Grizzly & The Bear Patrol #4

[kybearfuzz]

I've not been online too much of late because I've been working on issue #4. A while back, I posted an entry asking how folks would like to see my comics, in installments or all at once. I got mixed answers, so I thought I would give the "all at once" folks this issue. Drawing, inking, coloring and lettering 18 pages at one time, plus a cover, was quite a chore, but not so bad either. I was thrilled in that I got the issue done two weeks earlier than I had planned.

This is what I call a "filler issue," meaning that it is pretty much stand-alone. I remember seeing these when I was a kid, usually when a more major story arc was going to happen. It's not a strongly written issue (as much as any of them are). I put a few notes about the issue after the pages, so if you're interested in reading them, just go past page 18.

If you want to see any past issues, just hit the "finished comic" tag at the end of the entry. As usual, big graphics behind the cut (18 pages worth), but all work-safe.







































Notes and such:

• Family: This issue introduced a new character that was mentioned briefly in issue #2, Anna, the daughter of Polar Bear Paul. And while most of you readers might not be so interested in girl in a bikini, I wanted to show one of our heroes is a gay parent. I had a lot of fun thinking up Paul's reactions to his daughter's bikini.
  
  
• Humor: This issue has a bit more humor than past ones, I think. Most of it is in the familial relationship between father Paul and daughter Anna and, of course, that bikini. One of the other plot points I enjoyed including was Zeke and Beulah. I modeled them after some of the couples I've seen in Wal-Mart -- a relatively attractive, blue-collar daddy bear and his overweight, hideous bride in curlers, the latter usually bitching to him incessantly.
  
  
• Settings: I haven't decided exactly WHERE Bruin City is located geographically. I know it's surrounded by woods, near a lake, has a university, etc. I've sort of done this on purpose to allow me to put the city in any geographical situation I want, but it's also limiting. I put them at a lake for this story because if I put them near an ocean, it would limit me from putting them elsewhere later.
  
  
• Questions: While I'm not really doing any of the question month stuff, if anyone has any questions or comments about this or any other issue, just ask.

Comments

[madknits.livejournal.com]

Yay! A new Grizzly Comic! Nice way to start spring break.

2. I love the fact that you're showing a gay dad. And I love that his kid is a daughter. As the Chairman said, "Women hold up half the sky."

3. I have to protect my privacy.
In these shoes? In that bikini? I don't think so.

4. The only thing we know about Bruin City's location is that it's east of the Mississippi, otherwise that radio staion would be K-O-O-F.

5. Not Professor Davis! ONOEZ! He's, like, the hottest prof in the department. All the bears and cubs love attending his lectures.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

And I thought I was the only one up at this hour! And on Spring Break??

I always wanted one of the guys to be a dad. Polar Bear is the oldest of the group, so he seemed like the natural choice. I wanted his daughter to be old enough to interact with the team. She might show up in a later story. It's one of those idea I've had while running the track.

Oooh... how astute are YOU!! I never even thought about the call letters of the radio station being a hint at the city's location, but you're very correct.

And Professor Davis is a hottie, isn't he? I'm sure we'll see him again :)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'd rather compliment you! This is terrific! A wide variety of characters, differentiated, a fun story .. I really did treat it as a page turner. I wish your works were published. Can you imagine being a gay teen and coming across your work? It would seem like a lifesaver! Thanks for sharing. I am in awe of your talent, Mark!

HUGS!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks Neil, I'm glad you are enjoying it. I admit I get a rush every time I finish one of these.

And I'm still toying with the publishing idea. I think I would have enjoyed seeing them as a gay teen. :)

Big hugs!

[madknits.livejournal.com]

Feh, I'm cursed with the get-up-early-gene-no-matter-what-time-of-year-it-is. Besides, I have to write a paper this week, and am having the devil's own time finding an article to review for it.

Anna could be the Grizzly Team's Sassy Straight Gal Pal. Knows all their foibles and loves them anyway.

I want Prof Davis for a class next term! I'm sure I'll learn nothing! Oh, wait. I'm graduating in May. Damn!

