Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated
I don’t even know where to start this post. So I guess let’s get the obvious things out of the way.
No, the comic is not dead or abandoned.
No, I did not disappear in China (although that almost happened).
Yes, I will take the comic to its intended conclusion (story-wise, it’s at least a couple of years away).
Yes, apologies for the radio silence.
Getting that out of the way… I guess the next thing to address is why there hasn’t been work on the comic or an update. There’s a ton of different ways to express why or how, but it boils down to one simple way to put it.
I just haven’t been able to draw a single thing.
Rather simple/unapologetic statement – but there IS a lot behind it. I’m a notoriously shy/reclusive person online so I’m not prone to sharing a lot (to a fault, where I will go dark… like what was happening right now). But I’m battling stuff from all sides right now. These things include crippling anxiety/depression (I know, a depressed artist – so cliche), increased demands from the day job (including conference calls at all hours of the night, apparently) and other assorted things (notoriously reclusive, remember?). This is not an excuse or an apology. It’s not a call for pity or “woe is me” to fish for compliments and encouragement. It’s a statement of fact. This is what is going on.
There are the artists out there who can do it all (or can mount the bravado of an online persona that can do it all) – juggle full time dayjob, familiar obligations, side projects and a comic without (apparently) breaking a sweat. I’m not one of those people, apparently – I did try for a while. Something had to give, and the comic is paying (part) of the price. This is not a “just sit down and draw” situation – I tried that and I discovered the hard way that’s not really the way to go about it (not for me and not for right now). There’s only so many “sit down in front of an empty file on the cintiq for hours” sessions I can take.
Going forward and the foreseeable future, the best way to describe the update schedule is “sporadic”. I will shoot to update at least once a week to keep the comic moving. The only advantage I can see is that I do envision updates that are longer or more varied — having more time does allow to break free a bit out of the three/four panel structure that is starting to feel constraining for the story I want to tell. Again, I will do my best to post on this frequency — “my best” being the operative word. I’d really recommend subscribing to the RSS (where I post the full comic, not excerpts) or my social media channels so you are aware of updates. I’m not in the business of wasting your time, so you can’t be expected to refresh the page hoping there’s an update.
Thank you for reading. Here’s looking forward to seeing David’s story through and that you are able to stick around.
It’s neat seeing how many people still check and care. I just looked at my old AL desktop background image and remembered how great this comic was.
Still hoping one day to see something new on here. Maybe there never will be, but maybe there will; I’m willing to wait and see.
We still miss you Armando, we still visit.
Over 2 years now, but I see intermittent posts on Twitter.
Hope fades, but still I come by every month
I still pop in to check out the comic, just in case.
Every so often I stick my nose in, too.
It’s May of 2018, and you’re still away. I hope you are doing okay. If not, take a few hugs out of petty cash.
Still checking.
It’s been so long. I truly loved this comic and still check in hoping to see more of it.
Armando, I hope you’re well out there.
Ditto the preceding. Best of luck, Armando, on whatever you’re doing.
Please come back, still love this strip!
Once a devoted reader, then some Life Stuff happened, and I just now have caught up on about three years of comics. Sorry to see it come to such an abrupt halt, but even sorrier that whatever you are going through has gotten to this point. I hope you take care of yourself. Thank you for the laughs, a couple tears, and a cast of characters I had come to love.
I miss this comic, hope one day it returns
I think he is dead.
P-probably not…
In 3 1/2 weeks it’ll be a year.
24 hours and its “HAPPY DEATHDAY ATOMIC LUANDRAMAT !!”
Take the time you need. Been there didn’t do that still paying the price.
Now.
Tell us about China? ::sits in rapt attention::
Yo. As a faithful day #1 reader I like your work. I too have suffered from depression and I can tell you that I tried battling it myself without meds or help. It works but it takes time and effort. Best thing I did was to quit my job for a while and then transfer to something else i liked. I burned through all my savings but taking that burden off my back (and mind) helped immensely. If the day job is a burden consider transfering to something else, even if it doesn’t pay as much. Your health is worth it.
I also tried doing exercise and putting a calendar on the wall and try to do a couple of different activities with friends, or other hobbies. Learn something new ya know… things to keep you engaged and that are relaxing are good when you are off work. Keep the mind busy thinking other things.
