Just Joel

One of the issues that I ran into was the layout on page 13. I wanted to include a actual photo from my childhood to give the material a bit of an extra kick. However, including the photo left this bit of empty space that I just didn’t like. I tried centering the pic, I tried making it bigger- I even tried typing in, “See? I’m not making it up!”.

But those options all seemed “cheap” somehow. Friends and family have entrusted me with their likeness for this book. I want to honor that by giving this work my best effort. No excuses. No shortcuts. Just the very best that I can do. After all, this book isn’t just about me, it is me (more or less).

So I decided to make even more extra art to fill in the space. I wanted to keep it relevant to what the subject matter for the rest of the page is. After some sketching, I decided on Joely Boy in his “Boy-At-Arms” outfit. But here he’s owning it which will hopefully make him seem a little less like an ungrateful brat!

Insert the image into the dead space and now you have yet another page of awesome Just Joel artwork that you’d be CRAZY not to purchase!

And now onto page 14!

Also, I’ve decided to re-title the book to “Volume One: Just For Starters” instead of just “Volume One”. My thinking here was that someone see’s the cover and likes the art. They might even be thinking, “What/Who the heck is Just Joel?” So when they flip the book over they not only get their answer but a taste of what’s inside.

Result: INSTANT PURCHASE. Or at least that’s the plan.

If anyone out there would like offer their two cents, I’m all ears. No really, have you seen them?? I can pick up satellite radio for free with these things!

Here is the cover for the first collection of Just Joel comic strips! I am now going to get to work on the back cover and then I’ll be onto the home stretch of the completion process! Looking forward to it!