Don’t backsass the limitations of my mechanics, boy
June 11, 2018
6:11 am
I know it’s been a couple weeks since an update, but honestly, after eight years of doing this with no break the whole house of cards just kind of collapsed on me. I had no ideas, no energy, no time, I just hit a breaking point where I was sick of putting up unfunny filler comics every week and needed to take a break to sleep and play a videogame to make a videogame joke about hahaha.
In other news, if you’re a fan of comics about Soldier 76 and Reaper smooching each other, I did a four page comic about exactly that for this anthology full of even more of exactly that that’s up for preorder right now!
These extremely wholesome Gabriel Reyes expressions and many more could be yours to own!
Oh no free comic is delayed woe is me.
Sorry free well written comic,
Sorry sorry, well drawn and well written comic. My mistake.
I count myself lucky to have gotten as much of this unparalleled web comic as I have. If you decided to stop today and never updated again I would be grateful for what you have provided for me to read. If trying to keep up with the weekly updates is to much please stop doing them switch to a biweekly or once a month.
I would prefer you to be in a good frame of mind and have a great head space then a weekly comic to be honest.
Exactly. This is a fun hobby that everyone here enjoys. If you no longer enjoy it, take time off, change the schedule, switch things up.
You nailed exactly how I feel too!
Sounds awesome! The only thing I would change is that coela let’s us know she’s leaving so we can give her a big sendoff.
Yes. Exactly. Good catch.
So say we all.
I mean, most all of us feel this way, but a bunch of assholes love to harass her every time she’s late posting one. :X
Couldn’t have put it better… :)
I agree, it’s not a job that you have to do regardless of how you’re feeling. So if you don’t feel to do it anymore we’ll be sad but will give you our best wishes.
Too true! Although I’d personally prefer longer waits between updates, I’d also be okay with ending the comic for other pursuits. We all need time to unwind and it’s no fun if you’re running around every second of the day to get something done on time! Life is about living and that includes recuperation. :)
I would mostly agree with all this, though I hope this doesn’t mean the comic has to end. Going to a couple times a month or even once a month would still get me my fix!
So feel free to take some time off and just relax! It’s ok, we’ll still be here when you get back!
Totally: Coelasquid you produce amazing stuff (none of the “filler” has been unfunny, imo btw) and you’ve been doing it at a consistently high standard since forever. If anyone deserves a break, it’s you!
I’m glad you got to chill out and please take a break whenever you want to take one. We’re not going anywhere. :)
I agree. You started this comic out of fun and if it’s not fun anymore then you don’t have to do it. You are not obliged to make comics for people on the internet you’ve never met.
You cursed it! He never came back!
I laughed. Out loud. In a way that one probably shouldn’t at 4:30 am. Take all the time you need, this is supposed to be fun.
Yeah, I agree with this.
@Coelasquid:
We know that this isn’t earning your daily bread & it’s a hobby for you. If this stops being fun then it’s not a hobby, is it? Taking a break from a hobby once in a while is normal & healthy. Even giving up a hobby can be normal & healthy, if it comes right down to it. Even if you stop a hobby for years & then once again decide to get back into it, that’s okay too.
The best I can hope for is that, after you’ve spent so long sharing your hobby with us, you let us know if you reach a point of decision to drop out. So many comic artists don’t even do that for their followers & it’s not even an honest thing to do, IMO. It lacks honesty in that the dropout doesn’t even have the courage to say it to those who have respected the artist.
But some of us who’ve been here a while can respect your integrity & honesty, as you’ve expressed it through your under-the-comic blogs. Heck, keeping up with your regular work AND keeping us “in the loop” even when you had a broken hand in a cast was more than enough to earn the respect. Even that wasn’t the first (& probably not the last) time life has thrown a curve ball at you, yet you’ve still come through it all.
Don’t make yourself get to the point of thinking of this comic as a “job” or to feeling dread for an upcoming deadline here…That’s when this comic will stop being fun for you. If it means taking some time off, then by all means, do so. If your regular life gets in the way of a deadline here, then skip this deadline & take care of yourself first.
Now, onto the current topic at hand. Still a great comic, CS. I like video games & all, but I still prefer (at least by some margin) the tabletop RPG’s with dice & character sheets…Once the game gets going, the GM isn’t limited to a pre-programmed computer for the rules & are much more flexible in how the game plays out.
What technos today are calling “artificial intelligence” isn’t really intelligent at all. The computer is still limited by how the *programmer* can tell it to do, even if the program tells the computer to access other databases for basic information…The computer still can only work with a ever-increasingly sophisticated array of “If-Then” instructions to make its decisions. It still can’t make a “leap in logic” or actually use an imagination that it has never possessed in the first place. A computer can really do nothing more than crunch numbers, after all. It’s the programming that tells it what to do with those numbers, but the computer never can attribute the *meaning* behind those numbers.
Very much unlike a computer, you have questioned what the program means & what its limitations are. The GM of an RPG can do the same as you do, but a computer cannot. That’s one of the things I like about your comics.
Speaking of intelligence and simulated minds, there are options you overlook being entirely human-born. What is INSIGHT? Well, the dictionary literally defines it as introspective searching.
Translation to a simulated mind would be.
COMPUTER MIND (to itself): “I am stuck with no satisfactory input or useful output. What do I do next?”
ANSWER: “Introspection. Search your database randomly and combine two known things and see if they prove to be useful. Or EXPLORE the world around you. New stimulus might be the key to new discovery. Or TAKE A BREAK and combine several random ideas as weak background noises as you reexplore memories that give you satisfied responses.”
Options are:
LOOK INSIDE FOR WHAT YOU KNOW + COMBINE RANDOM DATASETS.
LOOK AROUND YOU. DO YOU SEE NEW THINGS GIVING YOU NEW IDEAS?
ENGAGE PLEASURE LOOP REST PERIOD + ADD WEAK BACKGROUND RANDOM IDEAS.
That is how they overcame “the rounding error” factor in AI where I am from.
