I will, from this point forward, use the alternate title in reference to pay back…it will, also from this point forward, be my most favourite thing to say
The sad thing is, anyone who’s been reading this strip for ANY length of time knows precisely how it’s going to turn out. The Lion needs Vivol for something; he doesn’t need Moon Bear. Ergo, he tells Vivol what Vivol has to do to get away, and has no regard for whomever else might get hurt in the crossfire. He may or may not be a classic “Villain”, but I do NOT like the Lion.
I’ve followed your webcomic faithfully, mostly (but not wholly) for Vivol and Moon Bear’s storyline updates. The (painfully slow) progression of these characters has been both heartbreaking and inspiring (two updates in a row is almost too much for my fragile psyche). However, I feel their story is going to be winding down to a tragic end eventually, and very soon (obviously Moon Bear dies, and Vivol escapes in some bitterly heroic fashion). Regardless, I know you will still surprise us with some tragic and/or brilliant twist I couldn’t have ever thought of….
**ahem** ANYWAY…brilliant comic (as always), bro. Congrats on the Eisner Award!!!
I’m torn.. I want to see what happens to Vivol, but I also want to know what’s happening to Charles, and what Sissi Skunk is up to…
See what you’ve done here, Karl? You’ve given us characters to actually care about!
@baxtrr, understandable, but sometimes what the Lion wants must be bigger than even the whole of everything else. It’s not that he has no regard for whoever may get in the way, its that everyone is already ON that way. Moon Bear’s way is a different path to the same place and his role is different than Vivol’s. Death is not always the worst thing that can happen to someone. —As is evidenced by the fact that Moon Bear is not only still around, but seemingly much better off than before.
I don’t know that the Lion wanting something FROM Vivol is any different than him wanting something FOR Vivol.
Only Karl knows.
Thanks for this Karl. Thank you very much.
Unfortunately for Vivol, the favorite hunting rifle of the (assumed) period in (assumed) Russia/east Europe was the Sharps .52 caliber falling block breech loader firing a 475 grain slug 8 – 10 times a minute. More than sufficient, even for Vivol in a rage. The other was a Spencer rifle in the same caliber, but with a 7 round tube magazine and about a 20 round per minute rate of fire..
However, since this is Nowhere and Nowhen, Vivol has his chance.
I agree with others, that I am more interested in this strip than the last several best-selling novels I have read. Good work, Karl.
I, too, love this strip, especially little Moon Bear’s face poking out from behind the enraged Vivol. I get that look from my cats when they can’t get on my lap on demand.
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:16 pm
Great expressions – especially Moon Bear in the last scene.
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:18 pm
Whoa. 0_0
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:23 pm
My dog’s always making the same expressions as Moon Bear. That’s pretty funny :3
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Go Vivol! But I’m pretty sure poor little Moon Bear is going to pay the price…
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Atta boy Vivol, let the pent up bear-fury out. It’s gonna be hard to watch this all go downhill, moonbear…
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:03 pm
I really enjoy the effect of that white space making Vivol seem too big for even the comic itself.
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:25 pm
OOO-WEEE IT LOOKS LIKE SOME ASS IS GONNA GET KICKED!!!
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:36 pm
This, ladies and germs, is why you don’t mess with bears.
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Go get ‘em, Vivol! We’re with you…
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Stephen Colbert was right. They ARE godless killing machines.
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:03 pm
I agree with Shane. Very nice composition. Also, this comic has more emotional resonance than the last five novels I’ve read. Thanks, Karl.
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:21 pm
Hahaha Kimberly!!
I laugh every time I think of that!
Bears!! The number one threat to Americans!!
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:54 pm
Yeah, my dog could totally be Moon Bear. Mostly she makes those faces when the garbage truck goes by.
August 3rd, 2011 at 11:32 pm
Somebody ’bout to get they arses murked.
August 3rd, 2011 at 11:41 pm
Oh now this is an exorcism? I think not.
August 4th, 2011 at 12:08 am
I love your ability to show the characters expressions, yet you animate them still so realistically.
Show ‘em who’s boss, Vivol!
August 4th, 2011 at 3:29 am
Wow.
August 4th, 2011 at 4:11 am
OMG
August 4th, 2011 at 7:40 am
one week again????????? noooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!
August 4th, 2011 at 8:37 am
This is getting pretty intense!
August 4th, 2011 at 8:58 am
The last frame, it’s so powerfull, epic!… just break my spirit.
Bellisimooo!
August 4th, 2011 at 9:26 am
I love that heart on Moon Bear’s chest. Not subtle but a nice touch.
