Around Comics Goes on Indefinite Hiatus

[jon_samuelson]

*EDIT - MOVED FROM GENERAL DISCUSSION, SORRY JON - Conor*

I used to live across the street from the Wienermobile here in State College, the home of Penn State. I wonder if it's the same one. It was so weird to see it parked behind an apartment complex, as though it was just someone's car.

Also, did you guys hear that "Around Comics" is suspending production? Kind of a drag, I liked that show almost as much as iFanboy, but if it's not fun for them anymore who can find fault in that.

[kahunablair]

Also, did you guys hear that "Around Comics" is suspending production? Kind of a drag, I liked that show almost as much as iFanboy, but if it's not fun for them anymore who can find fault in that.
http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/5/11/14/labor_days/f_CryingBearm_42eb3d8.gif

What??

[labor_days]

Also, did you guys hear that "Around Comics" is suspending production? Kind of a drag, I liked that show almost as much as iFanboy, but if it's not fun for them anymore who can find fault in that.
Sucks.

One of my favorite podcasts. Some days I loved AC even more than iFanboy.

[jon_samuelson]

Yeah, I got an email update about it about an hour ago. They basically said that doing had gotten to the point where it made comics more work than fun for them. I echo your sentiments Labor, I think the iFanboy show has better reviews, and has certainly had more of an influence on what I buy, but there was just something hilarious about Around Comics. It was just a bunch of guys hanging out bullshitting about comics and drinking beer. It always made me wish I had more comics friends.

[k33k3r]

I can def. see where doing something continuously to the point where it's your second job that you don't get paid for would be hard to do regularly without getting tired of it. Or the people around you like family not getting tired of it.

[superfriend82]

http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/5/11/14/labor_days/f_CryingBearm_42eb3d8.gif

Ditto!

[kahunablair]

So. We've lost Around Comics and This Week in Comics all within a week or two?

I swear, if we didn't see the hard work the iFanboys all did on the new site, I'd be worried they were leaving us soon!


EDIT: Apparently Skottie Young is doing a new Podcast with his significant other. That should prove to be interesting.

[kwok_talk]

So. We've lost Around Comics and This Week in Comics all within a week or two?

Yeah, I realized my comic podcast list was basically slashed in half. Stinkers. (Although I completely support both of their reasons for taking a break)

[kahunablair]

That's the rub isn't it? We listen because we like the guys behind the Podcasts. So when they aren't happy, how can we be anything but supportive?

Still it's disheartening.

By the by, Kwok. Don't you quit. I don't think my iPod could handle it.

[luthor]

Never really listened to around comics. That's shitty but don't blame them at all. I mean, we all love our comics and if they started feeling more like work then fun...that would suck.

[fred]

Yeah, I got an email update about it about an hour ago. They basically said that doing had gotten to the point where it made comics more work than fun for them. I echo your sentiments Labor, I think the iFanboy show has better reviews, and has certainly had more of an influence on what I buy, but there was just something hilarious about Around Comics. It was just a bunch of guys hanging out bullshitting about comics and drinking beer. It always made me wish I had more comics friends.

I wonder where I heard that before. DAMN YOU TOM KATERS AND YOUR IDEA THIEVERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

[fred]

That's the rub isn't it? We listen because we like the guys behind the Podcasts. So when they aren't happy, how can we be anything but supportive?

Still it's disheartening.

By the by, Kwok. Don't you quit. I don't think my iPod could handle it.

Thanks. By the way, never anyone fear ... my podcast about pornography and erotic waxing launches next week.

or else I'll make progress on my novel as I have this week.

[esophagus]

They basically said that doing had gotten to the point where it made comics more work than fun for them.So we have Fred to blame for this? Way to go Fred. :mad:

[fred]

Tom Katers did comment in my thread after my post.

Copycat. ;)

[kwok_talk]

By the by, Kwok. Don't you quit. I don't think my iPod could handle it.
I can't. Then Tom and/or Fred would accuse me of copying them ;)

[six-gun]

where was the AC announcement made?

