Issue #22 - How They Met

BGBF issue #22 - "How They Met." (Yes, it's in homage to Juicy Mother 2.) I went through a variety of titles like: "People Are Talking" (which they were --- but was also too Bonnie Raitt) and "How I Met My Next Boyfriend." I didn't realize until this morning while selecting clips that this issue is really about the reaction of different people to Neil and Dustin breaking up. I'm still getting used to seeing my covers in color.

Jesus Nolasco meets Neil Jordan for the "first time" even though he already knows all of his business. Queens. I'm experimenting with this new background gray.

Then, there's Uncle Dustin. My nephews and niece are very much a part of my life. Once introducing Dustin's waaaaay back in issue #13, I realized that they were very much a part of his. Here's Dustin with his new niece, Jayden (named after my very own new great niece!)

Messy roommates. It really just goes without saying.

Paige Braddock

I must have briefly met Paige Braddock, writer, artist and creator of Jane's World, maybe three or four years ago at the San Diego ComicCon. She was on one of the gay comics panel. Whatever she said inspired me to track down her booth. And she was there! I think I bought a couple of compilations. It wasn't until I was on the plane headed back to Washington, D.C., books in hand --- already read --- did I realize --- I was in love with Paige Braddock, her heroine, Jane and her crazy ass friends. Okay --- Jane's crazy, too. (Below: Chelle, Jill, Skye and Jane.)

Jane's World started as a daily syndicated strip, then Paige turned Jane's adventures into graphic novels. I reallllly love this graphic novel format. The drama just flows freely. The best and hottest thing in the graphic novels is the romance between Chelle and Jill. They're undercover agents for a group called "Women on the Verge." They have a steamy and somewhat tumultuous past. (Aren't they the best ones?) Completely worth the price of admission.

For the record: My favorite scene will probably always be Chelle's response to finding out that her mother's husband, Ted (a butch living as a man) beat up her girlfriend, Jill and blacked her eye. I even wrote Paige because I couldn't wait for Ted to get his. "An eye for an eye, baby." Best line EVER!
The WonderCon comics conference just happened a couple of weeks ago in San Francisco. Somebody I know went, met Paige and coerced her into holding up a sign. I was floored!!!
(Hi, Paige!!! You ROCK!!!)

But, it gets better. Not only did she hold up the sign --- not only did she SIGN it ---- but she drew Jane!!!! SCREAM!!!! (And falling out on the floor again.)
So, after reading graphic novel #7, I realized --- it seemed pretty evident that Paige had tied up several story lines. The book finished with: "The end for now." Was she taking a break? Was it over? I was almost in a panic until I found out about: VOLUME 8!!!! Back in business!!! And according to my WonderCon source, there's a lot of shocking and also hilarious stuff getting ready to happen. Paige had tons of spoilers!!!
And not only that, she's doing a book called "The Martian Confederacy" with Jason McNamara. I'm already on board.

Untitled Issue #23

Here's a potential cove to the untitled issue #23 of BGBF. It's strange seeing my books in color since they're normally in black and white. The interiors are being inked and will be posted on my official site in the future.

The Gang's All Here!

In 2005, I did an illustration of all of my current characters together. (It didn't seem that long ago!) I didn't realize I had so many characters. It made me feel good. It was progress. It reminded me of the community of Springfield. Yesterday, I did another one with some of my newest characters. I realize that Dustin's sister and his nephews never made it into it. Plus, she has a new baby who makes her debut in issue #22. Jesus, who I've completely fallen in love with wasn't in it. Then, he has his three best friends. Then, there's another new character I created for Derrick and Rodney. Then finally, there were some background activist characters who only appeared in an as yet unpublished story about how Neil and Dustin really met. That story will make its debut in my first compilation. Below are some snippets of the thumbnails of two separate pictures.

Dustin - Doll

Back in issue #13 of Black Gay Boy Fantasy - "First Date," Dustin went on a date with Neil. Even though he was cool on the actual date, beforehand, he was a mess. It didn't help that he had shady roommates, a ghetto sister and two bratty, snotty-nosed nephews. Help him get sorted with some proper wardrobe choices.

Patrick J. Dancy

In 1990, The Guys Next Door were created to rival the New Kids on the Block. It began as a half hour sitcom/variety show on NBC Saturday mornings. I was glued to the tv to see one person --- New York native, Patrick J. Dancy! He was my teen heart throb. (Actually, I think he was 20. I must have been 22.) Patrick was joined by Bobby Leslie, Eddie Garcia, Damon Sharpe and Chris Wolf for silly, but fun skits, songs and dance. I'm making my crush official.

The boys sang and danced. They premiered videos. Their skits involved Boogie the Dancing Pig, the Fashion Police (wretched 90s fashions), the Pizza Guy, RoboPop and many others. They had a good time. They released an album. Which I got and loved. Then, sadly, it ended. I think the show only lasted a year. One night, I stumbled upon a Guys Next Door site where most of these images have come from. I re-lived my Patrick J. Dancy moments all over again. Plus, there's some stuff on YouTube.

Patrick and Bobby Leslie.

Patrick and Damon Sharpe.

Behind The Scenes:

The boy has a FACE on him!!!!

I saw Patrick on an episode of "Married With Children," playing a nerdy gay character in Kelly Bundy's class named Rueben. Then, I think I stumbled across him very briefly on an episode of "Family Matters" playing Laura Winslow's boyfriend. Then, sadly, I never really saw him again. He's apparently popped up in a couple of bit roles elsewhere. I found what looks like head shots of him. He's aging verrrrrrry well. I caught a trailer for a show called "She Spies" in which he starred. I got to see him chasing after a perp. Then, he was in an episode of a show I've never seen called "The Pretender."

Reunion with Damon Sharpe. This seemed to have happened in 1999, ten years after The Guys. The third person featured is Patrick's brother. Patrick looks GREAT!!! He is CUT UP!!!!

Okay. Now that I've mooned over Patrick enough, I'm going to end on these final Patrick J. Dancy pictures. Wherever you are, Patrick ... I hope you're living a good life!

To the Men who make it "Special"

Issue #1

Issue #2

Issue #6

Issue #14

Issue #15

Issue #18

Issue #19

Issue #20

Issue #22