Chapter 6 Cover
The first update of The Meek went live exactly 10 years ago today…
When I started posting, the recession had just kicked into high gear. I’d just been un-accepted from gradschool due to funding issues, I was living at home and caring for a family member who at the time was on the brink of death, and worked as much as I could on the comic as a way for me to focus on something that wasn’t fear and uncertainty about the future. A decade later and I’m doing marginally better. I got my first art jobs thanks to this comic… did a stint in the game industry, did art for some forgotten games, met my future spouse and bounced. Nearly lost the comic but eventually got everything back a few years later, much to the surprise of many readers. I self-published the first volume of this book. I created another comic, going to print soon. Successfully ran my first anthology, which is physically at the printers right now. And honestly…
I feel just as much fear and uncertainty as before. The world is arguably in worse shape than when I started the comic, and a lot of the anxieties I poured onto these pages are slowly becoming realities. The base premise of the comic: who exactly deserves to inherit the earth, is as vexing a question to me now as it was 10 years ago. Maybe humans have already had their chance, and it’s just a matter of time before something wipes the slate clean and starts over. Or maybe there is still a way to grow something beautiful out of the ugliness we’ve created…
You’ve probably noticed by now that the comic stops and starts in phases, with the stops and starts of my own life. Not ideal, but I’m a fallible singleton with no additional help doing a bunch of different jobs, and usually it’s not possible for me to be the perfectly organized, physically healthy, 100% energetic and productive content creator a lot of people think I should be. But that’s okay for most of you I think, and anyways, the “off” days are usually the most vital in terms of planning and pre-production. I’ve been doing a lot of that lately. We’re nearing another start phase soon with Chapter 6, which will begin in earnest probably in February. I’ve had this cover sitting around a while but thought it would be nice to post it on my anniversary even though the regular updates won’t begin for a few more weeks.
It’s been a busy year, busy 10 years, busy life, but while I’m alive at least I’ll continue picking away at the comic and at the question of The Meek, and as always I thank you very much for following along with me.
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90 Comments
Yes! Let’s go another 10 years!
This is fantastic!
Looks like I picked the right day to check on The Meek again! W00t!
Me too!
Of course I check every Saturday so… eh…
I came for an update on a cool comic, and got a beautiful inspirational speech!
Thank the gods for RSS feeds, or I never woulda known you were back!
And yeah, speaking as someone whose understanding of how to make a comic is fundamentally incomplete, but who longed to do it anyway: I have had the same urges to create at around the same times in history, and I have been through some (on paper) very similar circumstances. So I can totally empathize and root for you on the ups and downs in life, and as long as the feed doesn’t break down I’ll be following this work. Absolutely love it!
I’m pretty sure RSS feeds are man-made :-). But yes great technology.
Also, looking forward to see the main heroine again.
Thank Guha for RSS feeds, or I never would have known The Meek was coming back.
I’ve stuck with this comic for almost all of those 10 years and I’ve never been disappointed by you. Your art, attention to detail, and writing are amazing and are worth waiting for. Life is tough and rarely generous to our creative sides, so I understand and greatly appreciate the tenacity and dedication you have to see this through. I check your comic nearly everyday for even a snippet of what’s to come, and yes – even a title page fills me with warmth and joy. Many cheers to you.
<3
Checking The Meek & Mare Internum is a daily routine that I look forward to. You’re telling fantastic stories with ridiculously awesome artwork for what appears to be nothing more than fan appreciation. That’s toweringly generous. For what it’s worth, I say the “starts and stops” were always expected – life gets in the way and no one should give static for putting the necessary first. I count myself among the fortunate to have found your work and the privileged to be able to go back and re-read it at will.
Lovely to hear from you, and many thanks for the light and hope and humanity you’ve provided us these past 10 years. As I’ve said before, and as I think most of your other readers would agree, please take your time, and let us know if we can do anything to help. We treasure you and the art you produce.
Welcome back!
Just glad to see you. I’m happy to stick around for more.
Happy birthday, The Meek!
and I’m glad to see this comic spring back to life. keep up what you do!
I’m just stoked that we’re finally circling back around to this lady’s story!
Glad to hear you’re trying to put your mental health first, and that you haven’t given up on the comic even if humanity’s giving you lots of reasons to give up on humanity.
