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It's been a tricky summer for me, and it will be a tricky autumn. In August I drew three weeks-worth of so-so Bobbins comics, trying to keep going just to have something to do, then I ran out of steam altogether. Events finally caught up with me. 

It's going to take me a while to get back on track, though today was the first day in several weeks where I actually wanted to write and draw, which is a good sign. But progress is much slower than my usual brisk clip, and there are going to be several weeks where I can't run any webcomics at all. This isn't normal and I don't like it, but there we are. 

But on an optimistic note, here, in what may prove to be a terrible tease for something that takes a dog's age to manifest, is the cover for Solver 8. I drew it today! Fingers crossed for the green shoots of recovery. Let's see how I go on. 

And what could THIS issue be about?

Files

Comments

Rich Holmes

Can't wait! I'm solvereighting already!

Jessica Lauren

Hooray! A strip about Chinagraph pencils! My hero! 🤩

scarygoround

22 pages of Lottie drawing on OHP slides, doing an issue-long presentation about her love of the X Files.

Sean Kinlin

Lottie makes mountains out of molehills.

Damon Hart-Davis

Obvs advising the PM on net zero and the cost-of-living crisis? Unless she's solved it herself by the time you're done...

Dragon Messmer

You really are a wonder of nature. I hope you can allow yourself enough rest to get back to full steam, even if it takes longer than is comfortable.

Thomas MacColl

A hopefully diverting question John - I've noticed that a few of your recent covers have this mirror symmetry going on, Circus Windows comes to mind - any particular reason for that or just an aesthetic you're enjoying at the moment?

James Fung

Take the time you need. The mountains look like folded bat wings to me.

scarygoround

I find something very satisfying about symmetry for a cover, it makes it more "graphic" if that makes sense. I used to think almost solely in graphic terms back in the day, working as a designer, thinking about balance and space. It's nice to lean into that occasionally as it's quite hard to do with my comic pages.

Matt

Take care of yourself John and take all the time you need

Alaric Shapli

Nuns? Umbrellas? Strange birds seen from the back? Definitely grabs my interest.

Pierpaolo Di Camillo

GASP! Lottie is going to Twin Peaks!?! SO BEAUTIFUL! Jokes aside. Please, don't be stressed. Sometimes things just become difficult for a while.

William Cole

Adding to the other calls for self-care, John. You spoil us as is! Looking forward to Lottie becoming Chibi Bodhisattva.

ade ransome

Maddona's Eye View of Lottie lying down?

scarygoround

Strangely, I was discussing conical bras the day before I drew it so I think that might have crept in.

UsrBinPRL

Please look after yourself and take your time. We'll still be here when you're ready.

Sean Kinlin

I would love a Grote/Cooper team-up.

Jeremy Impson

Finally Lottie is taking on some Elder Gods... At the Mountains of Madness!

Rob Cottingham

FWIW I'd be happy to put my "That was cool! What's next?" appetite at bay and coast for quite a while on back-catalogue flashbacks and such while you recharge. (However it is you do that: A distant mountain retreat where all pens, pencils and stylii have been banned? Driving Uber and podcasting your conversations with passengers? A year-long gaming binge through the Final Fantasy oeuvre? Hibernation pod?)

scarygoround

Drawing is a big part of my recuperation, I find it very therapeutic, so I can't head to any pencil-less zones!