well, thediagnosis is not good. My Ext. Cache has failed, which means my processor has died. These are uncommon items due to age, replacement part is $650. My laptop in great shape is worth only a couple of hundred, if that. So…. Its curtains.

Thanks to all for rushing to my aid like an EMS team. You guys are the best.

For now, I write this on my phone, shivering in the fire-spotted, burned out wasteland of of the technology warzone. Battery almost gone. No sleep. The screams of other users rising above the explosions of one computer after another… dying, loudly. “Stop the madness!” I yell into the darkness. An errant hard drive comes screaming into my hole. Before I can erase it, it explodes and everything I’d worked on is gone. I lay on my side, paralyzed, bits of data like fresh snow falling, falling… So cold.

So, I get up, grab the keys and head for the apple store, painfully aware that its only 2 months before the updated macs arrive. Crap.

A couple of offers (much appreciated!!) to help with my laptop problems. Okay, here’s the tech info:

Old, like 2001, PowerBook PPC G4 Titanium. No problem until a month ago when the dvd superdrive refused to accept disks. Replaced drive a couple weeks ago. No problems until a few days ago when computer began freezing on a very frequent basis. Nothing in common software-wise with the freezes to be a cause. Four days ago I gave up, ran the Apple Diagnostics disk: all hardware fine. Ran Disk Utilities: fine. Erased the drive and reloaded OS 10.4.3. Added only Word and Final Draft so I could continue my deadline work. Everything seemed better for a couple of hours ( I was relieved) then BAM! -freeze- then again and again. I barely got through my writing session for Runaways 3, sent it off, then shut it down and cried like a little girrrrl.

If you’re a serious Mac techy, this next bit is for you. Here are the crash reports from just 3 of the crashes as reported in the System folder Panic Logs. Note all 3 events have the same report, the same cause and effect. I don’t know what they’re saying, but I see it’s all the same codes. Apparently my kernels are backed into a corner? By hounds with killer bees?

Wed Apr 9 18:53:49 2008

Unresolved kernel trap(cpu 0): 0×300 - Data access DAR=0×0000000000000000 PC=0×000000000003D324
Latest crash info for cpu 0:
Exception state (sv=0×2E2C4780)
PC=0×0003D324; MSR=0×00001030; DAR=0×00000000; DSISR=0×40000000; LR=0×0003D2DC; R1=0×173F3C90; XCP=0×0000000C (0×300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0×0001CB38 0×0003E708 0×0003E7FC 0×0027E1C0 0×0027DFF0 0×002A9BF4
0×000ABE30 0×00000000
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0×2E2C4780)
previously dumped as “Latest” state. skipping…
Exception state (sv=0×2D9CE000)
PC=0×9001F20C; MSR=0×0200F030; DAR=0xE01FD000; DSISR=0×42000000; LR=0×00002A8C; R1=0xBFFFBDD0; XCP=0×00000030 (0xC00 - System call)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.3.0: Mon Oct 3 20:04:04 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.6.22.obj~2/RELEASE_PPC
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xFFFF0003): 0×300 - Data access
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0×00095698 0×00095BB0 0×0002683C 0×000A8304 0×000ABC80
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0×2E2C4780)
PC=0×0003D324; MSR=0×00001030; DAR=0×00000000; DSISR=0×40000000; LR=0×0003D2DC; R1=0×173F3C90; XCP=0×0000000C (0×300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0×0001CB38 0×0003E708 0×0003E7FC 0×0027E1C0 0×0027DFF0 0×002A9BF4
0×000ABE30 0×00000000
Exception state (sv=0×2D9CE000)
PC=0×9001F20C; MSR=0×0200F030; DAR=0xE01FD000; DSISR=0×42000000; LR=0×00002A8C; R1=0xBFFFBDD0; XCP=0×00000030 (0xC00 - System call)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.3.0: Mon Oct 3 20:04:04 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.6.22.obj~2/RELEASE_PPC

