Ask Dr. Eldritch!

Comic for Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Wed, 21 May 2008 12:40:20 GMT

#407 - Testing... New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: You know, it's not Too Late to submit Vote Incentive Comics. You could:
1) Draw one or more of the images suggested on this list, and I'll put in the dialog and/or captions, or
2) Draw a potentially humorous picture, and I'll try to come up with a punchline, or
3) Come up with a gag (situation and punchline), and I'll try to create the image for it, or
4) Create a complete comic of your own idea and send it in.

There's a holiday coming up (for my American Readers, anyway), and once you've hit all the sales early in the morning, what else are you going to do all weekend?

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Comic for Monday, May 19, 2008

Mon, 19 May 2008 13:01:45 GMT

#406 - Effective New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Monday, May 19, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: You might think the Minions and I would be pleased to have two days of record-breaking high temperatures, but we are not. Thank goodness it's going to be rainy and cool again...

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Comic for Friday, May 16, 2008

Fri, 16 May 2008 13:07:59 GMT

#405 - Challenge New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Friday, May 16, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: So, did anyone hear the rumors on the Internet that this comic was going to lose a cast member? No? Well, don't worry about it then, and have a good weekend!

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Comic for Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Wed, 14 May 2008 12:44:23 GMT

#404 - Who's There? New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: I did consider making today's entire comic a white background with the text "404: Comic Not Found." But that's probably been done to death, so I went with advancing the story. You're welcome.

The Minions and I are feeling better, thanks. I'm not saying I don't understand why people often go to work when they have a cold (because I DO understand), but I just want to point out that understanding does not preclude resentment. Especially when that cold is shared with me.

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Comic for Monday, May 12, 2008

Mon, 12 May 2008 13:00:09 GMT

#403 - Feel Lucky? New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Monday, May 12, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: The Minions and I came down with colds over the weekend, but we're pleased and excited to announce the MY FIRST EVER INTERVIEW! Yes, it took 400 episodes, but I was interviewed by the continually outstanding Richard Pulfer at BrokenFrontier.com: You can read my interview here!

I'll be properly exuberant when I'm feeling better.

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Comic for Friday, May 9, 2008

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:56:16 GMT

#402 - Demands New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Friday, May 9, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: Thanks to some dedicated Awesome Fans and their Shrill Peeping Noises, Eldritch & Company are devoting their efforts to saving Ping from this Mysterious Stranger! Will they succeed? What will happen? Come back Monday to find out! (But remember, you can still vote over the weekend!)

Oh, and I almost forget! There may be other Science Fiction stories that have a character that's a small pink cloud, but the one I was thinking of was "The Thurb Revolution" by Alexei Panshin. It's the second book in a series of three, and it introduces the Plonk, the small pink cloud, who claims to be a deity. He never demonstrates any supernatural powers, but it behooves us to be polite to any small pink talking clouds we meet.

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Comic for Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Wed, 07 May 2008 13:04:15 GMT

#401 - Stranger New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: So, have you been voting? If you haven't, you've been missing out on the daily Vote Incentive Comics! Vote! VOTE NOW!

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Comic for Monday, May 5, 2008

Mon, 05 May 2008 12:40:59 GMT

#400 - NO ELEPHANT!?! New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Monday, May 5, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: TOO MUCH EXCITEMENT! First, this is COMIC #400! That's right; 400 comics, and all posted ON SCHEDULE! Many of them are funny! Few webcomic artists can claim such a record.

To celebrate, I'm posting a couple Bonus Punchlines! These were scribbled up by the Minions during commercials while watching "Deal or No Deal," and didn't quite make the cut. But why should YOU miss out? Here they are:

Alternate Punchline #1: YES, IT WOULD BE FUNNY IF THEY HAD ONE, BUT NOBODY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IT.

Alternate Punchline #2: YES, YOU WOULD EAT IT TWICE AS FAST IF YOU TOOK TWO BITES AT A TIME.

AND (Yes, there's MORE), I play a Guest Role in Chris Yates's awesome "Reprographics." Click the link to see my encounter with Mensa the Menacer!

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Comic for Friday, May 2, 2008

Fri, 02 May 2008 13:02:31 GMT

#399 - Row Your Boat New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Friday, May 2, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: I'll give a Box of Virtual Doughnuts to the first person who can identify the Science Fiction novel that has a character who is a small pink cloud.

Remember, there will be NEW Vote Incentive comics every day over the weekend, so vote daily!

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Comic for Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:00:30 GMT

#398 - Too Easy New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: Tomorrow is May, and you know what that means! It's Vote Incentive Frenzy Month! Each day, I'll post two new Vote Incentive Comics at the ranking sites. To see them, just click on the voting buttons for Buzzcomix and TopWebComics. See them? They're ON THIS PAGE. How much easier can I make it? So remember to vote every day (yes, that includes weekends) through the month, and we'll see how high in the rankings this comic can climb!

