Mark Texeira purchased Ghost Rider Sketch. 

John Cassaday purchased sketch, Snow from Planetary 

Travis Charest, My Favorite Artist, his Convention Guidebook Cover Art 

Bryan Hitch Signed and Numbered Print from Heroes Con 

Test 

Post 299: Isn't it funny how these trends start?

Everyone I know suddenly is talking about how Chuck Norris' beard is impervious to pain, how he makes books tell him what he wants to know and how he counts to infinity...twice.

Well, I've gone ahead and added to the trend, with the official UNOfficial WHAT WOULD CHUCK NORRIS DO T-Shirt.

That's right, I'm joining in on the hoopla, because its just too damned funny. You can actually view this Black T-shirt with White lettering at my store, at the site:

http://www.cafepress.com/potchak.63024532

The tee is 19.99, since that's what Cafepress charges for the shirt, but anyone who wants to order one, I'll send you a FREE The Ardy Vanstarr Adventures Magnet, since they are also now on sale on the site (a 2.49 value BEFORE shipping).

See, it isn't so bad. In fact, ANY T-shirt Purchase for the time being will be shipped a FREE THE ARDY VANSTARR ADVENTURES MAGNET.

Thanks for listening. 

Post 298: Hypothetical

IF you were to tell a loved one that you are not going to talk to, IM, TXT Msg or Phone a person because it is a detriment to your relationship...is it okay to contact that person if it is "purely innocent?"

"Purely innocent?" Sure...like, "How ya doin?...Ok...Good. Gotta run, stay outta trouble." Y'know, not the "Hey, hopefully I can leave my husband for you, and then be back in time for dinner..."

See with me...Any type of deceit is lying. Its how I am. I don't do it to you, I don't expect it done to me. If it is done to me, you are breaking trust and you are ruining what you've worked "hard" to establish. I don't like being deceived, no matter what the cause or purpose. I don't like being lied to for any reason.

I'd find it much easier to deal with a situation where I was cheated on and told about it. At least that way, I could say, "get out of my life you dirty tramp...." because obviously, someone in that kind of situation doesn't want their home life the way that it is anyway, so the release is at least mildly expected.

Now see, the question at hand is something I feel very strnogly about because it creates a "give me the benefit of the doubt, and I will prove what I want" scenario that if you allow it to occur once, it'll continue. It's a junkie's mentality and it continues to go until you own up to it, take responsibility for it and start acting like an adult. Hell, this is why twelve step programs were created in first place.

Another thing I can't stand is this..."I feel like if I'm told I'm not allowed to do something, it makes me want to do it more..." What the hell is this? It is basically a drug abuser's feeling for the coke or the heroin that is totally bad for them...they KNOW it is bad for them, and it makes the Jones that much worse.

If you aren't willing to make your decisions in life based on what you believe, are you living a lie?

And finally...who out there has ever placed themselves into a position where they are so low on themselves that instead of grabbing the bull by the horns and riding the problems out to see the light that EVERYONE knows can and will happen, they just continue to make mistakes, create lies and live in their own filth based on the decisions that keep piling up because they don't like themselves?

Me...I don't like a lot of things I've done in my life, but I'd never do anything to hurt those I love or care about on purpose for the fact that it may cause me a SINGLE MOMENT of happiness, when its my overall LIFE that is important to me. Why do people live for a single moment, when if they live for their life they'll ultimately find some sembalence of happiness in there somewhere?

You folks that read this can try to decipher a hidden meaning here, but I don't think there is one. I truly feel that I try to live my life the way I'm supposed to. Not lying, not stealing, not cheating or deceiving, but I haven't been given the happiness of Earl's list in My Name is Earl, and I haven't been given the meaning of life...and I'm fine with that. Am I bound to find out anyway? Probably not.

Why is it that some people choose the wrong way and the wrong path through life, and yet skate by without a scratch, yet people that live an 85% healthy life of not hurting or deceiving gets into as much of a gamut as I do?

Don't worry, I'm actually not depressed right now. I'm just living my life the way I always do, and trying to enjoy the captions...even if they are in a foreign language to me at this point.

I'd love to hear opinions on this stuff. Thanks in advance!

Post 297: Heroes Con 2007! And cars....

Hey all.

Recently, due to my issues at home, I thought that I'd be unable to attend Heroes Con in Charlotte. This really sucked, due to the fact that my favorite artist, Travis Charest is going to be there, and this is his ONLY American con this year. Those who don't know his stuff, check out his art, here...groups.msn.com/travischarest, trust me, you'll MORE than be glad you did. I'm going to try to at least get his sketch book or maybe even try to geta sketch from him, but I'm sure his line will be long enough to where I may have to get on a waiting list or something...(sucks).

This con is going to probably be bigger than the recent Philadelphia convention put on by Wizard World, because Wizard wanted to put another con on in Atlanta that weekend (June 30-July 2nd). Due to this, the comic community rallied behind the "little convention that could" and are planning to make this the biggest con in years (probably since Top Cow made the trek in 1998).

Anyway, I just wanted to say that Christy, my wife, has told me she's going to take next Thursday off so that we can drive down to Charlotte (the Convention Center is where it's at for anyone interested), and then come back on Friday after I've been able to get to the convention...

Of course, the following week, I'll be getting a new car...and I'm looking at the Nissan Sentra 1.8S...probably a 2004-2005. If anyone has any opinions about this model vehicle, please let me know...I think for the features I'm looking for and the pricing I want to look at this is probably the best options for me...but if anyone has another idea, please let me know...the other car that I thought was kinda of cool was a Suzuki Aerio SR, but I have no idea on their resale value nor how they hold up over time (something I've been told a Nissan is good at).

Anyway, help here would be great, folks. As always, you can post here, or email me at rpotchak@gmail.com

One last note...ANYBODY reading this that has my SUNCOM WIRELESS Number...it will be changing as of July 2nd. GET IN CONTACT WITH ME if you need my new number...and I'm not going to post it on my blog...

Post 296: Civil War Update...

So Marvel's second issue of CIVIL WAR came out this week, and wow. Mark Millar is still doing the things that he's been known for a long time, and he's doing them amazingly.

In this issue, without trying to give too much away, One MAJOR character shows teh world his identity (it was spoiled by the NEW YORK POST), and Captain America is recruiting other costumed heroes that are against registration.

Steve McNiven's art is top notch, and just seems to look like an animated movie more than it looks like a comic book. Morry Hollowell is not only outdoing himself with the coloring on the book, but really gives it a gritty feel, that really gos perfectly with Mc's art.

I just love this story, and from the sounds of it, this will be the straw that breaks said character's life up, and hopefully it'll continue down this path of one huge thing per issue.

So far greatness. I just hope Millar dosn't finish it like he did with WANTED.

BUY THIS COMIC...this is probably the best comic story I've read in YEARS.

Post 295: Coloring books and milestones...

So today is actually the fifth anniversary of my first date with Christy, which coincidentally enough is two days AFTER the two year anniversary of me asking her to marry me...weird, huh?

So with the TRAIN concert set for next month in Raleigh...the same band's concert that I proposed to her at those two years ago (during "our song," Drops Of Jupiter which also happened to be the final snog of the night), things with the wife are starting to pan out and turn. As long as she remains honest and less selfish, things will continue to improve.

Again, with this situation, its never been about me not loving her...I love her more than life itself...its everything else...heh.

Ok...enough about the wife :), now its time to discuss comics. I've finished the FLAT colors on the first ten pages of The Ardy Vanstarr Adventures, and now I'm playing with adding some shading, some depth and some just fun stuff to the comic. Ultimately, I'm giving JK approval on the art, so whether we'll see the FLAT color, or the newer shaded stuff remains to be seen, but I'm doing both and we'll see where it goes.

Post 294: Update of sorts...TAVA news.

Alrighty, back from a wedding, not allowed to discuss ANYTHING aboutmy court case, and the wife and I are TRYING to trust each other and get through this temultuous first year of our marriage...so what's the most important piece of news?

THE ARDY VANSTARR ADVENTURES, while I'm afraid it may be a little behind schedule, all my fault, too, btw, has about 7 pages fully colored and ready to rock. I am held to NOT show ANY art until JK approves it, as is in his not yet written contract, but I have given my word that I will not show anything until he allows me to, heh.

I've a lot coming up in the next month, since I'll be starting a new day job, having a court case the following month, and somewhere in between actually having a vacation planned. What exactly does this mean?

I've told JK I don't want to launch TAVA until we have at least 30 pieces of `100% completed work. Sounds tough and rough, I know, but it isn't as bad as it may sound. As he's sending me the art, I'm coloring sometimes two to three pages a day, so as long as wecan keep up a great pace, we shouldbe able to have everything upand running by the first week of August, OR, if we both bust hump (and I know he is...like I said, this is ME slowing down everything) we may still meet our deadline, but I need to create the websites.

Anywho, hoep all is well with everyone else...I'm finally getting comic work done, so hopefully we'll be seeing more of me on here, too.

Post 293: Ardy's first month numbers

Alright, trying to get my head straight and start talking about about accomplishments, last month, there was only ONE page of LANDIS story, and the rest of the month was Ardy's story, City That Never Sleeps (STILL NOT FINISHED, DON'T GO ANYWHERE)....and I must say, though the 94000 total hits this month is tremendously down, the fact that only 8000 hits left when the story shifted to a ten year old story that had mostly actually seen print is something I think is great.

