Rex in peace

Today's comic features a brief appearance from one of the Ninja Mafia's many former emperors. There's definitely a proud tradition of incompetence among the holders of that particular office.

We return on Friday with our next comic, and a new round of Q and A! As always, if you've got a question for me, <a href="mailto:[email protected]">pop it in an email with "Q and A" in the subject line</a>. See you then, team!

-Sam Logan

The Rex Room

What was in the room?!? You'll actually find out pretty soon for once. They can't ALL be multi-year mysteries!

In other news, here's your weekly reminder that the Sam and Fuzzy Omnibus I & II set is currently on sale for 50% off! If you don't already have a set, this is a great chance to nab the the entire Classic and Nooshead storylines, plus a bunch of exclusives bonuses, in either softcover or swanky hardcover form. The sale ends on January 31st!

Come back on Wednesday for our next comic. See you then!

-Sam Logan

Sam and Fuzzy Q & A:  Get Buff Edition
Got a question you want answered? Just drop me an email with "Q & A" in the subject line!

"Question: is past-committee member Graves (from Deep Down, Pt.27)
- the same vampiric person as present-day Natalie Graves
- a distant ancester
- a coincidence ?
In other words, are S&F-verse vampires (or other species) long-lived, or is the longevity of Rexford an exception?" -Emilien

Graves is the ancestor of Natalie Graves, the recent Committee member and head of Fig Pig manufacturers Sanpresto! But he's actually the cocky guy with the pom-pom hat, not the vampire. (It's hard to tell in the panel in which he is named because he is so small!)

The vampire character is Cynthia! The last couple of strips (which were published after this question was sent in) probably answered most of your questions about vampire longevity. But to make a long story short, yes, vampires are generally the longest living species in the S&F universe, which is why Cynthia was the last of the original Committee to pass on (aside from Rexford). I think S&F vampires in the current day can live up to 200 or 250 if they're lucky.

"Is the flashback in the 1600s likely to involve a certain chemist's death?" -Alex

We're learning about how Rexford came to learn about the Pit and tar, so it's probably not much of a spoiler to say we're likely to learn more about his role in causing the events of the infamous lab accident! But I wouldn't hold out for, like, a big speaking role for old Boyle himself. Rex wasn't personally present at the lab. (Which is why he's still with us!)

"Do you build up a buffer, like some other webcartoonists, or do you just fly by the seat of your Rexford brand petroleum based pants substitute?" -CJ

I build up a buffer in anticipation of times when I know I'm going to be travelling a lot or very busy. There was a period of time last summer when I was a full 12 comics ahead, because I was spending an entire month on the road doing cons, attending my friend's wedding and checking out the eclipse!

But whenever I don't need a buffer, I'm seldom more than one comic ahead of schedule. Drawing the strip has been part of my routine for over 15 years, so I'm pretty good used to living with a regular deadline and don't need much of a safety net. I've also got the guidance of a larger story to work with, so even if I'm only drawing a particular comic a day or two before it goes up, I rarely have to worry about something like writer's block leaving me with no idea of what to draw!

That's a wrap for this week, team. Come back on Monday for our next comic!

-Sam Logan