Posts by jeff:
- Teach English in Japan volume 1, a collection of the first 45 pages
- 21-Journeys, the newest anthology from Cloudscape featuring 21 tales about travel
Page 57
May 23rd, 2011Ken is a favorite character of mine because he’s based on a very unique individual who befriended me early in my time in Japan. I’m also very pleased with how international our cast has become. People from South Africa aren’t in enough stories. This will be the last story with James F for a bit. We’ll be checking in on James K next week.
I just moved into a new place last week, so life has been pretty hectic. Hopefully I can keep this pace going and avoid anymore missed days.
cheers,
Jeff
Page 56
May 16th, 2011This has been one of my favourite sequences in the story thus far. Japanese kids are little devils. I really am surprised at how many people assume Japanese kids sit in rows like little angels. When I describe “Kanchou” to others they are often horrified and appalled. I remember there was another “game” boys used to play called “electric chair” where four boys would hold down another and a fifth would kick him in the junk as hard as possible. I almost got Kanchoued a couple times, but I learned quickly to never turn my back on a class. I did have a young boy punch me in the crotch in my second team-teach lesson during training.
Today is also day 1 in my new place with my lovely girlfriend Sydney More!
Cheers,
Jeff
Page 55
May 9th, 2011Hello again! This is another update, I just finished up at TCAF, Toronto’s best comic convention! Sales for the book were great, and I’ll be setting up store once I get back from Calgary Entertainment Expo in June.
TCAF was stars galore! Special shout outs to Wei Li, Miriam Libick, Ed Brisson, Jason Turner and Angela Melick my pals from Vancouver! Toronto also let me get caught up with some cool East coast friends like Jordyn Bochon, Colleen MacIsaac and Dalton Sharp.
This was also a really good show for my girlfriend Sydney More.
This is one of my favorite pages to date, though I’m pretty partial to this entire sequence. Shoddy materials, poor support, inexperienced teachers. It sums up a lot of the Eikaiwa Industry.
cheers,
Jeff
Page 54
May 2nd, 2011This is a scheduled update while I am on a plane to Toronto. If you live in the Toronto area, come visit me at TCAF http://torontocomics.com/ and buy a copy of Teach English in Japan issue 1. Only $5.00 CAD.
cheers,
Jeff
Page 53
April 25th, 2011Happy Easter!
I am hoping to build a buffer in time for TCAF but there is a chance I may miss a week. Fingers crossed, it won’t come to that. Also It is my hope that there will be a print copy and eBook for Teach English in Japan for next week. I’ll keep you posted.
This next scene is definitely reflective of how I felt the first time I taught a class.
cheers,
Jeff
Page 52
April 18th, 2011I’ll just be getting back from Portland when this posts. So forgive me for being brief. This weekend was the Stumptown Comix Fest and hopefully if you were in the are you came by to say hello.
I’m sure my Japanese is pretty bad on this one so corrections are welcome. The shocking lack of english within Happy American is sadly not so fictional. Thanks to all of you for reading. It’s been a real pleasure to develop this comic. I’m just putting the finishing touches on book 1 and will hopefully be able to launch it this May for TCAF.
cheers,
Jeff
Page 51
April 11th, 2011Whoa here we are at page 51! It sometimes amazes me that we’ve gotten here. This strip has been a real labour of love and I am looking forward to continuing to do this for quite a while. We’ll be checking in on James K soon enough, but for now I hope you are enjoying this chapter.
In the meantime I hope you all keep sending your best wishes to Japan, and donating to the Red Cross. I wish I could do more for my adoptive homeland.
Also, please keep your eyes peeled for some new books coming out soon:
Visit www.cloudscapecomics.com for more details.
Page 50
April 4th, 2011Happy American School is based on the Taiwanese school that Jonathon taught at. It’s also based on tales I’ve heard from smaller less reputable Eikaiwa’s within Japan.
I am hopeful that Japan will recover soon, though with problems at the nuclear plant things still look dicey. All my friends there are doing OK, and I am very pleased with the money I have raised for the relief effort. Please continue to donate.
I am busy at work on the first print collection, so expect news soon. And again, if you are in the Portland area come look for me in April.
cheers,
Jeff
Page 49
March 28th, 2011Thanks to all who took part in our funding drive.
Congratulations to Jason Vanderhill who donated $111.11 to the Red Cross!
We’ll be contacting you soon, to ensure you get that cover art.
Also, If you are in the Portland area, I will be appearing at Stumptown, as will Jonathon Dalton the co-writer, and my pals THE Kevin Wilson, Wei Li of “Lotus Root Children”, and Sydney More of “Mangy Cur Press”. We’ll all be in the same corner of the show so please come say hello.
Not listed on my map but attending the show will also be my good friends Angela Melick of “Wasted Talent”, Miriam Libiki of “Jobnik”, and making her Cloudscape debut will be Reetta Linjama.
Fundraiser and art giveaway
March 23rd, 2011Hey guys!
As you may or may not know, we are going to be publishing a print/eBook of the first chapter and this is the sneak peak of the cover image!
As a special fundraiser Jonathon and I will be giving away the original art to one lucky reader! If you’d like this wonderful piece of art drawn and inked by myself and coloured by Jonathon with marker here’s what you do:
Donate to the Red Cross and email us a copy of the receipt. The reader who donates the most money to the Red Cross this week will get the original art mailed to them at our expense. This is our way of hopefully raising money for the relief effort.
The winner will be announced on Monday!
Email us at rickysenglishATgmailDOTcom