[labor_days]

where was the AC announcement made?

Forums and email.

[jon_samuelson]

I got an email about it. That's where I heard about it. It had a link in it... http://www.aroundcomics.com/forum/index.php?topic=848.0

[conorkilpatrick]

where was the AC announcement made?

They sent out an e-mail.

In case you didn't realize it, there was no new episode yesterday.

That is because, we have decided to take a break from the show.

We have been doing this show for over 2 years straight, and all feel a little burnt out on comics. When we started this, comics were just something we did in our free time. We read them, collected them and enjoyed them as a hobby. Creating a comic book podcast changed that in some ways. Comics became a larger part of our daily lives. And not just the reading of comics, but the business of it too. We've become so absorbed by the day-to-day of the comic book industry, that it feels as if we are part of it, which we are not (well, other than Skottie). We are just fans of it, and it is something that we do for fun, not work.

But both Chris and I work in a lot of the same ways. If we are going to do something, we do it as best we can. We have tried to do that with the show, the site and everything else. We hope that all of the listeners have enjoyed it, and we have had a lot of fun doing it. But that work can start to get to you after a while. Especially when you are trying to take care of the other things in your life. The things that really matter.

So with that in mind, we have decided to go on hiatus until further notice. We will have an episode this Thursday, and The Club episode next week, but that will be that for now.

Chris, Tom, Skottie and myself would like to thank you all for your continued support and appreciation.

Fear not, true believers, this is not the end. >:D

To unsubscribe from these announcements, login to the forum and uncheck "Receive forum announcements and important notifications by email." in your profile.

You can view the full announcement by following this link:

http://www.aroundcomics.com/forum/index.php?topic=848.0

Regards,
The Around Comics Forum Team.

[horatio616]

Ah, I'm sorry to hear this, but not shocked. I have to say I could hear the weariness in their voices, except for Skottie.

Maybe they could pull a Coy and Vance from Dukes of Hazard and find a substitues until the originals return.

Conor, perhaps this merits its own thread??

[jon_samuelson]

I am now more decimated at having been quarantined. I again feel dirty...

[paper]

What is with people just up and quitting a podcast? It's not like they're hard or they take up time or there are technical problems or they take over your life or whatever.

People who just start a podcast and then just stop for extended periods of time or forever should be drawn and quartered!

;)

[fred]

What is with people just up and quitting a podcast? It's not like they're hard or they take up time or there are technical problems or they take over your life or whatever.

People who just start a podcast and then just stop for extended periods of time or forever should be drawn and quartered!

;)

I agree. I volunteer to be the first one in the brank.

[fred]

I can't. Then Tom and/or Fred would accuse me of copying them ;)

He's the copycat. You'd be a copycat copycat.

Yes kids, I invented quitting.

[paper]

Just to ...you know...whatever:

I'm on the same page as Fred regarding my own podcast. I'm not saying I'm done, but I'm taking some time to consider which direction to take it. I've been pretty busy, but I'm not sure what to do when I find myself with more free time in the coming weeks. Doing a one man show is tough. Not saying it's harder or easier than a group show (because then it gets into coordinating schedules) but motivation becomes an issue. And for me, I don't even know what I should talk about anymore. Is it just whatever I want? Then it becomes the vanity thing Fred brought up.

[thomas-katers]

Think of it as another format change....to silence.


Quitting is cool!


The truth is that Ifanboy 3.0 shook us to our very souls.

[fred]

I invented quitting, masturbation, and jealousy. I've you've ever done any of those things ... you're bitin' my shit son.

[labor_days]

Tom, you used that silence joke twice already. Come on, bro.

[thomas-katers]

Tom, you used that silence joke twice already. Come on, bro.

I am taking a hiatus from making new jokes....it has become too much like work.

[paper]

It's like prostitution, really. Just another transaction.

"Oh, that old chestnut."