The other good news is that Ardy has begun starting to see more people trying to catch up in recent days, so that's cool too.

Though I have to discuss with JK exactly when we are going to launch the NEW "The Ardy Vanstarr Adventures," adn I'll be working with a web designer to actually get the main site ardyvanstarr.com and vanstarr.com up at least in a main site with a gallery, blog and more.

I'm wondering if I want to start a new blog specifically for that, or if I want to continue this blog. I would love for JK to be able to give his opinions on a daily basis on the pages, or at least whenever he wants to talk about what's going on, so I may try to set up dueling blogs, OR a blog that we can both post into...and keep this one running here at elisalandis.com, since its been here for a while, and I still like updating everyone. I've even been considering giving a weekly scripted adventure, rather than with art and everything, maybe with some single panel pieces like Fantasy novels.

What does everyone think of that idea? This way I could still give Landis fans what they crave, its just the art may be fewer and farther between...although I'd love to have select pieces from existing artists, like Owen, maybe Eric, JK and anyone else that would like to contribute to that. If it got printed after the fact, in real book format, anyone who contributed would receive copies of the book.

If you are an artist that enjoys LANDIS and are interested in an idea like this, let me know. rpotchak@gmail.com

Thanks all...with everything that's happened, including what i pulled down last night, I'm going to have a lot more free time on my hands. I just hope it isn't all in vein and writer's block.

Post 292: Dead inside...almost on the outside, too...

I had to delete this post to not incriminate certain situations...so hopefully certain people who wanted to see it got to.

Sorry.

Post 291: originally posted at myspace...and more.

The following was posted on my myspace page yesterday and I'm going to repost it here for everyone that didn't get to see that...at the end, I'll give more details into what's going on, because you guys are the ones I really care about...
-------------------

Have you ever been forced into making a decision about YOUR life because someone else FORCES it on you? I guess I'm talking similar to your parents cooking you meatloaf and making you eat it even though you want chicken...but bigger. A LOT bigger.

"What are you getting at, Rob?"

Its simple. Have any of you had to DUMP the love of your life because they won't do it, even though ALL their actions are telling you otherwise? I've personally been REAL depressed in the communication of my wife to me for the past two months. She had lied, possibly cheated and continued to keep up this behavior. I've constantly told her that I didn't want to end our FIVE year relationship for any reason, however, she's forcing it.

She has lied...she told me she'd stop...she lied again...she told me se'd stop...she lied AGAIN...and NONE of these are little white lies, but these were changes in her behavior that she had never displayed before. This is why I was able to let her come clean and move on...

But last night and today...she lied to me again. She got caught in the mother of all lies to me and she had NO WAY of covering it up...you can't tell someone that you are out of town (at the beach three hours away)...and then get caught ten minutes from home at the local Walmart...with another person.

Did you cheat? ..."No." Then why lie? "I'm ashamed and embarrassed. I don't like being this way or treating you like this?" ...Then why do it..and then do it again...and again...and again...? "I don't know. I don't know what I want." ...You are willing to give up FIVE YEARS for an "I don't know...?" What kind of bullshit is that?

Well, I'm sure others will hear this at least once or twice, and for that I'm sorry. But I'm giving up the single biggest thing in my life, and I'm going to need friends to be patient with me, and get through it, because I never wanted, and still don't want to end my relationship, or my loving her.

Thanks for the broken heart that you forced upon me...your behavior will not allow you to love or be loved for any period of time...so I hope throwing it all away is worth it for you.
-----------------

She came and talked to me last night. Between 7:45-10:30, and we just talked. I was mad, and upset, but I didn't become violent and I didn't break down. I just kept asking why would you lie, why would you continue to do the things that make you into a person you don't want to be? She didn't have an answer. Then she hit me with it.

"As much as I love you, I don't think I love you enough to be married to you..."

My reply to this was simple..."But you loved me enough to marry me in the first place? It doesn't work that way. You said to God that you married me to love and to serve, to honor and cherish, til death do us part. You made a commitment to me and a commitment in the eyes of God. Start acting like an adult and take responsiblity for your actions."

I went on to tell her that she needs to stop living for "a moment" and start living for LIFE. Meaning she needs to look down the road, and stop doing things that hurt and affect other people negatively, just because they may be fun for that instant. If you know something is going to cause a fight...especially in a time like this...why do it? If you know you are going to make somebody cry, do you try to make them cry? No, especially if you TRULY care about them.

I changed the locks at my house, and she asked why and what does it mean? I told her it means she doesn't come in until its what she decides she wants in life...why? Because right now it looks like she wants the comfort of a roommate and a roof over her head...when in actuality...she'll have neither unless she wants the marriage back. Am I wrong for that? I don't think so, her dad doesn't think so and all my friends say that they agree with me.

As much as her individual person needs to grow and accept what she's committed to, her biggest problem is that she doesn't see us as a single unit like a marriage is supposed to me. She feels she can have her life on one side, and have me on the other...I'm not going to accept that. I'm not going to take the abuse and punishment of someone that only wants a shoulder to cry on, and a lover on their terms, when the truth behind everything is that its only when they want it, and it isn't reciprocated AT ALL when the other person desires or requires it.

I hurt a lot right now, since I made her leave. The door is open for her to come back, but only if it is in the most genuine of circumstances...that she wants to TRY to make us work...that she wants to really put in the long hard effort to make the marriage last longer than a Britney Spears first one.

My wife needs to grow up. She needs to grasp her obligation and her promise of forever...and yes, she needs to think before she acts. She told me she'd let her actions speak for her before, and this is where we are...her forcing me to turn my back on the one thing I truly love more than life itself, because of her fear of a lifelong obligation and commitment.

Sorry guys...this is REALLY bugging me right now. I may post more later...

Post 290: An update of sorts...and more ranting, I'm sure...

Today I met my nephew. To most people this wouldn't be werd or awkward, seeing a little child just after childbirth, but Drew, my nephew, is almost 2 years old already, and we were originally told that he wasn't my brother's son. He is the cutest boy in the world, which is crazy, considering who his parents are :). Anyway, this was a really cool thing for my brother to bring him by my work while I had to be here for 10 hours.

Tomorrow, I have a final interview for a job with GAMESTOP CORP, whom I guess I have worked for in the past on the EB GAMES side. It would be for a manager in trainnig position, since I'm to the point in life and career where another move NEEDS to be made.


Had a conversation with Christy yesterday that kind of discussed how people's feelings and what they want contribute to their necessity for certain things in life...meaning...If a person doesn't want to love someone else, the nerves and synapses that tend to push you in the direction of love don't fire as often, and in most cases falter and stop entirely. This is why people don't normally stay together if they break up. Its common science that if you train yourself to not feel a certain way, you won't. The only way to change it is to make a conscious effort to change that, which means you will fight yourself and what your mind and body tell you are wanted to allow yourself the opportunity to find what you thought you lost. This is why a fleeting person can fall out of love so easily and not think twice, but someone who really loved, hurts when the break occurs and then can't do enough to keep it together unless they force it until it becomes natural again. Too bad most humans aren't logical, huh?

This week, I intend to start utilizing Photoshop and Illustrator to draw...what am I going to draw? I honestly have no clue. I've got some ideas, but I'm hoping to actually get them on paper, or tablet, and if I can actually do it, I'll post the work up online, since I am really interested in seeing what I'll be able to do.

Well, I hope this wasn't nearly as ranty or negative as some of my previous posts. I just hope people aren't leaving the site because of these rants...

Oh, one last thing...I have read the first two issues of John Taddeo's ZOOM SUIT... and I have to be honest when I say this...the ONLY reason this book is selling like it did is because the first issue was sold to retailers at a huge discount (I believe .75 per copy) and ultimately...it isn't ANY good. Taddeo's writing is very amteurish (similar to this Ardy story, BTW, hehe...but then, I wrote it 11 years ago) and that isn't good for someone who wants his comic company to become established. If he really wanted to write a good comic, it shouldn't be so campy and cheesy. Less is more. A great comedic moment is better than constant attempts and failures at a one liner per page. I'm just very disappointed that I gave them $3 to buy the second issue, and I'd offer to write the story because it has a very good premise from what I've seen...its just written extremely poorly.

Sorry if someone else likes the book, this is only my opinion and I'm just very disappointed that a book that sold over 30,000 copies of its debut issue won't hold up because of how bad it reads.

Post 289: Defaults and Myspaces...

So with all the issues going on in my personal life, its funny how "little" things can set me off.

For example, my wife set up a MySpace page, and she originally had her profile set to "Single." Also, she wrote in it, "Not looking for hook ups or dates, I can get that stoopid shit at work." Now with all the issues we've had, I confronted her about both issues. To the first she stated that it was a Defaulted option that owould have to be changed that she hadn't gotten to, yet. I said, "Okay" and that was the end of that...except then she decided that placing in there that she can get dates and hookups from work made it sound even worse. She told me she'd change it (on both accounts) and for her credit she changed them. She placed in her profile that she was married, and then she placed right after, "Not looking for hook ups or dates, I can get that stoopid shit at work." ... "And...um...I'm married."

Now I don't know if she was just trying to upset me or whatever, and she said she wasn't, but it truly seemed like she was. I know she's not trying to find booty calls or anything, but come on, don't insult your marriage when its been on the rocks for as long as it has. It doesn't help anything.

