Snart Origin Update

The Ralph Snart origin tale will begin with issue #11 instead of the next (#10). The new format will also be delayed until #11. The origin will be a "reboot of the franchise" as Ralph loses his mind and begins his strange trips to his Fantasy Otherworld, and while in reality, Doctor Goot and other morons nefariously and rudely give poor Ralph a hard time.

Issue 10 will also have part two of Chuck Dixon's Captain Danger backup and also Chuck's Mister Lizard story.

Ralph Snart Origin

The Origin of Ralph SnartThe last few issues of RSA have actually been on a regular basis, and I'm going to try and maintain it, which is twice-a-year -- Spring and Fall. I could probably do three per year, but they'd be shorter in length and my Summers wouldn't be as much fun. I'll also do the free t-shirt giveaway with each issue release until the stock gets too low.

The next issue (ten) will begin a three-issue retelling of Ralph Snart's origin, you know, where he goes crazy and escapes "bitter reality" by regressing into a bizarre "fantasy otherworld" and drinks lotsa beers and parties down. I've never done a complete story, only a couple of quickie shorts -- a two-pager in FanGraphix #3 (1985 - first appearance), and a four-pager in RSA Vol 3 #5 (1989). The first issue is already written, and I plan on writing the rest of the trilogy over the Summer. And yes, Doctor Goot will snatch brains and Mister Lizard will guzzle beers (respectively) upon their return.

The upcoming issues will also start a new format -- something that will be more optimized for being viewed on digital devices. I have been doing it as a traditional printed comic with a 6-5/8" x 10-1/4" size, color covers, inside covers black & white and similar page counts. That's all comforting and familiar but has no relevance for a digital book, which has less boundaries (ie: a digital book doesn't have an inside cover). So, the new format will be closer to what I did on Volumes 6 and 7.

I'm also still working on a free book that will replace my fansite web page. Not sure when that's coming out.

Read It And Weep

My digital comics weren't originally intended for smart phones with their small screens, although mine look just dandy on my iPhone 6s.

Here's a sample page on my iPad 1 (yeah, ten years old and still going strong). I'm using the CloudReaders app. Click the image for a larger view.iPad 1Here's the same page on my MacBook Pro (mid2015).Macbook ProHere's the same page on an old 21" Mac monitor.Mac monitorNow I'm not saying you have to read the comics on the same hardware. I'm just pointing out that tablets, laptops and desktops make the most sense, and that using a small smart phone to view and read digital comics doesn't make much sense. But then WHATEVER.

Caged Animal

The inks and colors for Ralph Snart #9 should be done next week. Meanwhile, I'm holed up (sheltering in place) like a caged animal. Crawling around on all fours, howling at the window at passer-bys, flailing and frothing, so pretty much not noticing much difference since before the virus.Merd beerAlso waiting for beer #49 to age -- only about a month since bottling. Takes a couple weeks to carbonate and then at least four weeks of aging before it starts to get good.

Ralph Snart Adventures #9

Here's the cover from layout to pencil, ink, painting and final image. The painting is actually just an ink dye wash on translucent paper -- no color, just a one color wash. I wanted to get all of the textures and look of a watercolor but without all the hassle of mixing and painting a bunch of different colors.

After scanning, it's changed from grayscale to CMYK, selections are made and color values are changed. In concept, I think this is similar to what Richard Corbin used to do (early Warren stuff and Den), only I think he was painting and airbrushing on acetate for each color, which must've been a huge pain and no way to tell exactly what the final result was going to be. Much easier with a computer.
RSA #9 cover

Digital vs Print

RSA #1Above: RSA Vol 8 No 1 the last printed anything.

Besides questions about original art/commissions/sketches, I get a lot of questions about publishing RSA Volume 8 in print. You know, on actual paper so that you can feel and lovingly caress your Ralph Snart in your actual hands. This creates a disturbing mental picture as I imagine naked fans rolling around on their issues of Snart. Anyway...

After all, Volumes 1 through 7 are all in print, plus the first issue of Volume 8 is in print. What's the deal? So, print the rest of them, DAMMIT! Well, please take note that I haven't published anything in print since 2008 -- almost a dozen years ago. Hello. This might suggest, besides other reasons, that I'm committed to digital publishing and have no inclination whatsoever to publish in print ever again.

So, those sick degenerates with a sick "paper fetish" will have to come to grips with this. Do you continue to wait? Gee, maybe Hansen will publish next year or the year after or maybe in ten years or so... maybe if I wait just a while longer...

By that time, I'll be dead and buried. Until then, I'll be cranking out new issues.

Finally, there's still plenty to collect. There's over 60 comics and trade paperbacks (including Doctor Gorpon and Weird Melvin), trading cards and posters.

In other news, Beer #47 turned out awesome. It was wet and dry hopped great hops flavor and aroma but not overly bitter.

Ralph Snart T-Shirt Design

The Ralph Snart t-shirt design currently begin offered started out 15 years ago as an iron-on I sold online.

RSA tee design

Read Weird Melvin In The CBG

I did three Weird Melvin space fillers for the Comics Buyers' Guide (that I'm aware of), and this one appeared in #999 in January 8, 1993. I don't have the finished art for this and had forgotten all about it. The Weird Melvin comic strip ran from #985 (10/02/92) until #1098 (12/02/94).The other two space fillers are on the back page of the Weird Melvin Comic Strip Collection.

Beer #47

Beer number 47 is a wet hopped cream ale (wet hopping is simply using fresh hops that haven't been dried). Had to pick probably 4-7 days early due to an incoming storm with possible high winds and hail. Survived a hail storm a few days earlier and didn't want to risk another.Beer #47My plants are young, so I didn't get much, only 6 ounces, but should be just enough for this one batch. Lame, I know.Cooking the cereal mash... Meanwhile, the 6-row malt is going through it's first rest.Cereal mash then added to the mash tun for the second rest. Note the high-tech Home Depot cooler.While it ferments, I'll be working on layouts and lettering for Ralph Snart #8.

Still At Cover

Um, hey, Weird Melvins are still in-stock, and I'm still selling them at cover price. You can pay more if you want.
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Marc Hansen
Marc Hansen

Cartoonist and creator of Ralph Snart Adventures, Weird Melvin and Doctor Gorpon. Hansen has done most of his work for NOW Comics, but has also done work for Marvel, Disney and Kitchen Sink Press.

Ralph Snart Adventures was published from 1986-1993 by now defunct NOW Comics, and was the longest running comic in the entire NOW catalog, selling an average of 50,000 copies a month during that nine year period. Over two million comics were published, and it was the first indy comic to receive the Comics Code.

Today, Marc Hansen publishes Ralph Snart Adventures as an ebook on a sporadic basis. Current issues are available on his website. Keep up with Ralph Snart on Twitter and Facebook.

Ralph Snart is a registered trademark. Copyright 2024 by Marc Hansen.