I found this strip a few days ago and have been spoiled with the instant gratification of the archives. Sigh. Now I have to wait like everyone else for the next installation. Beautiful work, well worth the wait, but it isn’t easy! I love your storytelling, craftsmanship; basically everything about it. I look forward to next week.
Total surprise with the statements from the bird . A number of us felt that there was great danger involved in dealings with him. But then he tells Charles that he made the “wisest choice” and wishes him the best of luck .
Ya did it again Karl – great twist in the arc that left a lot of us catching our breath . And the art-work done with the bird is just totally awesome .
>>That feather would have protected you from any earthly danger. It was a foolish trade.
This is why I hate some plot-heavy video games. Withholding critical information just to go “Ha, ha!” once the choice is made without it? Solid dickery.
HIS BLOOD IS ON YOUR HANDS
HE ONCE AGAIN SHALL SEE
ZOMBIE FOX
ZOMBIE FOX
ZOMBIE FOX
HIS SKULL IS MADE OF BONE
HIS BONES ARE MADE OF BRAVERY
ZOMBIE FOX
ZOMBIE FOX
ZOMBIE FOX
HE RISES FROM THE EARTH
HE BRINGS THE END OF LIFE
ZOMBIE FOX
ZOMBIE FOX
ZOMBIE FOX
HE STANDS OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR
HIS JUDGMENT COMES TONIGHT
I’m hoping for Townsen (even zombie Townsen) like the majority of people here, so why does some part of me think Charles wished for his pacifier back? Ha, ha.
Addone: The end of “What did Charles wish for,” I believe–ending it now would be awfully abrupt!
Absolutely stunning, Karl! I waited all day for this, then I got distracted by something, but it dulled the pain of waiting. Your artwork is beautiful as always, but I especially love panels 2 and 4. I hate cliffhangers… but that just keeps me looking forward to next week, which sounds like it will be shocking and unexpected! Sadly, I don’t think it’s Townsen in that hole… but who knows!
augh!
what is in that hole?!
i hope it’s not zombie townsen. zombies are scary.
@ seraph LOL that would be hilarious if he wished for his pacifier… lol
ah, the wind family. maybe there are four of them! maybe the lion is the north! anyway, beautiful, beautiful work as always, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a horrifying, half-decayed, brain-craving, zombie townsen.
Oh, I love a good cliffhanger and this is one of the finest you’ve pulled off so far, Karl. Can’t wait to see what happens. And to I-hate-socks; I don’t think it is a crow, I think it is a beautiful hawk (jeez, hope I’m right).
Aaaaah, three new episodes and it’s STILL a cliffhanger!
I bet it’s a cute cuddly dead zombie god with yummy rotting tentacles. Or a guest star introspective curséd hyena from Digger! Or a deep-fried bacon-wrapped sausage twinkie!
Well I’m hoping for Townsen. Digging him up is a little offputting though, he’ll be covered in dirt. I feel that it’s interesting that the hawk/crow is brother to the tentacled/lion thing.
Dig for Townsen Charles… go go go… we want him back
Mythic wind-hawk-bird thing…definitely female. Anyone remember Gillian Anderson (from X-Files, ha) voicing the giant wolf mom in Princess Mononoke? That’s the voice I hear in my head.
Interesting that no one has caught (or at least commented) about the connection with being a fool and the “errand” Charles is on–a fool’s errand perhaps?
“what did you do charles?”
“i couldn’t help it. i tried to think of the most harmless thing. something i loved from my childhood. something that could never ever possibly destroy us.
“it’s the stay puft marshmellow man.”
I don’t personally think it’s going to be Townsen like everyone seems to have presupposed, but we’ll see. Otherwise, in regards to this and the most recent comics- awesome, awesome, awesome.
Oh man, I can’t remember the last time I felt this much suspense… part of me really wants Townsen back but the other part is telling me that would be too obvious, not twisty enough.
