Three

Flashback panel. Brooke is holding one of their cats as Kevin is eye to eye with the other one. In the foreground, there is a pile of cat poop.

1. Kevin Caption: And from there, things just kinda fell into place.
2. Kevin Caption: We got some cats…
3. Brooke: Sorry babe, it’s your turn to clean it up.
4. Kevin: Grr…

Page 6, Panel Four

Flashback panel. Kevin and Brooke are sitting on the couch watching TV. Brooke is sitting with her knees up to her chin, with her hands covering her eyes. Kevin is intently starring at the television.

1. Kevin Caption: We watch a lot of movies.
2. Kevin Caption: We take turns. One day we watch a movie I want to watch, like Dawn of the Dead,
3. TV: You’ve got to shoot them in the head!

Page 6, Panel Five

Flashback panel. Kevin and Brooke are sitting on the couch watching TV. Kevin is sitting with his knees up to his chin, with his hands covering his eyes. Brooke is intently starring at the television.

1. Kevin Caption: …and the next day we watch a movie she wants to watch, like The Notebook.
2. Brooke Caption: Yea Notebook!
3. TV: It’s love, it’s as simple as that. It’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen.

Page 6, Panel Six

Flashback panel. Interior of Chili’s. Kevin and Brooke are sitting there with Kurt and Cori enjoying their wonderful, wonderful Chili’s meal.

1. Kevin Caption: We go to Chili’s a bunch…
2. Brooke Caption: Chili’s rocks!

PAGE 7

Page 7, Panel One

Flashback panel. Kevin and Brooke are leaning against the counters in their kitchen, arms crossed, not facing each other.

1. Kevin Caption: And yeah, we argue sometimes…
2. Brooke: I can’t believe you thought that was a funny thing to say…
3. Kevin: It was…it really was…was…not the right thing to say.
4. Kevin: Sorry.
5. Brooke: I’m sorry too.
6. Kevin Caption: …but we get over it really quick.

Page 7, Panel Two

Flashback panel. A bowling alley. Kevin is high-fiving Brooke as she walks down from throwing a gutter ball.

1. Brooke Caption: Yeah, we’re so lame we even go bowling!
2. Kevin: Good job baby! You got a 63 that game! You’re getting so much better!
3. Brooke Caption: We’re not that great though.

Page 7, Panel Three

Flashback panel. Kevin and Brooke are sitting on the floor of their living room kissing, with dinner and candles laid out before them. Their cats are curiously looking at them.

1. Kevin Caption: We even find a little time for romance…
2. Brooke: I love you.
3. Kevin: Love ya too!

Page 7, Panel Four

Back in their living room. Kevin and Brooke are both sitting up on the couch now, and Brooke has one of the cats in her lap.

1. Kevin: So there you have it. That’s pretty much our relationship.
2. Brooke: And in a tidy little 8 page comic book. Convenient, huh?
3. Kevin: Now’s the time when we open this up to a little Q and A session. So, who’s first?
4. Kevin: Anyone?

Page 7, Panel Five

Same panel as Page 7, Panel Four.

Page 7, Panel Six

Same panel.

1. Brooke: I don’t even think they read it this far.

PAGE 8

Page 8, Panel One

Kevin and Brooke get up from the couch. The cat jumps off of Brooke’s lap.

1. Kevin: Well, for those of you who stuck it out, thanks for listening!
2. Brooke: Yeah thanks! Have fun at our wedding, and thanks for coming!
3. Kevin: And for the gifts!

Page 8, Panel Two

Brooke glares at Kevin.

1. Kevin: Thanks!

Page 8, Panel Three

Large panel. Kevin and Brooke are both in their wedding attire facing each other, holding hands.

1. Caption: The beginning!

BLP gets a review!

2008-05-22T14:20:00.001-07:00

Hey guys,

The entire Brandon's Little Problem series got reviewed at http://www.thepullbox.com/ today! We got a C, which last time I checked was pretty darn average. They did have some nice things to say about our craft...I basically look at it as they like Kurt's art, they like my scripting, they just weren't so keen on the premise of the book itself. My fault. But hell, the new FF by Mark Millar got a B, so there! Check out the whole review at their site...

Oh, and we got our new logo shirts in yesterday! They're brown with the ITC logo in yellow, and we've got sizes from S - XXL. They turned out pretty swank, and they're only 10 bucks. I'd buy two!

Copying ideas is fun!

2008-05-20T15:44:00.001-07:00

So I got an e-mail from a one Mr. Kurt Wood yesterday informing me (and a few others) of his new blog, promoting his beautiful illustrations as well as our co-creation, Brandon's Little Problem. And I figured it was a good idea, this having a blog thing. So, copying his idea, here's my blog! I'll be digging up some stuff from time to time to post here, as well as new news about ITC and what we're doing next! For starters, Brandon's Little Problem # 4 debuted at The Oconocon the beginning of this month, and for those of you who weren't able to get your sweaty mitts on it, here's the cover.