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Comic for Monday, April 28, 2008

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:17:59 GMT

#397 - Tension New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Monday, April 28, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: Stumptown was, in a word, Even Better Than Last Year. The highlight was meeting Scott McCloud, and he knew of my comic! That alone was worth the price of admission. I'll try to type up a post-festival report, but I'm still very tired.

Thanks to all my fans who stopped at my table and said Hi! It was great meeting you (in several cases, seeing you again)! I really appreciate having people encourage my behavior in person.

And a very Eldritch Shout Out to Awesome Readers Bookherd and Sanguinity, my Booth Minions! They made it possible for me to get away from my table during the weekend to meet other artists, eat lunch and such. I'm very grateful.

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Comic for Friday, April 25, 2008

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:02:21 GMT

#396 - Could Happen New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Friday, April 25, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: This weekend is Stumptown Comics Fest! If you're in the Portland area, come on by. I had fun last year telling people about the comic, but the best part is meeting fans. I'll have stuff to give away and prizes you can win! You like free stuff, right? Plus, I think there will be some other artists there, too. Check it out!

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Comic for Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:51:53 GMT

#395 - Stunning Logic New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: Personally, I like the image of Ancient Philosophers ending their arguments with "Ha! So there!"

Hey, we're being talked about! Check out this awesome post on BrokenFrontier.com! I've never met this Richard Pulfer fellow, but he's obviously brilliant and insightful. And I'm not just saying that.

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Comic for Monday, April 21, 2008

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:04:40 GMT

#394 - Innovationism New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Monday, April 21, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: I know, I shouldn't ridicule C-Span. It does provide a valuable service to Democracy. But the only times I've watched it, I could barely go two minutes without my eyes glazing over. Perhaps that's just me.

This comic has a Photocomic Crossover! The news broadcast in Panels 1 and 2 comes from today's episode of Nukeland Cinema (click to view). I don't think there really are two asteroids on a collision-course with Earth, but just in case, you might want to stay indoors for the next few days.

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Comic for Friday, April 18, 2008

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:54:49 GMT

#393 - Modern Jobs New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Friday, April 18, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: Just eight days until Stumptown Comics Fest! And then a few days later, the Vote Incentive Comic Frenzy starts. The anticipation is palpable!

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Comic for Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:36:12 GMT

#392 - Hit The Books New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: That is kind of a trick question, really. A few years past graduation, who remembers what their class schedules were? But seriously; the college I attended did nothing to prepare me to battle supernatural creatures. Except in a general, liberal-artsy kind of way.

So, why haven't you sent in your contributions to the May Vote Incentives Comics? You can:

1) Draw a picture based on one of the ideas posted here,

2) Draw a potentially humorous picture, and I'll try to come up with a punchline, or

3) Create a complete comic of your own idea.

Click here to read the comments or post one of your own at the LiveJournal Ask Dr. Eldritch blog (No registration required)!

Comic for Monday, April 14, 2008

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:05:24 GMT

#391 - Thanksgetting New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Monday, April 14, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: Happy Library Week! Are you thinking that we should celebrate by calling Reference Librarians and instead of asking them questions, tell them things? Since Information is their business, they might be really grateful. (If they seem unappreciative, don't mention my name.)

Perhaps you think it's easy to be a Librarian; just checking out books, shelving them when they come back, and collecting overdue fines now and then. Seriously, that's just the tip of the ice cream. Think about it: One could probably learn to do those things in an afternoon, but it takes years to get a degree in Library Science. The Arcane Mysteries of Libraria go much, much deeper than we mere laypersons imagine. So remember to thank your Librarians for their selfless devotion in tirelessly guarding the borders of Knowledge and defending them against the Forces of Ignorance!

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Comic for Friday, April 11, 2008

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:57:38 GMT

#390 - Another Session New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Friday, April 11, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: Did you realize that in just over three weeks, I'll post COMIC #400? Hard to believe.

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Comic for Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:56:47 GMT

#389 - Service New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

TODAY'S BIG, BIG NEWS: First, the announcement: The Ask Dr. Eldritch weekly advice column is now available for syndication! This means I'm actively marketing the column to periodicals, particularly weekly alternative papers and humor magazines. This could mean a surge in exposure for the column and the webcomic. Fortunately, you'll be able to say you read Ask Dr. Eldritch before it got megapopular.

