Here’s my personal Year-End-Rewards list of the moments that filled my 2017 with firsts, tenths, and other numbers.

The Best-Time-I-Ever-Had-Being-Terrified Award goes to my first improv comedy class. It was scary-fun because of the safe and supportive environment created by the teacher, Domeka Parker of Deep End Theater. 

The first Most-Encouraging-Of-Hoomans Award goes to Jennie Breeden, Lucia Fasano, and Kyle McCormick for convincing me to take that Improv comedy class, and to all the experienced and generous performers in the class.

The second Most-Encouraging-Of-Hoomans Award goes to everyone that backed my first Kickstarter, to everyone that helped edit the book, and to everyone that helped promote it.

The Holy-Crap-Kickstarters-Consume-Your-Life Award goes to my first Kickstarter for my first educational book, The Little Vampires Are Confused About Bats.  

The I’m-Not-Really-A-Competitive-Person-But-Damn-Do-I-Love-Winning Award goes to Stacey and Tracy Ross for introducing James and I to the Geeks Who Drink Pub Quizzes.  

The Thanks-For-Reminding-Me-That-I-Love-Teaching Award goes to Espionage Cosmetics for giving me the opportunity to teach my first geeky watercolor painting class. 

The Holy-Crap-I’ve-Been-Doing-This-For-A-Long-Time Award goes to my beloved Little Vampires. This year was the tenth anniversary of their creation, and the year I reached their 1,000 comic milestone. 

The third Most-Encouraging-Of-Hoomans Award goes to everyone that has enjoyed the Little Vampires these past ten years. Thank you all for granting me the honor and privilege of making you smile by drawing the occasionally pantsless monster.

The Taught-Me-How-To-Fight-For-What’s-Right Award goes to Monkey Minion Press and Optimystical Studios. Dane, Ashlie, Adrian, and Mick taught me that being kind does not mean being quiet. 

The We-Finally-Bought-A-Couch Award goes to IKEA.

The fourth Most-Encouraging-Of-Hoomans Award goes to everyone that bought my work at conventions this year. It was a tough year for independent and original artists, with convention costs rising and overall sales falling. Your support has always been appreciated, but it was appreciated even more this year. Thank you!

Here’s a recruitment poster I did for my team of badass monster women archaeologist relic hunters, the Science Expeditionary Force.

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming of “What Was Dane Thinking?” Today: LOGANKENNY. I got to thinking about what it would be like if Jared Keeso from Letterkenny Problems was cast as Wolverine.