As you know yesterday was my 100th strip, and as usual I have to blab about it. Seriously though, I have a few things to share with you that I think are worth a post.

First, thanks for all the well wishes, it’s very kind of you all and very appreciated. I’m still really trying to figure out a lot about this strip. There are still a lot of things that are driving me crazy about it. So while I’m happy for all the improvement, I’m still trying to find my way with certain things.

Introducing the Dark Ones was a lot of fun. I first sketched these guys way back last winter, and they look pretty much the same now as they did then. I even did a sculpture of one using Sculpey, to help me draw them at odd angles. (I’ll post a pick later if I can). So I’ve literally been waiting months for this moment. The story in which they fall has also been pretty solid for a couple months now.

So who are these guys? Well the Volotrum – The Dark Ones are the third primary race of Martians on Mars. We’ve already met two – the Geborga and the Anfald (that would be Ril’s race). Obviously they have survived the Disruption as well. And if you remember correctly, Dr. Ugofandian talked about visiting them because he was angry about “the council” and something the Geborga were doing.

What did Dr. U hope to accomplish by seeing them? And why was Floopy surprised, or scared about it? In fact, Ugo doesn’t seem too keen about visiting them either. These are issues that will be addressed throughout the next year. I think you’ll find a few surprises along the way – one of which is coming sooner rather than later. (No hints!)

For me, telling this story is going WAY too slow. I wish I could publish more comics, but it’s not humanly possible. So we’ll have to plod along at this speed and take it as it comes.

Speaking of the Dark Ones, Evan Hodgins of the comic Of Noobs and Men wrote me a few weeks back. After reading about the Dark Ones, he thought he had a good idea about how they might look, and he sent me a drawing based on his thoughts.

Folks, I was stunned! Check out his fan art of the Volotrum below – before they were ever revealed! Is that crazy how close he was or what? Thanks Evan for the art, I think he did a really great job.

Meanwhile, what in the world happened to Ril and Asimov? Last time we saw them, Ril was screaming inside the ship as it tipped over in a sandstorm. Well, Thursday we’ll get back there and see what’s going on with them.

Oh, I guess that means we’ll have to wait and see what happens to John and the Dark Ones, won’t we? Well, patience is a virtue!