(what does that even mean?) :D

[labor_days]

I am taking a hiatus from making new jokes....it has become too much like work.
Well, I hope the time off will give you some perspective. Here's to making new jokes when the time is right. :rolleyes:

[esophagus]

Thanks. By the way, never anyone fear ... my podcast about pornography and erotic waxing launches next week.

or else I'll make progress on my novel as I have this week.
I can't wait for the jokes we get to make after your "Porn has become my work" post.

[fred]

I really wish that it would, become my work that is.

[labor_days]

Yeah, it's just your rather involved hobby at this point. AmIrite.

[fred]

I want to go pro. Put me in coach, I'm ready to play.

[shaundaniels]

That blows.

[iSteve]

What's next with AC going on "indefinite hiatus"? John Siuntres hanging it up and going off to the south of France to live in days of leisure with Brian M. Bendis???? What is this world coming to????

[shaundaniels]

That really blows

[piscespaul]

Have to say this bums me out...

However that said, the day that Fred, Paper, and/or Tom return I will be listening

Thank you all who have sacrificed their time for our entertainment

I will now cling tightly to the kwok talk, the crankcast, and as always the ifanboys ( that sounded weird didn't it)

[chris-neseman]

But what you don't understand is that my plan is to lull everyone into a false sense of security and then take everyone out at the podcasters panel at WonderCon. Eliminate the competition and then rise from the ashes bolder and stronger than before.

WE WILL RULE THE WORLD!!!


...was that out loud?





Uh, yeah. I will be at WonderCon hanging with the guys btw.

[paper]

Have to say this bums me out...

However that said, the day that Fred, Paper, and/or Tom return I will be listening

Thank you all who have sacrificed their time for our entertainment

I will now cling tightly to the kwok talk, the crankcast, and as always the ifanboys ( that sounded weird didn't it)

I'll be back in a couple weeks, Paul. Actually...I'm gonna go brainstorm in the official FT thread right about now.

[fred]

I shall return with Porncast before you know it Paul. My absence will not be long.

[mikegraham6]

But what you don't understand is that my plan is to lull everyone into a false sense of security and then take everyone out at the podcasters panel at WonderCon. Eliminate the competition and then rise from the ashes bolder and stronger than before.

WE WILL RULE THE WORLD!!!


...was that out loud?





Uh, yeah. I will be at WonderCon hanging with the guys btw.
this is what we call "Dark Neseman"

[fred]

so when he comes back ..... it'll be The Dark Neseman Returns?

[mikegraham6]

I'll be back in a couple weeks, Paul. Actually...I'm gonna go brainstorm in the official FT thread right about now.
i still have the last two episodes of FT lined up on my iPod. I have yet to get around to watching the first episode of Mad Men and i want to get that out of the way before i give them a listen
so it's kinda like i have two new FTs lined up and ready to go, despite the "black out"

[shaundaniels]

The truth is that just are breaking up so they can do a lucrative reunion tour that will last for at least ten years.

[labor_days]

What's next with AC going on "indefinite hiatus"? John Siuntres hanging it up and going off to the south of France to live in days of leisure with Brian M. Bendis?
You sir, have caused me to Laugh Out Loud.

Well done.

[piscespaul]

paper- excellent, looking forward to it

fred - i once again have a disturbing mental image of you in my head

[fred]

Isn't that always the way?

[conorkilpatrick]

But what you don't understand is that my plan is to lull everyone into a false sense of security and then take everyone out at the podcasters panel at WonderCon. Eliminate the competition and then rise from the ashes bolder and stronger than before.

WE WILL RULE THE WORLD!!!


...was that out loud?

We are going to have Gordon the Intern up in the wings of the auditorium with a rifle pointed at your head, Neseman.

Just in case.

[cormano]

I thought the format change seemed like it would make the show more work. Anyway, definitely understandable, considering the show ate up every Friday night, that's prime weekend time. I hope the show comes back eventually, maybe just doing a single episode a week.

