Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Fighting crime in'nt cheap, you know?

C'mon, guys.  Somebody must understand this shit.  Soto makes a little money off TLC.  

How does this work?

I'll take any and all advice.  

57 comments:

Seven of Six said...

First, you don't even have an address up... do you have a pay-pal account?

Hell, now he wants to make money off it... once the economy went to shit!

gone said...

Cool! I was just going to say you need to have comments and here you are! That's a start. You gotta network. That's why I thought you might like Kung Fu monkey, cos there're a bunch of writers that hang out there. And there's lots of other places to hang out and work your way into the scenery until you start asking people to look at your stuff. And always have a link in your name, cos people really do click on the names. Check out how many times your blogger profile is viewed. Unless you're constantly in there changing things around. I noticed Judith put us on her 'follow' list, which I'd never thought to do with my favorites.

SoS, I was shocked to hear the dKos raked in a million last year. Fuck! But you're right - put up a paypal button, though you do have to generate traffic. Of course, a myspace page, and facebook, but you have to keep 'em up to date. It takes networking, talking to other people online. There's gotta be comix networks. I've been reading Tom Tomorrow for years, actually. I'd say get yourself copywrited if you're going to really make a go of it - or is it trademarked? You also need comments on the site. To keep people coming, they'll want to react right there. They won't stick around and meet there if there's no coffee bar the gather in.

gone said...

Hey, you could do a comic of snark in the Colber Repor audience wearing a hawaiian shirt. MV could be Stephen's guest.

snark said...

If I wasn't married I'd be really interested in getting to know Salma Hayek's tits better.

The Masked Vigilante said...

I don't mean to be a sell out or anything, but I can play guitar at home. If I'm gonna stand on the street with my nuts out and play guitar for whoever walks by, I'm prolly gonna flip the case open and try to make a few bucks, right?

Thank you for Kung Fu Monkey -- I thought about that today but couldn't remember the name you suggested.

And yeah, I'll bring back the vote buttons and a PayPal button. Plus little links to Facebook, myspace, comic space, etc. Which I'll have to keep current and do additional drawings for the vote buttons -- the Multiplex guy calls them "incentive comics".

Right now I have no working stats, so I have no idea how much traffic I'm getting. There was a time when I networked my way into an international community of journal comics guys and I got hits from 40 countries.

Some of those guys stopped doing journal comics and moved on to stuff they now sell directly from their site. And eventually the community disintegrated.

What about ads? How does that work?

The Masked Vigilante said...

Comments! Great idea. There must be shareware out on the Internets for that kinda thing.

snark said...

Hey!

They moved Steve Martin up to tomorrow's Colbert Report!

Woohoo!

gone said...

No, really? How totally cool! You got to get there early and get a front seat. This is going to be so great. Yay for you, snark!

gone said...

And don't forget the Hawaiian shirt, so we know which one is you!

gone said...

If I wasn't married I'd be really interested in getting to know Salma Hayek's tits better.

More mesmerizing than a bunny with pancakes on its head?

snark said...

That's a tough one...

...but I'll go ahead and say yeah.

gone said...

So...to keep the bounteous pictures coming, you'll agree to the Hawaiian shirt plan, right?

snark said...

Sorry. I don't own one. I don"t think they ever show the audience anyway. Do they?

gone said...

Sure, when he introduces his guest, he walks past the audience to accept the applause, and they show the whole audience then. It's a couple seconds, but hey, it's a brush with greatness. I'm curious how the warm up goes, myself.

gone said...

When does it start? Around 6? They tape it, right?

Seven of Six said...

If I wasn't married I'd be really interested in getting to know Salma Hayek's tits better.

Sorry snark, I slobbered all over them... I eventually had to come up for air.

Saw Steve Martin back in the 70's, what an entertaining guy he is. He was still hustling, opening rock concerts and such. Plays a mean banjo!

Up early... as nightmares returned.

The Masked Vigilante said...

Sorry snark, I slobbered all over them... I eventually had to come up for air.

You motorboatin' sunnova bitch! You old sailor!

Up early... as nightmares returned.

Fuck! In the last one you were a young Chuck Heston in Thunderdome, kicking ass and rescuing maidens! What happened?

