It’s kind of hard to come up with a wacky buzzComix incentive sketch on a character piece with a focus on dialogue, so I thought I would draw a wholesome picture of Jimmy enjoying that sandwich Tom was talking about in the second panel. Click here if you want to see Jimmy enjoy a sandwich! (Yes, we’ve stooped this low!)

For those of you not in the loop, we’re in the middle of a storyline where Jimmy has lost his job at the movie theater, lost his apartment and is now shacking up with The Brazeltons. If you’d like to see where it all began, you can click here.

I thought today’s comic might be to address the issue of what exactly is Jared doing over at Tom and Cami’s house all the time. Some people have asked me if he lives there, if he’s a relative or what’s the deal?! The short story is, he’s a moocher!

Not in real life, mind you. This is comic Jared we’re talking about, okay? Besides, it’s just handy to have a comic foil around the house for emergencies.

And incidentally, Cami would NEVER strike a guest in our home. “COMIC” Cami, remember? So no one reading this has to worry about her backhand if you’ve overstayed your welcome!

If you’re worried that today’s strip isn’t advancing the plot, don’t stress. I’m laying the groundwork for events later this week. I think you’re really going to enjoy the direction I plan on taking things.

Not much else to report. I didn’t make it out to the theater this weekend, so I didn’t get to see Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. But from what I’m hearing, it’s great. Kind of bummed about that, but unforeseen expenses popped up over the weekend, so we’re on fiscal lockdown. Doesn’t help that I have to pay my car insurance this month, but what can you do? Just show a little willpower, that’s all! Close the purse strings!

That’s why it’s awkward to share this next bit of news… but both of the main advertising slots are open. If you have a web site you’d like a little extra help promoting, we have the space to accommodate you! If you’d like more information, including our rates, you can click here. Even if you can only advertise for a week, it would really help me out.

Traffic has been looking good since I redesigned the front page in CSS. It’s loading faster and I’m getting good feedback. Now’s the time to hop on board. We can help each other!

The rest of the site is coming along in regards to the subtle redesign. I recently added a Cast page and just yesterday redesigned the Links page. You should check it out, if not for its stream-lined effectiveness, but to click on the links of comics I’ve recently added to my regular reads, Del Mar 8, Brainwrap Comics and The Useless Superheroes. They’re all pretty sweet.

It’s my goal to redesign the store next. We hit upon a really good idea in the THorum and I plan on taking pre-orders for a shirt with Tom’s “Professional Movie-Goer” business card from Friday just as soon as I complete the design.

I’m also calling area printers to get quotes on binding services. I’m thinking that collecting this current arc (with bonus strips, incentive sketches and commentary!) into a small trade paperback is a really good idea. Even if I end up sitting on a few copies, I’m proud enough of the work to use it as an introduction to people who may have never seen the site before. Sell them at conventions; maybe even ask a couple local comic stores to carry it. You never know!

Thanks to all of you for your support with the changes that have been happening lately. You guys have really allowed me to stretch creatively and it has infused me with a new vigor for the comic. These changes have been great medicine.

Thanks.