Chapter 3 Schedule
After two weeks of no updates, I bet the big question on a lot of your minds is “when the heck is chapter 3 going to start?”
Let me first start off by saying I’ve started it! I have it outlined and I’ll be diving deeper into the actual pages for it this week. It’s a really fun story, much more linear than chapter 2 was, very Westerny, and connects a lot of the plot points from both chapters. Now the bad news: you won’t see any of it until the beginning of next year.
Now before you start raising your digital torches and pitchforks let me explain the reasons why:
FIRST AND FOREMOST, and I think a lot of you know this already, is that I’m having my first child this fall. Well not me physically, but my wife is. And from what she tells me I’ll be a big part of this. This is EXCITING! And I could start chap 3 in a few short weeks like I originally planned and update at my typical page-a-week schedule, but realistically I know that come baby time that schedule is going to get thrown right out the proverbial window. So rather than updating only a few pages until October and then stopping suddenly, I’d rather just hold off and update the comic altogether.
WHAT THIS MEANS: My goal is get enough pages of chap 3 completed to allow me to update at least TWICE A WEEK next year. This should be great news for all of you but also great for the comic since I feel I’m doing a diservice to it by only updating once a week. I think a lot of you will agree the story I’m writing simply isn’t paced properly enough to warrent seven days between pages.
LASTLY, starting a family has shifted my priorities a bit. As much as I would LOVE to spend every waking drawing moment I have working on Cleopatra in Space, the sad truth is this comic isn’t exactly a huge revenue maker for me. I draw it because I love comics and love telling Cleo’s story, but paying work has to come first. Now more than ever since I’ll be having a whole new human being to care for. So I’ll be taking on more freelance. Possibly some extra comic work. Maybe even open up commissions again (which should come as more great news to a bunch of you out there). Who knows? Maybe one day any of those things will substitute the need for my current full-time day job.
This was a tough decision to come to. Especially considering Cleo is more popular than ever right now. But ultimately this will be better for the comic and therefore you, my awesome and hopefully super loyal readers.
And I don’t plan on abandoning this site! I will continue to update with extras, new art, and sneak-peaks at my process. Maybe I can even sucker my friends into drawing some guest strips for me. Best way to keep up with everything though will be to follow me on the various social networks like twitter or my most recent favorite, Google+. And if you have any questions or simply want to yell at me, feel free to do so in the comments below and I’ll be sure to respond.
For now, back to the drawing board!
July 11th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
This hasn’t fazed me because I’ve been reading Cleo daily for a year now – in my head! Frankly, Mike, I think you’re going to be surprised how Chapter 4 turns out …
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mike Reply:
July 11th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
no! tell me what happens NOW!
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July 11th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Totally understand and cant wait! :)
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mike Reply:
July 11th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
you’re awesome, lisa. thanks!!
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July 11th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Just started your comic a few weeks ago. LOVE it!! I will be waiting with baited breath (does that mean I have to eat worms?) for you to start up with chapter 3. Good luck growing your family. I remember when my 17 year old was born. Trust me… you will need lots of time for your young-un.
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mike Reply:
July 11th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
thanks for the support! sorry to make you wait after you just discovered the comic. :P
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July 11th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Wow! Congratulations on the little one! Babies are a beautiful thing. Praying for his/her happy, healthy birth. Thank you for a fun (and clean) comic and I look forward to your return next year!
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mike Reply:
July 11th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
thank you!! we are super excited. :)
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July 11th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
I definitely understand the impact having a child can have on trying to get anything done. At all. EVER. I *don’t* have a job outside the home and I have to cram working on my comic into the week somehow.
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mike Reply:
July 11th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
worth it though, right?
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July 11th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
Lucky for me I’m a patient man. I can wait this out. I think I’ll try to gather some money for a commission, though. You know, to help tide me over.
Best of luck to your wife, to you, and the little formative one!
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mike Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
thanks, man! commissions will open soon. :)
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July 11th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
I hate having to have to wait, but I have 3 kids myself, so I know where you’re coming from with the whole pregnancy/birth thing. Best wishes, and I’ll be waitin’.
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mike Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
thanks for understanding!
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July 11th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
I read the tweet and thought, ‘Oh yes. There was a certain collaboration with his wife in the works, wasn’t there?’ Best of luck with everything coming up. :)
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mike Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
hah! yes. prob my best work to date. :)
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July 11th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
Totally understand – I’m so psyched for you and Jenn and your mini Maihack!
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mike Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
thanks, josh!
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July 11th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Well, you know, you have enough friends out here in the community, if you wanted to, you could have some guest strips in the interim. I’d gladly contribute :D
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mike Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
absolutely!
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July 12th, 2011 at 5:03 am
Congratulations! I think having a child is the single most wonderful thing in the world. I hope you and your family will have a good start into that new part of your live. I really enjoy Cleopatra in Space and will be waiting for it to return.
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mike Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
thanks, christian!
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July 12th, 2011 at 9:08 am
CLEO is worth the wait Mike! Congrats!
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mike Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
thanks, denver!
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July 13th, 2011 at 9:41 am
Aw man. I’m going to miss Cleo. Be sure to tell us all about your kid.
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mike Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
will do. Cleo’ll be back before you know it.
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July 13th, 2011 at 10:03 am
I will miss reading the comic on Mondays but I completely understand! My son just turned one this past Sunday so those new parent days are still fresh in my mind. Good luck to you and your wife on the little Maihack and I look forward to reading more about Cleo next year!
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mike Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
thanks, christine!
