30 / MAY / 07 - 1644 CST : The sound of music is that of a chainsaw...

Hey folks.

Today's offering is one of those rare strips that I'm actually rather happy with.  In fact, this whole story arc has proven to be one of my favourites to date.  However, in case you guys were wondering, once this one is over I will fianlly be getting back to more tales that involve the core GT crew, instead of the second string characters.

In other new, I still haven't been able to finish the revamp to the store page, but that should definitely be done by this weekend at the latest.  So hopefully you won't have to wait much longer for the GT buttons to be available to you.

One last thing before I go.  While I plan to give you guys a much more thorough rundown of what's going to be happening as far as the upcoming Paradise Comic Con is concerned, how it'll affect the site's update schedule, and what I plan to be doing while I'm out in Toronto, for now I just have three words for you.

EVIL DEAD MUSICAL!

Later,

-Ed

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28 / MAY / 07 - 1330 CST : Back in the saddle again...

Hey folks.

Unfortunately I don't really have much to report right now other than the fact that we're back to the regular strips again.  And really, that could've gone without saying, right?

Oh, and as soon as I have all the details about the GT buttons worked out, I'll be sure to let y'all know.  In the mean time though, please rest assured that they will be available soon.

Okay, I'm off to see if I can't get a head start on Wednesday's strip.

Later,

-Ed

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27 / MAY / 07 - 1217 CST : On the road to the selling out...

Hey folks,

I wanted to check in before Monday so that I could give y'all and update on what's happening or what will be happening in the GT universe this coming week.  First off, after a week (plus a day) of truly wonderful guest strips, I'm sorry to inform you that starting tomorrow we will be going back to the regular strip.  Yes, all good things must come to an end I'm afraid.

However I'd like to take this one last opportunity to thank all the artists who threw their strips into the ring, and helped me find a bit of extra time to work on some other projects this past week.  Here they are, in order of when their work was posted:

Peter Tarkulich of Bardsworth

Tanya Higgins of BetaPwned

Corey Toews

Brooke Spangler of A Girl and Her Fed

Holly Kindzierski

Lar deSouza of LICD & LFG

Thanks for the help guys!

One step closer to becoming a Wal-Mart...

A couple days ago I let you guys in on the fact that I had recently bought a button maker for the site.  To be honest, I wasn't sure if this was going to be a wise use of my funds or not.  You see, whenever I put money towards the site, I can't help but feel that in some way I'm being irresponsible with my limited finances.    'Cause If I can't eat it, use it to shelter myself, or in some way need it to keep myself alive, I often feel rather guilty for buying it. That's just the way I've become over the years it seems.

Well I've been messing around with this thing for the past couple of days now, and after taking a look at what I've been able to do with it, all I can say is...woo-hoo!

Sure, it won't keep me fed or warm at night, but screw it.  This thing is just cool as hell in my book (and yes, saying that about a button maker does in fact make me the lamest, most boring person on the planet)!  

So without further ado, allow me to give you a glimpse of the very first Geek Tragedy buttons!

(click the pic to get a closer look at the buttons)

I figure I'll be packaging the first and second rows of buttons as individual sets, which I'll be selling both on the site (hopefully they'll be up for sale as early as tomorrow, but we'll see), as well as the cons.  The last three buttons however will be sort of "con only" buttons that won't be sold through the site.  Still, nothing is really set in stone quite yet, so when I figure everything out for sure I'll let you know (most likely later on this week).

Okay, that's enough from me for now, but before I go I would like thank a very special person.  

Grace, thank you so much for staying up till the wee hours of the morning with me on Friday, and cutting out a hundred or so little paper circles so that I could build up a nice little stockpile of buttony goodness.  You're the best! (hell, I may even find it in my heart to give you a free button...or at least a small discount anyway)

Later,

-Ed

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25 / MAY / 07 - 1407 CST : Today's Guest strip by Lar deSouza of LICD & LFG...

Hey folks.

Whenever I'm looking for inspiration, or feel the need to drive myself towards becoming a better artist, I always end up checking out the work of one man...Lar deSouza.  In my mind he is the number one guy, on a short list of about three webcomic artists, who's work I truly admire above all others. He is also a guy who I am lucky enough to be able to call a friend. 

Which is exactly why, when decided a month or so ago to take a week off from doing the strip, Lar was the first person I thought of contacting about a guest strip.  The only thing was I knew the man was crazy busy working on other projects.  As well, over the years Lar has contributed more than his fair share of work to help me out, and at times has managed to do so on very short notice.  And yet through it all, not once has he ever asked for anything in return.

So in the end I figured it was time for me to give Mr. deSouza a much deserved break from bailing my lazy ass out, and decided it best not to trouble the man by begging yet another favour off him.  But that's what I love about Lar though, he'd never make a friend feel like he'd have to beg for help.  Instead he just throws on his cape and cowl, buckles up his nifty utility belt, and swoops in to the rescue the poor (yet ruggedly handsome) webcartoonist in distress.  

