Mechanical Mariner

Work

2010-09-18T22:22:00.000-07:00

Lo and behold folks! "Adventures in Paying Rent Vol. 2" is almost finished. We have a tentative title right now for the book, but I'm not entirely sold on it. I don't want to insult my fans. Seriously (FYI it's about fast food) "Lord of the Fries" comes up 8,000 times on Google and we're goddamn better than that!

As long as you have no qualms about diving into a world of pure darkness, the book shall be fairly apt to those who frequent fast food joints and, even worse, those who are employed by such establishments.

In a seriousness, this is the first real writing challenge I've been handed with Mechanical Mariner. We've been a duo since the start, but AiPR was written entirely by Chris and Bitter Boy was entirely influenced by Chris, and this time around, fast food style, you are gonna read shit that came purely from my mind. Chris was my road block to stop shit from polluting/insulting you.

My darkness has its weaknesses, but it's not unstoppable. I hope you enjoy.
...
Just to give you some idea, at "Red Hot Art Festival" Chris ordered me not to show my drawings to his mother. I may be over-selling myself, but honestly, at this point, I really have no fucking idea!

Kyle Field
Head Writer/Chief Insurance Problem
kyle.field.mm@gmail.com

KFAI radio!

2010-09-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

Hey kids!

In my last post (since deleted) I mentioned that we were going to be on public access TV. Well, I was all kinds of retarded with that information. We actually did a radio show with KFAI 90.3 for their program "Geek Report". We talk about some of our old stuff and some of our new stuff along with news about Ryan Dow and the film Machete. Sufficed to say, the room reeked of dork musk.

Let it be known across the land that we are hard at work at book #3 and that the writing process is nearly finished and that the art stage is chugging along. It will be a whopping 40 pages of fun and games (yes, 40 pages of our delicious, nutritious shit). Soon, we will be on the Independent Stream podcast to promote our babies, and the details will follow so you can download and enjoy.

I'm going to go back into my filthy bathroom with a shotgun and contemplate what it all means.

Later,
Kyle Field

It's Finally Here!

2010-08-03T16:43:00.000-07:00

Hey boys and girls!

It's your old pal Stinky Weaselteats (actually, it's just Kyle...oh fuck). Mechanical Mariner has finally gotten the new book "Bitter Boy's Guide to Love" (too late for the art fest). Not the proofs, not the quote, the actual fucking book! Yay! As before, if you are interested in a copy let us know. The price per book is $5. Also as before, there is plenty of games and coloring to dull your crayons. Only this time, there's an actual story arc.

Be sure to check us out at the Minneapolis Indie Xpo on Aug. 21.

Until next time,
Kyle Field

Red Hot Art Festival

2010-07-30T16:18:00.001-07:00

Hey gang!

The Mechanical Mariner boys will be at the Red Hot Art Festival this weekend along with other artists from Comic Conspiracy. The location is Stevens Square Park in Minneapolis from 11am-7pm this Saturday and 11am-5pm Sunday (July 31 and Aug. 1). The cost is free, so really, there's no reason NOT to show up! Unless your sick. Really, really sick. In that case, get better and we'll see you another time.

Later,
Kyle Field

New news everyone!

2010-07-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

Our next book, "Bitter Boy's Guide to Love" is off to the printers! After a thorough, grammatical rectal exam of the (blast, the devil are the called? rough print?), we'll put in the order to print off the full order. As before, if you'd like a copy, just be sure to contact Chris or myself. If you're reading this, there's a better than not chance that you'll see Chris before me. I live in a cave deep beneath the earth's surface. I only come up for vitamins and squirrel meat.

That's the news in our world, folks! In case you aren't aware, this is actually the first project I've had the pleasure of writing for that we are releasing (we have two books I previously worked on currently in the wings). So if you giggle, snicker, howl, hoot, laugh, or chuckle at the writing, that's probably me. The last book was all Chris. Oh god, I hope I don't let you down! Seriously, writing for these books has been a blast.

Later fuckwads,
Kyle Field
Patron Saint of Unemployment

Twitter and good news with a hint of shit

2010-05-28T02:38:00.000-07:00

Hey kids,

First of all, as much as it pains me, Mechanical Mariner has a Twitter account. Here's the site:

twitter.com/FrankThePickle

Frank the Pickle, awesome right?

I don't really know how much different it will be having that profile from this one, but fuck, we are in the 21st century and you people eat this shit up. *Sigh* I miss the 90s.

