Commentary

Lucky wasn’t  kidding about there not being any running water in the Nicotash village, earlier in the story. Electricity and natural gas heating weren’t available either.  The nearest running water was a river located miles away from the village.  Many of the people of Nicotash worked about three miles away.  There, electricity and water powered farm machinery and irrigated crops for an industrial farm. It isn’t an exaggeration to say that the Soviet government treated its crops better than the people who picked them.

The sad reality is that many Romani still don’t have access to running water, gas or electricity, even to this day.

(Note: Romani is the same thing as Rromani, I just tend to use the spelling that was common before Romanes language standardization efforts began.  I still use Rroma rather than Roma to avoid confusion with Rome or Romans.)

The State of the Staff

Today’s comic was delayed once again.  I am extremely sorry for that.  I was going to work on it all day on Friday, but I ended up in the emergency room due to a freak health incident that caused the entire right side of my body to suffer from paresthesia. I couldn’t even smile on that side of the face. But don’t worry, it wasn’t a tumor or stroke.

That incident, paired with a a very busy weekend, took away the time I needed to color today’s comic.  Mandarr and I worked on it, as soon as we had a moment.  Of course, we were both half-asleep by the time we both were able to get to it, so wacky hijinks ensued.

As you probably surmised from the last sentence, Mandarr’s is finally well enough to work on Rasputin Barxotka again.  YAY!  Hopefully we’ll finish all of the redraws from the first chapter by the end of the month.  I am crazy excited about that.

Mandarr is currently is helping out with a fundraiser. A paralyzed puppy needs help with its surgery expenses.  Click here to learn more about how you can help this little chihuahua and get art from Mandarr at an amazing discount at the same time.  I donated and Mandarr is donating her entire payment for this week’s comic to the cause.  We hope that you’ll pitch in as well.

On sad news, Flavin the puppetmaster’s post-chemo tumor remission was short-lived.  Please keep him in your thoughts as we works towards a speedy recovery.

Live Below the Line

Thanks for everyone who gave me support and helped me raise $115.00 for Malaria No More during the Live Below the Line challenge.  It meant a lot to me.  If you want to read up on what it was like for me to live on $1.50 a day for food, or if you still want to give a donation to Malaria No More, please visit my page here. It was a fascinating experience to be sure.

Stuff I Must Share

Awesome Rroma Art

I have been totally captivated with Alisa Didkovsky‘s illustration work as of late.  She has an absolutely charming webcomic entitled Horny Tails about the antics of satyrs. She does a lot of Romani culture-oriented art and illustrations that are just total candy to look at. While you are there, consider hiring Alisa for you art commission needs.

Additionally, Alisa maintains an outstanding Rroma issues blog at http://aj-rromale.tumblr.com/. I’m probably going to pore through it this week for my research quota.  The amount of Romani resources and information  is mind-boggling.  Be sure to check it all out.

Help Out My Friends and Get Some Awesome Art

My buds Jack Cayless and Tristan J. Tarwater are both taking donations for their respective book printing campaigns. I donated enough bucks to get print copies of their books, and you should too! Here’s where you can access their campaigns:

• http://kck.st/JU3wjF
• http://www.indiegogo.com/chimneyspeakchapter2

Dead Conscious

There aren’t a lot of pages online yet, but Insanity In a Box’s Dead Conscious online graphic novel looks like it has a ton of potential.  It takes the overplayed zombie genre and breathes new life into it.  The illustrations, which appear to combine digital, photo and traditional media are unusual, gritty and visually engaging.  I can’t wait to see how it develops.

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UGH! Sorry for the delay in the posting.  We were performing a WordPress hardening for the entire VAS Littlecrow Network. What does this mean?  Many of the security holes things on this site have been patched. Hopefully that means that we won’t have a repeat of the hacking incident not too long ago, again.  Unfortunately, as a result of this revamping, I was unable to login here at all until just now.  Everything is resolved now and the  new page is here.  YAY!

On a completely unrelated note.  I am surviving off $1.50 in food, for the entire day, for the next five days.  I’m doing this for the Live Below the Line Challenge and to raise funds for Malaria No More and to make people aware of what it’s like to eat like someone living in extreme poverty If you want to learn how to make delicious noms for $0.50 or less per meals, or wish to donate a few bucks, go ahead and visit my profile.  Just so you are aware, many of the foods that I show on my profile’s blog where things I actually ate when I was a starving artist back in the late 1990s.  I am not exaggerating either, I was too poor to get food stamps.

Anyway, have a great week everyone and hopefully everything will be on time next week.

