To celebrate the day of my birth, I did one of my very favorite things to do: I made comics. I began working on the final art for the second chapter of BLINK: So It Goes.  (I'll be sure to post samples of the work as I go along.) Afterward, I reflected on the time I've spent on this fine Earth and what I have accomplished thus far.  I'd like to think that I've done okay.

This morning, I happened upon ZEN PENCILS (via the BuzzFeed website) which is a web comic by Australian illustrator, Gavin Aung Than.  Gavin turns inspirational quotes by wise/ intelligent/ compassionate people into wise/ intelligent/ compassionate and inspirational comics.

The comic that drew me to his site adapted a bit from Neil Gaiman's commencement address at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. After reading it, I followed Gavin's advice and stopped what I was doing and watched it.     And then I read it.  It's damned good.  (Cripes, it's Neil Gaiman! Of course it's good!)

And now, I'll stop futzing around online and follow Neil's advice (there's plenty to be had) and make a few mistakes ("...make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes...") and I will Make Good Art.

After months and months (or years and years, depending on the context), I am FINALLY done with “Wonka Wonka Kochalka” (chapter one of Blink: So It Goes). Oh, sure, the art and story for the book has been done since the end of February. And the Gallery Show has been hung at Wild Goose Creative since the beginning of March. And the book has been printed since the end of March. But the last bit of creative energy was spent on that (seemingly) Everlasting Gobstopper of a comic yesterday afternoon. 

I have spent the past two weeks with my ass glued to the seat, writing and rewriting commentary and formatting and reformatting and search through my many many sketchbooks and selecting sketches and notes to be included in the book, Behind The Sketchbook: The Making of Wonka Wonka Kochalka. My goal was to have it completed before SPACE, and that goal has been achieved. This “comic book commentary” book is also the last bit of creative work that I needed to get done in order to fulfill my  Kickstarter Campaign rewards. (I still have about a half dozen personalized drawings to do, but that’s another matter entirely—creatively speaking, that is).

So, what is Behind The Sketchbook?

It is what it says: a history of the making of “Wonka Wonka Kochalka.” It’s 40 pages of sketches and notes dating back to the creation of Blink herself (I start the whole thing off with the very first sketch of Blink from April 10, 2003) and then I ramble on and on with a very detailed account of what went into making the “Wonka” comic. From the very first inkling of the idea (it all began with a sketch dated February 24, 2004 with Blink reading a book and saying “Mm. Dreamy Kochalka”) until the bittersweet end, eight years later in 2012 (almost to the day).

Here are a few pages from the book:

 I know this kind of detailed history of a single comic book isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Maybe some die-hard Blink readers will buy it, I don’t know. I don’t care. I’ve been living with “Wonka” so long, I just had to get it all out of my system and this was the best way for me to do that.

And now it’s done.

But before I sign off from this post, I’m going to reprint what I wrote yesterday. It’s the last bit of commentary that appears in the book and I think it’s a nice send off to a story that’s been a long-time coming.

 “From The Beginning...”

Whew.

I am so glad to be done with writing this Behind The Sketchbook book! Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that I did it. The time and effort it took to put this “comic book commentary” together was totally worth it. Over the months it took to write and draw the “Wonka Wonka Kochalka” comic in 2011, I would tell people that the story had been knocking around in my sketchbook for years before. But I never felt that I was able to fully get my point across as to how much work I had already put into this story. How many years I struggled with a concept that had never been published—because it was never quite good enough and never meant to be published—until now. Now, this chapter of Blink is done and I can move on to the next one—the next chapter in the story of Blink (the character, compared to the story of Blink, the comic book).

Ugh.

I really can't stand writing this non-fiction, essay-type stuff. I try my best to be honest and true. Both to myself and the reader.

But I'm always worried about getting my facts wrong. Worried that the words I'm using are wrong. Worried the grammar's wrong. Worried the punctuation is wrong. (Thanks English teachers!) Worried that I'm being too loquacious and overstating my opinion. Worried that I'm missing some important tidbit of information that prevents my point from being crystal clear to the reader. Worried about... nothing.

I'm far more at ease writing fiction: slipping on the persona of some character I created and speaking through them.

But over the years of writing and drawing Blink, Sam and Hank, as I've gotten to know them through the dozen or so stories I've managed to complete and publish, through the hundreds of sketches and notes and...conversations I've had with them in my many many sketchbooks, I've come to accept that they have voices of their own and they speak through me. They have their own truths which they hold dear to themselves. And now with Kevin, Joshua and Amy, and a whole slew of new characters that will appear in the Blink graphic novels to come, there are more voices that will be heard.

More opinions to be expressed.

