UPDATE – January 2005:
Why yes, it HAS been awhile. So sue me.
Okay, okay. Thanks for your patience. I promise it will never happen again. But you’ll never hold me to it, copper!
So…long time, huh? Bet yer just dyin’ to know what thrilling stuff I’ve been up to. Truthfully, that’s the very reason I haven’t updated in forever -- I haven’t been up to anything worth reporting! Or more accurately, I’ve been waiting for something worth reporting and I’m still waiting.
*Where’s ORIGINAL SIN#3?
Um…It’s all written and drawn, but I’m still waiting for someone to buy a copy of the first two issues, so the project is on hold.
*Anything happening with that MUSCLE TONE graphic novel?
What are you tryin’ to do -- Make me cry?!?
*So what exactly do you do with your days?
Oh, you know -- Same old same old. Plugging away writing ELVIRA, LOONEY TUNES, SCOOBY DOO, the odd DISNEY MAGAZINE story. Again, nothing much worth reporting. The only new deal is I’m currently pitching to MAD MAGAZINE, but haven’t made a sale yet. Check out the art gallery for one of my sketches that MAD rejected (An old STAR TREK gag I’ve been desperately wanting to reuse).
*Do you actually read email?
You betcha. I may be a little slow at it, but I read ‘em! Mostly it seems I get inquiries from people wanting to buy comics, who then disappear once they get the mail order info. Pussies!
*Do you still waste your time doing free art for rock bands who never use it?
Shit, yeah! All the time! Recently did some stuff for local favorites The Dents (See art gallery) and a band called Raymond had me do a bunch on concept sketches which…er…never amounted to anything (Again, see art gallery). But hey, I got a cute idea for a Sugabomb piece, so why let that stop me? Oh, and check out the photo section -- I added a nifty shot of JJ Rassler (Downbeat-5) and Jen D’Angora (DB-5 and Dents)…
*Say, that reminds me! What about those Eyeliners t-shirts?
You’re determined to break my heart, ain’t ya! Awright, here’s what happened: The shirts went over great and the girls sold ‘em all. Unfortunately, when they remembered that I was supposed to get some, all that was left was a half dozen in small sizes. I’m assuming that like me, nobody reading this would have a prayer of squeezing into a size small! Even tho it was a success, the production cost was high (They printed it as a multi-color design, remember) and that killed the possibility of a second print-run. So it’s a nice story with an unhappy ending. However, if any of you cranks out there wanna visit their website and email them demanding a “Punk Rock Planet” shirt (That’s mine), I can’t stop you. That website is www.theeyeliners.com -- Just don’t mention my name! Serious! I’m not lookin’ for trouble…
*Any commissioned art?
Yep. Just did a whole series of commissioned art for someone boss/cool/groovy enough to request ANGEL AND THE APE amongst other things (See adult art gallery
for those ones). Not to blow my own horn, but I think he got a good deal for fifty bucks
a pop. Say-y-y…you might wanna get in on that deal yourself! So send me an email already! (fstrom99@yahoo.com)
*ELVIRA stuff:
The ELVIRA COMICS war wagon just keeps going and going! On my plate at this moment, I’m outlining an epic 3-part Edgar Rice Burroughs spoof that will surely kill me before I’m through. I figure if I’m doing ERB, I may as well take a jab at his swinging 60s counterpart Michael Moorcock, too, so look for some of that nonsense in part three. Say-y-y…Did ERB ever have a 70s, 80s or 90s soulmate? None that I recall…unless you wanna count Warren Murphy & Richard Sapir…but that’s a whole other ball game, isn’t it? Lessee, back to ELVIRA…Just turned in the outline for the 2005 Christmas issue, which is just another tribute to Stan Freberg as far as I’m concerned. And why not? I was watching ROSEANNE reruns the other night and I’d forgotten that Stan guest-starred on three episodes in a row! As I’ve always said, Rosie knew what she was doing, boy…
That’s it--I’m exhausted and out of topics! But keep your eyes peeled for my next update…probably in another couple of years.
FRANK STROM
NEWS – 03.03
The problem with doing a news section is you can’t write “same old same old.” Lessee now…I just had my taxes done. How’s that grab ya? Oh yeah? Well it IS exciting! I’m getting a refund! Ya want more? Awright, awright…
*WHATEVER HAPPENED WITH THAT EYELINERS T-SHIRT?
It’s coming, damn it, it’s coming! Actually, that’s the very reason I haven’t updated this website in so long -- I was waiting to get the shirts. Well, I’m still waiting. Those three beautitudinous babes (Laura, Gel & Lisa) were supposed to deliver them in person when they were through MA this month, but……..they forgot. This is the stuff that aneurysms* are made of, but did I mention that (Gosharooty!) them gals is awful
purty-like? Kinda takes the edge off, y’know? The current tour wraps up in a few days, they’ll be home shortly thereafter, and (if Fate takes pity on me) mailing them to me then. No, I’m not full of shit! I’ve seen the shirts! They’re REAL! Just stay tuned, okay? In the meanwhile, here’s a preview -- That’s luminous Laura Eyeliner modeling the t-shirt (Click thumbnail for full-size picture).
(*Conversely, my man Lewis Black claims aneurysms are caused by overhearing such lines as, “If it weren’t for my horse, I’d never have made it through that year of college…” Except for that Clinton stuff, Lewis knows what he’s talking about, so I’d take heed if I were you.)
