Friday, September 11, 2009

Firing cannons at the moon

I was going to write a long message on the front page of the site, but since I am going to be breaking it into pieces next week, I thought perhaps I would write it on the blog instead.

I've been working on Scary Go Round for seven and a half years, which is longer than I've done anything else - longer than grammar school or any job I've done. I was 25 when I started, and I vowed that unlike the comics I'd made before, this would be a nice coherent whole, visually consistent and professional! Well what a roaring success that turned out to be. The last strip (the 1785th) bears absolutely no relation whatsoever to the first. But the journey's the thing and I emerge older and wiser, mostly older, so old.

I have received tremendous encouragement over the years from other artists, but I want to especially thank Andrew Bell, Kelly Vivanco, Vera Brosgol and S. Britt, gifted people who all encouraged me (gently or otherwise) to try new things. I also want to thank my friend Marc Malone, who was meant to have drawn the comic with me. Your old friends still miss you, Marc.

There's been plenty written on the blog this year about why it was time to finish - but mostly it boils down to the fact that I don't feel that anything should run forever. Webcomics grew out of people who wanted to draw newspaper comic strips, and with that seems to come the notion that we should whittle away at life-long works. But unless you're whittling - and I choose my words carefully here - some kind of "magic tree", eventually you will end up with nothing left.

So while I know that any new project offers an excellent jumping-off point, and that there will always be a small section of readers who want leftovers warmed up and served up over and over again, I reassure myself that Scary Go Round's audience has been willing to stick with me through endless changes of tack.

In a lot of ways the new comic is a cross between the very first Scary Go Rounds and the very last. But then it's nothing like either of them. There I am, chasing my tail again. Forming a circle when viewed from the sky.

168 comments:

Doctor Oddverse said...

Will it have Shelley Winters in it, though?



Probably.

John A said...

No.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for everything, it's been a friggin' awesome trip.

Britt Coxon said...

The end of an era, the beginning of a new. Scary Go Round is dead, long live Scary Go Round. Stop teasing us and reveal the new project :P

John said...

Well sir, it has indeed been a pleasure, though there are so many loose ends. Will The Boy and Esther continue through their university years? Will Fallon make a return? Will the Ryan and Amy ever begin their sordid yet totally fan approved love fling? Perhaps We will probably never know.

Anyways, congratulations once again on creating a rather whimsical and entertaining experience. You at least made this one man happy for awhile. :)

Doc Harleen said...

Congratulations, John. I'm very sad indeed to see Scary Go Round go, but its completion is still quite an achievement.

Thank you for years of entertainment. I look forward to seeing what comes next.

Anonymous said...

Thank you very much, John, for a wonderfully enjoyable comic! It has provided me and my friends with many quotable quotes, many laughs, and many t-shirts!

If I happen to meet you on a corner in years to come, may I ask about Scary Go Round or will you, like certain authors, refute its very existence and describe it as a terrible nightmare?

Brett said...

Thanks for a great comic. I look forward to seeing where you head next, but this has been a blast.

lujk said...

No Shelley Winters?
I'm actually, I think, glad about that. The other characters definitely came into their own over the course of the comic and even though she was there the whole time she was mostly to me a kind of unifying-thread deal.
Anyway. I'm sure it'll be awesome.
It's the talent. You've got it! Ha.

evaristo said...

Such touching words for one last hurrah. I raise my chalice of the black stuff [yes, bovril] to you, kind sir! And good luck with your imminent future endeavour!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for the comic. It's mind blowing to know that this is the first comic that I ever found when it first appeared, and now it's over.

I feel so old now.

In any case, I thank you for the fantastic story, and I look forward to the next one.

I do wish I could see what happened to The Boy and Esther, but such is life.

Good work, and I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Séan Billings said...

Well, thanks for years of entertainment and some of my very favourite t-shirts. My 15 year old emo kid daughter has started reading the archives and I weep that she will never know the angsty joy of a Scarygoround cliffhanger.

Unknown said...

Scary Go Round has brought me great joy. I'm sure the next project will do the same. Thanks for the comics.

Unknown said...

I've only been reading for about two years, but it was wonderful. Thanks for the comic.

Unknown said...

Lovely :) I don't think it's going to sink in until Monday, though. I realised that I've been reading this for over a quarter of my life!

Mr Allison, thankyou for being so awesome, please continue with awesomness.

