the town only has one hill, but it works

Posted on July 14, 2006 by

For various reasons it is sometimes extremely difficult to come with a new idea when I sit down to write a comic. Since I have almost never had any kind of backlog of work, I have done almost every comic on the day and as such my mental state is subject to the various pressures and goings-on of that day. And some days it just doesn’t seem possible to write something good.

At those times I have the debate that I’ve never really managed to definitively solve in the years since I started Interesting Times; is it better to post nothing at all than to post something I know will be lackluster? More often than not I try to write SOMETHING, partly because I don’t want to fall out of the habit and partly because I have learned that I really can’t predict which comics are going to really resonate with people. [May 22, 2011]

has he thoughts within his head

Posted on July 12, 2006 by

Of course there is a strong temptation to go back and somehow either redo or hide old work that I feel is not up to my current standard (this is known in some circles as “pulling a Lucas”). This comic in particular is one I have wanted to re-draw for a long time. And actually it isn’t even that I think it doesn’t look good, because despite everything I’m really happy with it. It’s because I like it that I want to try and do it even better.

The main thing that stands in my way is my own laziness; some days (not many, but they are there) I can barely muster a brand new comic; never mind spending time on re-drawing old ones. So it stays. [May 22, 2011]

I wasn’t actually about to buy "Breakin’" today

Posted on July 4, 2006 by

First of all yes, the date on this comic is wrong-o and it’s definitely not the only time I slip up on that.

For some reason I can actually remember that the movie I nearly bought was “The Sting”, with Paul Newman and Robert Redford. I had never seen it but heard good things, and this was some Amazing Ultimate Anniversary thing (as they all seem to be). And it was cheap and I had it in my hands but then I saw it was full-frame, and I thought “WHY WOULD YOU EVEN PUBLISH THE AMAZING ULTIMATE ANNIVERSARY THING IN FULL FRAME.” Who clamored for that, is what I’m wondering. [May 21, 2011]

Nerd-Man… AWAY!

Posted on July 1, 2006 by

One thing I enjoy when writing is to put in repeating phrases and ideas. I don’t think anybody really notices them, mainly because they are often designed to fly under the radar unless you know they exist, like the arrow in the FedEx logo.

The first words of this comic – “I don’t draw them in the comic, but…” are a good example. The phrase stayed in my mind as a good way to start a comic, and so it will pop up now and again over the course of the next few years. There are other examples. They aren’t usually present so often that you’d notice, but they’re another way I entertain myself with my work. [April 25, 2011]

who doesn’t love tragic death?

Posted on June 28, 2006 by

Ah, ‘edgy’ humour. It just…isn’t really my thing? Every time I go for it I look back later and cringe a little. It’s pretty plain to see from the rest of the site that it’s not what I’m going for anyway. That doesn’t stop me from trying now and again, but I’m actually a little proud to say that for the most part this site never crosses the PG line. (The comments section, on the other hand…) [May 21, 2011]

it’s catchy, AND it makes you think

Posted on June 24, 2006 by

I’ve actually been asking different people this question for years and I’ve yet to get a satisfactory answer. I think the general consensus has been that she is “very skillful with a laser-based device”, which I guess makes a little more sense and lends a delightful sci-fi twist to the song.

As a side-note I have no idea why I decided to centre-justify the date at the bottom of this comic. Sometimes I try different things with the dates and usually they don’t hold. [May 21. 2011]

all I wanted to know was the version number

Posted on June 14, 2006 by

This comic marks the first appearance of tiny, circular eyes. I have an impolite name for that style of eye but suffice it to say that they are almost always reserved for jerks or idiots. Something about them suggests a certain…simple-mindedness. I’m not sure how I settled on that idea but I have been drawing stick-people for years before the comic started.

Since we’re talking about this comic, I’ll also add that the Wal-Mart sales guy looks like a character from the old cartoon “Stickin’ Around”. [April 25, 2011]

stupid facial hair.

Posted on June 6, 2006 by

Yup, I applied at the local Staples (an office supply store) just before it opened. Not getting that job seems like a pivotal moment in my life, and sometimes I try to imagine how different everything might be for me now.

Maybe there is a Nathan in an alternate universe who never grew that awful moustache, got that job and is now living an entirely unrecognizable life. I say to that Nathan: Sorry dude, I’m definitely better off. Unless you’ve got an iPad, those things are boss. [May 20, 2011]