Sorry there hasn't been a new Dork Tower comic strip up in a couple of days on the web site (http://www.dorktower.com). I've got a lot of great material on hand, including some more Lord of the Rings strips. But what with the weird weather in Wisconsin (it was 50 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday), there must something sprouting or sporing or being summoned or whatever, since my allergies have hit with a vengeance. I've been doing squat for work, but there will be new comics up tomorrow.

In the meantime, Dork Tower #16 should be in shops soon. It looks amazing -- far better than I could have hoped for. It's another 40-page issue. Lethargic Lad, Artesia, PvP and Nodwick all are fantastic, and really make #16 something special. AND there are more Lord of the Rings cartoons in it.

It also marks a kind of a return to the basics for me. For a few issues, I'll be doing shorter stories just for the fun of it. The basic Matt/Gilly/Kayleigh story arc will still be there, but I'll be tackling it from a series of short pieces instead of three-issue 60-page storylines. And it looks like issues 17, 18 and 19 will all have to be 48-pages long. Glee!

Also, I just sent the solicitation information for Dork Tower #19 to Diamond. But I just had to post the cover here. I'm VERY happy with it, and I think this is really going to be an issue people enjoy.

DORK TOWER #19
"The Junk Food Issue"
DSP 019
48 Pages B/W $2.99
ISBN 1-930964-10-2
Written, penciled and inked by John Kovalic
Cover by John Kovalic Release Date June 7, 2002

It's the return of Iron Chef Snackfood! What happens when you let Fanboys and Goth Girls into the kitchen? Watch out as Igor attempts to create the PERFECT gaming treat -- Igor Bars! It's an entire issue devoted to the junk foods that drive fandom, from convention corndogs to high-powered caffeine-packed pop cocktails.

PLUS, some of the favorite names in gaming and comics contribute to a special Dork Tower pullout cookbook! What's Gary Gygax's favorite munchies? How about Shannon Wheeler's favorite coffee recipe? What does evil Steve Jackson get up to when left alone in a kitchen? How about James Ernest, of Cheapass Games, or New York Times best-selling fantasy author Margaret Weis? And how DO you make the legendary Igor Bars? Plus a free game that LETS you play with your food, "GummiHamster 40K" from Placebo Press, which even non-gamers will love! And there's even MORE hilarity from the usual Dork Tower backup features: Greg Hyland's Lethargic Lad, Aaron Williams' Nodwick and Scott Kurtz's PvP! Another issue filled to the brim! HUZZAH!

There are a LOT more people contributing to the cookbook, by the way.

And GummiHamster 40L is a riot!

If you haven't seen the cover, it's online at http://www.dorktower.com. I think you'll like it. Evil grin.

Gotta run now. I need to seek out more tissues.