It’s almost 1am and Deb’s downstairs packing up the lithos I’ll be bringing with me to the MCM Expo in London. As usual, I’m stressed but not so much as I cannot wait to get there! Sparky and I have a 7:30 am flight and will arrive about 7pm GMT (Grennwich Mean Time) in London. I believe the folks will be picking us up and it ’s off to the hotel. Hopefully we can hit a pub and get some good ole’ English “comfort food.” I’ve got some commissions and writing to do (well, a lot of writing) on the plane and then all day Friday. I had an opportunity to attend the Arsenal Bolton Wanderers match, but it’s on Saturday at 3pm and since the MCM folks are footing the airfare/hotel and booth, I figure it proper to stay at the show. Oh well, the Gooners are undefeated thus far and it would be great to go, but I guess I’ll just have to wear my kit (jersey) on Saturday to represent!

Well, I’m beat and have to get up at 3:30 and be at Sparky’s at 4:30. I should be able to post on Friday and will let you all know how it’ going.

I cannot wait till Normandy. I’m going Sunday night and will be there until my 11:15pm Ferry back to England on Tuesday. I’ve got my M1942 Para jacket, beret and dog tags. I’m hoping to leave the tags at St. Mere Eglise as I see it as a sort of Mecca to paratroopers. I know the Marines who visit Iwo Jima leave their dogtags on Mt. Surabachi, so if no has done it thus far, why not start a new tradition.

I will miss Deb and the boys desperately! I already do and haven’t left yet!

All the Way!

Billy

Hello All,
It seems that last Tuesday I contacted poison ivy AND had an allergic reacton to Debi’s Thai Food dinner. She used walnut oil and it really hit me hard. It got progressively worse over the next two days and really hindered my work. I was annoyed and agrivated so much that until after finally, my left eye had almost closed from the swelling, my ear was all blown up and I had hives all over my face and neck. I spent Wednesday night in the hospital and was kinda a mess for the next two days, being on all sorts of drugs. I’m still swollen and am waiting to go back to the doctor. I’m pissed because I was hoping to finish my Hellion article and the script to issue #2 this week and will still try. I have a doctor’s appointment today at 5pm and also doctor’s appointment too today. Well, let me get back to work. I’ve been playing with photoshop all morning on one of my Rock drawing’s.
Anyway, let me get back to work. I’ve got too much writing and scratching to do!

Hello everybody! It’s been a very busy period work wise for me. The Rock script is coming along very nicely and I’m now on issue #2. I sent #1 off to John for his review. I’m really proud of it. I had a good photo shoot with Solof on Sunday for the Issue #1. I’m also hoping to set up a shoot for the cover to #3 - Rock and the Tiger Tank. Though I took pics of my Rock (you know who he is — maybe) I didn’t have the bazooka. I might have to pose someone else with it. I’ll just have to see. Anyway, I’ve got a bunch of running around to do, finish the new Hellion today and do 3-5 pages of script.

The trouble with writing from historical events is to keep them interesting to those that aren’t really into all the details. I love the details, but aren’t sure if regular folks would care to know the following German Strength during the battle:

Units Supporting the 7th Regiment at la Haut Jacques:

10th Field artillery
Reconnaissance Company, 601st Tank Destoyer Battalion
Company A, 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion
Company D, 3rd Chemical Battalion (4.2 mortars)
Battery b, 441st Antiaircraft Battalion

German Armored Units Defending Bruyeres Sector
(detached from 21st Panzer Division)
Staff of Panzer Regiment 22
1st Battalion, Pz. Regiment 22 equipped wit h12 Panzer IV tanks
1st Battalion, Pz. Regiment 192, and 1st and 6th Company, Regiment 125, with 2 Panzer Werfer (rocket launchers) and one multiple rocket launcher (Screaming Meemie)

21 Panzer Division Strength in October 1944

19 self-propelled assault guns
19 Panzer IV
14 Panzer V (Panther)
1 to 3 Panzer VI (Tiger)
77 antitank guns (among them six to eight 88mms)

I’ll use this as a basis for the a coming Hellion and will go into much more detail on it. But of course what’s more important in writing this is what you leave out. It must be interesting and exciting, states yours truly, Mr. Obvious.

I’m so sorry for not posting much guys. I’ve been so damn busy researching and writing this Rock book. I’ve had another wonderful photoshoot here yesterday and will post some pics after I remove some files. I will write in my blog tomorrow morning, then my column for Newsarama. I’ll try and keep up the daily blog. Again, I’m sorry, I’ve just been going out of my damn mind with this book but loving every minute of it. We’re trying to put together Zombie-sama! And I’ve got to do that first thing in the morning. I’m also trying to find some “me” time as hunting season has started and I haven’t even take out my bow yet! Jeez! Anyway, that’s what I’m doing first thing, take out the bow and shoot some. Then I’ll try and get a little more Zombie-sama stuff out of the way and it lettered. I’ve then got to contact the printer (and choose one!). We’re also planning a big color Shi book similar to Marvel’s Omnibus line (or whatever it’s called). I’m hoping to keep costs down by getting some of our older books from storage and binding them all together for the big edition.
Anyway, I’m working on Omaha Beach and as usual, the first issue is the hardest, but it’s coming out really, really great!
Talk to you all tomorrow.

Billy