May 13th, 2009
An Exchange
Thanks to everyone who came out to see me in Toronto last weekend! It was the first show I’ve been to where the readers of The Abominable Charles Christopher outnumbered (far outnumbered) the readers of my Marvel/DC work, and it was humbling and wonderful to hear all of your feedback.
I sold small ink drawings of various animals (mostly plump birds) and a lot of t-shirts – so many, in fact, that I’m now sold out of a few sizes. It may be time to start thinking about a design for the next one!
The most common question, by far, was whether or not I was planning a print edition of the comic.
I am.
I’m looking at printing quotes and schedules, and I hope to have something available by mid-summer. So hang tight!
May 13th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
TOWNSEN!
May 13th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Simply beautiful work Karl. I can’t wait for every Wednesday >.<
May 13th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I have $10 says he exchanges the feather for a pizza and a box of beer! That’s the exchange I’d make!!!
May 13th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
I love this strip. You and XKCD.
May 13th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Glad to hear you’re looking into a print edition. I too have a hard time waiting for this comic once a week, as I quickly tore through the backlog once I saw your PvP guest strip. =D
Stunning, simply stunning.
May 13th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I’d love to see a t-shirt featuring Sissi Skunk of South-Bend-in-the-River with two thumbs up.
May 13th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
And oh yeah, I came here from PVP too. Loving the art, and the story.
May 13th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I’d buy Sissi Skunk!
May 13th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Outstanding! Great to hear you’re coming out with a book version of Charles Christopher. Thanks for all your hard work and the wonderful series (and the cool T-Shirt).
I was really happy to have met you and your fellow TX’ers at the TCAF this past weekend – I would not have known about these online comics otherwise. I was one of those few who only knew you from your work on Teen Titans, for which I was truly impressed.
I still can’t help but think about Bone as I read this story. I mean this as a compliment. Your art is more realistic and has its own unique charm and aesthetics but the highly developed characterizations and sense of adventure ranks it with other great fantasy stories.
Thanks!
May 13th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Print edition! Yes!
May 13th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
W00T!! PRINT EDITION!!
Just let us know when we can put down for pre-orders :3 !!
Now, back to the comic:
Is a feather worth the body of a supposedly dead fox? T-T
GIVE US BACK TOWNSEN, YOU CREEPY BIRD!!
May 13th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
YEAH! Stay brave, Chuck!
May 13th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Hang tough Chuck, it’s just a bird. What harm can one bird do.
Ok, don’t answer that.
Ok, show of hands, who all rooted for Charles out loud? (raises hand)
May 13th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
:jumpsupandown: TOWNSEN! TOWNSEN! TOWNSEN!
May 13th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
“I feel your trembling in my very roots” – love that line
May 13th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Wow! I just started reading your comic, and it is *so* good!
May 13th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Aww, don’t tease us, now! Will the little fox be okay?
May 13th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
There better be a trade for Townsen or somebody is gonna get a hurt real bad! >:(
May 13th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I am moved how the tone is set with different ‘camera’ perspectives. Close, closer, from the bottom, from above; the panels tell the story like bars of muic. Wonderful.
May 13th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
there’s a lot happening here. I wonder what the “exchange” will be. The cold steel gaze of the birds eye in the last panel doesn’t look menacing at all, but the tone is sort of emperor (star wars) like…. Im intrigued to say the least.
May 13th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
GIVE HIM TOWNSEN BACK! Anything less and I’ll be really sad.
Beautiful, beautiful comic.
It’s amazing how you can give so much personality to a character who never speaks.
May 13th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
You traveled all that way for a reason CC, time to bring Townsen back.
May 13th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
i actualy gasped outloud when i realsied that he might be able to trade for townsen
May 13th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
A bird-tree? cool! thanx for the lovely artwork!
May 14th, 2009 at 12:04 am
Hey, there! Been a fan of your work for a while. As much as I would like Townsen to be “resurrected”, I think simple closure would be good enough. Because in a way, Townsen is reunited with his brothers, and the dead are not truly gone such as the MoonBear spirit. Besides I don’t think the crow is that generous.
