Today’s sketch is of HAUSER— the leader of the bounty hunters sent by MALESUR to confront our heroes and wrest from their control the mystical amulet (which was really the centerpiece and focus of the entire first series) in TELLOS issue #3. HAUSER is a pivotal character to the story of TELLOS in many ways. He came very close to killing KOJ in issue 5– which set up what I would call the ‘interlude’ issues of #6 and #7. In those issues, things slowed down as the gang waited to see whether KOJ would indeed live or die from his wounds. We got a lot of insight into the relationships some of the characters like SERRA and HAWKE had that had only been hinted at in earlier issues. It also brought THOM the wizard back into the picture to lay out the path for our heroes that sent them toward their final confrontation with the dark young wizard MALESUR. We also saw MALESUR’S…. reaction… toward HAUSER due to his failure to capture the all-important amulet. Anyone who has read the subsequent prestige format one-shots and the TALES OF TELLOS mini series will know that HAUSER continues to play an important role that will have repercussions well into future stories. (And those of you who might NOT have read these stories… well, what are you waiting for…?)

Speaking of TELLOS…..

LOOK WHAT I’VE GOT….!!!!!!

After Wednesday’s post, several people asked about the status of the TELLOS oversized (COLOSSAL) hardcover collection. Well, yesterday the FedEx guy delivered a copy to my doorstep from the folks at IMAGE. Needless to say, I was thrilled to open the package and see the hardcover in all its glory…! I can tell you this– the book will be in stores next month. Whether that’s the beginning, middle or end of August, I don’t really know… and I have to apologize for the delay. I just hope that everyone who’s been waiting thinks, when they see the final product, that it’s worth the wait. I might be biased (natch)– but I certainly feel like it is….!

And finally…

One of the sweetest surprises that came out of this past HEREOS CON was this portrait of my cat CHARLIE… with a fairy on his head… that my friend Karalyn Johnson gave me as a gift. I had emailed Karalyn a few pictures of Charlie many months back to show her what he looked like, and in one of them– the one she used for this cute painting– Charlie looked quite annoyed. It was as though he’d had just enough of me taking his picture. Karalyn added a fairy lounging on the top of his head… and I just thought it was a wonderful touch. I’ve known Karalyn for something like 13 years… and Karalyn… I just can’t thank you enough for this sweet portrait of my bestest buddy….! You can see more of Karalyn’s work at her web site HERE!

OK… that’s it for another week. Have a great weekend, all.

This is Entry 403.

Mike