170 “On Getting What You Want Part I”

I have a lot to say for this update. First off, about the update itself — this is the beginning of another short story in the Hentai Made of Glass thread (joining the previous 4 strip “Breakup With Cheryl Thread” and the 4 strip “Boy’s Night Out Thread”. I originally had the idea for this particular story back when I wrapped up the “Breakup With Cheryl” thread but I just never got around to actually drawing it. That particular thread was so poorly received that I just shelved it. I didn’t have the confidence at the time. However, with the recent survey, there were enough people who said they wanted strips from this storyline, so it felt safe to pull it out. Also the last AHMOG strip (#159) was a bit of a “feeler” strip, and I received some positive comments about that.

(For those of you who think I receive positive feedback for everything I do, I still get the odd negative feedback over the maggot strip (#150). However, most times, I receive no feedback on a specific strip, so getting feedback on #159 showed it was something particularly special. A couple of voters mentioned that strip specifically as one of their favorites. A company that deals in software that filters spam wanted to pass that comic around the workplace. A surprise, since I didn’t think it was significantly funny when I did it.)

One thing I like about doing this strip, and the main reason it never gets boring to me, is that when I’m about to sit down and do a comic there are several plotlines, situations to choose from, or I can do a movie parody, or just a one shot. Or if I’m stuck for an idea, one shots can become threads. There’s a real variety to what I have to work with, and it keeps things fresh and interesting for me. Other comics generally have two or three characters, but this one has so many. And I’m totally free to stick another one in if I want to, because there’s no real indication that any of the threads exist in the same universe. It’s totally unknown whether or not Shiunji lives in the same town as Mike, or even where in the world they are living. I’ve kept enough open as possible, to give me room to expand. That’s why there are VERY few crossovers between strips — I don’t want the threads to be defined by their proximity to each other.

As an artist, this just gives me tonnes of freedom. In just 170 comics there is a rather sizable cast, numerous situations and directions, and I feel I could easily do another 170 more. I have enough jokes to put me to 200 — I just lack the time to draw more than one a week.

Wow, I’m patting myself on the back tonnes this week. Sorry about that.