So, this is what we call a re-boot, Ladies and Gentlemen (or should I say Ladles and Jellyspoons). I’ve been having problems with the visual design and the story structure of Moon Town. Beginning now, my attempts to correct, with a new approach.
The Moon Town project we all knew and loved has changed and moved on. I’m redesigning and overhauling everything. Rather than changing things in mid-story, I just cut off the attempt I didn’t want to continue, and I’m starting over. I’ll be creating a graphic novel like Jason Brubaker did with his graphic novel reMIND. I’ll be telling the same story as before, but from a different direction and in a different way.
At this point, I think I can do two comic book pages a week, and that’s my plan. But if things get busy at work or home, as they frequently do, I’ll have to adjust. Moon Town is still unfunded, but I think it is important enough to get rid of some other things in my life… Ya can’t have everything; where would you put it?)
My plan is to complete a 100 page book in February or March 2013, and release it in print and digitally as soon after that as I can. It all depends on how the next year goes, but I’m committed, and hopeful.
If you’re a fan of the old Moon Town, I hope you will stick around to see this new incarnation, and I’ll be making a PDF of the old comic pages soon, and of course, the remaining copies of Book One are still available from WishTales Publishing at this writing. If you’re new to Moon Town, I think you’ll be in for a treat.
I’m excited! I think the new direction could be good. Time will tell.
Time *will* tell, and we shall see what we shall see!
Hy i know this logo… “do not set your self on fier!”
Do you work in the “new small” glass studio?
Alana is that you?
You are starting completely over, or just new design from now on? Will be a lot of work to go back to the beginning.
Starting. Over.
And yes, I have officially gone crazy.
Looking forward to it!
Cool! I’m strapped in and ready to ride!!
I knew I could count on you, Piper!
But of course! Is the story going to be the same, or are you diverging from the original, thereby making the hardcopy of Book One a Collector’s Item?
I’m going to tell the same story in a different way. Book One will be SUCH a collector’s item – there were only 150 of them ever created.
Speaking of book one–there’s one less available as of about 20 minutes ago
.
Dude jumped on it! Thanks!
O_o madness!!
Indeed! This is how we go round the bend!
Goody gumdrops. Moontown rides again!
Ride ‘em, me lovelies!
Aaaaaaand *ding* Let’s do this thing! (again)
MUSIC: Steely Dan “Do it Again”
What, no Kinks?
All right. Ace of Spades for the win?
Based on your Simon and Cassie 2.0 sketches and this first page it looks like it’s going to be a fun ride! I, for one, am stoked.
Thanks, Mike! I do appreciate the support!
triple bee is in a very ’50s radio announcer-like mood. can’t wait for the story get to rock-octopus, so i’ll know what makes pseudo-sinclair tick.
You know something? I am THRILLED that you recognized Triple Bee’s voice there!
once a fan, always a fan
It wasn’t a rock, it was a Rock-topus! Sorry…
A rockin’ (heh heh) start my friend! Looks great, and I love the commentary – hilarious!
*groan*
Thanks, man…
I like the new start. Now you can include the sub-plot of mystical metaphysics which is a huge zeitgeist on our planet. The interplay or spiritual principles and observations of the unseen “order” can enrich the storyline and deepen the message. Good Synchronicities Og!
Well said, Erial!
I’m here for the long haul. I liked how it was, but I respect and appreciate your need to make it feel right to you. Curious to see where this will go now.
Thanks, Tonya. And me, too!
Man dude. That takes some big ones to make a decision like that. I envy you. Can’t wait to see what you’ve got in store for us!
Envy me or pity me. Hard to say which way this is going to roll. But I’m looking at it as a new lease on life for MT, so my fingaz are crossed. (Except when I’m drawing…) Thanks, Matt.
Count me in! I’m looking forward to following this to the very end (which will hopefully be a loooooong time in the future)
You got it, Susan. Thank you!
Very excited by this new development and re-boot!!! Woohooo!
Thanks, Vonbek. Strap in. Here we GOOOO!
‘It’s bigger. It’s badder. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s too much for Mr. Incredible!’
If you’re gonna do a reboot, then make it an awesome reboot! This is a great start for it, Og. Keep pushing the envelope.
I’m glad you see it that way, Saibot. I’m gonna push!
This is one Jellyspoon that will definitely be sticking around. I’m excited to see the reboot unfold. I’m a huge fan of the original Moon Town and I look forward to seeing how the drawing styles come together and if any of the prior story line changes.
Thanks, TM. There will be changes a-plenty, of course, but the characters and major beats will remain. I will be coming at the whole thing from a different direction, though, so hopefully this will still be exciting reading for everyone. You guys know the first third or so of the story, maybe as far as a half into it, but you’ll see different bits this time round. And also, it starts in a different place. OOOOH, What does that mEEAAN!? heh heh
I’m excited to see how the reboot looks and goes. I’m in the process of retooling an old, old comic of my own that I drew back in highschool and it’s fun to make the upgrades to an original story you love.