Oh der… I have been reading since… forever, idk. And i will always be thankful to you for your creation, heck i even bought the signed hardcover when i was able (it still feels so surreal, i wanted to get it a long time ago). Sincerely, i don’t know where i’m going with this, but i just wanted to thank you.
Hi,
I haven’t made a comment here before but I just wanted to say I really love The Meek.
I started reading The Meek back then! When I was captivated by your work that I’d seen on deviantART while I was still in high school, haha. That feels like ages ago… The Meek and your work in general has influenced me greatly since I found it, and I think it was the number one driving force in helping me realize I wanted to try comics of my own.
I still remember it was you that I first heard say “Don’t start with your dream project.” So I wrote something that I meant to be short and then… it turned into my dream project. Kicking myself every day for unintentionally spurning the advice I was so sure I’d internalized, lol. I’m just kinda letting it happen though, it is a fun learning experience, but it’s one I think I wouldn’t have been breadcrumbed to without The Meek. So, thank you!
The times be bad, and I’m not entirely confident things’ll get easier anytime soon, but seeing you and your work persevere gives me the fighting spirit!! Like an art adrenaline shot!
Here’s to surviving!!
Looking forward to Chapter 6 and whatever comes next! This is a project worth waiting for. I have room set aside on my shelf next to volume 1. :)
“[…] usually it’s not possible for me to be the perfectly organized, physically healthy, 100% energetic and productive content creator a lot of people think I should be”: screw every single person who’s trying to tell you what they think you should be :) We’re very lucky to have you! Here’s to another 10 years of not dying :P
YAY!
So glad you are back. I check your two sites every day. So worth it!
I remember way back, when The Meek went on hiatus the first time, I was so sad that it would never continue (or so I thought.) But it’s come back, again and again, better every time. Keep going, Der-shing, at your pace. We’re always here with you!
Omg it’s back!! Anyone have Champaign?
People around here are not that polished, not that sophisticated, not that Urbana.
Best of luck with everything!
This is a really cool cover. Also, I love how your chapter cover pictures depict the moment when the chapter starts, so we sorta already get the first panel here.
The last paragraph came of as little depressing. Maybe it’s just me. But I often feel the same way about humanity. Still the wonder of live can be so amazing and at the end of the day everyone can improve. If everyone performs a small step the whole world improves. At least that is what I tell myself. And I try to believe it.
So I do hope that you stay long among us, and no not because of the comic, which is great, but because you deserve it.
Yeah! A chapter cover!
“The world is arguably in worse shape than when I started the comic…”
Nah. It’s in better shape. Every year things get better, you just have to look for whatever the news isn’t telling you.
You just do you, at your own pace, and we’ll be here when you are! :)
I’m so glad you’re still picking away at this! I wasn’t with you for year one, but I’ve kept little bits of The Meek in my life since, as posters and postcards and bookmarks…. I think I like it most because nobody is super capable and knows the right moves, the right thing to say, and there’s a beautiful humanity in the characters. Thanks so much for taking us with you!
Yes! So glad this comic isn’t dead, you really had me worried there.
It’s like looking in a mirror (almost – I’m an engineer, not an artist, but it’s still a somewhat creative field if you’re doing it right)… I barely graduated at the height of the recession & had to weather frustrating, lonely years of many professional and personal false starts and failures, interspersed with long periods of bleak, despairing *nothingness.* I’ve experienced bereavement, tragedy and mental illness, in myself and my friends, and thanks to the fear and uncertainty suffusing it all I’ve lost the woman I truly love, who once was wonderful enough to love me just the way I was. And until very recently, I’ve bottled it all up.
I once worked out how long the rope needed to be.
I can empathise with so much you’ve been through, and I can’t find enough words to congratulate you on still being able to pick yourself up after all of it, to follow your passion and create this bright, vivid beacon of genuine, honest beauty, originality and fierce humanity, in a bland, uncertain world awash with selfishness, self-destructiveness and small-minded apathy.
Thank you for being such an inspiration. Thank you for simply continuing to sincerely TRY, in a world where it seems nobody can be bothered any more. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work (a beautiful slice of yourself, in effect!), with all of us.
Maybe I can still do it too.
It’s a good thought to begin a new year on – maybe the best gift I’ve been given. Thank you.