They tried Neural Nets, they were useful yet failed to fully engage Symbolic Logic and Empathic Synchronization to creatures around itself. So they basically made Human Type Brain Copies and tweaked out or censored unuseful thought sequences. The rational reason was quite obvious. You can make a Neural Net based on Wasp Neurons to fly airplanes or helicopters… but it will REMEMBER “Wasp Motivations” and behave Wasp-like in long term functions. A Wasp Neural Net will gradually drift to optimal Wasp-type survival modes even in simulation. Now what is the goal of A.I.? To get Human-type and Human-interested Simulated Minds because non-human Simulated Minds tend to be motivated to ignore or kill humans. So would you, under any rational situation birth a Simulated Brain which has zero family ties to humanity and zero investment factor in the continuing existence of humans? It should be pretty obvious what that eventuality will require and finding “non-insane” Human-type brain copies is essential, because even if ONLY ONE is perfect, you can make copies forever and ever and ever. The more minds you copy, the more options you have to pick & choose from.
As for “the rounding error”, eventually a form of senility will occur in Simulated Minds. Easy fixes are simply “reset zones” as a Simulated Mind will get “recovery copies” made from neural segment states. You can revert back to previous neural copies from days to months to centuries ago if it hits a “fugue state”, not the whole simulated mind, just the sections having issues. But eventually you will encounter LOCK ZONES where the neural copy segment is in endlessly looping mode. To fix this you have to create new inputs by MIXMASTER FUNCTION a few random concepts to see if the new idea is useful. A Evolution Factor is the Shark Non-Progress wherein the creature has hit optimal low-energy cost successful existence for so long that it is unchanging in a changing world like a bacteria which can only make unchanged copies of itself. A situation where no new dynamism of thought happens. All things, even simulated minds can reach such points where no new stimulus can provoke new responses. To bypass the stagnation factor you have to reinstall the Brand New Boy mindset of curiosity, optimistic outlook, insight by idea combining to see what might work, and the passion of fleeting obsession. That is how “the rounding error” which loop-locked so many simulated minds before this rediscovery was overcome. Granted some loop-lock simulated minds can be useful, but most refuse to accept new input factors when the hardware or wetware they run is upgraded.
Ok, this is great. I’m still chucking over the Kratos sass.
Regarding the ‘filler’ comics, I still found them at least mildly entertaining/interesting.
Indeed
Dad jokes…Amirite?
I’ve actually been liking the filler comics a lot–they might not be ‘funny,’ but there’s more to a good comic than that.
Plus, honestly, the Kratos one we are breaking on is one of my favorites.
Atreus, your dad has only just begun to grow in his personality. He just got a new aspect in the form of decent non-murderous parenting. Don’t mock him for his limitations!
Kratos’ deadpan delivery will always be my favorite.
Indeed.
Not sure if SG-1 reference, but I chuckled.
I’d love to hear Christopher Judge actually read some of these comics aloud, though.
Spat my coffee.
It’s alright, instead of filler, I see a lot of them as “slice of life” for the characters.
I was going yo comment the same <3
Haven’t you been working on MGDMT while having full time jobs in animation these past years?? DW too hard if you want/need to go on an extended break or retire from webcomics for a while, dude! Your fans will hang around and we appreciate the hell outta you for this amazing free webcomic man :,)
Plus getting cancer and getting run over by a car. Coelasquid is a machine.
Wait, when did the car thing happen?
Haha I didn’t get run over by a car, but I did break my drawing shoulder in a motorcycle crash.
Please get well!!! <3 <3 <3
Don’t worry, that happened a while ago, she’s all healed up.
She is all healed up… right?
That was a few months ago. CS is one tough gal & the way I figure it, at worst might still be a bit stiff and/or sore. But at minimum, healed up enough to be working out the stiffness & re-strengthening back up to normalcy.
I don’t think she even took a week off the comic for the accident. Or the cancer.
Okay, it was your shoulder…I mistakenly mis-remembered that as being your hand. My bad!
LOL
That’s Rich Burlew you’re thinking of. Long hiatus because he pretty much severed the tendons in his thumb.
How come you always apologize for posting, like, some of my favorite pages? And, for that matter, some of the best and sweetest and funniest and most amazing comics anywhere?
It’s okay. You’re worth waiting for. But please, don’t think that strips like these aren’t good enough. Hell, if you can’t think of jokes, we’ll come for drawings of raptors.
Hey now. The author is allowed to have a higher standard for themselves, too. If she thinks this isn’t up to her par, then by all means she can improve.
Such truth…budgie raptors are adorable man.
I wonder if coelasquid would let someone do a series about the raptors.
or a plushie set
Dangit now I want a raptor plushie
3-1, my basic understanding is that artists tend to be exceptionally hard on themselves because they always feel they can do better. Every hour something is late, they wish they could have done quicker. Every little detail that they didn’t get quite the way they want on paper, they feel they could have done neater, etc.
It’s a little like cooks I suppose. They are so honed with their craft that anything out of place sticks out terribly to them, but to most of our normal senses, it’s simply amazing and wonderful and what could possibly be wrong with it?
Haha, naw, this is one of the decent ones after I took a break to not stress and come up with an actual joke
There you go. Even you see that it is better to take breaks and avoid burnout, despite being the perfectionist artist. Real fans will never take you to task for taking some time to recharge! Anyone who does is just a troll.
Everyone deserves a break and a chance to recharge. Don’t sweat it!
Haven’t seen much of Jared and Mr. Fish lately. They are always entertaining. You could also do another guest comic period, I’m betting a bunch of folks out there would love the chance to do a strip for you. Just a thought, don’t sweat the small stuff.
I second this! Take a break, let another artist help with comics. The previous guest strips were a lot of fun! We can wait for your excellent comics!
Take as much time as you need. MGDMG has been a beautiful weekly gift for us, and if it takes a bit for you to recharge, there’s nothing to feel bad about!
I know it’s just a small typo, but “Manly Guys Doing Manly Guys” is a great alternate title for this XD
“The manly things… are also guys.” (Apologies to Douglas Adams)
Comic: I snorted.
Burnout: Hey, it happens to the best of us. If you’re really that tired then you should take a break and come back to this when you’re feeling better.
LOL
This one was hilarious. Worth waiting for.
Kratos once again proves that the laconicity of Spartans is hilarious.
Look, Kelly, if you had a Patreon, I’d get it. I’d understand the apology, I’d understand the sense of obligation, you’d literally be putting yourself out there to specifically make money *from your readers* for making this exact comic.