Well, Jason, you’re my hero, so you’re only encouraging me…
Yep Og, I’m on the bandwagon too. I’m excited for the reboot and to see what your new vision will be. Loved the old one, of course, looking forward to the new one. Like the new avatar too.
Sorry … I’m sitting at work and got interrupted before.
I also wanted to say, as one artist to another (though we work in rather different mediums) … I completely agree with your decision to “reboot” “Moon Town” for the reasons you have given. It makes sense that, as an artist AND as a story teller, you need to be happy with your work. If YOU are not happy with it, then yes, it is time to start over.
I, for one, am excited to be along for the ride.
Nice, man. Thank you so much!
I guess you are going to have your work cut out for you. Looking forward to seeing the changes.
Hard hill. What the hell, ya know? Thanks for the note, though!
Yeah, more new Moon-Town! Brand-new Moon-Town!
Boo … We just got Cassie and Simon and the Roctopus and the …
But anticipation only makes things better. Excited for the for the story to catch up with itself.
I’m guessing by the format of this page you’re ditching the “box” format for a more traditional 6″x9″ comic page, or are my eyes givin’ me the bidness again?
Yeah, I’m getting all boring and conventional in my old age. This is a 6×9 page. New format!
Roger that. For I moment I was thinkin’ it was finally time to surrender to bifocals. Eww! **can’t believe he typed that — washes hands repeatedly with bleach and steel wool**
Wow – well the artwork looks great so far, except the girl in the sketch looks rather – eh – long?
I really liked the old strip, but I’m not sure you went far enough into the story for me to even get a real feel for what what happening, and so forth. And it cut off rather abruptly.
Which is all understandable – we all have to make a living. I’ll be following the strip, but I don’t plan to invest too much into it for a year or two. Once I am sure it is going to be around.
-Paul
Thanks for your feedback, Paul. I do hope you’ll stick around.
Looking forward to it, Steve! Wish you all the best.
Thanks, Paul.
Exciting! Looking forward to seeing how this goes! Enjoying the redesign of the characters!
I’m glad you’re enjoying it! Thanks for the note!
I’m happy to hear that this story isn’t over yet, in some form or another. And remember the Moon has regolith not soil or dirt.
Cheers.
You got it, David! Thanks!
Well, I didn’t *not* like the old style, but the story hadn’t really got going. Two strips a week might help you “burst past” the plot-elements that have been “spoiled”. I commend your courage and commitment!
Thanks, Mercy. We’ll see what happens.
I love the notion of a reboot. Particularly as ive done it myself before with a project …18 years old!:-) Retooling allows you to refine the elements of your process and integrate what you’ve learned as an artist. A very shrewd move.
One request however, any chance as you produce this thing you can take the extra time to lay it out for animation? I’m still playing that “motion comic” clip from a few days ago. With the advent of ibooks author you can really go off with things.
Hi, Tim
Yes, my long-term plans involve animation, and I think with this reboot, I’m well positioned. Jake and I will be addressing this new approach and new material over the next few months. It will play a central role in Moon Town’s future. Thanks for the support!
yea!
It’s a good thing you’re re-doing it because I had forgotten about most of those characters.
So, I held my tongue on this reboot thing so far because I was like “what’s wrong with the way the characters were done originally?” and I figured that wasn’t really going to add to the discussion
. But I got my copy of Book One in the mail yesterday–and it is beautifully done!–and I can see what you’re talking about. It will definitely have a much more polished/complete/deep feel with the characters the way you are proposing drawing them now. I stand by my original assessment–that it was fine how it was–but I’m just saying that now that I’m looking at the characters ‘as were’, I can see that the difference would be enough that it would be worth the effort.
(Also, I agree with other people who said that your opinion is really the only one that matters–I’m just saying that I get it now, why you want to do it.)
I highly recommend the book for anyone else that wants to get the originals before they are gone. It’s well worth it on its own, even without the potential collector’s item status.
I’m glad you saw that, msouth. It’s hard to put into words, but once you see it, you get it. Onward!
I agree with you msouth. The original was great, but the reboot does seem to tell the story better. I think this lead-in gives the story a deeper and more graphic feel, which will complement what we know of the story so far, and also be great as more of the plot is revealed.
It’s always nice when people get what you’re trying to do. Thanks for the note, Laura!
I finished the pencils for page 2 and 3 last night. Now, on to the inking, and the next page spread should go live on Tuesday!
Finally! I get to start a web comic from the beginning. Hopping into things mid stream has made it difficult for me to catch onto web comics. Thanks to Paul Caggegi I’m on board Steve! Got ya bookmarked. Great start!
Great attitude, Sam! Looking forward to having you along!
Tuesday’s Moon Town is all inked up and ready for color. I think you guys are going to enjoy this! I know I am.
Thanks for the note, and glad to have you along!
Whoa. I go AWOL for a bit and you go all crazy loco. My hats off to you man. I’ve thought of doing something similar but not nuts. Maybe go back and re-draw a few but not recreate the whole kaboose! That takes man bits of epic proportions my friend. EPIC proportions. Can’t wait.
Yeah. Well, baby out with bathwater and all that. Fresh start.
Moon Town is back! Yay =]