*********

Wed Apr 9 20:22:43 2008

Unresolved kernel trap(cpu 0): 0×300 - Data access DAR=0×0000000000000000 PC=0×000000000003D324
Latest crash info for cpu 0:
Exception state (sv=0×2E2C4780)
PC=0×0003D324; MSR=0×00001030; DAR=0×00000000; DSISR=0×40000000; LR=0×0003D2DC; R1=0×173F3C90; XCP=0×0000000C (0×300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0×0001CB38 0×0003E708 0×0003E7FC 0×0027E1C0 0×0027DFF0 0×002A9BF4
0×000ABE30 0×00000000
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0×2E2C4780)
previously dumped as “Latest” state. skipping…
Exception state (sv=0×2D9CE000)
PC=0×9001F20C; MSR=0×0200F030; DAR=0xE01FD000; DSISR=0×42000000; LR=0×00002A8C; R1=0xBFFFBDD0; XCP=0×00000030 (0xC00 - System call)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.3.0: Mon Oct 3 20:04:04 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.6.22.obj~2/RELEASE_PPC
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xFFFF0003): 0×300 - Data access
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0×00095698 0×00095BB0 0×0002683C 0×000A8304 0×000ABC80
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0×2E2C4780)
PC=0×0003D324; MSR=0×00001030; DAR=0×00000000; DSISR=0×40000000; LR=0×0003D2DC; R1=0×173F3C90; XCP=0×0000000C (0×300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0×0001CB38 0×0003E708 0×0003E7FC 0×0027E1C0 0×0027DFF0 0×002A9BF4
0×000ABE30 0×00000000
Exception state (sv=0×2D9CE000)
PC=0×9001F20C; MSR=0×0200F030; DAR=0xE01FD000; DSISR=0×42000000; LR=0×00002A8C; R1=0xBFFFBDD0; XCP=0×00000030 (0xC00 - System call)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.3.0: Mon Oct 3 20:04:04 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.6.22.obj~2/RELEASE_PPC

*********

Thu Apr 10 09:44:16 2008

Unresolved kernel trap(cpu 0): 0×300 - Data access DAR=0×0000000000000000 PC=0×000000000003D324
Latest crash info for cpu 0:
Exception state (sv=0×2E2C4780)
PC=0×0003D324; MSR=0×00001030; DAR=0×00000000; DSISR=0×40000000; LR=0×0003D2DC; R1=0×173F3C90; XCP=0×0000000C (0×300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0×0001CB38 0×0003E708 0×0003E7FC 0×0027E1C0 0×0027DFF0 0×002A9BF4
0×000ABE30 0×00000000
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0×2E2C4780)
previously dumped as “Latest” state. skipping…
Exception state (sv=0×2D9CE000)
PC=0×9001F20C; MSR=0×0200F030; DAR=0xE01FD000; DSISR=0×42000000; LR=0×00002A8C; R1=0xBFFFBDD0; XCP=0×00000030 (0xC00 - System call)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.3.0: Mon Oct 3 20:04:04 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.6.22.obj~2/RELEASE_PPC
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xFFFF0003): 0×300 - Data access
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0×00095698 0×00095BB0 0×0002683C 0×000A8304 0×000ABC80
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0×2E2C4780)
PC=0×0003D324; MSR=0×00001030; DAR=0×00000000; DSISR=0×40000000; LR=0×0003D2DC; R1=0×173F3C90; XCP=0×0000000C (0×300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0×0001CB38 0×0003E708 0×0003E7FC 0×0027E1C0 0×0027DFF0 0×002A9BF4
0×000ABE30 0×00000000
Exception state (sv=0×2D9CE000)
PC=0×9001F20C; MSR=0×0200F030; DAR=0xE01FD000; DSISR=0×42000000; LR=0×00002A8C; R1=0xBFFFBDD0; XCP=0×00000030 (0xC00 - System call)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.3.0: Mon Oct 3 20:04:04 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.6.22.obj~2/RELEASE_PPC

*********

And this shows up on my About This Mac log:
Power On Self-Test:
Last Run: 4/10/08 9:43 AM
Result: Failed
Failure type: External cache

So…. is it terminal or can this patient be saved? If you have a diagnosis, I’m all ears.

okay, I am hunkered down in a technological foxhole here. With a pressing deadline to finish the next issue of Echo and Runaways before i leave for Spain next week… My computer has died! It sits lifeless beside me as I type this entry on my iPhone, which is handling my email fine but lacks the evolutionary balls to handle my Photoshop needs. I don’t have time to mess with my old laptop or to go buy another before the trip. So I am continuing to draw my pages for the rest of Echo, but how I’ll put the book together at the last minute I don’t yet know. Runaways I will have to write out by hand and fax in.

Isn’t this so typical?

A new, loaded Mac laptop costs what… $200-300,000? Before taxes? Of course its more if you want a screen. *groan!*

I wonder if this has anything to do with the replacement SuperDrive I installed a couple of weeks ago?