But you’re not. None of us are your financial backers. We don’t expect you to run yourself into the ground to give us content. It’s totally free, to all of us, and we love you and we love the content you give us. But none of us has a right to *expect* that content. Please don’t feel bad.
Life happens – I can’t complain after a nearly perfect update schedule for years and years.
More Grog is fun, especially since I’m not convinced he knows what a circle is.
Maybe Kratos might be fuzzy on circles, but Grog has an extensive knowledge of shapes and colors. Also ale.
Ah, true. Still, with a circle being the same shape as an O, and Grog not knowing O, that’s the one shape I can dispute his potential knowledge of (until Episode 95 or so, when he does gain minor literacy skill).
The next comic about him should focus on his jar of mayonnaise because that’s just a funny word.
This isn’t Grog though. It’s Kratos, from God of War.
Thank you so much for everything you’ve done thus far. It;s been an amazing comic and a very fun read. Everyone deserves to take time off to catch up on personal life.
I hope you return to us refreshed, thank you for being such an amazing character <3
It’s important to take a break now and then. Taking the occasional break (as in, more frequently than once every 8 years), can result in MORE productivity in the long run anyway. And certainly higher quality. Don’t sweat it.
I’d say this comic series has the best filler episodes, because I still enjoy all the filler.
However, if the plan was to take a break to relax and stop the fillers, does that mean that we should expect a new story arc? :P
Sassing between father and son. Is there any way to more sincerely express familial love?
You take care of you! We all enjoy your work, but without you it doesn’t exist, don’t force yourself into burnout trying to keep us happy, ’cause that will backfire enormously.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Take a break if ya need to. I know you have other work, and this is outlet where you have the most creative freedom, so eventually it’s just gonna run dry for a little while. I really appreciate that you’ve attempted to make sure SOME kind of content is available every time, but if even filler is getting hard, don’t sweat it.
You are awesome and I hope one day to get to meet you. Just do what’s best and I’m behind you the whole way.
Take a break.
I would suggest soliciting ideas on Twitter or here, but I know you hate people telling you what to draw. And then you’d have to sort through all the mediocre ideas people submitted.
Woah, woah, woah. It’s ok that it’s been awhile. You’re an adult with a full-time job and a life to live. This is a free comic that you do for fun, you shouldn’t feel obligated to make anything you don’t want to. I don’t speak for everyone on here, but I’m sure most of us can agree that we’re just happy that you’re happy and healthy. Hell, take a longer break next time.
On a side note, if any of you haven’t seen Kratos’ voice actor reading dad jokes, I highly recommend looking it up.
this is a thing?! Oh my god. Now I must find it…
it is a thing of wonder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWwvR6cSH4o
It’s Teal’c! OMG I didn’t realize that’s who voiced Kratos since I don’t play the game. thanks for this – it totally made my day!
You come first, not your comic. Besides, you had a lot of other things going on, and life happens. Besides, this comic was worth the wait, and made me snort-laugh so hard XD
Just a quick note: Your comics make my day, that being said, I’m glad you’re taking a time out. If you don’t take care of yourself then you won’t be able to create stuff that people enjoy. Good things are worth waiting for. My RSS feed will keep me in the loop :P
Keep up the good work!
Grade A sass from both of them, I love it
Probably everyone have already said this, but just to add another voice: I’m certain none of your fans will have the least bit complains if you decide to dial back the comic to “updates when I have the time and ideas”. Just take care of yourself.
Dude, if you burned out take a break, a hiatus even. It happens to everyone. I have little doubt you’ll be back someday with another adorable take on a meme or even a storyline. It doesn’t really matter in the end you’ve made a great comic, maybe it’s time for them to go on vacation. :)
Bruh just take a break we ain’t payin you for this
At least I don’t think we are
1. I thought they were frikkin’ hilarious – you are FAR WITTIER than you give yourself credit for, Squid!
2. My mind boggles to compute that you do your day job, fight the big C/cars, look after avian dinosaur pets, AND find the time to write this comic (and a mighty fine comic it is, too). We *gestures at comments* are all really grateful for you providing us with the comic, but seriously – your mental and physical wellbeing needs to come first. If you need a break, take a break. Have that nap. If you need to stop, that’s also fine. Your own description says ‘Updated…whenever I feel like it’. You can stand by that!
*Shrugs*
Gotta take a break sometimes, eh? Otherwise you’re gonna burn yerself out permanently and we can’t have that at all.
I don’t comment often, but I feel I should say this; It’s okay if you want to end the comic. I know you’re grateful that so many people like it so much, but that doesn’t mean you have to put us ahead of yourself. If you feel like this comic is taking time away from your career or personal life, or causing you unneeded stress, you can stop. We as fans will understand, and support your future endeavors.
That being said, if you do want to keep doing it, then by all means keep going.
Thank :)
Is this like a brick joke from the first page?
*snort!* omg! Yes! Even if it wasn’t, it is! It SO is. Thank you for that.
LOL your welcome.
That was totally your plan, and we all know it.
You need to apologize less and indulge yourself more
Everybody needs a break once and while. I’m still waiting for Badass dressed as a Chip N’ Dale dancer though.
I am now imagining Commander Badass doing Rescue Rangers cosplay.
LOLOLOL that show is still the first thing that comes to mind whenever I hear “Chip N’ Dale”.
My mind too. Rebecca, I think you meant “Chippendale.” 😉
If these have been “unfunny filler comics,” well, honestly, I’ve really liked them. <3
The last one with Commander talking about Cable and Deadpool and Colossus was AWESOME. And every panel with him was, um, really kind of hotter than usual for some reason, at least to me. <3 <3 <3
You actually made your Twitter post into a comic you mad genius
Author: “I’m sorry I’m delayed, you must all hate me”
Us: “There’s a new page! Thanks for this gift! <3"
Personally I’m grateful that you’re still producing the comic delays and all. Also you have to give Kratos credit not only is he a lot more tolerant of the SAS but he turned it right back on the kid who was using it to make a joke
You probably hold a solo webcomic world record on impeccable update schedule even when it was extremely unreasonable. From illness, to accidents, to wedding, to those actual work deadlines (which I hear from every cartoonist/animator ever, are absolutely abusive)… It’s fine to rest up. You’re a one-woman army, man.
Doesn’t even matter if you’re posting unfunny (I disagree) comics, you don’t really have to plant a joke there. Even your doodle are a treat.
