As Artis says, we're both home for the holidays now. I did finally make it out of Chicago amidst many tribulations (seriously, they wouldn't even give me my luggage back for the evening. I tried saying I had some necessary medication in there (I didn't, but I have no compunction lying to airlines when they're being rat bastards) and their response was "Frankly, we'd call the paramedics before we'd give you back your luggage").

This is the first time that Artis and I have seen each other since the very idea of doing a comic together entered our heads (well, hers, and then took fire in mine). I caught sight of her doing some of her pencilwork before it got scanned in and was humbled, right then and there. I also let her glimpse over my shoulder as I was coding more stuff for Metrophix and I think she fled the room. It's scary when worlds intersect.

Talking with each other in full synchronicity--rather than the halfway stuff of AIMs--is also a much easier way of working. So we're going to have a little gathering here where we dicuss the directions the comic can take and hopefully get some stuff done here.

This also means, of course, that we'd love to hear comments from all of you in the peanut gallery. Especially useful criticism and suggestions for things we can change--please lay it on us so we can consider it when we... plot.

And your present is an update!

And I'm home for the holidays. It feels a little weird to be doing all this on another computer, and with Chris in the other room rather than across the country. And this whole talking thing...it doesn't use fingers or AIM at all! Crazy, I say!

And yes, his code did make my eyes cross in rebellion. Better him than me!

Also, as he has said, we value comments. You see, I am continually refining the style of the comic. One major complaint is that it is too "busy." While the horror vacui is a part of the comic's very style, it is also something to be concerned about. Obviously I have taken steps in alleviating it by changing shading styles, but there are more changes to come. I think I may simplify the style somewhat. Don't worry- a lot of detail will still be there. It's not going to stick figures or anything, but for the sake of time and your eyes there will be changes. I may also go with a more flat shading style, see how that works out. Flatter coloring can help make things pop out, after all.