Entry 303: Bebop, Rocksteady, PAKLIS, & You!

If you'd have told me, ten years ago, that I'd someday be working on my eleventh comic about Bebop and Rocksteady, I'd have done a spit take and then laughed openly in your face. And that spit take? Not water, but a sandwich... Because I used to eat sandwiches instead of drinking water. All my moisture was derived from sandwiches.

Entry 300!: 7-11 Nachos

One time I was abducted by Scientologists.

I was nineteen and I was alone on a small stretch of sidewalk somewhere in the vast expanse of the spiritual wasteland known as Orange County, California. A car pulled up beside me. Inside was a man and a woman. They seemed okay and they asked me if I wanted to see a movie. That Thanksgiving I had walked to the nearby 7-11 and purchased nachos. They were just a cheep bag of circular chips that you opened and pumped disgusting cheese and chilly onto yourself. I took those nachos home and I ate them. For Thanksgiving. Alone. Dying inside with each bite. So yeah, I got in the car. They could have been serial killers, but if they were going to torture me, at least I'd feel alive. The worst that could happen, I figured, is that I'd actually have to watch a movie. Turns out they weren't serial killers. They were Scientologists.

Entry 296: Paklis 1 Reviews

PAKLIS #1 is out and the response is positive.  I really had no idea what people would think of the first issue. It could have gone ether way in my mind. I'm glad it's going the way it has.

Issue 2 hits stores very soon. June 28 to be exact. I'm really happy with it. I think it's my best work.

If you haven't picked up issue 1 yet, see if you can find a copy and get on board for issue 2.

Here are some of the reviews so far:

Multiversity Comics Paklis  Review
"With three distinct stories, each as engaging and exciting as the last, “Paklis” #1 blows everything else off the shelves."

Comicosity Paklis Review
"...[Weaver] is a storytelling force to be reckoned with."

Bleeding Cool
"The First Page Of Dustin Weaver’s Paklis Is There To Screw With Your Head."

Nerdophiles Paklis Review
"Paklis #1 is a clear, uncut look at one of American comics’ most fascinating, idiosyncratic artists and that’s something that demands attention."
Talking Comicbook Paklis Review
"...[Paklis is] experimental, requiring some work from its reader, and really good."

Adventures In Poor Taste
"Paklis #1 feels like the indie corner of the comic shop has found its way onto the big stage."
Comic Buzz
"Paklis #1 is a great start for an Anthology book."
Paste Magazine
"Overall, this is an impressive first issue with consistently exquisite, ethereal art."

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Entry 295: PAKLIS #1

I'm finally entering into the world of creator-owned-comics. This MAY you'll be able to get the first issue of PAKLIS. Here's the description:

Do you accept the life you've been handed, or do you step into the unknown, even as it leads you into the shadows?

Image Comics is pleased to introduce PAKLIS—a new anthology series from writer/artist Dustin Weaver—where the characters in three mind-bending stories find themselves faced with dark, existential questions that will haunt readers.

 "My influences on this series range from Kafka to Miyazaki. The Twilight Zone, Aeon Flux cartoons, and the comics of Moebius and Otomo are all major touchstones," said Weaver.

In “MUSHROOM BODIES,” Greg struggles with knowing what’s real and fears becoming complacent in a world of human insects.
In the first installment of “SAGITTARIUS A*,” war hero Linus Rad is on a mission to the center of the galaxy to learn the dark secrets of his dead father’s scientific experiments.
In the first chapter of “AMNIA CYCLE,” Tara, a young Jet-Wing pilot, goes AWOL in the war against the Nuriel in order to help Amnia, a mysterious alien with no memory of where she came from and a desperate need to stop a terrible disaster! When Amnia disappears, it sends Tara on an adventure into the Shadow Zone.

 Step into the unknown. Journey into the shadows. There you’ll find PAKLIS.

PAKLIS #1 (Diamond Code MAR170691) hits stores on Wednesday, May 31st. The final order cutoff deadline for comics retailers is Monday, May 8th.

Entry 283: The rise and fall of Studio Paklis

Back in Entry 269 I told you about my studio. It started with me, Ben Bates, and Jeremy Barlow. Then Jeremy left and it was just me and Ben. That was cool for like 4 months. Then Ben moved to L.A. as his animation career took off. Since then, it's been just me.

I worked on my own for many years. When I joined Periscope studio in 2009, it took me a while to get used to so many people. (I'm not sure I ever got used to it.) With just 3 people, the much smaller Studio Paklis was a great fit for me. But returning to being all alone was not so bad. Sure it get's lonely and weird, but I also enjoy the uninhibited feeling when it comes to singing to music, acting stuff out, talking to myself, and just generally being odd.

See those two pictures above. The first one is how the studio looked with just me in it, but for the past 3 weeks it's looked like the second image. I'm in the gradual process of moving my studio back home.

My home is small. I originally joined Periscope Studio when my wife moved in with me. There just wasn't the space in this apartment for her and me and my studio. We've staid in this small apartment as our daughter, Lucy, has gotten older. We like it here that much. But she's almost 7 now. So we've been thinking that we should be looking for a bigger place.

Given that we need to get a bigger space so that Lucy can have her own room and that I'm moving my studio back into the home, you might assume that we've found a new place with all the space we need but you'd be wrong. We're staying right where we're at and we're also taking the apartment next door! Two apartments! It's really exciting.

The second apartment needs some work. I've been over there cleaning and prepping for paint. Soon my new studio space will be up and running.

As far as Paklis. I'm not abandoning that name. Though the studio is no more, the name will live on as a comic.

Here is a little peek.

It's too soon for me to be officially announcing anything about this comic. Just know that I am working on a comic called Paklis... and you're going to love it without reservation. It'll be your new favorite thing in the world and it'll make you totally forget who Captain America (your current favorite thing, I assume) even is.