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This site was hacked yesterday.  My webhost and I cleaned up the mess, but I still would like to offer an apology for any inconvenience to my kind visitors.  If you visited this site on Sunday, please run your antivirus software to make sure your computer is clean.

I finished my research reading of Blowing Up Russia. Seriously, read that book.  It’s history at its most intense.   Next up for my research work is Jose Alaniz’s book, Komiks.

Speaking of books, my bud Jack has an IndieGogo pre-ordering campaign for the second Chimneyspeak book.  Be sure to participate.  I know I will.

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I apologize most sincerely for the delay, but here it is at last:

April’s Donation Wallpaper

As I mentioned before, I had some crazy property stuff to deal with this month. Thankfully, fellow Y-Gallery denizen, Studio A.d.H.D, stepped up to the plate and delivered another cool Lechy fan service wallpaper.  I totally love it, and hope you will to.  If you want it, donate below:

 

Use WePay

Use Paypal

 

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This is not the first time Camello’s smuggling of tampons has gotten him into trouble.  Personally, I think he did a public service for the ladies in his village by selling these handy sanitary aids.  Not everyone agreed.  In case you need a refresher on why tampons are taboo for some Rroma people, check out the notes on this older post.

This week was a lot smoother sailing than the last one, so today’s update is on time. I am in a super good mood and next week’s update is nearly finished and ready for the buffer.  I have a lot of research to do for the next chapter of Rasputin Barxotka, “A Superkiller Rusalka Week,” and right now I am completely wrapped up in one particular tome.

I am currently reading Blowing Up Russia: The Secret Plot To Bring Back KGB Terror by Alexander Litvinenko and Yuri Felshtinsky.  If you want a gripping emotional roller coaster involving true crime and government corruption, then you definitely want to check this book out.  It’s been a slower read than usual for me because I want to take in all of the information and intrigue on each page.  Blowing Up Russia: The Secret Plot To Bring Back KGB Terror demands careful attention and study, while still providing an exciting read.  I highly recommend this book, which was officially banned in Russia.

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News from the Vas side.

Hello everyone.  I really would like to apologize for the comic being late by so many hours.  This last week was a zoo beyond zoos, and I was unable to get the art to Paul in time for holds, so I had to do it myself in something of a rush.  I could’ve posted it sooner, but I figured that putting out a comic that was finished, proofed and looking like I actually gave two shits about it was far more important.

Thankfully, all of the ickiness, property-related insanity is on the verge of being resolved.  The general emotional and scheduling overload that I had to deal with has pretty much subsided, so the update schedule should be back to normal next week.  I am so grateful for your patience y’all.

Just a Teaser…

I am working on a really cool Rasputin Barxotka project with another artist.  I can’t tell you what it is just yet, but it’s really funny.  It has Mikhail Getter, Tsar and Camello in it, plus a few new characters.  I will share more information as it comes.

Stupid Cultural Stereotype Note

Did you know that the French are often stereotyped for being obsessed with oral sex?

Rasputin Barxotka Music, What!?!

I often describe myself as a frustrated musician.  I played the electric guitar when I was a teenager.  I had rock and roll dreams like everyone else.  My first guitar got passed on to both my younger brother and one of my sisters.  The two became pretty awesome bassists as a result.  I take great pride in that.

These days, I don’t have much music ability beyond singing and dancing.  I lost my ability to play instruments around the mid-nineties after brain damage from a prescription medication.  As a guitarist and music geek who used to be able to identify any song within three notes, that was pretty devastating.  I love playing guitar, but I just can’t get things to click for me consistently when trying to play sheet music or compose music.   It upsets me because it wasn’t always this way.

Recently, I found a website that helped me overcome that obstacle. For the first time in years, I can get some of the songs in my head out into the world.  It feels great.  The compositions I am sharing are based upon the music I’ve heard in my dreams relating to a couple of specific Rasputin Barxotka scenes.   I am actually pretty proud of them, so I had to share.  I may add lyrics someday.  We’ll see.

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I hope you all had a lovely Easter/Ostara/Passover weekend!  Once again, holds and flats are brought to you by Paul Haskell.

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I have a great team!

I would like to thank Paul Haskell for doing the tedious flats/holds work for Rasputin Barxotka this week.  Without him, this week’s comic would not have gotten done. Thankfully, life is finally starting to settle down for me again and Mandarr’s rib is almost healed.  He will be doing holds and flats for next week as well.

