You'd figure something called "the Seinfeldian Chain" would relate to how to integrate completely unrelated plotlines all into a single comic payoff. In fact, it's a pretty simple organizing trick to help writers write, artists draw, and bloggers blog — as described here on LifeHacker. It's all about inertia — the object in motion tending to stay in motion.

Born and raised a journalist, deadlines have always tended to be my major motivating factor. But since going fully freelance, I've begun to use something like the Chain on my own calendar to manage multiple projects at once, so everything doesn't pile up and I get something done on each pending assignment each day. I'm still tinkering with it, but the goal is not to have to rely on the Dreaded Deadline Doom for anything more than ulcers. Maybe it'll result in me blogging more frequently, who knows...

Thanks to Cat's blog for the link — check out her useful advice for gamers!

Wizard Entertainment has announced that Inquest Gamer magazine (originally named Inquest) has been cancelled as of the September issue.

As editor of Scrye and later editorial director overseeing the gaming magazines at F&W,  Inquest was the magazine's major competitor — and, as such, we paid a good deal of attention to it. There was of course some back-and-forth as you might expect in a highly competitive business, but we also came to respect the work each other did. I recall a trade show right after we released the first giant Scrye CCG book  in which one of their editors came over to praise the effort in a "wish we'd done this" moment — and I should say there were moments looking at their mag when we thought the same. There was a lot of talent there, and I'm hopeful it won't be lost to the industry.

I didn't know an official announcement had been made about the following when I was already being asked about it, but I understand now from my editors at Dark Horse that Lucasfilm's Jonathan Rinzler announced it at their panel at San Diego. Anyway, I am cleared by my publisher to confirm that, yes, I'm writing the comics adaptation of the fourth Indiana Jones film, releasing next year.

And that's about all I can say, beyond confirming that, yes, they're making a movie and, yes, we're making comics — so please don't ask! Please visit Dark Horse for further information about the comics; their initial press release is here.

As for myself, I can say that I'm continuing to write Knights of the Old Republic each month, so nothing changes there.

And I can also add that this is a great honor — speaking as someone who not only adored the original films, but snarfed up all the old comics off the rack. I still have a spare unopened polybag with Raiders #1-3 (wonder what that's worth?) — and I remember one of the earliest things I bought at a comics shop nearly 25 years ago (was it that long?) was the first issue of John Byrne and Terry Austin's Further Adventures of Indiana Jones, a series I followed faithfully thereafter. Readers of my CBG column may recall that the one sad attempt I ever made at costuming at a convention was none other than the Professor — evidently, the hat alone is not enough — and I even still have my copy of the old TSR role-playing game!

So add that to your shopping list. It'll be fun!

And Knights of the Old Republic #19 hits the shelves today -- for real, this time! Lots of surprises this issue as all the pieces for "Daze of Hate" move into place.

I haven't had time to work up preview pages for them here yet, but Dark Horse has announced my Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Handbook for November 7 -- as well as #23 of the regular series, shipping November 28.

The handbook is something I've been working on for a long time -- should be interesting reading, whether you're new to the series or not. More on these later!

And Chicago Con is in the books. This is the last one they're having in August -- next year they're going to the last weekend in June, which may make it easier for people to get there. The gamers (like me) have trouble doing this and Gen Con, which is usually the week after -- and of course the comics folk (also like me) are usually dead from San Diego in late July. So June seems like a good compromise move for everyone.

I did signings at the Dark Horse booth -- thanks, guys, for the hospitality -- and got to hang out with friends old and new. I chatted with Jim Johnson, Bill Baker, Mark Sparacio, John Kovalic, and Paul Storrie, among many others -- and this time I met Michael Golden, Jim Calafiore, and Alex Saviuk (the latter who accompanied Jim, Mark, and I on the trip to Fado's Pub downtown, below -- a trip that the Chicago Transit Authority seemed never to want to let end.)

David Campiti was there, whose Glass House Graphics has brought us the art of Knights #17-20, through Harvey Tolibao and Bong Dazo. And Jim Pavelec had his new art book, Hell Beasts, from  Impact.

I also finally met Mark McKenna, who got us out of a jam years ago by inking Crimson Dynamo #3 on a tight deadline!

Oh, yeah -- photos. Revan dropped by the Dark Horse booth to get ready for his close-up...

Then there's the crowd from Fajo's. That's Saviuk on the far right, Sparacio at center, and me and Jim Johnson to either side.



Sparacio, below, you may know from his comics work or from his many covers for Comics Buyer's Guide. Whose editor, Maggie Thompson, I drove to and from the show, now that I mention it. Mark shows off a Black Cat sketch he did, below...