"One Last Song" the comic, created by CJ Hurtt and Shawn Richter

2008-01-09T14:56:00.000-08:00

A new page

2008-01-09T08:46:00.000-08:00

#2 is one the virtual stands!

Click here to download!

Don't forget, it's FREE!!

2007-09-25T08:57:00.000-07:00

The first issue is now available on WOWIO! Click below to get the download:

Or, if you like your comics a day at a time, here you go:

2007-09-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

#2 is imminent...

2007-09-08T17:51:00.001-07:00

Just a friendly reminder:

APR073521

That there is the Diamond order code for issue 2. It's just on the horizon! We swear!

2007-06-13T17:31:00.000-07:00

Issue #1 is in stores! Go buy one!!

Thanks.

2007-05-04T19:48:00.000-07:00

I haven't done a process post in awhile, so here you can see the before and after on a couple of pages:

PAGE ONE (Full page)

Full page panel depicting DHS propaganda poster on brick wall. Image on poster is of dramatic art deco style rendering of a DHS agent. Caption above agent’s head reads, “DHS: WE ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU”. Someone has used spray paint to cross out “THERE FOR” and painted, “WATCHING”.

The pencils:

The final page:

2007-05-02T08:34:00.000-07:00

Would Agent Stephens use these to watch Amanda and Brian?

2007-04-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

Well, they were nice enough to review us anyway...

First of all, let me acknowledge that CJ and Shawn have indeed created an actual comic book -- I'm not being snide here, that's no mean feat. Many (I would guess most) of the people writing for this site or reading it have, at one time or another and to varying degrees, held aspirations of becoming a comics creator of some sort, and most of us have never done it. It's hard work. Working on a comic book and actually finishing it, let alone publishing it, deserves high praise. In all seriousness and with much respect, I salute you. This is a real comic book.

One Last Song, alas, is not very good. It's not jaw-droppingly awful by any stretch, but it is somewhat amateurish and not as engaging as it could be. I don't want to be Mean Critic Guy, but I gotta call 'em like I see 'em. It's a C-minus.

You know they can't all be winners, right? But as harsh as it might seem, they STILL recommend us, which I think is fantastic. So, Chris and all the rest of the curmudgeons, we'll raise a glass in your honour (because I think I need to get drunk after reading that one....!)

2007-04-16T10:14:00.000-07:00

A little more love....

Politics and even political thrillers are all over the media right now. This one stands out because of its ability to distance itself just far away enough from reality. If you’re looking for a solid read from a pair with a lot of potential, check out this book on April 25th. I’ll be looking for the 2nd issue in 2 months. This gets 4 basic human rights out of 5: a solid first effort with a lot of clear potential for greatness.

-Lucas Siegel, Newsarama. Best Shots, 4-16-07

2007-04-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

Feeling the love...

"This first issue certainly got me hooked and I want to see where this is going to go."

- Joe Gordon, ~~manager~~ a damn fine employee of the Forbidden Planet UK store, who links to some new pages here: http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/?p=3392

"It's the kind of book that makes you question exactly what freedom is."

-Rob Levin, writer/editor and heckuva nice guy

"Edwyn Collins snuck the line "Too Many Protest Singers/Not Enough Protest Songs" into his biggest hit. He always was the clever one. So if there's going to be One Last Song, make it a protest one. Raw, uncut and furious, this won't get played on the radio."

Kieron Gillen, author of the absolutely fantastic "Phonogram" and a guy who knows something about music and comics.

Also, we got a mention on a liberal blog that I emailed. Always fun:
http://suprmchaos.com/bcEnt-Sat-040707.index.html
(scroll down to just past the gothic looking window...)

2007-04-14T08:33:00.000-07:00

LET'S HAVE A WAR (CZAR)!

Here

2007-04-14T08:29:00.000-07:00

LOST IN THE MAIL:

White House conveniently loses emails

2007-04-10T08:18:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we haven't posted this yet (we didn't want to interrupt the flow, i guess... The seconf issue is in Previews:

APR073521

ORDER NOW!!!!
(we love you)

2007-04-07T22:15:00.000-07:00

The last two:

So that's it. If you liked it, go to your local comic store and ask them to BACKORDER you a copy... the code you need it FEB073275. Thanks.

2007-04-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

Oops! Went a couple days without an update - must've been a busy week! To make up for it, here's the four days I missed:

2007-04-02T08:20:00.000-07:00

Page 19:

2007-03-31T16:26:00.000-07:00

Page 18:

2007-03-30T07:54:00.000-07:00

Page 17:

2007-03-29T06:59:00.000-07:00

Page 16:

2007-03-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

Page 15:

2007-03-26T19:12:00.000-07:00

Page 14:

2007-03-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

Here's thirteen!