Awesome Webcomic I Must Share

If you enjoy dark humor, post-Soviet drama and superhero parodies, you need to check out Socialfist. I discovered this one on Reddit, and I can’t get enough of it. The art is downright cinematic and gorgeously fluid. The historical jokes made me giggle like an idiot, and the humor in general is understated yet wicked.  It seems to be on hiatus for the time being, but the archives are definitely worth checking out.

Announcement

This month’s donor wallpaper is slightly delayed.  I should have it done sometime this week.

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I had to get that out of the way.

What’s This Gleaning Orgone Stuff About?

Did you know that the third most viewed page on this site isn’t even a webcomic page?  It’s actually a rather cool biomechanical alien tentacle yaoi commission from fellow Y!Gallery denizen, Studio A.d.H.D. inspired by the Zeta Reticulan Incident storyline.  Today, it remains as one of our most accessed and searched pages.  I didn’t really know what to do with this information until I asked myself, “Why do Camello and Lucky have sex in the wheat fields so often?” The answer manifested itself in a dream where the following videos and songs melded in my head:

• Wilhelm Reich and the Orgone Energy
• “Hide and Seek” by Imogene Heap
• The Omhus Healing/”Nauusica Requiem” scene from Naausica and the Valley of the Wind
• “Come Sail Away” by Styx

The visions in my mind consisted of an intoxicatingly gorgeous yaoi anime short that’s a bit of a follow-up to the Zeta Reticulan Incident.  I’m not a big tentacle fan or even really all that interested in the topic of alien contact, but I was enthralled by this neat little fantasy.  It’s a love-filled story with a soft erotic BDSM edge that hides surprisingly gentle and spiritual metaphors.  Did I mention that the dream was total eye candy?

Fantasy Becomes Reality?

I would be so pleased if I could bring this side story to life.  I know that Studio A.d.H.D. has the ability to bring the vision to life as I see it, and is my top choice for illustration.  Seriously, this studio can make pretty BDSM and tasteful tentacles like a boss. All I need are the funds to make it happen.  If you or, someone you know would appreciate a tentacle yaoi story about alien contact and the power of human sexuality that isn’t full of cruelty or pornographic, consider donating to the site by clicking on the button below.  If you do, then we’ll send you a free copy of the e-book when it is finished.  Sound groovy?

Curiosity Not Sated Yet?  Here’s A Partial Script and (Very Rough) Conceptuals For Gleaning Orgone:

Summary: After a romantic encounter with Lucky in the wheat fields, Camello has an ethereal reunion when the Zeta Reticulans come back to earth.

PAGE 1

Frame 1:
A close-up of Camello’s face.  He appears to be climaxing based upon his expression.  He makes loud vocalizations.

Frame 2:
Camello face looks dizzy.

Frame 3:
Camello collapses on Lucky’s chest.  Lucky lays supine on a blankets and sleeping bags on a wheat field.  Their clothes are strewn about the place.  A pick-up truck is right next to them.

Frame 4:
Lucky and Camello smile at each other in blissful exhaustion.

PAGE 2

Frame 1: Camello and Lucky kiss each other.

Frame 2: They both lie side by side and are completely naked.
Lucky to Camello: Camello, you have a great apartment in Moscow and you have the most comfortable bed on Earth.

Frame 3: Closeup of Lucky smiling:
Lucky to Camello: Why do we end up making love in the wheat fields so often?

Frame 4: A far shot of the field with the backdrop of the moonless night sky.  The stars are all about.
Camello to Lucky: The thrill of carnal pleasure in the outdoors is unlike any other.  The cool wind whips our hair, as the fire of lust drives our bodies to writhe on the sweet earth until we fall asleep, and then wake up to sun-kissed dew. The openness of this space is a muse to sweetest dreams.
Lucky to Camello: You should be writer, boy.  Your words are as lovely as you.

PAGE 3
Frame 1: Lucky and Camello are asleep in sleeping bags, and under blankets while managing to snuggle with each other.  Lucky is wearing a light jacket and his work overalls.  Camello is wearing a light hooded jacket.
Frame 2: Camello wakes up.
Frame 3: He gently slides out of his sleeping bag and blankets.  While managing not to wake up Lucky.
Frame 4: Camello starts walking away from this lover and the truck, as he wanders into the dark wheat fields.

PAGE 4
Frame 1: A bright light washes over Camello as he squints.  The wind whips his hair around.

Frame 2: A back shot of Camello’s entire body, back tattoo and all is visible as he looks over his shoulder.  When wheat field is blown about.

Frame 3: He looks up with a smile on his face.

