Sometimes Tom has trouble gauging the passage of time. Sometimes I wonder if “real life” Tom doesn’t suffer the same affliction. Have we been talking about Charlie for two weeks? do return to that format, there will be a fully-realized creation through which I can filter my opinions. Bringing Charlie into the fold adds a whole new layer to what I can say about movies. She brings a new voice and a fresh perspective.

However, in order to do that, I need to make her prominent. While readers have become familiar with Tom, Cami and Jared over the last 2 and half years, I have to establish A LOT of exposition in a short amount of time if I’m going to make Charlie their contemporary. In other words, so that the audience will recognize that the words coming out of her mouth are coming from an honest place in terms of characterization. That there is motive. That there is a background story which is the prism through which she interprets her situation.

This sounds heady, I know. But I’ve put a lot of thought into. Maybe too much thought. Maybe what’s important is that people come to the site to be ENTERTAINED and they don’t need to be bogged down by the drama of FICTIONAL characters.

Whatever the situation, one thing has become clear. While undertaking what I want to achieve with the comic and the characters in 2005, there’s no reason it can’t be funny. This weekend I am going to reassert my focus and strive toward that.

Goodness, that was quite the little manifesto, wasn’t it? If you have any response to what I’m putting out there, I am always available.

That said, I want to remind everyone that TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO PRE-ORDER A T-SHIRT, BABY DOLL TEE OR HOODIE! After today, I’m going to shut down that portion of the store probably for the next few months. So if you were thinking about getting a Spoiler t-shirt any time soon, now’s the time to do it.

Actually, if you were thinking about getting a “Professional Movie Goer” shirt, now would be THE BEST time to do it. The design hasn’t been a strong seller, so I’ll probably discontinue it after today.

I have some other site-related thoughts bouncing around in my head. I might come back and share them later if I have time.

Honestly, are there any other web comics out there that pull the curtain back as far as I do in regards to process? I mean, it’s not like I’m showing you the penciled artwork before I ink and color it, or anything. I’m affording you frigging real estate IN MY BRAIN. You totally get a glimpse of all my little hang-ups bringing this thing to you 3 times a week, don’t you?

Ho, boy. Life in the Digital Age…