Phew, this one took a lot longer than I would have liked. I hope it lives up to being comic #200, I know some of you were expecting something big. I probably put too much pressure on myself to make this comic special. I had a quote in mind and the story all figured out but I scrapped it, leaving me in panic. I eventually modified the story I was going to do and decided to write the words myself. It’s something a bit different, not necessarily a quote with a message, more like a traditional story. Hope you like it, and if you think it’s complete baloney that one man could sculpt something so big in a lifetime, check out this Spanish labourer who has spent 53 years building a cathedral by hand, with God as his muse.

Wow, 200 comics! It took longer than I thought to get here. As you’re aware, the comics are taking longer and longer to complete as they get more detailed and complex (thanks for your patience!). I cringe looking back at some of the older comics, but it’s nice to know that I’ve gotten better as a cartoonist (at least I think so, you might disagree) over the past four and a half years. Thanks for coming on this ride with me and for always encouraging me.



SUPPORT ZEN PENCILS ON PATREON, PLUS MY NEW PROJECT!

While I have your attention, I thought this would be a good time to announce my Patreon page. Patreon is a fantastic way for online creators to get direct support from their fans through monthly pledges. In return, you get cool bonus rewards that regular readers don’t get. I’ve known about Patreon for awhile now but have been hesitant to put myself on there. I’ve always felt a bit weird asking you for money, but as Zen Pencils approaches it’s 5th birthday, I’ve been doing some reevaluating. The income I generate from book and merchandise sales barely cover the costs of maintaining this website (hosting, email marketing, shopify fees, bank merchant fees), as well as my normal living expenses, so it’s time I look at additional streams of income.



Not only will Patreon help keep Zen Pencils going, but I’ve got an exciting new project I’m eager to start and Patreon will help get that off the ground too. Little Warrior is a Zen Pencils spin-off featuring the Kung-Fu girl seen most recently in My Spirit is a Roaring Sea. It’s a big, action-adventure comic that’s been marinating in my head for awhile now. I just need some time to start drawing the damn thing. If you’ve been following the past six months or so, you know that I’ve started to write more of my own material and I think it’s time I try to push myself to write and draw a big story of my own. I plan to release it online as a webcomic first with the potential to publish it as a graphic novel in the future.

Zen Pencils will NOT be stopping. Patreon funds will just free up some time so I don’t have to constantly keep thinking of and designing new posters and merchandise. I might even be able to hire an assistant to help me out.

So if you’ve enjoyed Zen Pencils over the years and would like to see it continue, and would also like to see something new from me, please check out my Patreon page and consider pledging. There’s a video there of me explaining how it works, plus did I mention there are lots of cool rewards on offer?

As always, thanks for the support over the past 200 comics!

– Gav