Townsen, I miss you. :C
Wow. Just wow. I found your website today and read through the archive. I thought I was going to cry when Townsen died. You have an amazing way with characters. I love every character that you’ve created in this story. They have so much personality and life. Your art is absolutely incredible as well. Thank you for sharing this story with us.
Now to wait and see what the shiny new macguffin is. . .Heh.
Read the comments on prior panels where people heard the Bird’s voice as female. I’d always heard it as male, but in trying to hear it as female, it just overlapped the male and made some sort of multi-person, multi-gender “voice in unison” effect. Which, for a giant bird, is rather cool.
I’m ashamed that I haven’t realised this comic was in existence before now but I have to say it is thoroughly enjoyable and compelling to read.
On a personal note I’ve always imagined the Lion to have the voice of Patrick Stewart and the bird to have the voice of Ian McKellen- completely coincidental
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:30 pm
sweet, i like the mythos that is really taking shape here.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:31 pm
plus, the artwork is top-notch
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:35 pm
more excellent artwork as always… looking forward!
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:38 pm
i’ve been clicking on refresh for the past hour wondering when you’d come out and bang! jeepers…what’s to come? what’s to come?
there is a beautiful argent quality to all of the panels and i can feel the intensity in the moment. panel three is a keeper.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:40 pm
I found this strip a few days ago and have been spoiled with the instant gratification of the archives. Sigh. Now I have to wait like everyone else for the next installation. Beautiful work, well worth the wait, but it isn’t easy! I love your storytelling, craftsmanship; basically everything about it. I look forward to next week.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:41 pm
awesome awesome awesome
you never cease to wow me with your artwork, and the plot keeps me riveted!
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Beautiful again.
The “double-sized finale” excites me a great deal.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
What’s in the hole!?! What’s in the hole!?! Aaaaauughh!…….. There. Regained my composure. Great stuff again Karl!
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Towsen! Townsen! Townsen!
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Excellent storytelling and artwork as always – holding my breath for the entire next week for the finale! Dig, Charles!! (Townsen Townsen Townsen????)
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Second and fourth panels are SO SO gorgeous!!
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Oh c’mon bring the kid back already
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Total surprise with the statements from the bird . A number of us felt that there was great danger involved in dealings with him. But then he tells Charles that he made the “wisest choice” and wishes him the best of luck .
Ya did it again Karl – great twist in the arc that left a lot of us catching our breath . And the art-work done with the bird is just totally awesome .
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:49 pm
holy crap! the panels are so intense my eyes began to squint just looking at it!! Amazing stuff, can’t wait for the next strip!
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Not only does the story continue to grip, but that bird may be the coolest gray scale effect i have ever seen.
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Wait, did you say…FINALE? Of this arc, or the entire journey!?
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:05 pm
>>That feather would have protected you from any earthly danger. It was a foolish trade.
This is why I hate some plot-heavy video games. Withholding critical information just to go “Ha, ha!” once the choice is made without it? Solid dickery.
HIS BLOOD IS ON YOUR HANDS
HE ONCE AGAIN SHALL SEE
ZOMBIE FOX
ZOMBIE FOX
ZOMBIE FOX
HIS SKULL IS MADE OF BONE
HIS BONES ARE MADE OF BRAVERY
ZOMBIE FOX
ZOMBIE FOX
ZOMBIE FOX
HE RISES FROM THE EARTH
HE BRINGS THE END OF LIFE
ZOMBIE FOX
ZOMBIE FOX
ZOMBIE FOX
HE STANDS OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR
HIS JUDGMENT COMES TONIGHT
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:11 pm
I’m hoping for Townsen (even zombie Townsen) like the majority of people here, so why does some part of me think Charles wished for his pacifier back? Ha, ha.
Addone: The end of “What did Charles wish for,” I believe–ending it now would be awfully abrupt!
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Luv the song. Nice one Anon.
Wait, Karl? Are you saying that the crow’s brother is the LION??!!!
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Oh snap dig fast before he dies all over again dude!
