Baltimore Comic-Con 2017 Aftermath!

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I usually don’t wait several weeks before posting some sort of write-up about a convention I attended, but my new job’s been really busy! Yeah, I have some time after work, but there’s television that needs watchin’! I got it all figured out now, though, so sit back and pretend that it’s still September and that NYCC hasn’t happened yet…

Whoa, another great Baltimore Comic-Con has come and gone! As always, it was great seeing everyone and all the great comics for sale! I bought a Venom magnet, so for me it was kind of the Baltimore Magnet-Con.

Usually a post a fun list of stuff people said at our table. This year, I think I’m going to give you a little more. I’m getting better at the social media thing, so there were plenty of photos posted on my Twitter and Instagram accounts. Definitely check those out, and “like” my Facebook page if you’re into that kind of thing.

What am I doing? This is not entertaining! You know what is entertaining? A kid dressed as a toilet holding a poop!

Kid dressed as a toilet holding a poop

Yep, that’s one of the Poop Office catnip cat toys that toilet’s holding. Right after this photo was taken, he ate that poop and said it was delicious. But he’s not the only one who loved that sweet, sweet taste. I got this cool video of very satisfied customer, a beautiful cat named Talula, who loved her new catnip toy.

The convention wasn’t all fun and games and toilets and cats, though. I went through a bit of an identity crisis around halfway through the con. I was considering completely switching around my business model, abandoning the whole Poop Office comic book thing and focusing entirely on pop culture mash-ups, or “Poop Culture” as I’d probably call it. I created a few prototypes before abandoning the idea as lacking integrity, but you can still take a look.

I'm Poop Rick!

Poop Rick needs some work. It was my first attempt, so cut me some slack!

Poop Jessica JonesPoop Matt Murdock

Poop X-23

All pretty horrible, right? If you want to see another one, just send me a tweet or something and request it. I’ll draw whatever you want, but I can’t guarantee I won’t draw it poorly!

Whatdya say we wrap this up, huh? I’ve got a nice big list of table comments for you. Some of them are weirder than ever! Here you go!

  • I sure noticed this! (Imitating herself) “Oh my god it’s Poop Office!”
  • (Pointing at the Poop Office collection) I was just thinking I needed something to spend 45 minutes with when I take a poop in the morning.
  • This is hilarious… This is poop… Oh my god… It’s poop…
  • I kind of like this, daddy. He’s called Poop Office! Poop! Poop! Poop!
  • I’m troubled by your plushie.
  • I’ve never been more excited about two words put together.
  • What is going on? I love it.
  • If I brought any of this stuff to the office, I’d get in trouble.
  • Look, Daddy! Poopy letters!
  • I don’t even want to know the details, the thought process, the guesswork… It’s awesome, but I don’t need to know.
  • That’s beautiful. You’re doing God’s good work!
  • We’re gonna play with our poop later.
  • Hell no!
  • (Looking at the Fumetti poster) Ew, why is it textured?
  • (Referring to the #2 Boss mug) I wish they had a #3 boss. I’d get that.
  • Poop Office: It gets everything… officey!
  • Younger brother (excitedly): Look here! Poops in a toilet
    Older brother: *shrugs in distinterest*

Presenting a new special category of parents who refuse to let their children indulge in their poop interests:

  • (Mom to child) I’m not buying you poop.
  • Daughter: Poop!
    Father: No, you’re not getting office poop!
  • (Father to kids) I’m not buying you a book about poop.

Lot of good ones this year, but I think my favorite is the following:

  • (Pointing at the plush dolls) Oh my god, is that a Diglett?! (After discovering it is not) Uhh ugh, oh nevermind, it’s not a Diglett.

My drawings and plush dolls have been mistaken for potatoes in this past, but this, being the first post-Pokémon Go convention we’ve exhibited at, is the first time it’s been mistaken for a Diglett. Can’t really blame them. Take away the mouth and add a big, pink nose and it’s a Diglett!

That’s all I got for you this time. It was a lot, though, so you can’t complain. Before I go, I want to announce that Poop Office will be appearing at two conventions in 2018. There may be more coming, but these are the two I’ve paid for so far!

