Nerd World, Lev Grossman, Technology, TIME

January 22, 2007 10:28

Webcomics Are Still the New Blogs: A Bit More on Achewood

Posted by Lev Grossman | Comments (76) | Permalink | Trackbacks (0) | Email This

I'm going to add a short addendum to my Achewood post the other day, since it got mad comments, and I could use the traffic.

Most of the comments were people saying, in various eloquent ways, that Achewood is awesome. With which I concur. Someone pointed out that I didn't mention the blogs for the various characters, which is totally true. Achewood's creator, Chris Onstad (did I even mention his name?), on top of writing and drawing the strip, maintains blogs in the voices of his various creations. Which, you know, holy crap, I can barely blog as myself, and I'm not even fictional. (Roast Beef also publishes a zine called Man Why You Even Got to Do a Thing, and Nice Pete has written a couple of books.) The sheer richness and vitality and thought-out-ness of the Achewood universe, the living detail in which it exists and evolves, are just remarkable. The only comparable undertaking I can think of is the Homestar Runner universe.

A lot of people posted favorite strips and story arcs. I guess I'll call out a few of mine, some of which I mentioned last week. My favorites tend to be the sad ones...

-- Roast Beef goes to the moon.

-- Ray goes to Hell. There is balm in Gilead.

-- Nice Pete Takes Off with Philippe. Beautiful. Nobody does rain quite like Achewood.

-- Cartilage Head. In which Ray is exposed as a coward. Some of that beautiful art I mentioned.

-- The Great Outdoor Fight. Three days. Three acres. Three THOUSAND men! There's some disturbingly gorey art in this sequence, at least by my wussy standards, but otherwise: rude. (And I'm sorry I called Beef a loser. I just meant -- never mind. In this one he says a true thing about nerds.)

-- Philippe goes searching for his lost couch at the transfer station. Philippe, a 5-year-old otter, is the baby of the Achewood family, and there's something brilliant about the way he's written: very sweet, but occasionally selfish and spiteful, the way real little kids are. Please don't read this unless you're prepared to cry. Actually cry. To love, to hurt! Is life!

(And just to clarify: I'm a staff writer at Time, mostly doing this blog in my spare time. It's just me, no editors, so you'll see it deviate in places from the usual Time style and Time voice and Time editorial tone.)

| Sphere Related Blogs & Articles |

Reader Comments (76)

Sam:

More people should be reading Superosity, too: www.superosity.com

Posted by Sam | January 22, 2007 2:36 PM

mandy:

achewood is like a drug to me

Posted by mandy | January 22, 2007 3:15 PM

DonSoze:

Some of my favorites are the strips in which Roast Beef goes to heaven. (3 seperate occasions) I use an image from the trippy, post-apocalyptic third trip as my desktop.

Posted by DonSoze | January 22, 2007 3:16 PM

Tony Zavala:

I am fond of the sad ones too.

http://www.achewood.com/index.php?date=11192004

Posted by Tony Zavala | January 22, 2007 3:20 PM

zugzug:

If we're talking favorites...

The drawing of Little Nephew's leg pants, Ray knowing Todd, the exchanges between Little Nephew and Ray, the manhole cover senility test from Volvo of despair, Todd not giving a shit about STDs, Pat hating barbers, hello I am the toilet, etc, etc, etc.

Posted by zugzug | January 22, 2007 4:58 PM

wednesday white:

People totally also need the cookbook. It is especially useful, both as cookbook and as characterization supplement.

(Caveat: oven fry recipe difficult to adapt for crappy gas oven. Do not attempt without sacrificial potato to burn.)

Posted by wednesday white | January 22, 2007 5:39 PM

steph:

I share most of the favourites...

but don't forget when Ray gets stoned..

45 degrees..
That's Todd. I KNOW Todd. ...

Posted by steph | January 22, 2007 5:40 PM

Wiggett:

achewood, one of the best webcomics [I]ever![/I]

Posted by Wiggett | January 22, 2007 6:03 PM

graham jorge:

I really hope this increases the amount of achewood readers! more people need to be exposed to its awesomeness!

Posted by graham jorge | January 22, 2007 6:31 PM

Andy Greenberg:

Could you please just make your blog about Achewood all the time?

