The above cartoon has a history. Originally, this conversation was between a computer and a turtle in a daily comic strip called Turtle Creek that I created in 2004 but was unsuccessful in syndicating. I never inked that cartoon, but here's an example of another one.

Then, because I liked the "it's rude to insult your hosts" punchline so much, I transferred it into Weltschmerz last year, meant to be banked so that I could get away on a camping trip of my own (it would be a shame if only my cartoon characters get to go). But Hurricane Katrina struck and I was leery of running it in case an outbreak of cholera made it seem like I was making fun of the suffering American hosts of that disease (this is the cartoon I drew instead). So I held the cartoon for this summer. As you read this, I'm just back from the glorious rocks and waters of Georgian Bay, mulling over next week's strip.



I will be at the Eden Mills Writers' Festival this year, September 9-10. On Saturday, I'll be at the symposium with the theme, Write the Story - Tell the Story - Illustrate the Story. I'll be joined by author Nicole Brossard, Globe and Mail columnist Leah McLaren and storyteller Dan Yashinsky. There will be a broad discussion among all panelists about their work, then participants can choose to join the individual panelists for smaller workshops to discuss all aspects of the craft. I will bring samples of my roughs and discuss the strange and mysterious process of creating Weltschmerz. On Sunday, I'll be hawking and signing my book, so come by and say hi.



Attack of the Same-Sex Sleeper Cells Retailers:

Toronto:
Pages, 256 Queen Street West (at John). On the graphic novels table.
The Beguiling, 601 Markham Street (near Bloor and Bathurst)
Book City, three locations - 501 Bloor St. West, 348 Danforth Ave., 663 Yonge St.
Hairy Tarantula, 354 Yonge Street (near Dundas).
David Mirvish Books, 596 Markham St.

Guelph:
The Bookshelf, 41 Quebec Street.
Macondo Books, 18 Wilson Street

Waterloo: Words Worth Books, 100 King Street South

Kitchener: KW Bookstore, 308 King Street West

Hamilton: Bryan Prince Bookseller, 1060 King Street West

Ottawa: Collected Works, 1242 Wellington Street West (at Holland)