My graphic novel, Tales of Tritoria: YOUNGBLOODS!

Some of you might not know that I actually draw long form comic books too!  My horror/adventure, manga influenced, 200 page graphic novel, Tales of Tritoria: YOUNGBLOODS is up for sale HERE in paperback and digital version for KINDLE.  This is the longest comic I've ever drawn and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out!  This comic was written and illustrated by me and I would love it if you gave it a read!  It's different than FC&S and I use an art style that's influenced by American and Japanese comics.  In fact, I wrote the script for YOUNGBLOODS while I was living in Japan!  Here's the synopsis:  

When fourteen year old Jackie’s father and sister are killed by a vampire gang, she must fight her way through the deadly streets of Tritoria city to get to her surviving family. Armed with only her father’s baseball bat, she’s lucky to get help from a mysterious gang called the Youngbloods. Together they must reach the edge of the city before dawn in order to save Tritoria and themselves.

Please purchase it on amazon.com and give me a nice review if you like it!  I appreciate your support.  Thank you!

Fried Chicken and Sushi 240 The let down scare

Maybe you haven't had a girl scare you like this before but it's happened to me several times.  Do women think this is funny?  Are you really crazy and pretending that your pretending to be crazy?  I know, I didn't get that either but you know what I mean!  Let's hope Beverly has all of her noodles in one bowl or J might have to think twice about that date.

Fried Chicken and Sushi 238 Practicing Japanese with Principal Glossy Gleam

Can you tell that I drew this entire comic on the computer using Manga Studio software?  Yeah, I bet you could.  With the wonky lettering and perfect panel boxes, who doesn't love when artists practice directly in front of their fans?!  It's so much fun, and fewer steps, to draw the comic on my Mac.  Please bare with me on the quality of the strips until I really master it.  You'll see what I'm talkin' about in the next few comics.  Anyway, Glossy Gleam is always fun to draw and we know that he should never be approached in Japanese again!

Fried Chicken and Sushi 237 Practicing Japanese with Sato Sensei

How in the world are you supposed to improve your Japanese if no one wants to speak it with you?  It really is a big deal in Japan to have someone to practice English with.  Big money is spent just to have a conversation with a native English speaker.  I can understand Sato sensei's issue but I hope she'll loosen up a bit and help Karl out.  He sure needs it!

Fried Chicken and Sushi 235 The beauty of being just friends

J hasn't yet realized what a catch Beverly is!  Or, perhaps, he doesn't feel like he could actually date a woman like her?  There are so many issues and questions that come into our minds when we're interested in dating someone new.  Let's hope this goes in the right direction for J!

Fried Chicken and Sushi 200 You know I don't understand!

Hey guys, this is my 200th comic strip!  Woo Hoo!  I'm so tired.  Wait a minute, I never get tired of drawing FC&S comics for you!  Especially, comics like today's with the video store guy.  This guy in real life really must have had it out for me.  Each time I went I was hoping he wouldn't be there.  Of course, he always was and he was always the one to ring me up at the counter.  Then, he would proceed to tell me all sorts of things in Japanese that I did not understand!  He had to know that I didn't get any of what he was talking about!  Oh yeah, shout out to the FORUMS!  Go there, talk, discuss, enjoy.

Fried Chicken and Sushi 194 Meet the Otaku girls

I have a feeling that Anime and Manga fans can have a warped view of what it's like in Japan.  I know I did before living there!  Unfortunately, I don't think these girls are going to hear anything negative about their beloved Japan!  Are you an Otaku (anime and manga geek)?  I started a new topic up in the FORUMS about it HERE.  Come on by and chat a little.

Fried Chicken and Sushi 193 The Black Samurai Stays

Now that the Black Samurai has defeated the Oni we have learned more about the power of his sword.  Clearly it can cut down a demon but it seems to carry a curse.  The people of the village think that he will protect them even though the sword will attract more evil.  Oh well, at least we have a nice set up for more stories in the future! What do you think will happen next?  Talk about it in the FORUMS!  Expect to get sick of me talking about the FORUMS page...

Fried Chicken and Sushi 179 and 180

My first taste of Japanese ramen was truly divine!  I couldn't believe something so delicious was also so easily affordable.  This series of strips really is based on truth.  I enjoyed going to a small ramen shop in Shimamoto owned by my student's father.  He was a very energetic man that always made me feel welcome. I could literally walk there in three minutes.  Dangerous, I know!  I didn't go there nearly as often as I should have.  For Karl, this is going to be a new hang out spot so expect to see him back at the ramen shop again in the future! 

