Let’s cut to the chase… “1977” will return in February.
Now, before you spit your beer all over your monitor, it will not be on a regular schedule. I’m testing the waters and will post at least twice a month. Some posts may only be updated comics like the one shown here today. I’ve always liked this drawing of the gang, but it was so old I had to update it. Robyn is finally holding a sword (her hand has been empty all these years), and I corrected Bud’s pose as well as the lady’s eyes which were really awful. Anyway, you get my point.
My real goal is to return to story ideas that only got a couple comics due to my short attention span and/or my inability to draw what I had envisioned. Up first will be when I had Sam from “Quantum Leap” take over Robyn’s body so that he could help the guys repair Jeff’s home (which had been damaged by a fire Poco set). Currently there’s like only three comics with Sam in it and I had him leap out. Well, I had several other interactions and didn’t end up drawing them. Well, I will now.
All of this is to help me get my brain thinking in terms of creating comics again, as it’s been a long, long time since I did any serious writing of comics.
What brought this about? Especially since I retired the comic in 2021? One, I’m on new medications for my ADHD and depression and I’ve been drawing regularly since late July and I don’t see it stopping any time soon. Second, I’m officially retired as I turn 65 on February 5th. I am going to push lots of things aside that have distracted me and get back to drawing and my carpentry projects.
In short, my career as an illustrator doing projects for NASCAR, appearing at comic cons as a demonstration artist and panelist, as well as a ton of other things, were all directly related to my having created this comic and doing it on a regular basis through 2015 before my brain started to fall apart. Those stresses that caused my breakdown are now in the past and I’m back to create as much as art as I can tolerate. I will create new stuff for “1977” as long as I’m enjoying it. And I hope that it is a long time to come as I miss these characters as well as my readers, which are the greatest in the world. Let’s rock this fuckin’ thing! See y’all in February!
And I’m not opposed to reader requests or suggestions for songs, especially when it’s for Sweet’s “Fox on the Run!” Love this song and played it to death in day, and still do!
Hey old man, that’s nice ot hear! Good for you to feel better, good for us to see more of your cartoons. I am looking forward to it. But no pressure. All the best for the new year, and stay healthy in mind and body! –j
Thank you! Yes, I will not be pushing myself mentally to meet self-imposed deadlines. They will happen when they happen. More than likely, I will get to a point where I can be more productive as my speed returns and the cobwebs clear out of my head.
Happy New Year to you too!
Awesome news! just from you writing that I feel there may have been a lot of weight lifted off your shoulders. glad you are giving a try again and look forward to any work you show us. New year already starting with a positive note, Happy New Year!
Thanks, man! Yes, talking/writing about my issues has always been beneficial to me. When the new medications kicked in around late July and I started drawing again, I was immediately pulled back to the 1977 gang. I did those Halloween covers, which were a ton of work for me as I’m “out of shape” as far as drawing goes. But, I had so much fun with them, I decided to give it some time and see how I felt at the end of 2021, and things are still clicking for me.
We’ll see how it goes. I’m hoping for a better 2022 as the past two years have sucked royally for people and I think my comic can bring some relief to me as well as my readers.
Hang in there, but I can tell you, after I retired, I still didn’t have that much time to do creative things. “Work expands to fill the time available.”
I hear that, my friend. But I am doing my best to set up a routine where I block out time each day to draw something, even if it’s just a silly doodle I delete once I draw it. The “big” projects on the house remodeling are completed and I finally have my office space back. That alone is a huge help. As I’ve said, we’ll see how this goes. Since there’s no pressure of deadlines, I’m sure it will go well… as long as things like the pandemic and the economy don’t interfere.
Happy New Year love to see the band dressed as Tournament RosesParade majorites but pirates is almost as fun in my opinion. See them in hot pink sparkling body suits with matching knee high boots twirling batons in front of a marching band surrounded by floats who wouldn’t want to be there. My character Susan was a pom pom girl in a Tournament of Roses Parade. Love to watch the parade since I was a child. Remember they had the emergency plus 4 guys in one of the parades I was a baby then or video tape. The band could twirl batons and do a kick line to sweet fox on the run loved Top of the pops. Jeff can pull off knee high boots so he too can became a majorite. You should see New Years evil love fictional DJ Roz looks great in a golden dress with matching heels is stalked by her insane husband. But she presents the fictional band made in Japan. Maybe have plan go to an LA New Years party with a sexy DJ or TV character like Roz so as Lezza Gibbons says Happy New Years.
And Happy New Year to you too! Your comments always brighten up my day. And Sweet’s “Fox on the Run” is a cool song to do a kick line to! I’ll have to add that song to this post now.
Best therapy yet. Now that you’ve joined the Medicare club (I turned 65 last May) you know you have you keep that mind active. Looking forward to seeing more of the gang. A Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year to you!
Thank you! Drawing and carpentry certainly keep the mind active. Especially carpentry, as you can lose a finger real quick other wise.
Thank you I love you even though you are married and I said that James Reeves on TFB is the sexist person on the internet. But since Jame’s wife is armed and would not be amused if I walked a mile on my knees in the snow talk about cold pain. Goes to show how covid is cracking me up I applied to be a Fox Bombshell. They’d never hire me so my dream of seeing Kennedy who I saw as a child and had a crush on won’t happen. So I don’t get to go on TV in a pink dress and matching heels but than again Bill O’Reilly won’t yell at me he is so crabby. Anyway if you want some one to mail you a picture of a majorite just ask. If you’er not married I have a white dress so just ask. Since you can’t be as bad as some of former room mates who fart while I’m eating, tell gross jokes, make snide remarks about my “girly feet” along with dresses and heels. Are boys really like that? Again happy new year keep up the good work and I’ll hid from grumpy Bill.