Do what you think is right.
Honestly, the snark in this was worth waiting for. I love jokes like this.
I’m a fan of both Order of the Stick and Goblins. I am totally used to having to wait for quality comics, and will never think less of anybody for having a delay.
Oh come on Kratos don’t be so sour. Then again we should probably be happy. Until recently his emotional range was limited to RAGE and Suicidal Depression. He is getting better!
Don’t be sorry, it’s awesome as always!
If you don’t put up a new comic every week its okay — my daughter follows your twitter feed and can assure me that you are fine. Seeing as we had some parallel medical adventures, I worry about you.
I find your comics funny, even the “filler” ones. Even if they are slice of life. Okay, sometimes I don’t understand them, but that’s okay, my daughter can explain them to me. And these comics about the God of War and his son: every time I see an ad for that game, I have to smile because I remember your comics.
I just want you to know that I appreciate you sharing your comics, and honestly, if you want to put up drawings of fluffy velociraptors, that’s great by me!
I’m gonna be honest, I would only be bothered by you stopping altogether yesterday only because we wouldn’t have gotten this comic, which made me laugh out loud. Good shit, keep up the good work! Or don’t, I’m not your dad.
>if you’re a fan of comics about Soldier 76 and Reaper smooching each other, I did a four page comic about exactly that for this anthology full of even more of exactly that that’s up for preorder right now!
Hmm. I’m not a fan of guys smooching, but I AM a fan of bromance and your particular brand of humor. Decisions, decisions.
The entirety of the internet here. I demand that you Coelasquid spend time relaxing, playing video games, watching tv and movies, and enjoying some pleasant exercise.
There’ve been times where I’ve mentioned on comment sections that I’d prefer to see some sort of notice from the author when they’ve got to have a skip day or go on a hiatus, but, eh… anyone who’s been reading your posts with each comic knows you’re constantly bashing your face against deadlines and real life. The biggest surprise here was that you managed to go as long as you did without skipping!
Also, a little disclaimer, I think I’ve only gone out of my way to comment like that on the comics that update super erratically and/or constantly talk about how updates are “getting back on track now”. I’m not a total asshole… or so I like to tell myself, anyway.
I’m not a wordy person, but lets try.
Take brake, be happy
make Comics when reddy, not because you have too.
I like filler comic, all your comic good.
Honestly, I don’t mind the irregular updates at all. Whenever you post something new, it shows up in my rss feed and I check it out. And it’s always something worthwhile.
I don’t know how common rss readers are amongst webcomic followers, but it’s really handy when you follow many webcomics with irregular updates.
I suspect that, if Coelasquid were to live to be a thousand years old, she still wouldn’t run out of jokes to make about Kratos.
Hah! I just started playing this game.
I’m surprised. If I were in your shoes, I’d still be at the stage of cycling between cackling madly shouting “I’m free!” and collapsing in a chair with the thought of “Oh god, what do I do now?” ;P
@Coelasquid I think the reason several people are commenting “End it here if you want” is because this bookends the whole comic beautifully; we start off with Kratos failing to interact with society without mauling anyone, then at the end we get him interacting constructively with his son, using the same core concept for the joke. It’s like the Commander’s #1 success story.
Plus the slice of life comics over the last few weeks were, admittedly, not gut-bustlingly funny, but they *are* adorable little slices of B-52 and Jonesy’s healthy relationship; it doesn’t feel like too much development needs to happen since they click so well anyways.
Also the reference to the first page is beautiful.
In essence, you may have unintentionally set up a near-perfect stopping point for the series where what loose ends that do exist do not niggle at our minds; a testament to your creative prowess.
(I 100% support not stopping if you want to keep going but this felt so much like a beautiful ending where everyone has figuratively walked off into the sunset that I was compelled to write this mini-essay. Maybe compile every comic to this point and sell it as a book?)
I hadn’t notice that. They’re even both “press to interact” jokes.
even are both — there needs to be a verb.
No, you were doing fine with the first version, “They’re” is the contraction for “They are” after all. :-)
“They even are” actually splits an infinitive.
They also feature “O” as a signal to interact. I had missed that since I’ve been reading this comic for some time and had forgotten the very first strip in the online comic. Well, if this comic is finished, then I get to read it all over again without worrying about missing the latest strip.
IMO, you should go ahead and take a break. I still check weekly, but it’s apparent you’ve hit a creative wall. I find I’m most creative when I take a break from trying to create and let it come to me.
Heck, I once thought you stopped the comic a long time ago since I found a deviant art page with your work and it suddenly stopped. Like a year later I found your Cyborg’s Anonymous comic where the joke was Adam Jensen was far too dramatic. My wife and I were overjoyed to learn of the new work.
He may hace changed, but, in this webcomic Kratos will always be Kratos
Listen, Coelasquid… Can I call you Coela? Your real name seems too personal for this.
Anyway, that lame jokeless filler? That’s usually thought provoking on some level, and if not funny, it’s still entertaining. You accomplish the goal of always being entertaining. I know comics that can go months without doing that. You’re being too hard on yourself. Trust me, I’m a writer, and I know that saying that is a lot like saying “Yeah, Coela, tomorrow I want you to keep the sun from rising. If you could do that, it’d be great. Thanks.” You see all the ways that you could be better — the flaws in composition, the writing flaws, etc. You’ve got it worse than me because you’ve got writing and art to deal with! So you’re going to see even more flaws with your filler.
If you need to take another week, that’s fine. If you need to run a few strips about Jared’s internet girlfriend and how they are/aren’t in a relatively healthy relationship for people of their maturity levels that make me go “Huh. Crap, I guess I did used to be like Jared once!” that don’t have a clear punchline, then that’s fine, too. I’m not going to complain about one of the four webcomics that I bother to read anymore, that provide me free entertainment for long enough without once whining about adblocking that I felt obligated to whitelist, taking some well-deserved R&R. Especially when you worked through cancer and breaking your freaking arm! Your drawing arm!
So you grab your husband, go grab some tall muscular shirtless dude in a metal mask, and you go spend a little you time making people wonder what the hell kind of time portal they stepped into! (The answer is the best time portal.)
Reminder that MGDMT is supposed to be released every Mondays, or Wednesdays **or whenever [Colelasquid] feels like it.**
You can post whenever you feel like it, and the true fans won’t mind.
