You may not know this, but I once thought of myself as lazy.

Seriously.

Though Dork Tower has been coming out at relatively regular bimonthly intervals recently, after I dropped so many projects, and Dork Tower #15 should be back from the press in a few weeks now, getting caught up with the backlog is still a way off.

So we've come up with a solution. Dork Towers #16, 17 and 18 will all be re-solicited through the distributors. In December, Dork Tower #16 will be solicited for February (although as soon as orders come in in January, it'll be ready to ship). This means it'll still be just about two months behind Dork Tower #15, and all will be right with the world.

In fact, now that I've blocked out time and cut a bunch of conventions, Dork Tower # 17 is already nearly done, and # 18 is halfway done. They should be out hot on the heels of #16. By resoliciting them for early 2001, it gets the comic book back on a definite publication schedule with real deadlines and actual method behind the madness. And there's gonna be some great stuff in the next few comics.

• Dork Tower #15 (November) features a three-page Dork Tower story by Eisner-award winner Alex Robinson that's just brilliant. Oh, yeah...and I also wrap up the Matt/Gilly/Kayleigh storyline.
• Dork Tower #16 (Jan/Feb. 2002) has TWO great backup features: Greg Hyland's Lethargic Lad begins its run as Dork Tower's permanent backup, and Mark Smylie's superb Artesia starts a three-issue mini-series. You've no idea how honored I am to be working with guys like Alex, Greg and Mark. And Wild Life, PvP and Nodwick will all be there as well. Looks like another 42-page issue.
• Dork Tower #17 (Feb./Mar 2002) Kayleigh and Gilly BOTH join the gaming group for an adventure. You KNOW this can't be good! Plus, Lethargic Lad, Artesia and more!
• Dork Tower #18 (March/April 2002) The Understanding Gamers issue. I am completely psyched about this (and don't worry: it's aimed at gamers and non-gamers alike).

  (hit http://www.dorktower.com , if you'd like to see what some of the covers look like).

With Dork Tower 19, the regular bimonthly schedule should resume.

Oh, yeah...there are great free games aplenty by some real big names (Hogshead Games, Atlas Games, Dreampod 9, Fantasy Flight Games and more) coming in the issues, too.

Why Refocus?

Why do I feel the need to refocus on and prioritize the comic books anyway? Well. I've been going through my last year's notes. In 2001, I worked on the following books that were released (or soon will be):

• Dork Tower 12
• Dork Tower 13
• Dork Tower 14
• Dork Tower 15
• The Dork Tower Swimsuit Special #1
• The Best of Dork Tower #1
• Dork Shadows TPB
• Livin' La Vida Dorka TPB

However, I also did the graphics and illustrations for ALL of the following games (and some development and LOTS of writing for more than a few of them):

• Slack Attack: Chez Geek II (Steve Jackson Games)
• Block Party: Chez Geek III (Steve Jackson Games) (to be released)
• Munchkin (Steve Jackson Games)
• Unnatural Axe: Munchkin II (Steve Jackson Games) (to be released)
• Chez Dork (Steve Jackson Games)
• Warhamster Rally (Jolly Roger Games)
• Blink (Out of the Box Games)
• My Word (Out of the Box Games)
• My Word Junior (Out of the Box Games)
• Bosworth redesign (Out of the Box Games)
• Apples to Apples Expansion Set II (Out of the Box Games)
• Apples To Apples Expansion Set III (Out of the Box Games) (to be released)
• Out of the Box Games Secret Project One (to be released)
• Out of the Box Games Secret Project Two (to be released)
• Out of the Box Games Secret Project Three (to be released)
• Out of the Box Games Secret Project Four (to be released)
• Out of the Box Games Secret Project Five (to be released)

Seventeen games, eight books and on top of this, I made it to a dozen -- yes, a DOZEN -- conventions in 2001. (It's VERY hard to say no when somebody wants you to be a guest), and of course the four KILLER trade shows over the summer (Origins, San Diego, GenCon, WizardWorld) were just brutal, schedule-wise).

Oh, yes. And managing this company. And getting Newbies and Snapdragons ready for prime-time.

Some list, huh? And don't forget the weekly Dork Tower strips on the web, and in Interactive Week. Plus monthly work for Dragon, Star Wars Insider, Scrye, Pyramid (though I'm taking a break there), etc.

Yes, I used to think of myself as lazy. A lot of times, I still do. Then I look at lists like this and I realize how good it feels to have dropped so much stuff from this fall and winter's and next year's schedule.

Dork Storm Press's business manager Liz Fulda now filters ALL requests for my time, and she's a harsh mistress. As I said, I've created a nice block of several months over the winter and spring. The comic books are coming, and they are gonna rock!

PS. Happy Halloween! I'll be the Belgian monk at the Cafe Montmartre tonight! (Those of you who know my love for Belgian monastary beers can guess where the costume idea came from).

PPS. VERY mixed feelings about the World Series Game 4 tonight. I *really* want the Yankees to win, but Diamondbacks pitcher Curt Schilling is a GAMER (he helped save Advance Squad Leader), AND he's a Steeler's fan, so I'm also pulling for him on a personal level.

http://www.dorktower.com