The Final Farewell(s)!

I think it is quite appropriate to wrap up Pitch Black Day’s backmatter with a pair of blood stained letters, don’t you?

In the first blood soaked correspondence, we FINALLY get a look at a letter referenced in not one, but two previous backmatter installments – Van Helsing’s posthumous “#@$& YOU” to his old comrade in arms, Arthur Holmwood. So furious was he that his one-time friend would have him killed to conceal the truth of their encounter with Dracula, Van Helsing unleashed a DARK secret that he knew would cut Arthur to the bone. I’m sure, however, that he never dreamed it would drive Arthur mad and precipitate a brutal murder, but such is the power of friendship – it can save you in your darkest hour (such as the case of Joe and Doc) or it can utterly destroy you.

And, while the Van Helsing letter pretty well wraps up the final lose ends – both plot-wise and thematically – we just couldn’t resist giving you a glimpse of a certain ravishing red-head’s future beyond the pages of PBD. This final correspondence, I believe, nicely encapsulates everything we’ve grown to love about Abigail; she’s deadly, witty, and sexy as hell. Will we ever see her again in the pages of Deep Dive Daredevils, or will we ever flesh out this tease of the new mission she’s embarked on? Sorry folks, I ain’t tellin’.

Speaking of correspondence, eagle-eyed Daredevilers will notice a new feature at the top of the left sidebar – a brand spankin’ new Deep Dive Daredevils MAILING LIST! As I mentioned last week, BIG THINGS are coming down the pike and when the time comes we want to be able to communicate with you guys/gals directly. So, please PLEASE take a second RIGHT NOW and sign up! I PROMISE that we will never spam your inbox or send you frivolous emails. Rest assured, the mailing list will only be utilized when we need to make contact about worthwhile, substantive events. Thanks!

Welp, be here NEXT WEEK when we unveil the cover to END(S) of the EARTH(S) and a NEW ERA for the Deep Dive Daredevils officially begins!

As always, stop by the Sunday Bonus Lunch for Evin’s warped perspective on all things Daredevils related, but DEAR GOD only look at it out of the corner of your eye for I fear his madness could be contagious.

Anyways, till next week!

-Matt-

Past and future collide!

Doc’s final report on Incident #172 – A.K.A. The Pitch Black Day – has been declassified and released to the public and all crewman in the interests of full disclosure. For those among you interested in the finer points of the story, it should shed some serous light on things previously left in the dark. And, while it does indeed tie up some nagging loose ends, I’m sure some will find its allusions to future events to be the most intriguing revelations in the report. However, I think we can all agree that the biggest bombshell within is a reference to what would seem to be a rather significant event in the Daredevil’s past…

What is Incident #1? What tragedy is Doc referring to? What the heck is going on? As always, keep reading, Daredevilers!

Yep, Doc’s report pretty much wraps up the Deep Dive Daredevils’ story, but lest you forget, Pitch Black Day is also a freaking sequel to Bram Stoker’s Dracula! With that in mind, be here NEXT WEEK for ultra-secret-final LOST CHAPTER of DRACULA finale! The end is nigh, so make sure to RSS, Like, and Follow so you don’t miss out.

Welp, we’ve been working harder than ever here at the ThreeOneFive Ranch to ever expand the horizons of the Deep Dive Daredevils. We’re making plans like you wouldn’t believe, compiling lists, making phone calls, and even putting together epic spreadsheets. No joke it’s almost turning into legit work, folks!

Soon, we’ll be able to share the fruits of our labors and then it will be up to YOU to help drag it across the finish line. Stay tuned for future announcements.

In the meantime, stop by the Sunday Bonus Lunch for Evin’s (ahem, what’s a nice yet condescending way of putting it, oh yes) UNIQUE take on the ending of Pitch Black Day.

Anyways, till next week!

-Matt-

This is the end…my only friend, the end.