May 14th, 2009 at 12:23 am
Those last two frames with Charles in them really got to me. I can’t really explain why but they really made Charles a very real character to me. You are an incredible artist by the way but the story is what hooked me. Watching Charles come this far has been nothing short of an incredible journey. I watch my inbox on Facebook every Wendesday waiting for this. Thank you…seriously.
May 14th, 2009 at 12:40 am
you need to come back to Calgary so i can get some of those t-shirts.
May 14th, 2009 at 1:04 am
Townsen!!! At last!
May 14th, 2009 at 2:38 am
Wow, the first frame is a knock out. Yes, I too would be asking for Townsen.
May 14th, 2009 at 3:37 am
Could the bird be… fear itself?
May 14th, 2009 at 4:29 am
PS – I will definitely be buying the book.
May 14th, 2009 at 4:31 am
his… roots? is that a tree-bird?
May 14th, 2009 at 6:15 am
Thank you so much for looking into a print version of the strip. Paper is always easier to flip through than archives. :)
May 14th, 2009 at 6:36 am
bringing back townsen would be the biggest cop out ever.
give it a rest, fan boys and girls. seriously.
May 14th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Townsen!!! SQUEE!!!
May 14th, 2009 at 6:56 am
//bringing back townsen would be the biggest cop out ever.//
nope!
May 14th, 2009 at 7:18 am
We all want Townsen back… but is he really only the equivalent of a little black feather? There’s gotta be more to it than that, surely.
I can’t wait to find out! Post the next comic surprisingly quickly please!
And also – Print Version = AWESOME!
May 14th, 2009 at 7:42 am
While in general I don’t like the idea of print versions of webcomics, it feels oximoronic, but in your case I could be persuaded to make an exception. As to whether Townsen is coming back that was my initial thought, however I wonder if C is more philisophic than this. Sure he could come back but really he has gone and moved on maybe. I wonder if C could imagine something more in line with his mission, assuming he has accepted this as his path. Its hard to know with C. Other than the occasional emotive response; the trap, lion, hunter; his emotions are hidden behind that fur and big frame. In anycase I’ve learned not to speculate too much or at least expect the unexpected with this comic. I do predicte interlude however, I’m opening a book – minimum bet $5.
May 14th, 2009 at 7:58 am
I will freely admit that my heart lept at your announcement that I may be able to hold my very own copy of ACC by this summer. Please offer a HC version, as this tale deserves only the best presentation. I’m seriously financially strapped, but I will gladly dig up the funds for a HC of this.
Stunning page, BTW!
May 14th, 2009 at 8:15 am
bring townsen to his brother, spirit in the sky etc would be a lot more satisfying than having him back in full
May 14th, 2009 at 8:21 am
I think we all need to have Townsen to be returned and in good nick… That bird seems to have strong magic and that feather is a valuable one.
May 14th, 2009 at 8:28 am
The feather for Townsen! The feather for Townsen!!!
May 14th, 2009 at 8:29 am
When you print an Abominable book, I will buy it.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Onif looks even more Onif in this strip. You have an uncanny way of portraying wisdom, Karl. It’s funny when it comes from a cockroach or a crab, but when you rock it out with the Lion or Moonbear or this Giant Bird it’s just inspiring.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:56 am
*ONIG, sorry
May 14th, 2009 at 10:22 am
I think the exchange may be a chance to say goodbye to Townsen… I’m hoping that it’s Townsen… soooo as CJvenus says “The feather for Townsen! The feather for Townsen!!!”
May 14th, 2009 at 10:48 am
ohjeezohjeezohjeez
save your foxy friend charles!
i’m so going to buy this book
May 14th, 2009 at 10:54 am
I would love to see a printed version. Every Wednesday, I’m waiting for the e-mail to see the newest post. Keep up the good work
May 14th, 2009 at 10:55 am
New T-shirt? Go go Coachroach Shrink! :D
May 14th, 2009 at 11:12 am
i love all your weekly strips, but you’ve managed to pack so much emotion, drama and significance into this week that it’s truly breathtaking.
and count me in as another who will gladly pay to own these works in print!