In other words, he was the very first person in line offering to help a brother out, just like always!

Thank you Lar, for the strip, the friendship, and for the inspiration to become a better artist (and for taking the idea of doing a GT rogues gallery pic, and knocking it right the hell outta the park!).  You're the best man!

And that's about it for me guys.  I will however be back sometime this weekend with some GT news, and a heads up about what you can expect to in the next couple weeks.  Till then though, take care and have a wonderful night.

Later,

-Ed

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24 / MAY / 07 - 1303 CST : Today's Guest strip by Holly Kindzierski...

Hey folks.

This is kind of a huge day for today's guest artist.  Yes, I know.  Having your very own guest strip up at Geek Tragedy is more then enough to make this a landmark day for anyone, but that's not what I'm talking about.  Today is extra special for Holly because...

Today is Holly's 18th birthday!

And if the big 18 is going to be anything for her like mine was for me (so many, many, many years ago), then she's in for a hellova fun night (but here's hoping she'll get to skip the godawfully painful morning-after I had).  

So thank you so very much for the guest strip Holly!  Here's hoping you have a wonderful birthday, a great time at Fine Arts in University (word of advice though, stay as far away from Prof. Jeff Funnell as humanly possible!), and head on to an amazing career!  All I ask is that you remember me when you hit it big...because there's a good chance I'm gonna come beggin' you for a job once you do.

Oh, and thank you for fulfilling the secret wish I had that someone would put Phil into one of the guest strips!

Alrighty guys, I'm done for now.  See y'all Friday!

Later,

-Ed

PS: One more thing, Holly, if someone buys you a shooter called a "prairie-fire" DON'T DRINK IT!  Even if they put whip cream on top of it and say it tastes like candy.  'Cause unless they make candy in hell, it most certainly does not!  Trust me on this one.  

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23 / MAY / 07 - 1210 CST : Today's Guest strip by Brooke Spangler of A Girl and Her Fed...

Hey folks.

I knew today's guest strip was going to be a good'un!  I knew it long before I ever even saw it.  And not just because I'm a big fan of Brooke's work and had the utmost confidence in her abilities (though there is that).  No, I knew I was waiting on gold to arrive in my inbox because a couple weeks ago I received an e-mail from Brooke asking the question; 

"Have you used a joke where your ferret is possessed and ends up in someone's cleavage?"

I mean seriously, how could a strip involving that particular plot point go wrong?

Also, it was a nice treat to see her do up a comic in full colour.  It seems she pulled out all the stops with this one, and I think we can all agree that it really paid off.

So thank you so very, very much Brooke!  And please, now that I've seen what you can do with them, feel free to use Bo or Casey any time you want!

Well that's it for me for another day.  I will be back tomorrow though with a new guest strip, done by an artist who's work you've never seen on the site before, featuring a character who has yet to be tackled by any other guest artist to date.

Later,

-Ed

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22 / MAY / 07 - 1604 CST : Today's Guest strip by Corey Toews (who has just about the most perfect timing in the world!)...

So yeah, remember what I said about 20 minutes ago about there being no guest strip today. LIES!

All I can say is I'm glad I checked my e-mail before I logged off and went to bed after my last post, 'cause it would've been a shame to let this go to waste.    

As well, I think it's rather fitting that Keycon just finished up this weekend, seeing as how I first met today's guest artist, Corey Toews, there a year ago.  

(Corey is the one who doesn't look like a tired, pale, Green Lantern zombie)

The only thing I regret about becoming pals with Corey is that I hardly ever get a chance to hang out with the guy.  That, and the fact that I've yet to be able to convince him to start up a webcomic of his own (honestly dude, if someone like me can do it...).

I'd also like to point out that Corey has the rare distinction of being one of the few real life people who've ever made it into a GT strip.  He's also the inventor of the GT shot (half-Gibson's Finest / half-T

Thanks a bunch for the strip Corey, and for being a friend to both me and the site for the past year!

Okay folks, now I'm headed to bed!

Later,

-Ed

1545 CST : At least I have something for y'all to look at...

Hey folks,

First off it looks like there won't be any guest art today. Which , seeing as how Tuesday isn't actually a regular update day, isn't the end of the world I guess.  Still, if for some reason this does end up bringing about the end of the world, I'm truly sorry to have brought all of existence to an untimely close.

And while we're on the subject of guest art, for those of you who missed Friday's offering and were wondering where it could be found, you can check it out in either the Alt-Strips section of the site, or by heading over to the Archives page.

And last, but not least, I'm happy to say I received a shiny new toy in the mail today!