As one of the writers, naturally, I’ve known this moment was coming for a long time. Heck, I’ve even had this page scripted, drawn, colored, lettered, and aged sitting in my inbox for over a month. Regardless of all that though, sitting here now trying to find something to write about McGinty’s death, I’m still struck with a palpable twinge of SADNESS.

As I’ve pointed out before, McGinty and Deveraux’s entire existence in the first place is one big happy accident. After we finished the first 8 pages of the first DDD story, Secret of the Beaufort Sea, it was a few months before we started production on the rest of the story. In the interim, Danilo mentioned that he had become fond of a couple of the “background” crewman he had drawn into the first 8 pages – the big red-head and the slightly smarmy looking guy with the bandana. He asked if it was possible to work them into the story in more prominent roles. Immediately, our imaginations were off to the races making up personalities and back-stories for Danilo’s creations. We decided that they would be best friends, a couple of scoundrels, each with a nearly unintelligible regional accent. In short, the comic relief – our versions of Artoo and Threepio (I’ll let you guys decide which is which). Over the course of three stories and nearly 100 pages, they’ve slowly moved from the background and into the forefront, and now it is their story and their friendship that forms the emotional core of Pitch Black Day.

Underneath all the action, horror, and shenanigans one of the big themes of PBD is the power of FRIENDSHIP. It’s a theme close to our hearts, as it is life-long friendships that form the core of The ThreeOneFive. Early in the story McGinty and Joe throw caution to the wind and risk everything to go on what amounts to a suicide mission to save their friends. In the end, Joe was able to save Doc and earned a happy reunion. Unfortunately, the boys in orange were not so lucky. When he destroyed Dracula’s rocket, McGinty saved his friend from the stain of being culpable in mass murder. He saved Deveraux’s soul, but in doing so he paid the ultimate price. It is just about the most heroic death one could muster…not that it is any consolation to Deveraux.

Rest in Peace, McGinty. You will be missed.

Speaking of being missed, I’m sorry to say it but this will be the last DDD page by Danilo Guida for a while. Danilo has another commitment to see through and consequently he will not be available to draw more DDD adventures until 2015. Fear not though, in the meantime we’ll all be in the very capable hands of his friend, Smilton Roa Klaassen, the sensational artist of The Cajun Caper. Anyway…

Danilo – Thank you, my friend, for all of your phenomenal work up to this point. Never forget that you are the heart and soul of the Deep Dive Daredevils, and while you are away make sure to keep your pencil sharpened because we have BIG plans for your homecoming in 2015!

Welp, in honor of McGinty there will be no shilling this week, but I think it goes without saying, make sure to stop by NEXT WEEK for the EPILOGUE to Pitch Black Day.

Anyways, till next week!

-Matt-

The end is NIGH!

The conclusion is just 7 days away, and I am pretty darn pleased with how Pitch Black Day has turned out. I THINK we have managed to up the ante and change up the tone, yet still stay true to the spirit of Deep Dive Daredevils. Regardless, I KNOW that I can’t wait to hear what you guys and gals think when the FINALE hits NEXT WEEK. It’s been a long road to get here – more than a YEAR – and I want to thank each and everyone of you who have come along for the ride!

Suffice it to say, be here bright and early on June 17th when McGinty’s FATE is REVEALED! Want to be among the first to know the page has posted? RSS, Like, and Follow to be kept in the loop.

Anyway, while you wrestle with the unknown, let’s do some schedule housecleaning and make the future just a little more certain…

NEXT WEEK – As you are now well aware, the last page of Pitch Black Day hits.

JUNE 24th – Stop…backmatter time! The EPILOUGE to Pitch Black Day begins.

JULY 1st – More backmatter! The epilogue concludes and answers ALL (well, at least most) of the lingering questions.

JULY 8th – The COVER to End(s) of the Earth(s) is revealed!

JULY 15th – Welcome back Smilton as he takes over the art duties and Chapter 1 of EotEs begins!

