Hello dear readers,
This is the last episode of Detective Agency that I plan to create.
Last weekend I made the difficult decision, having worried about this strip for many months. For a story-driven comic like this to work, I feel it needs to be updated at least twice per week. But it’s become much too time-consuming for me to draw each episode, as the art continues to take me many, many hours to complete. And on top of it all, the app I use is giving me troubles, adding even more time. I had planned to carry on the stories for quite some time, probably even a few more years. Unfortunately, it’s just become too much, and when the process of a creative pursuit becomes more frustration than joy, it’s time to acknowledge it and make a decision.
I tried my hardest to wrap up many plot threads in this final episode. Some of these reach back as far as the first episode. Other things have been left a mystery, but it seems only appropriate for our detectives to walk into the unknown, uncertain of what’s to come. Also I’m leaving some of those threads open because I may return to this universe in some form or another in the future.
As far as my next step, I plan to start a new creative project that will allow me to work in many different media, from blogging to graphic design, drawing, painting, and maybe more. Another key difference will be not having a strict update schedule. I’m looking forward to it and hope you’ll continue to visit my works once that new space is open.
It’s been wonderful to bring these characters to life for you after living so long in my head. I wish it could have lasted a bit longer, but I’m happy that it lasted a year. I hope you’ve enjoyed the ride, too. I can’t say it enough, but… thanks for all of your support, dear readers.
Until next time, friends.
Chris (and Nick)
Awww. We’ll miss our weekly dose of suspense, drama, levity, philosophy and very twisty plot twists. Thanks for the fun. But I will save a bunch on therapy not spending my nights tossing about pondering the mysteries.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned as an avid follower of Nick’s exploits, it is to expect the unexpectable. I wouldn’t not be unsurprised if the likes of Joey, Fairweather and Mister E, ooze back together like the liquid metal bits of the Terminator and again threaten hunanity requiring Nick to leap from his tree disguise and put the smackdown on black clad evil.
But, if not, I appreciate Nick’s immortality imparting paraphrase of Tom Joad.
wojtow, thank you so much for being an enthusiastic reader of the comic and for commenting so often! I wouldn’t be surprised if Nick popped up now and again in various places. He’s too fun of a character to let go of forever.
Sorry to see Nick go. But as much work as this obviously takes, it’s not surprising. Perhaps if you had offered the work as an unpaid internship someone would help out for their resume :) You have a talent for creativity and wording that I hope you can keep putting out there. I think you’d do well in a “The Far Side” format, where you can just do random illustrations from time to time. In any case, thanks for bringing the story of Nick to us! It was fun, and I’ll definitely be rereading the comic to see if I can actually figure out who was who :) But now, the most important question of all, will Nick still be my FB friend?!?
It’s funny you mention an intern because if I had a partner to draw the strips and I could just write them, the show would go on. But alas… I don’t seem to have any artist friends keen on the job. I do like your idea of a Far Side approach, and don’t be surprised if you see Nick again along those lines. And yes, Nick will stay your FFF (Facebook Friend Forever).
I’ve really enjoyed reading these (even though I never got my cameo wit Bo Flex). Well done sir.
Jim, I know what you mean. I promised you’d be in an arm wrestling championship with Bo Flex, reminiscent of Stallone in the 1987 classic “Over the Top.” I’ll deliver that promise in some other way, brother!
Sorry to see the gumshoe go. I’m looking forward to your next creative pursuit. Well done.
Thanks Janell! And after a little time off, I look forward to digging into the next project as well!
Loved the run you had with this, Chris, and I’m feeling a bit verklempt reading this final strip, even though I am excited about what’s coming in the months ahead! Nick will always live on, and I look forward to seeing him making cameos in your future work.
So… is the new site up now? huh? huh? huh?
Thanks, Allison! In some ways it really is sad to let go of these characters and not see them regularly. But like old friends who’ve moved away, they’ll be back again to say hello.
And you’ll have to wait a leetle bit longer for the new site… like right about… now! Okay, maybe longer than that…
Ah! Why am I seeing this now? Sorry to see Nick’s adventures end, but I’m glad you’ll be working on new stuff.
Thanks for being a great fan of the comic, Tommy! I appreciate it so much!