Fried Chicken and Sushi 174 Zero Tolerance for Suihan-ki

You just never know what Karl's gonna get from the Japanese language!  Honestly, when I first heard the word suihan-ki I thought it was some kind of power tool.  It just doesn't sound like something that makes delicious rice!  These "English Lessons" between Karl and Miki really do pull out some interesting topics. 

Fried Chicken and Sushi 173 The Potty Mouth of Stankbuns

Judging by the comments, a lot of you out there know the truth of this comic strip!  Glad I'm not the only one that notices the hardcore music some restaurants and stores play in Japan.  It makes sense that they wouldn't notice if it's in a foreign language but it still catches me off guard.  If you've been in this same situation, I'd love to hear your stories!  Oh, and please continue to spread the word about this comic to your friends!  Especially, if they are living in Japan!  Thank you.

Fried Chicken and Sushi 172 Stuffed into Osaka

Well, it's Thanksgiving in America!  I wish all of you that celebrate it a happy one!  We don't have any turkey or stuffing in today's comic but we do have Karl stuffed into Osaka!  It's great to be out and about in Japan but sometimes it can really feel overrun with people when you're living in the city.  I remember feeling so happy to get home so that I could stretch out and have some privacy. 

Fried Chicken and Sushi 171 Manga Mascots on Medicine

It is crazy how many manga styled mascots are on everything in Japan.  Medi-Kun looks like he needs to keep his hands to himself!  I do believe that every town has a mascot.  They're always super cute, young and fun!  It would be fun to see them battle.  Hmmmm...another comic strip idea perhaps?  I'd like to see a grumpy old cursing mascot.  Wait, don't tell me there's already one.  If you know of a crazy mascot, let me know!  They do crack me up! 

Fried Chicken and Sushi 167 and 168

Ryan learned not to mess with J and cheat codes.  I wonder if J would be ok with using them after beating a game?  You know, just for the fun of it!  I thought of creating the strip with Ryan showing J cheat codes on the internet.  Then, J would hit delete and walk away.  Even though people aren't writing many cheat codes down on paper these days, I felt like this version had more of an impact.  Nothing like crumpling and burning to make a point!

The Emailin' Home strip is my attempt to show you what it was like for me to email my family and friends while in Japan.  I would send these long emails telling stories of things I experienced and learned about.  Everyone seemed to enjoy them (I hope) and it planted the seeds for this Fried Chicken and Sushi webcomic.  To add a little extra interest, I drew the characters in a Chibi style with a huge head and small body.  Did you spot Tanuki and Miki in that last panel? 

Fried Chicken and Sushi 165 and 166

Ok.  So, I dropped the ball this week with the comic strip commentaries.  Sorry about that!  Karl was feeling guilty about staring down the ladies in the Women Only car but I think Miki understands.  Thanks for all of your comments on that one.  They made me feel less like a fool for jumping on one of those train cars without noticing. 

J and Ryan seem to be enjoying their common bond of video game obsession.  Of course, you know that they say once your addictions start interfering with your day to day work, it's a real problem!  Let's hope they get it together!  Oh, and thanks to all of you who read the interview I did here with examiner.com.  Hope I get more of those! 

Check out my new interview!

Hi fans!  Mark Turner from the Oakland area examiner.com interviewed me about Fried Chicken and Sushi, my creative process and the future of the comics industry.  Check it here!  I think it turned out pretty well.  I actually sound like I know what I'm talking about.  Please give it a read! Thank you Mark!

http://www.examiner.com/comic-books-in-oakland/interview-with-webcomic-fried-chicken-and-sushi-creator-khalid-birdsong

FCS150 Fun Today at Book Away!

Those of you that know the bookstore BOOK OFF in Japan, BOOK AWAY is my version.  I did this comic and the four before this one, while visiting Japan this summer.  I actually went to many used bookstores and bought quite a few manga (that I can't really read).  For me, BOOK OFF had the worst selection of new manga but a lot of old or classic collections.  My local used book store had the best selection of almost new editions of manga.  I loved going there because since they're used, the wrapping is off and you can skim through them.  I liked going to the manga shop to spot the comics I want, then go to the used store and buy them. 

FCS149 Used Manga in Japan?

I hope this comic reflects the excitement I had when I was told about used bookstores in Japan.  So many people buy there manga collections new, read them and then turn around a few days later and sell them to used bookstores!  You really can buy almost new issues for half price.  Of course, then you want to buy more...