[itzgid.livejournal.com]

Loved the plot and the character development. I love the gay dad theme, and wonder if superhero powers are dominant or recessive traits. Green Slime monster looked like it was covered in boobs, which added to the comic value, as did Beulah's resemblance to Bitchie Ann. And the men... WOOF! Your talent is amazing.

[madknits.livejournal.com]

PS: i like the look on Polar's face when he asks his daughter, "what bikini?"

And this is a link to a (gay) knitter I like to read. It's his take on the last Star Trek movie that came out. You might be amused.

http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/2009/05/do-gay-martians-have-right-to-marry.html

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you're enjoying it. I've never thought whether or not the powers are automatically passed down or if they could be recessive.

Covered in boobs? They're supposed to be drips like down the sides of candles, but with the other body parts hanging out, there's definitely a possibility of a boob or two.

And Beulah was supposed to be a mess.. and I guess Bitchie Ann can be as well. I've never drawn Bitchie Ann with curlers, but it's an intriguing image :)

[stereobare.livejournal.com]

uh....wow. great job Mark

[jccub1.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful surprise! Loved it Mark - lapped it up page by page - thanks for putting a smile on my face this morning :D Look forward to the next installment!

I really liked the gay parent angle too - really rounded the characters out I thought and added a different dynamic :)

And I had NO idea that one of them was Jerry Gaudet! I met Jerry years ago when I was still in London and went out for drinks/dinner with him a couple of times ;) REALLY lovely fellow :)

*hugs*

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

Great job Mark.
I really did enjoy seeing it all at once.
Keep up the amazing work.
HUGS

Where is Bear City?

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

Thanks to the radio station's call letters, we know it's east of the Mississippi.

Since people are out frolicking on the beach during Spring Break, that rules out the northern tier states, so we're talking Kentucky and points south.

Since we're talking about a lake, and not a seashore, Bear City is inland, rather than a coastal city.

That still leaves a lot of territory to cover.

As always, I'm in awe of your artistic skillz.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks Bob :)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Howdy handsome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

And Jerry was actually the first character of the group I drew. I drew him as Colour Cub waaaaaaaaaaay back in 2003 I think when I first started chatting with him. I've met him in person only once when I was on a work trip to Toronto in 2004. He's such a sweet guy.

Hugs!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks furry bear! :)

Re: Where is Bear City?

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

LOL... well, I tend to think of places I've actually been, but it'll be a while (if ever) I reveal the state. I think it'll be like Gotham or Metropolis, cities everyone knows the name of, but few can recall the state.

And thanks ;)

[jccub1.livejournal.com]

One degree of separation with the great Mark Parmon *swoooooon* lol ;)

You have a prodigious talent, Mark.

[bonkishnurtaz.livejournal.com]

Your ability to depict attractive looking men is phenomenal. Thank you for sharing your extraordinary illustration skills with us. Out of curiosity, was there some reason why you did not depict Zeke as being bald?
Congratulations! This is quite a noteworthy achievement! :-)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Oh, now that was awesome! I love the twink vs bear parallels he draws :)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

The great? Awww... smooch!

Re: You have a prodigious talent, Mark.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Well, thanks!

Hmmmm... Zeke as bald? I really didn't think of it. Is there a reason why you think he should have been bald?

[killerjoe.livejournal.com]

I was very happy to see more of Anna and to see her using her power. I think the bikini angle was hilarious!

I enjoy every issue of your comic, Mark. Thanks for the work.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks Joe, I'm glad you liked it. :)

[rootbeer1.livejournal.com]

Another fabulous issue! Especially enjoyed the "Bikini Girl" part. The characters' personalities are also becoming clearer.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks handsome! I appreciate the feedback. I'm trying to make them a bit more individualized as I go along, which isn't easy with only four issues so far.

Hope you're doing well! :)

[mort-83.livejournal.com]

Yay!

I love these. Love the way you draw, Mark.

You also have great comic lettering skills. Srsly.

[mort-83.livejournal.com]

Yay!

I love these. Love the way you draw, Mark.

You also have great comic lettering skills. Srsly.

Beulah rocks.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I really can't take credit for the lettering part, I use a software called "Comic Life" to add the lettering, including the thought and speech bubbles and the sound effects. :)