Category: Annoucement

Weekly update for Feb. 11, 2019 ( No comic this week. )

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Eldoniousrex
Work in progress

Hello Astray3 readers,

No comic update this week. I’m currently working on Comixology versions of the first two chapters of Astray3. The above artwork will be the cover for the first chapter once finished. Chapter two will also have a custom cover. Of course, all this artwork takes up comic production time. As such, expect continued delays on comic pages till this work is wrapped up. ( I’ve been putting this work off for waaaaay too long. ) Please excuse the delays.

In other news, Astray3 chapter three will be ending soon! I estimate we are about five pages away from the start of the next chapter. Chapter four will be the last in the currently planned first Astray3 book. ( This will be followed by a short epilogue. ) Yes, this year will see the first assembled Astray3 book. I have no idea how to fund the first printing run yet. I’m considering either a short kickstarter campaign or possibly just a straightforward pre-order period. I’ll keep you all posted on further developments.

That is all for now. Till next time!

-Eldon

Some Clip Studio Paint practice.

Weekly update for March 4, 2019 ( Update Thursday. )

Posted on March 4, 2019 by Eldoniousrex

Hello readers,

This week’s update is being pushed back to Thursday. I’m currently juggling several projects in preparation for an event in June. This means Astray3 updates may become erratic as I shift the workload. The goal will still be to continue releasing comic pages once a week. However, the post date may vary. Keep your peepers down here for further notifications.

Now for a bit of good news. What are these projects I’m working on? First, I’m working on ComiXology versions of each Astray3 chapter. In addition to being a new way for readers to support the comic, this will be an easier way to read the story. I’m not completely happy with how Astray3 reads on the current website. Unfortunately, I don’t have the resources or time to address this in the immediate future. Hopefully, a website redesign will be something that can happen once I free up the assets.

Next, I’m looking into putting materials together for an event. June 29th will be the first Death Ray Expo show completely dedicated to NWA comic artists and illustrators. ( https://www.evensi.us/death-ray-illustration-print-expo-hilton-garden-inn-fayetteville/290920445 and https://www.facebook.com/events/hilton-garden-inn-fayetteville/death-ray-illustration-print-expo/783748332000043/ )

We are still too early for the first print edition of Astray3. ( The comic will cross the first book threshold this year though. I still have to figure out how I’m going to print the dang thing. ) So, whatever I can throw together for the show will be comic promotional materials and miscellaneous prints. These will principally available for visitors to the show. But, I will create a way to purchase prints and booklets online after the event.

That’s all for now folks. See ya Thursday.

-Eldon

Weekly update for Feb. 18, 2019

Posted on February 18, 2019 by Eldoniousrex
Sample pencils from Astray3 Chapter 3 page 28

No need for translations this week dear readers. ( No Saturday translation post. ) I thought the page could speak for itself this time.

There are a lot of new developments percolating under the comicy surface my friends. I just finished writing a lengthy update on the Patreon post for today’s page. I would suggest checking it out for more details. https://www.patreon.com/posts/24778364

That is all for now. Till next week!

-Eldon

Weekly update for Feb. 3rd…and I’ve been sick. ( Aka, late updates again. ) Plus, miscellaneous art!

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Eldoniousrex
A recent Adobe Illustrator creation. For more info check out the old Patreon post at https://www.patreon.com/posts/a3-designs-3-pg3-20905336

Sorry folks, I got hit by a bug that threw a wrench in the comic production last week. So, no update today. I hope to have a new page up by Thursday. However….I also have a work related trip coming up this week. Thus there maybe no update this week at all. Let’s hope I get a lot of work done over the next couple of nights. I apologize for the delay.

See you soon,

-Eldon

P.S. In the meantime, here are some of my Procreate doodles from the last several weeks.

Weekly update for Jan. 28th. YES, there will be an update today. Only late…

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Eldoniousrex

Yes, there will be a comic update today. The art is ready, but the lettering just isn’t done yet. However, since I have work in the morning, I can’t finish the lettering till Monday night.

Sorry for the wait. It’ll be up before you know it.

