July Update (stuff on the way!!)

Heya gang!

Apologies for the late update- has been quite a difficult month, not just decompressing from the release of the video and starting on plans for what's next here or there, but also dealing with a lot of personal events in my private life, both good and bad, that were always going to take priority. We're on the other side of all that now though, so I can really get back to everything I need to do in earnest.

So!

In terms of The Thunderbolts video, you've got a few things still to look forward to. The first is the stuff that's going to be for everyone- I did a public Q&A that I have now condensed into the most frequently asked questions, and I'll be recording responses to that and making a video from it pretty soon. I need to put together the bloopers, of which we have a few, and continue making bits of the video into short formats for other platforms in an effort to help it and my channel out. Also thinking about a recommended reading list video, which was always my intention for each part of the series, but the formatting in my mind has changed so I need to now grapple with that.

Then there's Patreon content- I am considering a writeup for this leg of the journey, and then also a Timeline Tour which in this case is going to take a little extra work than my other TT videos, just thanks to the nature of how this one was made, and there will be a commentary where I get to go into other details on the video as they occur. Not sure the order this will all happen, but it will be dealt with soon.

Then I have to get into making episode 2- no, wait, that's already happening! Those who have been following these blog posts for a while know that I've already recorded the vast majority of the material for the cutaways and I'm happy to say that episode 2's dialogue is all in the timeline. I've begun blocking out the action with the panels from the comics (and other stuff) and will start looking into timing it all out and getting the appropriate sound effects in there. There's still some things to figure out- while it was drafted many times, I'm tweaking the script again based on how the first video came out, thinking about actually adding one or two very short scenes and debating if a few lines need retakes in the context of being animated.

I have absolutely no idea how long the episode is going to take, but I don't want it to take anywhere near as long as the first did. It put a strain on my life as much as on the people waiting for it, and I've learned so much making the first one, and want to use that as a template going forward with maybe some friends helping out on that basis. I also however don't want to put a date out there and jinx it- so just keep your eyes peeled for news here as we continue.

And believe it or not, there are other videos still in the pipeline.

This is obviously good for my long time followers who like more than just my comics stuff, but the truth is the Thunderbolts video was not a runaway success and more of a very slow burn, for a variety of reasons, which means while it has done pretty well, I actually haven't made quite enough from it to both justify spending as much if not more cash on the visuals as the first ep yet, even if just to make it go faster while I survive in my real life too- soooo, I need to release other videos to help with that. Previous videos like Frasier, Rayman and Inspector Gadget of all things did so well that they did end up helping fund the TB vid alongside you guys, and I have a bunch of drafts I'm getting ready to turn into vids that, after the work on the Bolts, shouldn't be anywhere near as strenuous. Plus, half the reason I do other topics is that it really helps me wipe the slate clean and re-focus between projects, so I don't feel like I'm stuck on the same thing over and over again.

Once again, as usual, I have to thank you all for the support to keep these projects ticking over. I cannot stress how much having Patreon contributions made a difference in the production of this series so far in a way that would never have been possible on my own, and I'm glad to see people wanting to continue that support going forward. The reaction to the first episode from every commenter was just immense and I promise you we've barely even scratched the surface of this story and what it means to me- I just need to get to making the rest of it.

Time to get back to work- til then, friends.

-B