Tomorrow Ted will celebrate his second birthday. A good opportunity for me, actually, to write down a few lines once again.

It all started in fall 2006 with a short collection of scattered comic strips about a sheep that failed to jump over the famed fence. Telling jokes as an end in itself got me bored quickly, though. I am a rather introverted person, who is always on a quest to find the meaning of life and the answers to all the “big questions”, but who also cannot take his life really seriously (hence the cartoons).

Inevitably, the comic grew in a direction which speaks for my personality: A guy, trying to break free from his dream prison – not without having undergone some sort of evolution. He must find out the meaning behind the dream, what roles all the sheep play, and who he actually is.

In fact, I only have a rough draft of the whole story painted in my head, where it often happens that I surprise myself and wonder where the story goes now. This haphazard approach to it often succeeds, but not always – just like in real life. But it’s a risk I like to take.

My greatest challenge is to create single strips which not only contain a punchline or gag that works on its own, but to also stitch together a more or less consistent, complex story including a beginning, a middle part, and an ending, with each single page added. The first big part has come to an end today, after 136 strips!

jump42! is only a webcomic. I can only ensure quality and regularity if my readers support me. And now, isn’t that great: Christmas is just ahead – a perfect opportunity for you to do something good. And if you support me with more than 4,99 €, you even get a brand-new and exclusive jump42! wallpaper!

I will now pause for a little creative break. On January 5th 12th, 2009, jump42! will continue as usual.
Thanks for your attention
and only the best for all of you.

So, after more than one year Mel finally developed an emo haircut that fits into the current age. I wonder if he’s going to dye it black some time? Never mind. But just like you see the little details growing in the panels, jump42 grows as a project.

Well, if you didn’t know, I’m the guy responsible for translating all of Jay’s fantabulous strips. And, of course, I’m more than interested in what you guys think of the translation. It is my belief that the English language provides such a vast playground in creating different characters, and that’s what makes my little assistance here so addictive.

I try to give each of the characters a certain special edge, which often differs from Jay’s original work. Other than that, it also occurs that certain jokes simply cannot be translated and have to be altered completely in accordance with the ongoing story. These are some of the obstacles Jay and I have to overcome, but I guess we managed pretty well so far.

If you like jump42, spread the word! And feel free to contact us if you want to snatch one of the available numbers in the sheep roster!

Cliff

A tiny Tethera dwells in everyone. She’s the voice telling us that we won’t achieve our goals. It’s her who spreads this certain fear inside of us, and who doesn’t want the illusion within us to end. Spiritually, she is also the virus keeping us from waking up - our ego. But hey, what can I do? Me luvs my ego. And maybe I simply don’t want to wake up already.
So, if you like jump42!, spread the word and tell your friends about it! Vote for Ted (lower left corner) and make him popular! …goddamn ego…!