Jon Chad: Professional Pinball Artist!

When Jon and I first decided to start a pinball zine, one of the first ideas that we agreed had to be in the zine was our own "Dream Machines."  We each drew a dream machine for every issue of Drop Target.  For me, these were incredibly difficult drawings and I had to base all of my designs on pre-existing pinball machines, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to figure out how things worked.

Jon, on the other hand, seemed to knock out dream machines with ease, drawing his much smaller and more quickly than I could, and with far more inventive uses of the pinball medium.  Jon is one of those cartoonists who has a strong, unique style that is instantly recognizable and he can draw anything.  He is in a league all his own.

It therefore came as no surprise to me, that Jon recently crossed the line from dreams into reality, when he drew the actual art for a real pinball machine, The Jetsons, which will be released soon by Spooky Pinball.  Below are some photos of the game, which were released recently.  JON DREW ALL OF THAT STUFF!

I guess dreams really do come true!  ;)  Below is a gameplay video that went up on YouTube recently.  I can't wait to play this thing someday, and see all of that gorgeous art up close.  I am so proud of Jon.

Jon is going to draw a comic about his experience creating the art for this real pinball machine, which will be included in the DROP TARGET OMNIBUS book, which should be out later this year.  But more on that later.....

The first printing of DTZ #7 has SOLD OUT!

Hello, pinball fans.  The first printing of Drop Target #7 has sold out!  We are now offering copies of the second printing of Drop Target #7 for sale on the DTZ #7 page.  These have a dollar knocked off the cover price, but they are also printed with a plain white cover and have a standard 8.5" x 11" grayscale center spread, instead of the cool 8.5" x 14" full color center spread and the screen printed metallic cover stock of the first edition.

If you missed out on the first edition but would like to track down a copy, our friends at Radiator Comics still have copies available - get them before they're all gone!

DTZ Shirts Available for Online Ordering!

If you haven't seen, there is a tab at the top of this blog that says DTZ extras!  There, you will find information on how you can order your very own DTZ shirt!  Check them out!

Show your DTZ love with a Drop Target shirt! Handmade by Jon Chad in the summer of 2015 to commemorate the last issue of DTZ. The shirts come in Small - 2XL. Email Jon Chad at jonchad [dot] comics [at] gmail [dot] com to check on shirt size availability. Each one costs $10 + $3 shipping.

Drop Target #7 is now available for online ordering!

Well, a few boxes of Drop Target #7 arrived at my new place today.  It happened to also be the day I got my internet connection set up.  This seemed like serendipity, so I'm putting them up for sale... TONIGHT!

You can head over to the DTZ #7 page to order a copy.  Below is a rundown of all the goodies in this, our final issue.

DROP TARGET #7 - The Future Issue
64 pages - 5.5" x 8.5" - B&W printing
First Printing: 8.5" x 14" full-color centerfold, screenprinted cover on metallic silver paper!

FEATURING:

- BANG BACKS: Re-theming Pinball Machines

- VIDEO MODE: Special When Lit

- TILT TALK: Gerry Stellenberg / P3 an interview by Ryan Claytor!
- SPECIAL WHEN LITERATURE: Pinball Zines and Podcasts

- DIVERSIFY PINBALL, PLEASE!  A Plea by Alec Longstreth
- DREAM MACHINES: Megaman II by Jon Chad, Troll 2 by Liz Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by Alec Longstreth

- REPLAY REVIEW: Wizard of Oz (Jersey Jack, 2013)

- PINHALLS: Everywhere You Look - Portland, OR

- FROM ZEROS TO HEROES: Moving Forward - A comic by Jon Chad

Since Drop Target is wrapping up with this issue, Jon Chad and I are trying to clear out some old stock, so the first 25 people to order a copy of Drop Target #7 will also get a DTZ button pack and a Skill Shot lighter sticker, drawn by Jon - for free!  (all gone!)

Although we are wrapping up the zine, our pinball adventure is far from over!  We still have a few pinball publishing projects in the pipeline and if anything, the pace of this blog might pick up a bit now that we don't have to put together the next issue of DTZ.

Thanks everyone for your wonderful support over the last five years.  It has been an amazing experience for both Jon and I, and it has been a blast sharing our enthusiasm for pinball with this incredible community!

DTZ #7 is getting close...

Jon and I spent the last two weeks in Vermont, teaching summer workshops at The Center for Cartoon Studies.  After each long day of teaching we would drag ourselves up to the studio to spend the rest of the night putting Drop Target #7 together.  Our initial goal was to try and finish the zine during those two weeks, but unfortunately we were not able to get it done...  There were just not enough hours in each day!

All that being said, we're very close to being done!  Jon is heading off to Europe for a few weeks and by the time he gets back I will have all of my assets done and then we'll be able to finalize the layout.  Our plan is to debut the zine at Replay FX at the end of July, which Jon will be tabling at, and then it will be available here on our website in early August.

Thank you, dear readers, for your patience and we hope that this final issue will be worth the wait.  Okay, I better get back to it!

DTZ orders delayed until June 3rd!

Hi everyone, just a quick head's up to let you know that I am heading to England for two weeks on my honeymoon.  Any DTZ orders that come in while I am gone will be sent out upon my return, on June 3rd.  Sorry for the delay and thanks in advance for your patience!

Getting Started

Very excited to start working on DTZ#7.  At the beginning, Alec and I share a blank folder and start filling it up.  I always have the thought, "oh, this should be easy!  Every issue gets easier than the last, right?'  Spoiler, the answer is no.

This issue is going to be a blast!  We have a lot of rad stuff planned!

Radiator Comics is now carrying Drop Target!

Our pal Neil over at Radiator Comics has started carrying Drop Target! This is cool for a couple of reasons:  1)  Radiator Comics also carries a nice selection of Alec Longstreth minicomics and Jon Chad minicomics.  So if you're a hardcore Drop Target reader, but have never checked out our other work, you can now order both of our work from one website!  2) Radiator also carries work by dozens of other great cartoonists and zinesters so you can find your new favorite minicomic or zine while you are picking up some back issues of Drop Target.  Check it out!

First Printings of DTZ 2-5 still around!

I was poking around the Portland Buttonworks site looking at the fine buttons they make, and I found that they still have copies from the first printing of DTZ issues 2, 3, 4, and 5.  Are you new to the DTZ train?  The first printings of our issues have a screenprinted cover and a FOLD-OUT color insert.  At the Small Press Exposition last month, Alec and I sold out of the first printings of all our issues, except the newest one, so this might be your last chance to snag a first printing!

Link to issues HERE