Brian take a break...
 

I don't know how the rest of the people feel who come and read your comics Brian but if you feel you need to take a break I would suggest you do it. Just step away for a few days or a week. I know it will suck and many people will either not understand or just be stupid about the whole thing, but if you need it, do it.
We will all like your stuff better if you are happy with it. (Though if you are like the rest of the creative people on the planet you will never truly be happy with your own work.) Plus it can be hard to churn out on a dead line if you are still feeling the extra weight.

I only say this because of your comment on the front page.
Step away and take a breather, maybe go to the movies or some place fun to ease your mind.

I and many others will understand.

I agree on that statement depending on how Brian himself feels. If his heart isn't in his work then indeed take a break. But some people use work to cope. I am just saying under the circumstances dont do your work just because you feel you have to

Just so you guys know, weird does not neccesarily mean bad. Remember the dream comics? Those were weird ones to.

But, it might be good to take a break if your inability to sleep continues.

He could always go say hi to his good friend NyQuil.

Hamelin, domn't you remember that Nyquil also prevented him from actually sleeping?

I've always been of the mind that the death of a friend excuses -- if not requires -- slacking off for at least a solid week.

I mean, shitnuts, if that isn't a reason to take some time off, then what is?

'sides, I think just about everyone hereabouts would rather wait a week for good-ass comics than see a bunch of lame-ass, written-after-one-hour-of-sleep-in-near-unconsciousness, could-be-better-but-the-author's-understandably-distracted-at-the-moment comics.

...

I'll even grant as a little sleep deprivation can help you key in to some odd creative tangents... but seriously, Clevinger, watch it with that shit, y'hear?

...

Even if Nyquil gets you to sleep, it's not proper sleep, and you're still mindfucked the next day. Least in my experience.

I don't see what was so odd about the previous comic. Sarda had mentioned earlier that great power could be theirs, but to gain it they would have to sacrifice something. The next comic then shows how each Light Warrior is not intellectually able to make this sacrifice as per the particular idiotic idiom of each. Then we close with Sarda coming to that very conclusion.

Almost as if they are not yet ready, as if there is yet more for them to learn before they come into their own. As if there were, say, some more orbs out there. :P

What, you mean the light bulbs weren't enough of a test for 'em?

Christ, can't a guy be concerned?

See, this is why I try not to ever say anything nice to anybody.

Dunno if this was in reference to anyone besides Lokis, but I actually didn't see anything wrong with the last comic, which in fact I quite enjoyed. But sleep deprivation, personal tragedy... it's not entirely without basis to imagine how such conditions could eventually cause one's work to suffer.

So, you know, take all the time you need, is all I was trying to say.

...Because we expect our free entertainment to be good free entertainment, damnit. ;)

And I want to make it very clear that I mean that with the utmost respect to His Most High Carnifax of Clevinger, who is also in his person the Psychopomp of Comicry.

Brian I'm telling you this, even before I read what he wrote here I understood what the episode ment, so you see some of us understand.

But I suggest that you do something - Because (at least in may experience) laying around trying to sleep or rest doesn't work - Being an insomniac sucks.

And Finally - Brian I felt I must thank you, it's because of you that I'm starting my own comic.

I feel sorry for your loss.

:bmage: Now I know what admiration feels like

I agree that a HIATUS, not a vacation is in order. That means no guest comics unless someone who is not grieveing currently does the work. I have read and loved this comic for a long time and can not remember the single time that it was not there for me to read close to deadline, almost always before. If you are and the rest of the staff are not using work to cope take some time off.