Well, I'm not even going to try coloring anything in Astonishing Fiction for a while. The next few issues will be entirely in black and white without being colored and then printed in greyscale. The reasons for this vary, but basically, color cost more to print and thus cost more to buy. Also, since I can't compete with the Photoshop/Digital color stuff and the special effects possible only by a guy using a machine, I've decided not to even try. Besides, I've noticed, when original drawings of some of these machine colored comic pages are actually available (or exist to begin with), they're not very impressive without their digital coloring.

Black and white is an area where an artist's work has to stand on its own and many people seem more impressed with my work in black and white than in color.

Anyway, here's some pages from Astonishing Fiction #4. Although what's in the comic stores are the black and white greyscale versions, this is the last issue for a while with a color copy available. I was tempted to throw up a page or two from A.F #5 so you could get a preview of my black and white work, but I decided not to until later. Remember, this is a HAND colored comic. Don't expect to see anything like the Photoshop stuff you see everywhere else. Enjoy.

I've completed issue #2 of ASTONISHING FICTION both issues #1 and #2 are in local comic stores now. Because of cost, my comics are being printed in black and white. These are previews of the first and second stories in the comic.

     I changed the book's title to ASTONISHING FICTION. The feature title is still MUTANTS OF BAIN, though. The reason for this was that I decided I wanted to be able to do other novels I've written and other little stories I might make up, rather than just be locked into one.
     I haven't gotten a real website up yet because I'm still entertaining the idea of having a publisher who publishes "Creator Owned" work pick me up. I've sent my work to one already, but as yet have not received a reply. However, more and more, I'm thinking of just doing it all myself. Don't be surprised if you see a real web page for Darryl T. Mallard's works one day where you can read and order directly from me. That is a lot of work though.
     Right now, I'm pushing my books to select local comic stores in my area and getting ready for a local comic convention. I have both issues #1 and #2. Issue two probably won't be available on any store shelf until a month or more after one, but it will be available at this convention. I must remind folks that I'm doing everything myself mostly and I also have a full-time job... be patient. Issue #2 is here primarily as a "COMING SOON" image. So, anyone who wants a copy before its real store release needs to be at the Brass City Comic Con in Waterbury CT. U.S.A, April 30th... maybe. I've been promised by my printer that the copies would be ready and in my hands by then, but I'm just covering my ass with you guys just in case they're not.
     Again, thanks to all who come here, and I'll keep you posted.

     Well, I've completed 112 pages, broken up into five parts. I did it this way to have five issues ready for print or one decent trade/graphic novel. Now comes the hard part, finding a publisher who'll allow me to keep ownership of my work. I've sent out my work to a potential publisher already. I'll be contacting more after a while if I recieve no word. I'm already working on issue six, or issue two if they want it in graphic novel form, but the first five parts make up the prologue and first chapter of the original novel. It is my intent to follow the book in this way. And that will be a lot of issues seeing how Mutants of Bain had twenty chapters and an epilogue...plus two other books afterwards.
     Anyway, I haven't forgotten you guys or died. Hopefully, I'll be able to tell you that my work is now available to purchase and in comic stores, newsstands, etc in the not too distant future.