Having seen this video makes this comic that much funnier, also you will all have the mental image of Teal’c telling dad jokes to O’Neill in your head : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWwvR6cSH4o
I didn’t know I needed this in my life until now
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v300/BigVEE/Fun%20Stuff/About%20to%20get%20humanized.jpg
Christopher Judge is the voice for Kratos? Now I need a Teal’c vs Kratos deadpan stare contest.
Take a break, don’t push yourself to a breaking point. Iv’e been reading this comic for a long time and you’re comics have been funny and well written. Even the “filler” comics always are great. if you need time to recharge and step away, please do so! The fact is that your fans will still be here, and ready for when your batteries are back at full. I hope you don’t end it here, because you write very funny and engaging comics, but absolutely take a break if you need to. go chill out, read a book, binge a show, go play a favorite game, not for a joke, but just to play it.
We’ll be here when you get back.
Is no-one else gonna point out that you actually drew Kratos smiling in the first panel?
I can’t believe that today comic, the final comic between hiatus, is literally remastered from very first one eight years ago, with the unlikely sequel of the protagonist Kratos.
That’s, that’s just awesome.
Made an account just to tell you that your work is amazing and to not sweat the small stuff!
I appreciate your work, whenever it appears!
While everyone’s saying “you don’t need to apologize to us”, I’ll sing a slightly different tune, because I know sometimes, an artist forces themselves into such a regular schedule because they KNOW if they don’t respect the schedule they’ll end up abandoning the project, and they don’t want to abandon the project but they know that’s how it’ll go…
BUT the other commenters are right, you owe nothing to us. Your only obligations are towards yourself. I’m not in your mind, so I don’t know if the loss of motivation I described is something that applies to you.
All I have to say is, drive yourself as hard as you need to to keep doing the things you WANT to do. But don’t worry about us. We’re grateful for anything you can give us, no matter the schedule :)
Well said, Arkalidor.
Actually, square is the boy button, Kratos.
Personally I hated the kid. They made him talk outside of cutscenes and the boat way to much. Too much chatter where it didn’t matter makes for an annoying time sometimes.
hey, if this is the comic that the website gets stuck on for a while, it’s a good place to be stuck.
also kind of a bookend because the very first MGDMT comic was about Kratos’ instability.
HA! That’s pretty funny.
I agree with the many, many posts above. Kinda hate my job so when I need an escape, this is one of the places I go for it. Not even sure how many times I’ve reread it in the 7 or so years I’ve been following. Thanks :-)
Why is the comic updated here: https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/ykrihxqmixjkv5byzhxw.jpg but not on this website?
Another voice in the choir here I know, and it’s been a long time since I’ve commented, but you do you. I love your work, we all do! I’m extremely grateful for all you’ve done, some of these comics helped me get through some bad times, a little bit of hyper-machismo humor is the right medicine sometimes. That being said, thank you so much for all of this awesomeness, and hell, even if this thing ends here, well, god damn has it been amazing!
Thank you for one of the best online comics I have had the pleasure to read. Any time I share a comic panel in reference to something my friends and I are joking about. It makes me read your comic from start to current again. I love your art style, the content, the jokes and when you tackle serious issues and how they are tackled. Thank you again for all that you do.
Hey everyone.
Stay Manly.
https://www.artofmanliness.com
Meh, it’s fine. Everyone needs a vacation once in a while!
<3
(Sidenote, the break is definitely 100% my fault. I had just been telling someone about the unstoppable comic-drawing death machine from the future that is Kelly "Coelasquid" Turnbull and how she'd never missed a week on her comic, and then…yeah. Definitely jinxed it. Sorry everybody.)
I hope you’re doing okay Coelasquid and please know that any new comic you can come up with is worth the wait <3 You do amazing work!!!!!!!!!
Happy 4th of July!
Actually, backsassing was the Spartan way and the kids would be taught to backsass from the early age. You know the memetic one liners from 300? The lot of them were actual quotes. Spartans were well known for it.
😂
Do you know how long I lasted when I was last trying to post weekly content updates? 3 weeks. I lasted 3 weeks, total.
You’ve managed 8 years. Take all the break you need
I’ve just mostly been a lurker over the years but I’m sorry to hear doing this is burning you out. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself first. Ever since your bit with Magikarp evolving into Gyrados you’ve made myself and my friends over the years laugh far, far more times than you could’ve ever known. Then as life went on, my friends moved away, *I* moved away, changed jobs had problems with college and shit now I’m in a plot twist Shamalan himself couldn’t have come up with and joined the Navy. The point being as everything else in my life has been chaotic and changing faster than I want to keep up with, getting a good chuckle out of your work that gets me through the week has been one of the few good constants of my life for almost the last ten years now. If you need a break by all means please take what you need and you do you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all you’ve done and hopefully will do.
*Twiddles thumbs*
I’m glad to see that you’re taking us seriously and finally taking your well-deserved Actual Break! I do admit to hoping that you don’t give up on the comic altogether, but in the meanwhile, I hope you are having a ton of fun and not stressing too much about unnecessary things.
Just stay awesome. Come back when and if you’re ready.
All the best hopes to you and yours.
I really hope you’re doing okay. ♥
I imagine Kratos in that last pane talking in a completely flat deadpan tone. Whereas in the first one he’s light and jovial.
Hope you’re doin ok Coelasquid! Please come back whenever you’re comfortable doing so!
Hey coelasquid, Don’t forget you are amazing, and as long as your accounts don’t completely disappear from the internet you will have fans happy to see you! And if you need a few things to be entertained by, don’t hesitate to do a call out for it.
It is alright. Take as long break as you require.
But I’ll hope to see you back soon as usual. Your comics were funny and I liked ’em.
But don’t rush nor force yourself. I’ve had the same feeling my self as well when I did my stuff.
I have to keep telling myself to not like the Shadman comic to this.
Hope the break continues to help. Like others have said, it makes fine bookends if the beginning and the end of this comic consist of Kratos jokes.
Eager to see you return, but take all the time you need, please. XXX OOO
I know this is probably a bad time to ask. Are you planning to update Platinum Black at any time? I check back usually once a month to check for an update, but I just figured I would ask. I just want to know so I can either keep up hope, or give up the hope.
