Aaand we’re back!
I want to thank everyone for sticking by me during this long hiatus. It was really an unscheduled mental health vacation for me. With the holidays and everything else that’s been going on, I realized I needed some time to take care of myself, have a more normal schedule, and enjoy some time with my wife. Honestly, I haven’t even logged on to check my stats in ages, but I really, REALLY appreciate all your support.
As I came up to this strip, I had some real ambivalence about Pastor torturing a helpless man in such a cold-blooded manner, so I struggled with how I was going to play this scene. I decided to have Pastor mirror that ambivalence. Despite his earlier bravado, he’s wrestling with himself about the ugly work he feels he has to do.
- JEP
Deft handling of a tricky subject. Pastor feels like he needs to get rough, but very clear he doesn’t like it. You can tell he’s hoping the guy spills his guts before he has to ultimately decide whether to go through with the nastiness.
Also … welcome back, Jay. Couldn’t be happier.
Welcome back Jay!
Pastor has always been a hard man doing a hard man’s job. Never gratuitously violent, just focused. He’s got a couple of eggs to break if he’s gonna make the omlette
Ambivalence is a byproduct when there’s bloodwork to be done. This is the dilemma for any Hero of weight. However make sure you don’t allow him to wallow in self pity for too long. Remember, Pastor is doing it for those he cares about, not money. So if a fascist bigot has to receive a 3rd degree natural gas tan so be it:-)
@Tim-
Well said. Part of the tagline for THE THRILL-SEEKERS graphic novel is “Sometimes good people need a bad man.” I always imagined Pastor as a guy who did some very ugly things to help people and to keep them from having to experience the things he has. He’s damaged, but you’ll never see him wallowing in despair over it. He does what he feels has to be done.
- JEP
@Brad Wright and @Doug G-
Thanks! It’s good to be back.
- JEP
A shirtless Pastor is always a treat for the female fans, even if he’s doing something bad.
An interesting choice, but when I first read this update my thought was “Huh? Did I miss an update?” Reading your description makes it clear, but it was a bit of an abrupt transition for me.
Good to see you back in the saddle, Jay. And in grand form as usual. We do love what you do and know life is life, meaning it can lift us, break us down, get in the way, and show the way. Just know you have fans and friends out there who care. As my grandfather used to say, keep on keeping on.
Hasn’t been an update in awhile! Is the comic currently on pause?