Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Tears, steers and Blears

I'm in the process of writing the last seven Scary Go Rounds and I have become emotional! I didn't expect to become emotional, mainly because I am hard and dried up like a dead tree inside, but it is a very strange sensation. It's seven and a half years of my life, almost a quarter! I've moved my office to a new part of the house with an actual window, but I've yet to do anything with the room but put a desk in there, so in a way I feel like I've started a new job already. The job appears to be staring at a wall that needs to be painted while feeling downcast. I should put up a picture, perhaps of a sad clown or a donkey in repose.

Even though a few characters from old times will be carried over to the new comic in one form or another, I still feel like I did when I was leaving school. Cheer me up, readers, show an old man a kindness.

44 comments:

Josher said...

*pats John awkwardly on the shoulder*

Unknown said...

I'm curious and excited to see what you do next! I'll miss Scary Go Round, but I know that whatever comes after it will fill the void. :)

Roman said...

I'm trying to think of something uplifting said to me upon facing a major life transition, but... well...

Seriously, though, trying something new carries its own rewards. Comfort yourself with slogans from the comic: Things Are Going To Change! Wales Is OK! Looks, Brains, and Everything! Blame The Sky!

buttercupabq said...

Wait, is the end really so near? How are you going to tie up all of the loose ends with only seven strips left? Not to question your artistic vision but I am a very demanding lover of your work and I want neat, pretty packages tied up with Martha Stewart-like perfection. I hate it when books/movies/webcomics leave it up to the imagination. My imagination is too cynical. In my closing chapter everyone will die from malaria or will be taken hostage by angry peta members, who are trying to make a statement about people killing houseflies all willy nilly just because they annoyingly fly into your eyes and spread the plague. Please please please pair up everyone nicely and have them live long and fruitful lives while providing some service for the common good. But hey, no pressure.

Unknown said...

TOP GUN HUG

*punch punch punch punch*

Caitlin said...

My facebook group "Friends of Elbow Squid" was unavailable for some reason, so I searched through the very best of my gifs.
http://pics.livejournal.com/caiterpillar/pic/0000h8t6
:D

Marianne said...

I've enjoyed this time muchly. SGR helped me through my very boring job, when I spent whole days reading through the archives from the start.

I loved my drawings by the way, I loved that you included my ATP wristband and did the swirly bits on my dress in the picture.

I may be calling on you do draw some more in various costumes, once funds are more...well, more.

Marianne
x

John A said...

buttercupabq:

The last comic is on September 11th (sorry, I didn't choose that date on purpose!) There's a neat resolution to as many of the themes from 2008 & 2009's comics as I could manage.

Caitlin said...

Wait there we go.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/group.php?gid=51743951907&ref=ts
THE BEST USE OF FACEBOOK EVER???

Anonymous said...

My sadness at learning of Scary Go Round's dissolution has transformed into an exhilaration at witnessing the beginning of a brand new project.

Bloggy said...

Chin up. This opens doors. "Scary Go Round: The College Years," "Scary Go Round: The New Class," "Scary Go Round: Miami," "Scary Go Round: New York," "A Very Merry Scary Go Round Christmas Special," and of course spinoffs like "Hugo's Place," miniseries, reality shows, bands, you name it. The musty stench of that tweed chest in the attic will belie its contents: magical starry unicorn type stuff.

Kyle Lawrence said...

I love you John Allison.

james said...

Receipt of my sympathy will depend on which characters you intend to bring over, viz: a comic centered on anyone but Desmond Fishman will be a disappointment. Sorry but I calls 'em as I sees 'em.

John A said...

James

Desmond will be in theaters nationwide this fall in "Millicent Mumps And The Fishman Family"

Virtualbri said...

John know that you have made a lot of people happy through your work.

And that you'll continue to do so with the new project in whatever form it is.

I know I'm looking forward to the next series, especially if it keeps you excited about doing it, and I'm fairly certain I am not in a minority here.

But take heart in that you bring joy to a lot of people with no downsides, except for perhaps an addiction to your work and somewhat of an obsession with Shelley. :)
--Brian

robcurrie said...

SGR is amazing, ergo you are amazing! things get more exciting after school right? Go for it John Allison, we'll be with you as well as a whole bunch of new people.

marianne said...

John Allison is Win!

Ray Gun said...

John, I love you more than Kyle does.

Doogie said...

Wayne is watching.

Unknown said...

*manly hugs*

It'll be the worst September 11th ever...

(too soon?)

Unknown said...

9/11 jokes aside, you are awesomely creative and stuffs and Everything is Going to be Fine.

We're all looking foward to see what you'll do next!

Jon said...

We are behind you. Always. In fact, some of us are behind you right now

If you didn't see us just then, it's because you weren't fast enough

Lucy said...

Mr John Allison I have read Scary Go Round from (nearly) the beginning and I will be sad to see it go - but I am more excited to see what comes next! Scary Go Round is about SURPRISES and MYSTERY and so is the future. Hurrah!

dusty girl said...

Enough manly hugs, I offer sloppy kisses! I read SGR books when I am in the dumps 'cause they cheer me up so well. My favorite part is the quirky dialog, and I expect to be just as charmed with your new project, even if Shauna isn't in it.

