Rasputin Barxotka

Thank You Note to Jack

To my fellow shaved-headed creative compatriot, Jack,

I was meaning to post this bit of fan art forever and a day.  You  knew of its existence and I knew that you liked it. I was waiting for the right moment to post it.  Drawing fan art (even with permission) is quite intimidating to me.  I am a very self-conscious about my ability to render other people’s stuff, so the timing had to be perfect.

Today is the day my overachieving friend.  Today, I show the world of how highly I regard you as an artist and a business person.  I had an assignment in class where I was supposed to write a letter to someone I admire.  I’ve been procrastinating on it, just as I’ve been vacillating on posting the gift I made for you.  I enjoy killing several birds with a single projectile rock (metaphorically of course,) so here’s me living up to my fucking obligations as a paying student and a friend.  In the short time I’ve known you, I’ve been in awe of your determination and the growth of your burgeoning webcomic empire.  You may bellyache on Twitter about your propensity to nap excessively while enjoying your vices, but in reality, you’re a fuckload more focused and hard-working than you give yourself credit for.  You’ve really gone far, mister.  I mean that.

Anyway, congratulations on publishing your first print-edition trade paperback.  This may not sound like a big deal to some, but for the indie comic publisher, this is a major landmark. Print is the historical medium of the comic artist.  It’s our heritage.  The compilation book of comic and/or the graphic novel is the symbolic pinnacle of our craft.

It took me 23 years from the founding of Zitro No Loca Arts (ZNLArts) which later morphed into VAS Littlecrow to reach the point of publishing a compilation of my comics. Specifically, it was a compilation of the comics in this beautiful mess known as Barxotka.com — which hopefully will go into second printing very soon.  You, on the other hand, took Chimneyspeak from a brand new webcomic to a trade paperback in a single year.  You probably have no idea what an insanely extraordinary feat this is, and how many long-time comic artists are green envy at what you have accomplished.  That’s to be expected, you’re a relative newcomer.  As for me, I paid my dues and I know the significance of what you have done.  For this reason, I am very, very proud of you.  Don’t take anything you have accomplished for granted because it’s not just about luck, Jack.  Your book is the embodiment of your passion for your story and your art.  Never forget that.  But, don’t rest on your laurels because you still have stories to tell.   The curse and joy of being a comic artist is our dedication to bringing worlds to life.  Your characters and their ability to inspire others to care about them is your responsibility.

Warm regards and may people buy a ton of copies of your book,
Vas Littlecrow Wojtanowicz

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