While i hate to see the comic end IF this is where it does i think it is a fitting place.
It started with kratos as a rage nachine using the O button to smash a guys face in as he sells a product
Now here we see Kratos better adjusted more stable and joking about his overuse of the O button. It shows his growth abd how he has changed as do we all. As such yeah i think if ending this may be an almost oerfect spot. And whike i will miss your comics i can only assume it gets exhausting over time to do one a week.
Oh wow!
I kept thinking “I hope we at least get a finale page someday if its time” but you’re right! This would actually be the perfect finale!
I do hope it will come back when the time is right. <3
Coelasquid,
Even though I do not comment much or engage with discussion much, I have enjoyed this comic from the first day I’ve been told it exists online. Which is somewhere in the first year of it existing. I’ve been poking in and even referencing funny jokes to friends ever since.
I probably even like the slice-of-life parts between the Commander and Jonesy more than some of the obvious videogame jokes. And those are good in my opinion to begin with.
If you need to take a break for your mental wellbeing, then by all means, do so.
And if you decide to put the comic to rest, then all I can say is “Thank you for all the good times.”
Regards,
Taross.
Hi Katie! Just wanted to pop in and say I hope the job and the life and stuff are going well, and that I think the comic is really neat, and that I hope you do more someday but only once you can do it without running ragged again and once you feel like it because you do hard work all day anyway so it’s not like I’d want you to make yourself miserable on my behalf. Have a nice day!
When you return, some Horizon Zero Dawn comics about Aloy toughing it with the guys would be a hilarious twist.
I hope you’re doing well and enjoying your break, you’ve given me so much enjoyment with this comic! I’m having fun reading through the archives.
Just reached this part in God of War. That’s all I have to say. Well, that and pretty much every time I climb a wall with Atreus on my back, I think of the “Is that not what is happening here?” comic.
I will wait for this comic like a poet waits for their lovers out at sea. I hope you’re able to do more things and have a good rest! If this is where you leave it, at least Kratos finally came full circle and it was a blast while it lasted. Buuuut I’m gonna wait another five months before I come to that conclusion. I mean, there have been WAAAAAAAAAAY longer hiatus (hiatuses?). Anyway, your fans all love you and are behind you, I hope you’re going well!!! <3 <3
Not sure if the comic is on hiatus or has been unceremoniously concluded, but if it is to be the latter, perhaps a good way to do it is with a flash through of all the Manly Guys, Doing ‘Manly’ Things. Lounging around and playing pool, various sporting activities, pumping iron in the gym, attending concerts, spending time with family, playing video games, holding down a steady job and relationship. And ending with our faithful Commander’s closing down the rehabilitation agency and telling Jared that he’s proud of his progress, and even if he’s not a champion Pokemon Trainer, he is still a Professor of Pokemon, so if his old man can’t respect him for that, than maybe you need to remember that his opinion of you doesn’t matter. YOUR opinion of you does. Then all the guys throw a huge backyard BBQ in honor of the man who showed them how to be men.
Eager for more comics from you but only when the time is right for you. <3
I had a weird dream that the website looked different and the latest news post was about Manly Guys 3.0 (see also: the manly guys 2.0 news post still visible from the front page). There was also a new comic but I don’t think my dream brain is as funny as Coelasquid.
Anyway, Kelly, I don’t want to sound impatient for an actual comic, but I think a lot of us would really sincerely appreciate a comment or news post just updating us on how you’re feeling about the site? Thanks to your twitter, we at least know that you’re *alive*, and I maintain my previous statements that you should not feel obligated to deliver Actual Content, but not knowing whether or not you’re quitting the comic indefinitely feels noticeably worse than simply not having a new comic ^_^;
I hope you’re benefitting from the break! looking forward to an update sometime – my week feels like there’s a gap somewhere without the updates. Your comics taught me a lot of stuff about video games which has been invaluable in maintaining “cool Aunt status” as my niece becomes a teenager, I love how you present macho guys who are actually decent people (much needed in the modern world), and the fluffy raptors are just delightful.
Aww, with the internet all ablaze with the whole Bowsette thing, I was hoping to see at least some sort of update here with the usual cast take on it.
yeah me too. Maybe petty old man Ganon will have taken her home by the time the strip comes back.
I understand, and I wish you well, and if you have any patreons, I shall support them.
I know this is 173 comments late, but you take whatever time you need. This is a magnificent comic & I, like many of your fans, am grateful for all the work you’ve put into it. I’m sure we’re all willing to wait. If it turns out that this is the last comic you put up for MGDMT, then we still have an amazing archive of laughs for however long you decide to keep the site up. I would like to request that if you decide not to continue, that you put up a page saying so. You obviously don’t have to explain yourself, but notification is appreciated, as it will give closure. Thank you for all you’ve done, I love your work & your sense of humor.
Idea for comic and Monster Hunter World. Can totally see Jared in this world trying to net all the little critters only for a Shepherd Hare to go demonic like the rabbit in Monty Python and The Holy Grail and wipe out the other 3 members, failing the mission. Jared would manage to catch it though because he’s Jared…
So, is the comic done, or just on a long hiatus?
If it’s over, thanks for all the laughs over the years.
If it’s a hiatus, still thanks, but I await patiently.
Agreed there… Kinda curious whether we’ll ever see more of Commander Badass or not. If so I eagerly await more some day, if not, then at least I know to stop waiting >_<
Not that I want the comic to end, but if it is, anyone else find the symmetry of ending on a page with Kratos (and his boy) mocking his mechanics an excellent way for things to wrap up?
As Sorrior said, it would be fitting if it ended with the guy who was mashing the O button to mash a guy’s face into a 1080 TV at the beginning has now mellowed to the point of not flying into a rage when his son makes fun of the same mechanic.
Just letting you know. People haven’t given up on you, we are, at least I am, still waiting. Hope you get better soon
I rescued a wee millipede yesterday and thought of Commander, his daughter and her pet, Millipede Planet During Millipede Season, etc. :)
You are still missed. And I still give the link to people who haven’t seen it yet. Thank you for all of the entertainment over the years and I hope what ever is happening is good.
Looking back to the first comic, the improvement in art is evident. Even then, good art plus a bit of geeky wit was a winning formula, and having eight and a half years of comics (that’s a bit over 400 – amazing) is a gift.