We already have one follower and it's a porn site! I really don't know what to make of that. If you happen to be on Twitter, be sure to follow us. It'll be mostly random, but with updates you'd likely find here. Still, I'm starting to have fun with it already.

I haven't consulted our legal or accounting departments yet, so I don't know if I should be telling you this...ah fuck it; our first book "Adventures in Paying Rent" has officially become profitable! We are no longer caked with the stink of failure! I would just like to say thank you to all of you who have bought our book and a bigger thanks to those of you who have desecrated it with your creativity. Seriously, seeing the smiles and laughs as people flip through the book has been just fucking candy. Thanks.

On a sadder note, Chris' awesome cat Marci passed away. Marci was a sweetheart and a gentleman and will be missed by more than his roommates. Pour some out for our homie. He's dropping bombs in god's litter box now.

Later fuckers,
Kyle

SpringCon weekend wrap-up and updates

2010-05-17T13:01:00.000-07:00

Hey kids,

Kyle here after an exciting weekend of awkward eye contact with strangers. For those of you who picked up our flier and are visiting our site: tits and welcome. Thank you for browsing our material, talking to us, and buying our book. As many of you know, our next (definite) show will be the Minneapolis Indie Expo in August. We may be at other things sooner, but the details haven't been ironed out yet.

We got some bright ideas in terms of table display and interactive activities with the fans that will surely blow your balls off! Be sure to stop by next time we're at a show to take part and see our new shit. We've disappointed our parents, but there's still time to work on all of you!

GOOD NEWS EVERYONE! We are also working on setting up an online shop to buy our shit via interweb! Isn't that fucking great! No, seriously, it's fucking great because we know a lot of you work the time these shows go on, or just don't live quite close enough to pick one up. Also, a LOT of people have asked if we sell books online, so yeah, it's been due.

With my magical crayons at the show, I created "Skippy the Amazing Clown without Foresight". A comic book artist with agents sorta insulted me for it. It was Kevin Mellon of "Gear Head" fame. His words were, "I didn't say it was bad. It does get the point across."

I think that's enough for now.

Later foreskins,

Kyle Field

New book in the works!

2010-05-11T02:09:00.000-07:00

Hey lovebirds!

Old man Field here again, just to let you know Mechanical Mariner is cranking out a brand new activity book, dark and filthy just the way we like it. The title of the book is Bitter Boy's Guide to Love, and we've been working feverishly on it to get it to you. Why? Because, well, we love you. And your money.

Also, we have two additional books scheduled for release in the near future: "Adventures in Paying Rent Vol. 2 Fast Food Edition" and "Jeffy the Terminally Ill Cupcake". Rest assured, by near future, I mean by fall-ish near future, not Chinese Democracy near future.

Later fuckers,

Kyle Field

2010-05-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

Hey kids!

It's that time of year again! Minnesota Comic Book Association's Springcon! And Mechanical Mariner will have a table at the convention! If you haven't been able to pick up a copy of Adventures in Paying Rent for you and your friends, now is a perfect time to do so. It's also a great opportunity to see some great local talent. You also get to meet us! I guess.

The event will take place May 15 & 16 from 10am to 5pm both days at the State Fairgrounds Bandstand (1265 Snelling Ave. Saint Paul, MN 55108). Hope to see you there!

Later,

Kyle Field

Chris Lyons

"Adventures in Paying Rent" gets reviewed!

2010-01-31T15:26:00.000-08:00

Hey kids,

Kyle Field here again. It's come to my attention that Ted Anderson of the Minneapolis Examiner has reviewed our book. Seeing as I am very fragile, I was a tad nervous to read it, but I needn't be. Our first review was very favorable. Check it out for yourself at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/x-14723-Minneapolis-Comic-Books-Examiner%7Ey2010m1d28-Review-Adventures-in-Paying-Rent-vol-1-by-Chris-Lyons-and-Kyle-Fields#comments

Awesome.

Later fuckers,

Kyle Field

Roll call!!

2010-01-27T17:22:00.000-08:00

Hey kids,

We have been looking at our first book "Adventures in Paying Rent" for so goddamn long, we're fucking sick of it. Now we want to see what you've done! Pull those beauties off the fridge and upload your artwork to us and we'll post it on the site. Since our following is small, but growing, there is an awfully good chance your work will see the light of day!

What's the hold up? Ya scared? I'll bet your scared. Don't worry, we won't judge you. We'll, I might, Chris won't.

