Here's what's next:

A few days ago I was asked if Teddy and the Yeti #3 was the end of the series.  It's not, of course, but I understand the question as it's been a few months between issues and everything that's come so far has had an ending to it - I haven't left too many "to be continued" questions (though there still is the issue of Ted's submarine abduction from issue #1...) and that was by design.  Even so, Duane and I are working hard on getting the next story finished so we can get it out to you, the discerning reader.  You are discerning, right?  Of course you are.

Above you'll see a preview of the next few issues/stories we'll be telling.  This page is going to be printed in the short promo book that I'll be taking with me to the New York Comic-Con, but I want to make it as available as possible for anyone to see, which is why I'm posting it here and will soon have it on the main website and Teddy and the Yeti's Facebook page.  So, hey - tell a friend and help me get the word out, if you would.

The art on this page is provided by Alan Gallo, who did a great job all around as usual.  I've included clues to the next three issues of Teddy and the Yeti (yes, Rusty will be in a story), even touching on some of the backup stories that appear in each issue.  I think the Andromeda Jones story, drawn by Nick Acs, will run in issue #5 as long as I get the art in on time.

Look for the special promo issue soon!  And issue #4 will be soon to follow!  Exciting stuff!

My apparent submarine obsession

It didn't hit me until I saw it.

Last month Duane sent over an inked copy of our first issue's page eight, which takes place, as you can see from the picture to the right, on a high-tech submarine out in the open water.  I had written the script calling for the sub, but until I saw the finished product I didn't realize that I, apparently, have some weird fascination with the water-faring craft.  I can't explain it, but it must be true.

A few years ago I wrote a short story titled "The Deep," which was very ably handled art-wise by Jason Seabaugh, Rusty Gilligan and Adnan Virk.  The story deals with two poker-playing skeletons trapped on a sunken...wait for it...submarine.  Now, two appearances don't in and of themselves make for a mental disorder per se, but the fact that they keep sneaking into my subconscious is interesting nonetheless.  If you click on the picture, you'll see a clip from page eight of Teddy and the Yeti #1 on top, while the sub from "The Deep" is on bottom.  Great stuff from both art teams.

Spending time dwelling on these ships reminds me of a piece of my own history.  Like many people my age, I had a grandfather who served in World War II (the other barely missed being drafted, turning 18 in September of 1945 and being stationed in post-war Japan).  My father's father spent time aboard a submarine in the European theater, seeing active combat in what I could only guess would be a terrifying sequence of events the likes of which I'll never be able to comprehend.  His ship was attacked and hit with a torpedo that crashed through the hull, striking my grandfather and breaking his back.  The torpedo, however, was a dud and therefore did not explode (my grandfather, who also went blind from the incident, later regained his ability to walk and see, much to the doctor's amazement).

This is an incredible story of its own right, but when I think about how it pertains to me and my very existence...well, it's more than a little worrisome.  To think, the only reason I'm alive - the only reason my dad and uncles and aunt and sisters and cousins are alive for that matter - is because some Nazi building torpedoes screwed up and didn't do his job.

Kind of scary.