2007-03-23T21:05:00.000-07:00

Page 12:

2007-03-22T20:45:00.000-07:00

Page 11:

The fun continues tomorrow!

2007-03-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

Here's the preview pdf (the cover and 9 pages):
Click here!
Page 10:

Remember, there is still time to re-order the book (Feb073275). Stay tuned for more...

2007-03-10T16:13:00.000-08:00

Hey check out this interview Justin Jordan conducted with us at Comic Book Resources!

Thanks Justin!

2007-03-04T09:48:00.000-08:00

Reviews, interviews,etc!
Here's the one from Sequential Tart:
13 questions with CJ and Shawn
And here is a freaking awesome review from Joe Gordon at Forbidden Planet! Thanks Joe!!
(No, the book hasn't been released yet, we sent him a preview.) Pretty good week, in all.

2007-02-22T14:13:00.000-08:00

The Pulse has a piece on us as does Silver Bullet Comics Check'em out!

2007-02-21T07:41:00.000-08:00

We have a winner! Our online radio DJ that will be disappeared by government agents is none other than Chris Brimmage! He'll be getting his prize shortly, as will his retailer at Bedrock City Comics in Texas! Thanks for the support guys, and enjoy the swag!!

2007-01-22T19:17:00.000-08:00

The "are you dissident enough" contest!

Check out the preview! (PDF download, 4.8M)

The "are you Dissident enough" contest rules

Entering is easy - all we need is a photo of your local comic shop retailer and you holding a copy of our DISSIDENT print out (click the link below, print it out, take it to the comic shop and send us the pic!) and on February 10th at midnight we'll select by random ballot ONE lucky winner who will be featured in ONE LAST SONG as a radio DJ who is "dissappeared" by agents of the government in issue #1! whew! But wait - there's more! You also win a free copy of "ONE LAST SONG" signed by the creators, a "ONE LAST SONG" dissident t-shirt and a bunch of other great swag! And your retailer wins too - we'll send them an official ONE LAST SONG ball cap, a piece of original art (the page where the winner is whacked, natch') and other goodies to enjoy!
PRINT OUT THIS PAGE!! (click to download)

Make sure to include your name, address, email, t-shirt size, the store you took the picture at and of course the picture and send it to:

dissidentcontest@gmail.com

Fine Print Stuff:By entering the contest, you allow us to use your likeness in the comic and post your name on the blog. You don’t get any rights to the comic or payment other than the cool prizes we’re gonna toss your way. This is just a fun way for you to get some great swag, so don’t sue us ok? Thanks!

2007-01-19T15:38:00.000-08:00

Diamond has just released the order code for One Last Song #1! This is a time for great celebration and much dancing. Check it out:FEB073275. Neeto, eh?

Now is the time for the great pre-ordering rush! Also, keep an eye peeled for a pretty cool contest that we're launching. Sweet prizes, indie comics, flippin the finger right at the man..what could be better?

Also, Shawn has set up a kick ass online swag store. http://www.cafepress.com/onelastsong
You need a Dissident shirt. Yes, you do. Now be a good citizen and visit our store.

2007-01-19T15:33:00.000-08:00

Well, well, well. It's getting to be the end of the day. Work at the day job is finally over and it's time to check me emai...What the hell is this!?!?
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/011807.html So the U.S. Attorney General questions that the Constitution grants all citizens habeas corpus? Just when I think the neo-cons have hit a new low. Read the article, try not to cry, and remember this bullshit come the next election day.

2007-01-19T09:12:00.000-08:00

Hey look at this - I was digging through some old files on the computer and I came across some original ideas for the logo:

This is of course the final logo we came up with:
I can see element from both of my roughs in there... it was a fun design experiment.

2007-01-07T15:38:00.000-08:00

Hey, look at that, the thing is starting to get off the ground - previews, a new website, CJ going and pimping the book... wow. I better do something, I guess, so here is a page from beginning to end.
I start out with a script, which might look like this:

PAGE SIX (5 panels)


Panel 1: Cluttered one room apartment. Bed unmade, 
Clothes on the floor, empty whiskey bottles, cigarette 
butts, and empty Chinese food cartons. In the middle 
of this mess is Brian Brennen. He’s sitting at a table 
with a ham radio set and headphones on. A cigarette 
juts out of his mouth. He looks unwashed, unshaved, 
burned-out.

