Creative Cycles

I've written before about how I tend to do the bulk of my creative work (gaming and comics stuff) between about April and August... because my job as a teacher, and especially my work directing plays and musicals, has demanded the vast majority of my creative energy, leaving me sort of tapped out when it came to gaming-related stuff.

This year, obviously, is different. I was forced to retire in July due to my prognosis and treatment, so as the school year has gotten going, it's been doing so without me. I have to admit that the first few weeks, and a few benchmark events along the way, have been a bit rough. This last weekend was the high school's fall play, and that was my 'baby', so it was a little rough that the show must go on without me.

But... that also means that I have all of this bottled-up creative energy that is suddenly springing forward. First on the docket was a revision of my Army Ants game, and then it was back to Stalwart '85. Over the weekend, I put together Stalwart Phile #4, and I've already almost finished Stalwart Phile #5. I am really, really happy with my work on this, and with where my drawing is at. I put together this cover this morning, and thought I'd share it, since it's going to be nestled on page 1 of SP #5. I just have to draw a helicopter and do an editing pass, and I'll be releasing Stalwart Phile #5 in the next day or two... 

And I've already got plans for #6, which is going to be Christmas themed. I mean, you're not really a hero unless you've saved Christmas at least once...