Character: Coked Out Executive

Doug is clearly the Incredible Hulk of low-level office drones. That desk is the United States Army in Hulk Comics of desks. This analogy is the Hulk’s purple pants of analogies, in that it does not really make sense but is still here anyway.

This weekend (or, more accurately, half of the week, as it runs April 26-29) is the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo! I’ll be in the BMO Centre at the Renegade Arts Entertainment booth, of which I don’t know the booth number. But come say hi and buy stuff, because that’s how I feel good about myself during the mental slog that is tabling at a convention. If any of you happen to be near High Level, Alberta (are any of you from near there?), come see me and my Ape Court collaborator Daniel Schneider at Auroracon on May 4-5. If any of you are librarians, I’ll be at the AALT conference on May 11-12. Then after that I’m moving into my new place, and I assume I will die of exhaustion there.

Next Week: Bridget and Steve have important conversations about race. That’s kind of a joke and kind of not? Figure out what that even means by supporting Hell, Inc. on Patreon.

Drawing facial expressions is one of the my favourite things, particularly when I get to go way over-the-top like Doug in the last panel. In other news, Calgary Expo is coming up. I’ll be there again, with the fine folks at Renegade Arts Entertainment, and loads of books and prints.

EMPLOYEE OF THE WEEK:

This week, it’s Brien Aronov! I don’t have a factoid to go with this one, I just appreciate the support. Want to get a shoutout as Employee of the Week, and a variety of other rewards? Hit up the Patreon, and kick a few bucks into the coffers to help keep the lights on.

Next Week: It’s not a good day to be a phone. Which is a weird idea to think about, really. Read it early on Patreon!

Being on hold because somebody didn’t fill out paperwork properly might be the thing I most strongly associate with the idea of working in an office. It’s also an office task that actually crops up on occasion for a comic-maker, although usually for something unrelated to comics. Last time it was because the person at my cell phone provider who activated my phone made a typo on my PIN number that resulted in me not being able to access my account to actually pay them. That was fun. I was on hold on the very same phone they had accidentally prevented me from paying them for.

Normally I find digital lettering pretty enjoyable, but trying to put tails onto radio burst balloons is it’s own special hell (and a joke that I just considered doing in the comic somehow, despite it being intensely specific to my own personal existence and very few others).

EMPLOYEE OF THE WEEK:

This week’s Employee of the Week is Damion! He was one of the earliest Patreon supporters of HEAT, and has stuck around. Thanks for your support, Damion! If you want to get a shout out as Employee of the Week, throw a couple bucks at the Patreon.

Next Week: Exciting adventures in hold muzak. Patreon patrons get to read it a week early, and also help pay the mortgage that I’m going to have shortly. Oh god, that’s terrifying.

His name is not Dr. Rockzo, but he DOES cocaine. And you KNOW he’s the kind of guy who makes you contemplate the nuclear annihilation of the Earth and think “… yeah, okay.”

Now that the site has stabilized after the issues with moving, I can focus on introducing a new feature – Employee of the Week! Each week, one of my Patreon patrons will get a shout-out as Employee of the Week. It’s a way to thank those of you who have been willing to offer your financial and moral support to my comic-making endeavours, as well as encourage others to join them!

EMPLOYEE OF THE WEEK

The inaugural employee of the week is Caitlin, @Caitofthenorth! Thank you, Cait, for being the longest-running patron!

Next Week: The most dangerous game – paperwork. Read it now, and become a future Employee of the Week, on Patreon!