That's right, I am the proud owner a neat-o 1 1/2" button maker, bought from the fine folks over at USA Buttons Inc!  Now I've only had time today to do a few test runs with it, but I'm thrilled to say that it works a like charm, and I'm sure I'll have a nice stock of GT buttons by the end of this week.

I'd also like to give serious kudos to the staff over at USA Buttons for some truly wonderful customer service, and for providing me with quality product at a really great price.  And yes, I know I sound like a freakin' commercial, but I've had some incredibly shitty experiences ordering stuff online in the past, so when I find a company that does right by me, I feel that sending out a few kind words is the least I can do.

Oh, and before I go, I do have one question for you guys.  Is it just me, or does this thing give off kind of a phallic vibe to you?

Okay, maybe it's just me then...

Later,

-Ed

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21 / MAY / 07 - 1200 CST : Guest strip by Tanya Higgins of BetaPwned...

Hey folks!

Today's Guest Strip was graciously donated by the self described "newbie" webcartoonist Tanya Higgins of BetaPwned.  BetaPwned is one of the few webcomic that I was lucky enough to stumble upon right at the beginning of it's run, and I've been a regular reader ever since (some of you may have already noticed that it's been listed on my links page under "webcomics I read" for a while now).  It's been kinda cool to watch how the changes to Tanya's art style, and site design have developed over the past few months.  To me that shows a lot of dedication and desire to grow on her part, which is a trait I have the utmost respect for.

I think the big thing that first caught my attention with her comic is the quirky sort of bend that Tanya has to her sense of humour, and how she applies to both the "slice of life" storylines, as well as the stand alone strips she does.  It's also why I knew she'd be the perfect fit for doing a GT guest strip.

I do so love being right.

Thank you so much Tanya for taking the time out of your life to do this for me!  I appreciate it far more than I could ever express.

Well that's all for me guys.  I should have another bit of guest art up for you tomorrow (so I'm told), but if for some reason that update should fall through, I can guarantee that you will not go without come Wednesday.

Later,

-Ed

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18 / MAY / 07 - 1200 CST : Guest strip by Peter Tarkulich of Bardsworth...

Hey folks.

Well as you can see I did in fact decide to kick off the guest strips today instead of waiting till Monday, and I figured who better to have the first guest spot then the man who has the distinction of being the first person who ever bought a GT-shirt, Peter Tarkulich of Bardsworth.

Pete's been a friend of the site since the beginning.  Or at least so damn close to the beginning that I don't ever remember doing Geek Tragedy without having him there to cheer me on, and give me some (much needed at times) words of encouragement.  Unfortunately I've never actually had a chance to meet Pete face to face yet (Connecticon '08 Pete?), but when I do finally get the opportunity, the beers are on me pal!

Oh, and by the way, Pete is currently having a pre-sale for some brand spanking new Bardsworth T-shirts, so if you have a couple bucks to spare, be sure to drop on by his site and pick up a fine nipple covering device (or two...y'know, one for each nipple).

Well that's all for me guys.  I don't know if I'll get a chance to drop by and post anything here this weekend, as I'll be heading on over to Keycon to do some serious geeking out and to catch up with some friends I haven't seen in quite a while.  I will however be back on Monday at noon with another guest strip for y'all.

Take care, and have a great (long, if you're in Canada) weekend!

Later,

-Ed

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16 / MAY / 07 - 1743 CST : Finally, a real news post (which of course means a whole lotta typos are on the way)!

Hey folks!

I haven't really given you a news bone with any meat on it for a while now, so I figure I'm due. So here goes!

That's right, I'm checking back in with everyone's favourite FBI agent (who wasn't eaten by a demonic ferret), and his quest to uncover the truth about why the GT crew keeps getting screwed over come Christmas. Now even though I think today's strip has turned out okay so far (I'm writing this before I've even started the colours though, so there's still a chance I'll screw it up), Monday's offering was as close to a perfect representation of how my minds eye had envisioned things looking as I've ever managed to pull off with the comic. So yes, Pt. I of Cat Catcher may not have been the most exciting or visually stimulating strip I've ever done, but it's by far one of my favourites at the moment.

I only hope that part three will turn out half as well, but I guess we'll see come Friday…or will we?

I just wanted to remind y'all that I will be taking next week off from doing the strip so that I can catch up on a bunch of projects that I desperately need to put some time into (not the least of which being getting my ass ready for Paradise Comicon in Toronto). However, you don't have to worry about a lack of stripage during that time, as I managed to beg and plead my way into weaselling a few guest strips out of some very kind people.

In fact, if all the strips / guest art that I'm expecting come through, I may be kicking things off a bit earlier then expected and post the first one on Friday, rather than waiting till Monday. Which will still leave me with enough generous offerings (provided by a group of artists who are obviously far more productive than myself) to have new updates each and every weekday between May 21st and the 25th.

