My Glorkian Warrior Quest Finally Ends

Today, we are both looking back and staying firmly in the present. This might get a little weird, but hopefully it will all make sense in the end. Or not. This story begins at San Diego Comic-Con (or it could be MegaCon... but I am pretty sure it was SDCC) MANY years ago. I was working with Troma Entertainment and performing as the Toxic Avenger, and making a lot of fun chaos. We were set up right across from the artist and musician James Kochalka. If my memories hold, he really didn't know what to make of us, especially the ever inquisitive and yet sometimes obvious Toxic Avenger. At some point, merch was traded, and I came away with James' album, Don't Trust Whitey. I still have the album and enjoy it. James was super patient with us, and I have nothing but good memories.

Next, we jump forward to 2014, when my friends over at Pixeljam made a Glorkian Warrior mobile game and were doing an art contest. I always try to support Pixeljam, so I made a piece of Glorkian Warrior art and submitted it to the contest. To be completely honest, I loved the game and played it until it was no longer supported. In the end, I took third place in the art contest, which isn't so bad. It was enough to win me a prize! I received my prize, a copy of The Glorkian Warrior Delivers a Pizza, and proceeded to immediately lose it. It was really odd. In one moment, the book was on my stack of things to read, and the next, it was gone. *Poof* Never to be seen again. Below is my submission to the Glorkian Warrior art contest. 

Glorkian Warrior: The Trials of Glork

Art by Christopher Burdett

Glorkian Warrior © James Kochalka

Now, we jump ahead to about two years ago. I was in our favorite bookstore in St. Augustine, FL. I see where you think this might be going, and no, I did not find a copy of the Glorkian Warrior book by James Kochalka. I found the first volume of the American Elf omnibus by James Kochalka. American Elf was a daily autobiographical cartoon series about James, his wife, their awesome cat, and their lives and adventures. I devoured it. It was raw, funny, embarrassing, and a window into the thoughts and life of a stranger that unfolded over the years. Years that included when we first crossed paths at the convention. I half wondered if any of the Troma antics would make it into James' comics, and they didn't. Having finished American Elf, I was left with the memory of the magically disappearing Glorkian Warrior. 

Just ahead to a week ago. Through a confusing set of events, I found myself under my nightstand getting something that fell under it. And guess what I found, perfectly hidden from view and wedged between two other books. You guessed it! My copy of Glorkian Warrior: The Trials of Glork was right there for the past nine years, perfectly hidden from sight. Needless to say, I gave it a read and loved it. And so concludes my adventures with James Kochalka and his art and music... or is it? Maybe I will tag James on Bluesky and start another adventure! Only the future knows for sure. Anyway, here is my copy of the book that went missing for the past nine years.

The Glorkian Warrior Delivers a Pizza

Add it to your collection!

And finally, if you are still with us. Here is the original pencil art that I did for the Pixeljam art contest. I do not know where this drawing is, to be honest. It might be in a box, or maybe someone bought it. Another mystery that may never have an outcome.

Glorkian scribblings

9 x 12

Pencil on paper

That's all for another exciting Monday on the blog. See you back here on Wednesday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com