June 2012
3 posts
Update
A few amazing things happened in the last week: one, this blog passed one thousand followers; two, depression comix passed 2500 followers; and three, depression comix hit sixty strips, which was my original goal for the comic. I planned this when I first started, thinking there would be no way I could do sixty strips on depression with no actual story or plot, and here I am working on strips 61...
sortasoup asked: I so relate to DC #59. Suicidal thoughts, even if they're random and fleeting, are so ingrained in me that if a person admits that they've never experienced one, I want to look at them like they're headless. They're so easy to revert to: "What a terrible first impression, I wouldn't stress about it if I were dead." "[Problem] would be easier for [person] if...
depression comix #59 and #60
depression comix #59 [tumblr] [wordpress]
depression comix #60 [tumblr] [wordpress]
May 2012
10 posts
mindsnot asked: That was a good response to that caps lock guy and his stupid stance on suicide, one too many people share.
tw: discussion of suicide →
iwantmybroodwarback:
anathemathebibliophile:
iwantmybroodwarback:
anathemathebibliophile:
iwantmybroodwarback:
anathemathebibliophile:
iwantmybroodwarback:
anathemathebibliophile:
thinhline:
iwantmybroodwarback:
snipped for being horrible
I don’t want to justify suicide as much as teach people how necessary understanding is in order to reach people who are in danger of...
use map settings: About suicide... →
iwantmybroodwarback:
I have strong beliefs against suicide. Do not argue with me about suicide. It is a horrible action done by only cowards, the weak-minded, and the lost. There is no justification or excuse for suicide, EVER. If one of your family or friends has ever committed suicide they have placed a heavy burden…
I don’t want to justify suicide as much as teach people how...
fruitstripeape asked: Hey Clay, I'm currently working on a Space Game "Space Station Alpha" and I need to make an alien sex scene. Do you have any suggestions? I was thinking the 2 aliens rip part of there skin off to reveal there real self, a big censor bar goes over most of them, then tentacles and strange things flying around.
Update
I don’t know what happened but the last two dc strips received an overwhelmingly positive response - over five hundred notes so far, probably my best ever. So thank you for reading, liking, and reblogging. It’s one hell of a confidence booster.
I’m now half way done the next set of strips. These will get me to number sixty, which was my primary goal when I started. I think...
Replies to "The Blues"
argentlight > No, YOU’RE the sweetheart.
mindsnot > Thanks for the kind words. Self-doubt is not only one of my most bitter enemies, but also one of my closest friends.
maggiemunkee > When these spells happen, I just concentrate on getting through the storm. But I am encouraged by people like you and I’m glad that you’re still with me.
sortasoup > Thank you,...
depression comix #57, #58
depression comix #57 [tumblr] [wordpress]
depression comix #58 [tumblr] [wordpress]
The blues
I haven’t been able to shake this off. This distant feeling of dread, that something awful is either happening or about to happen but I could not tell you what. The logic center in my brain tells me that this is just depression manifesting itself, that nothing is happening (as nothing ever does when I get this feeling) and it will blow away at some point, but the emotion center, defeated...
Update
I apologize for the long period between posts. I went through a particularly blue spell for a while, and decided it would be best not to post anything because I was afraid it would reflect in my writing. I was also knocked down with a fever last week making matters worse but I’m here on the other side feeling better. Depression spell texting is almost as bad as drunk texting… One is...
April 2012
22 posts
thewordwouldbenerd asked: You hit it on the nose for me again Clay. And yes, I do feel the need to tell you every time you do a Depression Comix that really hits home for me. Luckily I'm at least starting to work through the issues in one of the most recent comics. I'm actually starting to feel less marginalized when with more than one person :D
Comments on dc #55 and 56
On depression comix #55:
I had the idea for this character way back in October, she was to be the second depressed character and ended up being the fifth. The problem was I was racking my brains as to how to introduce this character not as a stereotype but as sympathetically as possible. I was also having problems with the character design too. First, I had never put ectomorphs in a comic...
depression comix #55 and #56
depression comix #55 [tumblr] [wordpress]
depression comix #56 [tumblr] [wordpress]
mybutthurts asked: Since you're enjoying Harry Potter, have you read/heard of the webcomic Gunnerkrigg Court yet? It's somewhat similar to Harry Potter in terms of its general setting (an orphaned girl attends a weird, creepy boarding school in England that's filled with magic and mysteries) and as a fellow artist you might enjoy watching how its art develops over time. I highly recommend it.
Update
There will hopefully be a depression comix update tomorrow.
I am now beginning the seventh and final Harry Potter book. I will hopefully be able to resume my life after completing it.
You know what? Books are fucking awesome. It’s been a couple of years since I got lost in one, and it feels good to have my brain stimulated in this way again.
icantakecareofablog asked: You're reading Harry now. I've loved your work since SL, but I'm now actually fan-gasming over you. Well, I want to ask (besides the infuriating question as to why you think Ron's just a twit, considering he's the most realistic character in the whole series, and provides more comedy than Fred & George through the innumerable stupid things he does) if you would draw a...
