I just decided last August or so that the comic was now longer worth my time, money, or effort. I personally hate Ian's writing, yet almost everyone else is in love with it. Maybe it's change of interest or majority, but nonetheless...
Do you think I should've jumped? Or am I right to never spend a single cent on Sonic comics again? I used to love the series, but just something about the new management I guess. Opinions welcome... 
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Um, I think you might be preaching to the wrong choir, dude. Sure, there are some among us dissatisfied with different aspects of Ian's writing or overall plan or whatever, but I think it's safe to say the majority of regular forumers still buy the comic and find it "worth their time."
If you're looking to get talked back into buying STH, why not just skip the gratuitous pep talk(s) and buy it again? And if you're looking to vent/commiserate, it would be nice if you could possibly be a little more specific than just saying, "I hate Ian's writing." Such vague complaints are a great way to get nowhere fast.
I'm also kind of wondering whether self-absorption is, in fact, contagious. This is the second topic in the last few days that made me go, "Huh? Somebody actually needed to devote an entire new thread to this personal quest/vendetta?" I don't know, maybe it's just the part of me that avoids starting new threads like the plague (10+ years on online forums and I've started like 5 threads, no joke), but this just seems a little much.
I agree with Aurelia le; sure, ther'es quite a bit you could complain about with the comics, but that's not enough to make me give up on them just yet. If they were to kill off a major, beloved character-Sally, Julie-Su, or someone like that-then I might be willing to give up on the series. Other than that, I'm sticking with it.
*throws out a life saver to KnuxFreak and pulls them on to a dingie*
I know exactly how you feel. I was starting to get sick of the comic during the TOMMY LIVES IS DEAD IS LIVING run... Decided to stick it through to 150 (highlight was of course Dub's beautiful work)... I too was optimistic about Ian, but after my subscription expired with issue 168, I haven't looked back since. I told my self I would check out 175, but never did.
Maybe I've finally grown out of Sonic. Maybe I've just gotten sick of the damned relationship battles, the immature characters who never seem to mature. Maybe I need a smaller cast of characters... or maybe someone to die and stay dead.
Either way, the series has lost it's flavor for me. I've been a reader since #38 (lol I was in 3rd grade back then 
), but it's time I moved on.
Edit: Just want to make it clear: It's not that I hate Ian, or think he is a poor writer or anything like that. Hell, he's doing an amazing job. And that's pretty damn good, seeing he has so many demands. I know he can't just go kill someone. He has to worry about Sega's reaction, and Archie's reaction, and the fan's reaction. Ian, since I know you usually read this forum, let me say you are awesome and keep doing what you are doing. It's just the fact that I've out grown these kiddie stories where everything is rainbows and unicorns.
It depends..just what are you looking for in the comics?
Hiro........why are you still posting then if you've lost interest??? That seems like a oxymoron.
lmao...
#1, just because I'm done with the series doesn't mean I still don't love it.
#2, I still <3 SatAM
#3, I don't know if you've ever noticed or not, but the MoFo is bigger, a lot bigger, than just Knothole and SI. I might not be a Knothole regular anymore, but I'm pretty active on the board
A LOT bigger. There are a number of people around here that I've talked with over IM's that have never done anything relating to Sonic, and thats just a few I'm personally talk to.
Lord knows I've long 'outgrown' (not the correct term but I can't be arsed to think of the correct one) sonic. But still I tossed a 20 into the subscription a month or so ago for the little tails vs sonic scuffle. Since then I've been tossing most of the ones that come in to my little cousin. I still give them a read though, nothing else just to try to keep up with this section of the board.
~Tobe
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Um, I think you might be preaching to the wrong choir, dude. Sure, there are some among us dissatisfied with different aspects of Ian's writing or overall plan or whatever, but I think it's safe to say the majority of regular forumers still buy the comic and find it "worth their time."
Well, yeah, I used too to, but lately...ugh...
