72

What else is there to say?
I've been enjoying stomping through the world of Sanctuary for the past week with my girlfriend.

It started out sort-of reluctantly. I think the only reason she began playing with me was just to make me happy.
I've been always going to plays, musicals, shows, etc. that she's really interested in. Which is cool. I get to break out of my shell every so often which is great. I'd never have known I enjoyed musicals as much as I do had it not been for her.
Then one day she asks me if there's anything special that I'd like to do.

All I've ever wanted was just to play games with her. I haven't played a co-op game since WoW. And that's been about 2 years ago. 
I had been playing Diablo 3 for a couple months and I thought it'd be something we would both enjoy. She enjoys zombies, demons, vampires, etc. I enjoy the level grind, item farming, and gradual difficulty curves.

So flash forward to now. She's rocking a 23 Wizard alongside my 23 Demon Hunter. I handle the numbers; gearing and socketing. She picks the spells and play-style that suits her best. I pick mine based on hers so we get the biggest bang for our buck.

I could go on and on about our adventures but there's no point.
The main theme I'm trying to get across is that I love this. One of us will get sick of playing this game at some point and it may become something of the past. But for now, I want to soak this up. The Diablo 3 effect.

71

I went on a Youtube binge and ended up watching a couple lectures on the Federal Reserve and then evolution.

Interesting stuff. Although I don't want to sound too preachy.
This happens to be something that, now hearing about it, is truly fascinating to me.

Things that also fascinate me:
Cats
Large bodies of water
Dough rising
Artists who are better than me
Pro DotA players
Teacup Pigs
Baby sloths.

-Enjoy!

Brendan

70

Go football!
Or FOOTBALL AMERICANA, as actual football is not what I've depicted here.

Any other comic-ers....comic creators....people whom create comic strips?
Anyway-anyone else ever wonder why we put ourselves under deadlines?

I mean, most people already have a job, life, possibly kids and a family.
Trying to get a comic done on a weekly basis (more so if you're a real glutton for punishment) seems like we're willfully adding more fuel to the fire. You know?

It's like the desire to create, to make someone laugh, to tell a story, or to generally entertain far out-weighs any sort of stress that a deadline should normally cause.

Personally this is a stress-killer for me. I enjoy trying to get a laugh or smile out of people. Also being able to create a caricature of myself is just the bees-knees. Now i can have anvils fall on my head and come back next week with no permanent damage!

Behold! The beauty of cartoons! And a lack on continuity!

Happy Sunday and enjoy!

-Brendan

69

So this about sums up my feelings regarding the art class I've been taking.
Not that there's anything wrong with a design class.

I prefer more structure.
I want to hone my observational and technical skills. Not my artsy-fartsy-feel-good...skills?

Not much else to say. Busy, stressed, fed-up, and tired.

Hope your weeks have been better.

Enjoy!

-Brendan

67

Yo, let's talk grocery shopping...

Actually let's not. It makes me sad.

Happy Sunday to you all! Both football fans and non-pig skin enthusiasts. Myself? I don't watch football willfully. If it's on I'll zone in and out. I'd prefer to be playing a game, watching cartoons, or doodling though. As far as knowing players and teams and giving a damn about the outcome, count me out.

There's probably a severe lack of testosterone in me or something. I got my fill of football in high school though.

So anywho, now that cartoon Brendan is going to fulfill real-life Brendan's fantasy of making art in to a career, time to start making jokes about a struggling artist!

HEY THAT'S NOVEL AND HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE!

Sometimes, if you want something done, you have to do vicariously. Through a cartoon. On the internet.

Enjoy!

-Brendan

66

Happy Sunday to everyone!

I thought I wouldn't be able to knock one these out this weekend again. But yeah!
I did it!
With a little copy/paste action. And simple colours.

I think it works for the joke though. I'm aware of the laziness behind it but again, I've been busy. I can see a light at the end though!

I'm thinking next weekend I'll have the whole Saturday to myself so I can get back up to the caliber I expect of myself.

So yeah. Thanks to those who continue to view and stop by.
One of these days this'll be a full time career and I can focus on making the best damn comics ever!

Well, maybe not ever...

But it'll definitely be a comic!

Enjoy.

-Brendan

65

A big apology to all of you expecting a regular update.
Not only am I a week behind, I missed the Sunday deadline by a day.

So I provide to you a Labor Day sketch. 

Why so tardy Brendan?
Lately I'm in need of extra hours at work. Taking an art class at a local JuCo. Weekends also haven't been for lounging lately.

So it all added up to a couple late strips while I fall behind on my practice schedule.
Kind of hard to push myself towards an art career when I continually fall behind.

Anyone else ever have these problems?

Enjoy
-Brendan

64

Hey! It's Saturday!
So as the story continues, how do we find our heroes face-to-face?!

Wasn't Brendan in a bar? Wasn't Becky the one who was passed out? Wasn't there a bar tender being snooty? 
Behold!
My attempt at story telling!