Posted by Andy Greenberg | January 22, 2007 6:32 PM

Your Good Twin:

Remarkably, my first is still my favorite.

http://achewood.com/index.php?date=06022003

I think this comic makes me a terrible person. However, the stark awfulness of it rips my humor gland out and pins it to the wall.

Posted by Your Good Twin | January 22, 2007 7:06 PM

John:

If we're talking about depth, sadness, and the splendifourousness of character [I know it probably isn't a word], you should dig through Cornelius Bear's blog. Back maybe 6 months after it began, Mr. Bear watched the Olympic Volleyball, and decided to go to Russia and profess his love to one of the players. A sporadic, absurd, wonderful adventure into achewood.

Posted by John | January 22, 2007 7:10 PM

Fargo:

So great to see Achewood get its due!

That said, I always felt like Achewood was some sort of ... comedy goldmine that I had discovered that nobody else knew about. Some secret little Internet comic on the corner, perhaps located in the Internet equivalent of an unassuming unmarked basement underneath a Chinese resturant, that only a few people knew about by word of mouth.

So it's almost disconcerting to see a blog where there's a chorus of people talking about how great the comic is. It makes me wonder: how much of the appeal of Internet comics comes from discovering something that you feel is being written "just for you?"

I mean, that's the way I feel about Achewood. It's like Onstad has some sort of blinking red direct-line telephone wired to my subconscious. He periodically dials in before penning each strip.

Posted by Fargo | January 22, 2007 7:37 PM

Brian Gass:

You have all missed one of my favorite characters..Showbiz!

This was one of the funniest strips I have read http://www.achewood.com/index.php?date=11142005

The notices from Rockford Fosgate credit are classic...

Posted by Brian Gass | January 22, 2007 8:31 PM

Jim:

How could you forget the French Fry saga?

Chris Onstead is more than an artist and more than a writer. He does not merely write a story about fictional characters, he becomes these characters, simultaneously, and scintilates their conscious thought into a medium that best captures it: the webcomic. Other's have come close, but no other webcomic has the depth and character of Achewood. Also, 99% of it isn't topical!

Posted by Jim | January 22, 2007 8:40 PM

jonstein:

Achewood is great; my other favorites are Wondermark and Dinosaur Comics. All three play with language so nimbly.

Posted by jonstein | January 22, 2007 9:06 PM

Alissa:

I agree with Fargo. To some extent I sort of felt sad, like, "Wait, you mean there are other people who get it too?"

But then I felt happy. Seeing how many people out there actually share my worldview enough to "get" Achewood makes me feel somehow not so alone. And honestly I don't think Onstad is the type to sell out.

At least I hope not. I'm secretly in love with him.

Well, crud. Guess it's not so secret anymore.

Posted by Alissa | January 22, 2007 10:07 PM

Ryne:

My favorite, only because I'm (unfortunately) Roast Beef: http://achewood.com/index.php?date=06172003

Posted by Ryne | January 22, 2007 10:17 PM

SC:

I like Achewood so much I am posting a comment on a blog I have never read.

Posted by SC | January 22, 2007 10:20 PM

JenKay:

One of my favorite strips:

http://achewood.com/index.php?date=08042003

The whole 'Beef, metrosexual' just slays me.

Posted by JenKay | January 22, 2007 11:55 PM

bb:

http://achewood.com/index.php?date=08222005

ROAST BEEF IS HAVIN' A BABY!

OH GOD MAN THIS IS SO WAAAACKYYYYY

Posted by bb | January 22, 2007 11:57 PM

LuckyG:

Achewood is one of those comics that has so few people actually "get it" that those who do in fact like it number among a vast minority. It inspires a special sort of feeling that less offbeat comics simply cannot attain.

Can you do me a favour though? Could you not compare Achewood to Homestarrunner in any way, shape, or form? It is kind of like comparing a gourmet meal to dog food.

Posted by LuckyG | January 23, 2007 12:15 AM

Wes:

"...richness and vitality..." barely begins to describe the depth and beauty of the Achewood universe. I'm continually amazed at the true affection I find myself feeling towards some cartoon cats, bears, and a meth-smoking squirrel (R.I.P. Todd).

