Well, something is happening (but I don't know what it is)
Skingirl issue 2 chaos, Dictionnaire Infernal, and Cowboy Chris returns...
Without any context, here’s a preview of a project I’m working on with the talented and infuriatingly hard-working Yiğit Çakar:
I’ve been having dreams about this project (first clue). And I’ve got a deadline for the first scene tomorrow…gulp…
Here at Rebirth Yeti Collective West Coast, I’m still ass-deep in notes and looking for the light. This is what Skingirl issue two looks like now….
I think maybe it’s been difficult to spend any time with my girl Skingirl in Hell. It feels a bit like an escape, at a time when escaping feels a little…wrong?
It’s also been what, like a year since I wrote issue one, so getting back into that mode has been a little weird. I started the process thinking, “I’m just going to give some very talented artists something to work on,” but now that the character’s real, I feel responsible for her. I feel indebted to my creative team. I feel…pressure.
As I’ve learned before, there is something to be said for letting go, dropping the expectations and having fun. Funny how quickly that fun can slip away and the what ifs can slip in.
Well, after a few false starts, I know where we’re going, and it involves some inspiration from the Dictionnaire Infernal, written in 1863 by Jacques Collin de Plancy, as well as some steampunk elements, and even a little Star Wars influence. We’ve also cracked the “real” name of our main character….
So without spoiling things too much, let’s crack open that demonic dictionary and take a look.
Honestly, I would be a little terrified if I saw this bad boy flying toward me, especially if I was driving through a lonely forest at night.
What about this handsome bird:
Who knew Hell had such bureaucracy. A count, a president, what next…a minority whip? If only our president had to actually do some building. Who am I kidding. He can barely deal with a sandbag.
Up next, my personal favorite. Not super “demonic,” but the way he’s looking at us….*shiver*. Also, what is in his belly?
Nope…not another politician but a sommelier. His strength lies in his loins? I don’t know about that, but he’s got some strong belly hair. I think these demonologists have been reading whatever the 19th century equivalent of ACOTAR is. A lot of disguises in the demon world. I have a feeling he has ambition beyond being a simple cupbearer. We shall see…
And finally, Cowboy Chris returns…apparently to get his ass beat.
It never is one thing, is it? Cowboy Chris has put up with a lot of BS, and sometimes it is just about getting up and remembering who you are.
And just so you know…I describe each of these comics in alt text (which Substack does not make it easy to add). Just in case one of our readers is blind or low vision and using a screen reader. Comics is a field that could really embrace more accessibility. Here’s an example of my description:
A six panel comic titled “something is never just one thing”. In the first panel, Cowboy Chris is getting punched with a Klang. Narration reads “It always comes to this.” In the second, another punch from the mysterious assailant, who says “Get out of my city, shitbag” POW. Cowboy Chris, on his knees says “I’d like to, but…you keep kicking my ass.” The assailant kicks him while he’s down, saying “Try harder.” Baawk! Narration reads “Things go dark here for a second, but then I remember…” “Who the fuck I am.” Cowboy Chris says “This stops now, slim…” The attacker says “It stops when I say it st…” In the last panel, Cowboy Chris whips out his six shooter and Blam Blam Blam Blam right to the head of our martial arts maniac. “It stops now,” he says.
Can’t wait to see what happens next! Appreciate the support. Give a like and a comment if you’re not a bot! And even if you are…I embrace our future overlords. I am one of the good humans!
Until we meet again,
D.M. Sayres