Oh, don’t forget to VOTE for Deep Dive Daredevils at Top Web Comics! At the moment, we’re hovering around #215, so we’ll need all the help we can get to breach the top 100 once again. Remember, you can VOTE once a day so PLEASE show your love for the Daredevils and click away!

And seriously, only read this week’s Sunday Bonus Lunch if you feel you absolutely must – like, only if you have an obligation or something. SERIOUSLY.

Anyways, till next week!

-Matt-

This is the start of something BIG!

As we wrap up all the loose ends of the Daredevil’s conflict with Dracula, has a new – even DEADLIER – conflict already begun? Well, Doc certainly seems to think so, and he’s a pretty smart guy. I mean, the dude just turned human again like 5 minutes ago, was in the middle of flirting pretty hardcore with Abigail, and then all of a sudden he is looking super-ominous pulling the plug on Joe’s convo with Dracula’s mysterious allies. Does he know something we don’t? Does he recognize the voice on the other end of the transmission? Only time will tell, Daredevilers!

Those who have been paying close attention will certainly sympathize with Doc’s trepidation. While the identity of Dracula’s secret benefactors remains unknown, the threat they represent is all too clear. For starters, they have a submarine that according to Dracula’s description could very well be significantly MORE badass than the The Custer! Click HERE for a refresher on these mysterious adversaries, who will play an absolutely crucial role in the future of the Deep Dive Daredevils.

But first, there is still one GIANT question left to be answered in the here and now – one so HUGE that I refuse to tease it, at all. You’ll just have to trust me and do whatever it takes to be here NEXT WEEK for the penultimate page of Pitch Black Day!

In the meantime, get it in gear and engage with our social media empire. Please RSS, Like, and Follow, you will not regret it!

Also, it’s the beginning of another month, so it’s time once again to make a push for webcomic glory, and climb the Top Web Comics charts! Months ago we briefly made an appearance in the Top 100, but since then I know for a fact that we have added A LOT of new Daredevilers to the fold. So, the sky’s the limit! Show your love for the Deep Dive Daredevils and VOTE early and often (once a day)! Thanks in advance, guys/gals.

Oh, and make sure to check out the Sunday Bonus Lunch for an early sneak peek at the next Daredevil’s adventure. Let the good times roll!

Anyways, till next week!

-Matt-

The GOOD DOCTOR returns!

Lets get this out of the way right off the bat…Yes, we are indeed following LOST BOYS rules when it comes to vampirism. I.E. When the head vampire is killed all those that he turned revert back to being human. In the novel, Dracula, this style of vampirism was heavily hinted at when, after Dracula is killed, the curse on Mina is lifted. We also alluded to this very turn of events in the backmatter, so it shouldn’t be too shocking, right? (In fact, a new commenter, Speedy, called it in the comments section of the previous page.)

Anyway, am I coming off a little defensive? If so, I apologize. It’s just that there are so many different versions of vampire lore out there, each with a specific set of rules, and I know that everyone has their personal favorite. So, I’m sure some Daredevilers out there are probably a little disappointed that we didn’t adhere to their personal vampire canon. Some might even think that we *GASP* took the easy way out…

Well, to those who fit that bill, I can confidently say, “Just you wait and see.”

First, there are still THREE pages left in Pitch Black Day, and within that trifecta of terror there is an event so SHOCKING that you just might involuntarily run out in the street ranting and raving like a madman/madwomen once you’ve finished the story. Seriously.

And, second, rest assured there will be long-lasting ramifications of Doc’s time as a vampire. In the next DDD story, END(S) of the EARTH(S) (title reveal!), Doc will grapple with the fact that he was very nearly complicit in the annihilation of all life on the planet. You will see the good doctor as you have never seen him before – a broken man. Drama awaits, promise!

But first, be here NEXT WEEK for a page that, itself, has HUGE ramifications on the future of all the Deep Dive Daredevils! It that time again when we drop some more bread crumbs on the path leading to a terrible STORM that is brewing on the horizon. In just 7 days, the MEGA-PLOT most certainly thickens!

