I was wondering when the story arc would make the connection between the ducklings and the wolf cubs. As sad as it is, I applaud you for making it. Heart wrenching, but it shows us that you are unafraid to take this comic to magical and wonderful places, even if they hurt. Thanks Karl!
Great comic as usual Karl… choked me up just seeing Charles all choked up. And of course it doesn’t help that I just lost a great friend named Charles as well, about a month ago. Good memories to be had though!!
I only started reading ACC after Mookie linked to it some time ago, but man is this a great comic, really in touch with peoples emotions. Townsen was a wonderful character. In some ways, its nice to have him brought back to mind so vividly, but also so sad!
Congratulations on making such loveable and memorable characters.
And to finish on a happier note… I’ve loved the ducklings over the last few strips ^^
I read the first couple of panels … and I thought to myself, deja vu. I’ve felt I’ve heard this before. Then I saw CC’s eyes and I was wondering why he was so sad. Then it hit me like a kick to the gut when the mother duck asked her question.
Well, played, Sir. But you aren’t … sniff … gonna … sniff, sniff … get to me so … sniff … easily. (… there’s something in my eye …)
Yeah. Well played indeed, Karl. You really should make a mint of money writing for soap operas on the side. My GF reads this strip and cries or laughs just like when she’s watching her soaps or a chick flick.
I just read your entire comic for the first time today.. Seriously, one of the most well thought out, touching, humorous and artistically sound web comics I have ever read. You have yet another life-long fan to add to your collection :)
I didn’t get it until the Mama Duck said her bit- then noticed ACC’s tears and immediately thought Oh no! Poor Townsen! It’s been over a year now, and I still get teary-eyed, but I don’t believe he’s really gone. I have a hard time accepting death in works of fiction.
[possible spoiler alert:]
I’m still pretty upset about Anders Loves Maria. Not because of what happened, or because it ended, but because they were so real, and I miss them. Says a lot about a writer/artist’s skills to create characters like these.
Beautiful strip, sad, but beautiful in a Townsen-memorial kind of way. I love the depiction that you can have fun at one moment, but that one word can bring up good memories and remind you of the fact that you`ve lost someone. And no matter how much time has passed sometimes the grief still comes crashing down into your mind and heart when you least expect it.
I’ve wolfed down the whole comic in one sitting, and it’s so incredibly sad in a very magical way. I’ve weeped at the comic, got a few good laughs and smiles too, and now I’m just wailing. It’s a beautiful story, but I can never ever show this to my husband, I think he’d be sad for a week. I know I will. Poor Townsen…
Oh my …
I had just got myself straight today too.
I’m a little in awe of how powerfully you use this medium Karl. I don’t just mean comics. The format itself is relatively rigid yet you make me care more than I have in so long.
I’ve said it before, but … after BONE finished I struggled to believe I could ever care that much about a comic and the characters within again. You, however, make me a believer over and over and over again …
Could you perhaps do this for the rest of my lifetime?
Good grief man, Bill Watterson better be watching his back as the eminent North American (I almost just said american like an american jerk, but I think you’re canadian…right?) cartoonist of our age. Your timing is impeccable, you brilliant brilliant man.
i love that the word bubble in panel three sits on its own – another skill in your story telling skills to illustrate the power of those words. not coming just from the munchkin ducklings, but somewhere from charles’ past.
i had to look up the title – excellent.
I came onto this webcomic and hit this strip before going to the beginning to read. When Townsen started saying “I bet you can’t guess what age I am!”, I felt like I just got suckerpunched in the heart. But I still couldn’t stop loving him! Going to go cry now. ;;
sereosly where is townsen??? hes not dead he just got carried away. maybe hes held captured as one of those exotic pets by the king… plz BRING HIM BACKK!!!
February 17th, 2010 at 8:31 am
townsen… :’(
February 17th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Oh my. I’m not too emotional a person, this is the first time one of your comics has made me cry.
February 17th, 2010 at 8:53 am
Poor Charles :(
February 17th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Oh Charles. We’re right there with you.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:27 am
poor charles…
February 17th, 2010 at 9:35 am
*hugs* for charles….
February 17th, 2010 at 9:52 am
@Volrath: I thought it was because he couldn’t speak until you brought that up. I didn’t get the reference immediately. Thnx
February 17th, 2010 at 9:54 am
He’s actually just recalling that he never passed grade school arithmetic.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Twist the knife why dont you….
