Suburban Tribe

Friday, August 17, 2007

The End, for now.

BRIEF UPDATE 2: Looks like we are going to record the podcast late this weekend or early next week. I'll discuss in-depth the reasons for the strip's end with my friends Bill ("Skip") and Jeremy ("Dave"), what comes next for the Suburban Tribe cast and other projects I'll be working on.

If you have questions you'd like me to answer, email them to jlee [at] suburbantribe [dot] net ASAP.

BRIEF UPDATE:
I think my announcement/decision is coming across a little more morose than I intended. While ST will not be published M/W/F anymore, I am not riding off into the sunset to go play Xbox; I am making other, better comics, some of which will be Suburban Tribe, and they will not have a set publishing schedule. ST is being shelved so that it can exist alongside other projects that will hopefully get more attention both on and off the web.

I'm jamming on a deadline right now, but I'll go into it in more detail late today, with an announcement of future projects and a date for the podcast. Thanks, everyone.

I regretfully announce that Suburban Tribe will not continue past today. At least, not in a continual 3-day a week format.

I know this seems sudden, but this is something that I have been thinking hard and seriously about for a few months now. The reasons are many, but it all comes down to the fact that there is too little return for the time and effort I put into the comic.

When I say "return," I'm not speaking of the interest and respect that many of you show for my work, nor of the benefit of seeing my craft improve. Rather, I am speaking of viewer statistics that have been frozen for quite some time and general non-interest from the larger (web)comics community.

I realize that last part might sound bitter, but I don't intend it to be. This isn't a decision made out of anger, frustration, or spite, nor is it a stunt.

I just mean that unless I try something new and show that I can write and draw other things, I'll be making my living in graphic design while continuing to burn the midnight oil on Suburban Tribe for free.

This doesn't mean that you will never see another Suburban Tribe comic - far from it. I do have more ST stories to tell, and you'll see them here, along with my other projects. However, I'm going to create all of these new comics in an expanded comic-book like format with dynamic panels and backgrounds. Therefore, the semi-daily deadline must go away... even if the odd 4-panel strip may pop up every now and then.

If you want to know whenever I post new comics or a new blog entry, you can subscribe to the new RSS feed.

There's a lot more to say about all of this, and I am working with a couple of my friends to orchestrate a podcast where we'll discuss it in-depth. Check back here or subscribe to the RSS feed to learn when it will be available.

That's about all there is to it. This was not an easy decision to make and it's even harder to execute. Because... I'm not tired of creating this strip, really. I just realized that I need to explore other avenues if I want to realize my dream of drawing, painting and storytelling for a living.

Thanks to everyone for being here. A lot of you really heard what I was trying to say with this comic and with this site, so I must have succeeded on some level. Onward and upward!

Please feel free to ask questions in the comments.

49 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well I've never used the RSS feed before, but as long as you keep updating links I'll try to follow.

Good luck and thanks for all the twists!

11:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'll be sorry to see this strip slow down/stop, but I am quite looking forward to what will come next, good luck!

12:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Go John! Almost an inspiration for me to quit this nonsense and do what I want...just like ST has been all these years.

1:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good luck, Mr. Lee. I've enjoyed this strip immensely over the years. All good things come to an end or at least a hiatus. I'll never forget this story or you!

3:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have followed the comic for years, and have enjoyed the hell out of it. I wish ya the best of luck and look forward to your future works.

3:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I feel like my favorite TV show just canceled. Best of luck on future endeavors. I'll be there.

3:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Best wishes to you. I will miss ST very much, but (not trying to sound corny) you have to follow your dream.

5:26 AM  
Blogger cncoyle said...

I hate to see ST end the way it's been going, but I understand. Good luck in your endeavors--hopefully something will open up and you can get back to this format (which really, really worked, imo).

6:59 AM  
Blogger Lee Cherolis said...

John,

This is indeed an unexpected turn of events. I have you to blame for encouraging me one Wizard World Chicago con when I showed you my crappy black and white journal comic strips that I'd yet to post on the web. I've left that comic behind to do other things and have several new and very exciting projects in the works. But I have to say thanks for helping me get started. I can't wait to see the next thing you put your talent to.
Good luck and thanks.

7:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Augh! NOOOOOOO!!! I LOVE ST!! WhattumIgonnadonow?? *sob* My life isn't worth living anymore *bang* *slump*

8:27 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

But seriously - I am gonna miss this comic - I have enjoyed reading it for a couple years now and I had hoped it would continue indefinitely. I will check back once in awhile to see if you have posted anything new. Good luck.
Katy
Athens, GA

8:28 AM  
Blogger Chupes said...

It's sad to see ST stop after so many years reading it. it was one of my first comics and i always loved your style. Best wishes on your next projects and let us know from time to time, in the news, how are they going.
Good bye from Dominican Republic

8:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not entirely surprised, to be honest. I'm really looking forward to what you do next, though.

Will, Dublin

8:39 AM  
Blogger Michael Taggart said...

I have to say I'm disappointed. ST is the only web comic I read and I'm going to miss getting my dose of fun every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Good luck on the future!
Michael

8:58 AM  
Blogger Michael said...

Sad to hear you're going to another format (for purely selfish reasons), but I'm excited to hear you're moving into new territory. Looking forward to it.
God Bless, Break a leg, etc., etc.

9:40 AM  
Blogger Mac (Kyuusai) said...

Sir, I've enjoyed Suburban Tribe for a long time. I'm very sad to see the regular strip go... but my disappointment pales in comparison to my excitement about what we'll see from you in the future, without your present restraints.

I wish you the best in living your dream!

10:32 AM  
Blogger Elfling said...

Awww maaaaan :(

I know you've got your reasons though, so best of luck. I will severely miss my MWF fix. Please don't just go away forever; and I wish you better than the best in all your endeavors.

10:57 AM  
Blogger CeciliaOHillway said...

Hmm... I got the impression you said ST was NOT going to be cancelled, just slowed down as you experimented with other things. But everyone else seems to have understood it differently...
Oh well, whatever. I've been following ST for quite a while now and I love the characters and stories as they are right now, so I can't wait to see where your creativity unbound by deadlines will take us! New projects! New artwork! New storytelling!
I wish you the best of luck in this new endeavor and I'll certainly be waiting for the RSS feed to tell me when there is something new!

11:06 AM  
Blogger Alan Bradshaw said...

Hi John,

Sorry to hear that you are rethinking output - I will miss the strips which I have been reading for the past few years. On the other hand, your reasons make total sense and I support you in rethinking the venture.

All the best,

Alan B

11:31 AM  
Blogger Chris said...

Why do I feel like a small part of me (or my happiness) died today? That and that I'm part of the problem.

I've read ST from the beginning and I really feel like I can relate to a part of each of the characters (well except Brittany). I wish I had the income to afford to buy things that would keep you doing ST going full time. But I simply don't. Heck I only get to read every strip because I connect from work, on a work computer and using work's bandwidth.

Anyway I hope things work out for you and that ST makes a comeback some day. I've watch Tauhid have his hiatuses and how he's repeatedly killed off comics that I enjoyed. In the end I quit reading his stuff for fear of the seemingly inevitable cancellation.

Good luck to you and your wife. I really do hope things work out well for you.

11:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Everyone is being FAR too nice!! You are an evil bastard for toying with us this way! That's it, I'm not transcribing any more strips!!

OK, just a few more I suppose.

Dang, I hope you have a chance to tell more stories soon.....

12:22 PM  
Blogger rransom said...

I'm sorry to hear that, but it's your strip and your decision, and I completely understand it. I've always been baffled by the fact that I've never seen Suburban Tribe discussed in any webcomics forum, since this has been one of my favorites since the day I discovered it. Good luck with wherever you decide to take it, and I'll be waiting eagerly to see where that is.

12:46 PM  
Blogger Jordi said...

I'm sad to see this comic come to an apparent end, but I understand your decision.

Thanks for all the time you spent on it. I hope that whatever you'll do next it will be online in some way.

12:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Today's strip is perfect.

1:09 PM  
Blogger "Clean" Chuck said...