So she changed it again (at my request,) claiming that she wasn't trying to upset me and she just wanted to place a little gest in there. I unfortunately take everything said about my marriage (good or bad at this point,) VERY seriously...to a fault at times. It now says that she's not looking for a date or a hookup because "its the Internet for Christ's sake." Taking out the statement that she's married (though the profile still states it.

My buddy Derek looked at it when it said she was single, and when I mentioned it to him, his first reaction to me was, "What the Fuck?" Meaning, I wasn't the only one to read it wrong, and I was't the nolyone to get a bad feeling from it.

Long story short, Christy posted a blog statement on there basically "apologizing" for her statements and flat out stated, "After Rob has gotten on my case a bazillion times about my profile, I will make a public apology for not saying I was married, as we all know, the "single" status is default until you insert the info, and I hadn't even put shit in yet. Sorr-eeee!!!"

It sounds like she feels I overreacted, and that she is unhappy about being told she should change it, even though our marriage should be respected and nourtured rather than just a statement of fact.

I stated I take my marriage very seriously, and I hope she does, as well, but actions and words speak volumes. And all this is just to vent my frustration, much like she did. Yes, childish, whatever...just feel I needed to get it off the chest.

Next week some real news, folks...not just this BS ranting all the time. For real.

Post 288: More mindless babbling.

Yesterday I got on here and posted saying that I haven't really felt creative, and that I didn't know when I was going to get that back. Unfortunately, no it didn't happen last night, though that would have made my month. Instead, I'm going to go into further detail on whats going on.

Ever not felt like yourself? Like you don't want to look at things through your eyes because your perception is skewed?

Christy (my wife) and I have been having problems out in the open for at least 1.5 months, and from her statements to me, even longer than that, if you ask her. These problems stem from the fact that we want to live our own lives, and take for granted the life we HAVE to share. It's depressing to see how far things can slip and then how much they affect you and keep you from being yourself.

After probably the worst fight we have had, while not becoming physically violent with her, I did become violent because my points and my statements were not loud enough and not the the point enough. Though the damage done is minor, its something I'm not proud of, and do not condone. The behavior shown from me this past weekend is not who I am, but I'm worried it may be who I become. I'm not happy with myself and though Christy tells me that I have to forgive myself and that she forgives me, I still don't know why it has gotten to where it has, and why its NOT AT ALL easy to try to fix, and everything is taking so much more effort just to attempt to stay civil and to continue trying to fix.

The problems escalate and its like being on eggshells. You tell the other person that they need help and that they need to stop treating you like crap, and then they tell you that you need to lay off and be easier on them. They tell you that you don't deserve to be lied to, deceived and then it occurs again. You tell them that you can't accept apologies because they fall short everytime, and that "sorry" is just a word, and yet the same things continue to happen.

I've asked myself when will "Enough be Enough..." only to come to the conclusion that I don't know how I'd live with myself if I gave up on everything at this point. I'm in a mental, physical and debilitating rut because of this and its taking away from the creative energies I've wanted to express since I was born...

I apologize for not being as jovial as I have in the past, or updating as often as I used to. This isn't just affecting my creativity, its really hurting a lot of other things, so I'll apologize for this, as well.

Hopefully things will start to get better, and when thats the case, you all will be the first to know. Thank you for your continued support of both LANDIS and ARDY, it truly means a lot to me.

Post 287: Sorry its been so long.

It's been a while since I've been on here and writing to those of you that actually enjoy the comics, and for that I apologize. In all honesty, I haven't found myself being creative, nor wanting to actually do anything with the comics or the site. It will pass, like most of these moments do, but right now, I find myself just even really wanting to be away from the computer.

I hope all is well with you guys out there, and since I've recently come into a total of Five copies of the Keenspot Primer (two of which are going to artist, JK), I'll probably be having a contest on here soon for an autographed copy.

Take care.

Post 286: Hard to get used to.

So the new laptop is awesome, I love it. Already have Photoshop CS2 and Illustrator CS2 on it, but having problems getting used to the drawing aspects due to the sensitivity of the stylus, so I may try to do some more abstract art first to get a handle for everything.

I've aso been thinking to hep with my proportions, I might buy some largely articulate Action figures and take digital camera pictures of them, start another layer of art and draw on top of them to get a better sense.

Some may call that cheating, but I call it learning by photo realism, and I think it may help me develop a new art style that may be mimicked in the future...who knows. heh.

I'll show some experiments when I do this attempt, but if you have opinions on things you think may help, let me know...I'm planning on doing this with lighting effects and everything.

Post 285: Tablet PC...purchased!

Alrighty,

I know that I said I was going to wait until the 64 bit processor ones were going to come out, but I got too good of a deal on a comp that has 1gb memory, 80gb harddrive, widescreen display and a 1.7 pentium M processor.

Hopefully this will help me get over my issues with creating but its also probably going to be my main computer now.

Its a gateway, but I purchased the 3 yr with accidental damage protection on it. Its a cx2618, which Best Buy just started carrying the newer model, the 2620, which there were NO differences on, but they wanted 500 more for it. So even with the service plan, I was able to get this for less than $1500.

I think its great, but I'm sure there's a lot to learn, now...hehe. Thanks for helping me with my decision making...it was totally needed!

Post 284: To buy a computer...?

Once again, I find myself wanting to purchase a new computer. Problem is, I don't want to pay what they want to charge me this time.

DELL consistently offers AMAZING discounts on tehir products, but they don't offer what I want...and what I want is a tablet PC, so I can put Photoshop on it and start digitally creating artwork...but NOOOOO...Dell doesn't want to jump into that Niche Market.

The average cost of a Tablet is about $3-400 MORE than your standard laptop. Couple that with the fact that DELL's website often times offers 35% off (or as much as 40% off) from time to time, means that if they were to create a tablet PC that met the specs I'd want, that I may be able to afford one.

Now I'll probably end up swallowing the pill, and buying one that doesn't totally meet my needs and paying a little less for it, but with this, I'm not sure that's what I want to do. I really want one that is going to allow me to do what I need it to, and on top of that, make some really good art in the process.

If anyone has any suggestions, please, let me know. I'd love to hear them.

Post 283: New page...really

So okay, today's page of the comic is actually one of those long lost "deleted scenes," that was re-placed back in to show all the amazing art of Tim Johnson. I can see why the page was originally deleted, as it isn't necessary to tell the story, but the art is just so nice that I wanted it ALL back in there.

Update on the MySpace page...Friends are adding up, as we're up to 75 now, but I know there are at least 1000 people PER DAY that are looking at this comic, and I KNOW that at least 25% of them are probably hooked on MySpace, so shouldn't we have at least another 250 friends on there?

www.myspace.com/potsandpansink

Everyone is doing it :).

Post 282: Landis on Ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/LANDIS-0-GRADED-VF-NM_W0QQitemZ6601863820QQcategoryZ3983QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Two copies available of LANDIS from FCBD 2003. This is the original book. If you purchase the copies and send them to me, I WILL autograph them and ship them back.

If not, its okay.

Post 281: I'm a blog machine today...and a thought.

I am really bored at the day job and don't feel like writing stories, so I've got this idea, and I wanted to run it by everyone.

I recently bought Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for my XBox360, and I thought about creating Elisa on it. But then I had another idea, and this may lead to the next contest.

I am thinking what if everyone else tried to create their best likeness of Elisa? Then we could place them online and everyone could vote on who's was best? That person would then win a prize (haven't decided what it would be yet).

Let me know, I think this is a really cool idea.

Post 280: What I'm watching...

I know that everyone has their own favorite television shows and that everyone has their favorite movies, webcomics and more, so I'm going to post this here, and hope that others respond.

I'll start with TV shows. Recently, I've been watching 24, THIEF, Scrubs, My Name is Earl and The Office. I love good drama/action (like 24, the Shield, etc) but there aren't many shows like that on tv. I'm hoping the new BLADE series from Spike is going to be decent, as well as the new show PSYCHE from USA, about two "buddy cops" and one of them is a fake psychic. Just sounds like an awesome premise.

I've already talked about Civil War, so I'll leave the paper comics alone, but the online ones I'm reading now include MisFile, Flipside and Eat Kitties. I recommend checking them all out.

Post 279: Marvel Civil War.

There aren't mny times that something like this comes along and you just WANT to tell people to go buy it, but Marvel's Civil War #1 is one of those times. The buildup, the restraint, the realness of it all...I told Christy, my wife, that if she ever wanted to try a comic book this is theone to do it with. With someone like me able to tell her who the characters are, why they feel the way they do and why it just feels real makes this a must buy book.

I really have to give credit to Mark Millar, who once again proved that he, more than Brian Bendis, deserves whatever work with Marvel he desires. He didn't want this project when it began, but he slowly embraced it and then it flourished in him. He knows how to make it as large in scope as possible, while still showing how it affects one person. Hell, Hollywood should take advice from him.

Steve McNiven is my new favorite artist, ever since I picked up 4 #1. His style is just different. Different enough to make you take notice. Bryan Singer said that McNiven was the only guy when it came to illustrating his vision of Ultimate X-Men (still not out). This is where the man shines. He's really putting heart into those hearty moments that Millar has written.

I was opposed to Captain America being against the Registration Act because he's a soldier and wuold typically do what his government asks...however, in this case, it isn't how America IS that makes him do what he does, its where the ideal of where AMERICA SHOULD BE that makes him choose his side.

