NCD #156

A Word From One of the Creators

From the desk of Eric Ratcliffe

Sadly the area that Chad lives in is currently experiences power outages, so he was not able to put out his final strip. this week. (hopefully next week, we’re keeping contact via text.)

This was a collaboration with good friend, Mike Lapinski (Of soon to be movie and amazing horror graphic novel, Feeding Ground fame)

Mike and I first met, I want to say 3 years ago. I was visiting Jim McCann at his table at NYCC and Mike was there. Mike introduced himself and was extremely friendly. (And was one of the first people other than guys like Jim, David Hine and Tim Seeley) to really kind of take me seriously as a — whatever I am; I’m still not sure what to call myself at this point. Professional something or other? Anyway, Mike gives me a copy of Feeding Ground issue #1, I gave him my card and the rest, as they say, is history. (Leave it to Jim McCann to help make a new friend right? )

Anyway, when I first wrote this strip it was heavily inspired by Chad’s cover to vol 2, which was a take on the classic “Days of Future past” cover with Bill in place of Logan and me in the Kitty Pryde spot. Alan Moore is one of the characters in the wallpaper behind us and his banner said something like “angry” so an idea for an Alan Moore strip popped into my head.

Mike of course added his own flair and even helped tighten the punchline (The Cthulhu like snake god creature wasn’t originally what happened in those last panels, I’d have to hunt down the original script to remember what it was.)

Speaking on Feeding Ground for a minute if I can once again plug this amazing comic, if you’re a fan of werewolves, creepy and suspenseful storytelling or just strong stories in general, I cannot recommend it enough to you.

Mike, while also a good friend and my co-host on the podcast for a while, was the first artist I actually offered the NCD gig to. Sadly he couldn’t do it, but it definitely would have been fun to see what he would have done with our webcomic. You’ll be meeting the new artist soon enough though!

Also, I feel like I have to note this: I love Alan Moore’s work. I think he’s one of the most influential and creative people to ever work in the industry and I think League of Extraordinary Gentleman will continue to be one of my favorite series of all time. (Haven’t read the latest volume yet, very excited to do so.) And I, of course do not have any extensive knowledge of his magic practionership (is that a word?) but am certainly curious to see that documentary from a few years ago about his life and career!

Happy 4th of July, everyone!

Next week you will hopefully be seeing Chad Strohl’s goodbye with commentary from the man himself! See you back here in 7, folks! And in 2 weeks…we say hello to the style of new friend and awesome artist Jim Gallo!