Blue Milk Special

Leia is determined to find out who hired the assassin that tried to kill Luke Skywalker back during that space battle over Gall. She does not believe Vader is truly behind it and, with the help of Greedo’s Uncle— no, I’m not making this up– has made contact with the Black Sun criminal organization’s right hand woman. Guri, the Human Replica Droid, is so remarkably like-like that few can put their finger on what it is about her that does not seem quite right. With Lando and C3PO still at hand, Leia and Chewie hope they might yet find a way to protect Luke.

In order to make the flow of the parody work better, I’ve moved Guri’s original introduction from April, to June, two strips prior to this one. Although she is introduced quite early on in the book, there was nothing I felt particularly interesting involving her character until the current sequence. So, introducing her so early, only for most readers to have forgotten about her by now, has not helped.

BOWIE BAYSOX STAR WARS NIGHT 2012

Today’s blog was meant to be dedicated to the Bowie Baysox Star Wars Night. However, Leanne has been sick since Wednesday and has been on antibiotics since late last week. On Saturday she was worse than before and literally bedridden. I have my usual complaints, but I seemed to be showing some signs of catching Leanne’s troubles. So we’ve basically been in lock down mode all weekend. I made one small trip to pick up a meal since neither of us had it in us to go grocery shopping. The fridge and cabinets in the kitchen are empty… apart from candy. And you can’t live off candy. I’ve TRIED!

Being sick is no fun. When you’re as sick as Leanne, you can’t even use a computer or draw. This means some of the promotional BMS material we had hoped to begin work on has been delayed. Fortunately, I was able to complete all the strips for this week and I even got ahead with another for next week! It’s rare to get that far ahead anymore, especially while we’re publishing three times a week.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT!

Generally, you guys seem to like what we’re doing and don’t want us to cut things short with Shadows. However, others who read this webcomic, perhaps more casually, are confused. Not a scenario I want. So, I hope the notes above about the plot help a little. As my friend, Michael Stipp mentioned to me, you guys can follow the very detailed summary of Shadows of the Empire via Star Wars wikis. I recommend Jedipedia.net. I can’t read German very well at all, but it’s on my list of things to achieve in the near future (focused more on conversational German which I learn by audio on my long commutes to and from work). So, for most of you, Jedipedia.net might just be pretty pictures and a foreign language. But for me, it’s also a community of Star Wars fans who have given a great amount of support to Leanne and myself by translating and promoting Blue Milk Special to a German audience.

I should probably explain that we have several translations that are ongoing, including Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, French and Spanish. Of all of them, our German translation has plowed farthest ahead without interruption. This is all thanks to Michael’s seemingly boundless enthusiasm and motivation. Blue Milk Special in Deutsch is published daily and already well into Empire Strikes Back, and set to catch up to us sometime soon in the early stages of Return of the Jedi. It’s quite a feat on Michael’s part and we’re very honored that anyone likes what we have done enough to translate it and publish it to a foreign language audience.

We had to drop our plans to go to Celebration Europe this July. Having just missed our local Star Wars Night, I could really sit and wallow in regret right about now, because I know I will regret missing CE2 even more. However, right now the risk is not worth it considering I have family members to worry about. I also don’t often get specific about my own health, but at its worst, it can be a source of depression and frustration. I need my hobbies and distractions to keep going. Feeling like I can make a difference with charitable endeavors also helps, a lot. I don’t have anything remotely terminal, but anyone with chronic pain will understand how deeply it can impact your life: from driving, working, sitting, trying to sleep, trying to have fun. One can only imagine how bad Vader felt, especially during his nude meditations. I don’t do that, by the way. I shouldn’t have brought it up!

I don’t usually rant quite this much about off topic stuff. But today I feel like it. Later in the week I should have more interviews. Why am I doing the interviews? Hopefully for your interest, but also because it allows me to put the spotlight on people that have been kind to me, or people who I think deserve a little attention. My questions for the 501st and Rebel Legions reflect my own interest and naivety about how to go about making my own costume to join these great people who bring smiles to fans and children. The interviews have been fun and I want to do more. Don’t be shy about reaching out to me for exposure, especially if you are involved in any charity.

ANNAPOLIS COMIC CON GUESTS LEANNE & ROD HANNAH

Well, I suppose I have rambled long enough. One last thing I need to remind everyone about is the Annapolis Comic Con. Leanne and I will be guests at the show. Force willing, Leanne (and myself) will be much healthier by Saturday. Don’t forget that there will be 501st Legion and Rebel Legion members there in costume. And I hear there will be one particularly cool lightsaber wielding Tusken Raider at our table. No, I don’t know if he shops at Macy’s, but if I get a chance, I’ll sneak a look.

Make sure you check out Living Room Wars, a webcomic by a friend of ours and BMS commenter, Phil Custodio. The latest page gives Blue Milk Special a nod. Without saying too much and spoiling it, here’s the link. Living Room Wars – Part 173. You can read Living Room Wars from the beginning using InkOutBreak’s webcomic navigation tool bar. I highly recommend it. It is safe and supported by an excellent community. You can also read Blue Milk Special using InkOutBreak. A very good way of keeping track of where you were, especially now that we have passed 500 strips!