I’m glad you’re around to share your story too, Tom. <3
Creating what you do must be so difficult. It shows not just genius but hard work and lots of it. I wish you the most satisfaction and meaning you can get from The Meek and MI, and look forward to enjoying these tales and visions you conjure as I have for ten years.
I been faithfully dropping by, for yearsss, to check in on your projects!
Have read and enjoyed both your sites (story and art).
It’s been important, and I know I have commented at some points in past- to say THANK YOU!!! :)
You HAVE the GIFT- the Artistic KNACK- to convey/elicit (so many)emotions! LOL, I think back now, yup- quite the spectrum you have pulled outta me, as your characters have transported me thru the tapestry of your weaving.
Holy Shite, yes! Your efforts have mattered on my best AND my worst days. I try not to keep track of mine, but yes- living ain’t easy, getting old is not for sissies (as an old battered(retired) friend snarkily tells me with a grin. He is a valued icon:)
Do what you can! Know you have 90+% approval and support! (probably more, but the negatives are noisy, and try to skew your perception, silly trolls!)
So when you are low, or slow, or doubt (buck up and Rock On!)
Do whatever you need to keep as happy as possible. Clearly you understand self sacrifice, in pursuit of own goals. If your motivation takes you away, You will be missed, because you are valued, because ‘parting is sweet sorrow!?’, but do not drag yourself down, only to please others. Hellll NO! :)
I said ‘faith’, in first line, it implies ‘trust’! Comraderie, says I give you a conspiratorial wink, from a grinning face:)
I trust ya to take care, I will do the same!
Best Wishes Always and See you round!!
JohnO:)
I’ve enjoyed the journey reading this comic for the past 10 years! I don’t think many of your readers (at least not myself) are mad about the on/off update schedule. Life happens, and I’m just glad I get to see your work as it comes. All the best to you! <3
Ha! Talk about a blessing and a curse- to have your tale of horrifying authoritarian rule, genocide, and war become MORE relevant and emotionally relatable as time goes on.
A new comic! Outstanding!
Wow! Ten years in the making and always getting better. I’m not tired on checking on updates instead of waiting for the mails. At least this way, I get reminded why I don’t mind to wait.
Also since every comic creator is human and needs to be human in all aspects, which means updates can be unreliable at times. If that means long times, so be it.
Just one thought about the world and the state it is in: https://ourworldindata.org gives a great overview over many questions and their answers, often in an unexpected way that counters the ubiquitous worries (I’m far from free of them) about the near future on the media. I hope this might help a bit with them if need be.
YAY! An update! Art, story, characterizations, all are wonderful and engaging. As for the shape of the world, it’s still ’round. (little pun). Thank you for creating both of your webcomics and sharing them with us.
I’m patient. Your comics have just been in my “Hyatus” folder since I read them through in one go. I’d rather see a hiatus than an ending mid-story. :)
That said, you’d probably gain more supporters with more frequent updates. At least one a month. I mean, for a bit I wasn’t sure if I just stumbled on a long dead comic who’s website hadn’t reached the end of its funding. :( Glad that doesn’t seem to be true though.
I suspect the quality of a work like The Meek might suffer under those conditions.
To put it overly simplistically, it’s my impression that good art, “real” art, is done by the artist for the artist first, and the audience second*. “Art” turned out to a rigid schedule to satisfy an audience is, by definition, hackwork*.
If, by sheer coincidence, the artist happens to work well to a tight, fixed deadline, great, do that. If they don’t, then, to produce something really, truly beautiful, they shouldn’t.
I don’t know the particular process used by Der-Shing Helmer but, based on the jaw-dropping nature of this webcomic, all I can say is “don’t change anything!”
*Except for certain specialised subgenres where the method of audience interaction actually constitutes part of the art itself… from this outsider’s perspective, art is complicated and hard to pin down to any concrete definition or formula! I suppose if it could be, it wouldn’t be art…
Here’s hoping she kicks the shit out of another geriatric.
Thanks for sharing your insecurities with us. We’re all just people doing the best we can. And it can be oddly comforting to be aware we’re all kinda swimming upstream together.
Here’s to another 10 years!
<3
Ah! So exciting to see you active again! I love this story and your art and have been checking in to see when you might be back. Life is pretty dang crazy, for sure. Still, it’s good to see you again.
