June 10th, 2009
Dig!
Hi, everyone! I know I promised you a super-awesome double-sized episode today, but I’m afraid I have to do a bit of a take-backsie.
You’ll notice that today’s strip is sort of an ordinary size. But there’s a good reason! I did, in fact, draw the second half of what I’d planned for today, but found that I was cramming more panels than I wanted into the allotted space, and because it’s an important moment in the story I felt it was better to just publish this first part and then do a double-sized strip next week.
So, to sum up:
- Regular-sized strip this week,
- Double-sized, super-duper climactic episode next week (which is already half-done!)
Yay, right?
-karl
June 10th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Ah well, que sera, sera, c’est vie, or however you put it; no biggie.
AND THOSE EYES! Is it, perhaps, or favorite wolf?
June 10th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Omg, is it Townsend? I’m iffy as to whether I want it to be him or not because those glowing eyes looks kinda…mean-ish? But man, do I miss Townsend :/ And amazing job with the emotions. I just noticed that small stream of tears in the 5th panel.
June 10th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Robot Pirate Ninja Ghost Fox!! AAAAA!! *hides under the bed*
I can’t look. Somebody email me next week and tell me what happens.
June 10th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
I think this worked brilliantly as-is. You are a really masterful storyteller!
June 10th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
OH MY GOSH!!!!!
Karl! This is spectacular! I have never been so emotionally engaged in a comic before and this strip has my heart racing in anticipation for next week :D
Fantastic job!!! also, Best wishes that townsen is okay *hugs the little fox*
June 10th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Awwwww man! Awesome as ususal, and i completely understand why its continued to next week………BUT, the suspense is killing me!
June 10th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Eyes! Eyes, eyes, eyes! Oooh I can’t wait for next week. I’ve been checking back all day! Maybe it is Townsen… but I agree with Lilia, I’m iffy about that… those eyes don’t look so friendly… Can’t wait til next week!
June 10th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Townsen! Townsen! Townsen! Townsen!
June 10th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I think the way you’re splitting this and next week’s is correct. It underlines the anticipation that Charles is feeling and brings the readers to that level. Bravo!
June 10th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
The humaness of. Charles’ hands always startles me. Reminds me that he is as out of place I am as a reader. Brillant touch!
June 10th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Dear god.
Bring him back already (I think he is a he).
June 10th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Those aren’t eyes. They’re headlights! Or fireflies! ok… they’re eyes.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Yours is one of a small number of strips I won’t ever fail to come back to. Beautiful every time!
I can’t wait to see the next strip… Townsen?
June 10th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
I think that “Yay” is correct.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
yes, bravo! for the light in panel two, the momentum of digging in panels 4 through 7 and the palpable emotion throughout.
another week to wait is really to our advantage, because it’s another week of your strip!
June 10th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Like the detail on the hands. Somehow that expresses emotion too. I think.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Townsend hungers… FOR BRAAAAIIIINS!!!!
June 10th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
No need to apologize. Your art and this story is forever worth the wait.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
awwwww sheeeit!!!!!
June 10th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Trust me, I don’t mind having to wait another week for this climax. But also, you needn’t have to tell us to expect a bigger strip in the following week. I trust in your sense of rhythm and knowing how much content to tell per strip. I wouldn’t want the story to suffer by being cramped or oddly paced just because you promised a huge reveal the week before.
I love this comic and I’ll come back next week and ever on! (Please let it be Townsen… – please let it be not yet the end…)
June 10th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Well… well… well… it looks like poor Charles may be getting in over his head.
~ Josh
June 10th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Townsen! Townsen! Townsen!
June 10th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Panel 3: “Alas, Poor Bravado! I knew him, Giant-bird-thing…”
June 10th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
oh Lord!
I called it 2 weeks ago, this has Pet Semetary written all over it!
For those who haven’t read/seen it, it doesn’t end well :*(
June 10th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
I’m loving the last panel. I kept craning my neck and moving the screen around, as if it would help me see what was behind those eyes. I can’t wait for Townsend to come back (I hope he does D8<) and to see how this will affect Charles’ journey. *munches popcorn quickly* 8D
June 10th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Wow, excellent comic. The last panel frightens me.