The first is the Long Beach Comic Expo in Long Beach, California on February 17 and 18. The second is Comic Con Revolution in Ontario, California on May 19 and 20. These are the first west coast convention appearances for Poop Office (i.e., poopearances), so we’re pretty excited. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

But until then… Keep Poopin’!

Poop Office – Tales from an Office Staffed by Poop – Now Available for Purchase

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If you’re at the Baltimore Comic-Con this weekend, stop by my table A61 in Artist Alley to pick up the new book.

If for some strange reason you’re not in Baltimore, you can order a copy using the internet! Both the print and digital versions are now available through the new Naked Grape Comics Store.

Poop Office - Tales from an Office Staffed by Poop

Available Now!

The print version is actually sold through Amazon.com, and if you are a Prime member, you can get it with free shipping like you would most items. The link to purchase it is available here –  https://store.nakedgrapecomics.com/product/poop-office-tpb-print

The digital version is available as a downloadable, DRM-free PDF right here – https://store.nakedgrapecomics.com/product/poop-office-tpb-digital

If you’re a ComiXology loyalist, it will probably be available through their site in a few weeks. I’m planning on submitting it to be sold in their store once the convention is over. Check back in with this site for updates on when it’s available. Or follow me on social media. Or subscribe to my RSS feed. So many options!

Back at the Baltimore Comic-Con

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Remember when I announced that I’d moved to the west coast and was going to start going to west coast conventions? That’s still all true, but I also love the Baltimore Comic-Con. That’s why all the poops are going to be packing up and flying back east for this year’s show!

That’s right, this weekend from September 22-24, you can find Poop Office, including the new collection and associated merchandise, in Artist Alley at Table A61. I’m going to be selling the new Poop Office collection for less than cover price, too, to celebrate the big release!

What’s that? You’re more of a visual learner and would prefer a map of some sort? Well, check back… tomorr– Oh wait, I’ve got a map right here. No waiting required!

Artist Alley Table A61

While you’re there, be sure to pick up the Baltimore Comic-Con exclusive crab mallet! It’s probably the only convention that ever sells such a product, so you don’t want to miss out.

And thus concludes the third big announcement of the week! I think this is the last one, but if I think of something else, I’ll let you all know.

But until then…

Grand Reopening of my Online Store

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This is my second big announcement of the week. There’s one more coming tomorrow, but it’s not tomorrow yet so let’s just focus on today’s announcement.

The New Naked Grape Comics Store

Just in time for the release of my new book Poop Office collection Tales from an Office Staffed by Poop, I completely reworked my store page! All the great Poop Office merchandise is available direct from me! Except tote bags, which are out-of-stock. I’m working on finding a new supplier after my last tote bag source dried up. I would’ve done this sooner, but I didn’t have a job after moving across the country. Now I finally do have a job, so I just need to get my shit together and find a new vendor and order more bags! But there’s other non-tote-bag stuff, including…

New T-Shirts! I have new T-shirts available in a bunch of new colors. These are online exclusives, so you won’t find them at any of my convention appearances. I did my best to keep the prices as low as I could while still making sure the shirts were good quality. I think these are better than the shirts I had been selling at conventions (at really low prices), so these new ones are probably worth a few extra dollars.

It’s surprisingly easy to add new T-shirts to this new online storefront, so you’ll probably see some new designs pooping up in the next few months.

Anyway, I worked really hard getting this new store looking and working just right, so I hope you all like it. To check it out, either click on the Store link above or go to https://store.nakedgrapecomics.com.

What’s that? You think online retailers are too convenient? You’d like to buy something from me in-person inside some sort of building made out of brick and mortar? I just might have the solution for you, but it’ll have to wait until… tomorrow…

New Poop Office Collection

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It may have been a while since I updated things on this site, but I definitely having been sitting on my ass! I’ve been putting together the new, gigantic Poop Office collection, and it’s coming out soon. Real soon. Like this week. Like this Friday, September 22.

Here’s what it looks like. Click on the thumbnails to see larger versions of the front and back covers. And that quote on the back cover, yeah that’s from the real Sam Henderson of Magic Whistle fame! And Lily is a real eight year old girl!

