Category: Weekly Update

Weekly update for Sept. 2nd, 2019. Pardon the dust.

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Eldoniousrex
A horrendous little video celebrating the launch of the Astray3 chapter 3 book.

Hello Astray3 readers,

This will be a short post to quickly update you all on what’s happening with Astray3.

First, the great site redesign is currently taking place. However, the new wordpress theme does not support the old theme’s comic structure. I will have to reupload all the comics made thus far. ( Not to mention the other little hiccups that might occur during the transition. ) This should all be done by the end of the week.

As we bid farewell to the old theme, what will the new site design have in store for us? For starters, how about easier comic navigation and reading? The new theme will make it easier to select chapters, find specific characters, and much easier to navigate the comic pages. ( I had some complaints that the old site was a pain to navigate and hard to read. ) The new layout is also simpler with the comic separated from the main page. I hope this will improve the experience for new and returning readers.

And now for the best news, with the site redesign soon to be finished, I’ll be getting back to working on the comic. It’s been grueling the past several months as I’ve ground out a bunch of side work. But, the site redesign is the last stop on the roadmap. When it is finished, work will resume on chapter four. Unfortunately, we are still a few months out from the official relaunch. On the bright side, I will start posting teasers for the new pages shortly after work begins.

That is it for now. I’ll make another post when the work is done.

More art soon,

-Eldon

Weekly update for August. 12th, 2019. It’s all coming together.

Posted on August 12, 2019 by Eldoniousrex
Image for a new booth table runner.

Hello Astray3 readers,

It’s been a bit of a wait, but I’m back with a new update. The final big piece of art for my upcoming events is in the can. This coming week will be focused on preparing everything for printing. After that, It’ll be time to start working on revamping the website. Look for some changes here in a couple of weeks.

After the launch of the new website, work will commence on the next chapter of Astray3. I can’t say exactly when the new chapter will start posting. My current estimate is at the beginning of November. It’s a bit of a wait, however, I want the next chapter’s release to go as smoothly as possible. In the meantime, I’ll start posting page teasers and bonus art here until the official launch.

That’ll be it for now. Be back next week with an update on the new prints.

All the best,

-Eldon

Weekly update for August. 4th, 2019. A chapter four teaser.

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Eldoniousrex
Astray3 chapter four teaser art.

Hello Astray3 faithful,

Here is a quick update on Astray3 and work in general. I’ve recently wrapped up the last piece of art for the chapter four print. ( The above image. ) All that is left is the final arrangement and proofreading of the book. Then it is off to the printer. If everything works out, copies should make it just in time for the September comic events.

With chapter three in the print can, I have one last big project to complete before the renovation of the Astray3 website can begin. Look for the site to start changing about mid-August. This may include a total overhaul to the comic’s old format. It all depends on how much I can transfer to a new theme.

When the website overhaul is complete I’ll start work on Astray3 chapter four. I’m hesitant to announce when the comic will start posting again, but hopefully, it won’t be too far in the future.

That is all for now. I’ll leave you with some extra art goodies.

All the best,

-Eldon

Weekly update for July. 22nd, 2019. Final cover art for chapter three and new translation guide. (And extra art.)

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Eldoniousrex
Astray3 chapter three cover.
A new A3 translation guide.

Hello A3 readers,

After a few slow weeks, I’m back with an update on the next comic print. The cover and a new astray-lien translation guide are finished. There is one last piece of art to wrap up then we’ll be off to the printer. The book will premiere first at Arkansas Comic-Con, then immediately followed by Spa-Con. Since my supply of comic copies is currently limited, I’m postponing online sales till after September. That’ll give me a chance to take stock and consider re-orders if necessary.

There is a lot more work to do before production on chapter four begins. Be back with some new art next week!

Till next time,

-Eldon

Procreate sketchin’s.

Weekly update for July. 8th, 2019. Cover for the third chapter print.

Posted on July 8, 2019 by Eldoniousrex
Cover for the print version of Astray3 chapter 3.
Color flat.
Finished inks.
Pencils

Hello readers,

Work on the next print chapter of Astray3 is about to complete. I should have it ready for the printer by the end of the week. Soon after the book is complete, I’ll start work on revamping the website and creating a webstore. This may take some time. I might have to rebuild the entire comic archive for a new theme. Expect the site to be down for a bit. ( I’m woefully bad at the internets. ) Hopefully, this will only take a few weeks.

That is all for now. More updates soon!

All the best,

-Eldon

Weekly update for July. 1st, 2019. Death Ray Expo post mortem and art!

Posted on July 1, 2019 by Eldoniousrex
My three foot nerd prison for ten hours last Saturday.

A quick post Death Ray Expo update!

Hello readers, 

My first live event has now faded into the past tense. So, it’s time for some reflection. 

Above, and below, are pictures of my humble booth. I shared a table with my long time art pal Fernando on the left. You can visit his website at http://www.calakka.com/ On the right is, Gustav Carlson of www.touristunknown.com Needless to say, wedged in there between two other artist, my presence was diminutive. 

