Church Says:
Unlike Ron Moore and the producers of Battlestar Galactica, unhealthy we started Lydia with an actual plan. It began innocently enough – Riffner filling in for Birdie on The Rack while the latter worked on the first print collection of that strip – but then he made an foolish, store foolish comment after sending in his third strip: “Let me know when you want to start a Lydia spin-off! I love drawing her.”
The gerbil in my head stood up, looked at the exercise wheel, and, sighing heavily, dragged its thoroughly beaten carcass over to it. I knew it couldn’t be an ongoing – Max’s Drunk Elephant was his first and biggest concern – so I opted for something I don’t remember seeing in webcomics before: a limited spin-off series, a story that let me take The Rack’s most popular character and give her a complete arc in a way that wouldn’t work inside of the original strip. A three-month run and it’s done: one woman’s flirtation and refutation of corporate America.
I’ve had an awful lot of fun with this strip, getting to tell a different kind of story inside of an established world and my partner Max continually exceeded my expectations, especially considering his workload. I would do it again in a heartbeat. He took my scribblings and created a real, vital world. Thank you, man. It means a lot to me.
I’m bad at this shit, so I’m going to cut it off now. Lydia’s going back to Yavin IV, but this isn’t the last you’ll see of these guys. I genuinely enjoy writing them too much to abandon the Audience-Reach.com staff entirely.
Riffner Says
These last few months are some of the hardest I’ve ever worked. Six webcomics a week?! But I knew what I was getting into; as Kevin said, I volunteered. And wow, thank you. I had never received so much love from comics than from drawing Lydia. I felt guilty for taking her from Birdie. However, next week, I’m very happy to give her back to the guy who helped make her what she is.
I wish I could give you controversy, but really there’s none. I’ve told Kevin this in private, but he’s one of the best writers I’ve worked with. We will definitely be working together again. He’s pushed me, and I never wanted to disappoint him (and I don’t think I did).
Lydia will be close to my heart for several reasons. I think if you’ve ever worked in marketing or a related field, you get this strip. I’ve been there. Hell, I’ve even fooled around with a co-worker in an elevator. And many of you have too. I know because you wrote me.
But the best thing about Lydia is that the character goes back to what she loves, despite the money, or the allure of a “comfortable living.” And I think to a certain point we all fantasize about this. Lydia doesn’t fantasize. She just does it. It’s one of the reasons why I love her.
People, it’s been such an honor. Thank you.
Since this is the final strip, please feel free to comment below, and remember to visit The Rack to read Lydia’s ongoing adventures.
Great job guys, and though I’m sad to see the strip go, it’s perfect the way it is. Look forward to Lydia coming back to the rack and reading more of Drunk Elephant as well.
Great job, guys — I hope you can do it again soon.
Sorry to see this end. I really enjoyed Lydia, mostly because I’m a online marketing wonk who loves comics too, so I could really relate. Great job guys!
The art was absolutely gorgeous in this strip
feel like you gut-shot me, what an awesome and fitting wind-up. Really I ddin’t see this coming.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Just a fantastic run, always interesting and gorgeous to look at. The joy of having Lydia return to The Rack is tempered by the melancholy of losing this strip. Great work.
Wait. So it’s…
But…you can’t…
You just can’t.
Sorry to see this go, but it was so great while it lasted. I look forward to seeing her back at YIV.
congratulations guys! sorry to see this one go but great run!
Well played.
I’m sure many people will envy Lydia for having somewhere to run to. While this does sort of suck, I can’t wait to see her staff picks come back on the Rack. Thanks for both.
Congrats! It’s been great!
This has been SUCH a great comic, guys. I loved reading it.
I’ve totally enjoyed the Lydia strip, and am sorry to see it go–but not sorry to see Lydia back at the comic shop. Really, really good job, you guys!
Thanks for a genuinely fun poke at corporate life. Wish someone like Lydia worked here.
This has been a great strip, and I’m sorry it’s ending. I’ll miss these (non-Lydia) characters. I’ll look forward to seeing Max drawing in the Kevinverse again. And, hey, Lydia back where she belongs! Woohoo!
Throughly enjoyed this. I had something to look forward to several times a week. Lydia shared my pain of working in a corporate world. I’m just jealous she got to escape.
“Lydia” worked for me by virtue of showing some of the absurdities of office life, but not going to the same extremes as “Dilbert”. “Dilbert” has its moments, but there are times when it is not funny for its extremity. (Horror through Platonic Idealism can only go so far.) On the other hand, “Staff Picks”:will be filled out a bit more at Y4.
Dom
Hah! Brilliant work boys, totally didn’t see it coming. It’s especially sweet as I’ve done exactly what Lydia did, several times in fact. Ya just can’t resist the lure of comics in the end…
Great job guys. While Lydia returning to The Rack is a nice consolation prize, we’re losing a great time wasting comic for those of us still stuck in the office world. Fill the void soon!
Well, frak me.
Thanks for a GREAT, GREAT comic guys. I’ve looked forward to seeing a new issue in my RSS feed!! Amazing that in such a short time I’m a little wistful to be saying goodbye to this strip already! Fantastic job!
I couldn’t agree more with Riffner re: doing what you love, despite the money, I’m in the midst of it myself at the moment and I wouldn’t change a thing!!
Congratulations and thankyou!
Nice, totally didn’t see it coming but it works perfectly.
Wow, I def didn’t see this coming. What an abrupt end, but I loved the three months we had with the Lydia. comic nonetheless! Great job all around…
I’m surprised as anyone, but congrats on a great run!
Right on, guys, great run. What a perfect strip this has been, though a couple of NSFW warnings wouldn’t have been out of order.
Thanks! Looking forward to filling that gaping hole in the Staff Picks.
This will make a nice small book. Honestly, I think the potential of this strip is endless and I really enjoyed it. (and related to it) I hope the creative duo will revisit it in the future. I am ready for more! Cheers!