Poop Office - Tales from an Office Staffed by Poop Back Cover

You think your job stinks?

Poopert has the crappiest job ever! He works at Poop Office, an office staffed entirely by poop! And if you think Poopert and his crappy co-workers have it easy, you don’t know crap. These toiling turds spend their days generating T.P. reports on their compooters, clearing out paper jams from the photocrapier, and making buttato salad for the next poopluck lunch. If that’s not enough, the office politics are a real mess in a dump like this.

Collected for the first time in one colossal comic pile are the first six issues of the hilarious Poop Office comic book series along with over 70 pages of never-before-seen bonus content. There’s even an exclusive peek under the lid at how Poop Office is made!

With a satisfying slurry of poop humor and the struggles of working life, Poop Office is sure to appeal to readers of all ages, from little squirts to old farts!

It’s simple really. I took all six issues of Poop Office along with over 70 pages never-before-seen bonus content and stuffed it into one big Poop Office paperback book. All that beautiful black and white poop you love plus stuff like trading cards, variant covers, and secret Poop Office script pages!

Look what the critics are saying!

“Do yourself a favor and check these books out.”
– Times Union

“It’s just a hilarious book, and I highly recommend it. Take it at face value and it’s brilliant.”
– Paperkeg Podcast

“I had a blast reading this. If you see the dude at a comic con and he’s selling Poop Office, I say pick it up.”
– ComixBrew Podcast

“What could easily be dismissed as simple gag comics easily refract under scrutiny into social commentary of the highest order.”
– Comics Bulletin

There are even more glowing praise quotes included in the book!

What, you don’t like paper books anymore? You think they’re fossil relics of a bygone era? Fine, I also have a digital version that’s in full color and high definition in a nice DRM-free PDF. This digital version will be available from ComiXology soon, but in the meantime you’ll be able to buy it directly from me.

Yeah, that’s right. I said “buy it.” But where can you buy it? That’s a good question… to be answered… tomorrow…

(Both versions will actually be available on Amazon.com on Friday, but I’m being coy because I have another announcement I want to tease for tomorrow.)

Announcement for the First Day of April

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I have a totally real and not-at-all joke announcement to make today, a Saturday! Let this post serve as official notice that I am launching a sequel series to Poop Office that will continue forever and ever. I’m probably going to spend all my free time on this new series and won’t have time for much of anything else even. Yes, this is all true, and today is April 1.

Surely over the years you will look back fondly on this day, April 1, as the first day of your love affair with this perennial series that only ended with my death. Enjoy the first four installments.

Poopert in Hell #1

 

Poopert in Hell #2

 

Poopert in Hell #3

 

Poopert in Hell #4

200th Comic Strip Celebration (plus a new comic strip logo)!!

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It’s 2017, so I thought it was time to make a change. I never really had any kind of name or branding for my comic strips, just referring to them as “comic strips.” But I’ve decided they’re no longer just generic comic strips. From this point forward, they will be known as…

Sticks Figure Comic Strips

If that wasn’t amazing enough, I also just finished drawing my 200th comic strip. Er, I mean my 200th Sticks Figure comic strip! I wanted to do something special for such an important milestone, so I drew a sequel to one of my first comics ever — Hammer: King of the Metal Tools, a thrilling, organized crime drama set in a world where people are tools and, instead of flesh, their skin is made out of metal, like tools are. The first comic came out in 1999. I’d always intended it to be a series, but I got distracted. Before we get to Hammer: King of the Metal Tools #2, let’s refresh your memory by looking at the original:

Hammer: King of the Metal Tools #1

Want to know what happens next? You’re in luck! Instead of waiting 17 years like people in 1999 had to, you can just scroll down a little bit more. Go on! Scroll!

Hammer: King of the Metal Tools #2

What a cliffhanger! What’s going to happen to their little screwdriver kid? And is Hammer going to let Saw get away with not paying him what he’s owed? Will Wrench ever forgive her husband for bringing this chaos into their home? All these questions and more may be answered in the next episode of Hammer: King of the Metal Tools, tentatively scheduled for release in 2034.