PAGE 5

Single Frame: Above Camello who is still looking up, a large flying saucer hoovers above him, the car and the wheat field.  Lucky remains sound asleep.  Camello seems to be calling out to the ship.

Camello yelling to ship: Hello my alieny space friends.  How can I help you today?

There’s seven more pages to go…

You’ll see the story in the full illustrated glory, plus updates as they come once we gather enough funds to make Gleaning Orgone possible. Thank you for reading about this project and for your support.  Now you can go back to reading your regularly scheduled online graphic novel.

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EEK! So Much News This Week.

Author Commentary: Wheat Field Sex

These two really have a thing for sex in the wheat fields, I swear!  I mean seriously. Wheat field sex at night.  Wheat field sex in the morning.  Wheat field sex all the time.  I think I’ve only seen them have sex in a bed, once, and that wasn’t even in Rasputin Barxotka.  Camello might a have bad case of catagelophilia or masochism. Then again, he might just be a broken young man. Lucky seems to either have a phobia of emotional intimacy with verbally abusive streak, or a sadism that feeds off Camello’s submissive attentions.  Humiliation, vulgar as it might seem, is some people’s cup of tea.  Then again, Lucky really does seem like an awful (ex-maybe-not-sure) boyfriend. These two do seem to share some manner of agoraphilia and perhaps a thing for grain crops. What do y’all think?

Paul Is Like a Rock!

I won’t be able to do all the color and fiddly work for the pages next week and the week after.  Thankfully, fellow interpretive dancer and doer-of-boring tasks I hate when I am stressed, Paul Haskell, will be in charge of holds and flats for next week’s Rasputin Barxotka.  You can’t depend on your teacher. can’t depend on you preacher. You can’t depend on politicians. You can’t depend on superstition…  but Paul is Like a ROCK!

On a semi-related note, if you’ve never heard of Donnie Iris’s “Love is Like a Rock”, do yourself a favor and Spotify that bad boy.  It’s an enjoyable song.

The Prize That Kept On Giving!

If you have been following this site, you might remember Nathan.  He won the chocolatey grand prize in the “What The Hell is Camello?“ contest last year.  Well, remember how we told you that he became a professional chocolate reviewer?  Well, his reviews are now online, and they are fabulously funny and totally worth the read.  Check them out: The Zimmern - Tighty Whiteys - S’mores Bar - Hawaiian Sunset - Happy Birthday Bar -That’s Nuts - Cookie Bar - Tropical Island-Bar - Summer Chocolate - Trail Mix Bar - The Berry Bar - Chocolate on Chocolate.

Send Mandarr Your Well-Wishes, Because She Needs Them

In case you’ve all been wondering where Mandarr has gone, she’s been not at all well.  She had to move recently, and apparently it was quite the challenge.  She has also been very ill with a lot of coughing, and she injured one of her ribs coughing. Please send her all of the prayers, happy vibes and good thoughts you can spare.  Here’s her blog, if you wish to send her a get well note.  Before her injury, she donated in labor $150 to the project as a Christmas gift to me. I finally had the opportunity to do all the math.  Needless to say I am crazy grateful.

To All of the Webcomic Ad and Y!Gallery Newbies:

We’ve been doing a lot of advertising lately, and we’ve had a lot of new people stopping by.  This is way too exciting.  Usually most of our traffic spikes come from the opinionated and never boring crowd at Reddit, but it’s really fun seeing new traffic from new areas. You folks are absolutely amazing to check out Rasputin Barxotka!  I know my readers are a bit shy, but don’t hesitate to comment.  I love your opinions and thoughts. If I use your feedback, I might even make a bonus comic or give you a bit of fan service as a thank you.  If you are new to Rasputin Barxotka, check out the about and FAQ pages.  If you are coming here from Y!Gallery, check out our special tag just for you for fan service, guest art by other Y!Gallery artists and man-on-man scenes that are WAY too hot for this site.

Femdom Fans, I’m Talking to You.

For the umpteenth week straight, “femdom” inexplicably continues to be the most popular Google search for this site. I need to give you more of what you crave my friends. So what kind of R-Rated fan service stuff would you like to see on this site? Pony action? Humiliation? Offensive Chibis? Shoe licking? Amazon worship?  Help me out folks!

What About Me?

Things are still kind of nuts in my life right now, but they are progressively improving.  In case you missed it, check out a sneek peek from Rasputin Catamite, another Velvet Rasputin webcomic that’s coming back this summer.  It’s a fun project that Ram Lama and I have been working since January.  It is awesome beyond words.

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