Ira Marcks

Non-perishables for the dystopian pantry

Dude carrying way too many things, labeled "writer/artist" with the stack of stuff labeled "side WIP, WIP from 3 months ago, passion project, imaginary project, WIP I keep open in the background so I don't feel guilty, the WIP I'm actually "working on""

A beautiful autumn sunset on coastal Maine

Once bitten, twice shy

I'm pretty darn excited to finally type these words:

My next graphic novel, Snake Night, slithers into bookstores next fall 🐍✨

It’s a creepy cartoony adventure about two friends intent on decoding the secret to transmutation. More soon.

I was a challenged reader as a kid (and still am) so it feels extra meaningful when a teacher uses my books as a part of a classroom reading challenge.

In a civilized world, the guy who made Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, and like four Hotel Transylvanias would be able to do one for himself

It’s autumn so it’s time for me to repeat my demand that Over the Garden Wall get a stage adaptation

Gates of Hell 🌸

> Use toilet
I don't know how to use that
> Open toilet
It's already open
> Use butt
Where do you want to use it on
> Toilet
I don't see a toilet here
> Look toilet
You see a porcelain toilet
> Use butt on toilet
You can't use that here.
Suddenly your butt explodes. You should have used the toilet!

Hey, how's your summer going? Good to hear. Me? Not bad. Spending most of my days drifting down the River of the Dead.

I think he’s an icon and I think Ticketmaster fees suck!

I’ve been working on this story that opens with a young boy waking up under a tree that’s been struck by lightning. I’ve drawn it a few different times, trying to find the right, I don’t know, tone? This latest version has a bit of humor to it, which is probably good for a kid’s book about death 🖤

I've been waiting my whole life for someone to ask me

notan studies!

The Passion of Joan of Arc
Black Sunday
The Night of the Hunter

Watercolour study by Maurice Sendak for a set piece for a production of Ravel’s opera, “L’Heure Espagnole,” that opened on 22 July 1987 at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera in England.

Not to be unkind, but I am so impatient about the “what’s the point of making my little zines/comics/crafts/art when the world is on fire” sentiments. I get it, but saving the world is not a responsibility shouldered by your art! That’s what being a neighbor, a friend, and hell, a citizen is for!!!

If an artist inspired you—even forever ago—tell them.
We share the cool stuff when it happens, but most of our time is spent being quietly uncool. The one thing we can count on is knowing we’ve inspired others to chase their own cool things. This is a nice reminder ❤️

If only someone
TWO RACECAR-DRIVING SISTERS
could tell me
KEEP WINNING DEADLY RACES IN EXOTIC LOCATIONS
how to effectively
TO HUNT THE ULTRAWEALTHY VAMPIRE
pitch my novel
WHO KILLED THEIR FATHER
to a publisher
THE PROMINENT TRANSYLVANIAN LEFTIST

ink and watercolor illustration of four kids accidentally summoning some kind of ancient ghost king

six panel comic about living in an apartment and tying to identify the sounds coming from the apartment below

ink and watercolor illustration of a tiny weird bumpy little wizard guy and his pet, out for a walk amongst the flowers and mushrooms and grass

ink and watercolor illustration of an artist and his masterpiece

It's been a really tough summer for me financially, but lucky for you that means I'm VERY EAGER to take on new freelance projects. Illustration, comics, writing stories, jokes and more. I can do it all! philintheblanks.com

You get it 🐾

Another experiment in my afterlife side project. Every one of these gets me a step closer to turning this little weird idea into a book. How many more steps?! I have no idea!!

a ½ gallon of neutral milk

They finally made the milk from that hotel

Never meet your idols

I think about your prose for that game a lot. The memory brings fond feelings, inspiration, and a deep burning regret that I didn't buy one of the the NES-inspired boxes you made for SPX that one year ❤️

Today is my birthday! 🎉

Check it out - I was just gifted this shirt made from amazingly soft vintage fabric and handmade by @mauramarcks.bsky.social it’s the most comfortable, fun, and flowy thing I’ve ever worn. ❤️

If you haven't played @tommchenry.bsky.social 's masterpiece of interactive fiction, and you enjoy the kinds of media I do, I am *begging* you to give this a go. This was such a "oh shit, games writing is back!" moment for me, and I'm so glad to know and play games with Tom today. Go master a horse!

Shark summer book tour in full effect

If you ban Calvin and Hobbes you’re a straight up fascist son of a bitch and that’s that