Q and hopefully A
 

Mr. Clevinger:

I know you are trying to settle into a new domicile and get many thing taken care of. When you have the time and patience to answer these questions I'd appreciate it.

1. In the Shadow From Beyond Time #4, the 'shadow' becomes many insects. I get that this was to make it difficult to deal with, but Robo is freaked out by this. Did the Shadow 'know' that Robo would be bothered by bugs, or was it a coincidence?

2. You have prominently used Carl Sagan as a character. It even seems like you are quoting straight out of his series Cosmos. When did you watch this series?

3. About the 'B' stories. I remember that it previously come up that you might discontinue these in the comics (while putting them online) to make room for a letters section. Has a decision been reached in regard to this?

4. I know there was a bit of a snafu if in regards to the naming of the 4th volume. Is it okay if I think of it as "Atomic Robo and Other Strangeness"? Regardless, I'm really looking forward to it.

Brian's busy putting together a fresh 8-Bit right this minute, so hopefully I'll be an acceptable substitute.

A little from column Coincidence and a little from column Narrative Convenience (meaning he thought it'd be funny if Robo had a bug phobia and saw that story as being a pretty handy opportunity to show you this), which will pretty much always be the answer to any question like this.

Brian says he's seen it "once in the early '80s, then again when they did a rebroadcast in the early '90s, and several times since then." None of Dr. Sagan's lines are directly lifted from either Cosmos or his other works (unless you count an allusion to the subtitle of the Demon-Haunted World), but Brian's pleased that he's imitated that distinctive voice well enough that you'd think so. His method of writing Sagan dialogue boils down to mentally repeating his lines until it sounds right, which strikes me as much more respectful and affectionate than going for the cheap and easy "billions and billions" schtick.

"Yes, starting with Volume 4, that's exactly what we'll do. There are currently three, maybe four 'B-sides' in the works for digital release right now."

I'm pretty sure Brian doesn't care if you think of it as "Atomic Robo and the Cynical Marketing Ploy of Changing the Title to Something with the Word 'Vampire' In It" as long as you keep enjoying it, dude.

Hope these answers are satisfactory and that you do in fact keep on finding your experience of the patented Tesladyne brand Comic-Like Product a pleasant one!

I really appreciate you acting as a go-between for the sake of a fan. You have my gratitude.

I'm kind of saddened by this decision. I really like seeing the stories in print and actually holding them. Still, I'm sure Team Robo knows best. Any chance of them being in the trade paperbacks?

Very satisfactory. I've already got Volume 4 pre-ordered.

100% chance. In fact, Vol 4 ought to have four mini-comics, possibly a fifth leftover from Vol 3, and the Dr. Dinosaur story from FCBD '09.