Adventure Man Returns!

"Adventure Man" number two is available at www.bloodscreamcomics.com or, if you live in the Dayton area, the finer comic book shops. Grab your copy today! With exciting editing by Matthew Brassfield, powerful print formatting by Juliet Fromholt, courageous cover colors by Jason Gilmore, scintillating story by Jeremy Hoyt and Matt and some odds and ends by me, you know it will be a fun read. Join in the adventure!

Weathered

Since I couldn't think of anything to draw, I opened an old magazine for inspiration and chanced upon a photograph of an actor. Now, because I'm rarely successful in capturing likenesses, I thought I'd use his middle-aged features for reference to aid me in drawing an imaginary older person. I put the magazine away after roughing in the head, certain no one would ever suspect (or care) about my source. That's when Kathy walked by, said the face reminded her of someone and then amazed me by guessing the thespian (although, to be honest, it took her two tries). I was so surprised that I didn't even think to tell her she guessed correctly. In fact, I was so stunned that I quit working on the drawing, which is why the picture looks the way it does. I'm not so bedazzled with Kathy's keen detective abilities now, however, since she's been walking by as I type this and keeps guessing more and more people, most of whom I've never heard of. Still, it does make me wonder if anyone else could ever guess the model's identity.

One-Eyed Jack

The sun was beginning to set by the time I eluded my final pursuer. Having a moment to rest, I studied my surroundings. I had never been this far in the woods before. Some things ... or some thing... was moving in the overhead canopy, but the dying light and thick clumps of leaves kept the source of the rustling well hidden. Some distance to the left a full-throated basso choir of frogs commenced their evening performance. Dropping on the moss and resting my head against a dead sycamore, I thought, "So, water's close by and, in theory, the mosquitoes should be few. Not bad. I've slept in worse places." I then closed my eyes and fell instantly asleep.

Sarah and the Crickets (apologies to the memory of Buddy)

The above is an article written by Sarah that was published in the Beaver Creek Wetlands Association's "The Spotted Turtle," volume 3, number 4, Fall 2017. Yup, her mother and father are kind of proud of her.

Merry Christmas!

The image may be in shades of gray but the sentiment is festive and bright!  From our home to yours, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ebenezer Scrooge

There's no story behind this poor little doodle except that it was inspired by an Anthony van Dyck portrait... and that's no humbug.

Poe

"The skies they were ashen and sober;

The leaves they were crisped and sere --

The leaves they were withering and sere:

It was night in the lonesome October

Of my most immemorial year..."

-- "Ulalume: A Ballad"

On October 7, 1849, Edgar A. Poe, wearily whispering, "Lord, help my poor soul," slipped from his life's short story and into the mystery of eternity. As every schoolchild has thought, how sadly fitting that he should take his leave in the month of Halloween and lengthening nights, at the time when the colors of autumn begin to turn gray, the vegetation withers beneath a canopy of massive, monstrous clouds and the whole earth seems to be solemnly slipping into the cold shroud of winter. Like countless others, Poe had a sad, short life; but his art has endured... and what better fate could any artist have?