Thanks for sharing this cover, it’s great. I also appreciate the honest update you posted. I get the sense that so many of us that graduated during that recession are still digging their way out of it, just as new graduates have better prospects. Regardless, I love this comic and am very excited for new updates. Creative work takes time and energy and thank you for sharing it with us.
I’m a freshman in college, and I started reading this in 6th grade—I hope to read it for many more years to come. Thanks so much for all your work <3
Woo! It’s crazy how often I check to see if there is an update, and no matter how many times there wasn’t one, I always come back!
Welcome back!
I can hardly describe how excited I am to see a new chapter. You’ve clawed your way to success and recognition. Maybe it hasn’t reached the level of someone like Rob Liefeld (I’m being funny! don’t ban me!), but there’s plenty of time yet. I will follow every update here and at MI with great enthusiasm.
haha, I can only aspire to that level of pouches
me, knowing full well that Soli is a main character and thus would not die this early in the story: oh my god she lives!!! what a relief
Welcome back!
I’ve been reading my pdf copy of Electrum and it is FANTASTIC. It feels so good to read that other people feel the same as I have about being mixed. The comic has also instilled new pride in being mixed and washed away some of the shame of never being enough of either of my halves. I am glad you’re back and congrats on the commitment of 10 years!
Oh, I’m so glad to hear that :] It was a cathartic project to work on, the team had some really worthwhile insights, and it was super awesome to not just learn their perspectives but to facilitate being able to share them with others. The book is looking crazy good as well too, I’m really happy to see it coming together.
Those boots cuted me the F*** out
She’s got a total I don’t give attitude……
Wonderful to see you come up for air. And seriously, ain’t a one of us immune from LIFE. It’s a thing that happens.
Great news!! I keep this link in my hiatus folder and check every once in a while. Too good not to have hope!
I frickin love this comic and have been checking back on and off for updates since the first chapter. And I’m still looking forward to seeing where it goes. <3
A couple of months late, but just had to say.
This is one of the most aesthetic comics I’ve seen (I’ve gone through hundreds of webcomics, this is one of my favorites), I still remember reading it years ago.
I still remember the character design of the tiger ( looks great ).
Good luck!
The world will always be there to take you back.
We, your faithful readers, are that promise made manifest.
So welcome back! Here’s to you, and here’s to The Meek.
Dude. Bro. There is a reason why this comic has stayed on my bookmark list ever since I discovered it when you had just posted page… four, I think, of book ONE.
Don’t worry too much about time. Keep right on doing.
I’ve been reading since the beginning <3. It's been a hell of a 10 years!
Just binged this entire comic and then also Mare Internum, kinda bummed out that there hasn’t been any updates for 3 months or so. Can’t wait for the story to continue.
Nice to see you back! I don’t think a comic of this genuine quality could lose its fans so easily. I’m 22 now and I think I first stumbled across this comic when I was in middle school…like many others, I’m sure excited to see a new post :) Anyways, thanks for continuing to share your art with us all, against the odds– little things like this are reminders to the world to not give up easily on personal goals and dreams <3
Your title makes more sense now with that explanation then “The base premise of the comic: who exactly deserves to inherit the earth, is as vexing a question to me now as it was 10 years ago.” I could be wrong, but is it a parallel to the Beatitudues where it is stated “the meek shall inherit the earth”? I’m excited to see an update for this comic as I have loved what I’ve seen thus far and can’t wait to see what is ahead.
Updating again, are we?
Been a fucking while since I checked this webcomic.
so when is the comic updating again?
Can’t wait for an update!! :3 :D
Wow, I started to read this wonderful comic years ago, and came back to check on it(in hopes of binge reading)…
Why do all the good webcomics with such promise just end suddenly?
Also props to that dude for keeping a clean white shirt in an environment covered with dirt.
Just found this after finals. Which means I got to read straight thru and notice things like a character who could be played by Aubrey Plaza making a real salamander climb on 1-11 followed by a Slovanian salamander insult on 1-31. Dang, she’s swearing at her grandfather. Is Angora some sort of intelligent salamander in human form?
Which would explain her indifference to running around naked. Being a salamander creature would probably explain Aubrey Plaza, too. There has to be a reason why Angora thought it would be okay to talk to the lumberjacks. If you check out tvtropes.com they used Angora waking up Pinter on 1-18 in their definition of women indifferent to.
