One of the first comic book series I ever had published was STREET-FIGHTER, done with my good pal, Gary Kato. From the moment I had the idea for the character, it took almost three years for this concept to see print. Back then I thought that was an awfully long time. Over the years I’ve learned it was pretty much a drop in the bucket compared to others that have languished in depths of bottomless my files.

Earlier this year, my pulp novel, THE HOUNDS OF HELL (with Gordon Linzner) was published. It was first written back in 1976! How’s that for not losing hope in a project. When young writers come to me at conventions asking for advice, one of the tenets I always put forth is, “Never-ever, throw anything away!” If you don’t sell it now, file it away for later. One never knows how the whims of publishing will change.

This past week two such comic projects have proven that belief once again. I am currently
putting together a new art team for the production of my CAPTAIN HAZZARD three issue mini-series. I’ve mentioned that several times here, in the flight log. The difference now is that I’ve found the perfect penciller for the job. His name is Craig Shephard and he hails from Fall River, MA. Almost in my backyard. Craig is busy doing up sketches even as I write this, and I have high hopes another twenty year
old project will soon be entertaining all of you. More as things develops.

In the same vein, I was digging through those very same, crammed packed files, a few days ago, and came across some copies of artwork that just blew me away. Sitting down and examining them closer, I realized I was looking at pages from as yet another long-ago aborted comic project,
MAJOR LIBERTY. The artwork in these pages is by
Kevin Wiggins, a remarkably talented fellow. The page of above is one of the six I had kept in my files. I was once again caught up with how great it looked and immediately started doing some hunting in my “old” PC files. Lo and behold, there was a copy of the actual script those pages illustrated. I realized, again for the upteenth time, here was something that had to get finished, and out there. A quick e-mail to Kevin and I learned he still had all the original pages and is most eager to bring the project back to life. So, my fellow airmen, here we go again. I’m already hunting up an inker and colorist. Ha.

And that’s the moral of those week’s log, amigos. Never-ever trash any work you have put hard work into. You never know when opportunity will circle the galaxy and come back, knocking a second time. You have to be ready to heed the call!

Lastly, I’m off to Chelmsford, MA, in two days, Sunday 14th for another of Larry Dougherty’s terrific shows. Ed Dukeshire and the Digital Webbing Gang will be on hand with advanced copies of DWP #24, the one with my MASK OF THE GARGOYLE tale. So if you happen to be in the neighborhood, come on by. It’s going to be a fun show. Until next week, stay safe, active
and smell the coffee. Ron, over and out.