Steve Martin!! What a writer too. He reads his own novels for the audio CDs and I have Shopgirl and The Pleasure of My Company, both excellent.

As an actor, I'd like to see him in another Mamet movie (The Spanish Prisoner) and in more films that he writes himself (Roxanne, L.A. Story, Bowfinger)

Sometimes he makes bad choices for the paychecks. Still, someone I'd like to meet, or at least see live from the studio audience at a teevee show!!

gone said...

as nightmares returned.

I'm sorry, SoS, it wasn't us talking about dreams, was it? 'Course you've got a lot of stress goin' on, too. Hope you get in a power nap today!

Seven of Six said...

Just got an hour nap... still tired.

This time it was full on war shit, getting shot at, dodging this and that, things that go boom in the night... dealing with stupid pricks in the heat of battle.

Enjoy the day guys... I'll read a few other blogs then I'm over to Mom and Dads.

The Masked Vigilante said...

Now THAT'S a nightmare. Dang.

gone said...

Yeah, it sure is. Take care o' yourself SoS!

Anyone else with gmail having problems? Fookin' google shit!

Seven of Six said...

Now THAT'S a nightmare.

That's my recurring dream... I don't like it one bit!

See this is the kind of shit that would happen and I'd end up calling off work... totally fuck my day up.

I haven't had one in awhile so I guess I was due. Fight or flight... my back felt better this morning.

Time to talk about tits and ass, music, bongs... Atomic Fire Balls?

gone said...

As you wish, darlin'!

So, how do we get the rubes, I mean, customers to storm MV's site and buy up all his comix on tshirts and shit?

gone said...

I've always thought that there's a ready made market for the fundie types - you could put a jesus fish on a garbage bag and they'll buy it. I was thinking of doing another Left Behind series, and makin' billions. They'll buy a pile o' shit, if it's shaped like the virgin Mary. It doesn't even have to look like it, all ya gotta do is say it looks like Mary.

gone said...

Ah, now I know why gmail was down. They were "upgrading." I'm fucking sick of "upgrading." It doesn't mean things'll work better, it just means there's more buttons to push and 10 pages in the -online- manual added for each button. Can I just have a copy machine that copies??? or a postage machine that fookin' puts a stamp on an envelope? We just got two new machines, and both of them are so complex with so much useless shit on 'em, they're virtually unusable. Really, does every envelope need a flag onnit? Oy~!

Seven of Six said...

Ok, MV has to corner the fundie comix market... turn into a new improved, crime fighting, Jesus loving, Masked Vigilante... show some praying hands... then, "KA-POW!"... cross around the neck... on his knees praying... surprise, "BLITZ-KICK!". His other life is a mild mannered priest... those confessions lead to some busy crime fighting days!

gone said...

Oooh, I like that! Jack Bauer Jesus! The militant xtian soldiers would love the shit out of it!

The Masked Vigilante said...

Time to talk about tits and ass, music, bongs... Atomic Fire Balls?

I just read a great article in Rolling Stone about one of those female teachers who was shitcanned for sleeping w/ an underage student.

And this kid, he told EVERYBODY. Nobody cared, or they were impressed or jealous. One day the school cop even approached him about it. The kid told the cop everything, after which the cop gave him a high five.

Wow. You smell that? That's a Double Standard funking up the room.

The teacher pled guilty and was banned from teaching in public schools in New Jersey ever again, fined $225, and given probation.

You think a male teacher could ever get off with a slap on the wrist like that?

Getting too political. The article was steamy. She was hot and she liked to touch the boys' biceps and, sometimes, their junk while telling them she could do things to them that no high school girl can do.

Tits, ass, music (he probably made her a mixtape), bongs (he started hitting the bong hard after she ended it with him)...

The only thing that story lacks is Atomic FireBalls.

The Masked Vigilante said...

So, how do we get the rubes, I mean, customers to storm MV's site and buy up all his comix on tshirts and shit?

"Rubes" is actually correct, considering you're one of my biggest fans. 8)

MERCH! Jeff wants a Masked Vigilante action figure. I want tees and hats. And hoodies.

It's just a matter of luring the rubes...

If I get time tonight I'm gonna see if I can figure out how to add the comments. Each comic should have a comments section.

