Originally Windshield Chiaroscuro, (pronounced kee-AR-ask-shur-OH and meaning the treatment of light and shade in drawing and painting) was written as a brief, one-off writing sample back in the days when I aspired to become a professional comic book writer. In 1991 Windshield was seriously considered for publication by Now Comics (at the time) holders of the Twilight Zone publishing license. The week the comic's editor and I began to correspond, Now Comics had filed for bankruptcy.

In 1996 I met a very talented and disciplined young artist named Kurt Ankeny. He looked over the script for Windshield, and without my behest, illustrated the entire story (save for the inking and lettering). Sadly, the incomplete pages now sit in my closet, returned to me by the artist after several years of limbo. He determined the story was no longer worthy of print as his style and skill have evolved so much as an artist.

I could not disagree.

In 1997 I made my first attempt to translate Windshield into an audio play. Before a single sound was uttered, my friend's sound recording system crashed. Bringing this little story to the public was a dream long in coming. I am grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.

To view Kurt Ankeny's original illustrations for Windshield Chiaroscuro click on the thumbnails for larger image. Use your browser's BACK button to return here.