I’ve wanted to do this sort of strip since I started drawing Strangebeard. I LOVE maps of fictional place (like the ones in the beginning of fantasy novels like those of Tolkien).

When I was a kid, my brother and I had a ton of pirate Lego. Our parents were kind enough to let us set up a little diorama-like area in our unfinished basement, where we built a little pirate village we called ‘Shell Inlet.’ There was a little bar, an apartment building (we didn’t understand housing very well), a secret cannibal lair in a giant tree, and a little island where a cranky old pirate lived that had a shark guarding the bridge. It was one of the most fun times I ever experienced, and a lot of that is going to find its way into Strangebeard in the coming weeks.

Today’s pirate movie recommendation: Captain Blood, starring Errol Flynn! It’s probably my favorite overall pirate movie; it’s got a noble captain, ship’s battles, a swordfight on a beach, and an evil governor. I love it, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Lots more plot on Thursday; there’s a major character that needs introducing! As always, there are further strips over at The Adventurers.