However, I consider the show an overall success. The books were well received and I sold a lot of copies. Also, I was able to meet a lot of my peers from the local art community. ( Although, I really need business cards for the next show. ) Not bad for operating from a cramped three-foot space at a small show with a limited crowd. ( No insult to the event meant. I love you Chad! ) The event was very enlightening too. I picked up a bunch of tips to improve my booth’s presentation. As such, I have a ton of prep work to do before the next show. ( Arkansas Comic Con in Little Rock, AR. Followed by Spa-Con. )

In other news, I’m working on the cover for the print version of Astray3 chapter three this week. I should be dropping some sneak peeks in a couple of days. After that, I’ll start working on renovating the website. And in between, I’ll be working on some new prints and banners for the upcoming events. It’ll be a busy couple of months.  

That is all for now folks. More art soon.

All the best,

-Eldon

Weekly update for June. 24, 2019. A break, what’s next and a roadmap.

Posted on June 24, 2019 by Eldoniousrex
Procreate sketchins’

Hello readers,

Astray3 chapter 3 is in the can and trundling it’s way to a print version. If some of you think it ended a bit prematurely, you would be correct. Originally, the combined chapters three and four were supposed to be the end of the first planned big book of Astray3. However, around 30 pages seem to be the best fit for the individual print version. So, I cut the big chapter in half. Chapter four will be the final for the collected big book and include an epilogue.

Speaking of chapter four, where is it? As the last several months have proven, updates have gotten erratic due to all the extracurricular work I’ve taken on. ( Like prepping for books and shows. ) Also, it’s time to update the website and build an online store to sell the aforementioned books. Thus, chapter four’s release will be delayed for a few months. This will give me time to improve the website and rebuild the buffer. As mentioned in the title, here is a roadmap…if recent video games have taught me anything, people LOVE roadmaps.

_____________________________

Tasks in order:

• Finish up and prep chapter three for it’s print debut.

• Renovate the website to make it much easier to navigate and read.

• Create a web store. ( And maybe start offering commission work. Don’t hold your breath though. )

• Build a one to two-month comic buffer. This will merely forestall inconsistent updates given the increased production time. But hey, at least we can have regular updates for a few months.

_____________________________

In the meantime, I’ll be dropping sneak previews of upcoming pages here and on the Patreon page as work progresses. Plus, if you live in the Northwest and Central Arkansas area I will be doing multiple comic conventions. ( Death Ray Expo, Arkansas Comic Con, and Spa-Con respectively. ) Depending on the success of these shows, I’ll look into expanding to neighboring states.

That’s it for now. Stay tuned for more updates as we head into the BIGGEST chapter of Astray3 yet!

All the best,

-Eldon

Weekly update for June. 3, 2019. Page 37 will post “some time” later this week.

Posted on June 3, 2019 by Eldoniousrex
A stunningly crappy short video showcasing the new Astray3 and Interstitial books.

Hello readers,

Another week, another delayed update. I sincerely apologize for the utterly inconsistent pace of comic updates. Putting together the books and setting up for upcoming convention appearances have really thrown a wrench in my comic production schedule. However, I’m hopeful we can get back to semi-regular updates soon. I’ll post page 37 when it’s complete. Most likely that will be either Thursday or Friday night.

And now, time for some random photos of book piles and prints. Enjoy!

-Eldon

P.S. I’ll have a more formal post about where to buy the books in the near future. ( Probably when I get the online store ready to roll. )

And…LINKS!

Death Ray Expo Tickets and info: https://gocattywampus.com/

And my much forgotten and forlorn Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/astray3

What could be in these boxes?
All laid out! Ummm….my copy of Illusion of Life is not for sale.
Two of the prints that will be available for sale this June 29th.
Big poster prints for the booth!

A Memorial Day update! ( 5/27/2019 )

Posted on May 27, 2019 by Eldoniousrex

Hello Astray3 readers,

No comic today. Astray3 chapter 3 page 37 will post next Monday. ( Probably jinxed it now. ) However…I have some VERY good news this update.

The final push to prepare for my first convention show is virtually finished. YES, prints and books have been ordered. ( They should be arriving in the next few weeks. ) The booth set up is ready. And my last art obligation for the event is wrapping up today. At last, this proverbial creative kidney stone is going to pass. Hallelujah!

The new books and prints will debut at the upcoming Death Ray Expo. Afterward, I will set up an online store for everybody else to purchase copies. ( How I’m going to do that…I have no idea. Comixology versions are still in the works too. If that is more your jam. )

Death Ray will be the first of a series of local comic/illustration events I plan to attend this year. Depending on their success/failure, I’ll start branching out to further events. ( Today Hot Springs, AR. Tomorrow, THE WORLD! Speaking of which, I’ll be at Spa-Con in September! )

Naturally, with all this extracurricular work wrapping up, the focus will be returning to the comic. The current priority is to wrap up chapter three ASAP. Then I will spend some time prepping it for a print version. With chapter three in the can, work will then begin on chapter four. ( Working title for next chapter is “Enigma.” A clue for any WW2 history buffs. Easily google-able too. ) I’m still considering how to approach the preliminary work. I’ll make a formal announcement once I’ve worked it out.

That is it for now. See you next week!

All the best, -Eldon