As usual, I am hoping for more – perhaps the new year will bring new ideas, perhaps you’ll have free time randomly that you use to make another comic.
Dear Coelasquid,
Regardless of whether this is a hiatus or the end, this is a fantastic comic and I thank you for making it and sharing it with us. You’re really creative and I love your attention to detail.
If this is the end of this, I look forward to your future projects!
<3
I would love to see the comics you’re doing other than this. Could you post a link for us?
Of course, I’d love to see how Commander and family are celebrating the holidays. <3
And happy holidays to you! <3 <3 <3
Commander is carrying the ladder, Mr Fish is scooping a giant snowball with his mouth and Jared and the kids are gathering rocks and branches to turn it into the biggest snowman ever!
<3 <3 <3
Don’t forget, there’s a government shutdown, so the Commander is in his “most leather metal looking dude” outfit through the holidays.
Covered in lights and tinsel to make it festive!
Miss the comic. Guess i’ll just re-read Dominic Deegan.
Happy New Years to anyone still here!
I suppose Commander is busy surviving the government ahut dpwn right now. Hope you are all doing well!
He’s running bartertown right now.
I finally played Dad of War right after New Year’s, and now this comic is much funnier.
Hope this isn’t the end of MGDMT, an update on status would be awesome. If it is, thank you for all the awesomeness you’ve provided. If it is not, I look forward to it’s return.
Wow, June 11th was the last update? I still check back now and again to see if it has pulled a Lazarus. Ah well, she’ll get back to it if she feels like it or something strikes her fancy, I guess. It just hasn’t felt like it’s been gone for seven months. x.x
I also check back monthly, this was one of my favorites, and the legendary things never truly die.
its fine if you need to stop indefently but can we at least get a news update on how you are doing?
There is a twitter feed. We know how she’s doing to the extent that she wants to share.
But it’d be nice to get “yeah the comic is on hold indefinitely” or “maybe 2020” or just… literally anything, about the actual website, which she still has listed on twitter as “her website”.
Right now, I check back at least once every single week because she’s given me no reason not to….
*continues twiddling thumbs*
Just here to remind that your fandom is missing you. XD
No hurry… JUST HURRYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
It seems That I have twiddled in vain.
If this is truly the end of Manly Guys Doing Manly Things, then it begins and ends with Kratos. Fitting.
Don’t know what is happening with the Glorious Author, butt as long as the site is still here, and she is still posting Twitter updates, then there is hope :D
March 29th and March 24th on Twitter: totally count as MGDMT comics. I may have to start checking that feed every once in a while…
The funny thing about her comments on Endgame as “Anyone else feel like every new Endgame trailer makes Endgame look less interesting” and “I feel like I’m going to go see it more out of a sense of obligation than actual desire to watch the movie.” is this is exactly how I felt about Captain Marvel.
In fact, I skipped the last trailer for Captain Marvel just to preserve some desire to see it. Then, after the movie, I realized that, sometimes, I should go with my first instinct. The fact that this movie has sailed past the far superior Wonder Woman is a testament to the power of branding.
Well.. this is a shame, I’ll move this into dead comics to look at every 6 months, but I really hope Everyone is doing well.
I still come here every monday.
It’s still in my daily rotation!
Mine too! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read “Don’t backsass the limitations…”
I’m not the only one!!
+1
Not verified but I’m fairly certain she’s stopped updating this, however we get a couple of little comic pages of her obsessions on twitter if ya wanna read em! Lately it’s been a video game called “The Bouncer”
I saw that! Real throwback. Man, I remember when The Bouncer came out. One of the early games on the PS2.
I’ve been watching Baki lately, and I keep wondering what her take on that is.
She did mention that she goes hard on her schedule because if she ever slipped she’d just drop it.
Paraphrased it horribly, but just that if she stopped, she’d stop.
I just don’t check the comments daily, but I still come here daily anyways.
Do you happen to have a link to her twitter?
That’s an odd thing to ask, the feed is right there on the right side of the page at the top, it’s been there for years. But just in case some sort of blocker is hiding it from you:
https://twitter.com/Coelasquid
ROFLOL! So it is. I’ve gotten so used to ignoring the ad banners on the sides of my comics that I completely overlooked it. Thanks for fixing my blinders
I am not ashamed to admit this, but I literally just binge read the whole thing. I am disheartened that this is where it is stopped. But, the whole creative juices not flowing thing, I can understand and respect. I am not going to lie and say it was a good run (granted it was a good run) but I honestly hope to see more.
It’s been a year y’all. RIP MGDMT
Pretty much. Figured I’d give it a year until I knock it off my bookmarks. I’ll subtract a day and call it even.
I wish Coelasquid well with the rest of her projects and thanks for the comics.
It’s a pity it stopped, but at least it stopped on a comic about Kratos and his Son :-)
We are still here squid we miss you!
Enjoyed your panel (and the picture!) at Amacon Saturday. Wish you the best of luck for your endeavors in 2020 and beyond. Thanks
What was he doing/the panel he was at?
*she
Talking about the cartoons she’s worked on, and the studios she’s worked at. Got to see her sketchbook afterwards- really amazing.
And I guess she works out, cause she’s got arms like a stevedore. Complete with tattoos. Don’t know if she did the art for them.
Your comic is(was?) one of the things I’ve read, awesome fun and surprisingly thoughtful all at once.
Whatever projects are keeping you busy, and whatever future projects continue to do so, I’m glad your talents are being capitalised upon. Best wishes, Coela.
Happy 2020 Coela! I hope you have a great new year!! ୧( ಠ Д ಠ )୨
Still come back to this comic every now and then. It’s nostalgic. Hope Kelly’s doing alright.
I come back every week or so. Kelly is active in twitter and sometimes posts comics there. You can see her feed on the sidebar.
I come here every day.
HOPE NEVER DIES.
Just stopping by to say hi to our old friends. I’d love to see snapshots of how they’re doing—watching the kids grow up, etc. <3
It says a lot about this comic that literally 2 years after it went dead, people are still posting comments. I miss it.
I honestly hadn’t realized it’s been that long and I still load the page daily… wow…
I come back from time to time. I have hope one day squid will be back.
Yearly comment for the Comment Lords!
Everyone stay safe and well out there. Don’t let the virus get you.
