The Null Device
A lone agent must transmit data into enemy territory, fight an army, rescue a damsel in distress and save the world. Published in Outbound, a science fiction anthology by the Boston Comics Roundtable
Inky Stories #6: Front Cover
About This Cover
Since computing and UNIX are a big part of the story, this issue's visual design is based on the O'Reilly tech manuals. O'Reilly stopped selling printed books in 2017, saying sales declined since 2001. The internet is a faster and more reliable source for technical advice these days.
The O'Reilly legacy lives on as O'RLY parody covers. There's a public O'RLY cover generator, and a collection of covers written by Ben E. C. Boyter. Below are just a few of my favorites.
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Inky Stories #6: Agent K UNIX Tips
Inky Stories #6: Inman Square variant front cover
Inky Stories #6: pulp variant front cover
Story Notes
This story is loosely based on "Soaked", my unfinished 24-hour comic of 2007. I really wanted to work on a comic for Spring of 2008, and started adding the missing lettering to "Soaked". Since this is an unethical violation of the 24-Hour Comics, I decided to create an entirely new story based on "Soaked".
The new script was researched and developed from March to October 2008. I tried expressing the irrational dreamscape qualtiy of "Soaked" with just enough realism to make it coherent. To that end, I needed a greater understanding of computing. Research started off as an unfocused time drain, but was ultimately saved by nearby MIT geeks eager to provide some much-needed direction. The plot, actions and even the new title are a direct result of their input.
Working in parallel with script development, I made the art from April 2008 to January 2009. Visual research included technology, war zones, weapons, military uniforms, software and more. Each page was created one at a time, digitally "pencilled" tightly as if someone else were inking it. I "inked" each page as if it came from another artist. With new research and script revisions, and working around my full time day job, each page took at least 2 weeks to draw.
Like "Zip’s Last Day" and "Dead by the Pool", no trees were harmed in the production or creation of this comic.
Dave M!, dot-dot-slashing his way to your root.