Beautifully written, illustrated and colored, I'd LOVE to see this turned into a cartoon, or live action...its just, it can't. Too big of a budget on either count, I'm sure.

If you had thought about going to a comic store this week, Saturday is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY, and I have a two-page spot in the Keenspot Primer for The Ardy Vanstarr Adventures with JK Radtke (beautiful art, btw). But if you do nothing else, PICK UP A COPY OF CIVIL WAR #1...you won't be sorry you did.

Even the tradedress is a nice touch.

Post 278: Why Post 277 was rescinded.

Yes, I took down the last post...why? Because I realized it was a propaganda piece which took all blame off of me for recent events with my friends. It was written in a well intoxicated moment and due to that, the facts were skewed more away from me.

Anybody you talk to will let you know that I give an honest opinion almost all the time. Its how I live my life, almost to a fault. However, one thing that I've been great at doing in my life is argue. I probably should have stayed in school to become a defense lawyer, only my morals probably wouldn't allow me to do it.

Anyway, with things the way they are, all my friends are noticably on edge, as am I. So I took the last post down because I felt wrong for putting it up.

Post 276: Mad props for elisalandis.com today...

I've noticed that I start alot of these posts with "Well, " and today, I caught myself getting ready to do it, so I'm making fun of myself for it.

Today marks a new day on Elisalandis.com, and its a day that is 10 years in the making. Today marks the first appearance of ARDY: City That Never Sleeps the 10th Anniversary Director's Cut (playing off the 10th anniversary Highlander collection of 1994). The story is completely redone in greyscaling by me, completely rescripted and just full of out and out craziness.

This IS the FIRST time this will be seen...fully. This is the FIRST time this will be seen with the new script, and I'm ultra proud of my graphic design, and the remastering of the files.

The cover page here is from Tom Nguyen, who has recently shown his work off in Batman, JLA and is currently working on the exciting new weekly title for DC called 52. Tom's also writing an article called "I Draw the Line" at www.comicon.com/pulse, to show people how to draw proper proportion, scale, musculature and more. I've known Tom since he broke into the business drawing Major Bummer with Doug Mahnke and John Arcudi, the guys who created THE MASK (which later became the Jim Carrey movie). Although I joked with Tom that he gave Ardy too many fingers, its still TOO awesome of a piece to not show...

Colors on the cover were done by the amazing Jas Ingram, who said that he'll help out with graphics for any new projects that come up, "for old time's sake." Heh, I just love these guys.

The art for the series is by a graphic designer living in NY, Timothy Johnson. To my knowledge, he has left comicking a while back, which makes me sad, but if he's doing what he loves, he really grew as an artist, and his imagination has taken over. I can't say enough good things about Tim. I would basically only write dialogue and he KNEW where to place the images. He new the backgrounds before we'd ever discuss them, and he would just blow me away, and make me work THAT much harder, in an attempt to really impress him as much as he was impressing me.

Well, there are 25 pages of fun story ahead...I'm just hoping we can get the launch of ardyvanstarr.com soon, so that we can really bump all this into motion.

Please, post ANY comments you have about Ardy either here or on the Landis Forum, I'd love to hear what you folks have to say...hell, write me a comment on the myspace page if you want...I'd love to see the friend's list grow :).

Take care.

Post 275: A new milestone!

Hey all, I figured I'd give everyone an update on me and my projects, considering this in comic book numbering is a spot where you charge extra and make it a doublesized book for absolutely no reason.

First, I haven't done it yet, but I think i'm going to update the t-shirt designs at the store, and once again put them at a price that I make $0, so that anyone who wants one can get one. Sure, they may look expensive, but I'm not making anything for them, so help a guy out with advertising. Actually, if anone has a favorite LANDIS, TAGGER, or ARDY piece that they'd like to see as a print, or as a t-shirt, LET ME KNOW, and I'll see if I can make a cool design out of it. Send comments to the end of this post to let me know.

So in wrestling, a lot of stuff seems to be happening...including ECW making a FULL TIME comeback. This is crazy, considering Vince McMahon doesn't normally bring things back that he killed. But this is different. He realizes that it still works, and its what the people want to see. After selling out the last two ECW PPVs, he's decided its time to go ahead and gvie Paul Heyman and Tommy Dreamer the reigns to start a new promotion back up. They've already cemented a timeslot with the USA network (albeit a 2 am on Saturday slot), and it looks like former talent is being signed to contracts as we speak. I'd love to see Lance Storm come back, and not to mention that, but I would personally LOVE to see RVD win a world title at the PPV and grab the spraypaint (RED) and spraypaint ECW onto the belt and make that the ECW world title.

Anyway, with all the projects, nothing new to report, really, but I'm hoping to start drawing some more in the next couple of days, and who knows, maybe even try to draw something that I can try to get my wife to paint for me, and then put it on auction to the thousands of fans...maybe.

Also, www.myspace.com/potsandpansink is up to 38 friends, but come on...I KNOW you guys that read this have myspace pages. but I can't get to you, you have to come to me. Send a friend request, it will not get shunned.

Til next time...adn another 275 posts!

Post 274: Finally some GOOD news...

With all the BS stuff that has been happening recently, I just won a "Deluxe Getaway Weekend" from my job. Hopefully the wife and I will be able to figure out a place to go to get away =).


Go me...

Post 273: TiVo Evo and REVOlution...

Yes, I am a TiVo user. Have been since my wedding, and actually since BEFORE it. My buddy Fubar got me hooked on TiVo (Not normal DVR, but REAL TiVo) when we had an apartment together. We were probably two of the few that actually had TiVo back in its inception, or shortly after.

Now, he got me one for my wedding (him, his parents and our buddy Arnie, to be exact)and I'm looking to get rewards points. Here's how it works...

You refer my email address: rpotchak@gmail.com

After you contact to sign up for TiVo service.

After that, you register like you do with anything. It's pretty simple...afterwards, you just tell your friends that sign up for it and refer you! See, free gifts and possible TiVo Series 3 HD tuners...AWESOME.

Post 272: So much crap.

I was going to use another four letter word to describe what has been going on in my life recently, and today is another depression filled one. I was basically forced to listen to someone who thought they knew what was going on's opinion all night last night, and though he's a friend and I care about him, it was terribly wrong for him to want to come down on me like that, especially when Christy and I are attempting to settle things and be more than just civil with each other.

Couple that with the fact that I feel like a jerk for something I believe in my heart to be right about how I handled a situation with my wife...and I don't think I should.

The myspace page is up and although I don't have any catchy graphics or music on there, anyone who is on Myspace is more than welcome to give a shout out...

http://www.myspace.com/potsandpansink

Anyway, on days like this, I just wish I could not wake up, and just dream for more hours than I ever do. Two nights ago, I dreamt of scoring the game winning overtime goal in probably the most vivid dream I've ever had, and then when I went into the lockerroom to celebrate and clean up, I woke up. It was crazy. I normally don't have ANY recollection of my dreams, but that one was strong.

As a huge comic book fan, two people that have accepted me as a "friend" on MySpace are Brad Meltzer (who wrote Identity Crisis, and is now writing Justice League of America) and Allan Heinberg (one of the guys behind THE OC and now writes Young Avengers for Marvel and will be writing Wonder Woman for DC). Its silly, I know, but its cool at the same time.

Anyway, before I become a total Myspace-aholic, I'm gonna run!

Post 271: Yes...I'm now on MySpace... :/

UPDATE: Its up. Enjoy...be a friend.

Find me on MySpace and be my friend!

I'm not happy about it, but hell, its probably the easiest way to get the comics looked at a little bit more.

Hopefully people won't call me a sell out. I figure I'll repost a lot of the art that is on here with myspace in the pictures section. So it'll be like a little gallery. Also, I'll be putting the link to the myspace site on the side, but it isn't completely up yet.

I'll post again when I know its up fully.

Post 270: Broken bones, bad fights, holes in walls and bad hockey games...

Wow, that title sort of summed up my weekend.

Thursday night, I left town with my old roommate, Fubar, for a training on Friday. My wife and I were still on rocky ground, but I had to go, because I hadn't been to a training that was 100% worthless for me, so I got told I had to go. We drank an entire bottle of Bacardi O that night, and when I got up the next dayfor the training, I had NO hangover...weird.

Anyway, Saturday, I knew I was going to the Carolina Hurricanes game as they hosted Montreal for the first game of th playoffs. The atmosphere was electric, at least as long as I was in the actual area the game was played. Unfortunately, the game was a 4-1 blowout of the Hurricanes, and I only saw the last two goals...Why? No, not because I didn't get there in time, but because my wife was hammered, got up to go to the bathroom and then Security is trying to remove both of us for her intoxication...of course they were nice about it "We'll call you a cab..." yadda yadda. Anyway, it was shortly after that Christy really turned on me, going against her word and my trust. We went back into the game, and then she ended up heading downstairs again when I got up to use the restroom. Anyway, though nothing else happened with us, my buddy Fubar took a header (we were in the LAST row)and fell a row at the end of the game, and looks to have a bruise about the size of goalie pads on his side. BAD SPILL...real bad...he could barely move sunday, but I'm amazed he was able to walk that night.