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If you're looking to get talked back into buying STH, why not just skip the gratuitous pep talk(s) and buy it again?
I want no such thing, I just was curious what others felt. Too much to ask? I hope not, for I never meant no offence.
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I'm also kind of wondering whether self-absorption is, in fact, contagious. This is the second topic in the last few days that made me go, "Huh? Somebody actually needed to devote an entire new thread to this personal quest/vendetta?"
I just came back yesterday and wrote this post. I did not see the other post, all apoligies.
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And if you're looking to vent/commiserate, it would be nice if you could possibly be a little more specific than just saying, "I hate Ian's writing." Such vague complaints are a great way to get nowhere fast.
Good point, but what I hate is just how it seems that Ian is so more highly respected. I mean, sure, I can respect that, but he isn't even that good! I admit, he's had his moments like with 165 or 160, I guess.
But he is following manily what the mass majority of fans want, I've never been a mass majority. I personally miss Karl Bollers. He knew how to put pen to paper. It does make sense Ian would follow what the majority wants but I don't like it. He practically rushed to kill Tommy off and reveal that Shadow's past is discoverable. Which is every little thing the majority of fans want. Knux and Julie-Su are under rated!
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I know exactly how you feel. I was starting to get sick of the comic during the TOMMY LIVES IS DEAD IS LIVING run... Decided to stick it through to 150 (highlight was of course Dub's beautiful work)...
Me also! I loved Dub! When he left, my interest was staring to drop fast.
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Maybe I've finally grown out of Sonic. Maybe I've just gotten sick of the damned relationship battles, the immature characters who never seem to mature. Maybe I need a smaller cast of characters... or maybe someone to die and stay dead.
Either way, the series has lost it's flavor for me. I've been a reader since #38 (lol I was in 3rd grade back then ), but it's time I moved on.
That's probably me too.
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It depends..just what are you looking for in the comics?
Realstic stories and the ending of Sonic/Sally sounds might fine. Oh, and stop using Shadow. He's cool, but now he's overrated.
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and reveal that Shadow's past is discoverable. Which is every little thing the majority of fans want.
Well, technically Shadow's past is straight from the games (Shadow the Hedgehog more specifically) and to be fair to Ian, he probably had to put it in there, not because of the fans, but because Sega order him to put it in there.
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Realstic stories
Define "realistic" as were dealing with talking animals mutated from a gene bomb from aliens that turned the Earth to Mobius and mystical objects and I'm sure you realize there so many "realistic" things you can put into a fantasy comic.
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the ending of Sonic/Sally sounds might fine.
That's pretty much already been done before Ian came aboard, and I don't think Ian has any immediate plans to start it up again.
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Oh, and stop using Shadow.
Don't count on it as, once again, it's not the fans but Sega that require Shadow and Rouge to be in the comics.
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I just came back yesterday and wrote this post. I did not see the other post, all apoligies.
I was talking about the thread by the guy who was trying to track down Penders to find out if he ever received a drawing this guy sent in for a contest years ago, or something. Your post struck me as disturbingly similar to that one in (what seemed to me to be) its exceedingly personal nature.
That said, it occurs to me now that I might have been somewhat less than polite in my original comments. I just tend to get rather impatient with people when I feel like they're wasting my time ... and I feel like you're wasting my time. (And yet here I am, still taking the time to post a response. What masochistic urge is it that draws me to threads like this? The world may never know.)
I guess I just find posts like yours akin to someone who insults their own appearance or work or whatever so other people will feel compelled to compliment them on it ... basically, a disingenuous attempt to gain validation from others. I suppose I can understand that urge, and even accept it to a certain degree ... but cluttering up the board with it when you could just as easily have expressed such sentiments in a pre-existing thread? Uh, no.
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Good point, but what I hate is just how it seems that Ian is so more highly respected.
