Man, adding backgrounds and more darkness to this chapter really makes it pop in a new way. I think I finally found the dark atmosphere I tried to create all those years ago when I first did the old version. Feels really good. 

My 6-year-old son has started giving me “Computer Time Off” when he comes home from school. Apparently, I do all too much boring comic stuff, and not enough fun co-op videogames stuff or other fun activities. He is also adamant that I do not forget to help mom with daily chores so it is as equally divided as possible. That kid makes me really proud. My 4-year-old son, on the other hand, refers to me as a “poop-turd” on a daily basis. Still not sure about that one. 

This might be one of my favorite pages from this entire chapter. The trophy wall is a homage to the iconic scene in the cult classic science fiction flick Predator 2, just with some other pop culture references. I wanted to add even more stuff but had to cut down on objects so it would not clutter the scene.  

I have to admit that drawing all these weird alien tools, intended for medicinal purposes or not, was quite fun. I envisioned these rusty, out of date stuff they use horror movie hospitals and mental asylums and just made them even more strange. I always liked mechanical science fiction stuff from the ’80s rather than today’s nanotechnology stuff. It gives some weight to the otherwise fantastical stuff that appears almost like technological magic. 

In other news, I am excited that this month’s PS-Plus games are a racing title (Need For Speed: Payback) and Dontnod’s Victorian gothic tale of Vampyr. The latter title is one that I have been eyeing since its release, but always thought I could get at a later date. I am a sucker for good bloodsucker games and horror (who would have thought?) and do enjoy the casual race now and then. I also in love with Dingodiles‘ new design in Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time and can not wait until the title drops a bit in price. The original trilogy by NaughtyDogs was a mainstay of my childhood and I played the heck out of the second and third ones. Never did 100% them, though, since I am more of a Gamer4Fun type than a hardcore gamer.    

New week, new page. I must say, the recent Samurai Jack game, Battle through time looks really dope! It got that old school, PS2 era hack’n’slash vibe going but seems fun as heck. I have been a fan of Genndy Tartakovsky since before I actually knew who he was. The man is an expert on visual storytelling and extreme poses. It kinda rivals another “wish I had” game that I am looking at, Ghost of Tsushima, which incidentally also contains samurais. For now, I have to stick to playing my different endless open-world games and wait until there are some good deals on these titles, and I guess that is well enough or I will have a whole bunch of more unfinished games in my library. 

I am not even sure who is more afraid of who here? 

Earth was a pain in the arse to draw, and I am not even sure that I got it right. 

Been playing some Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order lately and I must say that the game really reminds me of both Bloodborne and the Ratchet & Clank series. Go to a planet, platform, fight some enemies, find some hidden treasures. It almost feels like when you travel to different asteroids and planets in R&C and look for golden bolts, RYNO Holoplans, and stuff. I like it, it also got me in the mood to rewatch the Mandalorian tv-series again. Nothing like some good sci-fi to brighten the day, which I guess most of us need in these trying times. 

My copy if Jedi: Fallen Order arrived today, so I’m installing it on my PS4 as we speak (write? Read?). Got a lucky break and ordered it really cheap at a sale. More science fiction goodies for me to enjoy! 

For today’s comic, I think you all know who Sergeant Heartmann is based upon. I toyed with the idea of giving him a mustache but in the end, I decided to do a straight-up caricature of the legendary R. Lee Ermey. His mannerism is a mix between Sergeant Hartman and the drill sergeant from Forrest Gump (Sergeant Sims?). Someone needed to get Kaz to take action, and what better role model than the memory of her hardass former superior officer?    

I am fairly used to getting woken up by wee monsters early in the morning. I even tried to childproof my home, but those tiny rascals keep getting in.