A few years ago, Sarah got me a signed print from Chris Ware. I just read a few of the panels and was inspired. But frustrated.

See, the reason your favorite band "got weird" after their second album is because they threw away their mold and tried to make a new one. They had about 20 years to make the first one, away from the pressure of a label or fans. And after pumping out similar sounding music for two albums and two tours, they got bored. Maybe they went to a far away land (India!) or maybe they started studying esoteric topics, new musical genres and techniques. Then they took a leap and tried doing things a little different. (and named their fourth album 10,000 Days and it sucked, grumble grumble)

It's technically easy to keep pumping out the same art, but it's emotionally exhausting. If you're not loving the process, cherishing the novelty, and feeling a charge when you create, it doesn't matter that it's phsyically easy. It's mentally impossible.

I want my comic to change a little. And with a tiny readership, there's really nothing stopping me externally. But I'm a bit of a purist. I'd rather start a new strip than mess too much with the chemistry of what I'm currently doing.