A simple man, a parlor room, a murdered wife, a werewolf butler, and an adventure for the ages…

In the Fall of 2008, all of these things came together as part of one of the most celebrated comic mini-series of our generation. Heralded by some as the “rebirth of the modern day murder mystery”, the comic entitled “BOO!” would cause both the imagination and heart-rate of the young and old to race over its three-issue span. Though the story itself dealt with the mystery of a murder and played out as one of the finest “whodunnits” in literature, the die-hard fans had other questions that would go unanswered for over a year.

What was the motivation behind this story? Was the author using this work as a therapeutic method of dealing with an emotional pain of his own? What did the werewolf butler symbolize? Was the werewolf butler wearing pants? These questions (and many others) have cropped up all over various BOO! fan forums, and have lead to many serious debates…and 3 deaths. As not only the author of BOO!, but the artist as well, I have decided to open up for the public and put many of their questions to rest. I normally maintain a level of secrecy when it comes to my works. But I feel that with the 1st anniversary of BOO! approaching, it is fitting that I reward those who have spent the last year enjoying my work. So to the old fans, thank you for your support and I hope you find what you are looking for in this series of articles. For those of you new to the work, I invite you to join us as well.

Humble Beginnings

It all began with a desire to create a comic for the Halloween season. The site known as OMGJeremy.com was running hard, but still seemed to be missing something deep down. Very qualified comic artist and regular contributor Amanda Wood was doing her thing, but still something seemed out of place. So, on a dark, stormy night I decided to sit down and think to myself…think of what I could do to not only add to the comic scene, but to revolutionize it.

The original first part of BOO!

I have always tried to put my own personal experiences and feelings into my writings. I feel that it really helps you connect with the reader, and they can sense and appreciate how genuine the work is. I decided I would do nothing less with my attempts at creating a comic. What began was a several year journey of self discovery. I ventured to the highest mountains, and down into the depths of the ocean. I reconnected with lost friends and family, and ventured back to my childhood home. I dug up the memories I had long since buried, and welcomed them back into my mind…however hurtful or dark they may be. The product of all of this soul-searching and pouring out of emotions comes across very well in the comic, I do believe.

Staff Reaction to BOO!

BOO! was unleashed onto the OMGJeremy.com website during October of 2008. These were simpler times, and much of the viewing audience was simply not ready for it. Readers were not the only ones not ready, as even the OMGJ staff had their doubts and mixed feelings:

Billy: Amanda Wood, as a fellow artist on OMGJeremy.com, what was your initial reaction when BOO! was first featured?
Amanda: Laughter, I laughed. A many layered laugh.
Billy: Did you feel that your spot as THE premier artist of OMGJeremy.com was in danger?
Amanda: Yes. One of the layers of my laugh was laughing at the NERVE of Jeremy to dare include you as an artist.

Having to go deep into the Qumran Cave system. Amanda Wood's last known location

Billy: Is it true that you attempted to rip this comic off with your own murder mystery involving a werewolf butler, called BOOO! ?
Amanda: An extra O means extra Outlandishness. And studies show that everyone likes their comics to be outlandish. My werewolf butler had TWO HEADS though, so it wasn’t a complete rip off.
Billy: Well, that is completely unrealistic.

Aside from jealous-assed Amanda Wood, an aging woman realizing she was finally slipping and her popularity was in danger…I also spoke to another oldass, Jeremy Gregory:

Billy: Jeremy Gregory, when the first episode of BOO! hit your desk, what were your thoughts?
Jeremy: We were going through a very rough time at omgj trying to find an identity again, and it seemed webcomics were a good idea. So far only Amanda and I had been able to draw them, but when you said you would produce BOO! The Trilogy we were a bit skeptical. Once I saw the first panel though, I knew OMGJ was destined to be a webcomic site forever.
Billy: What was the fan reaction to BOO! ?
Jeremy: After the initial flood of emails, we were buried underneath several thousand people praising the series. Many say they didnt even finish the first panel before they began crying in joy. Fansites were formed near instantly. In fact, we still have some of the BOO! The Trilogy fan site media packs available to give out
Billy: Is it true that you have considering changing the site to OMGBOOERMY, a site dedicated to all things BOO! ?
Jeremy: It was brought up in a business meeting. We were riding high on the success of BOO! The Trilogy at the time, so it seemed only natural to do so. However, a highly intoxicated Amanda Wood threatened to quit the site if we did, so we figured it was best off to just stay with for the time being. Or until Amanda’s smack heap ran out and we could cut her loose.

Amanda Wood…what a bitch!

Digging Deeper: The inspirations behind BOO! Part 1

Knowing that the first episode would have to really set the bar, I poured every ounce of emotion into it. I let myself go, and let my deepest feelings fly onto the page. You can see that humor opens up the strip, with a fine Halloween-related joke being delivered. This came from my deep love for jokes, and a liking for the Halloween season. Once I decided to open with a joke, I began the near 2 month long process of crafting a proper joke. After many scrapped efforts and sleepless nights, it was finally decided upon…and the end result was a joke that they still laugh about to this very day.

The script formed after days of looking at myself in the mirror.

The other major aspect of the first strip is the sound that is heard in the background, and the main character reacting to it. This comes from a childhood memory that has always stuck with me over the years. I was 8 years old, and was home by myself. All of a sudden, I heard a noise from another room. I took this unique happening of hearing a noise and applied it to the comic. I know that while not everyone is able to relate, a lot of readers may be able to connect with it because perhaps they too have heard a noise before. It establishes our character as an “Every Man” sort of character, he tells jokes and hears noises just like most of us. As someone who tells jokes and hears noises, I can appreciate that.

I had originally decided that the comic would be an epic adventure and mystery that would play out over three frames. Thankfully OMGJeremy realized the goldmine he had on his hands and told me I could do it in three installments, but absolutely no more than that…I guess he didn’t want to over-run the site with screaming fans, or maybe it was that bitch Amanda.

Next Time

Much like the comic, this is Part 1 of 3. In the next installment we explore the 2nd episode of the BOO! series, and I’ll also take the time to thank some of the folks behind the scenes that helped make BOO! the grand success it is today. In the meantime, I welcome you to re-read the first strip, and if you would care to you can download it in the picture format of your choice for later viewing in your own personal photo viewers. Fan art is also welcomed.

Thank you.