Now, it must be kept in mind that my mom and in-laws read the site, so it'll have to be a slightly different tone than what goes on out here. But I think it would help if I had an expanding community out there to give feedback and shoot the shit.

The Masked Vigilante said...

on his knees praying... surprise, "BLITZ-KICK!"

HA!! No, I can't cater to that group. Besides, I like to call them "zombies" in the comic and punch them in the throat.

BTW: That Flying Spaghetti Monster stuff is pretty funny! A pastafarian!

I'd be more likely to do something like that. I have this idea about a god-like character who can't seem to shake his hordes of worshippers and they infuriate him. I keep trying to throw that character into the mix, so far with no success.

gone said...

You think a male teacher could ever get off with a slap on the wrist like that?

If they ever do get charged, that is. But we don't see it in the news, because it's always crowded out by a female teacher - funny how they're in the news all the time, yet the guy teachers slink away in the local news limbo.

Now, it must be kept in mind that my mom and in-laws read the site, so it'll have to be a slightly different tone than what goes on out here.

So, more T&A then?

gone said...

I'd be more likely to do something like that. I have this idea about a god-like character who can't seem to shake his hordes of worshippers and they infuriate him.

Is his name Brian, by any chance? Follow the gourd!

gone said...

I'd totally buy a MV hoodie!

The Masked Vigilante said...

If they ever do get charged, that is. But we don't see it in the news, because it's always crowded out by a female teacher - funny how they're in the news all the time, yet the guy teachers slink away in the local news limbo.

I know men DO get charged, and with actual sex crime felonies, but you're right -- we don't hear about it. It's not as sexy a story. In fact, it's not sexy at all.

Is his name Brian, by any chance? Follow the gourd!

Heh. No, it's Paul. Which in itself is actually too Biblical a name.

Nah, I can't court the fundie crowd. I'd never be able to sleep with myself again. Man's gotta have integrity.

Shopgirl wants me to do a children's book based off this comic I did back in Feb 07.

Each page would be a drawing of something Yellow Dog loves.

Yellow Dog loves to dance with the vacuum cleaner, Yellow Dog loves to clean the ears of all visitors, stuff like that.

I should. It was a great idea when she had it and it's a great idea two years later.

The Masked Vigilante said...

I'd totally buy a MV hoodie!

Right?? I would too. With a headshot on the front and the URL across the back? That would kick ass!

But these things are expensive so I'd have to build the fan base to make it worthwhile.

And I wouldn't go cheap either. If it's gonna bear the Masked Vigilante name, it's gotta be a quality hoodie. 8)

gone said...

it's gotta be a quality hoodie. 8)

No kidding! I look forward to the day! I used to paint tshirts for fun - I'd make a copy of an album cover, then draw the outlines with an iron on pencil and paint whatever color I wanted. Lotta work but still cheaper and better than the plastic storebought crap.

And they yellow dog idea is brilliant - both kids and adult dog lovers would buy it! Go for it, dude!

Anjha said...

Hey SoS, do you tend to have those crap dreams after taking muscle relaxers? I can't take the muscle relaxers - the whole class of meds is banned from my reportoire...they just fuck me up; all manic and shit, including the bad dreams.

Try a valuim instead of a muscle relaxer next time. No side effects and easy peasy.

I has to go to the doctor today which sucks because it is such a big ordeal. I have to shower. Then I have to put actual clothes on. Then I have to drive...a whole 7 miles or some such shit....both ways. Then I have to deal with the man, tell him the news, cry a bit (cause I always do out of frustration.) Then I have to drag my ass the whole 7 miles back home and I am too worn out from it to do any other thing all day.

It sucks.

MV. I got some ideas and I gots me some connections. I just do not have time at this moment.

Is your email address located anywhere around here?

Anjha said...

If it's gonna bear the Masked Vigilante name, it's gotta be a quality hoodie. 8)

And UNION made in America?

Seven of Six said...

I'd totally buy a MV hoodie!

I'd buy one for my son... if other kids saw him wearing one they would all be interested. 100% cotton!

Love the Yellow Dog idea!

The Masked Vigilante said...

Is your email address located anywhere around here?

I dunno, but it's bd@maskedvigilante.com.

And UNION made in America?

Nothing but. No Chinese-made crap for me, thanks.

And they yellow dog idea is brilliant - both kids and adult dog lovers would buy it! Go for it, dude!

