Delay tactics
Originally published 10 May 2002

Can you find what's wrong with this strip?

Take a close look.

Yes...I forgot to draw Llewellyn's wings in panel 3.

I added the wings when I redesigned the characters in 2000. At the time I thought it was a really good idea--I thought it made him look more dragonish (I think I was imagining people were otherwise going to say "what is he, an iguana?") and visually more interesting.

Looking back, I think it was unnecessary, plus it was years before I could draw the wings even competently, and I still don't think I draw them well. Plus now I'm not sure how he puts on his jacket.

Plus, I was setting myself up for this strip's error. I'm surprised it hasn't happened more, actually.

No one has ever pointed the mistake out directly to me--I didn't catch it until it was reprinted in book form. I have since repaired the original, and scanned it, and one day I may fix it in the archives...but I remember hearing a story once (I think it was Japanese) about a man who was given the gift of painting pictures of unparalleled beauty, but he had to leave them incomplete or they'd come to life. And I don't have room for Llewellyn in my house. With or without the wings.

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