Thank you for giving so much over the years. I know it's not over, but I'm a little saddened that I won't have ST to look forward to three days a week.

Take care of yourself, I expect to see great things in the future...

"Clean" Chuck

1:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Have you ever been excited about something, them punched in the gut by it as well? Like receiving a registered letter (what could it be?) only to find out it's a summary judgment against you for an unbelievable amount of money. (Maybe for that apartment you trashed ten years ago?)

Today is that gut-punch for me.

I have come to look forward to this strip more than any other I have ever read. Smart, witty, and engaging storylines, brought to life by the clean crisp style I think of as an example that others should follow.

I agree with other posters that I'm sad for purely selfish reasons.

I am happy and excited for you in your future endeavors too.

Go forth and grow Mr. Lee, I know you will continue to amaze me. And thanks for the stories and art. :)

1:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've been reading your comic since my last years in highschool, it's humor got me through many boring computer classes then, and then later on in college it got me through many dull passing periods. I will miss the M/W/F updates having grown so used too looking forward too them, but am excited to see where your new work takes you. The best of luck in all your endeavors beyond ST, can't wait to see what will come forth next from the mind of a creative genius such as yourself.

2:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Aw, man. I am disappointed, but pleased that you're doing what you think necessary.

4:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Aww man. I am slightly crushed. Another comic I like, gone. Although I much prefer ST's way to that of 8 Bit Theater (where I gave up because it became lame) or Bob and George (tried to go out in a big finish that was a little anticlimatic).

I'm looking forward to seeing what you do next; you have a great knack for characterization, art and storytelling, and I'm almost as excited to see your new stuff as I was to read ST every time it updated.

Good luck and God bless.

8:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Consider me another selfish reader - I'm disappointed to see the strip slow down; it's one of the few webcomics I read, and always a highlight of my week.

You have a fantastic visual style, and engaging storytelling abilities. I look forward to seeing what you'll do next.

9:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Crappy news to hear, but I understand where you're coming from. If you're not accomplishing your goals with this it's best to focus on that which will allow you to do so. Best wishes and good luck.

5:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What I'd like to know is why ST hasn't gotten more attention from the webcomic community. Now that's just strange.

6:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Man, that sucks.
Even though I respect your decision, as it is yours to make, Suburban Tribe has become a much appreciated part of my web comics reading.
I wish you luck in future endeavors, and will of course try to follow whatever you produce. Thank you for the time and effort you put into ST.
/Harald

3:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, damn. We'll miss you. And thanks for your candor.

11:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow, well I'm very sorry to see you go, but I understand. I've followed this wonderful strip for two and a bit years and enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you for all of the wonderful characters you've given us (especially Carol, my favourite). It really has been a blast.
~Ross, Dublin

7:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good luck in whats next, I'm going to keep checking back regularly anyway. This strip is so far ahead of so many other webcomics + your art just keeps getting better!

I'm also pretty annoyed ST hasn't got more exposure from the other guys, its certainly better than most of the rubbish thats supposed to be the "next big thing" in webcomics etc.

see you soon!

James, Birmingham UK

11:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

When I got back from Iraq, I found this little piece of paradise called ST. Believe it or not, it helped me traverse the gap back to the normal world.

While I am sorry that Suburban Tribe will be on indefinate hiatus, I am glad that you have decided to try other projects. I have never been dissapointed here; eiter by the storyline and dialog or for the graphics. I wish you the best and look forward to what is next.

Of course, I'll be leaving this site on my "Favorites"...just in case.

11:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've been following this comic closely for almost as long as it existed. It's quite sad to see it go into hiatus, but I hope the well thought out characters draw their creator's pencil back to the drawing board :)

Good luck in all future endeavours and best wishes from afar (Germany).

Please excuse my receding English skills, it's been a long time since I wrote anything.

7:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I understand that you need a break and want to do other things, but ...

I don't think I can face the days anymore without a thrice-weekly dose of Suburban Tribe.

I'm going to go get soundly drunk now.

Maybe do an intern.

But my heart won't be in it.

7:04 PM  
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10:31 AM  
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