"Sometimes it takes more effort to make things look simple."

A Few Words From Artist Thom Shepherd

I wrote this in the summer of 1990. Fauquier Magazine was featuring me in their September issue as 'Artist of the Month' or something like that. I had the strip half finished and when I found out that the magazine wanted to feature my artwork, I worked overtime to get it done. Unfortunately, they didn't end up using any of Friday in '52. So this is it's official debut. The only people who have seen it are close friends and family. (The original artwork was created on paper in pen and ink with hand-cut Zip-a-tone screens. Some of the half-tone screens became "ugly" when scanned and reduced for this on-line presentation. For instance the screen tone of Frank's car has been digitally replaced with a solid gray tone. - Ed.)

I wanted to do a period piece. I was working for a film company at the time, and was very interested in how filmmakers pay very close attention to detail when making a movie set in a specific time period. I thought it would be neat to make a comic strip story that looked like a black and white 50's movie. I am also a big antique car buff, and wanted an excuse to draw some 40's and 50's style cars. Friday in '52 is probably the best story I've ever drawn. It took a lot of time to do, but I think it was worth every minute.

I hope you enjoy it. - Thom Shepherd (6-30-98)

Note: In November of 1986, Thom Shepherd and Darren Wheeling formed Starving Artist Productions and over the following two years created ten animated short films and three live-action works. They also collaborated on various comic book projects. Thom has since married, moved to Nashville Tennessee and become a professional singer/songwriter (He wrote the hit song "Riding with Private Malone"). Darren, on the other hand, still sits in his basement drawing silly pictures, but at least his drooling problem is almost gone.

Visit The Official Thom Shepherd Fan Club Website!