All the best,

-Eldon

Weekly update for Jan. 21th ( No comic update this week. )

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Eldoniousrex

Hello friends,

I’m pushing page 26 to next Monday; January 28th. By my estimation it won’t be ready in time for Thursday and I’d like to get back to regular Monday updates. This leads to the greater problem of keeping updates on a consistent schedule. However, I don’t see that changing without at least a month long break to rebuild a hardier buffer.

How do you readers feel about the pace of Astray3 updates? Would you like to see the comic continue on a week to week basis allowing for occasional one week gaps? Or Month long update breaks to guarantee consistent updates for several months before another break is required?

Let me know in the comments.

Be back soon,

-Eldon

And here are some Procreate pics from the previous week. Enjoy!

Weekly update for Jan. 7, 2019 ( Comic will post Thursday! )

Posted on January 7, 2019 by Eldoniousrex
Check the new “GOODIES!” page at the upper right of the page. Enjoy!

Hello once again dear friends and Astray3 readers! Welcome to a new year for the comic…..and we’ll kick it off by being late with an update. This week’s update will post on Thursday. The holidays have taken their toll. But, alas, they are over and it should be smooth sailing going forward. I’m also working on some new production methods for creating the comics. ( Here’s a hint….it has something to do with the above image. )

On the issue of update lateness, I remain committed to posting one page a week. Monday will be the usual day for the update. Unfortunately, the reality is that A3 comic production is complicated and getting moreso. ( OR I might just need some rest to prevent burnout. ) Late updates are inevitable and might become a regular thing. I’ve pretty much given up on maintaining a buffer under current time restraints. So, a general rule of thumb going forward will be that if you don’t see an update on Monday it’ll be coming Thursday of the same week. And as always, I’ll try to keep you forewarned of delays in this section that no one reads. ( I assume… )

However, it isn’t all gloom and doom. There is a new addition to the website! A “GOODIES!” page! In there you will find the first of a series of desktop wallpaper images in several formats. I plan to make one themed for each chapter. Obviously, this first one is based on the beginning dream sequence. It was a fun experiment to reinterpret the scene with my current skill set. ( I do think that section of the comic holds up pretty well! ) These take a bit of time to create and really cut into my normal work flow. You shouldn’t expect a chapter two background for a few months. At the least.

That is all for now. See you Thursday!

-Eldon

Sadly, no comic this week.

Posted on December 20, 2018 by Eldoniousrex

While the page art is complete, lettering will not be finished in time. As such, I’m pushing this week’s page to Monday. Sorry about the wait.

However, it’s not all bad. I’m working on a new coloring method that will premier with the next update. I’ve been looking for a system that creates a greater sense of solidity and volume while not increasing the workload. ( …by too much anyway. ) I think I’m finally getting close to that goal. But, we will see what you readers think.

See you Monday,

-Eldon

Weekly update for Dec. 17, 2018 ( Comic will be late! )

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Eldoniousrex
Death-Ray Comix Anthology Issue #1
Death Ray Expo Anthology #1 is now available at the Big Bot Design store!
https://big-bot.com/collections/merch/products/death-ray-comix-anthology-issue-1

As stated above, this week’s comic update will be late. It should land on Thursday. Sorry for the delay. Let’s blame it on holiday activities disrupting the workflow. ( Not to mention a weird wordpress bug I ran into when updating recently. ) 

Sadly, I won’t be hitting #100 before the year is out. The change in comic formatting and numbering soaked up the additional updates. ( I will be seven comics short. ) However, I will stick it out by making sure there will be comic updates each remaining week of 2018. There might be a short break in January. I will keep yall posted on that. 

Also, on the Patreon side of things, the new Gomradi lore piece is also delayed. Principle art is about done and should post this Saturday. The poll to pick the next topic will be posted shortly afterwards. If you are a patron you can vote on the next topic!

In the meantime, the process vid for the last Muradjinn pic is ready to view. Check it out below!

Created on Procreate by Eldon Cowgur…as if I needed to tell you that…

That is all for now! See you Thursday.

-Eldon