Read SOLVER 11: 100% CUDDLES in full now
Here's Solver 11, which hopefully winds up the first volume much better than poor Claire standing in the rain waiting for Lottie to return. Your PDF is linked under the cover image.
I had to come up with this issue fast, when all the Conan comics were taken down. I was eleven weeks ahead on the webcomics at the time and looking forward to taking a long break, as I was exhausted. I think this has come out better than it had a right to, as it was based on one page of hastily scribbled notes from a year ago.
This story runs on the web until August 1st. After that there will be a break. I think I deserve one. The state of my mind and body tells me that it is non-negotiable. But I have good stories on the board to come, and I look forward to making them for you when I return.
Comments (33)
I’m just happy that Dean Thompson is once again a recurring presence
Wonderful I just finished my reread of Bad Machinery and now I can continue my dopamine ride with this
That Lottie D-Slide hair panel was sublime
That was fun.
Can't wait, and have a wonderful break!
Only partway in and 1) a what3words reference — kudos! and 2) the term I shall use for outhouses for the rest of my life. The execution may have been a faster than usual, John, but this is deft, daft and dazzling. What a lot of fun.
Also on a second look I recognise a few phrases from the train pad you shared a while back! Glerm wanting to go batshit crazy with concrete was definitely on there, as was the bearded chap handing someone a Craft IPA and Little Claire's... unique approach to babysitting. Nice to see that the old mad book of ideas did actually generate some inspiration!
As well as having a lot of excellent words in it, this probably also has my favourite single panel of Little Claire (standing in triumph before a giant angry faced bonfire). Enjoy your break, and looking forward to what comes next! I am hoping it's more Solver, as the tease of a Dowager whose son may secretly be into wrestling immediately before a secret underground wrestling tournament cannot possibly be a coincidence and may drive me mad if unresolved.
Tremendous!
Looking forward to enjoying it daily, but saved for posterity. Do have a nice break!
So good, thank you, Mr Allison, the quantity and quality you can produce in such a short time always amazes me! Does Gloon forgive Lottie? I feel like his grudging acceptance is missing from the last panel 😂
Blimey! That's real sausage!
There's some outstanding phrase work in here! Five hearts for Mr Allison!
That was a delight! “A number of men have embarrassed themselves trying” delighted my wife. Absolutely her experience in the past (starting the fire on our first camping trip was a test I did not fail)
https://youtu.be/Uai7M4RpoLU?si=bFQpGze_9kSjL6FU
Another great installment. I hope you enjoy the break!
I love it and will read it again with extra added comments from your fans ❤️
You spoil us, Mr. Allison!
Have a Kit Kat!
I had to really think about this which is a sign of how tired I am.
I'm just happy to get whatever I can of your writing.
Get some rest! But when you wake up, page seven has a typo. Claire says "I wath surprised too too" about Glenn coming on the trip, which seems like it's probably one too many "too"s. But I could be wrong and it's supposed to be like that.
I have made the edit (not on the PDF, but for upcoming webcomics), thank you John.
Thank you for your diligent service to the Ha Ha's
I never know what to expect from an issue of Solver and I'm always delighted when I find out.
Aw. That was sweet.
“A perfect poop tardis” is fricking poetry.
Enjoyed this loads, as ever. I don’t like to use the word “envious” as it has a negative connotation I don’t intend, but I’m… Something of your ability to give characters consistent, distinct voices. Your work has been an enormous influence on mine and one day I hope to make something one tenth as good as your worst comic. Sorry for the fawning and defeatist nature of this comment. Your comics mean a lot to me.
The trick for me is, don't have too many characters who are like each other. A lot of how I improved this aspect of my own work was weeding out characters who served the same purpose or were generic. For example: Esther de Groot and Sarah Grote in Scary Go Round. They're pretty similar characters visually, the same age, and differentiating them personality-wise was hard. I tried with both separately but only one of them could carry a story long term.
Loved it! Perfect wrap-up. As always, I can't wait for what's next!
Claire being a firebug is always delightful to me.
Mad and delightful
Thank you!