Unknown said...

Well only been reading Scary-Go-Round for the last year, but have loved it.

While I'll be sad to see these characters go, I'm sure Mr Allison's style will shine though.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the wonderful story lines over the years. It's been a great way to start 4/7ths of my week.

Looking forward to the new project!

Nick Ould said...

We shared something special here people. In the future we will greet each other in the street with tearful hugs and cries of "I was there!"

Who said a comic can't mean something? Not I.

Looking forward to the new stuff, sure it'll be great.

Nick Ould said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
AC said...

A good, long run.

CREcker said...

loved the comic from when I started reading in the second chapter. I think consistency wouldnt have worked over the long term, given the types of adventures. And, Im astounded at how long it has been. Thank you for putting so much hard work in over the years.

Victor J Kinzer said...

I have to say I appreciate what you are doing. I have been reading scary go round for about a year, and I think I read somewhere around a year of the archives at the beginning. I have not had the time to go through the entire archive, but I want to some day.

Sooner or later all artists have to change what they are doing. Push themselves in new directions. I've seen webcomic artists become bitter with their process and their fans before they end a comic, and it never goes well. While I do not think in any way that this comic would have moved in that direction I think you're choice to wrap it up at a time that feels right is one of integrity. I look forward to what's coming later this month.

Todd D. said...

Thanks for everything. It's been great.

Sara said...

Thanks so much for years of fabulous comics! It's been a real pleasure watching your artwork change over the years, and the dialogue never failed to make me laugh. I so look forward to what comes next--I know it will be great!

Anonymous said...

I am really sad to see SGR go, but I understand that all things must end. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading, and thank you so very much for sharing your talents with us.

I look forward to seeing the new project!

Josh Burnett said...

Love, love, love the ending. So sweet.

Thank you for the years of work. I really enjoyed seeing your art style change over the years, and I look forward to seeing where you take it in the years to come.

Snath said...

Thank you so much for seven great years. This might be the only comic I've been with since its inception (I was a Bobbins reader), and having a new comic every day since I started has been a very special kind of treat. I've bought shirts, I've bought books, and it's been a great run.

Here's to hoping for another great seven years of John Allison cartooning (and more merchandise on which I can splurge).

Doug said...

really enjoyed this over the years - thanks for all of the entertainment! can't wait to see what you've got coming next...

Roman said...

Off into the sunset - yes, that's the way to leave!

Amy and Ryan clasping hands was, well, rather touching. As touching as anything a cartoon character could do.

Nicholas Condon said...

Thank you, Mr. Allison, for sharing your work with us for these many years. I look forward to the new comic (and the inevitable return of Shelley Winters in six months or so)!

DCW said...

Turns out I've only been reading this for four years, but what a dandy four years it was!
I checked back on it everyday since then. The only daily webcomic I still do that with!

Looking forward to your next project for sure!

Old-Red-Dog said...

All this eulogising sounds as if you've died. Don't suppose you could check and make sure that you haven't could you?

I might just post your words here over on the forum as a way of tying things up - not that this is the end, of course. Hope you've burnished your new project to a dull sheen, thereby making it look respectable when first you lead it blinking into the light...

gordon said...

Thank you.

Just thank you.

Dr. B said...

Thank you so much for this comic.

I've read it regularly for the past 5 years. It's been one of the highlights of my day. And now I'm having this strange feeling of "graduation."

I'm looking forward to your next project!

Jessica said...

Cheers for making my absolute favourite webcomic ever, Mister Allison. Looking forward to the next super magical mystery project.

Mike said...

You're getting a lot of "I'm sorry it had to end, but I'll try and understand" comments, so let me be the first to say "Hooray for the end of Scary-Go-Round." Now, don't mis-read that. I loved the strip, and I'll certainly miss it. But so few creators of anything have the good sense to go out on a high note. SGR never went into a decline, got stale, ran out of ideas, etc. You've left us all wanting more, and with the new strip, you've giving us more! Bravo, sir!

Think about the many, many forms of entertainment who overstayed their welcome - the Simpsons, the X-Files, Rod Stewart, Brett Favre, pants with a big word written on the ass, and basically everything else. Occasionally, something sticks around so long that it comes back around, like the Bond films or David Letterman.

Now, look at who went out on top: The Beatles did it. And now John Allison has done it.

mordicai said...

In a way, Shelly Winters is in everything. In all of us.

