Finally, the fourth chapter is finished.
It took six and a half months, but it’s over a hundred pages long — begun on October 20th, after returning from tour with Menomena — and completed on May 8th, a couple of weeks after Stumptown Comics Fest. In between, there were a handful of out-of-town guests, a couple of trips (including the Grammys), 3 weeks of nagging cold, 1 week of completely paralyzing flu, and one martial arts-induced drawing hand injury (I dropped out of the class). Here’s some peeks at some panels (still hesitant to reveal full pages) and photo proof that I do work (Thaïs snapped the first one, and Lark the second).
I’ll try to attend to comment/questions soon. In the meantime, Tita and other Netherlanders should know I won’t be at Stripdagen Haarlem this year. It seems they’re showing a documentary or something that includes embarrassing footage of me. As always, thank you all for your kind words. They really keep me going!
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May 10th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
It looks incredible! You’re gonna go down in comics history for this one, I reckon.
I’ve noticed in the photos where you’re inking, that you don’t wear any gloves. Do you ever have problems with ink adhering to the paper where your hand has been?
May 11th, 2008 at 12:34 am
oh man, I guess you’re the hardest working person in comics today, arn’t you?
It’s absolutely stunning.
Cheers from Israel.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:57 am
I WANT TO GIVE YOU MY MONEY FOR THIS RIGHT NOW!
May 11th, 2008 at 1:55 am
It really looks great! why are the guards in the 2nd panel wearing all the same glasses/googles?
Cheers!
May 11th, 2008 at 2:05 am
oh my god! i can’t wait for your next graphic novel to come out! i’m dying from all the freakin’ excitement.
Keep up the good work Mr. Craig!
May 11th, 2008 at 2:43 am
If you tell me you draw all those buildings and columns only with small references by internet or something like that (and no real photos in the exact position you later draw) you will become my idol and I will arise you to sit near Will Eisner in my top of greatest comic artists (I have to tell you you are very close anyway). :D.
May 11th, 2008 at 3:23 am
Four months.. do you really think it’s a lot of time!?? With all the intrincate patterns and details in most panels I think most artists would need a lot more time! You are working quite hard and the results are impressive.
May 11th, 2008 at 8:04 am
i like to see someones skatches also cover the floor as mine under my table.
i am waiting unpationately for that book and hope it will be published in czech also.
sanding it from USA is so expensive.
good luck with your work!
May 11th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Jeepers, patterns to make your eyes swoon!
May 11th, 2008 at 10:16 am
love those guards, they seem mighty futuristic
May 11th, 2008 at 10:45 am
so so good… I can’t wait to read it… you are a true hero to all as drawing out there!!!
May 11th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I think the comments says everything, so i’m just gonna say, for me you are on top with Will Eisner already. I’m acctually writing “master” about graphic novels and “Blankets” especially. Maybe I will be trying to contact you by e-mail with some questions. Is it fine with you?
greetings from Poland
Kaj
May 11th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I’m in awe…no words really to express how I feel…
May 12th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Beauuuutiful, Craig!
It was nice to see you for a little while in Portland–thanks for helping us get home safely that Saturday!
May 12th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Hello Craig,
Your cartoons are spectacular and your blog very funny. I’ve spent a very good time visiting it.
By the way your physical appearance reminds me of a friend of university days with whom I don’t speak since a long time ago… Won’t be you living a second life?
(A joke)
Regards from Spain
May 12th, 2008 at 11:54 am
I just have to say that I recently discovered “Blankets” and devoured it over the weekend. I read a LOT and I haven’t come across a story in a VERY long time that made me completely unable to wait until I could get back to reading it. It’s not about MY life, but so much of it–growing up with brothers, first love, religious upbringing–rang so beautifully and painfully true.
Absolutely MASTERFUL! Seriously, the story, the art… Wow. It’s a perfect gem. Instantly one of my all-time favorite reads in any genre… And I’m a picky guy about this sort of thing (just ask my wife). I NEVER gush like this! Thank you very much!
May 12th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Mr. Thompson -
This looks quite fantastic indeed. I am currently reading Blankets. I read it then use it as my nightstand while I sleep. It is that thick. Tell Portland hello. I wouldn’t want it to stop missing me.
Nicole
May 13th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Craig,
my favorite bit is the Arabic “z” from the sleeping woman. . . nice touch.
Sarah
May 13th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Fantastic! I hope you will be there on the next stripdagen in Haarlem!
Much love from Holland!
xx
May 13th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
This looks INCREDIBLE!!! I can’t wait to read this. And I agree with Sarah, the Arabic “Z” —-> trés clever.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
looks beautiful, Craig. i can’t wait! but of course i will… : )
May 15th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
LOVE these panels and the feel of this new piece. I agree with the comments above, I’ll give you my money for this right now
May 15th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I thought I was gonna see you for dinner!
Goggles!
May 16th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Very nice, you are the best, thanks to you i draw comic again.
Regards from Spain. We are waiting your graphic novel.
May 16th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
After wondering what you’d been up to and what you had coming out next I stumbled across a blurb about you on Mike Allred’s message board.
MAN, such gorgeous stuff. Your flowing line work is sensational. I have to go read Chunky Rice, Blankets, and Carnete de Voyage over again.
I look more forward than ever to seeing your new material.
Matt in Arkansas
May 17th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
ps. I forgot to say, I’m volunteering at Stripdagen Haarlem, haha hopefully I get to see that embarresing footage of yours! XD
May 18th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
You sir are amazing! I really want to see this book! The wait is killing everyone.
Don’t be responsible for genocide now.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Thank you for sharing these. I like seeing individual panels - you can concentrate on the art of it without feeling the need to read the plot. (Not that plot’s such a bad thing, either.)
I’m glad I got to meet you at Stumptown. There are so many talented cartoonists in Portland, I feel lucky to be here.
May 26th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
This looks amazing.
May 27th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
It is amazing to see how much your style has progressed! Such depth…and to think I thought it couldn’t get any better. I can see how much your trip to Morocco has influenced this book, the intricacies are astounding. In my opinion you are the best of the best. Waiting for Habibi is challenging, but the pieces you give us are so worthwhile. Keep up the phenomenal work!