Echo #2 has shipped from the printer. I have my copies in my grimy little paws. If you ordered from your local comic shop, your copy is on a truck at this very moment, racing to you at lightspeed. You can also order it at our site.

“I picked up the Treasury Edition in Sofia Airport ( Bulgaria ) on a business trip. A Turkish guy picking up SiP in Bulgaria. This is really strange. How it gets there. Why I go into that bookshop and spot it right away.” —Onur

SiP in an airport bookstore in Bulgaria, taken home to Turkey. I never imagined that.

SiP reader Fade2Black videoed my panel at Wondercon and posted it on the web.

Joe Quesada recently fielded questions from fans on MySpace and this exchange came up:

I love Terry Moore’s writing, and I look forward to his Runaways and Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane. So my question is, will you come up with more books for him to write? How about Fantastic Four once Mark Millar, is done, huh? Don’t let him leave without doing some more Marvel work!

JQ: David, it should come as no surprise to you that we love Terry Moore’s work as well! We were thrilled to get Terry on one project, no less two. Terry is an incredibly talented guy who also has a very busy schedule, so we’ll take it as it comes. So while there are no immediate plans outside of these two projects, you never know what the future holds.

Thanks Joe. The entire interview covers Spidey OMD, the skrull invasion and new X-Men art. To read click here.

I’m feeling rather geeky this week. My dvd drive went out on my laptop and I considered buying a new computer. But the Mac guys say wait until June because Apple will release updated version then. So I ordered a new dvd superdrive online and installed it myself. And it works. It’s a miracle.

Back to work on Echo #3. Trying to finish it before we leave for Barcelona on the 15th.

Uh… talk amongst yourselves.

Okay, so… the hate letter. Sorry to keep you waiting, I got busy. It’s very time consuming trying to grow a goatee.

So I get this letter in the mail. Robyn hands it to me with a word of warning. Eh? I glance down to the bottom and see it’s not signed so I know it’s a hate letter. I scan the first paragraph and see they invoke Nazi Germany… oooh, serious hate letter. So I read it… and it makes no sense to me. I read it again. WTF are they talking about? The first sentence refers to my “…wholesale hatred and condemnation of an entire segment of society…” And this stirs up a guilt in me because I had recently done a spotlight panel in San Francisco at Wondercon where I did a one-minute rant about hating the skinny actresses in Hollywood. Two people got up and walked out during that bit. I didn’t notice if they were skinny or famous, but I was feeling guilty about it and at first I thought maybe this was a hate letter from a skinny actress… ?? It’s funny what guilts rise to the surface when a vague accusation is tossed out. But if you try and read it like that, it’s even more confusing. Funnier, but confusing.

Okay, so here is the real letter itself. I covered something at top so you can see it exactly as I saw it and read it at first.

So after reading it twice and still totally confused and about to toss it in the trash as a crazy person letter, I finally notice the heading I had been skimming over.

…I think the point of it all is obvious and hilarious. Yep, this is my one of my gender’s finest… showing us all why we’re the superior sex. *sigh*…. maybe Katchoo was right.

Just to balance things out in the universe, the same day, I swear to God, I got this letter as well. These extremes are why creators become vice-ridden eccentrics. I’d expound on this but I have to go to the store and buy more Dr Pepper.

I just heard an interview with you and some British blokes on Comic Book Outsiders where you mentioned that Mary Jane has a new artist? Is Adrian Alphona not working with you on SMLMJ anymore?

The podcast at Comic Book Outsiders was recorded last week. Lot of good questions asked and answered.

No, Adrian Alphona is no longer drawing Mary Jane. I don’t know why, it’s really none of my business. The new artist has begun work on issue #1, but until Marvel makes an announcement I won’t say who it is. I have 3 scripts complete and will start the 4th next week. By the time you can buy #1, I may have finished writing all 12 of my issues!

Comic Geek Speak posted it’s Comic Book of the Month podcast featuring SiP Pocket Book 2. The review is done with me on the phone, answering questions about the story, so spoilers abound. And I could have sworn I posted this link earlier but I can’t find it so, sorry if I did or didn’t, either way.

FYI, I am currently drawing page 8 of Echo #3.

Echo #2 is at the printer. I approved the pdf’s and it will print this weekend and ship on Monday, hitting stores on Wednesday April 9, if my calculations are correct.

We’re about to reprint Echo #1. The original sold out in 24 hours. The 2nd printing will not have a silver foil cover.

