I blew up my computer

I'm constantly fighting with my machine! This week the DVD player stopped functioning. So, I spent more hours than I should have trying to fix it.
On the plus side, I got a new hoodie:

Internet fights

Ok first:
"A Trip to Rundberg" DEC05 3013 go order it now. I'll be here when you get back.

Ok, now that's done, let me tell you about an experience I had yesterday.
In response to a criticism of my work, I wrote:

"If you don't like the pages you saw, that's fine. I'm not gonna apologise for my work. Maybe you only read (Comic Artist X)'s books, or you think that (Comic Artist Y) is an art god."

Simply illustrating that there are different tastes out there, and I'm not everyone's flavour. That's fine. I accept that.

Imagine my surprise when Comic Artist X himself replied in the thread!

"Well, if he's a fan of my work, he's no doubt a clever and discerning reader who shouldn't be insulted by the likes of you." (emphasis mine).

I was genuinely puzzled by this, as I'd never intended to insult anyone, and didn't see how it would be perceived like that (and at the speed that comic artist X had found an innocent little thread with his name in it so quickly. Must've been one of his fans and they emailed him or something, I guess.) I was also a little insulted and shot back:

"Chill dude. I only used you as an example, because you are a known artist (hey, last time I picked up one of your books you were working on the [popular comic title], so you've got a leg up on me!) and a different style than my own. I don't think it can be inferred that you were a bad artist, so you can drop the offended prima-donna routine. Who am I the "likes of", anyway?"

I also emailed him personally to explain that it wasn't intended as an insult. He seemed cool with it and I thought it was over.

Silly fool! This is the internet! It's never over!

Along comes another poster, who apparently decides to back up his idol:

"You insult him first, then get offended when he defends himself, and you are calling Him a prima donna? Check your ego at the door ,kid."

Well, I do have an ego, I've never denied it. But what the fuck? Is this any of this guys business? no, but he's decided to get involved anyway... (remember this is the internet!). I decide to set him straight:

"I didn't insult Ethan. I think he's a fine artist and i've patched things up with him privately. I no more would have insulted ketchup if i'd said, "perhaps you like that ketchup better than my mustard." You are making a value judgement where there isn't one.

And yes I have an ego. Fucking huge one. Thanks for noticing."

Ok. THAT should clear things up. Er...

Comic Artist X: "Oh, I didn't see the 'offended prima donna' thing, and his advice that I 'drop it'. I glossed over that. That's pretty outrageous.

But thanks for the apology email."

Outrageous?! Come ON! Just calling a spade, a spade bro.

Me:"Dude, I don't know why I keep checking back in this thread. Masochistic streak I guess.

I might have been a little overboard, I admit, but allow me to re-iterate: There was NO INSULT that could have POSSIBLY BEEN INFERRED from my comment. I just can't see it. He said, "I don't like pepsi" and I responded, "Well maybe you like coke."

When you came in here and saw your name AND ASSUMED I was insulting you somehow, then commented about "the likes of you" (as in, I don't know, someone of disrepute? bad taste? poor ability?) yeah, I got a bit peeved. Hence the "prima-donna" comment, because, sorry to say, at that moment, Comic Artist X, you were acting a little holier-than-thou. But then I thought, hey maybe it's a mis-understanding. So I emailed you privately and I thought that would be the end of it.

Now someone else who was not involved has brought it to your attention and you're in here calling me outrageous. I don't get it, man. It's making my head spin.

Really, where did I insult you Comic Artist X? New Poster, can you point it out? I didn't! So quit worrying about it. I mean, isn't comics small enough as it is? I tell you what Comics Artist X, I'll buy you a drink in San Diego next year and maybe we can laugh about this like adults. Whaddya say?"

Do you think he said, yeah, let's cool it. We're both over-reacting a bit...? Hello, this is the INTERNET! Haven't you been listening?!

Comic Artist X:"Bye, Shawn." (Condescending much?)

Oh well. What can you do? I mean, I don't want people to think I'm a dick, but I'm no doormat either. Funny thing, I know I'm gonna run into this guy at a con sometime... I wonder what will happen then....

Remember this?


I've got a new graphic novel out and it'll be in December PREVIEWS. Here's the pertinent info!

"A Trip to Rundberg", the brand new redneck zombie action OGN from Frequency Press (www.frequencypress.com).
Written by Nate Southard (www.natesouthard.com)
Art by Shawn Richter (www.wonderealm.com)

Millwood was a good place to be when the dead rose. It was small, isolated, and easy to defend. The survivors there forged a community, weathered what came, and began to prosper.
But then they ran out of food.
Now, Millwood is sending five men to the neighboring town of Rundberg, a town ruled by over three thousand living dead, to find enough food to save a community.
Five against three thousand?
They don’t stand a chance.

Now here's the important bit - you have to go to your local comic shop and order a copy, or all of our orders will be cancelled. You can call 1 888 COMICBOOK or go to the comic shop locator and type in your postal code to find one near you. Also there is the the master list which can give you simialr information. So PLEASE order a copy (it'll be in sometime in February).

And this is the code you need: DEC05 3013. That way there shouldn't be any confusion. Thanks!

And yet even more TEXAS!!

Scott Hinze, the original radio Fanboy and B. Clay Moore hamming it up!








Jim Mahfood. All around cool cat.









Jason Latour of Expatriate fame!









Dan Wickline, who I met on the Engine, before I met him in person.

More Texas!

Dinner with Rafael, Matt and Noelle (and a bunch of other people not in the picture!)









Seth Peck or possibly Rick Remender and Tony Moore!








Another Austin based zombie crew!? Wassup wi'dat?









Mike Norton and Jeremy Haun goofing around...









Jedis and Stormtroopers teaming up? Wha- huh?

Wizard Texas!

NATE! The genius behind "A Trip to Rundberg"









Stormtroopers. "These aren't the artists you're looking for..."









Uncle Staple! Check out the STAPLE Convention in austin, in March. You might even meet me...









Hanging out in the hotel room, Friday night. My step-dad John, on the right and Nate on the left, loving Satan, as always.









Ryan Brandt, the genius behind "My Little Babies" and "The Lone Slinger" amongst other things.