Posted by Wes | January 23, 2007 12:45 AM

drz:

Hey, LuckyG... get off your pony, k? Maybe you don't like candycoloured nonsequitur pop toons that don't swear. That's great. But Lev's comparison, of two 'toon universes that have established, maintained and developed character voices, and through the charm of those voices built loyal audiences, is valid.

"... a gourmet meal to dog food."

ZING!

Posted by drz | January 23, 2007 12:54 AM

cleanboy:

Whats this all about certain people not getting it? i reckon everybody has the ability to 'get it'

i think the first comic i read i didnt get but then a mate reccomended i read it from the begining and i did and got hooked. i think its just that there is so much background and the rest of it that u need to get to know the characters to actually get it.

people who dont get it just arent giving it enough of a chance

but yeah fuckin great comic absolutely love the shit!

Posted by cleanboy | January 23, 2007 12:59 AM

RodneyStubbs1973:

I'm sure by now people are sick of hearing how much Achewood resembles Calvin and Hobbes and Bloom County, but when I first began with the archives, that's the very first impression I got. Both were definitely my favorite comics ever, a distinction I can make because they are the only two comics that I have cried after reading. Admittedly it was only on the last strips, when the imaginary world Watterson and Breathed suddenly ended.

I have a feeling I'll do the same when Onstad finally one day decides to hang it up as well. Hopefully I'll be dead before then.

Posted by RodneyStubbs1973 | January 23, 2007 1:50 AM

LuckyG:

Hey drz, sorry about that, you're right - Lev did make a valid point. I just tend to get a bit defensive about Achewood sometimes. Blame it on "it was late and I was tired", particularly that terrible simile.

I don't know where you got the idea that I didn't like HSR because they don't swear though... It's just not my type of humor, so really my comment was no better than jumping in with "omglol that comic sux". Apologies.

Posted by LuckyG | January 23, 2007 8:21 AM

J Carrollhach:

Onstad doesn't update daily and his work is sometimes uneven, but I've learned that when the strip goes through a weak period the blogs get stronger. He pays very close attention to language and cadence, something that many comics artists neglect(especially in web comics). Look at the difference between Beef-speech and Nice Pete's weird Faulknerian delivery.
I wish more comics would get the message and spend time crafting dialog that sounds real when you say it aloud. Dang dude.

Posted by J Carrollhach | January 23, 2007 8:44 AM

Albert:

Ray, via Chris, also put out a Hot Sauce - Ray's Rad Hot Sauce. It is kickin and should be added to all culinary favorites. And, put butter on what I said!

Posted by Albert | January 23, 2007 8:55 AM

Whodi:

My first is my favorite, as well.

http://www.achewood.com/index.php?date=08172004

Dogg don't piss on me I just invented Photoshop!

Posted by Whodi | January 23, 2007 9:59 AM

Anonymous:

i wanna ask Onstad for an "I know Todd" t shirt but, since the restraining order... can someone else ask him?

Posted by Anonymous | January 23, 2007 10:18 AM

StealthHe:

Don't forget the mouse-over comments. There are times when a strip will color me content, but when mousing over the comic and reading Onstad's blurb...true hilarity and/or happiness.

Posted by StealthHe | January 23, 2007 10:43 AM

Anonymous:

Heyo! Todd got a van!

CITY OF ACHEWOOD
Department of Squirrel Police
NOTICE THAT YOUR CAR
IS FRIKKING AWESOME
Notice No. 37852
OFFICER'S REMARKS:
where'd you get it

Posted by Anonymous | January 23, 2007 11:39 AM

Muziq Critique:

Achewood is post-punk acoustic folk gangsta rap with a sprinkle of dixieland deathcore.

Posted by Muziq Critique | January 23, 2007 12:10 PM

Jules:

My favorite comic is the series of Philippe running for President...and his campaign mascot is "Homosexuals the Gorilla"! RB's shirts are great too.