Anyway, after the game, I confronted my wife about the lies, deceiving and everything that had occurred at the hockey game, and hidher car keys (because I was afraid she'd try to leave). I told her I was leaving and not coming home. We talked for a while, and she was upset, and I was more upset. Infidelity is not something I handle well, even if it is just implied and nothing is going on. So without being able to answer questions, I snapped, because I was tired of it. NO, I DID NOT HIT MY WIFE. I would NEVER do that. I picked up chairs and threw them, I picked up whatever I could to NOT hit another person or one of my pets.

I started punching the wall post to the kitchen. It hurt, but not so bad when I look back. She still wouldn't answer the questions honestly, claiming to have "drunk dialed," but as she said, only in response to the other person's first calling...this was a flat out lie, and I knew it. She wouldn't answer, so I finally put a hole in the wall (not my intention). Something else happened when I hit the wall though...A Pop...maybe a snap. I calmed back down, since I was now in pain. She started talking and brought up that I said I was leaving, and said that "you're not going to leave now." And I got up and left. She told me to be careful.

I went to my buddy's bar. It was 1:30 when I got there. I had about 5 drinks in the course of that 30 minute span. I was finally feeling able to release. A friend told me to punch him in the arm, so I did...and he wanted me to do it again...now mind you, I have at least one broken knuckle in my drawing hand now, but I kept hitting him until he said, "Okay." Good friend. Heh.

The next morning, Christy was trying to get in touch with me from 10-11:30 when I finally "regained" consciousness, or...woke up. She wanted to talk, but she was leaving town to visit her best friend about 45 minutes away.

Needless to say, she started saying the things that I had been saying the past three weeks..."All i want is for us to work on everything..." "All I want isto be with you right now." "Please forgive me."

We are REALLY working on it, now. Not because I need her, like I did when I hit rock bottom, and not because she hit bottom this week, but because we do love each other, and care a whole lot about the other. And we want to be with each other, now.

All that, and I think she finally realized that Springtime has a way of doing this shit to people...considering now her friends are going through it, too. Its weird, that after all that, I was past just wanting to fix things if it wasn't what she wanted. I was finally beginning to feel more selfish, myself, and began to realize that the guy who would ask her opinion about everything was not who I am.

To anyone out there with similar issues, the question to ask is this...When is enough...Enough? Ultimately, you have to figure out where to draw the line for another person, and when to start acting like yourself again.

I really appreciated all the sympathetic responses, as they mean a lot to me...and who knows, maybe now I can get back to some creative flow. Thanks again, everyone.

Post 269: No title

I'm doing this today because I'm bored. I'm just writing to say thanks to those of you out there reading that decided to give your opinions on what's up with myself and my wife. It means a lot to see people actually caring about whats going on, especially when you haven't met them...its very selfless, and totally appreciated.

Eric, the artist on boh THIEF and TAGGER called me up to catch up last night, and to see how I was doing. We don't get a lot of time to talk, but when we do, we normally pump the other up pretty well with compliments on the works in progress. Last night, he made sure to mention that he's been digging the art I've been doing (until just recently), but he really has been digging JK's ARDY pages, and says that the style is just perfect for the Alien PI, and I couldn't agree more.

We discussed which project we should tackle first, either THIEF or TAGGER, and honestly, since most of you are already fans of TAGGER from his casting in Landis, I figured that'd be the best way to repay you guys. I know that it'll probably be a while before I actually find the motivation to write more, but it is just a dry spell...but Eric admitted, that I've given him enough work to go a couple months to make sure everything is perfect.

On top of that, if anyone else has been having a rough time, and just want someone to chat with, I'd be more than happy to listen. I've got friends who have babies on the way with girls they aren't with, a friend who let his job and hasn't yet found a new one, my situation, my brother's custody battle, and more...but trust me, I'd ratehr help somebody with their issues, rather than continue to ponder on mine.

I guess I'll pretty much leave it there. Things aren't great, but if we work on them, and by that I mean *BOTH* sides, we'll come out of this with a newfound respect and dedication to each other.

Thanks again!

Post 268: Probably going to be a long post.

Hey all,

Been a while since I've been in contact about anything and everything. Springtime is a real bitch to me. Every year at this time, my wife and I go through issues that stem basically from the same thing most relationship problems stem...the fact that one person sees the single life their single friends lead, and it makes them wonder if they've done the right thing by getting married. This is the main thing that's been going on in my life right now, and I've not been talking about it here because as much as I like the folks that read my blog AND my comics, its really personal.

Today, however, I feel a bit different. I feel low, but not depressed like I have the past two weeks. Today my lowness comes from an anger at how selfish one person who is typically selfless is. I know my wife, Christy, won't read this. I can even send her a link, and that'd probably be the only way she'd ever consider reading it. She's wrapped up in school, work, and trying to have a personal life, and she's forgetting a lot of what we have, but again, this is something that happens year after year...and hopefully she'll remember her selfLESSness rather than her selfishness before things get worse.

Don't get me wrong...I'm not fully NOT to blame. I took her for granted. Did the things I wanted to, and allowed her the same freedom. But the difference is when I was told that, I have made strides and efforts to show her how much I appreciate and truly love her.

I'd love for people to comment on this about when they have had problems in relationships, and what time of year they occur. I know most people don't post here, and that kinda sucks, since I know we get about 50 genuine hits reading the blog daily.

Its a real tough time for me, because she's fighting flighty feelings, and she's still doing the things that I have problems with, but we're working on it...at least I keep being told that.

This has prevented me from doing ANYTHING creative in the past two weeks, after I had two REALLY good scripts in the can for Tagger. I haven't even turned on my X-Box 360 since the whole debacle. So all my releases haven't been what I've gone and turned to, because they just don't fill the void enough right now.

Thanks for listening, and feel free to comment. I'd like to see what everyone out there is going through...just do me a favor, don't pity me...I don't need it, since again, I'm more mad about the selfishness than anything else.

Post 267: Update on me...

Just figured I'd let everyone know that the problems at home are being worked on, and we're trying to make sure that things get better.

With that said, I've been under the weather as well, but am trying to not let it affect me as much.

I'm probably going to take a little time off from writing, but not enough to make it look like I'm not doing anything...its just other things are more important, and I hope you all respect that I'm vague.

However, I will post any new art when I've done something...I just haven't been feeling really creative due to whats going on, but when I get myself through that, I'll definitely be posting more.

Thanks for the support.

Post 266: Update with me and more.

Well, as bad as things have been this past week, they aren't as bad as they have ever been. In fact, I think they are looking...okay.

But it has made me realize that I've been putting on hold a lot of things that I may want to do in my life that may help my home life, or at least make me see that I accomplished something that I've always wanted to do, and that is preparing a Stand Up Comedy routine.

I'm not looking to write a 30 minute show or anything like that, but just something for open mic night, since I live about 30 minutes away from one of the most famous comedy clubs in the country, Charlie Goodnights, and I know that they've got an open mic night.

My wife tells me I should try something smaller, and you know, I'll probably test all the material out prior, anyway...but I think what I'm coming up with is some really good shit. Not exactly all audiences, but definitely funny stuff.

Of course, just because it makes me laugh, doesn't mean it'll make everyone laugh. But in harder times, if you can't laugh, what else have you got?

Post 265: A little better...

Things are looking better than they were, and due to this I'm going to try to get some writing done while at the day job. Not sure if I'll tackle THIEF today or JANUS, but probably one or the other...maybe even Ardy...but since I haven't heard from JK in a couple days, I'm hoping the progress is coming with that.

More later...I may even do some doodles.

Post 264: The one thing that upsets me more than anything else...

There's only one thing in this world that I get truly upset about. Its the closest thing to me in my whole life. I won't get into it, but its putting a serious damper on everything else. I'm more depressed right now than I have been in years.

I will leave it at that.

Post 263: WRESTLEMANIA 22 Predictions!

WWE Championship
John Cena (c) vs. Triple H

Well, I'm going to bold my predictions. I've been thinking about this match and how the outcome will actually CREATE the main event. a person gave me an idea about that, and I'd say that this match will lead into a finale that no one would expect. However, for the sake of argument, HHH walks away with the title, in a decent match...but read the bottom for the finale.

World Heavyweight Championship
Kurt Angle (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Rey Mysterio

Angle's been a decent champ, and as much as I think Vince WANTS to put the title back on Orton to start a god Batista/Orton fued, I figure this match will go to Rey Rey one of two ways...Angle will have Orton near the ropes and Rey will do the 619 to angle and pin him, OR one of two possible Batista appearances...just as Orton is about to win, with the ref knocked out, I expect to see Batista rundown, Batistabomb Orton, and roll Rey on top for the 1-2-3 and a point to Eddie.

No Holds Barred Match
Vince McMahon vs. Shawn Michaels

Anybody who thinks this match will end with a Bret Hart spot is laughable. Not gonna happen, but expect to see the McMahon's rundown to help, and I'd say that I'd LOVE to see Steve Austin cmoe down to help HBK out, but expect Shawn to win after seriously gushing.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Shelton Benjamin vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Ric Flair vs. Finlay vs. Matt Hardy vs. Lashley

Toughest match of the night to call, IMO. I go with Flair, since they've been giving him more mic time then anyone else in this. Although RVD is the most over, I think Lashley will take a bump, Shannon Moore will knock Hardy out of the match, Finlay will just disappear, and when Benjamin is on the ladder, Flair will crotch him, thus knocking him out and taking the box for himself...more on this at the end.