February 17th, 2010 at 10:06 am
Awwwwww poor Charles ; ; I miss Townsen, too…
February 17th, 2010 at 10:08 am
I was wondering when the story arc would make the connection between the ducklings and the wolf cubs. As sad as it is, I applaud you for making it. Heart wrenching, but it shows us that you are unafraid to take this comic to magical and wonderful places, even if they hurt. Thanks Karl!
February 17th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Noooooooooooooooooooooooo! I miss Townsen :’(
Another stunning example of Karl’s mastery over our emotions! Well done :)
February 17th, 2010 at 10:14 am
@Garrett Williams: Well, I guess that did never really matter to CC, or did it?
February 17th, 2010 at 10:16 am
@Joe – LOL!!
Great comic as usual Karl… choked me up just seeing Charles all choked up. And of course it doesn’t help that I just lost a great friend named Charles as well, about a month ago. Good memories to be had though!!
February 17th, 2010 at 10:28 am
I think I just died a little inside. I’ll possibly be sad for the rest of the day.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:35 am
I still don’t believe that Townsen is dead! No no no!!!
February 17th, 2010 at 10:36 am
For those who haven’t been through the archives, today’s strip references this one:
http://www.abominable.cc/2007/12/05/24/
February 17th, 2010 at 10:37 am
What the… At first I thought that he was emotional because they were out so late due to Mom disappearing. [flashback to the knife and trap]
And yes, I’m in a little denial about Towson still too.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:37 am
:’(
February 17th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Plus: I’m sort of boggled that ACC has been running almost three years now. Wow.
Good on yer, KK.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:43 am
….wow.
I actually teared up, instantly. Such a simple strip, but it seems to be the most powerful… it’s the first of the whole comic that made me well up.
Townsen…
February 17th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Aww… poor Townsend.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:35 am
:(
February 17th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Wah, this is like a triangle collision, the ref, the silence of Charles & then the title. Damn.
February 17th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
This webcomic is just so far above any other out there.
A truly touching and masterful reference of the tale’s past. :c
February 17th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
:’)
February 17th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
awwwwwww. Man, this comic is good!
February 17th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
I only started reading ACC after Mookie linked to it some time ago, but man is this a great comic, really in touch with peoples emotions. Townsen was a wonderful character. In some ways, its nice to have him brought back to mind so vividly, but also so sad!
Congratulations on making such loveable and memorable characters.
And to finish on a happier note… I’ve loved the ducklings over the last few strips ^^
February 17th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
I read the first couple of panels … and I thought to myself, deja vu. I’ve felt I’ve heard this before. Then I saw CC’s eyes and I was wondering why he was so sad. Then it hit me like a kick to the gut when the mother duck asked her question.
Well, played, Sir. But you aren’t … sniff … gonna … sniff, sniff … get to me so … sniff … easily. (… there’s something in my eye …)
February 17th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Awww my heart is breaking again for Townsen and Charles
February 17th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Aww, that was an amazing tie-in.
February 17th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
*Bottom lip wobbles*
*Sad noises*
Another great strip, kudos.
February 17th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Oh, Townsen! I immediately thought of him. Oh, the innocence of children! You capture it all so well!
February 17th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Karl – Thank You.
February 17th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Aw, Townsen . . :[
February 17th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
@Ben:
I think they’re foxes, not wolves. :/
Oh, and by the way:
First comic of the day! *wohoo*
February 17th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
I thought he was taking a at the whole silent protagonist bit. Now I feel really bad.
February 17th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Yeah. Well played indeed, Karl. You really should make a mint of money writing for soap operas on the side. My GF reads this strip and cries or laughs just like when she’s watching her soaps or a chick flick.
-WP
February 17th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
:(…
February 17th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Brilliantly played, as always.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
I just read your entire comic for the first time today.. Seriously, one of the most well thought out, touching, humorous and artistically sound web comics I have ever read. You have yet another life-long fan to add to your collection :)
February 17th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Waaaaaa!
Actually the second time this comic has made me cry.
February 18th, 2010 at 12:15 am
@volrath, your right, my bad.
February 18th, 2010 at 12:23 am
I didn’t get it until the Mama Duck said her bit- then noticed ACC’s tears and immediately thought Oh no! Poor Townsen! It’s been over a year now, and I still get teary-eyed, but I don’t believe he’s really gone. I have a hard time accepting death in works of fiction.
