Hey, Karl — gorgeous as ever. I wonder if someday – you know, in your abundant spare time – you might be willing to tag the strips so that it’s easy to access each plot line / character as a unit? I love the fragmentary development of each narrative thread, but here, for example, where I don’t remember exactly what happened in the previous Moon Bear and Vivol episodes, it would be useful to have a way to easily access all of them in order. Just a thought.
neophyte : Just go to the archive. The previous “vivol & moon bear” strips are easy to find by the titles.
This particular strip is too good for me to comment about it without the comment being very inadequate, so I won’t. But I agree with what’s been said so far.
My wife just cried reading this. She said it was her prayer every time I returned home from a mission. “Thank-you, Lord for keeping him safe”. I imagine the last 8 years this same little prayer of thanks has been uttered many thousands of time.
Thanks for reminding us that those who must sit and wait and suffer, serve too.
I wonder…if in this world, humans can understand animals? Or if Vivol gave a roar and was silenced. Either way, my heart is still pretty much shattered into itty bitty bits.
Cartoon logic. Humans don’t understand animals unless it’s funny, ironic, or required by the plot. Then they look around puzzled while the animal stands there whistling innocently. And they never wonder why a cat can whistle, either. Or bake lasagna. Even if it’s bad lasagna.
Yeah, yeah, mistreated by the circus owners, we GOT it already. It was moving at first, but now it feels like repeating a concept that was already made clear.
Next time it will be “Moon Bear forced to jump into a circle of fire” or something…. on with the plot already?
Lun – I think the cruel circus owner isn’t the point of this comic. First comic where Vivol meets Moon Bear: he’s indifferent. Second comic: he’s treating her like a friend. This comic: he cares.
The circus is just the backdrop, what’s going on here is developing their relationship.
And prepping to rip everyone’s heart out again when something terrible happens, I’m sure…
Guess it may be so, Kiddo. Yet there’s something that I can’t explain – it’s like this comic’s story doesn’t feel as magic and intense as it did in the beginning. Maybe it’s just my impression, though.
Anyway, like NoahRodenbeek said, I’m here only for the very good art, now…. I hope however that the story will regain it’s original pace, so that I’ll enjoy the drawings AND the plot!
The ringmaster would have to be scarier than two bears and a handstand on a tent pole high in the air. That said I’m not sure I want to see him/her for fear of the nachtmares such a person is sure to cause. (fyi; nachtmares are nightmares with German subtitles, which increases their scariness tenfold)
Of course, I know I’ll be back either way, but will be looking through my fingers just in case.
Man, I hope the deity remains anonymous because if its not Frith I won’t be able to read this comic as a Watership Down side-story. Then again I won’t be keeping a futile eye out for a Bigwig cameo either (hint, hint). Badass bunnies ftw.
March 18th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Ohh, poor poor Vivol. Such a frustrating page to read!
March 18th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Amazing graphics again Karl – the concern in Vivol’s face is so evident in panel three . And the last two panels caused my throat to catch a little .
March 18th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Aw. My heart can bearly bear it.
Good job on never missing a week so far! That some dedication. Us (your readers) appreciate it.
PS- Those Facebook notifications are great reminders.
March 18th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Beautifully paced and beautifully drawn. Very nice Karl.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
AHH! I want to see the ringmaster!
March 18th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Oh, Vivol. Life weighs on you far, far to heavily.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
If I win the lotto, I swear I’ll invest 100% in the print version of this series. It is always amazing.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
nice.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Ah jeeze. Well done. Still a lil confused though.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Hey, Karl — gorgeous as ever. I wonder if someday – you know, in your abundant spare time – you might be willing to tag the strips so that it’s easy to access each plot line / character as a unit? I love the fragmentary development of each narrative thread, but here, for example, where I don’t remember exactly what happened in the previous Moon Bear and Vivol episodes, it would be useful to have a way to easily access all of them in order. Just a thought.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap
March 19th, 2009 at 12:35 am
D’:
March 19th, 2009 at 12:49 am
neophyte : Just go to the archive. The previous “vivol & moon bear” strips are easy to find by the titles.
This particular strip is too good for me to comment about it without the comment being very inadequate, so I won’t. But I agree with what’s been said so far.