This Week is Going to Pot(ter)
Depression comix has been not going good lately. I’ve done several half-strips that I end up ditching, either because I don’t think the idea is good enough, or that the idea may actually be good enough but I’m so fucking self-conscious that I’m second-guessing myself. I guess there’s some irony in drawing a comic about depression and self-esteem issues is that the...
nobodysignificant asked: Hey, just found your site while randomly revisiting SexyLosers to check if there's been any news. Been going through this blog's archive, and I just found out about your depression. I've been through it too (well, as sufferers probably know you never really completely get out of it but you can get better) and I just want to say I hope you are alright! Another wonderful artist whose...
thehypnoswitch asked: umsoi'mflatteredthatyou'refollowingmeandiloveyourworksomuchandomgi'vebeenreadingyouforever. You are formative to my sexuality and my sense of humor. Thank you so much for having birthed Sexy Losers and all of its derivative influences into the world. <3
nothopeless asked: So fucking happy I found this. Just finished Sexy Losers and was so sad to reach 262 and know there wasn't another. Thanks to TVTROPES, I found this!
livingthismoment asked: I don't think you need to worry about your other work being linked to DC in the minds of readers - I think it's a positive thing to show that you're a multifaceted artist. Also, THL/SL? GOOD STUFF! :)
winded-up asked: Hey :) I've been a fan of your comic for some time, so I'm really excited that you're continuing it here. I also find comfort in your depression comix. I have kind of a silly question I hope you don't mind answering, and I'm sorry you must have probably heard it a 1000 times before, but how does it feel to be the man behind the onomatopoeia "fap"? It's a...
depression comix #53 and #54
depression comix #53 [tumblr] [wordpress]
How can one expect someone to love us if that’s something we find impossible ourselves?
depression comix #54 [tumblr] [wordpress]
I often get the urge just to run away from things, but I’ve found that the one thing I really need to lose behind is something that cannot simply be lost.
livefreeandburn asked: I always loved Sexy Losers! So um I guess I am a Thin H Line fan now by default
amytfalcone asked: We went ahead and edited out any mention of your other projects. It isn't really selfish to ask, or even hint that you would rather them be removed. It isn't like you asked me to change my opinion. :) Anyway, as a person fairly public with my own readers/audience about my anxiety I'm just glad Depression Comix is out there. It's a great project and really is a welcome change...
amytfalcone asked: Clay, I just wanted to offer an edit to the review I wrote. I've become really attached to DC and I wouldn't want my review perpetuating an association you would rather avoid. I can understand where you're coming from about it. Anyway I'd be happy to edit out mentions to Sexy Losers, etc... Just let me know.
Sunday Comics review of depression comix →
Amy T. Falcone gives a very kind review of depression comix. One point I’m very grateful for is that this is the first review that DOESN’T mention depression comix in the same breath as Hyperbole and a Half and Akimbo. Second, it mentions the humor, which I’m always happy to read because, while I don’t think it’s knee slapping funny, I think there’s a sliver of...
albinokoi asked: Might be a common question but.. what writing utensils do you use for making your comics? and how do you make your comics (like the process). Curious reader and big fan :D I just don't know where you get inspiration from.. aside from porn.
jascollins asked: I find, from the outside, that people often blame the reaching out for causing, when in reality it's other things, which may or may not be related. For example, I've never had a problem helping out my ex-wife (before, during, OR after the marriage), and I was always happy to help. But having her go on and on, often in public, about how she has nobody who ever helps, or is there for...
larry-man asked: I've struggled with depression most of my life. Over the weekend I had a (near) suicide attempt. In a moment of clarity I texted the first friend I could think of to come get me and to take me to the hospital for observation. He called my roommate and woke her up to come get me and has not returned a single text or message since. My roommate is being supportive, but I can't help feeling...
Still alive
Just a little message to say I’m still alive - just haven’t had the time or the nice quiet place necessary to pop these comics off. Things slow down next week, so hopefully there will be something worth reading here.
baelzaorn asked: Here's a personal question, response optional. I followed the original THL from scheduled to occasional to offline, then resurrected as SL. What piques my curiosity is this. According to the 3 part explanation, you were excommunicated from your all of friends twice (college, OFU). However I remember Tang Ho mentioning you in TWC (98) and the late you 2 collaborated on SMC till 02. He...
March 2012
29 posts
My Morning Jacket
Sorry about my spamming of pics, it was a great concert. Thank you to all involved.
jmoniekc asked: Clay, I really can't thank you enough for the Depression Comix. Though all of them apply, #51 really hits home for me. I am a successful business owner with 3 amazing children. I have traveled the world and did more in my few 35 years on this planet than a lot of people do in a life time. However, there is always that debilitating sadness just under the surface waiting to drag me down to the...
nunuru asked: Why are the comics released in pairs?
parsed asked: Hey Clay, As I mentioned, I did end up using that strip of yours in my paper. If you want to see how it turned out, let me know where to send it. Either way, thanks so much for the permission! It will definitely shake up my department a bit. All best!
depression comix #51 and #52
depression comix #51 [tumblr] [wordpress]
Anyone can have depression, it’s not something for the unsuccessful or the socially awkward. This would have made a great first strip, but here it is at #51.
depression comix #52 [tumblr] [wordpress]
I took cognitive sciences in university. It finally pays off here.
The next update will be two weeks from today. Sorry ;;;
Update and thanks for fifty
As mentioned earlier, there will be a change in the depression comix schedule. However, instead of a full break, the comic will be produced biweekly instead of weekly until the end of April. This, I think I can manage.
I also prepared this whole speal about reaching fifty comics with the usual self-congratulatory navel-gazing bullshit. Well, I scrapped that and instead I just wanted to thank you...
parsed asked: Hey Clay! I've been following your comics for years now (through the rise and fall of Sexy Losers). They're awesome. I'm a senior at Stanford University, and I'd love it if I could get your permission to use your comic from 9/1/11, "THL#16 - Crime and Punishment in Four Panels," in a paper I'm writing about comedies of size and masculinity. I'd be down to...