Casket Match
Undertaker vs. Mark Henry

Possible Batista spot, #2. I say Batista comes out from inside the casket and causes Henry to lose. Does this mean TWO Batista spots? As great as that would be...no. If Batista shows up in this match, he'll be kept out of the title picture until Summerslam.

Hardcore Match
Edge vs. Mick Foley

Foley is 1-3 since returning parttime...a tag match with the Rock, LOSS. One on One with Randy Orton...LOSS (GREAT MATCH, though) and Carlito at Taboo Tuesday...WIN. Foley is used asthe guy that takes a beating to really put over the growing heel. Due to this, as much of a Foley mark as I am...Foley loses after a tremendous amount of punishment. I'd say at LEAST 4 chair shots and thumbtacks a must. I'd say that Foley will even get to use some barb wired items...

United States Championship
Chris Benoit (c) vs. JBL

Two years ago, this would have main evented a PPV...now, look how far down the card it is...BOO...A decent match to be had, and the LOSER will move on to face the third one in the Main Event...in other words, Expect JBL to win (he;s been losing a lot recently) and Benoit to go on to matches with Angle...THAT's what I want to see.

World Tag Team Championship
Kane & Big Show (c) vs. Chris Masters & Carlito

With all the bickering and fighting beating Carlito and Masters, who DOESN'T want these guys to win? Could be one of the worst matches of the night, or a surprisingly good one.

Women's Championship
Trish Stratus (c) vs. Mickie James

How far the women's dvision has fallen. Mickie wins, totally HEELING out.

Playboy Pillow Fight
Torrie Wilson vs. Candice Michelle

Filler match. No one ever actually wins these matches, so expect it to air after the MITB match, to slow the pace.

Boogeyman vs. Booker T & Sharmell

Boogeyman continues his roll...but will it be at the 4 minute mark like the last one (JBL)?


This brings me to the surprise of the night. I think either Hogan or Austin will continue their jabber from the Hall of Fame celebration, which would be fun. But the real MAIN EVENT will be Ric Flair taking his Money in the Bank match and winning the world title for the 17th time. This is the only real way this maks sense. Heck, I'd even like to see Cena KEEP his title, and then Flair go against him, and win...this would allow...the CENA HEEL TURN. Cena loses, and snaps...starts with a chair to Flair, taking him out. The eyes bright, the nose flairing, and Cena standing over him, looking at the crowd and saying, "You had yuor chance...you can't see me anymore." Classic WM ending. Also allows him to Heel out against the strong Flair FACE.

Post 262: Poor Conner Kent

This week, in the latest issue of Action Comics, there is a scene of Lex Luthor standing in front of the statue that was created when Superman died. However, it was now next to a statue of Superboy, seemingly having died in Infinite Crisis... BEFORE the final issues of Infinite Crisis were to come out.

A quick commentary on this thought process...this would technically be the first POST SUPERBOY era issue, thus making it the clear collector's item, however, it won't be...the issue of Infinite Crisis where both Superboy (E1) and Superboy Prime collide and die will be the collector's issue.

What I wonder is...does anyone really care about Conner Kent? The fact that he was a clone of Superman's DNA mixed with Lex Luthor's DNA was a huge shock element, and the fact that he turned on his peers due to the words that Luthor hid in him was cool. Mix that with the fact that him and Wondergirl just had their first sexual experiences together (thus leading to the possibility of a child) and more, this character was getting interesting...but getting interesting is not BEING interesting.

I worry that this happening was too early, since the character had only been created when the death of Superman occurred, meaning, he hadn't been around that long.

When the FLASH died in Crisis on Infinite Earths, he was a character with twenty years of TRUE history, and 50 years of Legacy. This Superboy was 10 years old (MAYBE) with no real established Legacy to anything other than the S wrapped in black.

Maybe I'm being hard on the creators, but this one seemed like it was done at the wrong time.

And the last one. This one is of Batman in the background, but with his former protege, Jason Todd in the foreground. This one was about ten minutes of drawing JT and only about 3 minutes of rendering Batman. I think this would be a great convention sketch, but really disappointed me it how little of my thought I was able to make into an image. 

Just more doodling at work with this one. I don't even have a name for it, so I called it "Drawing." I look at the character as a possible Legion of Super-Heroes character for DC. Decided to play with different color inks, too...since its all I had available. 

Bored at work today, so I have three new drawings to post. This first one is of Marvel's character, NOVA. I was discussing a possible 30 minute DRAW OFF to JK and while he was trash talking, I was drawing. So here was my first attempt at a 15 minute drawing...I really like the composition and even the proportion. PLEASE...go ahead and send comments on it...I'd really like the feedback. 

Post 258: Boredom

I'll probably have the first three issues of Tagger's Tale done within therest of the week, the way work is going. I find it crazy that sometimes I can write for two or three hours and really put good work down, and then sometimes I'll go weeks or months without it...like THIEF. I wrote two issues with NO trouble...then "the fever" struck. I couldn't write anymore of it. My own personal hypeon the story just showed that it was TOO GOOD of a story for me to write, that I started feeling like I was cutting corners rushing to keep the flow right...and I just didn't have it.

THIEF is a story I want to have completed before I do anything with it, and Eric knows this. He's been patient with me, and I've been patient with him. We've been working on it close to a year already with just a little more than 30 pages penciled (not near completion, yet).

Its no wonder that writers like Bendis have to phone in issues and mess up a well written title or five...and that's sad. It also makes me wonder how Geoff Johns can write five or six QUALITY titles all the time and never slack off.

So JK and I are going to attempt our string of 30 minute broadcasts again as soon as both of us are caught up on our weekly wrestlings...which means me this time. We're probably going to do two 30 minutes a week when we are able to, but we'll probably start with one.

On all the other stuff, I'm looking at working in a different word and pictures format to work with, since I'm not nearly as skilled with action panels and such. Very early stages...not sure what it'll amount to.

Post 257: Back from AC...yeesh.

Well,

I had a LOT of fun while in Atlantic City NJ, but I also had a lot of NON-fun... I Lost A LOT of money in the machines, may have lost some just by losing it, and on top of all that, my cell phone was either stolen right off me ($300 phone) or I lost it at the casino.

Well, anyway, with all that, I'm back home, ready to sleep in my own bed and get back to working, so I can make some money...since when I got back I was welcomed with 1)Mortgage payment (this one's covered), credit card payment (also covered) and...CAR INSURANCE...(NOT COVERED YET)...

you ever get that feeling that you knew it was going to be harder than you initially thought, but you do it anyway? I said to my buddy Fubar (that's his nickname), "The only thing I'm worried about coming home to is my car insurance bill..." and then it was there...BOOOOOOOO.

oh well, at least tomorrow I get to get back into my writing and being on here a little more often.

Post 256: Letter from the publisher...

Hey everyone,

This right here is the email I received from Chris this morning explaining why the LOST PILOT is being shown without letters. I have deleted ANYTHING that may be confidential information, as is part of my creator agreement with Keenspot.

---------------------------------

Rob:

Heya! Sorry for being so untalkative lately, been crazy busy. Just
wanted to let you know that I'm running LANDIS: THE LOST PILOT sans
lettering, for these reasons: 1.) I don't have the script and I know
you and Owen probably don't either.. 2.) It's cool to see Owen's
original art without words covering it. I figure this can be a
special treat for web fans, and we'll run the story with lettering
(you may have to rescript it) in the print collection. 3.) I wanted to
cycle through all the available LANDIS material before starting in on
the ARDY stuff, {Deleted}

Thanks!

Your Pal,

Chris Crosby

---------------------------------

So if anyone was wondering if Owen could tell a story without reading the words, you'll soon know.

And not to worry, I WILL find a copy of the script...SOMEWHERE. This way the print edition WILL still have something new and special for everyone (not to mention, I've been told the whole first story WILL be full color).

Post 255: Commissions Anyone?

I haven't done this before, so I'll just go ahead...if there is a character that you would like an 8.5 X 11 drawing of from Landis, or in general (as you've seen, I like to draw a lot of different characters on here), let me know. I think I'm going to do Head shots for $5 and Upperbody shots for $15.

All commissions will be on cardstock, and I'll cover shipping. I take paypal, and right now I'd probably be able to take like 5-10 commissions without too much wait time...

If you are interested, hit me up by email to RPOTCHAK@GMAIL.COM...

Also, if you'd like either JK Radtke or Eric Kent to do a commissioned piece for you, let me know...their pricing may be higher, but you can still ask.

Post 254: Tonight, I give you the SECOND winner in the Landis contests! This is Ernie, and along side him is the sexy lead of my favorite online comic, LANDIS...if you look in the top left corner, there's a head sketch of Ardy on there as well.

Ernie says he's going to frame it at some point, and that he'll send us new pics when he does!

Doesn't this make EVERYONE want to sign up to win the prize next time? I even paid for Shipping =). 

Post 253: Last UNSEEN LANDIS arc...

It seems Chris decided to go with the final LANDIS story before going into the ARDY City That Never Sleeps, and that's cool with me.

It kind of came as a surprise. This single issue (22 pages) was actually the very first Landis script I wrote, as well as being the first Landis ART pages that Owen did. I'm not sure if Owen wanted them seen or not...

As a heads up, this does not really take place in the continuity that you saw happen already. It has nothing to do with the world being destroyed or anything like that... I would just say sit back, enjoy where Landis ORIGINALLY was going to go before we went with the story we did...

