Sluggy Freelance turned 19 on August 25th! Normally I’d have a story in the news below about what to expect in the coming year, but we’ve been talking about that a lot lately. Normally I’d try to have a new book in the store, or a shirt! But life events made it impossible to get projects done by deadline.  Normally I’d do more everything, but the muscle spasm that took my arm out for a week meant I was barely on top of the next day’s comic. The only thing I did do was promote Defenders memberships, and you guys did the rest. More of you donated, renewed and joined the Defenders program in the last few weeks than the rest of 2016. Thank you so much! This anniversary you did it for me. I’m going to proudly take it easy and rest up.  And then on to Book 16 and more!

Hey everybody! I've been advised by friends and family alike to stop using the term 'retirement'.

I think they're just jealous! But they do have a point. As I've said before, the term is misleading and inaccurate. Because one year is not enough time for me to wrap all the storylines in Sluggy Freelance, there will be more story coming, just not in the daily webcomic format.

But what would this "Sluggy 20+" format be?

I still love the characters, the writing, the drawing. I still love you guys. And thanks to all the recent Defenders of the Nifty support I've received, I'm highly considering continuing the comic online, but not on a schedule. I could put up comics at a less strenuous more "elbow-roomy" pace. From a quality point of view, "Sluggy 20+" maybe the best thing to happen to Sluggy Freelance!

A new "Sluggy 20+" membership program might even be in order, but if that happens, and if it starts before your Defenders membership ends, you'll be grandfathered in so don't fear renewing! Besides, no matter what I'm doing (or how slowly I do it) you Defenders will be able to read my blog and keep up-to-date with me!

It's a year off, but that's the current plan! Thanks to all of you for your support these last 19 years-or-so!

-Pete

As of August 4th: It's my birthday! Let's Celebrate!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME GIMMIE PESENTS! I've already gotten a bunch of defenders to sign up and renew since updating the "sign-up" page, but I want as many Defenders as possible as we roll through the last year with Sluggy as a daily webcomic! So you could consider this the start of a Defenders Drive, but actually it's just my birthday and I want a present! If you've already renewed and you'd like to donate as well, use the link below!

Hey, It's Torg's birthday too! Did you know that? Probably not because I just decided it! Torg wants you to become a Defender too! Reward Torg for all of his hard work, being a hero and dating way out of his league! Don't make him cry! His eyes are so damn big his tears may drown us all! Become a Defender!

Hey, It's Kiki's birthday too... , Oh, wait, no it's not.. I'll stop now. become a defender.

Become a Defender! Help Support the Strip
This page has all the details but I also wanted to mention “The Sampire” Defenders-Only Comic Book! 37 Pages of Sampire!

Being a Defender isn't only about bonus content, it’s also about saying thanks for the years of entertainment this strip has provided you. And it gives me the gift of continuing to provide it for at least a few more years to come, for everyone! Just fill out the registration form, and you’ll be taken to a page where you can pay via Credit Card (link on the bottom left) or via Paypal. Your account should be activated almost immediately!* Checks and Money Orders can be sent to: Sluggy Freelance, LLC PO Box 453, Denville, NJ 07834 Please include a valid contact email with the check, and please allow 3 weeks* for account activation! (I can’t get out to my PO Box every day and personal checks take time to clear.)

Donate! When I started my last “New Defenders Drive” I was surprised how many people simply wanted to donate completely separate from Defenders Membership so I set one up! If you do go this route please donate at least $5 otherwise I' won't see much of the money due to processing fees.

*IMPORTANT: Once you’ve paid, (and waited the three weeks if paying by check or money order) if you can’t access Defenders content or log in for any reason contact me at defendersfix@sluggy.com and we’ll take care of you! We’ve noticed sometimes the Paypal payments and automatic membership activation don’t synch up, and I don’t want anybody left out!