Posted by Jules | January 23, 2007 6:25 PM

Anonymous:

This is my favorite blog entry: http://peterhcropes.blogspot.com/2006/10/complicated-gay-man-sold-me-sandwich.html

That, and any of Pat's stuff: http://journeyintoreason.blogspot.com/

Posted by Anonymous | January 23, 2007 11:25 PM

Grace:

Has anyone mentioned Chucklebot yet? Oh lawdie.

"SINCE I MADE YOU CHUCKLE THAT IS"

He is absolutely killer. http://www.achewood.com/index.php?date=03292002

Posted by Grace | January 23, 2007 11:43 PM

Chad:

As far as the satirical comics go http://www.combustibleorange.com is just as good!

Posted by Chad | January 24, 2007 5:02 AM

Patrick:

A comic series with depth that matches or exceeds achewood (and I'm a huge fan of both) is the "Unicorn Jelly" series, most recently continued in a new story arc at http://www.pasteldefender.com

Posted by Patrick | January 24, 2007 12:25 PM

Trouble's Braids:

The webcomic that taught me about Achewood through a 'Guest' artist strip: www.scarygoround.com .

Onstad gets so much of my apparel money... and he deserves it, too!

Posted by Trouble's Braids | January 24, 2007 2:28 PM

Bradypalvarez:

I <333 Roast Beef

Posted by Bradypalvarez | January 24, 2007 7:41 PM

ccwbass:

The art is just good enough on most days, but it keeps getting better.

But even if Onstad were as bad an artist as, say, Charles Schultz was, I'd still be a fan because of Onstad's writing. Being a serious book geek, I can tell you that there are many, many best-selling authors who can't even come close to matching Onstad's talent for individual voices and dialogue.

And in that voicing, which sometimes (cf. Roast Beef) relies on its graphic presentation to drive the cadence, Onstad is definitely in the Walt Kelly school.

It's all good, man.

Posted by ccwbass | January 25, 2007 1:44 PM

heysteve:

Achewood is a super fun comic. It took me some time to get into, but it is great.

Another comic I've enjoyed lately is a kind of odd one - a photocomic... it's called "The Boneless Children Foundation"... it's by this rock band in San Francisco... and the most recent episode actually even has a song on it that plays along with the comic; kinda fun...

http://www.bonelesschildren.com/comics.shtml

Posted by heysteve | January 25, 2007 2:05 PM

Someone:

You can't think of a comparable undertaking that isn't a website? How about Balzac's Comedie Humaine: it's 40 volumes long and has a cast of hundreds. Or Proust's à la Récherche de temps perdu? Your criteria seem to richness and extent to which the universe is thought out, and I'll put those against Achewood, even though it is my favorite literary creations.

Posted by Someone | January 25, 2007 8:41 PM

Someone:

Oops. I meant to say "one of my favorite literary creations." And thanks for drawing attention to Achewood; everyone should know about it.

Posted by Someone | January 25, 2007 8:42 PM

Walt:

hi there
painting ceramic christmas trees
solar christmas tree lights
german christmas tree
free christmas tree skirt pattern
http://decembertree.com/christmas-tree/human-christmas-tree.php
one foot pre lit miniature christmas tree
http://decembertree.com/christmas-tree/instructions-for-plastic-canvas-christmas-tree-ornament.php
lime green christmas tree
http://decembertree.com/christmas-tree/artificial-christmas-trees.php
christmas tree storage totes
christmas tree car ornaments
holiday decorations christmas tree store
nascar christmas tree light

Posted by Walt | December 20, 2007 10:40 PM

OxiaWorksXS:

Good afternoon user's the Internet!
Limited The Internet,now no problem !!!
It excellent way to change IP!!!
Look on site ,register, payment and use.
I use a floor of year,I happy.
This service unique, you at any time can
to buy or prolong payment of the VPN.
Service automated,you use vpn account without support.
I recommend - secretsline.com!!!
You need VPN if:
You value your computer's safety and don't want your provider to know what are you doing around the Internet.
You want to stay anonymous by hiding your real IP-address.
You connect network using proxy server, but necessary address does not work using proxy server.
You need access to the resources having limits depending on the IP-address.
The Reference Here [url=http://secretsline.com/register/index.php?action=register&parentcid=1991]Anonymity,Safety,Enciphering,Limited The Internet,Changa IP[/url]
Let's meet all!!!

