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

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I hope all my U.S. readers had a safe, and happy, Thanksgiving weekend.  In case you missed the news, the advance copies of WORLD OF HURT: THE THRILL-SEEKERS graphic novel came in and they look great.  If you didn’t already pre-order a copy through Kickstarter, contact me at worldofhurtonline@yahoo.com if you’re interested in buying one.

Thanks!

- JEP

I received a pleasant surprise this week when FedEx delivered a package to my office. It was a box of thirty-two advance copies of the WORLD OF HURT: THE THRILL-SEEKERS graphic novel from the printer, Global PSD. I think they look great, but you can see for yourself in the attached photo, or you can follow the video link to watch me flip through the book, if you can see the book around my chubby hands.

I’ll receive the remaining books by mid-December, but in the meantime, I’ll be using these advance copies to fulfill as many orders as I can until I run out.  However, if you haven’t ordered one yet, I’ll set up something in my store soon, but in the meantime,  you can e-mail me at worldofhurtonline@yahoo.com to inquire about ordering a copy.

Thanks!

- JEP

Hmm, I wonder if they had a warrant.  In a major change from all his previous appearances, Steiner’s actually smiling.

- JEP

I think I’ve finally got a handle on Det. Mike Steiner, but one day I’ll put him in a strip where’s he’s not yelling at Haworth.

Thanks again for your patience and support the past week.

- JEP

As you can see, there’s no update this morning, so I just wanted to take some time to talk to you.  If you’ve been following the strip for any length of time, you know that recent updates have been a little more sporadic than usual. There was once a time when you could set your watch by the Wednesday morning updates. Also, if you’ve following the strip for any length of time, you are probably aware of some of the personal issues that have occurred during the run of “The Black Fist.” The whole strip started under a dark cloud of family illness.  When I thought it was clearing up, the bottom fell out.   Honestly, it’s made it hard to focus at times and I find myself increasing ly withdrawn. I’m responding to comments les.s (Please forgive me, because I really appreciate them, so please keep leaving them)  Also, I’ve been checking my stats less often, when previously, there were some days when I’d check them hourly.   Some of you who follow me on Twitter or Facebook might have even noticed that I’ve been using social media less and less. I’m OK, it’s just my way of dealing with loss, I guess.

Anyway, I want to assure you that I am completing “The Black Fist” arc and there’ll still be weekly updates, but the Wednesday updates may now be anytime Wednesday through Friday for a short spell, while I sort things out.  Also, I’m mostly done with this week’s strip, but I’m banking it until next week, just to give myself a little mental breathing room. 

Y’know, even as I was thinking about writing this to you, I finally came up to a solution to one of the story elements of the strip that I’ve been struggling with.  I guess just getting it off my chest has made me feel a little better already.  I want to take care of you as much as you’ve taken care of me with your comments, contributions, and loyalty to the strip since I started WORLD OF HURT, and you deserve to know what’s going on.

Also, Mom, I know you check every Wednesday, too.  I’m fine. We’ll all be fine.  It just takes some time, but it’s good to know there are friends and family out there who love and support you.  I just wanted them to know how I’m doing.

Jay