ABOMINABLE!

Today I finally write the love letter about The Abominable Charles Christopher that I’ve been mentioning from practically day one. I adore this comic. And I hope you will to. Make sure to click the links to get directly to sample strips. You don’t want to miss any of them, so go read the entire archive!

Dear Karl Kerschl,

I just wanted to let you know of my deep and undying love for The Abominable Charles Christopher, your webcomic about an Abominable “snowman” named Charles who finds himself on a quest involving a bear trap. Along with Charles, I adore the forest creatures and slice-of-life strips that interrupt the story every now and then. The advertising skunks make me laugh out loud; the philosophizing raccoon is hilarious; the dysfunctional bird family is just perfect; and the snow fox friend Townsen made me laugh as well as bawl like a baby. Then there’s a side story about Russian circus bears that I’m excited to see how it unfolds in the story

There. Are. No. Words. To describe how fantastic the artwork is. (But I’ll try anyway.) Your professionalism shows through in this “side project” and I wish you’d quit your day job making other comic books to work full time on ACC. I would LOVE to see this more than once a week (it is updated Wednesdays)... but I digress. The grey-green tones with a wonderful use of transparency and a painterly quality creates a really rich, foresty and moody feel. The building up of these green tones along with the black inking is so beautiful I can’t even stand it. The way you show action from panel to panel makes visual sense, and you employ wide angles so well it makes me gasp in delight to see more of the world Charles lives in.

The story, Mr. Kerschl, is brilliant. I adore Charles from page 1. I wept bitterly (almost literally) when he loses his friend. I laugh with great joy at your sense of humor. Somehow you manage to do physical humor in a comic - and I am delighted. The sweet, poignant moments are just as stirring - like the family moments with the birds. Many times I have teared up while reading this, just in the same as I burst out laughing. Both reactions stir odd looks from the people who happen to be in the lobby at the time, but I don’t care. It’s worth it.

The only complaint I have is that I am torn. I want to know what happens to Charles. The main story arch is thrilling and I just want to know what happens. But I also don’t want to lose track of the other wonderful side characters you have developed. Mr. Kerschl, you have managed to write a poignant story arch and interrupt them with humorous gag-a-days, and I barely mind. That is quite a feat.

Also, I must make a comment here that the guest strips you have posted have been fantastic. Seeing artists I know draw your characters through their eyes is such a treat. Clearly you have created something that touches people.

Mr. Kerschl, I am a fan. Please never stop making beautiful art. The great story is pretty fantastic, too.

Your devoted reader.

PS: I love that your domain name for this comic is Abominable.cc. It’s subtle, but it’s clever. Way to go. And I’m sure the Cocos Islands don’t mind.

Kerschl has released a book of the first chapter. It looks stunning and I can’t wait to get my grubby fingers on it. Go buy it here.

I hope everyone had a most fabulous Christmas weekend. Ours was great and full of dogs and really yummy food. I’m really excited for Friday’s blog - a special New Years edition!!