Strobe!

And that something is the last 27 meals it’s eaten.

Google+ has suddenly become a new hotbed of activity this last week.  Opening to the public was a big start, of course, but then they allowed sharing of your circles.  A couple artist friends on there shared their Webcomic or Artist circles, which I added and…  Well, that pretty much broke the dam wide open.  A couple years ago, there was a startup called ComicSpace that was meant to be the MySpace for comic pros and fans, but, like MySpace, fizzled out pretty quick.  Right now, Google+ is lightyears beyond anything ComicSpace ever did for me.

I’m hardly a “pro” when it comes to comics myself.  I don’t really know how you rate something like that.  I think you just eventually hit that point where you feel like you are.  But the real professionals I have met online (or in person) have been amazing people, who share so much more than their newly posted strips.  They talk about technique, and their feelings on the industry or creativity in general.  Or just about their lives.

Eric Orchard is someone I didn’t know of before meeting online, but I’ve told him several times that he’s been my favorite part of Google+ so far.  And if it was for his artwork alone (such as what he’s been working on for Maddy Kettle of late), I’d still rate him at the top.  But he’s also just been a joy to get to know, to chat with, and to learn from.  If you have any interest in comics beyond just the joy of reading them, he’s someone I’d recommend paying attention to.  And if you just want to read some amazing comics, well…  Go look at that link and drool along with me.  I’m dying for this book to come out!

Maddy Kettle by Eric Orchard

Someday, when and if I feel like I’ve earned my “pro” standing, I hope I can inspire and help people as much.