Welp, it's break week.  On the one hand, I don't like taking a knee.  On the other, I'm literally holding the Mighty Kong in one hand while typing this with the other, so, yeah, break week is a bit of a necessary evil.  Bright side, I should be able to squirrel away enough time this week to have a pretty good start on next week.  Maybe.                                                                    
One thing I didn't really talk about in my previous blog entry was the idea of identity.  I have spent 20 Years doing this TORC Press thing, and the whole time I've struggled with my identity.  Who am I, really?  Am I an Artist or a Writer?  What kind of artist or writer am I?  Am I a Horror Guy, a Comedy Guy, a Satirist, a Surrealist, a Fine Artist, or a Hack?  For two decades I have struggled with this concept of not only my own identity, but also the identity of my publishing house.   Throw in the continual existential question of how can a publishing even exist for twenty years with a readership of about ten people, and you have a serious mental quagmire.
Not so long ago I designed a new logo for TORC Press (see above, obviously).  At the time, I was just running with an idea I had (which is pretty much how I do everything), but as I've spent the last few weeks being used as a living bed for another organism, I've had some time to think, and I've come to realize that the seemingly innocuous design I created is actually the truth of my identity.
So, who am I?
I am a Cartoonist.  I'm not a great Artist or a particularly good writer.  I've been out on the road long enough to understand that not a lot of people are drawn to my art style.  My lack of formal training is obvious, as is my lack of skill in the digital presentation aspect of art.  I don't get hired for art jobs or commissions.  Same goes for my writing.  At this stage I only know how to improvise, working fast and loose (I tried writing a script for a Dolphin Bros story and couldn't get past the second page).  In the era of Tom King and other serious comics writers, that nonsense don't fly.
What I do well is the grind.  I have accidentally spent years honing my skill of creating small, self contained narratives.  The comic strip is the ultimate expression of this unique skill.  I love the labor of it, working fast and loose, letting my imaginary friends breathe and live, one panel at a time.  Ironically, after years of desiring to create a True Comix Epic, the strips have given me this twice, as both Quixote and Dolphins have morphed into these sprawling cartoon epics.  Who knew?
I am TORC Press.  I am a Small Press Comics publisher.  I like standing on my own two feet, being my own man, my own boss.  I already have a day job where people tell me what to do (which I don't mind.  It's a great job, and I work with good people), but in my studio my only boss is me (and maybe Mei and Kong...).  I like my tiny, silly little kingdom.  
I make Entertaining Comics.  After years of struggling with this aspect of my identity (I'm Splatterpunk!  No, I'm a Superhero Guy!  No, a Surrealist!  I'm Cosmic!  Psychedelic!  Autobio!  Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!), I've found the essential aspects of what I am and what I do.  I make fun, entertaining comics.  That's it.  That's not to say my politics or spirituality aren't gonna slip into my narratives from time to time, but that's not the focus.  The focus is fun.  
All of which I feel is conveyed in my new logo.
Anyway, October marks the 20th Anniversary of TORC Press.  I'd like to thank everyone that's supported my work over the last two decades.  I hope to keep making my own particular brand of entertaining comics for many years to come, and I hope you continue to come along for the ride.