As I mentioned Friday, I tried a new brush/technique with this strip. It’s a bit softer and flowy, and the shape is a diamond instead of a hard round brush. It’s a different feel when I draw and work with it. I think I like it, I certainly like the results of this strip. How it will all work with a more complex strip with more characters, we’ll have to see. It does present some issues because the line is somewhat transparent in places, and I am not actually painting panels when it comes down to it. So to solve that I put a dark color layer behind all the art. Seems to work for now.
If you are new, you may not be familiar with what Lian just did. Basically, she entered what we call “Lianworld” – an inner place of safety where she can essentially manifest herself and sometimes other people, if she has a strong enough contact with that person. When Lian healed John way back in #130, she and John were somehow linked. During the “Rocket Science” episode, Lian actually pulled John in and they had a discussion.
So what’s she’s done here is used that inward power to go to that place to try and contact John. Will it work?
You’ll notice it’s Monday and there’s a new strip, when I just posted Thursday. Not bad, eh!? 
Seriously, I’m going to make an effort to get back to the old schedule. I can’t make any promises, we’ll see how it goes.
Lastly, you’ll notice Facebook “like” and Twitter “tweet” buttons in the upper right hand corner of posts. I’d very much appreciate that if you like something you’d hit the “like” thumb or retweet it if you can. Thanks!
The artwork and this plot is definitely way better than before … more sci-fi less comedy I like …
The new shading works great!
Nice job – You keep going like this and people are going to start taking this thing seriously… watch out!!!
Spectacular!
NICE last panel! Nice, Nice, NICE! Keep it up!
Yes agreed very nice!
Ah, you guys are good for the ego! Thanks so much!
Another great page. Not to nitpick, but there’s a typo in the first speech bubble. There should be a “to” in there somewhere. Just trying to help.
What to say that hasn’t already been said. Gettin’ better and better, Tom!
@Lost – thanks for pointing that out! I will fix that. Thanks James!
i agree, lian is getting better and better. the few inconsistencies are what’s bothering you, but if you look at crystal yate’s females, for an example of fantasy-genre comic female characters which are popularly considered to be very well executed (earthsong), there are inconsistencies. that is to say, no artist is entirely consistent. but…you might check out feywinds and lint, i love nicole and colby’s art and female characters – and the way they do the hair! lian’s hair is different every time, and i think this is one thing you not-so-secretly struggle with, bc it influences the appearance of the shape of her head. anyway, i wouldn’t mention it but i know that this is bugging you. go to girls for the girl inspiration. trust me – those are the girls to go to! sarah ellerton’s stuff is gorgeous, but very time intensive.
(First, I think you got your comments flopped – I will swap them to the proper place.)
I agree the hair has been one thing I struggle with. Both the color and style have been slightly changing for quite awhile. However, I’m at a point now where I am starting to be happy with it, so that shouldn’t change much anymore.
I agree Ellerton is great. She is more painting than flatting/coloring, so yes, time intensive. I would love to do a more painterly style, but I do not have the time for that. I try to mix in some effects in that style to help add some depth when I can.
Oooo! Colors! Though if this is ever made into a movie, that alone would eat up the special effects budget
It almost ate up the comics budget!
Dang, I love this comic!!!
I heard about it yesterday morning. and just finished reading the entire thing!. Its really cool to watch your artwork go from not-so-good to really awesome!!! Keep up the awesome work “Major”
Hey Nate, thanks a lot
It’s always fun for me when a new reader comes around after doing an “archive binge” (especially when they actually like it!)
Welcome aboard. Can I ask how you heard about the comic?
Nice. I especially like Lian’s lip-biting in that last panel. It really adds to the anxiety she must be feeling.
Getting better and better…
@Tom
) and someone posted the link to this comic in the comments of one of the strips… so I clicked it to see if it was any good, and it was! 
Yeah, I did the same thing with Schlock Mercenary (http://www.schlockmercenary.com/) a few months ago, (though it took me a lot longer
Ah, great Nate, thanks!
Looks great. The shadows and the hair are awesome!
Thanks Chris!