To be continued...

by Paul Benson| June 8, 2016

Many of you have probably noticed we haven't had a strip in over a month.  Jo's been busy with her budding leatherworking business and pursuing other (paid)work, so she hasn't been able to work on a strip.  We had a talk last night, and sadly she informed me that she wouldn't be able to work on Heroines for Hire anymore.

So what does this mean for Heroines?

The hiatus will definitely have to continue for a while longer, as we don't currently have an artist!  I'd been holding out hope each week that Jo would be able to turn in a strip, so I hadn't been looking for a replacement artist.  But now, the hunt is on.

If you are an artist that would be interested in working on the webcomic, please send an email to me at paul@heroinesforhire.com introducing yourself. and include a link to your website/portfolio/tumblr. Don't feel that your art style needs to be the same as Jo's was, either...just show me what you've got!  Or if you know an artist that might be interested, pass on the information.

Meanwhile, I hate leaving you all with nothing...there's a lot more story of the Heroines to tell!  So here's the next installment of the short story I'd been writing.  Hope you enjoy it!

7.

The cultists stripped Derrick of his sword, shield and armor.  They then bound his arms and legs with rope, and suspended him over the large pool in the center of the chamber.  The water was cool and clear below him. 

There were strange runes carved into the stones lining the bottom of the pool.  Derrick's eyes hurt to look at them as the runes seemed to shift, growing both larger and smaller.  He thought it must have been a trick of the light, as so often happens when looking at something underwater.  At least, he hoped that was the case.  He tore his gaze away to regard his captors.

One cultist with an elaborately carved fish mask, whom Derrick assumed was the leader, turned a large wooden wheel set into the wall.  A gate slowly rose at the side of the pool, and in swam several, toothy fish.

"This doesn't seem so bad," Derrick thought.  "I've been in worse scrapes.

The cult leader moved to a second, silver wheel, and began turning that.  Slowly, a panel in the ceiling of the chamber slid away, revealing the night sky.  A full moon hung high overhead.

As the light of the moon hit the pool, the runes at the bottom glowed a sickly color that seemed different from any color that Derrick had ever seen in his life.  The water then began to violently froth.  At this, the cultists hastily backed away from the edge of the pool and retreated from the chamber, leaving Derrick dangling over the churning water.

Painful though it was, Derrick couldn't seem to look away as the fish took on that same indescribable glow as the runes.  Then they began to change...

by Jo Roberts | June 8, 2016

Well folks, it has been a good run, but it is time for me to doff my hat, take a quick bow and exit.

I warned Paul early on that my schedule would constantly be in flux as a freelance graphic designer, antiques dealer, fencing coach, and budding leather entrepreneur.  Too many commitments finally got the better of me so I was not able to consistently produce the comic’s artwork in a timely fashion.  Thank you for all of your time and patience with me.  Perhaps if Paul is really nice he will occasionally let me draw the random fan pic or two in the future. 

If you miss me you can find me (or even send a few complaints) on Facebook at both 4hireart & C & J Goods LA

Thank you for your readership and support. I can't wait to see who takes the helm next!