*PENTHOUSE? REALLY…?
According to sources (Hey, Dann Leonard!), the Australian edition of PENTHOUSE magazine (January ’03 issue) featured a glowing full-page full-color write up on my old DEE DEE series. Naturally, my name was never mentioned once. Still pretty groovy, though. Dann was good enough to send me the clipping, so check it out yerself (Click thumbnail, blah blah blah). Maybe one of you stateside PENTHOUSE readers can tell me if this appeared in the American edition?
*MAD MOUSE MONEY!
Been writing for DISNEY ADVENTURES magazine lately. Just recently turned in my second job -- A second MONSTERS INC story. I would tell you what issues these appear in, but the editor (This means you, Steve Behling!) has never told me. Why did I bother writing this? So I could use that “mad mouse money” line! (Thanks to Dandy Dan Parmenter!)
*SOMEONE’S IN THE KITCHEN WITH ELVIRA…
The big Claypool Comics anniversary issue of ELVIRA will be hitting the street in a couple months (That’s issue #121!), so keep an eye out -- I remember it being a decent script (No “Wizard Of The Apes” but then what is?). Meanwhile, the latest stories currently percolating include “Death -- At Savings Of 30% Or More” (A long overdue AVENGERS spoof ), “Dangers On A Train” (I get to do Greta Garbo! At last!), and an as-yet-untitled roast of CROSSING OVER type shows (Richard Howell’s idea -- The publisher hates those sort of shows, y’see…). All story titles subject to change, natch.
*Okay, that’s it! I’m hoping to update again soon, so again, stay tuned…!
-- Frank
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NEWS – 07.01.02
*MUSCLE TONE GRAPHIC NOVEL DEAD:
Ordered by Fantagraphics, this was a 100+ page graphic novel with art & script by me, and
inks by various artists. After some delays on the creative end, it was completed…only to
be delayed in editorial for two years. It was finally scheduled & solicited but then canceled
weeks prior to going to the printer. Citing low advance orders (Ultimately the result of the
two year delay), Gary Groth decided to nix the book - - Not even willing to offer a partial
advance payment, and thus costing yours truly several hundred dollars in inkers’ fees.
Gary, of course, has long championed fair treatment to creators, as this action so clearly
illustrates. Currently, MTgn sits here in a box with no future prospects.
*CHEETA POP DOWN UNDER:
A new 4-page CHEETA POP strip is scheduled for imminent publication in the Australian
newstand men’s magazine RED HOT. Notably, this is the first time ever CHEETA (the strip)
has appeared in color. I’ll have the exact issue number and publication date soon.
*ANOTHER ELVIRA ANNIVERSARY:
Recently was given the word to start working up a plot for the 10th anniversary of Claypool’s
ELVIRA title, which will be issue #120. As the editorial intent is to commemorate the
anniversary of their entire line, the story will feature crossovers/cameos with their other two
titles - - Richard Howell’s DEADBEATS and Peter David’s SOULSEARCHERS INC.
*WHAT’S UP WITH THE BEARDS, ANYWAYS?:
My big debut as Rock & Roll album cover artist is now a bust. I was hired to do a series of
paperdolls (ala Trina Robbins) for Sympathy For The Record Industry band The Beards,
featuring the inimitable Lisa Marr (of Cub and Buck fame) and Kim Shattuck (of The Muffs).
Unfortunately (Or typically, given my luck!) the label decided to nix the deal based on format
aesthetics (Meaning the nice big vinyl format was canned). I was nonetheless paid for the
work (Unlike some comics publishers), but it was still a heartbreaker - - I seem to have
inadvertently insulted the talented Miss Marr along the way, which is killing me. She really
IS scary-talented, and I was thrilled/honored to have been working for her (She is absolutely
the best songwriter this side of MTX’s Dr. Frank!). Hey, Lisa! Ya reading this? Peace
already! No offense meant! I hate it when artists fight…
*MEANWHILE, BACK IN NEW MEXICO:
…you won’t find them cute Eyeliners anywhere! That’s ‘coz no sooner than wrapping up
their tour with The Queers, they hopped on another tour (The big-time Warp Festival).
That’s good news for Gel, Laura & Lisa…and bad news for Frank. They’ll be on the road
for another couple months, which means I won’t have any of my Eyeliners t-shirts for sale
until they get back home. I did hook up with ‘em for a bit on the last tour - - Everyone’s
happy with the t-shirt (even me) and it’s selling well enough that they had none to spare, so
there’s talk of me doing some more projects with them. Good deal. Hopefully I’ll have some
stock of the t-shirt to sell here before too long. Here’s a sneak preview of the shirt, modeled
by Laura:
*SPEAKING OF WHICH:
Here’s a cute anecdote from that Queers/Eyeliners tour: On the night they blew in for a show
in Cambridge, MA, Joe Queer asked me for a lift over to another club hidden away in some
uncharted corner of Cambridge/Somerville, where former Queer JJ Rassler’s band the
Downbeat-5 were playing. Obligingly, I drove him over and along the way he serenaded me,
crooning along with a Buddy Holly cassette on my tape deck. Holy moley! That wonderfully
honey-gravel Joe Queer voice singing the Buddy Holly catalogue - - I only wish I could’a
saved it for posterity!
*DOING IT FOR UNCLE WALT:
Recently finished up a MONSTERS INC script for DISNEY ADENTURES magazine’s
“all comics” issue. Should be out soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
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