Second, the request: I'm sending out a compelling query letter and examples of the column, but I can use your help. Is an alternative newspaper published in your city? One that would appreciate the style and humor of this column? If so, all I ask is that you send a brief email to the editor, stating that you're a fan of Ask Dr. Eldritch, you've heard that it's being syndicated, and you would like to see it carried in that paper. Please offer this URL http://www.askdreldritch.com/aethiswk.html for examples. Could you do that for me? I would appreciate it.

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Comic for Monday, April 6, 2008

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:49:46 GMT

#388 - Cookies New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Monday, April 6, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: I'm not sure I'll go to SDCC this year, so Stumptown Comics Fest may be the only comics convention I go to this year. Make your plans now to go. I'll be at Table #8. See you there!

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Comic for Friday, April 4, 2008

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:07:08 GMT

#387 - Pageant Revisited New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Friday, April 4, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: Hey, you Artistic Types! Remember, this is your chance to create Vote Incentive Comics that will be seen by hordes of Ask Dr. Eldritch Fans! What else is there to do this weekend? All the info you need is here!

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Comic for Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:06:46 GMT

#386 - Troll-Free New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: It's April! Starting with April Fool's Day, and rounding out the month with Stumptown Comics Fest! You all will be there, right? It's going to be the best comics convention in Portland ALL MONTH!

Have you been reading the Advice Column? This week's letter is from a extradimensional bureaucrat who is trying to prevent a slave revolt, despite a history of revolts every three generations for thousands of years. And it mentions pie. Check it out here!

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Comic for Monday, March 31, 2008

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:58:15 GMT

#385 - Radio Interview New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Monday, March 31, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: I was telling one of my Awesome Fans about the Vote Incentive comics contest, and she said "So if someone drew a penguin and a dog looking up at Portlandia, you'd come up with a caption for it?" And naturally I said "No! Of course not!" Because that's not what it's about. But on reflection, I decided that perhaps that was a good idea, after all.

So Part 2 of the Vote Incentive Art Contest is just that: Draw a funny picture, and I'll do my best to come up with dialog or a caption for it, and make it into a Vote Incentive comic!* What images lurk in your brain? A clown shampooing an alchemist? Five farriers heckling a jongleur? Two dogs wearing neckties? You draw it, I'll add the words!

And Part 3: Submit a funny Vote Incentive comic of your own! If you've got some comics that you don't know where to publish, send them in!* They'll be seen by the dozens of fans who vote for "Ask Dr. Eldritch" at the ranking sites. As above, I'll give you credit and you'll retain rights to publish them elsewhere. If you're reading this comic, you have a great sense of humor, so give it a shot!

* Submissions must meet the "Ask Dr. Eldritch" editorial standards for taste and humor. Not that our standards are very high, but we have to draw a line somewhere. Therefore, submission does not guarantee use as a Vote Incentive Comic.

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Comic for Friday, March 28, 2008

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:38:05 GMT

#384 - Discourse New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Friday, March 28, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: Have you ever wanted to draw single-panel comics, but couldn't think of anything funny? Here's your chance! While I was working on the Vote Incentives for May, I thought "This is FUN! I wish there was some way I could share all this Fun with my Readers!" Then I realized, THERE IS!

If you have any degree of artistic talent, you can draw Vote Incentive comics. I'll provide the ideas, dialog and captions! Here's how it works:

I'll post a list of comics to be drawn (click this link to see it).
Pick one idea, draw the picture, and email it to me. Your artwork can be color or black & white. Style can range from stick figures to realistic, full-color paintings. (Photocomics are acceptable, but you must have rights to the photo images.) You don't even have to put in the words, I can do that.
Once a comic has been done, I'll replace it on the list. Draw as many as you like!
Unscramble this email address: askdreldritch.com contest @
Send your image as an attachment (smaller than 1M, please) to the email address.
Indicate in your email the name you want to appear for the "Artwork by" credit.

And that's it! You'll get artwork credit for the comic, too! So check out the ideas, sharpen your stylus and get drawing!

See Official Rules for additional details.

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Comic for Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:11:32 GMT

#383 - What If New episodes Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

TODAY'S NEWS: I know, the punchline relies on the common stereotypes about Canadian Cybernetic Beings, but the joke is that you don't know whether it's the Cyborg or the Robot! Clever, huh? Anyway, that's my tribute to Arthur C. Clarke, who passed away recently. And Dextre, the Canadian Robot that just got installed on the International Space Station.

When people were talking about Dextre in the news, they made references to him going on a rampage, but it wasn't like they took it seriously. But hey: It's a ROBOT in SPACE! Who knows what might happen? Cosmic Rays in Space are known to give superpowers, so why assume that a robot will be unaffected? I can see downplaying it in the media, but I hope they're secretly taking precautions. If communications suddenly cut off from the ISS one day, we'll know why.

Farewell, Arthur C. Clarke, and good luck, Dextre!

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