Storycomic Weekly Newsletter: March 22nd
ALWAYS POSTED A WEEK EARLIER ON PATREON
Stephen Barone Explores Dark Humor in "The Dirty, the Filthy, and the Dead"
In an engaging interview, Stephen Barone, creator of "The Dirty, the Filthy, and the Dead," shares insights into his latest horror comic that blends perverse humor with eerie, unsettling narratives. Stephen, who balances his life as a special education teacher with his passion for writing, delves into the complexities of crafting a story that is as much about human frailties as it is about supernatural horrors.
"The Dirty, the Filthy, and the Dead" is not just a horror story but a twisted reunion of old schoolmates, orchestrated by the enigmatic Ralph, who exposes the attendees' darkest secrets in theatrical horrors. Barone’s creation draws inspiration from the likes of David Lynch and George Carlin, offering a unique narrative style that pushes the boundaries of traditional horror. The series, rendered in stark black and white, captures the raw emotion and underlying terror of the characters' revelations.
Stephen discusses the challenges of indie comic creation, from conceptualization to funding and publication. His commitment to bringing this darkly comic vision to life is evident as he talks about the future of the series and his hopes for its impact on readers. This interview is a must-watch for fans of horror and dark humor, providing a rare look into the creative process behind "The Dirty, the Filthy, and the Dead."
Project Update: Slow but Steady
Not much forward momentum this week, but progress is still happening. I’m still waiting to finalize my work subscription to Adobe InDesign, which will help me put the finishing touches on Daddest Jokes. Once that’s in place, I’ll be able to move things along more quickly.
On the bigger picture side of things, I’m still holding off on officially announcing my business expansion, but things are moving behind the scenes. Hopefully, I’ll be able to share more soon!
Book Review: The Panasonic Digital Super Hybrid System User Manual – A Riveting Page-Turner
If you’ve ever found yourself longing for a thrilling read packed with mystery, intrigue, and an unfathomable amount of technical jargon, then The Panasonic Digital Super Hybrid System User Manual is the book for you! I recently acquired this fine piece of literature after winning a liquidation auction for the phone system at my radio station, and let me tell you—it’s been a wild ride.
From the moment I cracked open the first page, I knew I was in for an adventure. The table of contents alone is a masterpiece of suspense, teasing chapters like "Programming System Features" and "Operator Functions"—who could resist? The writing is crisp and to the point, offering gems like, "To enter program mode, press the PROGRAM button," which is both enlightening and oddly philosophical.
The character development is where this manual really shines. Who is CO Line? And what does he want from me? Will Extension 101 ever find happiness, or is it doomed to a life of call transfers and hold music? The plot thickens with the discovery of the DISA (Direct Inward System Access) feature—an element that, much like a plot twist in a well-crafted novel, made me question everything I thought I knew about phone systems.
Of course, no great book is without its challenges. The pacing can be slow at times, particularly when diving into "Installation Procedures," but the payoff is worth it. There's nothing quite like the sense of accomplishment that comes from successfully navigating a multi-line digital hybrid system while simultaneously questioning all of your life choices.
Overall, The Panasonic Digital Super Hybrid System User Manual is a must-read for anyone looking to expand their horizons in telecommunications—or for those who just enjoy a good manual. Five stars for sheer complexity, unexpected humor, and the knowledge that by the end of it, I might actually have a functioning phone system at the station!
Personal Update: A Taste of Spring & a Big Win
This week finally brought some mild weather, and the snow is starting to melt—spring might actually be around the corner! It’s a slow time of year for business, but I had a lot of community meetings, and we’re beginning to see a trickle of new advertisers coming in at the radio station, which is encouraging.
On the eBay side, sales have been slow, but that’s the nature of the game sometimes. Meanwhile, I’m still holding off on officially announcing my business expansion—hopefully, I’ll be able to share the news next week!
The biggest win of the week? I officially paid off my car loan! I’ve never liked paying interest, so it feels great to knock that off the list. Now, the only big loans I have left are for the house and the business. Progress!
Some father/ son time. Teaching him the joys of classic Nintendo games
I am growing my Patreon and offering an excellent way for my independent creative community to sustainably advertise their work!
The website of your choice will be featured in the show notes of all of our podcasts for as long as you are a member of the Storycomic Patreon. The Founders Club offer is only for the first 15 subscribers. This is at any Patreon Subscription level.
Also at the Super Club level, we will publish an advertisement for the patron at a minimum of once a month.
Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:
https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/
Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!