Mister Mess

Meet Mister Mess. Back in 1992, I collaborated with an ambitious young couple who wanted to create a series of books based on their characters, the Little Applehead Gang. Each character was going to get their own book. It was a fun project. I don't know if they ever published the other books because I lost contact with them soon after. But, Mister Mess --- though truly a mess --- (I still blame his possibly neglectful mother) --- didn't want to take a bath, eat properly or even go to bed on time. And check this out!!! I swear it wasn't intentional, but Mister Mess is wearing Bart Simpson's outfit!!!!

Boys on the Verge

This is the updated color version of a picture I did waaaay back in 1997.

Gold Dust Woman

Too much Friday night. Too much Jack. Too much YouTube. Gold Dust Woman. Courtney Love's Hole version or the original Fleetwood Mac? Or neither!

More Detective Work

It's hard to believe that I created my amateur detective, Rene C. Clayton during my senior year in high school. He didn't get very far, but he's still in my head. My badly written, not to mention hand-written novel, was inspired by a Margot Kidder (Superman: The Movie) & Robert Hayes (Airplane!) Disney movie called "Trenchcoat." It also included elements of "Cloak and Dagger," a movie with Henry Thomas (E.T.) and Dabney Coleman (9 to 5). One of my classmates loved it, so I just kept feeding him chapters. (Thanks, Mike Morsy, wherever you are!) It was SO badly written. But, the character eventually evolved. I subscribed to the Sue Grafton school of writing just like a lot of people back in the day. He got a personality. He got gay. The stories became first person novels, more character driven than anything. Harrison Caldwell, Rene's ex and mostly useless, not to mention goofy, side kick added the necessary sexual tension. Rene became nosy. He learned how to pick locks. And, swim. Plus, he knew how to find trouble for a quick buck. This is the picture that depicts Rene the best.

When I stopped completing stories, I just started doing drawings for story inspiration. Here Rene and Harrison are at a party. A suspect is gliding away noticeably.

And, now they're in somebody's cellar searching for clues. Above, they haven't even noticed the approaching footsteps. I was "experimenting" with a new drawing style. The early 90s were wretched. Look at those boxy shirts and huge shoulders.
Couldn't have a mysterious drawing without a secret panel. I just couldn't get away from the Nancy Drew-esque cliches. This drawing was actually sketched with a green pen. I was "experimenting" again. Plus, more early 90s fashions. Rene's pants were probably green or burgundy. And, he has a tail! Remember those!?!

Rene C. Clayton - Private Eye

Back in the day when I wanted to be a mystery writer, I created a black gay detective: Rene C. Clayton. ("The 'C' is for 'Christopher' and no --- 'Rene' isn't a girl's name.") Rene was located in Washington, D.C. He lived in an efficiency in Dupont Circle. He was addicted to coffee. He would never wear slacks and god forbid --- a tie! He supplemented his dead end job with freelance graphics projects. Deadbeats would often stiff him. He'd have to use his wits to track them down. Stake-outs were a breeze. He knew how to find a clue. He could get out of a jam. He was in an on again/off again relationship with his ex, who masqueraded as his side kick. His best friend was hot. He had a crush on an older straight police detective whose feelings toward him were more brotherly. His "muscle" was his lesbian gal-pal. His father always worried too much and his little brother was pesky. And, because he'd read too many Nancy Drew books as a child, he often saw a mystery in everything.
Rene never really made his dynamic debut as I'd always envisioned. There's a completed novel (which feels extremely dated now), an unfinished novel (which was actually going pretty well), a ton of incomplete short stories and a bunch of drawings. One story though, "Justifiable Disappearance" was actually published online by Blithe House Quarterly many, many years ago. Who really remembers what happened after that? I think life just got in the way. But, Rene C. Clayton has always been in my heart. He's sitting there, impatiently tapping his foot, waiting to spring into action. And who knows? Maybe he'll return in some other form. Most likely as a comic strip.

Rene helping a gay youth escape!

Rene, not so lucky himself. Captured, bound with his own coat and tossed into the back seat of an abandoned car!!!

Rene --- in a dangerous situation!!!
Rene --- investigating a drive by shooting.

Progress

Issues #13-15 has been added to the official website of Black Gay Boy Fantasy. My god! I still can't get that new homepage to load!!! Maybe ... one day. Anyway, issue #13 - "First Date," issue #14 - "A Boy I Like," and issue #15 - "Naked" ---- (yes, every character appears naked at some point in this issue) have been added.

Don't Ask

Originally, this piece was going to be called "Swimming Hole," instead --- don't ask --- because I don't know how Jesus ended up in the shallow end of the lake. And, no --- he's not hurt.