I’ve been growing a goatee for the last week and all the women in my life have been giving me a hard time about it, bah-ing like a sheep when they see me. I never should have written that scene between Katchoo and Freddie, I’ll never be able to grow a goatee in public again. You remember the one at the bar…

“=snort!= Look at you! LOVE the goatee. It’s so original. Frikkin’ sheep.”

“It’s called manhood, you drunken diva. You should try it sometime, most women go nuts for it. Oh, I forgot, you don’t go for that male stuff, do you, butch? =sniiif!= Can’t take the competition.”

“Bah like a sheep for me, Freddie.”

“Shut up.”

“Go like this, go, BAAAH!”

“Where’s your girlfriend, huh? Aren’t you two married yet?”

“If you’re talkin/ about Francine, she’s dead.”

“WHAT?!”

“Or sick. I can’t remember which. What’s the one where you stop talking to your loved ones? …How about that WHISKEY?!”

Here are the newest members of the Abstract Studio band’s entourage. These fortunate people are the family on the road for band stars Katchoo, Francine and David.

DENISE W —the band’s tough-looking but arachnophobic cook specializing in really good grilled cheese sandwiches

KITTY — wicked keyboard and ocarina. Kitty is flexible. *ahem*

IAVI — Katchoo’s guitar roadie who keeps her gear in shape and hands her guitars one after another as she smashes them on the encores (sometimes a very dangerous job!)

MARTATES — our Dath Vader dressed sax player who also does our taxes and the grocery shopping for the buses

MIBBITMAKER — the one person who heard one of our songs played on Little Steven’s Underground Garage

THE LINSTER — the lucky person assigned the job of Buss Girl. Her sole job is to kiss Francine and Katchoo for good luck just before they go on stage. The Linster is easy to spot at the shows, she’s the one with the biggest smile.

PUCKSTER — Keyboard player who likes to help chef Denise W in the kitchen

LEE-ERIN — her job is to keep Casey from bugging Tambi when Tambi has to work, because you know how Casey gets. Sometimes this job involves swordplay.

DAVID P — the over-zealous accordian player. David has been know to get jiggy with it.

HOO — the token drunk chick in the front row who jumps about, arms flailing like a one-person mosh pit. Hoo is actually on staff and paid to do this because Katchoo thinks it’s funny.

Available Jobs:

—Somebody has to do laundry because Freddie changes underwear several times a day (we don’t know why)

— We need a couple of people to pretend to be locals who hang around the hotel lobby trying to get a glimpse of the band coming out of the elevator. You know, make it look like we’re popular

— We are in desperate need of neglected band wives who show up unannounced in Detroit at 9 AM and catch their mates in bed with 6 comatose groupies (as a bonus, you get to make a scene in a Four Seasons hotel)

— We need a truck driver who thinks we’re all nuts

— We need a mother who supported us back when we were playing parking lots in New Jersey

— and we could use more roadies to blow up the 60′ inflatable Francine that floats over the crowd. Unfortunately this must be done by mouth as we lost the air compressor in a poker game with the back-up band.

SiP art is no longer for sale. That means I won’t be lugging it in art books to cons or posting it for sale on the store 10 pieces at time as we always did in the past. HOWEVER… we have continued to receive a very strong demand so we’ve decided it’s time to do something special and offer 2 very unusual items— both are one of a kind, nothing else out there like it, and both are key images in SiP.

1994 cover art to SiP #3. This is two pages sold as one package— the cover art to the 3rd issue of SiP from the original mini-series. One page is the original black and white pen and ink art on bristol, size 12″ x 17″. The other page is the original painting on bristol I did on a one-off print of the pen and ink, size 10 3/8″ X 16 1/2″.

They are very close to the same size, especially since the pen and ink has a lot of white border around the image, so I think they will mat together perfectly if you did a double mat in one frame.

Why is this cover combo special, beyond the fact it’s a SiP cover? Well, this is one of only two covers left from all the books. Also, I paint about once every 5 years, so my paintings are about as rare as a 12th toe. And, to be honest, the reason why this cover stayed in the studio all these years is because I love it, I think it’s the sexiest of all the covers and says everything you need to know about the SiP story in one image. For years I pinned it up in my studio as inspiration, to remind me what Francine was all about, and the knife reminded me of the edge I wanted to keep in the story.

Here is the lineart, then the painting. Click the images for larger view.

The price for this 2-piece combo is $2,000.

Okay, the other offering is… well, remember I said the #3 cover was one of only two left? Here’s the other cover— the 2-page splash cover art to the Strangers In Paradise Source Book.

