We have a saying in rock-n-roll that I'm sure you've heard before - "One rock show can change the world." It's been about a year since my hard drive crashed and I lost all the progress I'd made on SCD. I refocused on Absinthe Junk because the sheer thought of having to redraw Chapter 8 again to get it back into a high resolution state was too much to even think about, not to mention parts of Chapter 7 and Chapter 1. But over the last several weeks it got a little less quiet in ol' Duder's head here. Old friends reappeared to say the least and I could hear their smartass silver tongues echoing behind my own thoughts in conversation.

It sucks but it had to happen. I had to be able to walk away from SCD which had taken a substantial blow and slowly work out the important details. Over the last five or so years with this project the real reason behind why I've done it has become clouded with bullshit like how we're gong to cover the next print edition, who should be on the next t-shirt. Recently Absinthe Junk fell to a level of broke that should have scared me to death but instead all I cared about was getting stage time. And over the last few weeks I've realized all the stupid bullshit overshadowed the real reason I should have been here in the first place- the story.

So I had to walk away so I could come back today with this. I don't have to redraw Chapter 8 or Chapter 1 or Chapter whatever. That's insane and stupid. I don't have to release a print edition. What I have to do is finish this story because I love it. This image of Juno is of a Juno you haven't met yet - a Juno that I consider to be one of the most complex characters I've ever written. And I want to get there. I want you to see how she becomes this person.

Obviously, I have a hectic schedule. I still tour, I still have Absinthe Junk. But drawing this last night felt so good - I smiled a lot of the time. In fact, Juno was actually doing her typical scowl 'Die fucker' look but I changed it to a little smirk. That's where I'm at and that's what I leave you with. I want to be here. And the next page of Chapter 8 will be done as soon as I can get it done. You might consider refreshing yourself.

<3 always,
Juno Blair B