The People’s Publisher

Hey everyone!

Hope you all had a merry pint o’green ale on St. Patty’s day! I had a few to celebrate that Gustav Hayes is almost complete. The fabulous Chris “the Stud” Studabaker is near completion of lettering all the pages, after reviews and any revisions, we hope to have Gustav complete by this weekend! Woo Hoo! Here is some teaser art of pages 1 & 2 done with lettering…

Right. Well I am lucky to announce that I had the chance to go and interview Gustav Hayes himself. What you say? How did you…? Well by the magic of Zeros 2 Heroes, the wicked idea of Julian Lawrence and By the power of Greyskull… I mean Morgan Jeske, I got a chance to drop by The City and have a nice one-on-one chat with Gustav himself. Check it out…

Panel 1: Robert steps over some half melted Zombiods and then smacks himself in the face when trying to finally open the door to “Hole in the Wall”, walking in he notices that only the bar is light up. Wandering over he is aware that the bar itself is alive… no wait… it’s Gustav Hayes himself stirring awake. Robert takes a seat next to Gustav and smirks.

Robert: Morning Sunshine! You ready for this interview?

Gustav: Ugh–keep your f**king voice down would you? What’re you press? I thought all of you were dead, oh wait– cockroaches, I forgot.

Panel 2: A shot of Gustav barely turning his head to look at Robert.

Robert: The Press… sure… we can go with that. I wanted to ask how you are feeling after your first big fight with the Zombiods, that army guy and the evil cloud thing?

Gustav: Feelings don’t enter into the equation friend. I’m back singing again, back to the dull throbbing headaches and the persistent voice from on high, shouting sweet nothings into my ear–

Panel 3: At this point Gustav glances over his shoulder, as if to make sure no one was within earshot.

Gustav: –this kid though, she–nevermind. That psycho Lt Doe, I thought I remembered his ugly jingoistic mug from somewhere–it was at a fundraiser for some politician, pre bombs.

Panel 4: Robert looks for a clean glass.

Robert: Alright. Least your back to singing. That’s good. I still remember your one big hit… kinda. I think you opened for The Fine Young Cannibals in Vancouver once - you were the best reason to see the show.. hey, where’s the bartender around here? I would love a pint of green ale considering its St. Patty’s day!

Gustav: Where the hell is Vancouver–is that the actual Fine Young Cannibals, or the sh*t lying on the floor over there–

Panel 5: Malcolm–part time zomboid–shouts from across the room “Hey!”

Panel 6: Gustav is sitting up on the bar. Robert leans over, grabs a bottle of some port and pours himself a small glass full, offers some to Gustav.

Gustav: Is it March already then? Hmph, who knew. Time got kind of
blurry after the war, granted, my sense of time before, wasn’t exactly
what one might call a ’sense of time’

Gustav: And for the record, there was more than one song–Bob.

Robert: Was there more than one? Well like I said, at least your singing again. That has to be good. What about your new “home” here in the Hole in the Wall? How is it? How are the hosts?

Panel 7: Robert takes a look at Malcom, looking around for Sue…

Gustav: Thee dead one has a mean Hate-on for me, says my music is tasteless pap. Can’t say I don’t agree, but, I’ve got to at least muster some fight. Sue has been–

Panel 8: Sue’s entered the room, Gustav is looking over at her affectionately. Robert looks to Gustav and smiles

Gustav:–sweet, really. Like if I had raised one of my probable illegitimate children. She loves me, which still f**ks me up a touch, and she’s got this way about her, I don’t know–it’s sort of like she makes my songs really sing, you know?

Robert: Yeah, muses work that way. You’re lucky to have someone like her around you. So what’s next for Gustav Hayes? A visit to the Zoo?

Panel 10: Shot of Gustav.

Gustav: It’s funny, really–I try not to think beyond the day that I’m in the middle of–too depressing I say. Most days getting out of bed is as far as I get.

Gustav: Malcolm says theres something at the Zoo–who knows, his brain is half dead, so it could really be anything. Some survivors have been complaining about irradiated animal attacks.

Gustav: Other than that, I ‘ll just keep singing one day at a time.

Panel 10: Robert snickers while looking at Gustav.

Robert: You mean you’re singing the theme song to “One Day at A Time?” — is this a nightly show?

Gustav: Are you taking the piss with me? No I’m not–f**k do I not need this.

Robert: Well hey, whatever gets you through the night, Gustav. As long as yer not sleeping with Russian diplomats wifes or such, I think you’ll do just fine!

Panel 11: Robert finishes his drink.

Gustav: Wait–how did you know about–

Panel 12: Robert gets up, puts a tip on the bar counter next to his drink. Gustav sitting next to him.

Robert: Ah. I guess I got enough for my article. So let me ask, what is next for the great Gustav Hayes. More pop songs that I cannot remember? Venturing forth through this Brave New World? Bringing peace to the world with your singing or slowly killing yourself with bottles and pills?

Gustav: All of the above if I can manage, and not necessarily in that order.

Robert: Oh that reminds me. A friend we have in common wanted me to give you this…

Panel 13: Robert blocks the view and hands Gustav a small baggy of red pills.

Robert: In case you still need’em. Right. I’m off.

Panel 14: Robert looks over to Sue and Malcom, waves.

Robert: Nice to meet you! Gustav, you take care. Catch you next time!

Panel 15: With that Robert leaves.