I'm Making a book out of Obstinate Melon's FF7 comic

[Odysseus]

Of course you do, why would I ever think otherwise?

There's one one thing I want to ask before I finally shut up about the book until I have more news: Can you draw at all, Lic?

You might have noticed I left a big gap between the description and the tseng picture. That's because I wanted to have a little picture of Elena with hands clasped and heart eyes having her little fantasy image of Tseng, with Cloud and Tifa judge judgementally lookin at her from off to the side. I figure there are three people who have any right to contribute a little addition to the main image like that: Melon, Crim, and you. I doubt I could ever get Crim to do anything, and I don't want to beg down Melon with any more superfluous nonsense after I got him to do that Avalanche picture, so I figure I could ask you first. I mean, I could do it, but that's no fun. I've been trying to keep my art out of the book anyway. You will still be anonymous if that's what you want.

Pls inform me if this is a dumb idea that's going too far.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

Some people think I can draw and some people think I can't. Funny story, at my last job I was forced to spend a year teaching art because the head of school had seen me doodling in a number of staff meetings and thought to herself, "That woman can draw, ergo she can teach art." The fact that I had zero qualifications in art or art teaching was no obstacle, apparently. I enjoyed the year because, let's face it, all schoolkids look forward to art lessons; it was the only class I've ever taught where nobody watched the clock. But I was terrified a parent who knew something about art would ask me what my qualifications were.

What I definitely can do is Photoshop. I can photoshop Elena from ACC daydreaming about Tseng in whatever background you prefer.

 

[Odysseus]

Nah, I'd like to avoid using any more of Square's actual assets than I already have. I'm not saying it would need to be some masterpiece, just like some chibis out of some anime obsessed high schooler's notebook.

Also, much respect for teaching art. That was definitely the only class I ever looked forward to back when I was in school.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

You can draw, why don't you do it?

 

[Odysseus]

I already have such a big role in the book as the editor, I'm afraid if I do anything else it'll start to be too much about me and not enough about Melon. Plus, I have no connection to the Tseng image beyond wanting it in my silly little book. You were the one who commissioned the picture originally, so you doing it would "complete the circle" I suppose. I dunno, I'm weird about these things. If you'd rather not, that's fine. I'll ask melon if he'd like to, and failing that, I will draw it myself.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

I'll see what I can do. Give me a few days?

 

[Odysseus]

Any time within the next two years is probably fine

Thanks for considering it, sorry if I'm being a little pushy

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

No, I'd enjoy it. I just don't want to let you down. Melon and Crim are Premier League, I'm not even National League.

 

[Odysseus]

Don't sweat it. I know exactly how you feel. This is just a fun little thing, don't stress out too much. I believe in you!

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

Have you tried ordering the calendar from Crim's patreon?

Yeah, I've been a patron of Crim for a while. The deal made with KupoCon is that it was exclusive to their events.

 

[Odysseus]

The deal made with KupoCon is that it was exclusive to their events

Oh, well you can definitely forget about it then. Anybody who wants a copy of this book can have one, no silly exclusivity deals attached.
I'm not bitter about anything, no sir.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

I didn't know that. I'm sorry.

 

[Odysseus]

If I were to ever go to a KupoCon, I might just print a few copies to hand out for fun. I don't think I could make anybody actually pay for one in good conscious. I was already planning on giving away the spare paperback copy from the test print I ordered (assuming there's no issues) to the youtuber "SomecallmeJohnny," since he's an FF7 fan and he's going to be at a convention near me called "Momocon" in May. Though, maybe I should talk to Melon before pulling something like that...

 

[Odysseus]

Okay, well after everything I asked yesterday you'd think I already had this, but that would be a massive over assumption of my responsibility. I actually have Melon's permission to use the Crim picture now, so all that ground work I did was no longer a waste of time. Also, you miiiiiiiight be able to order your own copy of the first book sooner than I was expecting.
~stay tuned~

 

[Odysseus]

Well, it was a day late, but the new version of the book has arrived!

https://imgur.com/a/WKB711I

All the problems with the original print have been fixed, so this is effectively ready to go gold! I'll leave it to Melon's digression to make the official announcement, but I'll be sure to leave the appropriate links here once he does.

...oh god, now what do I do with myself?

 

[Glaurung]

Wow...

 

[Odysseus]

Got in the paper back version today:

https://imgur.com/a/ZFRRACd

The ink quality is a big downgrade, nit sure how obvious that is from the pictures, but its still livable. That's the difference between $15 inking and $54 inking I guess.

 

[Odysseus]

THE TIME IS NOW!

https://www.deviantart.com/obstinatemelon/journal/Physical-Comic-Available-832912501

the book is now available to be printed! Sorry for all the shilly shallying but we finally got here! Here's the links:

Hard cover

Paper back

The hard cover is definitely the better of the two, but I know not too many people will want to spend that much money. As I've mentioned, neither I nor melon make any of the money from that, that's all just the cost of production. If you want to support melon directly, please consider becoming a patron or donating to his PayPal thst he left in the journal entry I linked.

It's been a ride, folks, but I'm pretty glad it happened. If you get a copy, please tell me what you think! See you next century for book twoooooooo.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

Is Paypal the only way to pay?

 

[Odysseus]

Is Paypal the only way to pay?

You pay on the blurb.com pages I linked. PayPal is just if you want to give melon money since he doesn't make any from people buying the book.

 

[Odysseus]

If anybody wants a copy, I'd recommend snagging it sooner than later. Square catching wind of this could spell bad news, even if it is non-profit, so I can't guarantee how long it will be up. I think I might have been too eager and not thought through potential consequences.

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

Ordered mine!

 

[Odysseus]

Thanks for getting one @The Twilight Mexican ! Out of curiosity, which version did you get, if you don't mind me asking? And what do you guys think of the book layout (you can see it by clicking "preview" on the blurb page.)

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

I went with the softcover. Even if the color quality is only as good as what the preview pictures show, that's plenty good enough for me.

And yeah, the layout is excellent. Great job.

 

[Rydeen]

What a gorgeous book! Kudos for making it a reality.