SGR I will miss you; forthcoming project, I will embrace you.

Kevin K. said...

I have had an excellent time reading Scary Go Round. I am definitely looking forward to your future projects.

Kugelblitz said...

Long time reader, goodbye and thanks for all the fish.

Appreciated the wit and humor.

Dewey said...

Thanks for all the great comics, John. I've only been with you since about 2006, but I've read through the archives (and Bobbins) several times since stumbling upon your work. Your characters are delightful and each art style you've tried on has been great to see. Thanks also for the awesome Hugo sketch in the back of my copy of "Ghosts." I look forward to the new comic.

Guillaume said...

I only wish I had started reading this comic earlier. What a great read it's been.

Edward said...

Just wanted to say I've been a fan since I started reading Bobbins in college; in all sorts of weird ways, the two strips remain a part of my life. Looking forward to the new comic, and thanks for everything you've written so far.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Dear John:
Congratulations and thank you.
I was not here for the beginning, but sure am glad to be present for the ending - it's the end of an era.

I'll be following your next project, ever so faithfully.

Cyranix said...

A truly magnificent run. Congratulations on your successful conclusion, and all the best heading into the new project!

Unknown said...

Throughout its many years of production, Scary Go Round has firmly held its place as my favorite Web comic. It is a work of pure genius and I thank you for your amazing and classy artistic vision. I eagerly await the next project.

Neil Tredray said...

I suppose I'll chip in with the rest and say thank you for the comic.

MJP said...

SGR has been really fun, John. Thank you!

guladana said...

aww. i will miss SGR. it's been a highlight of my mornings for such a long time. However I'm sure the new comic will be equally great.

Thanks for being awesome John!

Lena said...

As with anyone who's read the comic for any length of time, I'll miss SGR a lot. I am, though, extremely excited to meet the new characters; John, you are endlessly inventive, hilariously creative and surprising, and I can't wait to see what you've cooked up. Thanks for a great 7 years.

Don't Think, Boy said...

My thanks to you John. Scary Go Round has been a staple of mine for the past 5 years, and the main reason I started to draw again.

I wish you good fortune with the new comic - you have at least one reader who will stick with you to the end.

Unknown said...

Thank you so much. I have read this (my favorite web-comic) every weekday morning for the past I-don't-know-how-many years. It has been remarkable, and while I look forward to what you'll do next, I'll miss Ryan, Amy, Comrade Bat, and the rest of your engaging characters. You really brought them to life. I actually shed tears when I read "You are leaving Tackleford. Thanks for visiting!"

While I'm here, I'd also like to thank you for updating regularly! So few artists do that, and it made your comic even more enjoyable (if that's possible) because it was reliable. Keep up the awesome, and thank you again.

Liam Clark said...

I am not too sad about Scary Go Round ending. Everything has its natural lifespan, and SGR's certainly made the most of its life.

Besides, I'll always have the books to enjoy!

So instead I find myself very excited about the new comic. Cheers Johnny A., here's to another 7 and a half years.

Dave Grady said...

John, thank you. I've loved SGR for many years: the art, the story, your unflagging sense of humor. It's the first webcomic I read in the morning and the one I enjoy the most. I'll miss SGR but am excited to see where your mind will go next. Wishing you were local, so I could buy you a beer.

jwu said...

Sad to see SGR go. Glad you're still going to be making comics.

Seriously, the internet would not be the same without you.

KBenloucif said...

Been reading for six years... over a quarter of my life! Thanks for all of the laughter, suspense and joy. That I'm looking forward to this next project is a huge understatement!

Thanks again.

Erik K said...

Erik sad...

Erik K said...

By the way, I'll be at SPXpo. I'll buy you a beer, if you are so inclined.

Señor Jaime said...

It's always a tough call to put an ongoing comic to an end. There are plenty of loose ends in Tackleford and beyond, and I like the door being cracked ever so slightly open.

Still, it's been a heck of a ride and if what you're hinting at about your new project means more supernatural and macabre stuff, I look forward to reading. Of course, if it were a total departure from your past work, I'd still read it.

Thanks for all the laughter, charm, and intrigue, John.

Brian Evinou said...

Thanks so much for a great ride John! What a great comic. I cant wait to see what next!

2goldfish said...

thank you for the comics (sung to the air of thank you for the music)

Tara said...