Anyway, we’ll be here waiting for you when you come back. Hang in there, we like your work.
We’ll be here waiting for you
aw skittlebees. well I know you can handle it. if you ever feel bad about it just think of it as a break. gotta have those.
Glad to hear you’re okay. Figured was something of that general nature. Long as the comic keeps amusing you, is all good.
Thank you.
Let me see… I know I have it somewhere… *rummages through his sack* Oh yeah… here it is.
Have a nice little “So what?”. It’s all yours.
So what? is a wonderful device… here’s how you use it.
I don’t have a comic in me today. So what? There’s always tomorrow, or next week. No one is going to die in the meantime… at least not from a lack of comics…
I’m feeling down/up/sideways/circular today. So what? I was ok yesterday/last week/last month… I’ll be ok soon.
Oh they stole my hummer, we have trust issues… So what? You’re four of six known non-zombies left, play your I spy and drive on…
I don’t like the way the comic is arranged… So what? Change it. Refer to the whole “this comic is not responsible for any and all demisery that may take place during the making, posting, reading, enjoying, or archiving of said comic.”
Oh noes… my underwear has gone from folded to spindled and mutilated… So what? Go commando and ROCK IT! Just remember to wear pants… let’s keep it out of the press, shall we?
I dunno… not encouragement, unless you count me as encouraging you to give much less of a damn about things that oughtn’t be given a damn about…
Like kittens who like to punch puppies and baby bunnies… onnacausa they’re just dicks… and surprisingly rare…
Go figure.
Glad to hear you’re still around. Good luck with everything and we’ll keep checking in for any atomic awesomeness you can manage to grace our browsers with!
I know how daunting it can be when something you started for fun transforms into an obligation. Keeping a schedule, trying to meet expectations of your readers… Try not to let all that weigh on you too much. Sporadic updates is good, just do strips when you actually want to. We’ll be here when they drop
Best wishes! I like your work. Take care yourself, we need more artists. Exercise, it helps with the stress hormones and you may need your strength some day. Get sleep to stay emotionally balanced, your family and friends may need that.
No problem here. I won’t give up on you, even after I heard it could be going the route of Keyblade of Creation, it’s still a good comic with a story I’m interested in, and worth the click.
You take care. Thanks for what you do, we all appreciate it!
(PS: I’m understanding of what you’re feeling, and as someone who is more than a tad-bit psychic, it’s something lots go through. Trust me, if you can)
Take care of yourself first. We, who love your art and your stories, will be here. Don’t worry.
Take care of yourself. We’ll be here.
Welcome back. Hope inspiration to turn things around comes soon. Find your time, grasp it, seize it.
When I get “stuck” writing or arranging music, I change the song, or put it away until it pops back in my head. Sometimes the whole thing goes away for a month or two –
But at some point you’ll find something you want to draw, and it will all come roaring back.
Glad to hear you are doing as well as you are. I greatly enjoy your comic and look forward to any updates. Take care of yourself first.
Hey, just take care of getting the aquatic waterfowl aligned properly. We’ll still be here if you feel up to doing this again.
Take all the time you need for you plus another 10%, then share what you feel comfortable with the rest of us.
For myself, the time spent once a day to see if a new comic has been posted, is a very small price to pay.
Take Care -Boots
No worries, Armando. I’m happy to catch the updates as they come.
And there was much rejoicing. (Yea!)
Not sure you can call it a “day job” if you’re having conference calls in the middle of the night…
Sorry to hear that you’re having problems. I think that it will be good for you to have a goal to post something, and your sketches are better than others’ completed art, so don’t beat yourself up. You could always post some Angela or Juno pin-ups
Good luck!
Hey, you do what you have to. That’s all anyone can.
As a fellow webcomic artist who has also battled crippling depression, I wish you best of luck managing what sounds like an insane work schedule. As my online buddies used to say, “RL comes first” and “You do you.”
Stay healthy.
Glad to hear the good news, better a great story told over time than rushed.
Still here. Still think you are great. Thank you for the art.
you ARE amazing!!! take all the time you need and I wish you all the best now and always.