[possible spoiler alert:]
I’m still pretty upset about Anders Loves Maria. Not because of what happened, or because it ended, but because they were so real, and I miss them. Says a lot about a writer/artist’s skills to create characters like these.
February 18th, 2010 at 2:01 am
Karl, you’re kind of a bastard. A *brilliant* bastard, but still… expertly placed knife-twist, sir.
February 18th, 2010 at 2:26 am
Instant tear-up.
MAN, YOU ARE EFFECTIVE.
February 18th, 2010 at 3:31 am
Beautiful strip, sad, but beautiful in a Townsen-memorial kind of way. I love the depiction that you can have fun at one moment, but that one word can bring up good memories and remind you of the fact that you`ve lost someone. And no matter how much time has passed sometimes the grief still comes crashing down into your mind and heart when you least expect it.
February 18th, 2010 at 5:24 am
I’ve wolfed down the whole comic in one sitting, and it’s so incredibly sad in a very magical way. I’ve weeped at the comic, got a few good laughs and smiles too, and now I’m just wailing. It’s a beautiful story, but I can never ever show this to my husband, I think he’d be sad for a week. I know I will. Poor Townsen…
February 18th, 2010 at 5:39 am
This does make me wonder did Charles ever have a family that he lost? Besides Townsen that is.
February 18th, 2010 at 9:56 am
Oh my …
I had just got myself straight today too.
I’m a little in awe of how powerfully you use this medium Karl. I don’t just mean comics. The format itself is relatively rigid yet you make me care more than I have in so long.
I’ve said it before, but … after BONE finished I struggled to believe I could ever care that much about a comic and the characters within again. You, however, make me a believer over and over and over again …
Could you perhaps do this for the rest of my lifetime?
February 18th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Awwww… how sad. What an amazingly emotional, powerful strip.
February 18th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
rats, I didn’t get this one until I read the comments. This one will work a lot better when the whole thing is finally collected into a book.
February 18th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Poor charles :<
February 18th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Good grief man, Bill Watterson better be watching his back as the eminent North American (I almost just said american like an american jerk, but I think you’re canadian…right?) cartoonist of our age. Your timing is impeccable, you brilliant brilliant man.
February 18th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Awww, they remind him of Townsen :(
February 18th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Awwww… thinking of Townsen makes me so sad! And seeing Charles sad makes me sad… :(
I drew some Townsen fanart while in my classes today and I hope to have it scanned soon.
February 18th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Elegant, and delicately done.
February 19th, 2010 at 10:26 am
February 19th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Congratulations Karl, you´ve done the impossible, you´ve made the internet cry.
February 20th, 2010 at 2:33 am
omg this is the first time i’ve seen this.. its really good.. congrats
February 20th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
i love that the word bubble in panel three sits on its own – another skill in your story telling skills to illustrate the power of those words. not coming just from the munchkin ducklings, but somewhere from charles’ past.
i had to look up the title – excellent.
February 20th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
i miss townsen :’(
February 21st, 2010 at 4:29 am
I came onto this webcomic and hit this strip before going to the beginning to read. When Townsen started saying “I bet you can’t guess what age I am!”, I felt like I just got suckerpunched in the heart. But I still couldn’t stop loving him! Going to go cry now. ;;
February 21st, 2010 at 4:47 pm
more praise for Karl>! Thanks, and please keep up the excellent work.
Is ACC coming to a dead tree version??
February 21st, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Beautiful and heartbreaking. Well done Karl.
February 21st, 2010 at 11:20 pm
aw man…
i really love this comic
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:33 am
The Robots have taken me. Please send help.
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:21 am
Oh, god. I’m actually crying now…
I miss him so!
February 24th, 2010 at 4:33 am
Oh, damn you, Karl, damn you…I love you but DAMN you…
*cries*
You took the knife in my heart, tugged it out, the twisted it back in…I MISS TOWNSEN!!!!!!
February 26th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Aww, Townsen.
March 10th, 2010 at 2:11 am
Oh, heavens. Now I know where I’ve heard that before.
Poor Charles. *sighs*
March 11th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Aww. :(
March 17th, 2010 at 12:51 am
You’re tugging on my heartstrings, Karl.
March 26th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
dood. not cool
May 6th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
This made big crocodile tears happen.
June 8th, 2010 at 1:52 am
sereosly where is townsen??? hes not dead he just got carried away. maybe hes held captured as one of those exotic pets by the king… plz BRING HIM BACKK!!!
July 9th, 2010 at 12:15 am
D’aww I was happy, and now I is crying again