D. Bethel
@dbethelcomics.bsky.social
A simultaneous comicker/English professor/podcaster doing his best to not screw up. Currently writing and drawing my existential western webcomic, Long John. He/him
The post for the third page talks about the mythology of guns in most westerns and how I tried to upend that in Long John.
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/the-gi...
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/the-gi...
The Gift of a Gift
I took a very deliberate approach to guns in Long John; specifically, I tried to avoid two things about them: 1. using them in a celebratory, showy way. Things like spinning a gun around on a finge…
www.longjohncomic.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM
The post for the third page talks about the mythology of guns in most westerns and how I tried to upend that in Long John.
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/the-gi...
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/the-gi...
In the post for the second page, I talk about how mirroring structures with the previous chapter actually made the writing come together and the chapter more poignant for me.
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/upendi...
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/upendi...
Upending Expectations
There is absolutely an intentionality to having the opening of Chapter 6 mirror the ending of Chapter 5; basically, throw in an unexpected fight to make some noise in an otherwise fairly quiet sequ…
www.longjohncomic.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM
In the post for the second page, I talk about how mirroring structures with the previous chapter actually made the writing come together and the chapter more poignant for me.
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/upendi...
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/upendi...
On the post for the first page above, I talk about when to (or when NOT to) get detailed with the backgrounds (and how much of it is due to laziness. Spoiler: a lot).
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/making...
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/making...
Making Moves
I am not a detail-oriented artist. After doing the work to put details into an establishing shot for a scene, I do admittedly avoid complex backgrounds from that point on if I can. Such is the case…
www.longjohncomic.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM
On the post for the first page above, I talk about when to (or when NOT to) get detailed with the backgrounds (and how much of it is due to laziness. Spoiler: a lot).
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/making...
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/making...
Page 09 - "The Gift of a Gift"
November 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Page 09 - "The Gift of a Gift"
Page 08 - "Upending Expectations"
November 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Page 08 - "Upending Expectations"
Page 07 - "Making Moves"
November 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Page 07 - "Making Moves"
Page 06 - "The Path of Ruin"
November 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Page 06 - "The Path of Ruin"
Page 05 - "A Serious Matter"
November 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Page 05 - "A Serious Matter"
Page 04 - "A Clash Reunion"
November 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Page 04 - "A Clash Reunion"
Page 03 - "Respectful Humility"
November 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Page 03 - "Respectful Humility"
Page 02 - "The Deep End"
November 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Page 02 - "The Deep End"
On the website, I talk about drawing backgrounds—when to go detailed and when to go…abstract, let’s say.
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/making...
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/making...
Making Moves
I am not a detail-oriented artist. After doing the work to put details into an establishing shot for a scene, I do admittedly avoid complex backgrounds from that point on if I can. Such is the case…
www.longjohncomic.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:04 PM
On the website, I talk about drawing backgrounds—when to go detailed and when to go…abstract, let’s say.
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/making...
www.longjohncomic.com/comic/making...