In between regular postings of This EMPIRE are “yesteryear” strips and sketches. 

Please note: For more information click on an image or text highlighted in Navy Blue.

Related Strips: Episode Preview

Production drives on for another batch comics, I am trying build up a buffer (hahaha) of some comics before I get back to regular posting. Unfortunately things have gone a bit awry in my parallel world things will continue with some hiccups. So in the meantime blog posts of making comics, and interesting stories to share. Up above is work in progress on comic 84, comic 83 is inked and needs to be scan. Something I continue to work on is setting the scene not just on eye level, talking heads shots. Trying to widen the camera angel to get a better scope of the situation / environment which can add some depth to storytelling.

Celebrating 30 Years of Usagi Yojimbo!

Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo (“rabbit bodyguard”) is 30 years old. First published in 1984 in the anthology Albedo Anthropormorphics #2, the samurai bunny then moved to Fantagraphics and their own anthropormorphic anthology, Critters. Usagi finally got his own book in 1986 and the rest, as they say, is history . . . and that’s something that plays an integral part in Sakai’s epic story of his ronin rabbit. Meticulously researched, Usagi Yojimbo has surpassed 200 issues, with 27 collections and an original graphic novel.”

– See more at Comic-Con Special Guest Stan Sakai
UsagiYojimbo-The-Last-Request

The image above is from LintikaFilms a proof of concept for a stop motion animation film Usagi Yojimbo – “The Last Request” click on the images / highlighted text to see what the studio put together so far.

In Memoriam, “into memory”

1976-JayAdams-Credit_GlenEFriedma

Jay Adams (1961– 2014) Professional Skateboarder

Jay Adams was an American skateboarder most prominently known as one of the original members of Z-Boys skateboarding team. He is known as “The Original Seed” of the sport and considered one of the most influential skateboarders of all time.”– Wikipedia

Read more at NPR Legendary Skateboarder Jay Adams Dies At 53

Read more at New York Times Jay Adams, Who Changed Skateboarding Into Something …

Lauren Bacall (1928 – 2014) Actress | Soundtrack

Read more at NPR “In Acting And In Life, Lauren Bacall ‘Loved The Idea Of Adventure”

Robin Williams (1928 – 2014) Actor | Soundtrack | Writer

“No words,” Billy Crystal 

*National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 

Thank you for reading, back to making comics.

Regards,

DGC

*Pardon the text format, it seems to be happening on previous posts, ugh growing pains*