This is LANDIS: THE LOST PILOT!

Post 252: What's better than a 252 on St. Patty's day?

Heh...I love a shot of rumple and 151, making the classic 252 proof shot.

Anywho...I was thinking about this today, and what's better than fighting immortals? How about a BLIND immortal? Even better, what if his special Immortal gift is that when his sight was taken he can now see the amount of energy that is contained in other immortals he comes in contact with?

That's a character named Jin in the third issue of TAGGER'S TALE. He trains other immortals and explains to them how to maintain their energy, thus becoming more powerful. I just really liked the idea of a tragic flaw with him, and that's his blindness to the normal man. However, he's not nearly as incapacitated as you'd like to believe...

I'll probably be designing Jin this week myself and sending it to Eric for approval.

Alright, drink responsibly!

Post 251: The start...

Well,

We're now over 250 blog posts here, and I have got to say that it's been real fun. I've enjoyed it. No, I'm not going to stop them, either.

So everyone knows, Chris is responsible for the updates on the website, currently, though that may change as soon as we go into TAVA, so currently, he has all these gorgeous Landis pieces that were to be the covers that he wants to show off. As I stated earlier, I have uploaded ALL the City That Never Sleeps files to him, already, so they can be put online at any point.

Since I know nothing about web-publishing or anything, I'm kind of at the mercy of an extremely busy guy, but as I told him, if he wanted someone to head up the Publishing (print) end of Keenspot, I'd be able to do that, since I like laying out pages like that.

Aynway, all I can say, is that I know he has the pages available to him, something I don't have anymore, due to the bad HDD, but at the same time, I understand his wanting to show off these great pieces, too.

And because I want to make it an extra special Thursday for people who come here on a day without a comic update, here is my favorite panel that JK has drawn for The Ardy Vanstarr Adventures, so far.

JK and I have been a tad worried about the action sequences, since we were both knowing that a funny comic would be easy, but a more COMIC comic (like Landis), is much more difficult. This panel came off extremely fluid, which is the best way to describe movement in a static picture. No need for movement lines or anything, you just know that he just popped the IGP officer in the chops.When this panel is finalized, I may take that Ardy upperbody and create the next great ARDY T-shirt out of it (maybe with a silly slogan like, "Karate Chop!" on it for kicks).

I'd really like to see people's opinions on these things...and also...

I've been considering getting a MYSPACE page for NO other reason than to have a much larger outlet for the blog...anyone have an opinion to chime in on that? 

Just so everyone can see the difference in look and feel Eric is going to bring to the Landis table...here's his first sketch of her.

He's told me he's going to use a model for her likeness, but as you can see, she's definitely looking different than Owen's version.

I liken this to the announcement of Joe Madureira returnnig to comics to draw Ultimates AFTER Bryan Hitch leaves. Anyone who reads full comic BOOKS realizes what I mean, with Hitch being a very realistic style artist (like Eric), and Madureira having a very manga influenced style (like Owen). Both artists are great, so when Eric finds the time to start these new scripts (he has not told me what he thinks, yet), I'll update everyone like I have with JK's Ardy sketches and such.

Oh, and for ALL the Elisa fans...don't worry too much, she has a very strong role in TAGGER'S TALE. A lot of the time, I have felt that her character is stronger when she is influential in the going ons, rather than being the centralized point. I know the story is named after her, but I think the idea that the story shows her affects and influences on the people she meets is much more interesting that showing how she defeats a giant monster...though don't get me wrong, Shadow of the Collosus is awesome, too. 

Post 248: TAGGER update and more.

Ernie, your prize was shipped today. It was a Landis print, featuring the art of Owen Gieni, colored by Studio makma, autographed and sketched (Ardy) from me... if you have a digital camera and would like it to be seen on the blog, send me a pic :).

Today's piece was a painted would be cover for one of the issues of Landis, had it been a monthly series. The name isn't in my head of the artist (SORRRRRRY!) but its a gorgeous piece (that I'd LOVE to get the original for).

A couple days ago, I posted here how I was writing a new story called Tagger's Tale, and that I was already 12 pages into scripting it. Well, with my new writing format, witnessed by both JK and Eric (and Chris, I didn't forget you, boss!), and my trust in them as artists, I'm now 48 pages into Ardy and 44 pages into Tagger (Ardy is done in 48 page story arcs, Tagger/Landis is being done in 22 page issue arcs).

What that basically means is that I'm going to have the possibility of finishing this next arc of Landis, which tiptoes around the aftermath of LANDIS volume 1, and really touches on Tagger's character, including his first meeting with our red-haired hottie. I don't normally tend to believe it when I'm onto writing something good, but in this situation, *I* know I've written a REALLY good first two issues. I just want to keep the momentum going and finish this arc (probably another four issue one, so 88 pages in total), and then I'll get back on THIEF to finish it's initial arc...when that is completed, hopefully I'll talk Chris into getting the rest of LANDIS colored so we can move onto a print version, which he sounds a lot more positive about.

Lots of stuff going on, and to anyone wondering, I WAS able to get my hands on a licensed copy of Photoshop C2, so I've now replaced almost ALL the program software I had lost. NOW, I just need to get those scripts back from the artists so I can see where they are going.

Trust me when I say that the TAGGER'S TALE is honestly one of my favorite written stories thus far, ever...I put it right up there with the unfinished SPRING BROKE Ardy story, which will see its way onto the webcomic.

I think that's about everything today...and yes, I'm thinking about posting SOME of the new TAGGER script online, but I don't want to ruin the surprises just yet.

The Ardy piece that I started before the harddrive broke. This is probably going to be the center panel of my first ARDY page that I draw myself.

I have to give it to JK, since he's letting me do the art for a few strips in between the story arcs to give them a little more seperation. This one is my favorite recent piece I've drawn, considering it's probably the closest to complete. Also, thanks again to Keenspot for giving Landis another ad...especially since it was the final current post.

ON ANOTHER LANDIS NOTE: I have begun writing a story called TAGGER'S TALE which is about Janus. It will start 6 months after the events of what happened leading to the end of the current Landis arc, but will really deal with his first encounter with Elisa, and how their relationship came to be where it was...so lots of Flashback sequencing, leading up to a strong revelation of Tagger's character, and where he will go from there.

I've already written 18 pages of the story, and I'm quite impressed with how easily it was flowing today. I would expect it to probably run 96 pages in total...the only down side is do not expect it for a while, since Eric, the artist on THIEF will be doing the art, he will probably be finishing up that engagement first. 

Post 246: Welcome!

Hi to all the folks that have never checked out LANDIS before. Hopefully if you read from first part to today's, you'll see that there is A LOT that happened in such a short time.

Though this story is coming towards its en, there are two stories lined up for everyone to enjoy, followed by the launch of the SECOND Pots and Pans Ink title, The Ardy Vanstarr Adventures, starring the private eye, Ardy, seen here in Landis.

Please, either comment here on what you thought of from reading Landis...or on the Forum! I look forward to ANY feedback.

Rob

Post 245: Success...kind of.

Well, just as a quick update...my desktop IS running again...now with the new harddrive, so I have to replace some software, but after that's complete, I'll probably be able to start posting more drawings here and everything.

just figured I'd let everyone know that to fully restore the drivers on a computer is a total bitch...but at least now I can be in my computer room and typing on a full sized keyboard, rather than always on the laptop.

Thanks again to those that helped, and Ernie...you are the winner of the LANDIS print plus the sketch. I'll be doing the sketch ON the print, to truly make it one of a kind. email me your address at rpotchak@gmail.com to have me send the prize!

Have a nice night, all...and only two weeks til I'm in Atlantic City...I love gamble.

Post 244: More LANDIS retrospective. and MY GOALS...

Last night I wrote up a lot of where Landis started...today, I'm going to go more into that, because it really brought back some memories.

I remember when Chris first showed me Owen's samples for Landis, both he and I said, "This is our guy." And that's when Chris went crazy..."We'll do it in full color!" I was shocked. I applauded, with big YAYS! because I knew that this is how my goals in life went...

1) Write comics...(done)
2) Write a comic book that gets published...done when I turned 13, with CITY OF ILLUSION with 5th Panel Comics...the first appearance of Ardy. This was also my second published piece of art, as I drew the cover, and Jeremy Phillips drew the interiors.
3) Write a comic book that cracks the top 300...hasn't happened yet (technically), though honestly, the orders for LANDIS #1 would have been, since it would have been ranked #265 the month it would have come out, had it been profitable...not to mention, the FREE issue did 22000 copies, which back then would have easily broken a top 75...but since it was FREE, it did not show up on that listing. SCORN HEATWAVE sold 6000 copies when it shipped, so technically it was in the top 150 Black and White comics the month it came out...so that was a pretty big step.
4) Get ARDY seen....done. Ardy has been on a T-Shirt of Peter Parker in Sensational Spider-man #21, as well as on a coffee mug in Major Bummer #6, AND his name was on the wall in Uncanny X-Men #346 thanks to Mike Wieringo, Tom Nguyen and Tim Townsend respectively! (You guys all freakin rock, BTW).
5) Get a COLOR Comic published....done as of why this was originally started.

Now the lofty goals...

1) Write a comic for Marvel OR DC.
2) Write Highlander for Dynamite Entertainment (obviously, hehe).
3) Cartoon DEAL for Ardy...
3A) VOICE Ardy...or another character in said cartoon.
4) Movie Development deal for LANDIS.
5) Self-Publish THIEF, though I may strike a deal with Keenspot for that title, as well.

