UPDATE: 4.27.10

Well, a quick pot of coffee and some dental work later, I’m back in fighting shape.  I want to add to what I started on Sunday night, by first saying that the SQL hack seems not to have been a systematic thing, but rather a coincidence.  A number of blogs I read happen to have gotten hacked or near-hacked in the same week, but it seems that the incidents were isolated.  So, call that a bullet dodged – and please, take Douglas Adams’ advice and DON’T PANIC (in big, friendly letters).  However, it just goes to show you that these things can happen, so as ever, a little vigilance goes a long way.

As to the page, I have begin to fear that my little graphical experiment is not quite as successful on the web as it would likely be in print.  Basically, if you can’t follow it (and please help me out here if I’m off-base), there are two parallel storyline going here, with the simultaneous goings-on on either side of the border, with Major Rucker et al doing their thing above, and Mike’s solo assault on the FSR gradually escalating below.  So the top panels are continuous page to page, and likewise the bottom panel, but not the two to each other.  I hoped that was clear but I’ve had a few comments to indicate that it wasn’t.  At this point, though, I’m committed, and right or wrong, I kind of have to follow it through.  And of course, all the more reason to buy the book when it hits print!  Wink wink, nudge nudge, say-no-more.

The addition of aircraft was something I’d been wanting to do for some time.  Aside from the Howler hovercraft, this has been a world free of airpower so far, and I wanted to indicate that the Federates do, in fact, have the ability to defend themselves quite well, even though they’re using technology that’s somewhat archaic compared to the United Nations.  It was also an opportunity to show Mike being effectively blindsided – he’s good, but not invincible.  Only nearly invincible.

And I know I keep saying it, but we really ARE getting close to the end of the chapter here.  I don’t want to reveal too much, of course, but things are getting pretty out of hand here.  And of course, that means it’s getting ever more interesting to draw!

Original Post – 4.26.2010: Mike has been attacked by the Federate Air Force!  Oh, boy, I love drawing airplanes.  And I finally had a chance to add some into this comic, whichhas until now been mostly tank-oriented.  Someone last week mentioned that the artillery shells reminded him of diving aircraft, which was interesting considering this scene, which was already pencilled by then – I kept mum so’s not to ruin the surprise, such as it is!  The plane is my own variation on the Sukhoi Su-35 fighter-bomber, for those who are interested.

Aaaaaand… we’re still on schedule!

This week, I was not working overtime, but rather, fighting some form of bacteriological warfare which has been visited upon me.  Probably by Communists.  You know how those guys are.  And so with that in mind, I’m going to abbreviate this week’s post for the moment.  There are some things I wanted to add in, but this darned cold/flu/allergies/whatever is weighing on me, so discretion being the better part of valor, I’m turning in for now.

Before I go, though – one important word.  There are reports going around of an SQL hack making the rounds on webcomics.  I think 6-Commando is flying under the radar for the moment and I keep it under almost constant maintenance, but it never hurts to be vigilant, so a few things: I never send out unsolicited emails without a fully explanatory subject line, and I do not run advertisments or pop-ups on this site.  If anyone sees any of these, or gets any other suspicious activity on the site, let me know at once!

At any rate, for all you healthy folks out there, keep on voting, posting and emailing – it’s developing into a lively little community here, and everyone’s comments have been most appreciated.  Be well, everyone, and see you next week!