Posted by OxiaWorksXS | December 21, 2007 2:21 PM

OxiaWorksXS:

Привет!Уважаемые пользователи Интернета!
Резанный Интернет,теперь не проблемма !!!
Вот отличный способ сменить IP!!!
Заходите на сайт ,регистрируетесь, оплачиваете и юзаете.
Сам пользуюсь пол года ,нареканий нет всем доволен.
Хочу заметить, сервис уникален тем, что вы в любое время суток можете купить или продлить оплату своего VPN,
Т.к весь сервис автоматизирован. Вы сами управляете своим счётом, без участия суппорта.
Всем советую - secretsline.com!!!
VPN вам необходим если:
Ваше соединение с интернетом ограничено несколькими приложениями Почта,ICQ а вам необходим полный доступ к сети.
Рекомендую использовать,если в вашем оффисе ограничен доступ интернета, провайдером или директором.
Вы цените безопасность соединения. Вам необходимо скрыть свой реальный IP-адрес,чтобы сохранить анонимность в сети.
Вы выходите в сеть через прокси сервер,но необходимый сервис в интернете не работает через прокси.
Вам необходим доступ к ресурсам имеющим ограничения в зависимости от IP-адреса.
Ссылка [url=http://secretsline.com/register/index.php?action=register&parentcid=1984]Анонимность,Безопастность,Шифрование,Ограниченный интернет,Смена IP[/url]
До Втречи!

Posted by OxiaWorksXS | December 22, 2007 12:39 AM

Turunen:

hi there
handbag louis vuitton handbag chanel handbag burberry
good replica chanel handbag
chanel hand bag
authentic chanel handbags
chanel wallet purse
chanel caviar purse
chanel handbag like look
http://axsyn.info/chanel-handbags/price-chanel-purse.php
used chanel purse
replica chanel purse
cabas chanel coco handbag
http://axsyn.info/chanel-handbags/wholesale-chanel-replica-handbags.php
http://axsyn.info/chanel-handbags/lauren-conrad's-chanel-purse.php

Posted by Turunen | December 30, 2007 7:41 AM

Trahktengerts:

hi there
http://jsyes.info/rolex-watches/rolex-2005-watches.php
http://jsyes.info/rolex-watches/used-rolex-watches-for-men.php
used authentic rolex watches
http://jsyes.info/replica-watches/ventura-watches-replica.php
audemars piguet replica watches
replica jacobs watches
dealer replica watches
http://jsyes.info/replica-watches/fake-rolex-cellini.php
water proof replica rolex
bulgari replica watch
replica rolex site review
swiss replica watches
rolex replica

Posted by Trahktengerts | January 1, 2008 9:41 AM

Hide IP:

I recommend you SmartHide by Arovax - one click of a mouse and no settings headache :) You push a button and a tcp/udp tunnel is created and you don't need setup the software. All the programs work through tunnel... p2p, email, web surfing, online games, online casino, adult sites and other!

Hide ip and change ip! Anonymous surfing! http://www.smarthide.com

Posted by Hide IP | January 5, 2008 12:51 PM

Bill:

Hi all !!!

lecoultre replica watches
best rolex fake
repair replica watch
replica watch collector
1930 navy pilot military replica watch quartz
http://sycin.info/replica-watches/replica-watches-oakley-sunglasses.php
http://sycin.info/replica-watches/replica-handbags-purses-watches.php
http://sycin.info/replica-watches/replica-watches-cartier.php
jacob replica watch wholesale
http://sycin.info/replica-watches/replica-watch-supply.php
http://sycin.info/replica-watches/japanese-replica-rolex-watch.php
replica watch stores los angeles
fake rolex watches
http://sycin.info/replica-watches/replica-asian-seamaster-watch.php
replicas and fake rolex replica

End ^) See you

Posted by Bill | January 6, 2008 8:39 PM

BrovkinPEtrO:

Hey,Dear
Just found an amazing site.
Wanna get free ringtones now? Any phone and carrier supported. Download Now For Free. Tons of Music. Millions of MP3's.
Come on in: http://www.ringtone-i.net
Successes All!

