You may notice that the echo corrects Shauna's pronunciation. But if I didn't mention it, you probably wouldn't. I thought it was funny, in perhaps the smallest way anything has ever been funny, ever.

Oh dear. Oh no. Oh no oh DEAR.

[NEWS]

Towards the end of last year you may recall a number of posts where I bemoaned my lot, citing the plummeting post-Scary Go Round audience. Let me tell you, you haven't lived until you've had 2000 people a week flip you the figurative bird for about two months. Fortunately, around Christmas the rot finally stopped, and a badger-like man has been seen about the streets of this parish of late, lauding "the green shoots of recovery". Who could he be?

Operating as I am in somewhat reduced circumstances, I draw your attention to the discontinued t-shirt designs below which have to go. It would be awfully nice if someone bought them, then I could make some new things. Now, I could assemble the surplus shirts into a hot air balloon and fly it into the sun, but that would be a waste. It's the end of the line for all these:

I have received several emails in recent weeks from people who have come around to Bad Machinery and told me how they are warming to the characters, and even had a couple from folks who are encountering my work for the first time. I would be lying if I didn't say that the first few months of the new comic weren't hard, but it means a lot to hear from people. Spread the word if you can! I have some good stories coming up.

I think the pressure has finally got to Kropotkin. I'm sure nothing too bad will happen though. Kropotkin's a pretty good guy right? We've established that. Or have we? I'll leave you to go over the evidence.

In the time since last we spoke I have driven both TO and FROM Wales. You remember Wales? It's where whales come from. Well I guess the secret is out, Sonny and Jack pretend to enjoy football. Linton strikes me as the kind of lad who is big on recrimination.

Mrs Baxter lays on an extremely good dinner. Linton does not know how good he has got it.

[News for March 3rd 2010]
WALES WILL BE OK, BONUS FEATURES

I will be speaking tomorrow at Glyndwr University in Wales about how I came to make a living from webcomics, as part of their "Creative Futures" series of talks. I have no idea if anyone who attends that university reads my comic, but even if I enter to rows of blank eyes and rotten fruit ready to be thrown, I will give my all. My hat will levitate above my head to the sound of a swanee whistle if needs be.

Is there bonus material for you this week? YES. I have added rafts of new sketches to my Flickr in a brand-new, just-for-you Sketch Fiesta! Check it out, this is where the magic happens.

I will have more news when I return from Wales, covered in tomatoes, swanee whistle snapped in two.

You know, you can go too far sometimes and that is what happened on this occasion. Happy first of March everybody!

Had you had a lot of WINE? Things pick up next week as the story enters its final, senses-shattering stage! Now remember not to get a tattoo this weekend until you have forced your gran to get it. You'll thank me!

The last panel of today's comic was a complicated one. Very complicated. I also debated for several days whether an 11-year old would use the term "indie band" but you know, the concept is so nebulous and entrenched that I think they would know. I knew what one was when I was 12. That was 1988. Confusing times.

I was very pleased with the drawing in today's comic. I marched around the house and declared myself "the best at comics". What a fool.

Oh look! George Bough! He's a great teacher. Wait no, he is not a great teacher at all. He's terrible. Here's the news:

[Feb 22nd 2010]

It's been a couple of weeks since my last news, I have had my hands full dealing with various book-related issues, but (fingers crossed) I am done now and have returned from the war with a bandage around my head (I'm not wounded, I just want sympathy).

Besides the comic, there are other new things for you to look at! For starters, enjoy all 22 drawings I did for The Annotated Weekender's 1st birthday on my flickr page (including personal favourite "Young R.E.M meet Old R.E.M"). And following a triumphant uStream drawing session on Friday, I've posted up various quick sketches of Scary Go Round characters in their youth(s). It's free entertainment, what more do you want? Yes I know, blood.

I also think it prudent to mention Manchester's growing Drink And Draw event, the next one is on Sunday Feb 28th! Details are here. We always need new people to come down who are good at drawing and like drawing in public. I'll be there from about 4pm, I usually perform a laying on of hands or just tell someone to "pipe down".

Finally, I have about 6 or 7 Whitby Ghost Party prints left, so this is probably your last chance to get one.

Charlotte isn't the most tactful person. She's yet to develop the subtlety of expression needed to be a great sleuth. Based on the fact that her role models are Shelley Winters and Esther de Groot, I think she does her best with limited (and dangerous) material.

RSS SECRET MESSAGE: I have ten of my Whitby Ghost Party posters left.