I was just twelve when I started reading Bobbins, a mere thirteen when SGR started. In the constant change of is adolescence, it is amazing to think that no matter what was going on or where I was living, every single week day of the past 7.5 years I woke up and looked forward to reading SGR.

I'm grateful that the comic went on for this long, John, and I really look forward to reading just about anything else you come up with. Thanks for an amazing seven and a half years!

rose said...

John: Thanks for the brilliant comic. I'm sad to see it go, but chomping at the bit for your next project, which will undoubtedly be nothing short of exceptional, I'm sure. A toast to SGR! Huzzahs all around!

Unknown said...

Your comic has shaped me from a young awkward shy boy to the beautiful outgoing woman I am today and I thank you for that.

Green Gordon said...

Thank you. As a present, I have copied these playlists on to Spotify from a friend's indiepop club night in Glasgow. You may enjoy them:

http://bit.ly/4mD7xh

http://bit.ly/AdOeA

NEVER

FORGET WHERE YOU'VE COME HERE FROM!

Craig Oxbrow said...

I came for the Scary, but I stayed for the Go and even the Round. I shall miss it, much as I miss Tessa, Rachel and indeed Rachel's nose.

dan schwartz said...

Man SGR was awesome, it was clearly the best. Thank you John for making this comic.

Paul Worthington said...

Fairwell to my favorite webcomic ever. I'm really looking forward to your new work. Thanks for everything.

Sol Marinzulich said...

Shedding a smiley tear, thank you for all the laughs Mr Allison; and Shelley, and Amy, and Ryan, and Tim, and Fallon, and Natalie, and Rachel, and, and, and...
They are a part of my every day.

Looking forward to the new stuff.

Nadja said...

I've been reading since Bobbins and I look forward to the new zoo revue, er, new comic.

The Narrator said...

Thank you kindly, sir, for the continuing awesomeness. I look forward to your next project!

K said...

i've never posted a blogger comment ever
but

thanks john,
it's been a great ride.
sgr was one of the things i always had in my drop down menu since 2003/2004 and mindlessly checked a few times a day as if new comics appeared.

i feel strangely satisfied with the ending.

great work. good job on finishing. good luck on the next one (which i will also mindlessly click i'm sure).

Unknown said...

I was sad when Bobbins ended, I'm sad that Scary Go Round has wrapped but I'm excited to see your new (ad)venture.

You're a wonderful artist and I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy whatever it is that comes next.

Thanks!

seraph said...

I'm not gonna lie, I'll have a hard time accepting the new comic. For many years, SGR has been my rock; my unmovable, reliable webcomic, delivering the funny on a solid (read: somewhat solid) schedule.

You can't just create characters like these, develop them into different people, and then just expect us to let them go when you're done with them.

To be honest I'm not sure I'll read your new comic. It depends on how engaging it is, like all webcomics, but I feel as though you burned me with SGR, so I'm hesitant to trust you.

Jon said...

I have never been afraid of the future, and I'm not about to start now, dammit

Micah said...

<3

Unknown said...

I cant thank you enough for making this comic and cannot believe the dedication you have shown to your fans. The number of comics you produce a week is astounding especially with such incredible quality in story-arc, writing and constant humour.
I cant wait to buy the box set of books when they're complete.
Thanks again for the memories, its a sad day for webcomics to say goodbye to SGR but all the best in your future ventures.

CatSpin said...

bravo that man

Adrian said...

Like an aeroplane coming to a gentle stop at the gate, the last page of SGR is a bit anticlimactic as the plane did not crash, but we are pleased nevertheless having made the journey.

Now a brief layover and then boarding the next flight to destinations unknown.

:-)
Adrian

nme! said...

what a fantastic comic that was. cheers.

Drew said...

Congratulations on this wonderful work. We await your next offering with bated breath...

alisonml said...

I am more excited to see the new project than I am to say goodbye to Scary-Go-Round. This is amazing!

Unknown said...

Thank you for many years of entertainment.

And quality merch.

greencow said...

Aww this makes me sad =[ Scary Go Round has been one of my very favorite comics. Your art and humor are top shelf. I look forward to seeing your next project.

Unknown said...

S-G-R has been one of the few comics I've read which I've never tired of, despite reading it for around five years now. I can't wait to see your new project as I'm certain it will be just as good, if not even better than S-G-R. Thanks for everything, Mr Allison!

Unknown said...

