Dragon Con is this weekend and if you’re going, be sure to stop by to check out my artwork! Maybe take pictures if you can, I’m really sad that I can’t be there myself. Hopefully one day I will and then the next goal will be New York Comic Con.

*sigh* This is what happens when nerds dream big.

Also, it’s a new month, so don’t forget to give us a click for TopWebComics if you feel the notion!

This page required a lot of research on my part, mainly on how to hogtie a zombie and what would be most effective in not getting yourself bit or breaking an arm. So I got a team together of models, a couple of martial artists, and someone that really knows how to tie a knot.

It started with the writer (Clint) handing me the script for today’s comic. Then I looked over it and realized that we would need some help in figuring out how to put these panels together. Sure I could have just drawn to the best of my knowledge on the best way to hogtie a zombie from my days of being a horse-riding-rodeo lover, but it’s quite a bit different trying to hogtie a human versus a cow.

So I had a buddy that liked to study knot tying. So I poked his brain on what type of knot work would be best for this type of situation.

But there then was security! These things could bite you and turn you into a zombie. And zombies are known for falling apart, so Suzie wouldn’t want to put too much pressure in an area that might cause bone breaking. I’ve studied martial arts (Karate, Kung Fu, Tai Chi), I know how to take down a person, but not really in a way that might not accidentally cause injury. So I consulted a buddy of mine that studied Aikido – which is known for its techniques that focus on defending yourself as well as protecting your attacker from injury. Suzie wasn’t going to be a martial artist, but they have been ranching zombies for a while and would have figured out a few tricks on taking down a zombie and tying him up.

Then there were the friends I invited to this debate/reference photo shoot that knew nothing about rodeo, martial arts, knot tying or zombies. They were most important because they communicated what would make sense to them and would point out things that we wouldn’t have considered an important aspect to show in the comic. An example is something like the gag being a leather thong rather than it being part of the rope.

So I want to say a huge thank you to Dan, Raven, Korrin, Bryn, and Clint. Most of all Clint because this was such a fun page to draw.

Sorry for the slight delay in getting this posted, it was ready to go but we had a problem with the auto-scheduler. All fixed now!

Since I don’t have anything to blog about, feel free to ask questions about making a comic. Like what it’s like working with a writer as an artist or vice versa.? Or how to draw/color something? Our thoughts on a certain comic book/web comic?

Also it’s a new month, so don’t forget to vote for us on TopWebComics!

We have survived the San Diego Comic Con! I bought many many things and visited some of my friends, went out drinking with those friends, then your Nerd Queen (yes me) decided to wander around the Gaslamp at night while said drunk. That was pretty much my time at the Convention….I wouldn’t have changed a thing!

Now I’ll be spending the remainder of the year detoxing and getting back to the regular grind of things. Oh wait! There’s Dragon Con I have to prepare for next. I won’t be able to go to Dragon Con, so my artwork will have to go for me. So I have to finish up some drawings, color them and ship them next month.

Then I get free time, right? Wait, no! I then have to look for a job! I finished college and am being shoved out into the real world. Well more like put back. Like releasing me into the wild, I suppose…I am so a gazelle that’s going to get eaten because I have been spoiled by zoo life.
But I’ll be applying to some dream jobs and collecting rejection notices. I got the idea from Tim Schafer: http://www.doublefine.com/news/comments/twenty_years_only_a_few_tears/

I’ll also be applying to a few other jobs just so that I can eat, have a car, sustain my gaming habits. Hey! Girl has to play her World of Warcraft and Dragon Age II when it comes out…maybe a little Nights of the Old Republic…(okay, the force isn’t strong with me) a whole lot of playing.

It’s that most magical time of the year. That’s right! It’s time to get my nerd on at the San Diego Comic Con. Wooooo! Woooo! That means I will not hide the giant nerd within!

<dance=”happy party dance” alt=”double rainbow”> Wooot! Wooot! Earning XP per hour on life!</dance>

I haven’t drawn a comic because I was busy preparing artwork for the San Diego Comic Con’s Art Show and for Dragon Con. But I haven’t left you empty handed. The artwork for today is titled “Testament” and I will be selling the original at the Art Show if you happen to be down there and want to make a bid.

If you don’t think that you will be able to afford it or can’t make it to the convention, then you can also buy it at the Deviant Art Store: http://www.deviantart.com/print/13349177/

Photo Prints (shipping not included)

9×12 = $6.99
18×24= $19.99

Sadly you won’t find us hosting any booth, but we’ll be about the convention, and we’ll have lots of Zombie Ranch fliers available at the freebie table. And you never know, you might just bump into us while I’m buying Copic Markers or finishing off my collection of Fables. If you do recognize us, please say hi!

We’ll be updating what’s going on for us at San Diego Comic Con on our Twitter:

You can also follow Dawn’s twitter as she twitters about random stuff at the convention:

Another coloring video

Music: “My Revelation” by Lip Service

Me coloring page 36.

Music:
“The Last Singing Cowboy” by Lip Service

The day has finally come. The first collected print issue of Zombie Ranch is now for sale! Hurray!

Thank you for being so patient! We wanted to find the best print on demand we could find at a reasonable price, and make sure of the quality before offering the listing information to you folks. We currently have two options if you’re interested: the first is ordering from Indyplanet.com, and the second is ordering a limited Special Edition copy directly from us.

The details and links for both are now listed in our Store section: CLICK HERE. One word of warning: we have been advised that fulfillment times from Indyplanet can be a bit slow, particularly when a major comic convention is coming up (in this case, that’d be San Diego). We’re quite satisfied with the end product, however, and have a stack of our own all ready to go for fulfilling any Special Edition orders.

Issue #1 collects the first 23 pages of the webcomic, representing the entirety of our first story arc, and including a foreword and afterword from Clint. The Special Edition is a signed copy of the same, plus several extra goodies as detailed in the store.

Don’t worry, the past, present, and future comics of Zombie Ranch will continue to be free of charge here on the web, and we highly appreciate every last one of you that drops by to read. But hey, now we’ve also got something to set out at our next convention table, and you guys have your option if you’re the type who really likes something to flip through for the true comic experience. Regardless of your preferences, thanks for your support!