Back to what I was talking about earlier...I want to discuss Owen and his talent. Owen is not just your everyday artist that swipes poses from other artists, and he des not seem to cater his style to what he always wants...he's a true professional. He easily was able to take EVERY written page (except one, hehe) and create a landscape, a horizon and ultimately...the whole picture. I didn't have to give full page descriptions most times with him, I just said what I wanted to see, and he took my vision and made it a beautiful piece of work. I truly don't believe LANDIS would be as successful as it is if he hadn't been doing his top notch art on it. Not saying the story couldn't holdup by itself, but like a movie...it isn't just the actors, its the plot, and the cinematography...and Owen gave it ALL of that.

I was truly rewarded with him on this project. I would probably give a kidney to work with him again.

I would like to also say that I'm sorry I wasn't able to work with Ryan Stegman on #5, since the series had been cancelled for print long before that. He's an extremely talented artist that is doing his own great work on Midnight Kiss from Markosia, and continues to tell me if I get my Marvel book...he "better be" the artist that draws it.

More to come later...gotta get back to work.

Post 243: More of the different

Hey all,

Hopefully you enjoyed the total turn for the worse the world took in Landis, as Tagger, Ardy and her were unable to fix the problems at hand. It is great that the feedback that I have received has been nothing but positive. I was afraid that the way people would take this spot, where little kids get infected (and Allegedly attack a mother) so well. I really want to take this time to let everyone know that this story would never have been done if not for the fact that an audience WAS out there for a story like this.

Personally, Chris Crosby and I knew the project was onto something when I was able to talk a guy named Ethan Van Sciver into drawing a cover for us (for a LOT less than what his going rate would be at this point, since he's drawing Superman/Batman at DC Comics...though he did recently state to me at a convention that if it weren't for his exclusive deal with DC, he'd be on board with doing more covers for the book, which made me feel REAL good). After that, Chris asked me to go ahead and plot and write out a four issue headstart and we'd look for an artist, and even do a talent search. He was always REALLY supportive of the story, I guess seeing something in the concept.

Elisa cam a LONG way since she was created in the Bad Girl craze of the comics industry (part of what led to its downfall in the mid to late nineties). She was originally one of the bad girls...someone created in an issue of SCORN for SCC Entertainment, and then was to receive her own comic. That didn't pan out. This was 96.

I chat with Chris in 2002 and tried to talk him into launching LANDIS again when Ethan wasnow working on a small indy title called X-MEN (hehe). Realizing if our cover artist was working on a high profle title, we should jump at the chance to push a book out.

We knew Free Comic Book Day was coming, and we knew we had something that could work.
Chris and I were looking for a name for a new company. I suggested "A-BOMB" because with an A and a - at the beginning, it should be at the forefront of the independent section of PREVIEWS, where the direct market orders comics.

In October, we knew we were going to do the FCBD book. We were thinking did we want a stand-alone story, or did we want something that was totally new, that led into the already written and drawn series. Owen wanted a new book to draw because he wanted to show how much he had expanded his art style since he began, so I got to work.

The first script was rejected...too campy is what I was told from Chris. He gave some insight to it and said, "why not include some cool backstory, and lead into where the other four issues will take us?" And I thought about it...and then I started to research it...and I think Chris suggested that she would be Nostradamus' mistress, which I didn't like using someone that popular in history, so I did more research...and found Jean Ayme...a real person, without much written about him...turns out, he actually became the mayor of his hometown before dying alone...which I would find out about a year ago.

That's why if you re-read Landis from the VERY beginning of the website, it holds a totally different feel and pace. It isn't until those three lead in pages to "CHAPTER 1" that you actually see the pace, feel, and look really become what I wanted it to. What I ask you to do is this...re-read Landis. You will see the change, and you will feel it flow differently.

I saw this when I wrote it, and I think everyone saw the difference, and the popularity picked up after that.

Now folks, its your turn...with the end coming up real soon...(I can't recall if this was the last page and I don't have a harddrive to read the script at the moment), I ask you to review it. IF you want a paper copy of it, send replies...lets try to get Keenspot to move forward with the print version of it.

ARDY is around the corner. A character I created 10 years before Elisa, and have more love for than just about any of my characters...the story will be different, and there will be more humor. This story is going to be fun, and much brighter...but I PROMISE...to come back to LANDIS, since I know people want more.

After THIEF is completed, if I can talk him into it, Eric will draw LANDIS. He's one of the few I'll trust with her return. There's one more Landis story to come back to...and then hopefully I'll get BOTH stories (Landis and ARDY) rolling at the same time...or rotate them.

Thanks again, because I know I want to return to her...and I can see from the responses I've been getting, that you want her to return, as well.

Good News....VERRRRY BADDDD NEWWWWS

Good news:

I have a new 200gb harddrive which I was going to use as a slave drive and have a total of 280gb on my current desktop...Awesome, right?

Not quite.

VERY BAD NEWS...

I may have installed it incorrectly, and when I tried to fix it, the cheap ass cable that came with it broke off, and two of the harddrive pins FROM THE OLD DRIVE THAT RUNS MY COMP, fell into the drive and probably now need to be resoldered on...thus meaning unless I can pull the spindle off and copy it (I know I've heard that places CAN do that, I just don't know how much it costs), the drive may be fully lost. Meaning...

No scripts from me...no art from me or the other artists...and only able to post to the blog from work.

This is a terrible day to be me...heh.

my latest sketch.

This is another of Wolverine, on purple paper and drawing with pencil, ink, and whiteout. The lighting is all wrong and the proportion is off, but heck, I'm just sketching for fun, right?

I find it difficult to stick to certain proportion levels and anatomy, because with a comic, the characters are supposed to be larger than life, and I hope I caught that here.

On another note, dealing with Landis, I know Eric probably will read this before I get a chance to discuss it with him, but I'm going to ask him to take over for LANDIS after we complete THIEF, which I will probably jump back into writing until JK gets where we want to be with Ardy (though he is about 15 pages in, which is awesome). Even though I'm figuring to ask Eric to take over for Landis, I may actually change it to a solo story for Janus Tagger, because I had a really cool story in mind for Janus, and just hadn't gotten it done...who knows, maybe when I'm back into writing THIEF, I'll just want to stay with that story instead...just rambling...

and now I have to decide WHO out of the two folks that signed up to win the contest will in fact win...Thanks Jenna and Ernie, you guys probably are two of the best five fans the story has =)... 

The piece I'm pretty proud of. Captain America, here, is unfinished, and like Marv, was drawn on a steno notebook, which isn't great quality, thickness or anything, but for a sketch done at work when I'm supposed to be trying to earn commission, taking less than 30 minutes to complete and such, this is a pretty slick drawing. With it, I'm trying to give the look that he's holding the shield with his right arm, and I really like the composition. If I were to attempt to ink this piece, I'm not sure if I would go for a darker, more striated art look, ala Stephen Platt, or if I would go for a "as few lines as possible" ala Mike Avon Oeming look.

Either way you slice it, I'm enjoying the fact that I'm getting my drawing chops back, but as you can see, I haven't really explored other mediums, so I may go back to the different colored paper with black, paper color and white inks, to really give it a positive and negative space feel. Maybe I'll begin liking my stuff enough to once again attempt a comic...

ehh...probably not. 

The first of some new sketches by me. This one is of Marv from Sin City. I still don't understand HOW Frank Miller is able to make a complete black and white contrast, but I attempted to emulate some of that, here.

I always think that I draw heads better than bodies, and this is a prime example. I wanted to give the impression that he's grabbing for a gun inside the coat, and I'm not sure I accomplished that task...anyways, any feedback? 

Post 238: Marvel?

Well, I just received a response from Joe Quesada at Marvel, and it read, "Thanks for the suggestion, Rob."

That's all, hehe. It's cool though, that's not a "We will be going another direction."

It's also not a, "No thanks."

Post 237: Marvel.

Well,

I haven't done this in like two years, but I pitched Marvel Comics a story today that I think would be a guaranteed sales increase for the title in question, but that's about all. I'm not sure how many comic BOOK readers are out there, but this story has gotten nothing but praise from comic fans since I first mentioned it, and even though the pitch is rough, I think that my sales skills will help it at least get looked at.

Can't get too into details on it, in case it gets greenlighted, but I'm not holding my breath. More when I hear it...either way, you'll hear the response.

Played around sketching a bit myself, today, and this is what I came up with. I'm very sketchy, whereas JK is extremely clean with our art. It'd be interesting to have him draw something and then have me ink it, because I'd almost definitely throw in ink marks where they almost wouldn't be necessary.

I hope you have all enjoyed my more present appearance here, as of late. Hopefully in the next two weeks or so, I'll have POTCHAK.COM up and running so that you can see some of my art in gallery style. I'll probably also have a mirror of elisalandis.com on ardyvanstarr.com for the time being, as well, so that both sites are up and available to see.

I hope everybody is enjoying where Landis is going, because I feel its safe to say now that it doesn't have a happy ending...and I think that's one of the things that truly seperates it from where everyone WANTS a comic to go. I try to live in a more modern sci-fi realm, and must admit that I liked Empire Strikes Back more for the fact that the bad guys won. I just seems more real, that the good guys COULD lose. Only a couple days left.