buzzcomix still seems to be down, so no incentive sketch for you today. Sorry about that, but it’s totally beyond my control.

So, here’s part two of my special arc celebrating the opening of the Century 20 in my humble hometown digs. Maybe this is a little racier than usual for me, but why should Fenris get to draw all the hot babes?

If all things go to plan, I should be stepping foot inside the mythical Century 20 sometime tonight. What movie will we christen this experience with? How about Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. And for the record: No, the irony in this choice does not escape me.

Yesterday was the 2-year anniversary of Theater Hopper. I wanted to make a bigger deal out of it, but right now I’m doing a pretty piss-poor job of it.

Thank goodness there are creative types like Dave Buist who send me wonderful, congratulatory pieces of fan art. Y’know, I had no idea how violent this comic was until Dave collected every instance of a character being slapped, punched or gouged in one handsome piece of work. Dave also happens to write and draw Taking the Bi-Pass which you should check out because it is hilarious.

Now is as good a time as any to reflect on the success of Theater Hopper. Scott Kurtz just offered to put PvP into newspapers for free while Eric McCurdy and Tauhid Bondia announced their comic Suzie View is being looked at by United Feature Syndicate for placement on the Comics.com website – a stepping stone to syndication in print.

Reading things like this make me contemplate how far I’ve come with my rinky-dink operation.

Is syndication a goal of mine? No. But like Scott, Eric and Tauhid, it would be nice to gain a little recognition and maybe a little money for your effort. That’s not what motivates me, though.

Cami and I were actually just talking about this last night. Realizing that Theater Hopper is reaching more people now than it ever has before, it’s easy to slip into a pipe dream where someday the comic will become our sole source of income. It’s a nice thought, but I don’t ever want to force things that would send me racing to that ultimate conclusion.

I started Theater Hopper as a dare to myself. Just to see if I could do it. Once I established myself, I made a goal to remain consistent. Once I established a work pattern, I attempted to broaden my writing and drawing skills. I feel confident that these goals have been met and continue to be built upon to this day.

In order to get to this point, I don’t feel like I whored myself out excessively. People just started finding their way to the comic organically. Throughout this process I’ve met some really great people. Other creators that I would consider close friends as well as fans who I talk to daily in the THorum. All individuals that have enriched my life through the free exchange of ideas and interests.

I can count the number of hate mails I’ve received on one hand. And I would know how many pieces of hate mail I’ve gotten because I’m sensitive to that kind of thing. After 2 years in the game, I would say that’s an accomplishment all its own.

I guess I don’t know what the point of this is. I started out talking about the success of other creators and comparing it against my own. Is that even fair? I already feel like I’ve succeeded. I get to write and draw characters I love. I get to talk with interesting people every day. And hopefully, I’ve created something that will last another 2 years and beyond and bring a little bit of happiness to people willing to receive it.

Money, recognition and anything else is just icing on the cake at this point.

Thank you for reading Theater Hopper. Here’s to another 2 years and another 2 on top of that (if we’re lucky!).