This is a very large pen and ink drawing of the SiP cast, the only ensemble drawing I ever made (besides the first concept drawing in 1992). Features 23 characters, 25 if you include me and Katchoo’s fictitious cat on the balloon… 26 if you also include the naked guy in the Katchoo painting, the guy she always painted so he’s almost like a character in himself. This is a big piece of art, 22″ X 17″. This is the piece people have asked to buy since it was drawn and I’ve never offered it before because I wanted to enjoy it for awhile. But it’s time, I want my art out there, spread around the world… not sitting in my studio dreading a fire. Here is the scan of the art… then the color image from the cover to remind you what it looks like in print.

Click the images for larger view.

The price for this piece is $2,000.

Art is carefully packaged and shipped via Fed Ex with a tracking number. Shipping costs will depend on your location.

To purchase, email sipnet@strangersinparadise.com

Next posting I’ll introduce you to the newest members of our every growing band, and the hate letter that made me giggly happy.

I just learned that Strangers In Paradise won the award for Outstanding Comic Book at the 19th Annual GLAAD Awards. SiP also won this award in 2001. This is a terrific honor.I began the series partly as a tribute to my 1st cousin Ben, who was an early casualty in the AIDS crisis and inspired the Emma storyline. I hope Ben would be pleased.

And on a somewhat related matter, next posting I will share a hate letter I received yesterday that made my day. Seriously, made me so happy. I’ll explain why when you see it.

iFanBoy taped a recent segment at Wondercon with yours truly.

A few Q&A’s about Echo with Matt Knicl, a senior at U of I.

Another conversation about Echo and Marvel with Tim O’Shea.
Okay, you people are funny. I’ve received more job applicants for the powerhouse world famous Abstract Studio Band and the requests are hilarious. There are too many to relist here, but read though the comments in the previous post to see what I’m talking about. Here are the new additions to the band:

SHEILA W — holistic masseuse/band mom

C.A. BRIDGES — wardrobe malfunction technician

KIT — stealthy ninja sound tech/bodyguard

JAZZY JEFF — groupie dude that does nothing but hang around in the background and drink Bud Lights

ROBERT M — hobo who accidentally snuck on the band bus and fell asleep

DIMITRIS N — headbutting bilingual bodyguard for when we need to headbutt people who only speak Italian

SEAN — maracas and “woo-woo”s (I’m really glad we found Sean, I was getting worried about our woo-woos)

KEAU D — band guru

DESHA D — musical director with a brassy french horn

GAIL B — bass clarinet and our secret comics provider

JETGIRL — Tambi’s bodyguard… obviously the most overpaid person on the crew

TASTY-PRAWN — clarinet, but not the bass clarinet, we’ve already got one of those

REG & FROST — kick-ass bodyguards in suits and cheap sunglasses

JOE H — naked guy who streaks at every concert and gets the crap beat out of him by our kick-ass bodyguards

Okay, here’s the Abstract Studio Band so far:

KATCHOO — lead vocals and crash guitar

FRANCINE— backup vocals and tamborine

TERRY — lead guitar and zither

DAVID — drums

CASEY — the cute girlfriend

TAMBI — the manager

FREDDIE — the embezzling accountant

VIDEO PAT — groupie

VERONICA — jealous girlfriend with an M14

DARCY — lush and lusty record mogul’s wife

TIFF — assistant in charge of all the money and Katchoo’s Dr Pepper supply

LISA P — somewhat reliable wardrobe asst. to Francine

JOSE M — roadie in charge of driving the gopher-smashing truck

CHRIS M — official boytoy for the girls while on tour

FRIEND OF PLATO — band computer tech who dresses like a leprechaun at shows because it makes Katchoo laugh

OTIS S — tour photographer

And our newest applicants:

JONATHAN C — the token cello player

feats of clay — holder of the autographing Sharpies

MICHAEL AKA HAPPYBUNNY — grouchy next door neighbor complaining about the rehearsal noise

OPTIMUS PRIMATE — that provocative dancer on stage playing the triangle

BRIAN P — visionary illuminator (aka lighting technician)

MROUTT — bass and catering (specifically: David’s sandwiches and art supplies)

Plenty of spots available on the crew. Just sign on here and let us know your specialty. We still have openings for bodyguards, a sponsor rep we can verbally abuse, somebody to shave Freddie’s back, the undercover narc, and the lady with the parrot who wants to see Katchoo and do a psychic reading of her freckles. Meanwhile, I’ll try to think of a band name.