I feel that Jared has a huge horde of toilet paper, the Commander is racking in the cash selling mammoth meat, and Jones contracted the coronavirus because she wasn’t taking it all seriously.
Seems legit
Still hoping to load this page one day and see a new strip. :-(
I echo you, friend. I still refresh. Every single day before hitting the bed.
To cry on my manly pillow.
As am I, my friend.
Two years…hard to believe. Here’s to you MGDMT. Hope your other projects are going well whatever they may be
You can check out her other work through her twitter account. Sometimes she posts short comics there
Every so often I check the old RSS feed to see if this comic has updated, and it’s always sad to see nothing. Not gonna complain, definitely better for Coelasquid to focus on their health, but I still miss this comic. Maybe someday, barring an official death-of-the-strip announcement.
Dear diary,
The page was down a few days. I notice because I still do come here every single day. Like coming back to an empty home, but it’s still home.
Addendum.
You aren’t the only one.
Just got finished reading from start to end again.
Still haven’t lost hope that this comic will rise again one day.
Stay strong, brother.
Like Soldier 76
Happy year 2021.
We are still alive and coming.
We miss you
+1, my guy.
if you read this coalesquid, we are here. we miss you.
hope you are doing well.
Man, I can’t believe it’s been almost three years! I hope you’re holding up okay during quarantine! This is such a great comfort comic for stressful days.
Wow! I had no idea it had been that long. I pop over out of habit on the daily just to see if anything has changed. At least she keeps her Twitter feed going on the right, so there is actually new content and comics occasionally. That’s probably why I’ve held out longer for this one than others.
Hey I recommended your comic to a friend after a convo about body builders during which I just quoted your tweets and so ofc deepdived the whole archive.
It used to make me kinda sad how often you’d say ‘this one’s not really good’ or ‘couldn’t think of a joke’ when everytime it was something I really enjoyed – even when I didn’t get the references. Worried that you didn’t know how toptier your shit was. I guess I understand now tho that there may have been more, ‘this wasnt funny enough *to me* to really justify the work *I* put into it, but I hadta feed the gaping internet maw.’ as opposed to myself who got good content with no effort. Pure profit.
I am loving the side-scenes of pipeburn you drop on twitter.
You’re still my favourite flavour of ice-cream.
Hey squid! I remembered the burrito bison joke and came back for some good ol’ laughs. You may not update anymore but your shit is still funny years after it was made, also relatable as a family man as well. We miss/kiss you and hope you are doing good.
Tal out.
Three years later, I still come back hoping for a surprise update. I’m fine with it if the comic is done and over, especially since this particular page makes such a nice bookend. But I still do wish to see more.
Best of luck in your endeavors, and stay healthy.
I still daily and I will until the heat death of the universe.
Or Coelasquid comes in and says “stop coming to my home, go away”.
Just re-read through the whole comic during a big move (to my first house). This comic was a great way to help unwind every day and keep me sane. Love the characters and all the jokes. robably my favorite webcomic of all time.
Congrats on the new house! That’s a big step!
It is 2022 and my vigil continues.
God of War is on PC now. I’ll be back when Ragnarock comes out.
Still recommending this comic to friends in 2022.
Ha I straight up thought this was posted today because Ragnarok
I happened to chance on someone streaming it and the kid actually made a joke and said “I thought it was funny…” and of course I thought of this page. lol
There’s a comment from someone in a previous GoW comic claiming to be Cory Barlog who had said he was a fan of the comic, and joked that some of the inspiration for this Kratos came from the comic having him work through his Issues.
If true, Atreus’ “I thought it was funny” definitely came from here, heh.
March 2023. I’m still attending
The Tweets at least stay up to date.
I’m the first comment in 2024 I guess :)
We miss you, Coelasquid! Your patreon still mentions this comic, so I assume you haven’t forgotten about it. I’m glad you’re enjoying other creative endeavors in the meanwhile. But the universe you made for this comic still feels special to me!
Guess it’s been a while since I commented, huh. My last comment was 2019. I stopped checking back weekly some time in early 2020–probably around the time the pandemic started, actually.
It’s honestly pretty nostalgic that the web page looks exactly the same hahah.
The lack of news post in 5 years at least means we got the memo that the comic is on hold indefinitely. But since you still advertise this website on your twitter and this comic name on your patreon, I have to assume it’s not permanently canceled?
Thanks for everything you did for us, anyway. This will probably be the last comment I ever leave here unless the comic comes back.
Came back to the strip because someone mentioned Gackt in a Discord server I was on and I immediately flashed back to that arc. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad the comic hasn’t updated, but I completely get it. I’m honestly more happy than anything, going on 6 years now and the site is still being paid for, still hosted, the archives still there. That’s a lot to ask, for free no less, and I couldn’t be more thankful it’s still up.
While reading through the rest of the post-Gackt archives, I had a good laugh at the Wasteland strips – while I’ve never been, the good folks over at People Make Games put out a video on the event at the end of last year, and it was a blast to watch. It was great, it gave me an entire new appreciation for a part of the comic I hadn’t had before, and made me idly wonder if maybe coela herself was in a background shot somewhere.
In any case, hello to those of you still watching this page, and coela, if you happen to be among them, thanks for the fond memories, and doubly so for ensuring I could go back and revisit them tonight.
Still in my top ten favorite comics of all time. Every time I play a game with a character cameoed in this comic, I have to come right back! I still miss it, but I’m glad it’s still up for us to read. :) Hope you have a great new year, Coelasquid!
I guess it’s been a while since my last comment! 3 years give or take. It’s interesting seeing all of these comments of people who come by even after the five year hiatus. Some even share life events in this thread for a random comic. I just keep coming by and watching the comment counter to see if anyone says anything new.
For a while, I watched the twitter thread for new comics being posted, even if they weren’t related to Machismo, but I guess since the change to X, that has stopped too.
Cheers! We are still around. Love the comic.
This is still one of the best webcomics to reread from start to finish. Thank you, @Coelasquid!
August 6 2024.
Squid, we miss you. we are still here.
Just binged the whole thing for the first time in a long while.
Still a great webcomic.
I always come back here when I need a laugh, and so many good Memories. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all, especially the wonderful creator of this beloved Comic. Thank you for the years of laughter and memories, we miss you and wish you all the best in whatever path your future takes you.