This is what I have to do before “How Mirka Got A Sword” is complete

My “to do” list (posted so I can have it written down somewhere I won’t lose). I’ll strike out things as I complete them.

This is what I have to do before “How Mirka Got A Sword” is complete:

1) Ink and color pages 44-57. (All the pages up to 43 are complete. Pages 44-57 are penciled. 57 is the last page.)

1a) Ink and color 44-45.
1b) Ink and color 46-47.
1c) Ink and color 48.
1d) Ink and color 49.
1e) Ink and color 50.
1f) Ink and color 51.
1g) Ink and color 52.
1h) Ink and color 53.
1i) Ink and color 54.
1j) Ink and color 55.
1k) Ink and color 56.
1l) Ink and color 57.

2) Replace page 12 with 2 new pages.
(I crossed this off after I decided to keep the current page 12.)

3) Redraw Mirka’s younger sister to be about a foot shorter in panel 2 of page 19. Her ridiculously long midsection has annoyed me for years, every time I look at page 19.

4) Replace page 20 with two new pages, expanding the storytelling so that even those few readers who aren’t observant Jews will be able to follow that the ceremony involves putting the candle out in the wine.
(I fixed this problem with a much easier solution — I put in a caption explaining that the candle is being put out in the wine.)

5) While I’m at it, redraw Mirka’s dad so he no longer looks like he’s her Zayde (grandfather), on pages 18, 20 (to be replaced anyhow, see “to do” #4) and 21.
(I found a much simpler solution: I’ve decided that the old gentleman pictured is Mirka’s Zayde.)

6) Reletter pages 1 – 25.

7) Draw the cover.

8 ) Figure out and draw the “Hereville” lettering for the cover.

9) Decide if I’m going to print this as two issues or to print it as one comic.

I know — printing as one comic is better. But saddle-stapled comics from print-on-demand places like Lulu and Kablam are a maximum of 52 pages; and stepping up to squarebound means stepping up the price significantly. I don’t think many people at cons or whatever would be willing to page $12 for a 59 page comic. Plus, I’ll be giving lots of copies away — probably more than I ever sell — and it’s more affordable to do that if I print it in two issues.

Anyhow, still considering…

10) If I draw it in two issues, draw the cover for issue two.

11) Figure out how many copies to print.

12) Get all of the above finished in time to get it to a printer a few weeks before the last weekend in April, when Stumptown takes place.

13) Set up a webcomicsnation page for Hereville.

After that, I can start drawing the next “Hereville” story, which focuses on one of Mirka’s older sisters, a girl who risks scandal by — gasp! — singing in front of a boy! I know, I know — I’m just trying to get easy sales by relying on t&a.

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