8.12.09

Acrophobia: or Professional Suicide









OK, so this is an explanation of sorts for my extended hiatus. I'd love to tell you that I've been working on some incredible secret project, but the truth is that I really just needed a break. Turned out to be a bit longer than what I had intended, though. Sorry about that.

Well, at least I'm not the only guy who was lagging behind. Pranas Naujokaitis was also behind, but not as far behind as I was. He did a great little catch-up comic, too.

21 comments:

Jason Bradshaw said...

I like your longer comics more. I think the pacing if your pages lends itself to that a little more. not that I don't love your short ones ;)

in any case, welcome back!

flexnib said...

Welcome back, and don't beat yourself up for taking a break. I had wondered where you'd got to, but as I'm subscribed to your blog I had no doubt I'd see your great comics again. I think you are very talented and love your style!

John said...

I think I know what you mean. I feel paralyzed by fear after every comic I finish. I try to convince myself that I don't care what people think, and that every comic doesn't have to outdo that last. In fact, sometimes I do a small comic after a big one, just so I don't feel overwhelmed. Sometimes the small ones surprise me too.

Glad you're back. We missed you.

Sam Spina said...

wow man, i'd take a comic like this over a million daily comics. that 6th page is freakin nuts! and i love how to show the story backwards, i still think about your daily comic where you tell the story backwards because your wife always starts reading the last panel first! so clever!

Jac said...

Nice jump Chris, looks like you did the right thing by taking a break. Good to have you back. Set your own pace though, there's lot of other good stuff to enjoy in this life :D

FerGil said...

Apparently I am not the first or will be the last to say that longer story means happier reader. Of course, that takes more time, both thinking and drawing. Fine by me.

I loved the backward storytelling of the come-back story, and specially pages 4 and 5.

Matt said...

I know I already commented on your Facebook page but I gotta say it again: DAMN! That is one amazing comic. Please don't doubt your talent, Chris; you're an incredible artist.

Christopher Downes said...

Thanks Guys. I needed that!

Reservoir Dad said...

I found my way over here from Spinadoo Comics. This is a great comic and I relate to it strongly.

Virus Visal said...

im glad you are back!! and im looking fowards to your next stories!! i love your art, and your comics, i guess all artists have times like those, but know we all support you!

David_Mac said...

Very happy to see that you're back to share more of up your work. Thank you!

pranas t. naujokaitis said...

I'm so happy to see that you're back, man!

Yeah, as someone who was way behind on their own journal comics for so long, I can TOTALLY relate to this! (Thanks for the plug, by the way!)

That sixth page is BEYOND AMAZING, just so you know.

Box Brown said...

Keep up the good work! When you fall off the horse, etc...

John said...

I just realized that I was signed in with the wrong account when I commented. I such a retard : [

Andrei B said...

I agree completely with Sam Spina.
As for not thinking your art is good enough,... that is crazy talk! Compare a newspaper cartoonists work with your work - you're working as quickly but your detail levels and personal style are so much, much better.

An Apple said...

You are a hero-badass, Gallatonian escapee. Hope you are well. I love the frame with the ladders. i relate to that a lot.

Dojang said...

geez, i'm glad i checked back here today. it had gotten to the point where i'd almost given up on an update...

i'm really glad you're back in business. to be honest, i'll kinda miss those rushed, forced 11PM comics, but i've always enjoyed the catchup ones you put more time into too.

welcome back.

(dude, i still owe you a milkshake.)

Anonymous said...

I know it's lazy to just agree with everyone else's comments, but this time I jus' gotsta. Yeah, what Sam Spina said. I don't mind if you take breaks, and I don't mind if you shake it up a bit by doing multi- rather than one-page comics, but please, just promise that you'll keep writing and drawing and posting?

-- Jen B

(PS. Your contribution to Tango 9 came up a treat, it's easily a highlight int he collection!)

Adam Baudelaire said...

This is Chris, believing in yourself is the whole deal. You need to be able to step aside, look at your work as if it were some one else's. If you did that, I think you would be able to see how awesome your work really is.
Perhaps it's less of the letting go and more of the holding on. An embrace?

a

adri said...

LOVE IT!

amaddyb said...

Hey Chris, I just checked in on your blog and am thrilled that you are back on. So happy I actually signed up for a google account so I can leave comments!

I can't believe you doubted your abilities. You are so talented! I am inspired by your work and have learned a lot from observing your style. I am back into drawing and cartooning myself and I have you to thank!

I'm looking forward to more comics to come!

-Angie