Dear Sir,

Over the years I have followed your comic, now you have ended it. I cannot say that I am particularly pleased with this move on your part, and I hope that your next project will continue to provide much needed entertainment.

Sihaya said...

Thanks, it's been absolutely fun to have a cup of coffee and an SGR funny every morning during these years.

Unknown said...

I was grumpy when Bobbins went away, but something even better came out of it. I'm grumpy now, but I trust something wonderful will come of this. Thank you for the hours and hours of entertainment. I had intended to say more, but it's a bunch of drivel, so I'll just content myself with a thank you.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Sorry about removal, had some corrections to make. Lets try again:

Let me add my thanks for years of enjoyable whimsy. Like so many others, I came to Scarey-Go-Round from Bobbins, and cannot believe its been 7 years. From a Ginger Ninja to goblins, to the sad look on the face of a crab Hugo was demolishing, the entire strip was surreal and attractive, and this comes from a Walt Kelly fan. Thank you so much, and I look forward to your next offering.

Unknown said...

I want leftovers warmed up and served up over and over again!

Seriously, thanks for continuing to entertain us. I look forward to the new Hamilton Percy comic- or whatever else you have planned.

wombat said...

I have an oddly vivid memory from six or seven years ago, where I am sitting on the subway with someone I met over a webcomic, and saying "I can't seem to get into Scary go Round. Maybe it doesn't have enough talking animals for me."

I look back now and wonder what the hell was wrong with me, and am very thankful I got over whatever it was. You're a brave and talented fellow, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with in the future.

Mae said...

I love that Comrade Bat appears in the last strip. Thank you for that.

Thanks for everything, actually.

Myles Schaller said...

From my first week of archive binging to anxiously waiting for the next update in the "world-saving quest" to laughing at each new comic, it's been a great trip. Thank you John, and I look forward to your next project.

Matt said...

John, Thank you for everything. Your offerings have been part of my daily routine for many years. I wish you every success in your new (ad)venture.

I'm off to raise a tin of pop in your honour.

Zeke said...

:(

Zeke said...

Hm. My previous comment might need some clarification. What I meant to express is that I love Scary Go Round, and will miss it terribly.
Thank you.

Unknown said...

Thanks, John A!

PixelFish said...

I feel all sad, but I remember feeling the same way when Bobbins ended its run. So I'm looking forward to the next thing you cook up.

Unknown said...

Please, please, please, please don't pull a James Turner.

Unknown said...

SGR was the only comic I bothered to check after midnight in California because I knew the next one would already be up. Thanks John!

Unknown said...

Thanks for this strip. I look forward to the next!

Daniel said...

Yours was the first webcomic I ever began reading, back in 2003 when a friend told me I should check it out. Thanks to both the art and the humor - most of the other strips I read now are only good at one or the other - it holds the coveted first place in my bookmark tab, and I've checked it faithfully every weeknight at 9 pm PST. Thanks for creating such a strange world populated by such well-drawn (in every sense of the term) characters - I miss them already, even as I look forward to whatever you do next.

Patches said...

Cheers to you, creator-man, and your mind makings!

Things are going to change!

Laura said...

Just wanted to say, thanks so much for the last 7 years John, I've been reading from the start and loved every moment of it, I've got so much different art work from you framed on my Walls that it will always be with me but I'm am looking forward with excitment to your next project.
Lots of love, Laura x

DEO said...

I am glad to see Scary Go Round wrap up instead of fading away. Additionally I am happy to see Shelley moving on and for other things to step out of the creative brain meats.

I will miss the Ginger Ninja but she's been killed and a busy body for long enough and things do change.

I am eager to see where you take us next Mr. A.

Unknown said...

You made my favorite webcomic. Maybe you'll make my new favorite, too. In any case I know I'll enjoy it.
*snif*

Joshua said...

To allow a thing of beauty to extend forever can only dilute what made it wonderful in the first place. A child will paint a lovely picture, and then keep adding to the corners until the whole thing is ruined. It takes a grown up to know when to stop.

So I guess we all should say thank you, Mr. Allison, not just for starting but for fininshing- for giving us an end that we all enjoyed, and making Scarygoround a 'complete' thing, a thing to be enjoyed from start to finish, a thing safe from the uncertainty of the future.

So ta very much, for all of it.

.M. said...