If you'd taken the time to read the discussion threads for various issues of STH, you'd see that people (myself among them) do, in fact, question Ian, disagree with him, even criticize him on occasion. This is true even (I might even say especially) on Ian's own forum, and all things considered, he's been pretty good about responding to fan's concerns, especially there, where he's a regular presence. I think that's a lot of the reason why he's so respected in the fan community, because he's so responsive to them.
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But he is following manily what the mass majority of fans want, I've never been a mass majority.
I'm going to have to disagree with you there, especially as regards the current story arc. Do you really think the majority of readers wanted 90% of the echidnas to get killed off, or to see Knuckles get turned into a villain? It's not as if they were clamoring for either of these things months in advance, which they'd have to be if Ian was taking their wishes into account when he originally wrote the Enerjak Returns arc.
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He practically rushed to kill Tommy off and reveal that Shadow's past is discoverable. Which is every little thing the majority of fans want.
Are you seriously going to pretend like Tommy's death disturbed you? 'Cause I think you'd be the only one. As for Shadow, he needed a past. People have been complaining for ages about how flat and one-dimensional he seemed, that fans only liked him because he looked cool, etc. His character needed (and still kind of needs) to be fleshed out, and giving him a backstory accomplishes that.
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Knux and Julie-Su are under rated!
*sigh* It's vague comments like these that are exactly the reason I have a problem with your complaints: I don't even know what you mean by that. Do you think Knuckles and Julie-Su aren't getting enough screen-time? Do you think Ian doesn't respect them as characters, or that he writes them out of character? Do you think other fans under-rate them? Seriously, what do you mean?
If you're going to take the time to put your opinions out there, which is entirely your right, do yourself a favor: Make them specific and back them up with facts. You'll generally find people will have a lot more the say to you if you do.
Someone here likes Tommy Turtle? It is a little surprising to me. While he was never my favorite character, I didn't hate him and never really understood the hot hatred some fans had for Tommy.
I don't miss Karl or Ken, I came to dislike their attitudes. Ian seems to be better at interacting with fans, though he has his moments(I would too if I had to deal with some of the fans). I think Ian is a good writer, though not perfect. One thing he could improve on is bring a little more heart into his stories. Also, I am getting a little impatient with him to correct Karl's biggest mistake, which I can't forgive(perhaps that is too strong a word, at least I can't get past it) Karl or Archie/Sega for until it is repaired. I will not say anymore about this, because it has to do with relationships.
I have never been one to subscribe to the comics, I like wait to read some reviews and see the comic for myself before I decide if I should buy it.
And I thought I was Mr. Cynical around here...I find a pair of people who also think the comic has lost its way.
For me, personally, I'm going to keep my subscription until the series gets to #200. Then I'll examine where the comic has been going narratively. It I think things have picked up to my satisfaction, then I'll keep reading. If not, then I'll be moving on.
I refuse to read the comic anymore on the grounds that Ian Flynn foolishly refuses to bring in the Nerbs for some action! If I can't have this one minor aspect brought into my liking, then the comic is totally not worth my time.
For shame, Mr. Potto. Unforgivable. >=O
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Define "realistic" as were dealing with talking animals mutated from a gene bomb from aliens that turned the Earth to Mobius and mystical objects and I'm sure you realize there so many "realistic" things you can put into a fantasy comic.
Sure, but can't the stories not seem to always be kiddish. Sonic, in the end, always wins. Realstic? No. Also, almost everyone in the comic regards Sonic as the best thing since sliced bread. No. He seems to never mature, and when Amedus Prowler in 178 or came to protest, what? Why? That makes zero sense to me.
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the ending of Sonic/Sally sounds might fine.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------That's pretty much already been done before Ian came aboard, and I don't think Ian has any immediate plans to start it up again.
Yeah, but there is still tension between the two, I meant that. Pointless relationship.
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Don't count on it as, once again, it's not the fans but Sega that require Shadow and Rouge to be in the comics.