Send your jpg formatted artwork to:
saintcardboard@gmail.com

This little beauty of vanity gone awry was done by lil' Jimmy S. age 32.

Thanks fuckers,
Kyle Field
Chris Lyons

Our first activity book now available!

2009-12-21T23:27:00.000-08:00

It's here!

Adventures in Paying Rent, the first publication by DIY wizards Mechanical Mariner is now available for purchase. Chock full of games and revulsion, this handsome activity book is great for rainy days or when the power has been out for extensive periods. Also makes a great gift!

Please contact Chris Lyons (Saintcardboard@gmail.com) or Greg Holdsworth (Ursa23@gmail.com) to obtain a copy.

Looking forward to our next project!

Kyle Field

Writing Director

Chris Lyons
Art Director

P.S. You're probably wondering just what in the hell Mechanical Mariner is? It's our publication's company name. Awesome Factory and Gonzo System have been confined to their respective, and proper, corners.

Adventures in Paying Rent

2009-11-12T22:07:00.001-08:00

My crack team of testers are feverishly pawing over every page, squeezing out my minefield of spelling and grammatical errors. The crayons are being molded by small children in China as we speak, just waiting to be flown to my front door. The presses are hot and eagerly awaiting my comic deposit. Why would I be telling you all of this?

Oh I'll feed you baby birds.

Because feast your eyes on this sample page of Adventures in Paying Rent!
Print it out.
Color it in.
Rock your fucking socks off.
Your welcome.

CEO of Pictures
Chris

Greetings from Gonzo System

2009-11-03T12:46:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone,

Kyle Field here, President and Intern of Gonzo System.

As probably none of you are aware, GSP was founded in 2006 for the production of the 20 min. short film "Baby Wad" (which has yet to see the light of day). The past three years have been sleepy for this company (as in I haven't done jack shit), but lately the office has been bustling.

"Jeffy" has been the first project in collaboration with Awesome Factory, and so far all is looking great!

With the wheels turning again, more ideas are being crapped out each day. Why, just yesterday I made Chris spit coffee all over himself! A rare, but happy, moment for myself. Spit takes are always classic.

In the past, I've worked with Gary Holdsteady of the Minneapolis podcast Independent Stream (independentstream.podomatic.com) and intend to bring some of my work from that medium to Awesome Factory. I've had the pleasure of putting out over 7 editions of "Gov't Fun Facts" for Independent Stream, and am eager to continue working on it some more.

That's, uh, really all I have.

Vaya con queso,

Kyle Field

Jeffy!!

2009-10-28T01:14:00.000-07:00

So I just got some of the pages for Jeffy the Terminally Ill Cupcake from Gonzo Systems, and it turning out better than I imagined it would. After putting our heads together we decided to put a couple of verses with some of the preliminary art work up on the blog.

Jeffy played baseball
at his neighborhood park.
Until one day a wild pitch
drew him in the dark.

His spirits were bright
as he sat on a bed.
The hospital nurses
had mended his head.

The doctor then entered
looking solemn and gray.
"Your armpits are swollen.
It's cancer, I say!"

There you go, I don't know about you; but the shit has been thoroughly knocked out of my ass. I'll be posting more awesomeness as it comes along.

CEO of Pictures
Chris

News!!

2009-10-24T01:52:00.000-07:00

After months of nothing I've got a few big announcements to make:

First!
After months of just sitting around and not producing much, The Awesome Factory (Chris Lyons) and Gonzo Systems (Kyle Field) have teamed up to actually get work done! The most shocking thing is that work is actually getting done, crazy.

Second!
Adventures in Paying Rent is the official title of the activity book that I've been talking about for months. Once it gets back from my testers and the final touches are made its off the the printers and then into your hands by late November! There will be 35 pages of games, puzzles, and coloring fun all detailing just how sucky it is to be a grown up. It even comes complete with crayons, fuck yes!

Lastly!
Jeffy the Terminally Ill Cup Cake is the story of plucky young cup cake that is diagnosed with Non Hodgkin lymphoma. This is the first full collaboration between The Awesome factory and Gonzo Systems; it is currently in the writing phase and is slated to come out by late January or early February. It will come in a coloring book format and will include crayons with the final product.

I'll keep updating as I figure out more details.

-Chris

New blog location!!

2009-09-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

So I'm getting all my ducks in a row and I've switch my blog location! I'll start posting progress on my new project and links to sales on etsy. Everything's coming up Chris!