Thanks for the wonderful comics, as well as the top notch blog extras, John Allison. You've created and developed a swell cast of characters and those that fade away with the closing of this chapter shall be missed.

But I definitely shall be here when the new project launches. Millicent Mumps shall make you a mint.

Unknown said...

It's been a lovely ride, John. You've been making one of my favorite comics for years. Every time the focus shifted to someone new or the art changed to something different, I found myself enjoying the thing a bit more. In most cases, your art and storytelling move forward and grow stronger. During the few bumps in the road, you kept rolling and kept learning and I'm proud to have been watching the whole time.

Keep doing your thing, old man. I can't wait to see the next thing that has your jammy fingerprints all over.

Unknown said...

Watching how you've improved and evolved over the years while consistently making interesting things has been an inspiration to me and I'm sure several others.

Thanks for doing what you do, and best wishes for the future.

Unknown said...

Thanks for everything. It's been a pleasure spending time with your creations, and I wish you well with your new project...

Any plans to release a reprint of the old books, or dare I hope a complete omnibus of the comic? All of SGR in one titanic volume!

spugmeistress said...

thank you mr allison :) for the comic, for the years of daily entertainment, for the way you ended it, and for not giving up all together but coming back with something possibly even better for us. i'll miss all sgr's characters, but really looking forward to seeing what the new comic's like too (and all its related merch too!)

Aaron said...

*applause*
Scary Go Round has been great! I can't wait for the new comic! Take a bow!

Unknown said...

SGR was awesome. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for these many years of entertainment. I am amazed to realise Shelley accompanied me from the end of my teenagehood all the way to my adult life, despite the fact I moved to a different country four times in between. A great gal, that one. I wish you the best for the projects to come.

Bloggy said...

More like "Sad Go Round"

Unknown said...

Thanks John. :-)

gummi48 said...

*Standing ovation*

Thanks for all the amazing comics. I've been a reader since 2004, and SGR has been a part of my routine.

That after 7 years you're still going out on a high note is rare accomplishment.

I'll miss the characters but I look foreword to seeing what you do next.

And on a personal note, thanks for letting me interview you for a webcomics story in my college newspaper.It was a pleasure corresponding with you.

Unknown said...

All good things.....

thanks for an entertaining read

Even though I got into it in early August and though it like mad ill now, sad to see it end, but as with all good things

Thanks John

Unknown said...

I'm off to move your comic's icon to the "completed" section of my ComicLinkmarks and ComicMixedmarks pages, a rare treat since so few web-comic artists manage to stick to their efforts and bring them to a clean conclusion. Thanks for a fine ride indeed!

xanthian@well.com

Annearky said...

Thanks for what has become one of my favorite comics! I've only been reading for a couple of years, but looking at the archives, it's amazing to see how much the artwork has grown since the beginning.

Can't wait for the next comic...I will be reading it from Day ONE this time! WIN.

Suzie said...

I have used your comic strip to get sassy hair cuts, buy awesome tee shirts, and wake me up in the morning as my internet home page. SGR will be missed, but I look forward to your next oeuvre!

PS. Will I have to change my homepage address to find you?

Vorgus said...

I've only been reading the comic for about a year. For the first week I raced through the archive in hope of catching up. Once I caught up I continued to come back week after week to follow one of my now favorite comics.

As I reached the very last comic and very last frame I felt increasingly sad - yet happy. What an amazing adventure.

I can not wait to see what comes next! Keep it up! I'm so excited!

Unknown said...

"My sadness at watching Shelly Winters go is impeding my ability to enjoy watching her leave."

Here's to the finest comic on the Internet. Good luck, and may your future endeavors have an uncanny habit of success. :-)

Unknown said...

I have faithfully followed Scary Go Round for over five years now and have absolutely loved every single minute of it. Reading the last strip is so incredibly whimsical for me, because I can't believe it's over. I fell in love with the characters over the years and SGR has always held place in my top three webcomics. I look very forward to seeing what comes next.

Good luck and Godspeed to Shelley, Ryan, Esther, The Boy, and most of all Tim and Riley amongst everybody else.

Thanks for the ride John. :D

My name is Jeff. said...

Thanks, John A. I've enjoyed SGR the whole time, and I look forward to whatever it is you're doing next. Whatever it is.

gabbiana said...

Dear Mr. Allison,

Because of you I mentally refer to sandwiches as "sammiches." So thanks for that.