May 14th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I’m all upons for a print addition. I’m really slow apparently, because the trade for Townsen didn’t even occur to me. It’d be nice and sweet so I’d like it, but really there are innumerable options for a trade. Looking forward to learning Charles’ choice.
May 14th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Sign me up for a pre-order for a print edition. I have such love for this comic.
Also, is it just me, or does the raven have surprisingly kind looking eyes?
May 14th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
So guys, are we going to resurrect Bambi’s mom too while were at it? Sheesh, talk about missing the point…
Thankfully, given the amazing quality of the story so far, I think Karl knows that his comments section isn’t a good place to draw ideas from.
May 14th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Townsen !
(and no, Bambi’s mother death was a whole defining moment of Bambi, I don’t think it’s the same here.)
May 14th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
The eye of the bird in the last panel did it for me – that is one menacing bird – and no real leg definition – just grows out of the top of the tree . Stick to your guns Charles .
May 14th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
C’mon peeps, Bravado ain’t comin’ back.
May 15th, 2009 at 12:06 am
What if Townsen is resurrected, but he’s not quite the same Townsen as he was before he died? I mean, I could definitely see a pseudo-Townsen being delivered by this not-to-be-trusted bird.
May 15th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Zombie Townsen *shamble shamble* =D
May 15th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I love his googley eyes in panel five!! Awesome strip. Love how charles is shaping up these days.
May 15th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
holy crap, you skip a couple weeks and …. holy crap
May 16th, 2009 at 9:28 am
I told you the bird was the tree! I told you! Muahahahaha!
May 17th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Wow. I love the first panel! And I want to have Townsen back :)
May 17th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I definitely am regretting not being able to make it to TCAF! Karl, I discovered Abominable thanks to a friend of mine – Alex Serra. We were discussing web comics in general and he suggested I check out yours. I’m definitely a follower now!
May 17th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Holy crap, I just found this comic today and read it all in one delicious sitting – not a bad way to spend a day off.
You’ve certainly just won yourself a new fan, Karl. PS, definitely buying a book as soon as you print them! Oh, Charles, how I love your blank stares and random acts of kindness!
May 17th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Did you people learn nothing from ‘Pet Sematary’? Townsen will never be Townsen again. Death changes people (and animals!). Part of growing up, CC, is mourning and letting go…
..that said, I miss Townsen too.
May 18th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Isn’t the death of Townsen one of the reasons Charles is on this journey? Not to bring him back but to prevent more lives ending like his.
Karl stay true to your course.
Fifty years old and I saw my first live wild fox Friday night.
May 19th, 2009 at 1:37 am
I’m a bit confused. The body of the bird says raven or raptor, but the beak is right for a small songbird–? Raptor beaks tend to be longer, and a hawk’s is more hooked, but a crow’s or a raven’s…well, they have big, um, schnozzes…
May 19th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
It’s a bird that’s growing out of a tree, I don’t think its diet is precisely relevant. :)
May 19th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Hehe! Maybe this bird lives off MiracleGro?
Or maybe, ya know, organic fertilizer?
May 20th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Proof I’ve been watching too many old XMen movies: All I could hear was Ian McKellen’s voice in the first panel hahaha
May 20th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Townsen! Now! :(
May 20th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Geeze, I knew Townsen WOULD return. Pfffft.
May 20th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
[...] | Karl Kerschl says his webcomic The Abominable Charles Christopher could be coming to print this year. “I’m [...]
May 20th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Hello! I picked up the txcomics insert from TCAF and I’m hooked on your webcomic! All of the characters are exceptional, and your storytelling is awesome! I love Charles. Wednesdays will be magical for me henceforth! :)
June 15th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Ooh, menacingly beautiful..
August 24th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
I dont actually believe that the big black bird was a crow. Maybe a strangely black hawk??
March 7th, 2010 at 12:09 am
An exchange? This should be good.