Yellowbelly and Plum in the Snow 1

I announced earlier that I was starting a new comic this week, and here it is: Yellowbelly and Plum in the Snow. You may have to stretch your window wider to see it--it's a little wide.

In Case You Missed the JACK Launch

Here are some of the highlights:

We had a great turn out--even bigger than the RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE launch two years ago. Hardcover CALAMITY JACKs were on hand (the first I've seen!) and everyone had a good time. Shannon and Dean really did do an interpretive dance, which you will have to request if you see them at another signing (they'll do it! They really will!) And I did a Powerpoint presentation on illustration (only terrifying a few children...)

Thanks to everyone who came!

Double thanks to everyone who came in costume!!

Triple thanks to Jessica Day George, Jenn Mattson and Amy Finnegan who made home-made Plum T-shirts, forming, as far as I know, the world's first Plum Fan Club. (Hooray!)

And a special thanks to The King's English bookstore for setting it up and hauling all the books!

I'll let you know about any other signings coming up--I know we'll be at The Purple Cow Bookstore in Tooele, UT (a place I've never been) this Saturday, the 16th.

CALAMITY JACK is officially launched! (Two more days to get those book pics to me for an avatar--Tuesday's the deadline!)

CALAMITY JACK Launch Week! Paper Dolls #4

Remember we're having a CALAMITY JACK launch party tomorrow at the Foothill-Anderson Library in Salt Lake City (Saturday, January 9) at 2 pm. I hope to see you there!

CALAMITY JACK Launch Week! Paper Dolls #3

Here he is--the Jack Paper Doll, er, Paper Action Figure. What cool outfits will be available for him tomorrow? Sushi Chef? Dog Catcher? Fireman? You'll have to wait and see.

I'm starting to get a bunch of launch week book photos. If you want your custom portrait, send in your photo before I come to my senses. If you've already sent one in, thanks, I'll get an email reply out to you soon, with portrait instructions.

CALAMITY JACK Launch Week! Paper Dolls #2

CALAMITY JACK climbed the Amazon rankings yesterday, all the way to the #12 spot in Children's Comics! I've been told numerous times that Amazon rankings mean nothing--but hey--the #12 spot! That's BONE and Wimpy Kid territory! Thanks to everyone who ordered a copy on launch day.

Yesterday I announced that I would draw a custom, cartoon portrait of anyone who sends me a photo of their copy of CALAMITY JACK during launch week--I'm sticking to it, so send those pics! This isn't like those silly "Cartoon Yourself" ads you see advertised on website banners, this is a professional custom illustration by me--if you were a publisher, this would cost you several hundreds of dollars! Well, several tens of dollars anyway. Keep them coming!

Tomorrow we start on Jack's outfits.

Spotted in the Wild: A CALAMITY JACK!

Take a look at this:
That's a CALAMITY JACK launch day purchase!

Last month I said I'd do a custom blog banner for the first person to send me a photo of Jack in a retail setting. Which means Juliana is our winner! Congratulations Juliana! Be thinking of what you'd like, and we'll put it together.

As an added bonus, to celebrate the launch, I'll happily do an avatar spot for everyone who sends me a photo of their copy of Calamity Jack this week. From now til' next Tuesday, I'll do a custom spot illa-ma-stration of you for online avatar use (or any other use!) Send your Calamity Jack photos to nathan@spacestationnathan.com

CALAMITY JACK Launch Week! Paper Dolls #1

Here it is, CALAMITY JACK Launch Day!

First, here are some nice things reviewers are saying about JACK:

"...a charming update of Jack and Beanstalk... The dynamic artwork fits well with Jack and Rapunzel's quick tongues, as they flirt their way through numerous hair-raising situations. " --Publishers Weekly

“Nathan Hale’s artwork again places the action in a fairy-tale version of the American West, now with the city as backdrop. His character sketches are delightfully expressive, and the book has the same rich palette as the previous story. It should satisfy readers who enjoy adventure, fairy tales, and anyone who loves a rogue.”–School Library Journal

“Nathan Hale’s art gives it a steampunk twist, and the addition of fairy-tale creatures like giants and pixies is natural and convincing. Shannon and Dean Hale have done an excellent job stretching the bones of the traditional fable into a high-action coming-of-age story that will keep young teen readers excited and engaged.” - Booklist

“...the Hales provide a truly refreshing and fun version of the rascal. This Jack has American Indian roots and is roguish without the cruel or arrogant undertones sometimes present in other stories. Also, unlike in Rapunzel's single and well-defined traditional story, the Hales have more leeway here with Jack's beanstalk tale, keeping the giants and widowed mother but ditching the cow and adding a more flavorful background better in keeping with the setting. Nathan Hale (no relation) continues to draw in a clear and energetic style equally suited to the steampunk city as to the Wild West. Fans of the previous book will be happy to see this new installment, which should handily garner new fans as well.”—VOYA

Pretty cool huh? I condensed these reviews and made sure to take any spoilers out. But very nice reviews all around!

When RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE launched, I built some paper dolls featuring Rapunzel and her many action outfits from the book (as well as a few extra suits for fun--you can get them by clicking the Rapunzel Paper Doll link, on under the Activities bar on the right--they are pdf files you can print and color.)

To continue the tradition, I've now got a set of CALAMITY JACK paper dolls. I'll kick it off with a new Rapunzel outfit (don't worry, this time we'll do Jack's outfits too) I'll post two a day until the release party this Saturday. Click and print (or wait until I post them as PDFs on the sidebar.)

Happy CALAMITY JACK Launch Day!

Lazy 2010

January 4th is here at last! To be honest, I don't think I enjoyed taking such a long break from the comics. Well, I enjoyed it, but I didn't enjoy it, you know? I don't know if I'll take such a long holiday break next year. If you missed it, I did do a long-winded "Year in Review" post on New Year's Eve. Scroll down to see that.

So, CALAMITY JACK, the sequel to RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE hits stores tomorrow! Or ships tomorrow if you pre-ordered. We'll be having a big launch party for it this weekend, are you ready? Here are the details:

Foothill-Anderson Library in Salt Lake City, Saturday, January 9, at 2 pm. Shannon and Dean will be there, I'll be doing a special presentation on the creation of the CALAMITY JACK illustrations--it should be very exciting. This is one of those few times you can get the ultra-rare TRIPLE SIGNED copy of Rapunzel and/or Calamity Jack.

Okay, back in the webcomicking saddle! Feels good! The CALAMITY JACK material starts tomorrow!