Radio: Heeellooo from Amsterdam (fade)…Hola! Tu 
es… (fade)...all with jumper cables..(fade)


Panel 2: Different angle. We see Brian turning the 
tuning dial. Also on the table is his Gentri-Mart 
Manager’s name tag and vest and a picture of Brian 
in DHS uniform.

SFX: Phone rings


Panel 3: Brian ignores phone and keeps tuning radio. 

Radio: 11,86,23,23 Et in Arcadia ego.

SFX: Phone rings


Panel 4: Brian looks shocked.

SFX: Phone rings


Panel 5: Brian reaches out and answers the phone.

Brian: Hello? Ok. I’ll meet you there.

Radio: Be careful out there.

So then I rough out what I think the page should look like, which I wanted to include. However I can't find the rough for page six, which is the one I decided to do tonight, so I'm going to skip this step. Suffice it to say, it's very rough (ah, what the hell, here's page 10's rough/layout):

Then I like to take photo ref, to get the right poses for the characters and the light source, if I have time:

Then I draw it on a piece of 11 x 17 bristol board (I buy 11x14 inch Strathmore 3ply smooth pads and cut them to size. Which is why my originals look like shit...):

Then I ink and scan and letter that sucker. I usually do my panel borders in photoshop too, since I like how clean they end up:

And that's it. See? Even a monkey could do it...

blue skies,
Shawn

2007-01-07T10:54:00.000-08:00

The fine folks at Brain Scan Comics have launched the official promotional website for One Last Song!

Check it out here: www.onelastsong.com

We'll be adding some nifty and exclusive promotional items and content soon, so make sure to keep checking back!

We've recieved word that the Diamond order code will be released later on this month and the book will be listed in the Feb issue of Previews. The time is nearing for the pre-order frenzy!

Shawn and I would like to thank all of you for supporting this book and helping it finally see the light of day. It means a lot to us. Thank you.

-CJ

2006-12-15T13:52:00.000-08:00

Four more pages:

Let me know what you think!

2006-12-12T19:30:00.000-08:00

Just started in on the issue 5 script. It's kind of weird to be finally tying up this story after having lived with it for so long. It's also kind of strange to know that I'll probably be feeling sad about having finished the final script(number 6)at roughly the same time I'll be feeling overjoyed by the release of issue 1.

In related news, I saw this today. As always, feel free to coment.

2006-12-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

And so it begins...

We're happy to announce that "One Last Song" will be available in comic stores in the new year! April? May? Somewhere around there (it'll be in the Previews catalogue in February). Our good friends at Brainscan Comics told us so, so we know it's true! Keep checking back for updates (like order codes and stuff).

Oh this is EXCITING!

2006-11-22T17:32:00.000-08:00

Here are some character sketches of Brian. I picture him as a washed up, burned out DHS Agent that drinks too much coffee, smokes too many cigarettes and doesn't get enough sleep...

2006-11-11T10:04:00.000-08:00

From time to time I'll be posting links to relevant news stories. While One Last Song takes place in a fictional future world, the inspiration for the book can be found in any day's headlines.

Let's get some discussion going!

Feeling Blue?

Early Action on Iraq

Britain says it's tracking 30 possible terror plots

Rumsfeld's exit clouds defense policy

2006-11-11T09:40:00.000-08:00

A little script to page fun today!

This is the original script for page 1. If you scroll down, you can see how Shawn sharpened it up a bit.

Page cut into thirds, horizontally. First third depicts a smiling, well kempt, stereotypical American family.

CAP: These people look to be normal, happy
Americans, right? They could even
Be your neighbors.

Second section depicts same family but in para-military gear.

CAP: But, how well do you really know your neighbors?

Third section depicts family being arrested. The government agents appear to be thanking a stereotypical smiling family. The implication being that this second family were the concerned neighbors that tipped off the feds.

CAP: Know the enemy within! It is your duty To report
suspicious activity! Paid for by the DHS.
Keep America safe!

The splash panel itself is stamped with a “DHS: Media Division” approval stamp. Spaces in the background between the panel sections could be filled in with broken machinery, worms, or any other symbols for decay.

2006-11-10T17:35:00.000-08:00

A sneak peek at the cover!

2006-11-05T16:14:00.000-08:00

Here are some unlettered pages:

2006-10-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the official blog for the comic "One Last Song". Check the site frequently for behind the scenes art and words and other goodies and information on the book's release!

2006-10-16T20:35:00.000-07:00

Coming soon