27 Aug 08- Next month marks the three year anniversary of The Bastard Swordsman . What had started as a way for me to pass the time while on deployment for the US Navy during two wars, has shaped the direction I hope to take myself into the future. At around 30 hours or work a week, this comic has been a huge part of my life since 2005. This was my first genuine attempt at making a comic that lasts more than 2-3 pages, and 228 pages later I gotta say it's been on hell of a ride, but now after a great deal of soul searching and discussion with my friends and family I think it's time for me to close this chapter of my life.

That being said, three years is a long time to spend on a single project, and, with the exception of an 8 page submission I did for Zuda, TBS is all I've been able to do. During this time I've made every mistake possible flying by the seat of my pants since the beginning and continuing to this very day. I've learned so much and progressed do much as an illustrator over this time and sometimes I wonder if I knew then what I know now, how different this comic would be. But the simple fact is the comic has become more of a labor and less a labor of love this past year, which I believe has lead me to this point. I've has numerous ideas in my head for ages that I want to explore but just can't find the time for.

This might be that I'm just kind of burnt out on this story and the characters and still stressing about transferring to SCAD, but I see glaring holes in my portfolio, that, if I ever want to do this for a living, I need to address sooner than later, and I just can't while continuing this comic. Also, as I said before, I have other ideas I really want to explore, and see what I can do with them using the lessons I've learned doing TBS.

Will I ever return to TBS? I think so. This has been too big a part of me to ever abandon it completely. But right now it seems like the appropriate time for me to step away from it. It has gotten to the point where I no longer look forward to Thursdays and Sundays because I know I have to comic to work on, and that's hard for me. I just need something new. This has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever made, and anyone who knows me knows that means a lot.

I want to thank everyone who has ever taken their time to read TBS, just knowing that there are people out there who actually come back every week means the world to me. Your support-- and criticism over the years has meant more to me than words can ever fully express. I love you all and wish you nothing but the best in all the years to come.

I wish you all Fair winds and following seas.