First off, let me wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians out there. Hope you’re all enjoying your Monday off.
Last week, I said I’d have more to talk about in this week’s blog and I do. This is a big week for me and for the site.
Yesterday was Age of Animus’ first birthday. I don’t like sharing my own birthday with folks, but this is a day I’m actually proud of. Something I created is now out there for all the world to see. Over a hundred strips, even more individual drawings, a dozen stories, not to mention 52 Monday Blogs. Things haven’t gone exactly how I planned. Originally, this site was supposed to be all about the stories I was writing. The Funnies were supposed to be little gag strips to fill in the gaps. Now I’m spending most of my time on the Funnies and I haven’t written any new stories in months. At some point, I’d like to go back and write some more, as I have some ideas I’d like to get to that further shape the world of Pelaria, but for now I’m happy with the way things are going. A year ago, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to create enough content to keep the site running but thanks to the shift in focus, I’m still going strong.
The Funnies cast is developing nicely. I have more of an idea of who each character is, what they would or wouldn’t say or do, who I’m comfortable being the victims of physical comedy and what not (poor Todrick and Red Rich). Starting next week, there’s a new storyline that further develops the relationship between certain characters that I hope you’ll enjoy and in the upcoming year, Zoë will finally have a chance to shine.
I’m spending this week looking at some “rejected” ideas for Age of Animus. Be sure to check back every weekday to see where Age of Animus COULD have gone.
In addition, there will still be new mash-ups on Wednesday as I conclude my visit with the X-Men. The mash-ups have been great as I’ve been trying new things and growing as an artist. I use the word loosely only because I don’t think drawer sounds right. I suppose I could refer to myself simply as “one who draws”. I think my drawing pad has been one of my best purchases ever, because it’s allowed me to try things that I don’t think I could have achieved using pencil and paper. After getting used to drawing in this new way, it’s been so much more fun being able to just draw. If I don’t like a line, I can erase it without leaving a trace and continue.
On Friday, Project AW continues. After months of waiting, the first page finally went up and…it was just one panel with the Funnies cast. Well, yeah. It’s going to be a while before we get to the reveal. Any guesses as to what AW stands for?
I haven’t delivered on some of the announcements I made in the past twelve months. Kerfuffle Shuffle isn’t ready yet and the Age of Animus – Fun ‘n’ Fantasy crossover plans haven’t progressed since I announced the idea (sad to say that Project AW is NOT that crossover). I haven’t given up on the ideas though. Creating a board game is still something I very much want to do and I do think it’d be fun to revisit the FnF crew. I’m just into other things right now. Part of why I’ve been able to keep up with Age of Animus when so many other projects I started quickly fizzled out is because I’m having fun with it. If I put too much pressure on myself to deliver things I’m not ready to work on, it’ll stop being fun. I’m not doing this for money (although if money fell in my lap I wouldn’t say no), so it’s important that I keep things light. I’m sure you all understand.
As I wrap things up for this week, I’d like to thank all the family and friends who’ve shown support of what I’m doing here on Age of Animus, and to all those people I haven’t met who’ve dropped in to check the site out in its first twelve months. Hopefully, you’ve liked what you’ve seen. There’s more to come and I can’t wait to share it with you all.
Much love,
James (Carja)