the mercenary blog 09032025

In the angsty words of a nu-metal band from the death-throes of the last millennium, “It’s been a while”.

I knew I was going to hit a speedbump sooner rather than later with the blog, and the website in general.
Knew I was hitting too much of a stride, and the universe was leaving me alone a little longer than usual. I knew I was due.

And boy did the universe deliver.

Ye olde shove it in and break it off, is what happened.

Basically: I’m dealing with some parental-alienation stuff with my oldest and, recently, I was served with court papers telling me we we’re going to court because they (mom, kiddo and mom’s mom… I know, real healthy) want to revoke my rights as a father. I have representation now. We’re going through the motions. We’re currently in the dissection-period. I expect to get dragged across glass, but honestly… it’s nothing I’m not already very used to.

If I wasn’t working so damn hard on my mental and emotional resiliency, all this villainizing might’ve actually gotten to me by now. I might’ve started believing it and fully gotten lost in the expectation of negativity.

Therapy, medication, proper rest, proper diet, exercise, mindfulness, grace and accountability. That’s me. That’s what I’ve been up to. And I plan to keep it up.

I’m doing the work. I’m showing up. I’m a devoted husband, equal partner, dedicated father, hard worker, passionate creative.

All the other shit that’s being thrown my way… it’s just that: shit. Shit from a slow-witted, feckless chimp repeating a shitty cycle.

So, that said, we’re getting back on track with this. With the blog, but most importantly, the website/portfolio.

Gearing up on a kids book too. Going full-bore on the watercolors for that one. Might actually learn a technique or two by the end of it.

Oh, yeah… I also got the digital tablet hooked up to a computer that can handle it and the illustration software, so we might be back on the digital art train soon. I still think I’m going to focus more on the traditional art side of things, but it’s nice to be able to scan stuff in and tweak it a bit here and there. It’s going to make printing original stuff a lot easier, that’s for sure.

I feel like a retired boxer getting back into the ring after not exercising for close to a decade. I might get rocked, but at least I can say I tried. So, we’ll see where all this goes.

Lastly: If you’re not watching Peacemaker on HBO Max, you’re missing out on something special. There was a full-blown orgy in the first episode of the 2nd season. An eagle fucking SLOW-WALKED towards the camera in the second episode after wrecking everyone’s shit. James Gunn and friends are killing it and I can’t wait what else the DCEU has to offer.

DC’s Absolute Universe books are really good reads. So far so good. They’re swinging for the fences on this one and holy crap are they knocking it out of the park. Start with the Absolute Power event and go from there. It’s great.

Marvel, while somewhat returning to form with the Fantastic Four movie, seems to still be struggling to bring everyone back to that place we were collectively in around the Avengers: Infinity War/Endgame times.
Their answers might be in the pages of their comics though. The Ultimate Marvel Universe reintroduction and reshaping by The Maker, (a twisted version of Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic) is phenomenal re-entry point for anyone that may have dropped off the books and it’s a fun intro for new readers.

In other words, it’s still a good time to be a nerd. Just not a good time to be an American.

I think that’s a whole ‘nother blog though. A much angrier one.

We’ll stop here, while we’re still ahead. Have a great night/day and be cool to yourself.
-Raf (The Mercenary Artist)