March 19th, 2009 at 1:16 am
My wife just cried reading this. She said it was her prayer every time I returned home from a mission. “Thank-you, Lord for keeping him safe”. I imagine the last 8 years this same little prayer of thanks has been uttered many thousands of time.
Thanks for reminding us that those who must sit and wait and suffer, serve too.
March 19th, 2009 at 6:35 am
Breaks my heart every time.
March 19th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Oh, my Lord… great work, my friend…
March 19th, 2009 at 9:43 am
I have many pets, they have feelings, I love them and they me, I think this story is going to tear our hearts out.
March 19th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Who is keeping Moon Bear safe? What does that ol’ Vivol know?
March 19th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
*sniffle* Oh, Vivol.
I wonder…if in this world, humans can understand animals? Or if Vivol gave a roar and was silenced. Either way, my heart is still pretty much shattered into itty bitty bits.
March 19th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Powerful.
March 19th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Simply amazing.
March 20th, 2009 at 12:06 am
I’m with horse, I think he’s praying.
March 20th, 2009 at 4:09 am
Cartoon logic. Humans don’t understand animals unless it’s funny, ironic, or required by the plot. Then they look around puzzled while the animal stands there whistling innocently. And they never wonder why a cat can whistle, either. Or bake lasagna. Even if it’s bad lasagna.
March 20th, 2009 at 5:01 am
Yeah, yeah, mistreated by the circus owners, we GOT it already. It was moving at first, but now it feels like repeating a concept that was already made clear.
Next time it will be “Moon Bear forced to jump into a circle of fire” or something…. on with the plot already?
March 20th, 2009 at 7:19 am
Shut up, Lun! Don’t like dont read it!
March 20th, 2009 at 8:01 am
I vote we skip the plot for a few more years. I’m only here for the art though.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Lun – I think the cruel circus owner isn’t the point of this comic. First comic where Vivol meets Moon Bear: he’s indifferent. Second comic: he’s treating her like a friend. This comic: he cares.
The circus is just the backdrop, what’s going on here is developing their relationship.
And prepping to rip everyone’s heart out again when something terrible happens, I’m sure…
March 21st, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Amazing. I can ever hear the circus’ drum flourish in my head as moon bear does the trick.
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Aww, poor moon bear. Poor Vivol.
Bears have never made me so sad :(
But it’s all alright because now I can feel better about my own worries which pale in comparison to a life of abuse in the circus as a bear :D
Lovely work, especially the glaring lights and ‘clap clap claps’ ;)
March 24th, 2009 at 4:52 am
Guess it may be so, Kiddo. Yet there’s something that I can’t explain – it’s like this comic’s story doesn’t feel as magic and intense as it did in the beginning. Maybe it’s just my impression, though.
Anyway, like NoahRodenbeek said, I’m here only for the very good art, now…. I hope however that the story will regain it’s original pace, so that I’ll enjoy the drawings AND the plot!
March 24th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
What I wonder is to WHOM is he praying?
March 24th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
The ringmaster would have to be scarier than two bears and a handstand on a tent pole high in the air. That said I’m not sure I want to see him/her for fear of the nachtmares such a person is sure to cause. (fyi; nachtmares are nightmares with German subtitles, which increases their scariness tenfold)
Of course, I know I’ll be back either way, but will be looking through my fingers just in case.
March 24th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
@ Horse
El-ahrairah. Who else?
March 25th, 2009 at 4:19 am
@Stephen, i would say Frith instead, but i’ve been wrong about him before.
March 25th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Yes, you’re probably correct. Hopefully, the Black Bear of Inle won’t be coming into the picture any time soon.
March 25th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Frith also means the restoration of rights to an outlaw or captive. Appropriate.
March 25th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Man, I hope the deity remains anonymous because if its not Frith I won’t be able to read this comic as a Watership Down side-story. Then again I won’t be keeping a futile eye out for a Bigwig cameo either (hint, hint). Badass bunnies ftw.
March 25th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Hey you with the negative, smart-ass comments–
Down in front; the rest of us are trying to enjoy the story.
March 31st, 2009 at 9:58 am
…dam you Stumbelupon. To early in the day to get sad.