Commentary from January 5, 2016
Well, I couldn’t have BOTH a positive Christmas and New Years strip, could I?
This was actually a difficult strip to get out because I had several ways to get the message I wanted to say and I couldn’t decide which one was more effective. In the end, I chose this one because it was the most straightforward. Next, it was difficult to draw because it’s really hard to show great height in such a tiny drawing space.
The last reason it was difficult was because it was the new year and I thought it would be good timing to change how I did the strip. I was going to do several changes, including changing the size of the paper I use but first I decided to make a template on the computer and add lettering and titling in Photoshop:
Everyone who spoke out said they liked the normal hand-lettered one better. Unfortunately I didn’t bother hand-lettering the original so I had to go back and jam it into the already prepared word balloons. In one way it makes me happy because it’s easier to do the old way but on the other hand, it means I still have to draw in those tiny little panels.
This was actually a difficult strip to get out because I had several ways to get the message I wanted to say and I couldn’t decide which one was more effective. In the end, I chose this one because it was the most straightforward. Next, it was difficult to draw because it’s really hard to show great height in such a tiny drawing space.
The last reason it was difficult was because it was the new year and I thought it would be good timing to change how I did the strip. I was going to do several changes, including changing the size of the paper I use but first I decided to make a template on the computer and add lettering and titling in Photoshop:
Everyone who spoke out said they liked the normal hand-lettered one better. Unfortunately I didn’t bother hand-lettering the original so I had to go back and jam it into the already prepared word balloons. In one way it makes me happy because it’s easier to do the old way but on the other hand, it means I still have to draw in those tiny little panels.
I like your lettering but if this is easier for you we can get used to it. It’s the message that matters.
It’s actually more work to letter in the computer, but I thought it looked a little more professional. Maybe the 100% hand done fits the comic better. But it was January 1st, and it seemed like a good idea to do something different.
(if people are wondering what we’re talking about, I originally did this comic with a different layout:
I prefer the hand made lettering too
With the hope, that you will lose grip and fall.
Ugh this is describing it brilliantly.
Thanks, especially since this is such a downer message for the first day of a brand sparkly new year..
Endlessly progressing Sisyphus
We survived. We’ve been surviving for quite some time. Step by step is all it takes, not need to make assumptions about the unknown future. Simply keep it step by step.
Agreed. What’s inevitable will come eventually, so in the mean time all we can do is make the best of what we have. The abyss can call, but it will receive nothing but contempt in return!
Exactly.
“When you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche
Stop gazing into the abyss already. There’s lots of other cool stuff to look at.
All of us get lost in the darkness.
Dreamers learn to steer by the stars.
All of us do time in the gutter.
Dreamers turn to look at the cars.
Turn around and turn around and turn around.
Turn around and walk the razor’s edge.
Don’t turn your back and slam
The door on me.
– from The Pass
by Rush
I have been surviving one day at a time. I know that one day I won’t, but that day is not today.
Thank you for putting into words our experiences. It helps be feel less alone and isolated.
Always moving forward. Slowly year after year. I want to see how this story ends, no more short cuts. The long way round it is.
:Hands over some rope: Let’s all go rock climbing. Upward and onward to the New Year. Don’t forget to enjoy the view, wherever you’re at on the mountain.
I’ve been struggling for maybe five years now. There were some good times too, yeah, but mostly just waiting for death. Medication that didn’t work, medication that did, good doctors, not so good doctors, you know the drill. Failed studies, a failed marriage, constant suicidal thoughts, loss of interest in everything. And now I randomly got this new job that I actually enjoy – I really can’t explain how that’s even possible. Never saw that coming in a million years. For the first time in years I don’t feel like dying. Most likely that feeling won’t last for long but I’m gonna enjoy this little break.
Thanks again for the comic, Clay.
I’m really glad that you got that job. Congratulations and I hope 2016 is even better for you.
Sometimes just getting through the week is like this.
So true… Just going in auto-pilot trying to climb the mountains, and so many days you just want to let go and fall.
This comic actually scares me. Lately I’ve been calling the suicide hotline a lot recently, and I feel like all it would take would be one more thing to happen to me for me to just want to just end it all.