Episode 309: “That roar…?”
I missed the Wednesday schedule by a day! I struggled with this one a bit and yesterday’s work was thrown sideways when the AC went out. Gah! I’m really happy with the cartooning in this episode (it’s little things like the way Quimp is pulling the hood back over his head in panel 2). It felt really good to be coloring this on the 8th anniversary of The Middle Age.
Eight years ago today, I launched The Middle Age!
When I launched it, I thought that it might just be my last comics project.
I put everything I had into The Middle Age – including all my love of Douglas Adams, the Rankin-Bass Hobbit, Monty Python, D&D, and all the fantasy books, tv, and films I adored as a kid. The Middle Age wasn’t meant to be a tribute to or satire of those things, but something I would hope could maybe, possibly, if stars aligned, fit on a shelf just below them.
And I put everything I had learned about making comics and webcomics into it – even including a plan to gracefully wrap it up after 50 episodes if it didn’t click with readers.
But it clicked.
When I launched it, I had no idea D&D would make a resurgence. Or that Webtoons would be a thing. Or that GoComics would add The Middle Age to their lineup alongside Peanuts and Calvin & Hobbes.
I definitely had no idea The Middle Age would get an Eisner nomination in that first year. As I said at the time, I only submitted it because I wanted six more people to read the thing.
Eight years later…
- There are two collections with a third on the way
- 147 amazing Patreon supporters
- 20,000+ subscribers on Webtoon
- Nearly 3k subscribers on GoComics
- Four spin-off D&D supplements – including Intoximancy which received an ENNIE nomination at GenCon
- Sculpts and minis
- And NINE nominations from the Eisners, Ringos, and NCS awards
I never found a publisher for the thing (I would still love for The Middle Age to find its way into comic shops), and Hollywood hasn’t come calling, but I absolutely love that the readers have been the ones who keep The Middle Age going.
I’m super grateful for every one of you.
And extra thanks as always to my supporters on Patreon who make this comic possible!
— Steve
Comments (2)
First, I LOVE this comic, not sure how I found it, its the only webcomic I follow, but I’m just sure glad I did …
Next, a question, does this realization give Quimp a new “noble quest”? Does a new quest give him options to live without being so closely tied to Maledicta? Is there some sort of bond where his love for Jarn, Nittles & of course Phosphene keeps the red curse at bay? Could it also in some weird fashion apply/spill over to Phosphene’s mother since they love her too?
Thanks so much, Rich! I really appreciate it.
As for the questions, all I can say is that they’re great questions!