Since when? Show me where that is.
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I just tend to get rather impatient with people when I feel like they're wasting my time ... and I feel like you're wasting my time.
Then don't come and write back posts. I'm cool with that.
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I guess I just find posts like yours akin to someone who insults their own appearance or work or whatever so other people will feel compelled to compliment them on it ... basically, a disingenuous attempt to gain validation from others. I suppose I can understand that urge, and even accept it to a certain degree ... but cluttering up the board with it when you could just as easily have expressed such sentiments in a pre-existing thread? Uh, no.
Um, what? When did I bring up my appearance or work? I'm a student still by the way, and I never mentioned school. Nor did I mention anything else of similar nature, and if came of that way, I apolgize.
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I'm going to have to disagree with you there, especially as regards the current story arc. Do you really think the majority of readers wanted 90% of the echidnas to get killed off, or to see Knuckles get turned into a villain? It's not as if they were clamoring for either of these things months in advance, which they'd have to be if Ian was taking their wishes into account when he originally wrote the Enerjak Returns arc.
I stopped reading when Tails and Sonic were fighting in 178. I'm sorry if missed something that would make me feel otherwise.
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Are you seriously going to pretend like Tommy's death disturbed you? 'Cause I think you'd be the only one. As for Shadow, he needed a past. People have been complaining for ages about how flat and one-dimensional he seemed, that fans only liked him because he looked cool, etc. His character needed (and still kind of needs) to be fleshed out, and giving him a backstory accomplishes that.
I meant that Ian immeditately jumped to do those things. I'm no Tommy fan nor hater, but how he rushed to kill him is what I meant. I have no cares about Tommy. As for Shadow, Sega is the only one I'd ever trust regarding his past, not some copy-off comic from Archie.
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*sigh* It's vague comments like these that are exactly the reason I have a problem with your complaints: I don't even know what you mean by that. Do you think Knuckles and Julie-Su aren't getting enough screen-time? Do you think Ian doesn't respect them as characters, or that he writes them out of character? Do you think other fans under-rate them? Seriously, what do you mean?
All of them, sort of. Besides, just because I am not specific enough doesn't mean you have to get mad at me. I apoligize if my comments are broad, but I'm not looking for an analysis. I'm looking for other's opinions and if they necessarily argee. Plus, one brief comment out of about 8 comments overall. That's not terrible.
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Someone here likes Tommy Turtle? It is a little surprising to me. While he was never my favorite character, I didn't hate him and never really understood the hot hatred some fans had for Tommy.
Me too. I never said I liked Tommy, I just said Ian rushed to kill him because fans hated him.
I think Sonic is more mature than he used to be, and I kind of like Sonic always winning in the end; I love happy endings. Come to think of it, I think good always winning is realistic. My way of thinking on this has to do with my relgion's(Christianity)teaching, it may take awhile and it may not always seem to happen in this world, but good eventually wins. Also, I liked the "House of Cards" storyline, and I agreed that the monarchy needed some reforms.
Only because, Knuxfrex mentioned it (sorry I have to say it) overall I like how Ian is writing Sonic and Sally. It seems more like old times between them, although I wish they would get back together. I like to think(and hope)that Ian is just taking his time, eventually gets them back together and that he will be allowed to develope and grow their relationship well, that way it will not be pointless(not that I thought it was pointless to begin with). If it doesn't happen after awhile, I might consider restarting my personal boycott of the comic.
On the subjects of relationships, since DC brought it up, I miss the subtle hints of the Sonic x Nate Morgan x Tails love triangle that took place a long while back. 8D
I too shall boycott the comic if this is not fixed~!
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Then don't come and write back posts. I'm cool with that.
I guess you've yet to figure out that I can't seem to walk away from an argument, knuxfreak52. I have a pathological need to debate even the most pointless of subjects into the ground. Not that your subject is necessarily pointless; your presentation just leaves a lot to be desired.