Love the Yellow Dog idea!

Okay, sold. I'll get off my ass (or ON my ass, more accurately) and do it. Why not? It'll be my tribute to the dog who has saved my life countless times. I owe her everything.

The Masked Vigilante said...

I has to go to the doctor today which sucks because it is such a big ordeal.

You really are depressed, aren't you? That paragraph sounds very familiar to me. It's so awful how the simplest things -- that everybody else seems to be able to knock off without a thought -- are sooooo exhausting just thinking about them.

Things I can't do because I know doing them will send me into a tailspin that takes weeks to pull out of.

Yeah, I hear ya.

Seven of Six said...

Hey SoS, do you tend to have those crap dreams after taking muscle relaxers?

Not really... I'm in depressed survival mode right now... fight or flight... so I'm fighting.

Try a valuim instead of a muscle relaxer next time.

I used to take Xanax for 15 years... I got here to AZ and the VA switched me to Ativan... more or less the same. I got everything to help me sleep... it's certain times... who knows, maybe it was the question on taxes about being in the military or if I was disabled.
Perhaps the rerun of The Unit I watched from my DVR. 'Cept I was just a simple soldier.

Seven of Six said...

SNARK!! Have fun tonight at the Colbert Report... say hi to both Steve's!

The Masked Vigilante said...

Perhaps the rerun of The Unit I watched from my DVR. 'Cept I was just a simple soldier.

I love that show. I'm a few weeks behind, but the two-part episode where they go to rescue Jonah's daughter was fucking brilliant.

gone said...

It'll be my tribute to the dog who has saved my life countless times. I owe her everything.

See, you've already written the preface.

The Masked Vigilante said...

*tear*

Yeah, you're right.

gone said...

Woohoo! See how easy it is? You're already halfway there. There'll be Yellow Dog cartoons on Fox, and dvd sets and shit. Way cool.

Seven of Six said...

There'll be Yellow Dog cartoons on Fox, and dvd sets and shit.

The new, improved, more advanced Rin Tin Tin! I can't wait... knows and empathizes if you have Cancer, are Bi-Polar, suffer from Tinnutus or have PTSD! Saves children from abusive parents, and will kill pedophiles!

The Masked Vigilante said...

Okay, I did new Yellow Dog comic.

But I'm not going with FOX unless it's a really sweet deal.

gone said...

Aw! She's so cute!

Anjha said...

You really are depressed, aren't you?

Actually I am not all that depressed right now. I was not kidding about the mania a comin...most of the depression right now is situational and fleeting.

What makes going anywhere so difficult is the pain. Chronic fucking pain that exhausts me beyond measure. It hurts to wear clothes and driving has become a disaster because my body does not work for headcheck - so, instead of MASH it is mirror and signal wretch-your-entire-aching-body-around-as-far-as-the-whole-thing-will-move-so-you-can-kind-of-see-the-asshole-in-your-blindspot (which does not make for a good acronymn.)

OK, done for tonight.

See ya.

The Masked Vigilante said...

Aw! She's so cute!

I hate that drawing. I cheated. I googled a vacuum cleaner and a yellow lab dancing, resized them and rotated them, then traced over them.

I'm a tracer!!

I don't feel good about it and am gonna have to replace it now.

gone said...

Bummer, MV, but now you can make her feet cuter like in the doctor comic. I just love them tootsies!

Seven of Six said...

I don't feel good about it and am gonna have to replace it now.

MV, put a little bubble over her head to see what she really thinks the vacumn cleaner is.
Maybe she really doing the "robot" dog dance!

gone said...

Crap, SoS, now I have that Herbie Hancock "song" in my head. Funny idea, though!

The Masked Vigilante said...

Nah, I'm scrapping it. I can't stand to look at it now. Which means I gotta do two comics tonight.

Today's page from my Useless Trivia calendar:

Two out of five husbands tell their wives daily that they love them.

Let's gather the men and see if we can bump that up to at least 4/5.

Meaning it when you say it is always good too. I bet at least one out of five says it with the same earnestness as they say, "Excuse me" after a fart.

gone said...

Well, that's a bummer. I like the idea of the puppers dancing the robot!

Anyhow, I always told my kids that it doesn't matter what you say - show me you mean it.