New Here????

What is all this?

Well, this is a comic strip.

Fine.  What is all this ABOUT?

Out at Home is a webcomic about the Becketts, a rich suburban family, and all the people in their lives.  There’s an ever-growing cast of characters, so go look at the Cast page to find out who everybody is, and what the relationships/story/etc. are right now.   Sometimes there’ll be story arcs, and other times strips are free-standing.  It’s a comedy, too, so… laugh.

When did it start?

In a way, back when I was nine.  Herman and Bob were my first cartoon creations and i’ve been drawing them ever since then.  It’s only recently, though, that I’ve actually DONE something with my characters.  Out at Home launched on November 19, 2008.

Who are YOU, anyway?

My name is Alex Wendzel and as of this writing, I’m a 22-year-old art student from Southwick, Massachusetts.  I attend the University of Hartford/Hartford Art School with a major in Illustration and a minor in Art History.  I’m not really sure why I have a minor in Art History.

Because you hate yourself?

Possibly.

Where should I start reading?

You can start all the way back at the beginning if you like, but be advised that I really didn’t know what I was doing back then.  Here is a good place to start because it’s my first big story, and it’s where I think the strip starts being more consistent.  But my plots aren’t too convoluted, so really, you can peruse the archive page and start wherever you want.

Those early strips look different and weird.  Why?

Well, as all artists do, I’ve had quite a bit of growth between when I started and the current state of the comic.  Quite simply, I’ve learned to draw better.  Also, those old ones are from when I was trying to make OAH a syndicated newspaper strip, so they’re drawn traditionally in pen, instead of my current method of using Adobe PhotoShop (trademark Adobe, inc. all rights reserved, etc., in perpetuity throughout the universe or whatever).

Wait, wait, wait… you wanted to get into newspapers?  Was the telegraph industry too fast-paced and exciting?

Well, in my defense, this was back when newspapers existed.

You have a donation button.  What’s in it for me?

If you donate five dollars or more, shoot me an email with a picture and I’ll draw you in the background of a strip.

Cool!

I know, right?

What if I want you to draw other things for me?

Then you can head yourself right over to the Commissions page to see about contacting me and such about art things.

Will you link to me?

Unfortunately, I’m not doing straight-up link exchanges anymore.  I got some requests from sites with…interesting content.  There was some drama and anger, and I decided to end it.  But, if you feel like sending me a link to your site, I’ll always check it out.  And if I like it enough on its own merits, I’ll link it here.  UPDATE: Hey, I just realized I haven’t updated my links section in… um, eight months.  I’ll pay better attention now, scout’s honor.

How can I contact you?

You can reach me at alex@out-at-home.com.

I have an idea for a joke/story development.  Can I tell you about it?

Well, yes, but I won’t use it because it’s not my idea.  That’s not so say you don’t have good ideas, just that I don’t like taking other people’s work.

Can I send you fanart?

Yes, go ahead, I’ll post it on the site!  No porn, though, that’s creepy.

Did you make up all these questions?

No comment.