More truths to be revealed.

More honesty to be shared.

More sparks to be given life.

In the pages of a comic book.

I drew the image on the left in the Summer of last year (and I didn't even ask to have the gallery exhibit at Wild Goose until October). The photo on the right was taken two days ago at the Blink "Wonka Wonka Kochalka" Book Release Party.

Last year, it was mearly a fancy, and with diligent work, perseverence and the help of others, that dream became a reality. 

Oh! And check out this keen article about me an' Blink at The Other Paper. (Now, with less snark!) (Seriously though... in spite of the typical snarky/snide attitude T.O.P. has, they've always been very kind to me and Blink.)

Blink, Sam & Hank drawn by me, all paints by Matthew Swift

Of course, totally ripping off the master, Tom Chantrell. Prints available VERY soon!!!  

So, Thursday night was Gallery Night at Wild Goose Creative and it was oodles of fun with lots of friends and plenty of good food and great conversation. Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to stop by and visit! My friend Peter Parker Robert Walker was on the scene with his trusty camera snapping away.

Origami in Flight 

Delicious delectables by CK Catering

Reading… it’s fundamental!

Talkin’ about comics.

“Juxtaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence, intended to convey information and/or produce an aesthetic response in the reader.”

A little extra Blink art

Up Next, the WWK Book Release Party!

As wonderful an evening as Thursday night was, I need to share something else with you.

It’s been remarked to me that Blink comes off as an intriguing mix of realism and idealism. I’ll take that as a supreme compliment, since that’s exactly what I’m going for. In the Blink short, “Tilting at Landfills,” I used the following quote from Frederick H. Hedge, “What we need most is not so much to realize the ideal but idealize the real.”

I also believe that it’s a foolish thing to avoid seeing and engaging in reality, no matter what avenue we use to attempt our idealistic escape. Try as we might, we cannot evade what is real and true forever. Not the “reality” which we fear to be true, but the reality that is true. The reality that is undeniable, because it is right there, the reality which exists in front of our faces.

Just before the reception, I drove down the alleyway (pictured at left), behind Wild Goose and Rumba Café to park my borrowed car and unload my supplies for the evening’s festivities. As I slowly made my way down the uneven pavement, I passed by a man and woman, who were both dressed in shabby cloths, holding stuffed animals and looking through the trash bins. What I was a very real reflection of what happens on the final page of “Wonka Wonka Kochalka.” This is no coincidence. This is reality and I’m not interested in looking away from it any more.

But I did.

I saw this reality, the reality which I am writing about--amid the trash and refuse, and I didn’t stop. I kept on going because I had something “important” to do.

Now, I don’t feel guilty for not stopping. But I’d like to think that when I am presented with the opportunity to engage in that aspect of reality again

We’ve got the gallery show going on at Wild Goose (this Thursday is the Gallery Night Reception!).  I’ve had a few articles about me & the comic appear in (614) magazine and the OSU Lantern and I’m hoping for more. (not expecting, but hoping!)  I just received word that Blink: So Far got 2nd Place in the "General Category” for the 2011 SPACE Prize!  And to round out the month of awesomesauceness, I ordered the initial batch of copies of “Wonka Wonka Kochalka” and they’re expected to arrive at my doorstep on March 26th. (Which happens to be my mother’s 75th birthday)  

If I wasn’t so busy working on all sorts of comic book/gallery stuff that needs to get done ASAP, I’d totally make a cute sketch of Blink in a Darth Vader helmet.

Elijah Aaron & The Saturday Giant appear on the “Folkadelic” sign outside Wild Goose Creative on page 1

~::~

“When Death Comes” is from the 5-track EP of the same name. You can view the kick-ass video here and buy the album here.

~::~

and  Jason Quicksall actually performs his song, “Comic Book” on page 10 of the Wonka Wonka Kochalka book itself.

 ~::~ 

Rounding out the evening’s entertainment will be Bree Frick and Molly Winters (which are 2/3 of The Salty Caramels). They’ll be playing under the name The PSYCHOTIC BLONDES. 

I’m determined to include these girls in a future chapter of Blink, so stay tuned!

I just put in an order to local printing company Legendary Ink (no relation) for lots and lots of 5”X7” postcards and got a great deal on the price! (I’m going to totally BLANKET this city with info about this show!) Thank goodness for the total success of the Kickstarter Campaign so I can afford this kind of publicity. (I even managed to include a bit of recognition for the Kickstartin’ Blink readers who helped make this possible on the card ). Much of yesterday and a bit of today was spent laying the groundwork for the March 30th Book Release Party. It is going to be an absolute BLAST of a party! I’ll update more about it when plans get finalized.