Posted by BrovkinPEtrO | January 13, 2008 2:46 AM

Helga:

hi there
ladies rolex watches
replica watches wholesale
replica watch reviews
replica watch longines
http://hewka.info/replica-watches/exact-replica-watches.php
http://hewka.info/replica-watches/breitling-bentley-replica-watch.php
alta vista cartier replica watch
new rolex watches for sale
replica watch repair
http://hewka.info/replica-watches/replica-tiffany-watches.php
patek philipe officers watch replica
http://hewka.info/replica-watches/quality-replica-watches-overnight.php
replica rolex masterpiece watches

Posted by Helga | January 13, 2008 4:31 AM

Tixier:

Hi all !!!

http://fnisa.info/chanel-handbags/chanel-glasses-handbag-replica-sun.php
chanel designer handbags
http://fnisa.info/chanel-handbags/5-star-replica-handbags-chanel.php
consignment chanel handbags
http://fnisa.info/chanel-handbags/chanel-cambon-replica-handbags.php
http://fnisa.info/chanel-handbags/chanel-paris-purses-price-guide.php
2006 chanel collection handbag
chanel purse with gold chain
chanel replica purse
aaa 7-star replica chanel handbags
inexpensive chanel replica purses
http://fnisa.info/chanel-handbags/replica-chanel-handbags-and-shoes.php
replica designer handbag chanel
buy authentic chanel handbags
chanel imposter handbag

End ^) See you

Posted by Tixier | January 14, 2008 3:18 PM

Yamagishi:

hi there
vintage rolex watches
oversized replica hip hop watches
illegal to buy fake rolex customs
michele replica watch
fake replicas replica japanese rolex watches
fake watch replica handbags
technomarine watch replica
chanel watches replica handbags tiffany jewlery
imitation rolex watches
baume mercier replica watches
http://pappf.info/replica-watches/jacob-the-jeweller-replica-watches.php
http://pappf.info/replica-watches/24-29-replica-rolex-watches-life-insurance-settlement-0a.php
http://pappf.info/replica-watches/los-angeles-watch-replica-stores.php

Posted by Yamagishi | January 15, 2008 6:39 AM

Yearby:

hi there
replica watch swiss movement
http://sutsa.info/replica-watches/replica-watches-omega-replica.php
http://sutsa.info/replica-watches/vintage-replica-watches.php
replica rado watches
http://sutsa.info/replica-watches/bell&ross-replica-watch.php
water proof replica rolex
rose gold rolex replica
replica movado watches
omega seamaster replica watch
http://sutsa.info/replica-watches/fake-replicas-rolexes.php
replica rolex bands
coach replica watches
replica chanel j12 watch

Posted by Yearby | January 17, 2008 5:44 AM

voicebox:

Hi all !!!

bass shoe retailers
bass leather deck shoes
bass shoe trees
http://ezynation.info/bass-shoes/bass-womens-casual-shoes.php
bass shoe store
http://ezynation.info/bass-shoes/bass-shoe.php
http://ezynation.info/bass-shoes/bass-shoes-military-mall.php
bass mens frontier rocknubuck shoes
http://ezynation.info/bass-shoes/bass-shoes-raven.php
http://ezynation.info/bass-shoes/bass-shoe.php
women bass shoes
bass shoes discount deck shoe
bass duck shoes
http://ezynation.info/bass-shoes/bass-flex-shoes.php
gh bass shoe store

End ^) See you

Posted by voicebox | January 21, 2008 5:33 PM

Post a comment


About Nerd World

Lev Grossman
Lev Grossman

Lev Grossman blogs about anything and everything that could be plausibly labeled geeky--science fiction, fantasy, video games, comic books, tech stuff, and so on. If it could get you beaten up in junior high, it's fair game.  About the Author

Matt Selman
Matt Selman

Matt Selman has worked on eleven seasons and over two hundred episodes of The Simpsons. He currently serves as an Executive Producer.  About the Author

 RSS Feed

AddThis Feed Button

Daily Email

Get Nerd World in your inbox and never miss a day:
 
Delivered by   FeedBurner
advertisement

Nerd World Archives

May 2008
Choose a day to view events.

<< Previous Months

        1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31