You're clearly sitting in a chair/couch while reading this but I assure you; YOU'LL ONLY NEED THE EDGE!

Ahem...

Do bear with me as I unfold some comic-world life changing events.
Well, maybe not life changing. Maybe character developing? That sounds more accurate.

Either way, a lot of this is all based on my recent anxiety problems I've been having. I figure a good way to deal with it is use the comic.

Hope it doesn't get too personal/preachy for you guys, but I'm under the impression the more personal I make this comic, the better my chances are of reaching an audience.

Risk nothing gain nothing.

POST OVER!

Enjoy!
-Brendan

63

Feeling much better now. No more head cold, no more sniffles, no nothin'.

Still at the bar scene in Cap and Gown. Sometimes bartenders are the only ones who'll listen. 
Mostly because it helps them get paid.
And there's no one else to talk to other than drunks.

I'm not even a drinker, myself. But within cartooning; it opens doors to funny story lines.

At least to me.

Happy Sunday.
Enjoy!

-Brendan

61

So here we go. Continuity bound!

In case anyone's curious I have not been fired in real life nor do I plan on quitting/losing my current job. It's a pretty good gig.

But enough about me let's talk about Cap and Gown!

I'm a pretty big fan of how this week's comic turned out. I'm happy with the line work and I wanted to use the colour simply to convey an emotion/state of mind.
I think it worked out fairly well.

Anyway, as always

Enjoy!

-Brendan

60

I bought some Bailey's and had this idea for a story arc.

That's right, I'm willingly pursuing continuity.
Yeesh! Look at this guy getting all brave with different panels and trying to tell a story!

I'm pretty excited for it. Hopefully the rest of you are as well.
So get ready for a prolonged story about cartoon-Brendan and his work and friendship woes!

Oh boy! When will the excitement end?!

...alright I'll stop.

Enjoy!

-Brendan

59

I think a lot of people in the work force are familiar with this chart. I've noticed it in myself. But holy shit, this last week was beyond stressful.

I try to steer away from work-related strips. If i do decide to make one, I like to keep it vague so it's not too specific about where I work or what I do. I suppose that's either professional or paranoia.

Anyways, I want to apologize for taking last week off. I had a four day weekend and went to my parents home to help them paint a couple rooms.

That was definitely an adventure.

Needless to say when I got back to the apartment I was wore out.
That's not much in terms of an excuse. I could have just as easily cranked a comic out ahead of time. Lately though, I feel like I'm producing better comics under pressure. Waiting until Saturday to turn them out and only giving myself minimal time to think of a joke.

This lets me practice gesture and anatomy all week and study from a couple art books I have. 

But that's enough about me.

Nobody really wants to read all this. There's pretty pictures up above to look at.

So get to it!

Enjoy!
-Brendan 

57

Daw! Look at little Brendan! All indifferent and unamused!
Well, some things never change I suppose.

So this comic was a hell of a lot of fun to draw. I'm especially happy with the first and third panels. I think I got a good gesture, showing that "eh. whatever" vibe.

So yeah. You'd think a life-time of doodling I'd have wised-up and taken it seriously.
I mean, I tried art-school. But then quit because I hated living in downtown Chicago. I always wonder, had I just taken art seriously at a normal college or University, would things be different?

Or did I need to take a long break from it to realize how much joy I get out of it?
Would I be doing this comic had I gone to school for art?

Lots of tricky questions.
Nonetheless I'm going to keep pursuing.
I might have to break down and take some classes. I'd like to get in an environment of other artists. See how that pans. out.

Enjoy!

-Brendan

54

Happy Sunday!

I tried mixing strawberry powder with coffee grounds once.
It was awful and I don't recommend anyone else ever do it. Ever.

Cinnamon and coffee go well but man, that strawberry taste was horrid.
I can still remember it.

Anywho, I'm pretty pleased with the inking this time around. I have to admit, I put off doing this comic because I've been practicing my digital painting and got sucked in to a doodle. I still like how it all turned out. 

Oh and here's the doodle.

I think I might just have to finish and colour this one. I'm liking how it's turning out.

Anyway, enjoy!

-Brendan

52

Blargh.

Rough week indeed. I needed to vent more than aim for a joke.
I miss the peace and quiet of living out in the country. Helped with letting off steam after a long day or whole week.

And the clear night were perfect to relax under. Being able to see every star; priceless.

Moving on to the art.
I not exactly sure how to show that transition from water-bank-mainland. I tried the best I know how but it still looks wrong.
I should have used references.

Again, nothing fancy with the colours.
I'm happy with the gestures. I feel like I got the skipping-rock pose to be accurate.
The second panel makes me chuckle with the buckling knees.

Oh Becky!
That rock is just too big for you.

Wait...this is like a metaphor for life, isn't it?

...

Enjoy!

-Brendan