When I first created Killeroo in 1995, it was for a one-page comedy strip for the University magazine (where I was studying 1st year Graphic Design). I’ve told the story before, but it was printed on the back page of THE THIRD DEGREE, and ended up being just a one-off, and not a continuing story in any sense.
Aside from the KILLEROO, there was another little critter included in the story who I had called “Psycho Possum”. He was a kind of sidekick, that would clean up the mess Killeroo made, usually by eating the remains of his victims (being University students who hunted the local wildlife).
Here’s one of the panels from that strip:
(I think the “Banzai” line was something I got from reading a lot of the collected early Garfield strips:)
When I wrote OLD MAN RUFUS, I had the idea of bringing this little guy back in some fashion, as I thought more weird creatures would work well within the post-apocalyptic landscape.
I don’t remember if I showed the original strip to the OMR artist Ryan Vella, but there’s a nice echo of the original story in this panel from the new book:
Which brings me to the point of giving you an update on the book…
OLD MAN RUFUS STATUS
Right now, I’m still finalising the lettering for the book, which is pretty close to getting proof-read by some friends, before I send the regular editions of the book to the printer in a week or two. I literally have the email to the printer drafted, and ready to send.
(I’ve been a bit sidetracked over the last few weeks by helping Jason Franks to run a kickstarter campaign for his book GOURMAND GO. This isn’t his fault, it’s a choice I made in order to help keep the bills paid and food on the table, and also helping a friend with his first kickstarter. I attempted to keep momentum going on the lettering at the same time, but you’ve probably seen how much a kickstarter campaign dominates almost everything else for me.)
My methodology of writing the story for OLD MAN RUFUS in ‘marvel-method’ has worked against me (NEVER again!), as I’m lettering and scripting at the same time, which makes the process much slower - I’m second-guessing and rewriting and re-analysing the dialogue as I go.
Does this sound good?
Do these characters sound real?
What would people sound like in the future?
How has Rufus’ understanding of language changed over 30 years?
Does this compliment Ryan’s art, or detract from it?
These are all the things going through my head as I approach each page.
I know how long you’ve all waited for this book, and I reiterate my sincere apologies and thanks for your patience. I want to keep you updated on the progress at every point. I know how much it’s damaged my reputation, and in all honesty it’s something that keeps me up at night.
I have so many more Killeroo projects I want to make, but they’re all on hold until I get this book printed and into your hands as soon as I can.
I’m still aiming for Xmas for the regular 40pg edition, and early 2024 for the Deluxe Edition. But I’ll be sending the DIGITAL VERSION to all of you on the same day I send the book to the printer.
I hope you’re all doing well.
-Daz
killeroo.com
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Loving these updates, man! I cannot WAIT to absorb Old Man Rufus properly.