You'll no doubt notice that some of the artists helping me out this time around have bailed my ass out once or twice before, while others are virgin GTers. All of them however have my most sincere thanks for taking the time out of their busy lives to do this favour for me. I can only hope that one day I'll be able to repay them all, and to do so in some way that won't require me having to explain to my future wife why a bunch of people already "have dibs" on our first, through sixth, born children.

Okay folks, that’s all I’ve got for now, but as always (or almost always, anyway) I’ll be back on Friday with more.

Later,

-Ed

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14 / MAY / 07 - 1800 CST : Rain-cheque...

IOU : One news post.  Unfortunately right now I owe myself some sleep.

Later,

-Ed

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11 / MAY / 07 - 2011 CST : Words no work good for me now...

Hey folks.

I won't say much right now, because I'm way freakin' tired, but I will say this;

The second and third panel in this strip mirror those of the last strip by design, and not simply by laziness.  Y'know, in case anyone was wondering.

Oh, and one more thing.  To all you mothers out there, have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Okay, that's all for me for now.  I go sleep now.

Later,

-Ed

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09 / MAY / 07 - 1955 CST : But I dream in colour...

Hey folks.

If you've been checking out the shiny new Twitter box that's up and to the right there (located just below the equally new and shiny '07 Con Schedule) you'll have read that I was thinking of taking a nap before before the strip was done.  Well I did, and now that I've woken up I pretty much just want to go back to bed.  So I figured it was best if I went ahead and posted the black and white version of the strip now, and then finish off the colours tomorrow (I only have the shading left to though, so it shouldn't take to me too long).

And speaking of the strip I feel it's important to mention a couple things. First off, I would never dream of giving such a gift to my own sister (who's birthday happens to be tomorrow) even as a joke...no matter how funny I may think it would be.  So sis, you can rest easy knowing that this is not a preview of what you can expect to happen when I see you next.  And in turn I can rest easy knowing that I will not be beaten to death by a 7 inch piece of molded rubber (or whatever they're made out of).

Secondly, after reading the current guest strips over at Girls With Slingshots this morning (one of which was done by none other than A Girl and Her Fed's Brooke Spangler) I almost ditched the idea for today's strip due to the similarity in subject matter.  But then I figured there is always room for one more sex toy joke in the world, so what the hell.

Plus I had already sketched it all out anyway and I couldn't really come up with another idea, so I was kinda screwed at that point.

Anyway, that's all for me for now as I need to get my ass back to bed.  I'll see y'all tomorrow when I post the coloured version of the strip.

Later,

-Ed

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07 / MAY / 07 - 0903 CST : Better day...

Hey folks.

Well I would've rather of had this strip up on Friday, but what can you do right?

Anyway, I don't really have much to say right now (other than I need some sleep), but I'll try to drop by again tomorrow with some GT news type stuff.

Later,

-Ed

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04 / MAY / 07 - 1816 CST : One of those days...

Hey folks.

Yeah, there won't be a new strip up today I'm afraid.  Now normally when this happens it means that the strip will be simply bumped back till Saturday and then everything will be right with the world once more.  Not this time I'm afraid.  At best I'll have a bit of filler art or a sketch or something up over the weekend, but even that is iffy at this point.

You see there's a lot going on for me right now, and despite the fact that most of it is really good, being the worrier that I am it's all starting to stress me out a bit.  Which in turn has made it really difficult to concentrate today. Worse yet I had actually set this day aside specifically to play catch-up on some projects I need to put some serious time into, and yet it feels like all I've been able to produce so far is a monster sized headache. 

So there you have it folks.  No computer problems to blame. No non-existent dog eating my artwork.  Hell, I'm even totally wide awake right now so I can't even blame lack of sleep.  No, I'm  just flat out having a crappy day, and that's why the strip won't be done.

I will however try to make it up to you in some way.  I don't know how yet, but I'll do my best.  Who knows, maybe when I start hitting some cons this year I'll dish out free hot oil belly rubs...or then again maybe I'll just put out a candy dish instead.  

Anyway, that all for me for now.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Later,

-Ed

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02 / MAY / 07 - 1954 CST : Putting the rage back on the road where it belongs...

Hey folks.

Y'know it occurred to me while I was writing the script for today's strip that if I felt so inclined to do a daily comic about all the things that drive me nuts while driving, I could have a good twenty year run before I ran the risk of running out of material.

Seriously, I HATE having to get behind the wheel.  

Now some of you may be saying to yourself, "Hate is a pretty strong word there Ed."  And to that I'd say, "Yes, yes it is. But not nearly strong enough!" 

Oh, and in case you were wondering, yeah, I do tend to get a little frustrated on the road much like Noname.  However I tend to draw the line at sticking my head out the window and hurling obscenities at the elderly...but oh how I long to!

Okay guys, that's all for now.  See y'all on Friday!

Later,

-Ed

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