Also thank you for not killing off the remaining cast of SGR in, I don't know, a horrific battle with demons or zombies or Michael Jackson (as a zombie). It comforts me to think of all of them heading off into their respective cartoon sunsets, full of success and good manners.

Anyway. I'll miss SGR, is what I'm saying.

motortree said...

Thanks for a lovely seven years, and thanks for ending the story so sweetly and so gently.

Kai Daigoji said...

Thank you for scary go round. I've grown to love this comic like few others, and I'm glad to see it end without becoming a pathetic shadow of its former self.

Again, thank you.

Unknown said...

Thank us for reading? Thank you, buddy boy. For all those years of SGR. Bobbins is but a distant memory. A warm, fuzzy, distant memory like a night in a sleeping bag, sure, but SGR supplanted all of that. I shall remember many things. The first image that springs to mind for some reason is Esther's blissful grin after the night in that caravan with the boy. Odd that it's a drawing rather than a spoken line given that it's the words and the people which kept me here. Muchly thanks, Mr A. I'll be seeing you later. *chumly wink*

maritzac said...

Old strip, finished strip, new strip. It doesn't matter because you still rule and will rule forever.

Vaemethius said...

I found this comic about a week ago and I have been reading it like mad... and I don't know if it's just me but it's a bit ironic I finally catch up to the current installment only to find out that it was the last.
I am sad, but it was a great comic. You have done a fine job with it and it pleased me greatly to have read it.
I look forward to the new comic, I can't wait actually. ^^

Munzly the Hermit said...

I have followed your work from the early Bobbins days to the present and have to say I am jealous at the professionalism you have achieved in that time. I thought I was a genius, but I can't hold up a candle to you.
The turning point was, as you are probably bored with being told, the moment you discovered how to draw people with proper stereo vision - hee hee! After that, it seems, there was no holding you.
I await the new strip in anticipation of greater things to come and look back in fond memory of all the pleasure, laughter and general entertainment you have consistently provided for your fans, me among them.

Kludge said...

Good lord, is it really seven years? It'll be sad to see SGR go, but I'm sure the replacement will be quite the salve for that. It's like losing a friend, but knowing they'll be replaced with another friend while you sleep. And the new friend probably has ice cream.

Congratulations on Scary Go Round, and hurry up with its replacement!

The Rev Mountain said...

I came home from my honeymoon to find my favourite webcomic had come to a close. Brilliant end, I will miss my Shelley Winter-isms.
Thank you for the best gift anyone can give - a great story (in your case, many of them).

LM said...

Well done, it's been an amazing comic! I'm sure "Millicent Mumps and the Fishman Family" will be even better.....

Anonymous said...

Scarygoround over? Noooooo.

You have definitely produced what I consider to be the highest quality web comic out there overall. If you look, most web comic people can't keep to a schedule, or post in sketchy works in black and white, or have sucky writing, or art, and usually both.

Thanks for setting the bar higher.

Arvind said...

Loopiest comic evah.
Really gunna miss it :(

Arend said...

Ever since I discovered it, I have been reading the comic religiously. It was fun, it was funky, it was oddly thoughtful in places; a great ride and a great read.

Thank you!

I for one am looking forward to what comes next, with or without any Tackleford residents ^_^

stranger with boobs said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
stranger with boobs said...

Thank you

Unknown said...

Thanks for all the years of wonder, it's been grand. Very much looking forward to your new project.

Unknown said...

I feel no displeasure about this, because it's not like any of the previous storylines every concluded satisfactorily.

I've been reading your comic for 6 years now. Almost every other thing in my life has changed in that time period, it's only fair that you get to do so as well ;).

Thanks for the good show. Will definitely be reading the next one.

John A said...

I'm still waiting for one of you smart aleck kids to tell me what a "satisfactory ending" is since it is something that doesn't exist in real life. I'll get there Phill MV!

DarcyV said...

I loved SGR and the ending was a very good ending, IMO.

And I know that anyway the new comic goes, it shall be made of awesome!

So I shall keep on reading!

Anonymous said...

BUT I NEVER GOT TO SEE RYAN AND AMY MAKE KISSES

Tessa said...

I (and tons of other readers, I bet) will always look forward to the new stuff. viva excitement! It's a pleasure to be able to see your work appear.

Felipe said...