June 10th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
:O STOP PLAYING WITH OUR HEARTS LIKE THIS!! Oh god… the tension is unbearable….
I feel like I’m Charles in the 6th and 7th panels waiting for next week to come – just digging on through, praying and waiting to see what lies ahead….
June 10th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Perhaps.. not zombie Townsen? But I think having the same Townsen back unchanged wouldn’t be heavy enough. He will be Changed with a capital C (makes me sad to predict, no more innocent little fox).
You weave a great story Karl. Thank you for making us care about the fate of a little fox and a forest full of memorable creatures.
June 10th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I double dog dare ya to stretch it another week, lol.
June 10th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
I don’t think the eyes look mean at all. They are too round to look mean. Just imagine them looking around and blinking, it would be cute eyes!
First time poster Karl, read since the start. You have the most amazing artwork and talent for story-telling in any webcomic I have ever seen. And I read a ton of webcomics.
June 10th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Dammit Karl I hate you with the fire of a thousand suns now.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:02 am
There is honestly something utterly unbelievable about the quality of your art.
I am skeptical, I suspect there is some sort of magic being wielded here.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:15 am
Oh, you do know how to keep us all in suspense, don’t you. While I believer every word you say about wanting to keep the pace of the story, I still want to clip you under the ear for teasing us so.
Another sterling, stirring, sensational strip.
June 11th, 2009 at 3:29 am
Is it just me…?
All this ‘yay Townsen!’ fever seems to be overshadowing the foreboding contained in the word ‘Climactic’. The end?! Of book one right?
Right?
June 11th, 2009 at 4:28 am
Karl, I agree with Shadowclad: you pace the story as it needs to be paced (like you need anyone’s permission to do that!) Don’t worry about those promises …
And those who think Townsend can come back from The Other World just like he was … that never happens. If it’s him, he will (as Jess said) be Changed … perhaps (as Yeats said) Changed Utterly…
June 11th, 2009 at 5:30 am
I agree on that as well. Your pacing is fantastic. The cliffhangers don’t matter since it’s all worth waiting for. <3
Anyway.
Glowing eyes = ominous. Doesn’t seem to bode well, but who knows? :D God I love this comic!
June 11th, 2009 at 6:24 am
yay indeed mr. Kerschl
June 11th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Man, I hate this web comic… I keep getting something in my eye when I read it. :(
Quit making me get something in my eyes, Karl!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 8:46 am
TOWNSENTOWNSENTOWNSENTOWNSENTOWNSENTOWNSENTOWNSENTOWNSENTOWNSENTOWNSEEEEEEEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 8:46 am
This is truly the best online strip ever.
June 11th, 2009 at 9:22 am
MarcoDC7- Foxie, not wolfie. :)
And is that a fox skull I see the light glowing on and then in Charles’s hands?
Glowing eyes- If it IS a fox down there, it’s possible his eyes are reflecting the light shining down from above, much as a cat’s do. Even dogs eyes do it, but not quite to the same extent. And if it IS Townsen, I look forward to seeing how much he’s learned, changed, matured, or even stayed a perky little inquisitive cub; a tough call for any author.
Karl, take your time. It’s your story, take it where you want, when you want and put the breaks where they’re needed. And thank you so much for doing this comic. It’s a joy to see and read and, odd as this may sound, it soothes the pain of me no longer being able to draw the story that’s been bouncing around in my own head for years.
June 11th, 2009 at 9:27 am
I’m not sure I want to see those eyes double-sized…
June 11th, 2009 at 9:44 am
aww, is that tears i see in the 6th panel? makes me wanna give him a hug
and if that is townsen, im sure ill be crying next week when they reunite
June 11th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Please, please don’t be a zombie >_<. I’ll be okay if he’s just imaginary though.
June 11th, 2009 at 10:05 am
now that’s just creepy, wonderfully creepy!
June 11th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Maybe he’ll be Obi wan Kenobi Spiritual guide type.
June 11th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Okay, I don’t get to see your comic until I get into work the next day, so I’m reading this Thursday morning, which also happens to be my birthday. It’s like the perfect gift to meeeeeee!