[racemccloud]

Regretful, but I can't say I'm surprised. I liked the personalities on AC, but (admittedly I was not a regular listener) it was flawed. I could never keep the cast straight. It seemed like people just showed up and were on the podcast whenever they felt like it. And the format change, for me, only made things worse. Good guys, and they were fun to listen to, but I felt like they were podcasting with the JSA roster. Also, the podcast was kind of on the long side (anything more than an hour a week for a single episode is kind of self-aggrandizing) and it didn't seem to have much structure. I mean, I turned on one episode, and they talked about comics for 15 minutes and spent another 45 on TV. That's not the podcast I subscribed to.

I'm not trying to dance on their grave, but I just thought that 'cast was flawed. It collapsed under it's own weight. They tried to do everything, and it crippled them. When they come back, they need to follow the iFanboy business model: format, structure, schedule. And they need to streamline cast, running time, and conversation. I do, however, give them respect for doing it and garnering a following for two years. That says something.

I hope they regain their drive for it, and come back with ideas about how to fix the podcast for themselves, because they are fun guys to listen to.

[jonathand-gordon]

I just wanted to say that While I was one of the guys who was less than entusiastic over the monday format changes, I stayed supportive and subscribed. I hate to say it but I think that before long all podcasts involving comics will either be proffesional or gone. If they are proffesional they may as well be gone in my book. The Minute the voice we're listening to has wath what they say because of sales interest or not swear because coporate finds it offensive, I'll tune out. I think what AC faced is going to be the catch 22 for all comics podcasters.

I have also found in listening to podcasts that have gone on a long time that it loses its edge as the hosts have met, interviewed and spent a lot of time with creators. Most Podcasters are not trained Media Proffesionals who can stay impartial. So two years in it becomes a lovefest for creators and companies who have befriended them whether there current project is any good or not. It then becomes something listeners wonder about when they are all freaking out about something happening in a comic and the podcaster is calmer than they used to be in year one of the podcast. You start to think "Are these guys trying to stay in good graces because they have to see these guys at cons.

I liked that about AC, more than anyne they seemed to be critical even of writers and artists they had interviewed. So while I am sad to see them leave
I am glad they won't be around for what I predict will be the streamlining and corporatization of comics where marvel and DC have a whole group of employees sitting around trying to figure out how to get podcast A or Podcast B in their pocket. If you don't think it will happen, look at hobby magazines that started by fans for fans and in sports cards, comics and videogames all turned into shills for the companys as soon as the companys realized someone was reading.

[jonathand-gordon]

I turned on one episode, and they talked about comics for 15 minutes and spent another 45 on TV. That's not the podcast I subscribed to.
.

That would seem to point to the fact comics started becoming a job to them.
TV wasn't, so what would be more fun to talk about. I would have loved to travel back in time and see the trajectory of the show if Skotty Young didn't get involved. I Love Skottie Young. Some episodes he was the best part. But I think his joining the cast started it down the path of talking TV and not Comics. Neseman always seemed to want to talk more comics. I hope he comes back in someway to comics podcasting. Tom Katers is still podcasting about JSA and Skottys doing his own thing, so its not like we're going to lose their voices. I also think your criticism about length of the show CGS goes two hours and its great. I always think IFanboy is a half an hur short. especially in the summer when there is more to talk about.

[dave-accampo]

Haven't commented yet, but just want to add that I will definitely miss the AC podcast.

Like a few of you, I wasn't crazy about the format change, but I do like that they were trying different stuff.

My favorites were just the "shootin-the-shit" round table sessions. I'd put that on in the background and it just felt like a bunch of friends sitting there bullshitting. It was like hanging out with friends while working.

[labor_days]

Tom vs. The JLA is one of my greatest podcasting pleasures.

[senoj1]

i always thought the best parts when the would just bullshit about everything. I barely would ever listen to the interviews. The whole AC crew is hilarious.

[jonathand-gordon]

i always thought the best parts when the would just bullshit about everything. I barely would ever listen to the interviews. The whole AC crew is hilarious.

same here.

[jurassicalien]

Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnooooooooooooo!

Kkkkkkkkkkkaaaaaaaahhhhhhhnnnnnnn!

[mikegraham6]

Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnooooooooooooo!