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I guess I just find posts like yours akin to someone who insults their own appearance or work or whatever so other people will feel compelled to compliment them on it ... basically, a disingenuous attempt to gain validation from others.
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Um, what? When did I bring up my appearance or work? I'm a student still by the way, and I never mentioned school. Nor did I mention anything else of similar nature, and if came of that way, I apolgize.
Well, I guess you haven't been paying attention in English class then, because apparently you can't recognize a simile when you see one. (Note my use of the phrase "akin to," which is synonymous with "like.") My biggest problem with your ego-tripping is still that you felt the need to devote an entire thread to it; I might have tolerated it without comment had you had the decency to simply integrate it into a pre-existing thread instead.
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All of them, sort of. Besides, just because I am not specific enough doesn't mean you have to get mad at me. I apoligize if my comments are broad, but I'm not looking for an analysis. I'm looking for other's opinions and if they necessarily argee. Plus, one brief comment out of about 8 comments overall. That's not terrible.
Opinions and analysis go hand in hand, pal. They're the stuff term papers are made of, as I'm sure you well know. Every opinion worth its salt is arrived at by the same basic process:
a) gathering information,
b) analyzing that information, and
c) using that analysis to draw conclusions.
This is otherwise known as "critical thinking" or what-I-am-trying-to-get-you-to-do.
Nix the information and the analysis and what do you have? Not an opinion, but a feeling, how you feel about whatever. True, other people might share this feeling too, but what exactly does that contribute to the discussion? How does one debate the merits of a feeling, or decide it's a "valid" one? How does one argue with or for a feeling?
Feelings aren't formed the same way opinions are; you can't lay out the thought process that led you to a feeling ... because feelings aren't really the product of thought. Feelings just are. More often than not, they simply spring spontaneously into being, with no information or analysis to back them up.
So the most other people can do in a lot of cases is just say, "Oh, I happen to feel the same way too" or "I don't feel that way about it at all." How does such scintillating conversation as this in any way contribute to our understanding of or appreciation for the comic? How could it serve to sharpen our rhetorical or analytical skills, or help us to grow as individuals? What does it contribute to at all, besides possibly our own ego, assuming anyone agrees with us? Personally, I'd have to say: Nothing.
As much as she's being a bit abrasive about it, I'm afraid I'm with Aurelia on this - there's a reason why we ask people to actually say why they think something, and she's nailing it fairly well.
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I guess you've yet to figure out that I can't seem to walk away from an argument, knuxfreak52. I have a pathological need to debate even the most pointless of subjects into the ground. Not that your subject is necessarily pointless; your presentation just leaves a lot to be desired.
I'm sorry. I'm getting better, okay? I've just been really short lately. I typed the original post, way up there on a day I was very sleepy. My Knux and Julie-Su comment was supposed to be just brief snippet, and I wasn't really wanting anyone to reply necessarily. I apoligize, and stop being so cross with me, I'm going to actually try now.
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Well, I guess you haven't been paying attention in English class then, because apparently you can't recognize a simile when you see one. (Note my use of the phrase "akin to," which is synonymous with "like." ) My biggest problem with your ego-tripping is still that you felt the need to devote an entire thread to it; I might have tolerated it without comment had you had the decency to simply integrate it into a pre-existing thread instead.
I'm not a middle schooler nor a elementary student, and I know darn well what a simile is, I just was very frustrated when I replied. And I never claimed to be "Mrs. Webster". I'm sorry I don't know what akin means, but I'm trying, okay?
As for my so called ego tripping, I am doing nothing of the sort, okay? And if I came of that way (Which was never my intent) I'm sorry. Okay?
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Opinions and analysis go hand in hand, pal. They're the stuff term papers are made of, as I'm sure you well know. Every opinion worth its salt is arrived at by the same basic process:
a) gathering information,
b) analyzing that information, and
c) using that analysis to draw conclusions.This is otherwise known as "critical thinking" or what-I-am-trying-to-get-you-to-do.