I also set up a Facebook Event page for this “Wonka Wonka Kochalka” Gallery Show that’s happening all through March at the Wild Goose Creative.

Here’s the nitty-gritty info:

**Gallery Night Reception**
Thursday, March 15th 7p-9p

A relaxed evening of comics and conversation. Copies of "Behind the Sketchbook: The Making of Wonka Wonka Kochalka" will be available for There will be complimentary food and drinks as well as free BLINK mini comics!

***BLINK: "Wonka Wonka Kochalka" Book Release Party! ***
Friday, March 30th 7p-11p

This is it! 8 years in the making, Max Ink's "Wonka Wonka Kochalka" will be released to the world!

And here's the blah blah blah stuff:

Over 30 pages of original comic book art from the newest chapter of Max Ink's BLINK graphic novel will be on display at the Wild Goose Creative. "Wonka Wonka Kochalka" is the first chapter in the graphic novel, BLINK: SO IT GOES. The art will be on view through the month of March.

Max Ink's BLINK comic book series is set in the neighborhoods of Columbus and features "slice-of-life" stories about three charming characters, Hank, Sam and Blink. Since its inception in 2003, BLINK has showcased numerous Columbus landmarks and hang outs such as Goodale Park, Stauf's Coffee House and the Park of Roses. "Wonka Wonka Kochalka" is no different: the 32-page story is set the Wild Goose Creative and the Rumba Cafe.

Ink's work has received much praise over the years, with many reviewers commenting on the beautiful art and real-life dialog. But the

characters themselves are the focus in BLINK; to the point where they seem "less like characters and (more like) people you could easily know.” The style and tone of Ink's stories is "smooth and natural, and just happens. It's real life right on the printed page." One reviewer even likened reading BLINK to "a refreshing adult beverage — relaxing, comfortable, and yet eye-opening in noticing the world from a new perspective."

The BLINK: WWK @ WGC exhibit features all the pages from the "Wonka Wonka Kochalka" chapter in sequence, so viewers can actually read the comic in its entirety on the gallery wall! Each piece of sequential art measures 14" X 17" and is drawn in pen and ink. The printed book will be available for sale on March 30th.

Blink’s Super-Keen Wonka Wonka Kochalka Kickstarter Campaign is approaching its FINAL WEEK and there’s still time for you to participate!

Yes, the initial goal has already been reached, and I am astounded by the support I’ve gotten from Blink readers thus far. Seriously, you guys are the greatest!  I’ve gotten a few question over the past few weeks and I want to address them while there’s still time.

First of all, THIS CAMPAIGN IS NOT A CHARITY. All the money that’s raised through this Kickstarter campaign will go towards funding my various Blink related expenses (the printing of books, posters, t-shirts & promotional materials as well as costs involved with putting on the Blink Gallery Show in March at the Wild Goose Creative). After the campaign ends on Jan 31, the total amount raised will be deposited into my bank account (minus the percentage that Kickstarter keeps for services rendered).

You can contribute any amount ($1 or more) to the campaign and there are lots of options for people who want to give more (and if you give more, you get more). The bottom line however is that I’m essentially asking people to pre-order the “Wonka Wonka Kochalka” book for $10 (which includes shipping*). The book is going to be over 60 pages and if you’ve enjoyed Blink so far, then this new stuff is sure to knock your socks off. 

Now, one of the “premium” rewards is a painted color version of this Blink Star Wars homage poster. I’ve had this drawing around for a couple of years and figured I might as well put it to good use. So I contacted my friend Matthew Swift and asked him to make this drawing of mine look more like the original (with color). Matthew is a professional colorist—he works with DC and Marvel and a few other comic companies, so he knows his way around a color pallet. (Check out our last Blink collaboration here.) I’ve seen a snippet of the final and it’s gonna look SUPERB!! In fact, I am so pleased with what a good job Matthew’s doing, if I reach 200% of my goal, I’m going to add an oversized postcard version of the final painted poster to anyone who pre-orders the book. 

So, if you haven’t become a Blink backer yet, there’s still time! I’d love for you so to put your name on the 2-page Kickstarter “Thank You” spread that will appear in the book when its printed in March.

*Please add $5 if you live outside the U.S.

I already mentioned Interview #1 here on Saturday, but just in case you missed it, it can be read at Best of Columbus, which is a new-ish website showing off what cool stuff & people Columbus has to offer. 

Interview # 2 was conducted & filmed at Packrat Comics in Hilliard, OH just this past Sunday while I was hanging out with my cartoonist friends from the Sunday Comix group. 

And both interviews mention my Kickstarter Campaign!