.M. said...

Not only has Scary Go Round served as a reliable cheer up at a job that has seen quite a bit of downs over the past few years, but your blog ramblings, musical selections and nutty sketches have brought quite a lot of smiles and interesting moments.

You're no sad old man. You're John Allison and you are an immensely talented art beast! You rock!

Unknown said...

Well, Scarygoround was a leap forward from Bobbins and I'm sure the Mysterious New Project ( Of Mystery ) will be another leap forward from there.

Between Bobbins and Scarygoround I've been reading your work for close on a third of my life too. It's sad when something tremendous ends, but not nearly as sad as when it drags on far past it's sell-by date and becomes diminished as a result.

K said...

Change is hard, but good! Remember the installation of your new bathroom...

No, really. I am also looking forward to the Mysterious New Project. I am sorry to see SGR go, but all good things must come to an end and it has been a very good thing indeed.

Laura said...

Hmm I've been trying to think of something to cheer you up but I'm not very good at words and stuff (well not typed anyway!) I will miss SGR and I've been reading your work for a third of my life what with Bobbins too but I'm very excited about 'Ba'.

Keep being your great self and 'chin up!'

righteoustetris said...

Change is always good.

Sad to see SGR end, but "all good things," and all that.

Excited to see what the future holds for you. Things will be great!

Edmund Ward said...

I too am very sad to see the end of SGR so close. It has been a daily companion for the better part of a decade. September 11th is my birthday

Dharmabum said...

John, as a mysterious lifer to your fine art musings, change will be hard, such as having someone move my sofa directly to the bottom of my stairs. But you climb over and keep on going.

You are like a fission reactor of comic genius, your ideas can only be contained for so long before you break out of the containment field and into blue sky.

End of the world, or flying cars? I'll be there front and center to find out!!!

Mike Speegle said...

I was gonna comfort you, but you done snatched away my internship and green pup tent. Now I tap my foot and glare judgmentally.

Nah, just kiddin'. New stuff's gonna be great.

Unknown said...

I'm sad it's ending too, but am also excited to see what you do next!

Besides, any of the old characters you end up missing too much can just show up in the new project as "new" characters for your new readers!

Basically, I think we're all of the opinion that you're talented an' creative enough to do whatever ya want... I actually couldn't imagine you finding yourself totally painted into a corner, story-wise; You're a pretty clever fellow!

Snath said...

I'm going to be very sad when SGR is gone, but I at least have my print books to keep me company. Just finished re-reading Blame the Sky last night. Ho hum.

Good luck with everything, and I'm sure the next strip will be great as well.

xmung said...

What (scary)goes round comes around! :D
Been reading for many years now so will be sad to see the end of it, but at least you gave us all fair warning and intend on wrapping it up properly (unlike many other webcomics I could name... including one of my own!). Am interested to see how the new comic works out... have to say there are a few of the newer characters in SGR that I hope don't make the move across but I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Have you ever considered a franchise blend? Maybe "Law & Order: SGR"? ...(kidding!)

John A said...

xmung, don't worry, the new comic will be wall to wall Desmond just the way you like it, along with his new friends - "Millicent Mumps and the Fishman Family"!

I'm sure that some people won't like the characters I chose to base the new comic around and if people stop reading I will understand.

GhostieSpotter said...

When it comes to judgement in one's artistic direction you, john, have proved time and time again to be pretty on the ball. Many times you've shown self awareness and restraint in order to keep your vision in tact rather than just servicing your fans or writing on autopilot just to keep the comic going. The decision to finish scary go round, while upsetting for someone who's been reading it for as long as I have (it is, sadly, like saying goodbye to a mate), seems to be one you're confident in, so I trust you've made the right decision in order to carry on delivering high calibre art.

Also, cocks.


I'm looking forward to the new project Mr. Allison, I trust you won't disappoint.

Halldor said...

Sir, I've read the whole of "A La Recherche du Temps Perdu". And I've read the whole of "Scary Go Round".

"Scary Go Round" is better.

David Streever said...

John A,

I've stayed with you through thick & through thin, even your grumpy periods, which everyone has, but I digress.

Your abilities are excellent & I think this is a good time for you to make a change--if you aren't feeling the old mojo, you aren't feeling it. I mean it's been 7 years after all, no one can expect you to stick with it for another 7!

I'm sure your new endeavor will be as exciting and dynamic as the current. You have your readers trust & adoration.

Now for us all to start hyping up the new venture...

Unknown said...

I'm sad about it ending still, but I'm now starting to itch with excitement about what's coming next!

salemite said...

From Bobbins to Scary Go Round to New Comic, I shall follow you! Brave Englishman!!!

Oregon says you are good.

Unknown said...

Don't feel down! Get down! And then get on up. And dance.

This is just a transition from one stage of life to the next. Think of it like dying.

Christopher said...

Cheer up, Charlie. Brave things are ahead. I can't wait to see what new hundred acre woods you dream up. We're all rooting for the insane, brightly coloured rivers that will come flowing forth next. We're on your side, friend.

Cat Wade said...

scarygoround is swell and john a seems a lovely man, do not be sad