So you may have noticed - if you've visited the site recently - that I have this new badge on the right over there called "M@'s Tablet Fund." So what's the deal with that, you ask? I'm so glad you asked! Let me tell you:

My current tablet (an Intuos 3 that I've had for many years) is finally starting to give up the ghost. I've worn through the surface of the tablet making it act, well, kinda bizarrely. But I'm not what you'd call "rich." Or even terribly "solvent," for that matter (the term "starving artist" comes to mind). So I can't afford to up and buy a new one.

(This is where the groveling begins...)

So I thought I'd ask you guys if you would chip in a little bit and help me get a new tablet. Specifically a medium sized Intuos 4 (I'm not too greedy). Of course, if you wanna contribute a couple of grand so I can get a Cintiq - Well, then you are a saint! Seriously though, even a few bucks would go a long way in helping me afford a replacement.

What do you get out of the deal? Well, of course, you'll get continued strips, sketches, and t-shirt designs. But also for any donation, of any amount, I will send you a "thank you" sketch (via email). If your donation is for more than $10 I'll also send you a signed print of your favorite strip or sketch from my site. For donations over $20 dollars I'll send you a signed print of your favorite storyline and a copy of a ZdC minicomic I'm currently working on (more details about that later).

(Click for a preview of the storyline print.)

Anyway, I know you guys are (probably) not rich either, and I understand that. Please be assured that ZdC will continue on with it's current schedule, one way or another.

Thanks for your consideration, and I'll see you in the funny (web)pages!

~M@

Here's a sketch of Don's office from the Beware The Ursa Nostra storyline.

These are from a little while back. I was playing around with an app called Scribbles (From the makers of Tweetie).

And for bonus points, can anyone name me this cartoon villian?

Hmmm… I missed Monday’s strip, eh? That would be because I’m busy getting the writing on this next storyline squared away (that and some actual for-pay work – crazy, I know!). But, excuses aside, here’s an extra sketch:

I’ll post another sketch or two tomorrow as well to ease my nagging conscience.

For a little while I drew ZdC more traditionally: Real paper, pencils, inks, etc. I had some copic markers too, but I never really got the hang of them. Here are a few cards I drew testing the markers out. Obviously (now) the paper was all wrong. But hey, you never know till you try.