Kkkkkkkkkkkaaaaaaaahhhhhhhnnnnnnn!
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t268/mikegraham6/khan.jpg

[six-gun]

We are going to have Gordon the Intern up in the wings of the auditorium with a rifle pointed at your head, Neseman.

Just in case.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/Sn4ke22/54433.jpg

[horatio616]

I am taking a hiatus from making new jokes....it has become too much like work.

Does this mean you're going to be hanging out here more often? If you want I can TYPE IN BOLD AND ALL CAPS and derail your discussions with my own rants so it will simulate being around Skottie. We want it to feel as much like home as possible for you.

[jimski]

Obviously, this is sad news, and it seems more sudden than it probably is, but I can't fault these purveyors of free amusement. I have the same bad habit of taking things I enjoy and saying, "This is a lot of fun! Now, how can I turn this into work? How can I assign a regular deadline to completing this fun?" I tried writing and posting Wednesday night reviews for every comic I bought. It lasted exactly one week and made me hate comics almost instantly. Two shows a week? I'd crumple like a paper cup.

[cam-]

Wow, that's really too bad.

I wish I could say it was a surprise however...

It seemed like the format change signaled the beginning of the end, and when I refreshed and refreshed my itunes to try and get my AC fix and it didn't happen I was like...uh oooohhhhh...

the goggles, they do nothing...(to stop my tears)

:(

[trev]

I've been pretty active on their forums since about episode 20 or so, but now they are taking time off.

Luckily I discovered iFanboy when they had Tom from AC on the show and have been listening to it ever since.

So my question is: When are you guys going to have Tom guest on the show again?

[conorkilpatrick]

So my question is: When are you guys going to have Tom guest on the show again?

Didn't you listen to this week's show? Josh is out, Tom is in.

;)

[labor_days]

Man, was it ever depressing having no AC today. Love the Monday show.

[chris-neseman]

I kinda missed it too.


I did however enjoy my Sunday for the first time in a while. I watched 2 movies, read two trades, cooked dinner for myself and my wife, played with my dogs, visited my parents and even got to bed at a decent time!

;)

[thomas-katers]

Didn't you listen to this week's show? Josh is out, Tom is in.

;)

Just to clarify...I will be playing the role of "Josh".

[jaflanagan]

Geez guys....I'm still here.

[horatio616]

Just to clarify...I will be playing the role of "Josh".

You need to work on your Maine Aquaman. That never gets old.

Are we going to get the final "Club" episode?

[thomas-katers]

Geez guys....I'm still here.

I think it time to tell the truth....you are being replaced by an animated version of yourself. Exept the animated you has robot arms and a rocket bike. I am voicing the animated version.


It tested well with children.

[chris-neseman]

Are we going to get the final "Club" episode?

Yes. I'm gonna try and edit it tonight. It should be out tomorrow or Wed.

[trev]

Didn't you listen to this week's show? Josh is out, Tom is in.

;)

Ha! Just listened to the first part. For some reason my iTunes didn't pick up the new show this morning, so I was double bummed out not to have AC or iFanboy to help me make it through Monday at the office.

More Tom would be cool. I love the JLA podcast. The chemistry he has with you you guys on the podcast is hard to deny.

[kwok_talk]

....and Around Comics is back! (my computer won't let me link the post on their forums)

[kahunablair]

....and Around Comics is back! (my computer won't let me link the post on their forums)

Tee hee! I just peed myself with excitement.

[fred]

I'd just like to point this out

I stop doing Comics This Week and a few days later, AC goes on hiatus.

I come back with Fred News and two weeks later, AC comes back.


Clearly they're copying off of me. ;)

[casually-drowned]

Tee hee! I just peed myself with excitement.

I am not sure that was "excitement".

[kahunablair]

I am not sure that was "excitement".

Excitement is the name of a new drink at Wawa. I got the 65oz bottle.

[cammyknoxville]

The hiatus was a lot shorter than I expected. I thought they'd be back in the fall sometime.

But I sure as hell ain't complainin'!