It would probably be better if I didn’t explain this page. The people who get it would get it and the ones who don’t wouldn’t and that would be fine. A better artist might be able to convey things more clearly, but I am not who I am not. We got a long look at Thomas’s memories of Patty, but nothing from her side, so I decided in the pause after Thomas’s they both see past versions of each other in some idealized nowhere in the before times. For just a moment they’re the same dumb kids just trying to figure out this thing we call life. They both experienced true loss in the times between and now the long branching paths have intersected again. In some other version of this work these two could have a romance that destroys friendships and changes lives. I could probably write it, but I would be unhappy the entire time. It would probably be more popular too, because more people love strife than enjoy peace. I just don’t think I’m capable of being that creator. If I still had the rage burning inside me that I did when I was younger maybe I could have been, but I didn’t have the practice, and now I don’t have the inclination.

Anyway, I better leave it there for now. I hope you have a nice week. I’ll be back on Wednesday with another page. If you would like to support my work, which I very much need, please use any of the links above. Until next time, wimmy wham wham wozzle.

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I’ll be honest, I much prefer the non-ragy, more peaceful and mindful version of this story we’ve been getting here. I wouldn’t care for an idealized saccharine narrative, but I also don’t relish or wish for destructive conflict when it comes to my fiction. To have some level of attrition or baggage to deal with between characters is one thing, but the destructive, rage-filled or self-sabotaging stuff really isn’t my cup of tea. There’s enough strife to go around in the real world, and this is as realistic a scenario as it gets too. I for one think these last pages have been up there among your best writing, Jackie.

I agree wholeheartedly!

Me too

Very much agreed.

Yes, agreed.

This almost reminds me of a conversation I had with my youngest niece recently. I asked her how tired she was of others asking if she was excited to go back to school, she told me she wished more adults could remember being kids. We all have our memories, but they are distorted by our current point of view. These two, for a moment, remembered themselves as they used to be, and I hope they are better for it.

I like the choice you made. Not everything needs to be doom and strife. Let this comic be a safe space from the strife that we call ‘life’ :)

I get the page, and I’m no hater, but objectively Thomas needs that hair now or he got nothing to balance out those wings he rockin’. I swear I remember early comics of Thomas teasing Ed about his ears, and if that’s true that means he always was the type to poke the most fun at himself and not mean any harm

Cause he would be one to talk

I need this version. I can’t stand sunshine and rainbows, but I still need that break from the real world.

Id much prefer the interpretation of the author than I would someone who panders to the public opinion.

Write what you love, not what people want.

….is it me or does Young Thomas look like he was a touch pudgy back then? ^_^

He does. Roulette mentioned about how he got tall and lost weight in this arc.

It’s fascinating to see these 20-somethings as kids and teens in little glimpses, especially as it’s all character work and not about gags.

It happens. Me in fourth grade was a tiny fireplug. Me eight years later apparently could have tried out for a role in teen drama.

What might have been.

First off, fuck you’re if you were a better artist bullshit. This does convey it well and I like your art. Don’t denigrate your skills or yourself in general. Secondly, man, Thomas was short as a kid. Like, I know, people grow, but wow he was short. Also a little chunky, which I have seen people go from baby chub to string bean a lot so it’s entirely believable. Finally, I think this does convey what you were intending to have conveyed. At least I think it does. Maybe I’m wrong, but I like it.

As stated previously about other what-ifs you’ve mentioned, I’d be interested to see the burn the world down Thomas/Rulette romance route, due to your skill with character development and believable worldbuilding, but I am more than happy to be going down this branch instead. Doesn’t mean there’s not opportunities for drama later (comments about fathers, additional recalled memories, or other such devices for a “two steps forward, one step back” plot line since relationships are hard), but to alter a phrase from the King of the Hill revival: sometimes it’s just nice to see others being nice.

And also had the dumbest smile for kid Patty and Thomas: at some point we all are and were some stupid kids haha.

Party on, Jackie

I love Between Failures and have a weird, off-topic question about it. Specifically, will there be an ending? By this I mean, is this a daily slice-of-life story without a plotted endpoint (similar to Questionable Content), or a long-range story with an intentional end (similar to Order of the Stick or Clown Corps)? I’m going to read regardless because I love this, I was just curious what I should be expecting. (For the record, I’ve been reading under the impression that this is a slice-of-life story following this group of lovable weirdos.)

I know how the story of each character will end in broad strokes. If I am blessed enough to see death on the horizon I will be able to stop the comic at virtually any point and give readers some closure. If I die suddenly there are no comprehensive notes left and no one who currently has access to my files, so the story will stop when I do. I have been looking for someone who can at least wrap things up if I die and I maybe have someone who could but there are few artists who could stop their life to see the last request of a friend to the finish line. The future is unknown to us all and I don’t even have the luxury of being able to prepare for it right now. If I survive this latest round of strife I will try to have an exit plan. That’s as good an answer as I can offer.

You could, perhaps, draw out those ending pages over time and have them posted in the unfortunate event of a sudden passing, and place them in a will for someone you trust to post here. No strain on other artist friends, and the final part of your story gets posted.

Thanks Jackie! That’s good to know!

This whole shindig has been tugging at my heartstrings, bravo

Spoilers:

I really like this page. the 2nd panel reminds me of, the happy, [last scene?], of the film- Kung Fu Hustle [tm].

“It would probably be more popular too, because more people love strife than enjoy peace.”

That may well be true, but even the ones who love strife still love a good story with a happy ending.

With how bitter Thomas was at the beginning of the comic, it feels very natural to me that Carol has given him cause to reexamine much of his worldview and reconsider his patterns of behavior. He’s not sure what he’s doing after venturing off the rut he wore into a circle, but he’s trying.

I think you’re right.
:D

Getting to this late because of the Labor Day holiday in the US. Jackie, this has been great storywriting. You have made the lives of many many people happier.

You are very kind to say so.

3036 I Wish That I Knew What I Know Now.

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