And someone with some musical talent PLEASE make that song real.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Interesting, I am beginning to think it will not be Townsen…
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Good stuff. So happy to have weekly updates.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Nope, no zombie Townsen. When a powerful elemental spirit wishes you “best of luck” its not an empty phrase.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Absolutely stunning, Karl! I waited all day for this, then I got distracted by something, but it dulled the pain of waiting. Your artwork is beautiful as always, but I especially love panels 2 and 4. I hate cliffhangers… but that just keeps me looking forward to next week, which sounds like it will be shocking and unexpected! Sadly, I don’t think it’s Townsen in that hole… but who knows!
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:11 pm
augh!
what is in that hole?!
i hope it’s not zombie townsen. zombies are scary.
@ seraph LOL that would be hilarious if he wished for his pacifier… lol
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Dig it!
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Dammit it better be Townsen
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:55 pm
finally a little exposition, even though it didn’t really tell us anything.. but who cares, now onto what really matters, Zambee Townsen!! YAAY!!
P.S.
Yes anon, Solid Dickery Indeed
June 4th, 2009 at 12:04 am
pretty sweet there karlos. pretty sweet.
June 4th, 2009 at 12:27 am
ah, the wind family. maybe there are four of them! maybe the lion is the north! anyway, beautiful, beautiful work as always, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a horrifying, half-decayed, brain-craving, zombie townsen.
June 4th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Is this a hint to Digg this page? Not very subtle, but ok.
http://digg.com/comics_animation/The_Abominable_Charles_Christopher_Wisdom_of_the_Fool
There ya go. And yeah, I know that wasn’t a hint, just pitching in, heh.
June 4th, 2009 at 1:26 am
Love it, but the typo is starting to be a little annoying. Can you consider a change?
June 4th, 2009 at 2:11 am
Oh, I love a good cliffhanger and this is one of the finest you’ve pulled off so far, Karl. Can’t wait to see what happens. And to I-hate-socks; I don’t think it is a crow, I think it is a beautiful hawk (jeez, hope I’m right).
June 4th, 2009 at 2:24 am
This is so very good.
June 4th, 2009 at 3:41 am
The raven/hawk changing into a bird of light, like a phoenix, a symbol of rebirth – I think the Townsen fans can take that as a very hopeful sign!
I hope your wish is worth all it cost, Charles.
June 4th, 2009 at 3:57 am
Time for Zombie Townsen!
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
June 4th, 2009 at 6:09 am
Aaaaah, three new episodes and it’s STILL a cliffhanger!
I bet it’s a cute cuddly dead zombie god with yummy rotting tentacles. Or a guest star introspective curséd hyena from Digger! Or a deep-fried bacon-wrapped sausage twinkie!
June 4th, 2009 at 6:11 am
I still think it’s pizza and beer
June 4th, 2009 at 7:33 am
I think it might be a weapon of revenge or something that will destroy all of man’s guns. Maybe that’s why it’s called “wise.”
I really do wonder.
June 4th, 2009 at 7:33 am
Well I’m hoping for Townsen. Digging him up is a little offputting though, he’ll be covered in dirt. I feel that it’s interesting that the hawk/crow is brother to the tentacled/lion thing.
Dig for Townsen Charles… go go go… we want him back
June 4th, 2009 at 7:34 am
could be worms for the bird….
June 4th, 2009 at 8:27 am
oooOOOoooh…
June 4th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Mythic wind-hawk-bird thing…definitely female. Anyone remember Gillian Anderson (from X-Files, ha) voicing the giant wolf mom in Princess Mononoke? That’s the voice I hear in my head.
June 4th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Interesting that no one has caught (or at least commented) about the connection with being a fool and the “errand” Charles is on–a fool’s errand perhaps?
June 4th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Ooh! I have chills!
June 4th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Beautiful page!!
I must say that I really like your writing. You manage to show some serious stuff but not so that it becomes cheesy or too heavy.
June 4th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Another awesome chapter! Man, that feather was really valuable!
