Category: Blog

For those of you who like it when I talk shop, I thought I’d show you the new way I’m trying out to create SHELDON.

Traditionally, I’d take a 6″x14″ piece of paper, pencil the strip, ink over those pencils, erase, scan and color.

NOW….I’m replacing the pencils with a digital process, before I ink the strip the usual way. Here’s how it works:

1.) I “pencil” out the strip on the computer, which allows for greater flexibility, manipulation, and experimentation.
2.) Then, when everything feels right, I print out that “pencilled” strip, and bring it to my drawing desk.
3.) Using a lightbox, I now hand-letter and ink the strip with archival inks on acid-free, Bristol vellum stock. This is exactly the same as how I’ve always done it…just that there’s no pencil underneath my ink.
– When I’ve inked the “original art”, I then scan and color the strip in Photoshop.

I’ve pasted a visual guide, below. And here’s a much larger version, if you’d like to look in more detail [CLICK HERE].

I’m at San Diego Comic-Con this week, at booth 1228. Just look for the big Sheldon/Drive/Stripped sign on row 1200.
I have an exclusive poster at the show, this year, so snag yours early: I’m only printing 50 numbered posters.

I’m at San Diego Comic-Con this week, at booth 1228. Just look for the big Sheldon/Drive/Stripped sign on row 1200.

TWO QUICK THINGS:
1.) I have an exclusive poster at the show, this year, snag yours early: I’m only printing 50 numbered posters.
2.) Original art is $25-off at the show, but I need you e-mail me and tell me which strips that you want! Date, punchline, or broad topic is fine ( [email protected] )

Back to the normal cast, we go!

Thank you all for the kind words and feedback, during the recent run of Anatomy strips. There were a few of those that were among the most-shared, most-retweeted strips I’ve ever had. More importantly to me (and my sanity), they were immensely fun to do, after SEVENTEEN STRAIGHT YEARS of drawing Sheldon. Even the most-loved things need a break, now and again!

We’re about half-way through the “Anatomy” book I want to draw…but we’re going to go back to the normal cast for a bit. I imagine we’ll do the second half of the Anatomy strips…somewhere toward the end of July or August? Somewhere in there.

It’s time to reveal the THIRD incredible artist creating a “Tales of the Drive” short story….

It’s Zach Weinersmith, the cartoonist of the science-heavy “Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal” (SMBC) and the delightful new children’s book, “Augie & The Green Knight“!

Zach’s story is going to focus on…time. I’m super excited to see the final version: You’re going to love it.

Well THERE’S a face we haven’t seen in a while! So for those who need it, a refresher for our final frame: Here….and here.

How we feelin’ about two strips a week? Because I am diggin’ it.

Thank you to the 587 Drive readers who are financially supporting the strip on Patreon: YOU made that happen!

– Dave

OK, who’s ready to hear the SECOND incredible artist creating a “Tales of the Drive” short story for us?

It’s Dylan Meconis, the Eisner-nominated cartoonist of Family Man, Outfoxed, and more! I’m so excited for this!

Even better: She’s going to be telling a Nosh origin story! It’ll be centered on Nosh’s time in Russia: How he got there, what he did there, and how he eventually found his way to the Captain’s crew. THIS IS THE BESTEST: Dylan is such an amazing artist and storyteller…and seeing Nosh in Russia will be so rad.

I am so excited for the “Tales of the Drive” series. As you remember, I’ve gone out to my favorite pros working today, and invited them to write short stories set in the DRIVE universe. These are people I trust to write amazing DRIVE short stories. And today I can reveal the first: Christopher Hastings of Dr. McNinja and Adventure Time!

I just read Chris’ story last night, and it’s so fun. So fun. You are going to love it.

I just wanted to say a huge, public THANK YOU to the 566 folks currently supporting Drive at Patreon.

I didn’t know if Patreon would work, when I first started it, but you 566 readers made it so that I could make more time for Drive in my career — and that is amazing! And now, the fact that we are only $15 away from getting TWO DRIVES A WEEK blows my mind. That was sort of a pie-in-the-sky goal when I first put it up there…BUT NOW WE’RE SO CLOSE.

…If you haven’t heard of Patreon: It’s kind of like Kickstarter. But where Kickstarter says “We need $5 for a one-time project,” Patreon says “No, this comic is a continuing series of art, and I will be a patron of the arts in tiny little installments along the way.” It’s an amazing idea!

Today, my scifi strip DRIVE gains a second home on the web, at GoComics.com/Drive. The story will begin at the beginning for a whole new audience over there.

EVERYTHING REMAINS THE SAME AT THE DRIVE SITE ITSELF, just so you know: The archives, new strips, and advancing story all stay the same. Nothing is changing, there.

So why the second home? I’m in love with this project, and this is a great way to introduce the story to tens of thousands of new folks. See, I’m like that friend on Facebook, desperate to show you pictures of my baby. That’s the perfect metaphor, here. EVERYONE MUST LOVE MY CHILD. 🙂

So! To recap:
1.) DRIVE has a second home, and the story begins anew, at GoComics.com/drive
2.) Nothing is changing at drivecomic.com
3.) And as always, please tell scifi-lovin’ friends to try the strip!