It would be nice to have seen 'endings' for the other characters. It also felt like the plot involving "Things are going to change" should have.. happened. In any case, congratulations on everything. Your artistic evolution is conspicuous. It's nice to know you started at age 25. And cheers for the new thing. :)

MLE said...

Thank you for continually producing such a lovely comic! The artwork, all iterations of it, has been fantastic and the stories have been engaging and fun. I've loved reading SGR for the past years, and I'm anxiously awaiting your next project.

Thank you, John!

Phil P. Bellemare said...

Many thanks to you for bringing us this small world you created, developped and happily concluded. I will look forward to any of your future work. Good luck with your next projects!

Adventure Melaney! said...

This has been by far my favourite webcomic since I started reading it a few years ago. Thank you Mr. Allison for your incredible creativity. I greatly look forward to seeing what you have in store for us next.

Shaun said...

In my long list of bookmarked web comics, Scarygoround has always secretly been my favourite. I'll miss the adventures, the characters, the love-ably fuzzy demon creatures.

See you the 21st John! Hopefully Dr. Ladysounds will poke her head up at the end of the year to introduce me to some new tunes I've been missing <3

scribbleVJ said...

so long, and thanks for all the fish....

I can't thank you enough for the funny over the years, and can't wait to see what you come up with next...

I was an avid Bobbins reader, and it took me a good 6 months to get into SGR, but it turned out to be my fave webcomic... so high hopes for your new project!

Danger Man said...

I only started reading a week ago, and I'm very sad to see the comic end. Thank you for the week of excellent reading that I got out of your seven years of Hard work.

Craig Conlan said...

Thanks John. Your work was the only web comic I read every day. I guess I'll be sorry if I never see my favourite fish man again, but I look forward to your new strip. Good luck!

Unknown said...

I have been reading Scary Go Round since it first started, and it has maintained an incredible mystique and storytelling that a lot of in-depth webcomics seem to lose. I am sad to see it end but thrilled to see more work from you, overall this is all very exciting, and closure is wonderful. The last panel is just perfect, nice work, look forward to reading your continued work.

Joe C said...

Thanks for all the effort you've put into SGR over the years. Your creativity not only in the ideas but especially in the dialogue has been nothing short of amazing. I look forward to seeing whatever you decide to bring to the table next!

Meredith said...

John, you were one of my earliest inspirations in comics and will continue to be! I'm very excited that you have a new project to be jazzed about!

But no, in all seriousness, I'm not sure I can forgive you for being an inspiration and giving me so much to read. You burned me John, you burned me bad.

Matt said...

I stayed up until midnight US East Coast time over and over again just to see the next day's SGR. You've done an awesome job, and thank you so much for (I'm being skimpy with praise here) days of entertainment.

You are a god among men.

Unknown said...

I've been a fan of your comics since before you moved from Bobbins to SGR, and now that SGR is ending I'm honestly surprised to realize it's been over 7 years.

I'm sad to see SGR end, but excited to read what you have coming up next. Best of luck.

Suddy said...

I only got in your comic in the last year or so but it was ace. Looking forward to whatever comes next.

Jesse Raen-Saunders said...

Loved Scarygoround for years, still have the entire collection among my comics, with scary things drawn inside the cover (including the dreaded gnome with no arms! "He could bust out at anytime").

Dearly looking forward to the new comic, already got some old fans of yours excited that they can start afresh without having to read through two years of archives.

Best of lukc John, and come back up to Lancashire/Blackpool at some point.

Anonymous said...

i've sampled many webcomics, tried 'em for a few weeks, then gave up on all but about two of 'em. yours is one of the only ones that became a habit. only been reading for about a year or something, but am constantly amazed that you produce this thing on a virtually daily basis at this level of quality.
i don't care much that scary-go-round is finishing though, as long as you're going to be continuing drawing a webcomic. in fact, i look forward to being in at the start of the new project.

felix said...

Thank you!

Ciarán said...

Congrats on making one of the best webcomics there's been, it's been a pleasure reading it and buying your merchandise. Ta muchly. Good luck with the new project, though you won't need it.

Bomaz Willowgust said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bomaz Willowgust said...

Thank you John for a great series. I waited for your comic as one would wait for an episode of their favorite TV sitcom, except that your strip was funny, original and clever.

Unknown said...

I'm a little late to the party, but I still want to give congratulations on completing SGR. I've been enjoying your work since Bobbins, and I am certainly looking forward to Bad Machinery.