Comic for Monday 11/14 (Early High Res)

Are you ready for this? I am now in my twentieth year creating this comic strip.

I’ve been here for every second of it, and even I can hardly believe that statement. Twenty years. Four generations of consoles. Somewhere over four thousand pages of comics and art. Countless treasured memories.

It’s safe to say that I make this comic, but in a lot of ways, this comic has also made me. Where my life is now can be directly traced to moments that would not have happened without Ctrl+Alt+Del. I met my wife at the very first convention I ever attended as a comic creator. From there we would get to know each other, start dating, get married and begin a family together. Most of my friends now are people I’ve met through the course of my work over the years.

Ctrl+Alt+Del isn’t the same comic it was when it started twenty years ago, nor am I the same person. How could I be? When I started the comic I was just a kid with a lot to learn. Now I’m an adult, a husband, a father… still with a lot to learn. Twenty years, and I don’t feel the slightest bit of fatigue creating this comic strip, day in, day out, because there’s always something new to discover. New things to try with the art, the writing, new perspectives to explore and experiment with.

It’s impossible to really sum up two decades of my experience with Ctrl+Alt+Del. But if you’ve read the archives, I don’t really have to. You’ve already borne witness to my journey thus far; the entire trajectory of my growth as an author and artist, my corresponding successes and failures, are all laid bare in the archives. I’m often so busy, there’s very little work you don’t see, very few projects not subjected to the light of day. It’s basically all there, for better or worse.

And if you’re here, I’d like to believe it’s because on some level, in some way, I’ve managed to entertain you. Made you laugh, made you think, made you excited to see what happens next. Perhaps I can do it often, perhaps it only happens once in a while, and I am under no impression I am much more than a blip in your morning route. But while I find it healthiest to follow my own compass in regard to what content I put out, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t important to me that I brighten at least someone’s day in the process.

I’m celebrating two decades of producing Ctrl+Alt+Del, and all of the work I’ve put into it, but I’m only able to do that because of you. I love creating these comics and stories so much, I’d like to imagine I’d do it even if you all disappeared; you’ve never made me put that to the test. You have had my back for twenty years now, this ever-changing-yet-ever-constant sea of faces I can’t see, who has supported me and my work both financially and emotionally.

You’ve allowed me to turn my passion into a career I love, and that I can support my family with. Your kind comments and emails have carried me through times of self-doubt and uncertainty, and given me such a sense of honor and pride in the work I am so fortunate to do.

I have tried to regularly voice my gratitude for your support, and though I cannot do it as often as I would like, for fear of the words losing their meaning, please trust me that for the past twenty years, I have endeavored to never take your support for granted. Thank you for all you’ve done to get us here.

And I'm nowhere close to being done. How far does the road go? Thirty years? Forty years? I have no idea. I just know I’m on board if you are, and I’ve got a head full of stories left to tell.

You are all (obviously) already Patrons (and a huge thank you for that), so I will spare you the gentle reminder that will appear in this part of the website post.

I will mention though that in celebration of our twentieth anniversary, I’ve also marked down our latest round of books, currently in stock and ready to ship to North America! Our books contain extra content and remastered versions of comics, making them the definitivecollection of the comics. https://ctrl-alt-del.myshopify.com/