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July 13th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Dude, all the best for the upcoming birth. A child is the most important ‘project’ you’ll ever take on, so respect for your decision to postpone Cleo for a bit ( although, of course, it’ll be great when Cleo returns.)
Enjoy the countdown to the birth day!
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mike Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
counting down! thanks, chris. :)
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July 13th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Congrats Mike! I too am expecting a new addition to my family this fall. At least you have a plan for what will happen to your comic after this life changing moment. Me, not so sure. Looking forward to the continuation of Cleo next year, you have had me hooked since I bought the teaser issue from you at Pittsburgh Comicon.
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mike Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
congrats on the new addition, vince!!
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July 13th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
Congrats to you and your wife Mike! I gotta say that ever since i saw your guest strip at PvP, I’ve been hooked on your comics. I definitely can’t wait for more Cleo! See you at Comic-con!
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mike Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
thanks so much, Clay! that’s great to hear. see you there!
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July 14th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Sorry for chiming in late. But congrats in advance on the adorable new mouth to feed. Having avoided having children myself, I can’t really offer much advice … now if you were getting a puppy …. (for starters, puppies are MUCH easier to potty train).
Anyway, I’ll be here when you get back …
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mike Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
thanks, john! i think time will fly by.
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July 14th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Totally understandable, Mike. I look forward to Cleo’s return. And congratulations on your new child.
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mike Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
thanks, mikey!
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July 18th, 2011 at 8:32 am
I found Cleopatra in Space from another webcomic, who’s name suddenly escapes me, and I have to say it’s so much fun. Am I disappointed that now I’ve caught up to find out the comic will be on hiatus ’til January? Heck yea. Am I going to be an angry troll about it? Heck NO. ;) Totally understand & congrats on the new little one. You’re life is about to be turned upside down. :D I’ll be waiting patiently & checking back periodically for extras & updates on how your doing.
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mike Reply:
July 27th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
you’re awesome, Christine!
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ChrisitneA Reply:
July 29th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Okay, now I’m all sorts of embarrassed. lol!
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July 22nd, 2011 at 9:22 am
He’s trying to apply reverse psychology. BRING OUT THE VIRTUAL PITCHFORKS AND TORCHES!!! Also, good for you.
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Falco64 Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 5:56 pm
W W W W
| \V/ | \V/ | \V/ | \V/
\O_/ \O_/ \O_/ \O_/
| | | |
/ \ / \ / \ / \
Pitch fork and torch mob to the rescue…
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Falco64 Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Nooooo, can I has spaces in my bad ASII art please??
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mike Reply:
July 27th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
haha. i saw it on my end at least. sorry about crazy commenting breaks!
August 1st, 2011 at 1:47 am
I found this comic while looking through nemu*nemu Kitsy’s SDCC pictures. There was a picture of your booth and the art looked interesting. I’m glad to have found it, but sad that I’ve already read through the entire thing. XD
Best wishes to you and your growing family. Looking forward to Cleo’s return in the new year! :)
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mike Reply:
August 3rd, 2011 at 7:45 pm
what a great way to find the comic!
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August 5th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
I somehow missed the schedule announcement, but now that I’ve found it, it does make sense :)
Say, are there dates for when is book 2 supposed to ship? So we can comfort outselves in your absence?
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mike Reply:
August 5th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
books will be shipping next week, bon! :)
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August 25th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
I totally understand baby’s first then comic, my son (Franky) is three and A walking fun time bulldozer!
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mike Reply:
August 29th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
thanks for the understanding! looking forward to my own little bulldozer.
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August 29th, 2011 at 10:19 am
Mike, have to set a date for when Chapter 3 will start? I hope you are able to manage both commision work and your work to a healthy balance.
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mike Reply:
August 29th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
still aiming for the start of next year, matt. :)
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August 31st, 2011 at 1:41 pm
At least you have a good reason! Better to have the story up-to-standards than cranking something out to fit the schedule.
Absolutely love it so far!
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mike Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
thanks! and for the understanding as well. :)
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September 11th, 2011 at 4:42 am
Just keep doin’ whatcha doin’…. Good art an’ stories are worth the wait!
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mike Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
:)
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September 13th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Charge money for it, but do it faster, man, it’s soooo bad, that it’s not your main business… ;) Congrats for the family!!
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mike Reply:
January 19th, 2012 at 9:30 am
thanks! i don’t think i could ever bring myself to charge for a webcomic. but there is some stuff on the horizon that might help pay for this comic. keep an eye on the blog!
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October 19th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
So is it cows hell or cow shell?
And in either case, what is that?
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mike Reply:
January 19th, 2012 at 9:29 am
it’s Cow Shell. It’s a seashell with cow spots on it.
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November 11th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Hey now,
I expect that you are busy-as-you’ve-never-been-before and on the margin of sleep deprived hallucination. It gets better, mine have both graduated High School and are out of the house. Looking forward to a resumption of Cleo.
Any news you want to share here (twitter and I don’t mesh too well), mebbe about commissions? Just Dad stuff would be good, too.
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mike Reply:
January 19th, 2012 at 9:35 am
currently not taking on any commissions due to some publishing work. but dad stuff is doing great! thanks for asking!
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January 19th, 2012 at 8:41 am
When is the new cleopatra is space going to start, for back in Jult 11th 2011 yousaid it will be in afew weeks or so and here it is now 1-19-2012 and still nothing. Do I have the wrong web site foe you have moved it or are you just going to leave it as is and call it the end?
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mike Reply:
January 19th, 2012 at 9:28 am
did i ever say a few weeks? anyhow- i’ll be making an announcement about this comic’s schedule this week. but it is DEFINITELY not the end. make sure you’re keeping up with this blog for updates.
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