No, I meant I'm not looking for an analysis from another person. And please stop talking to me that way. I am hardly hurting you and yet you feel a pressure to correct me, and talk to me like I'm 9. I'm in high school, I've written persuaive essays in my day. I'm just sleepy or pre distracted when I write these posts. I'm sorry, can we move on? Or are you going to analysis this too? You aren't my English teacher, so stop treating me like you are.
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As much as she's being a bit abrasive about it, I'm afraid I'm with Aurelia on this - there's a reason why we ask people to actually say why they think something, and she's nailing it fairly well.
I'm sorry all of you okay! I have no idea how much I've apoligized in previous posts and yet I'm still being terrorized. (Not by you Sam, it's Aurelia) Now can we discuss the comic maturely? Please, I promise to give an effort if you talk about the comic fairly and politly. This goes for everyone, please.
No knuxfreak52, I'm sorry. I never meant for you to take that much offense (though maybe a little offense; I'm kind of perverse that way). Mostly I was just trying to not-so-subtly nudge you in the direction of more fulfilling conversation for all.
Apparently I failed in that regard though, and just ended up pissing you off. Whoops, my bad. I'll try to be gentler from now on:
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My Knux and Julie-Su comment was supposed to be just brief snippet, and I wasn't really wanting anyone to reply necessarily.
If you're not looking for replies, I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place. Isn't that the whole point of message boards? If you feel that much of a need to vent, maybe you could indicate to your readers that it is just venting, and you don't want a reply to it, somehow. I find that [rant][/rant] tags work pretty well to that end, plus they're oddly humorous.">
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I know darn well what a simile is, I just was very frustrated when I replied.
And I got frustrated when you didn't appear to understand my carefully crafted simile, which touched off my bout of condescension. It's a vicious circle, isn't it?
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As for my so called ego tripping, I am doing nothing of the sort, okay? And if I came of that way (Which was never my intent) I'm sorry. Okay?
I've already explained why this thread struck me that way, but maybe it'll help you simply to know that you had the very great misfortune to stumble across one of my pet-peeves. (Don't feel bad; it's more common than you might think, especially seeing as I have so many of them.
) That's why my reaction was (admittedly) a little out of proportion to your perceived offense.
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No, I meant I'm not looking for an analysis from another person.
Then ... what are you looking for? Seriously, I want to know.
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And please stop talking to me that way. I am hardly hurting you and yet you feel a pressure to correct me, and talk to me like I'm 9. I'm in high school, I've written persuaive essays in my day.
Again, sorry. It's a bad habit. And just so you know, it's entirely possible you could make it to high school or even college without having learned these things: A lot the papers I've proofread or workshopped for classmates amply demonstrate that.
I AM CURRENTLY EATING GUMMI BEARS WHILE READING THIS THREAD!!!!!
Don't bump topics. Don't spam in topics.
The attempt to break the seriousness in here is honorable, Shig, but not needed. This area is specifically for them to be overly serious about fictional cartoon characters, trying to dissuade that will only end with you being fed your tongue.
Oh and I almost thought I saw the beginnings of a relationship discussion up there, I'm glad I don't see it anymore. But Shig's underlying meaning is true (those two did need to cool it on the aggression), albeit late.
I'm not locking this but anymore posts need to be on topic.
~Tobe
I nearly jumped ship too...I prefer the older comics to the newer ones...I've also been sorta unhappy with the artwork within the books..I cannot remember who did the art work in one comic but it really bugged me...I was at the stage were I was just reading for the story and not to look at the artwork which is very unlike me.
However after I got pass the artwork issue and I got up to the current issues I found myself falling again for the series...it's made me want to collect every comic from #0 to current! I can gladly say I will soon own all the books except #6 (still looking for it).
Maybe don't bother to collect the actual comics anymore maybe just look out for the TPBs.