August 4th, 2011 at 9:36 am
whoa
August 4th, 2011 at 9:53 am
Great comic! I hope Vivol kiss some ass! I just hope this goes down well…. although I think I see where is going
August 4th, 2011 at 9:54 am
I meant KICKS! KICKS!
August 4th, 2011 at 10:25 am
Plan A: Kill Angry Bear
Plan B: Piddle self, run away screaming.
Plan B wins for me!
August 4th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
I have a bad feeling about this, especially given Moon Bear’s current physical state….
August 4th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
I will, from this point forward, use the alternate title in reference to pay back…it will, also from this point forward, be my most favourite thing to say
August 4th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Come on, Vivol, hero time.
August 4th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Them? Wha.. THEM?!? What’s moon bear ever done to you?
August 4th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
Yaaay Vivol! go get ‘em! <333
Vivol is my favorite!
August 4th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
The sad thing is, anyone who’s been reading this strip for ANY length of time knows precisely how it’s going to turn out. The Lion needs Vivol for something; he doesn’t need Moon Bear. Ergo, he tells Vivol what Vivol has to do to get away, and has no regard for whomever else might get hurt in the crossfire. He may or may not be a classic “Villain”, but I do NOT like the Lion.
August 5th, 2011 at 12:01 am
Wow – all have been great, but this is pure art.
August 5th, 2011 at 2:27 am
Wow, Karl. Just…wow.
I’ve followed your webcomic faithfully, mostly (but not wholly) for Vivol and Moon Bear’s storyline updates. The (painfully slow) progression of these characters has been both heartbreaking and inspiring (two updates in a row is almost too much for my fragile psyche). However, I feel their story is going to be winding down to a tragic end eventually, and very soon (obviously Moon Bear dies, and Vivol escapes in some bitterly heroic fashion). Regardless, I know you will still surprise us with some tragic and/or brilliant twist I couldn’t have ever thought of….
**ahem** ANYWAY…brilliant comic (as always), bro. Congrats on the Eisner Award!!!
August 5th, 2011 at 8:48 am
I’m torn.. I want to see what happens to Vivol, but I also want to know what’s happening to Charles, and what Sissi Skunk is up to…
See what you’ve done here, Karl? You’ve given us characters to actually care about!
August 6th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
wowowowowow
August 7th, 2011 at 8:27 pm
@baxtrr, understandable, but sometimes what the Lion wants must be bigger than even the whole of everything else. It’s not that he has no regard for whoever may get in the way, its that everyone is already ON that way. Moon Bear’s way is a different path to the same place and his role is different than Vivol’s. Death is not always the worst thing that can happen to someone. —As is evidenced by the fact that Moon Bear is not only still around, but seemingly much better off than before.
I don’t know that the Lion wanting something FROM Vivol is any different than him wanting something FOR Vivol.
Only Karl knows.
Thanks for this Karl. Thank you very much.
August 8th, 2011 at 4:29 am
I would crap my pants if I was a circus worker right now. I almost crapped my pants anyways. Vivol = badass.
August 8th, 2011 at 10:31 am
I love how the ringmaster continues to give rousing commentary in the midst of all this.
August 8th, 2011 at 11:20 am
AMAZED! … and sad at same time.
August 8th, 2011 at 9:58 pm
Awesome
August 9th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
jesus, the last panel made me shiver! this strip is so tragic and strong really impressive. I can’t express myself propably xD
August 10th, 2011 at 2:32 am
Unfortunately for Vivol, the favorite hunting rifle of the (assumed) period in (assumed) Russia/east Europe was the Sharps .52 caliber falling block breech loader firing a 475 grain slug 8 – 10 times a minute. More than sufficient, even for Vivol in a rage. The other was a Spencer rifle in the same caliber, but with a 7 round tube magazine and about a 20 round per minute rate of fire..
However, since this is Nowhere and Nowhen, Vivol has his chance.
I agree with others, that I am more interested in this strip than the last several best-selling novels I have read. Good work, Karl.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:27 am
You’ve GOT to put out a high-res, desktop wallpaper appropriate version of that last panel. So great!
August 10th, 2011 at 9:59 am
Vivol! I see this as Moonbears end and it’s breaking my heart. Dang it, Karl. You are so good at what you do.
August 10th, 2011 at 11:07 am
Quite interested in seeing how moon bear turns into giant transparent bear goddess.
August 19th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
gave me chills.
December 23rd, 2011 at 2:40 pm
I, too, love this strip, especially little Moon Bear’s face poking out from behind the enraged Vivol. I get that look from my cats when they can’t get on my lap on demand.