A Word From One of the Creators
From the desk of Eric Ratcliffe
So this was my original idea for the big twist of the arc at the very beginning; instead of going to the zipline strip we were going to head all the way to the beginning! (Extra points for longterm NCD fans who guessed at exactly where Bill was heading) I like how much we tweaked and changed things, though and I really think the whole team has done everything to make it a stronger arc.
On the topic of internet bullying/trolling: I’ve been dealing with who I’m assuming is the same person for a few incidents now. Honestly? I was bullied a lot as a kid; middle school/high school I caught a lot of crap that I didn’t deserve and eventually I just started living my life the way I wanted to live it. It all made me stronger, so this person whoever he is…if he wants to hate me and continue to do so I am more than fine with that.
I just honestly cannot fathom constantly berating a site and its comment section over and over again for a full day loading it with comments about how much this person and their work sucks, especially when – as Chad brilliantly pointed out and all the readers of NCD know – it’s not just my work. It’s the hard work of 4 different parties, 6 if you want to include Lisa and Bill who are no longer a part of the comic. I mean, you want to come after me on Xbox Live (which he has, and how creepy is that?) or just target me in particular, fine, but from this point on? We can very easily delete your comments and or ban your IP or whatever IP you use in the future. Just that simple.
On a more positive note and something that said comments pointed out and something I believe I brought up several weeks ago…we are back in the spotlight of CR. Chuck Moore is and will always be an incredibly close friend to me and I’m glad he enjoys the strip as much as he does. (He’s finally making his on screen return in 2012!) It’s great that people can check us out there. I know there are plenty of Outhousers out there as well that enjoy the strip every week and I’m sure Brant and I will be working with Jude in the very near future to finally get the strip syndicated on the front page there as well.
Half of the reason I bring all that up though, and even the bit about the trolling, the last few months have been incredibly hard for me from both a creative standpoint and a personal standpoint. I’d actually say since right after Boston Comic Con there has been a lot I’ve been dealing with, and thanks in part to NCD, I’ve been able to work through a lot of it and had the pleasure of having this incredible support system throughout it and honestly I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love comics and this medium and love that I get to help create something that someone can just check out and get a laugh from it.
Thanks, NCD readers and those I consider family, we certainly have a lot coming your way very soon from more aliens to even a confrontation that has been brewing for a long time now via somewhere towards the beginning. (I Could come right out and say what I’m talking about but that would spoil the fun!)
Next week…how does Bill get out of his current situation and just what does it mean for the future of the universe?! Find out in 7, folks!
[Editor's Note: And if you are a new reader, check out the very first strip to get the reference here in this week's!]
Wow, now that was a deja vu feeling. Way go to go, guys.
I just want to say a big hat’s off to Alyssa for that last panel. She showed us six different versions of that panel, and in the end I chose which version we used (after a little feedback from Chad and Eric, and only because they were in bed when I decided, heh). For me, it was down to this one and one similar, but the other one didn’t have as much distortion.
It was fun revisiting the old strip. If you compare this one with the first strip, the only thing different are the changes we made in text and to that last panel. I had the layered file and just adjusted things as necessary. Fairly easy job for me this week!
Nice!
You know what? Even I didn’t catch the date thing that was hinted at in the last strip. I knew it must have been a major day in the strip’s history but was completely unaware it was the VERY FIRST DAY in the history of NCD.
As for the issues with bullying, I’m glad to hear you don’t let it get to you. Life is too short. I have been on both sides of this issue during my school years and am very glad the behavior I once was a victim of , and I once took part in….is not accepted in the work place.
I grown a lot since then….Hell I’ve grown a lot in every way and shape these last 20 years and life is still teaching lessons if I want to learn more, or not.
Bottom line is this Eric. One time around is all you get, don’t let other people decide who and what you should be. Be Eric Ratcliffe…if they don’t like that……….screw ‘em.