Scar Central is right around the corner

'Tis Scarbuncula, Lord of all the Scar Tissues!
This was one of several covers that I was
 working on for  Hairball a few years back...

The year spills forth like buckets of rain

Whiskeytown

Well, hello friends! It really has been too long. Is the year going well for you so far?
Jeff and I have been busy over the holidays. That's why you have'nt heard from us in a while. But like all things, it's time to get rolling again.
For my part, I have been on break from the end of November, almost all of December, and the beginning of January. First, I spent about half a week in the studio, several days dogsitting, and then ended up out in California. There, I stayed and traveled with friends. I went to Sacramento, Redding, Chico, San Francisco, Berkeley, and even up to Oregon! I rode on planes, trains, vans, and cars. Did a fair amount of walking in the cold, cold rain as well (Berkeley was in a downpour).  I saw many wonderful and horrible sights. Really, too much to detail in one sitting. It was definitely a great way to end the year.
Since coming back, I have been busy working on The Black Worm. I also managed to acquire a lousy sinus infection which knocked me out of the studio and into the bed for a spell.
Jeff and I will be getting back to our opus soon enough. Lots of plans for the new year means lots of work! So, we will be seeing you all very soon....

chew

The Kettle of the Monk

Having an Obsidian Stout in the Mission district, San Francisco.

It's...

Mentioned, but not seen in Flex Fantastic: Doggone Troubles. His wife, Mandy, was seen speaking on the phone to Flex's girlfriend, Susan Smucker. I guess ol' Monty really was out saving kittens after all...

A Knot of Scabs

This is Dewclaw. He's a Maublet from the Peliotes. Specifically, he is from the island of Iola located deep within the archipelago.
For those of you who have seen Carnage Cream, he's the guy you hardly ever see who is wearing  the big helmet with horns.
For this new comic, he is the medic/cleric of the group. Too bad his religion is alien to his comrades. Sometimes they simply do'nt understand his analogies. But, they do appreciate him for this widely known fact: Maublets are medicinal.
You see, since they have descended from toads, many of these people have exciting chemical properties. Some are psychoactive, some are poisonous, and some make you drowsy. This is why a lot of Maublets are hired out as mercenaries, medics, apothecaries, and/or assassins.
Most folks think that licking a Maublet is the way to procure the venom. In actuality, one has to pop a wart to suck the juices, ingest several of the scabs, or drink form the parotoid glands (which reside in place of nipples).
So...why are all of the Maublets letting people lick them??? They're perverts. It's also a good way to assassinate someone. Plus, human saliva is a natural moisturizer.


As you can probably infer from the text above, a common slur thrown at a Maublet is "scab". Most people just do'nt understand what it means to live with dry skin all of the time.

Chewisdope

Bring forth your toad riders!

Throughout the Peliotes, toads have been harnessed as the primary source of transportation. Maublets use giant toads for travel, hauling wagons and coaches, as well as plowing farmlands. They also have a cavalry of toads ready for war.
The ride can be a little jolting, but it has been effective enough for the Maublet civilization to thrive...

Chew

The Peliotes

Two Maublets, or Peliotians, in traditional clothing.

Out beyond the western shores of Natamer, just past Imbernia (or part of, depending on where you're standing), right in the middle of the Peliottan Sea, lies the Peliotian Archipelago....or more commonly, the Peliotes.
This island chain is made up of thousands of islands, islets, and rocky outcroppings. Each island is unique in its own way. There are a great variety of flora and fauna to be found here! But despite all of its differences, toads of varying sizes and shapes can be found throughout most of the Peliotes.
Along with the toads are the local inhabitants. A society of human-like creatures that descended from the long line of toads. So, they are often called the Toad People. Or the Peliotians or....
Well, truth be told, due to the Peliotians being spread out across a lot of islands, you find that each clan has its own personality and variation based off of the general society that can be found throughout the entire archipelago. Because of this, there is an ongoing disagreement about what to call the walking/talking folks that live there. They actually had several wars in the past over what to call themselves. Never really solved.
Usually, a Peliotian will insist on themselves and all other Peliotians (except those which they do'nt like, who get special distinction) as being from the island of their birth. For instance, someone from Faralon will insist that all Peliotians are actually called Faralonians. Except for the scum from Pawpaw. THEY are merely Pawpawians. And who does'nt hate them???
But really, most of these beings are called Maublets by the outside world (except by outsiders who are married to Peliotians). This is because the island of Maub is considered to be the birthplace of all of the Toad People. It is from there that they rose. It is that island which is sacred to them.
Plus they never stop talking about the place. It comes up at least once in every conversation with a mainlander. So, it stuck.
Maublets, ya'll.


Chew