So the Emperor of the North became the Hand of the North? He says he’s some substitute for his real self? He’s got a tiger for a conscience and Angora has a land whale as a grandfather. Hmmm.
Well, I could write a book of my analysis but I don’t think you want to read one. Maybe the fans will welcome a long post after such a wait.
I’ll say Angora and Pinter are interesting enough for 40+ [ages stand alone, I don’t think the other two are. Usually a three way story would include all three in an issue, that might be better.
Ah, well, gotta get up in the morning. Maybe if people give some reaction to this it’ll get you working on it again.
I used to read this webcomic as a kid. I don’t know if you’re still making more, but I just wanted to say thank you. It was a really great read.
Having been a fan of your work since I found The Meek years ago, I kinda understand some the ups and downs that you go through. I patiently wait for more. I am concerned about you, as you have been silent now for almost eight months. I hope your health is holding up, and the delay is just from paying jobs and other real life intrusions. Just a word of reassurance, please, so I can stop worrying about your well-being. Eagerly awaiting your return. Greg
Just checking in, hope you are doing well.
You comic this beatiful thing into our eyes.
We’ll wait until you comic it out of our hearts.
Hope to see updates again soon <3 Been following since the beginning and always check back now and then to see how it's going :)
please continue this comic i am a rrly big fan
judging by the comments of this post im not the only one.
I be honest, i was browsing porn nd happen to stumble across this comic. lol probly searching naked comic google images. shutup i was kid.
tho i didnt feel much of an attachment to it, i for some reason bookmarked it
years after, i came across it again.
and bored just started reading. not for vry long, but the next day i did the same
and pretty soon it became a calming habit everyday to sit down w a cup of tea and read a few pages
after i finished chptr5 i was distraught to find the end
i continued to come back over and over, every now and then to see it continue.
i fell in love w the story nd im rrly glad i found it
i rrly hope you continue this story. many ppl would appreciate it, im certain
It’ll be back in January :] Haha, makes me laugh that you were googling for porn, that’s a pretty classic part of being a teen on the internet huh XD Oh well, will see you in a month or so.
Where are you? January has come & gone. We’re getting worried about you! At least I am …
Thanks for worrying instead of leaving a comment about how shitty I am. Had a death in the family as well as some major emergency expenses that came out of nowhere that I had to take some emergency jobs to cover the cost of. Am also dealing with an expensive, broken equipment that is eating into my productivity. I’m not a big company, just one person who is not in 100% health carrying a huge workload and doing their best. I don’t share bad news with anyone, and especially am not inclined to share it with a bunch of readers, who are essentially strangers to me (as much as I love you all). I really appreciate your empathy and patience though, wish things would get easier at some point but it’s been like pure fires since early 2018 and I feel like I haven’t been able to take a breath and relax for years. Just doing my best and prioritizing for my long-term health and survival in a fraught landscape, and appreciate the understanding.
I understand completely. My own health isn’t great, and my financial situation is abysmal. I’m just finding my way back to some of my favorite webcomics, and The Meek has always been near the top off that list.
Anyway, I’m glad you found your way back to us. I’m truly sorry for your loss, and I hope that producing this amazing webcomic brings you more joy and satisfaction than toil and heartache.
:-)
Wow just finished binge-reading this comic and is gorgeous and wonderfull really cannot wait for more!
One thing you could do is to scribble a little and post that. You know, one Angoradoodle per month or so. Doesn’t take much time, doesn’t drown in high standards.
I probably won’t see the end of the comic. So I hope Angora makes it to and beyond the end reasonably healthy ( :
hey … amazing comic, when I first saw your comics, I was just a kid. now i’m in college … and I’m sad after 10 years this story stops here, and I hope you will continue it again
My body is ready for Meek updates
“This month” is now last month. Everything okay?
no rush hope you aight
Just happened to check my long-dormant email box & saw that you’re back!!(actually, i missed this one & just now saw 6:1)
Thank you Der-Shing! i’ve missed The Meek for so long…
Now i have to get back in the habit of checking my email!
Wow, nice timing XD I just sent the email an hour ago; this cover page is from last year? ish. Anyways, glad to see you back and looking forward to posting again~