This is so exciting! Please let it be beautiful little Townsend! Please! And let him be okay! *hopeful*
Gorgeous work as always!
June 11th, 2009 at 10:32 am
I agree with Rex, Ghost Townsen!
June 11th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa….
He’s going to drag this out ALL MONTH. I just KNOW it.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Yay!
June 11th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
ZOMBIE TOWNSEN
June 11th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
great work, as always
June 11th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Meep! Don’t think anything that lives under there is friendly…0_o
I could be wrong, but…
June 11th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I will hunt you down and strangle the ending out of you!
Heh. *cough*
You do it the way you know works best… we’ll just sit here and cry for a week.
June 11th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Yay!
June 11th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I don’t think Zombie Townsen fits the world behind this story.
I’m imagining a Moon Bear-possessed Townsen, or normal Moon Bear, admonishing Charles about clinging to the past.
Or ANYTHING else. Because Zombie Townsen seems almost sacrilegious. I loved that little guy.
And now I’m going to join Aerliss and sob in a corner until the next installment.
June 11th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Yeah. I don’t know if I would be happier if it’s our favorite fox back or if it’s another new twist.
June 11th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
AAAAAA YOU’RE KILLING ME KARL
June 11th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Those little eyes look sort of lost to me…
June 11th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
…… do we HAVE to wait til next week?!
June 11th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFantastic!
June 12th, 2009 at 4:23 am
Double-size, single-size, any size: utterly beautiful.
Panel six is magnificent, and the sequence of expression to 7 wonderful… your artwork never fails me. Well done, and sincerely, thank you.
June 12th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Ahhh the torture!!!
June 12th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Townsen!
I started reading this comic yesterday but I’m allready stuck… sad thing is I reached the end allready! DRAW MORE! I WANT MORE!
Great comic. Love it. I read loads of comics but this one really got me actually. Beutifull just beutifull…
Thx (First comment :D)
June 12th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
This strip makes my week. Every week.
June 13th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Regular sized, super sized, super-duper-monster-fantastical-epic-l33t-sized..
Doesn’t matter to me, I’ll be here eeeeeevery week looking for your updates either way Karl!
Your work is beautiful and I’ll just hang out waiting for another new shiny to look at ;)
Ciao!
June 13th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I’d like my Townsen super-sized, with a side of philosophical crabs and a lonely bunny. Oh, and extra otters please. Can’t have too many otters.
June 13th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
plz be townsend plz be townsend plz be townsend plz be townsend plz be townsend
June 13th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
What’s with everyone wanting Townsen back?
That would be too easy…Karl’s too clever for that.
June 13th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
UNACCEPTABLE!! Next week’s strip had best be phenominal of scope and so raw and powerful that my eyes are left scorched by it’s brilliance or else there will be hell, oh yes, HELL TO PAY!
June 14th, 2009 at 5:29 am
Excellent comic. But is it just me who is reminded of a scene from Hamlet when Charles holds the skull in his hand? The only thing missing is the existential angst.
Seriously though, this is one of THE best comics I’ve read on — and off — line.
June 15th, 2009 at 9:04 am
The only thing better than reading the comic every week is reading Lyons comments ! LOL
good stuff Karl, love the first panel
June 15th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
I think you may have created one of the most beautiful stories I’ve read since Quimby Mouse, a book I hold in high regard.
Simple comments are not enough. Just know that you’ve made something magnificent. Thank you so much.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
ABSOLUTE YAY, Karl!
June 17th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Could you please just make the movie already?!
June 17th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
oh noes…the suspense. ima die DX
June 17th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
I just read the archives up to this point and this is one of the best comics I have read. the art is beautiful. Your handling of the medium is masterful. I really hope the glowing eyes are Townsen even though the snob side of doesn’t want it to be Townsen (since that side felt that killing Townsen was such a powerful move). God I hate my snob side. I’m going to have to find some of the other Kerschl comics.
July 20th, 2009 at 10:21 am
I am new to this strip. Nice! Very nice. I really dig the eyes. The “eyes” have it!