I've been drawing Blink comics for seven years and in that time, I've amassed quite a few sketchbooks full of rough illustrations, unfinished scripts and various incomplete ideas.    One of the ideas that has stuck in my head (although I don't remember ever writing it down) is for my characters to comment on the superstitions that surround saying the phrase "God Bless You" (or the like) after someone sneezes.  

While I was recently on vacation, it finally hit me how to approach the subject and I was thrilled to finally have that idea "off my chest" (or, more accurately-- out of my head and on the page).  The key bit of dialog that did it for me was that we "bless" people who sneeze because it's become a "socially conditioned response."  I imagine that most of us rarely (if at all) think of the rationale behind our actions.  I could go on, but if you're really that interested in the trivia behind the history of "Gesundheit"/"Bless You," you can read that elsewhere.  

 However, for those of you who appreciate those  behind-the-scenes parts of DVD releases, I've decided to include my sketchbook notes, rough script and layouts of the comic strip.   You can see the fuller-sized versions of these pages on my Flickr site.

One of the sweetest things about this strip (for me) is that I finally got to include one of my favorite Columbus landmarks, The Bookloft--it's an independently owned, city block long 32-room bookstore.  (The store itself is way cooler than their website.)  I'll be sure to eventually set a longer story in the `Loft eventually... but this will do for now.

Thanks to those of you who participated in the "Crossword" contest.   I'll be sending out the winners' books once they get back from the printers (early next week, I should think).  

Also: you can contact me through Open Salon or email me directly (mail.max.ink[at]gmail.com) and ask for one free Blink mini-comic signed, sealed and delivered to your home (or PO Box).