As always, make sure to RSS, Like, and Follow like your life depends on it. And, in turn, read the Sunday Bonus Lunch because Evin’s fragile ego depends on it.

Anyways, till next week!

-Matt-

And, the EYES have it!

It’s said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. With them we see the world and in them the world sees us. So, what do they show us here..?

In Dracula’s eyes we see the last remnants of an ancient EVIL fade out in hollow eye-sockets. The greatest monster the world has ever known is gone. All that remains is a pathetic pile of smoldering bones. And Meanwhile, in Joe’s eyes we see TERROR, as Docula commences an impromptu surgery to pluck the eye he hides under his eye patch, and with it their friendship and any hope of Doc’s redemption. Heavy stuff, indeed.

However, let me digress from the main point for a moment. Even with all that going on, my favorite bit on this page is Abigail in panel 3. Her body language and expression are a veritable master class on storytelling. All you need to know is right there in the illustration…she looks tired, hurt, and on the verge of collapse. She can’t move another inch, let alone stop Doc from hurting Joe. All of that comes through clear as day without the need for any exposition. Brilliant work, Danilo.

In fact, it is so clear that it even translated perfectly to my 3 year-old daughter, Jean, who crawled into my lap as I was writing this blog. She took a look at the page and Abigail jumped right out at her. She pointed at Abigail and asked, “Is she sick, Daddy?” I said, “Yeah, she had a big fight with Dracula and broke her arm and is really tired.” To which she replied…

“She made a very big BOOM BOOM with Dracula and broke her arm? I make her feel better, Daddy. I’ll drive her to doctor’s office and make her get lots of rest. She can sleep in my bed. She feel better NEXT WEEK, Daddy.”

Now, now Jeannie…no SPOILERS please. Ha! But seriously, in just 7 days one of the most PIVOTAL pages of the entire story hits the blotter. Trust me, Daredevilers; you DO NOT want to miss this one! I don’t want to give too much away, but if I were you I’d have some tissues handy next week. In the meantime, make sure to RSS, Like, or Follow.

Welp, I’m running long this week and I’ve probably lost most of you at this point, but if you made it through this mess you’ve got about a 50/50 chance of making it through the Sunday Bonus Lunch.

Anyways, till next week!

-Matt-

P.S. 1990s bonus points to anyone who though of THIS while reading this week.

Click HERE to view the double-page spread in all its glory!

Dracula is dead, long live…Docula!

As (arguably) the greatest villain in western literature burns and disintegrates before our eyes, is it possible that something EVEN WORSE could rise from the ashes? It sure seems that way, as Doc goes into full-on villain mode this week and unleashes a malicious monologue that would even make ol’ Drac blush.

I mean, what’s scarier? An undead Romanian Count with an overblown ego and a weak spot for the ladies, or the World’s Greatest Man of Science turned evil and dead set on using his talents to inflict “unprecedented horrors on mankind?” I’ll let you guys make the call on that, but lets just say if this were a movie I would be yelling at the screen, telling Joe to wipe that smug smile off his face…because, yeah, he may have just tricked Doc into helping to kill Dracula, but he also may have made things – for himself, the Daredevils and the world – much, MUCH worse.

Be here NEXT WEEK to witness Docula’s first act as a newly minted ARCH-VILLAIN! Prepare to recoil in TERROR as Joe learns the hard way that actions have unexpected consequences, and one should always be careful what they wish for. In just 7 days, horror…TRUE horror comes to the pages of Deep Dive Daredevils. You have been warned!

This would normally be the spot in the blog where I ask you to RSS and all that good stuff, but this week I am going to try something different. We are 3…count ‘em 3 LIKES away from 200 hundred likes on Facebook. So, if you haven’t already, please stop by our Facebook fan page, or click

here and put us over the top. Much obliged!

Welp, just 5 pages left to go in Pitch Black Day and every single one counts, so mark your calendars and plan accordingly! In the meantime though, stop by the Sunday Bonus Lunch and congratulate Evin for finding the time last week to actually write the thing. We’re all so very proud.