June 4th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I just discovered the transaltions on the right, and the Spanish and French tellings are at the point where Townsend is alive. It makes me want to cry
June 4th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Foolish trade only now that you tell him what it was. Although I sometimes think Charles has a lot more going on upstairs than he lets on…
Whatever it is I’m wondering if it’s like the shiny thing on Pulp Fiction…highly desirable yet deadly to possess…0_o
Take care, Charles…
PS. SO not surprised that the lion and crow are brothers. =P Figures.
June 4th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
To Mr. Dinosaur: Dude that is exactly what I heard in my head too. Awesome.
June 5th, 2009 at 7:38 am
I’m watching you, Karl. I possibly need to buy another shirt because I sharpied out one of the characters. Waiting for it…
June 5th, 2009 at 10:44 am
What if the bird caught him wishing he had a sandwich… lol or a female…uhh Charles-ish-creature with a hot furry bod XD …. ?
June 5th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
So, who else is reading Digger?
June 5th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
double FINALE?? gasp. shiver. hopefully just for this arc.
June 5th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
all i want is for him to find townsend.
June 5th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
“what did you do charles?”
“i couldn’t help it. i tried to think of the most harmless thing. something i loved from my childhood. something that could never ever possibly destroy us.
“it’s the stay puft marshmellow man.”
June 6th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Maybe it’s not Townsen… Maybe he wants to know what the heck is going on… and next week he’ll dig it up. And not tell us for another week.
June 7th, 2009 at 10:59 am
b00gie. You’re evil. I can get behind that.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I don’t personally think it’s going to be Townsen like everyone seems to have presupposed, but we’ll see. Otherwise, in regards to this and the most recent comics- awesome, awesome, awesome.
June 7th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Ooooooh I can’t wait to buy this in print form.
June 7th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Oh man, I can’t remember the last time I felt this much suspense… part of me really wants Townsen back but the other part is telling me that would be too obvious, not twisty enough.
Townsen, I miss you. :C
June 8th, 2009 at 10:21 am
I hope it’s the little dude, but it will most likely be his pacifier he had at the start or something.
Great work though
June 8th, 2009 at 10:39 am
AUGH. I’m going into ferret shock.
June 8th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
When is this out in print?!!!!!!!!
I hope Townsen comes back
i miss him so much.
June 9th, 2009 at 7:08 am
I just love your comic strips… Charles’ story is really moving. Waiting impatiently for more!
June 9th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I’m so excited for tomorrow! Bargaining with big black birds often doesn’t equal cake and sunshine, though. Oooh, the anticipation!
June 9th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Oh, snap!
June 10th, 2009 at 1:10 am
I was wondering how you’d bring him back.
June 10th, 2009 at 4:43 am
Wow. Just wow. I found your website today and read through the archive. I thought I was going to cry when Townsen died. You have an amazing way with characters. I love every character that you’ve created in this story. They have so much personality and life. Your art is absolutely incredible as well. Thank you for sharing this story with us.
Now to wait and see what the shiny new macguffin is. . .Heh.
June 15th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
That second panel is awesome!!!
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:08 am
Read the comments on prior panels where people heard the Bird’s voice as female. I’d always heard it as male, but in trying to hear it as female, it just overlapped the male and made some sort of multi-person, multi-gender “voice in unison” effect. Which, for a giant bird, is rather cool.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:15 am
Nicely done, artwork and story wise.
August 12th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
a selfless yet wise choice on the part of acc
August 12th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
also, if the eagle and lion are brothers, how much you want to bet that moon bear is their sister
October 28th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Now Charles has an idea about the lion.
January 15th, 2011 at 2:27 am
that bird spirit is a jerk, he coulda TOLD charles the random feather was magical
January 18th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
@Omar: I completely agree. I changed their interaction in the print edition to make Charles’ decision more meaningful.
January 1st, 2012 at 8:59 pm
I’m ashamed that I haven’t realised this comic was in existence before now but I have to say it is thoroughly enjoyable and compelling to read.
On a personal note I’ve always imagined the Lion to have the voice of Patrick Stewart and the bird to have the voice of Ian McKellen- completely coincidental