Anyways, till next week!

-Matt-

SPLORT!

The climax is here, Daredevilers, which means it is time to blow the proverbial doors off this sucker! We scoffed at the time tested adage, “Go BIG or go HOME” and decided that the only way to payoff over a year’s worth of conflict with fiction’s GREATEST monster/villain was to go HUGE!

With that in mind, what you are looking at this week is the FIRST half of the FIRST ever Deep Dive Daredevils DOUBLE-PAGE SPLASH! Ya see, a while back I was thinking about the eventual future of DDD in print (did I just say that out loud?) and I realized that because of the site’s layout we had never thought of or even attempted a double-page splash. Well, I could not let that stand, obviously, so I set out to create a double-page layout that would work as two individual pages in webcomic form and as a double-page spread in print.

Well, after much thinking and consternation, I had a plan. I then pitched it to Dan and Evin, and while they gave it the go ahead, I could tell by the looks on their faces that they had their doubts. I am convinced that the only reason they gave it the green light was because they knew as well as I did that we had an ace in the hole to help pull this crazy idea off – Danilo Guida! I guarantee you that most artists when faced with such a task would probably respond with some manner of colorful metaphor, but, if I remember correctly, Danilo’s response was, “No problem, sounds like fun.” And, the rest is history!

Be here NEXT WEEK to see the second half of the spread and decide for yourself whether we pulled it off or not! Also, just how in the heck did Abigail get herself un-skewered, and what is the final fate of Dracula? All of that and more SHOCKING twists are waiting for you just 7 days in the future! The question is can you possibly maintain your sanity until then? In the meantime, make sure to RSS, Like, of Follow to tide yourself over with supplementary content.

Speaking of supplementary content, there is no new Sunday Bonus Lunch this week. Boo. Hiss. Apparently, Evin’s got too much homework or something…cry me a river, dude. Try getting literally ANYTHING done with a newborn that eats every 2 hours and a three year-old running around. Somehow I manage. Time to man up, hoss.

Anyway, till next week!

-Matt-

Blip Blip Blip.

Strange to think such simple, unimposing sounds could be the harbinger of man’s doom. The people of Earth will suffer a vampire apocalypse under a blanket of unending darkness unless…McGinty can PUNCH the Pitch Black Day rocket to death first!

This is the climax, Daredevilers. 40 some odd pages of story are coming to a head, and it all leads to a two week EVENT that is literally the BIGGEST page of the entire run! Yeah, take in what I just said. Whatever could I mean? I’ll end the teases there and just say it’s officially summer blockbuster season and we pulling out all the stops once again.

So, I would advise you begin counting the days until NEXT WEEK because in just 7 rotations of the planet you will witness the FINAL FATE of [Redacted]! That’s right, in the first half of our two-part Deep Dive Daredevils event someone is going down. Now is the time to RSS, Like, or Follow!

On a related note, Danilo just turned in the last page of Pitch Black Day, and first and foremost you should be jealous because it will be another 7 weeks before you get your eyeballs on it. But seriously, it was a bittersweet moment when the page hit my inbox. On one hand, it is great to have the story finished, but on the other I know it is the last page that we will be producing with Danilo for a while. Ya see, we’ve brought back Smilton to draw the 20-30 page story that immediately follows this one (more on that later). So, I just want to take the opportunity to thank Danilo for the 88 fantastic DDD pages he’s delivered, and more importantly for being such a great collaborator. I’ve said it before and I will say it again – without Danilo Guida there are no Deep Dive Daredevils. Here’s to finishing PBD, and looking forward to even bigger and better things in 2015, my friend!

Oh, and read Evin’s latest installment of the Sunday Bonus Lunch with the foreknowledge that I BEAT him in the Pizza eating contest that he goes on and on about this week. Suck it, Evin.

Anyways, till next week!

-Matt-