Sometimes life takes over and kicks ya’ in the butt. Such is the case with our very good friend and Barwench Tales cartoonist Jason Williams. It’s with a heavy heart that he must relinquish his duties on Barwench Tales to take care of his family and life, and the rest of us here at Legend of Bill completely understand and support his need to take care of what matters most. So, you won’t be seeing Barwench Tales updates for now, and the tales of Sarah will have to wait… That said, perhaps her tales can continue, we shall see.
I want to THANK Jason for a great job fleshing out Sarah the Barwench’s day to day trials and tribulations (most of which she causes herself in some way). Sarah started out as a minor character in Legend of Bill (Anyone grab me a link and drop it in the comments? I’ll link it in this post), when Bill and Frank made the unfortunate mistake of stumbling in the tavern where she works on their journey, and learning that it’s not a good idea to push the barwench too far, especially a fairly unstable (yet loveable in her own way) one.
So, what’s next? Legend of Bill, is of course, always here, and The Gnome Syndicate, written and drawn by TGS cartoonist Kevin Vassey, remains solid on Sundays. I may continue Barwench Tales with another cartoonist, or consider another comic I’ve had an idea for on Saturdays revolving around another theme within the Billverse, but I doubt I will leave Saturdays blank for too long, as I rather enjoy the idea of two extra back-up features on the weekend that flesh out further the inner world that is the Billverse.
Stay tuned! Your thoughts are always welcome. 
David
Damn, this is the third comic strip i enjoyed reading that ended in a cliffhanger….Annie, The Meaning of Lila, and now Sarah?
Having had real life kick me in the keister and put my own writing projects on hold, i full empathize with Jason’s situation. Hopefully he will come back soon and we can find out that DID happen to Dirk and Sarah…and why………
I wish Jason all the best – family must come first after all – but… damn indeed. I LOVE Barwench Tales! It’s one of my fav webcomics in all the web.
I for one would definitely rather see more of Sarah (and Dirk) than another comic. On the other hand, I’m not sure I’d want to see it made by other hands; Jason had a good story going here.
Would it be possible for him to stay on as a writer and leave the artwork to someone else? While his style is a major part of the Barwench Tales flavor, I think it’s first and foremost his writing that has made the comic what it is.
With Barwench Tales gone, we cannot return life to our screens. And fate has yielded its reward: a new world to call… Legend of Bill. We live among its creators now, hiding in plain sight… but watching over them in secret… waiting… cheering. I have witnessed their capacity for courage, and though we are worlds apart, like us, there’s more to them than meets the eye. I am SpaceCop, and I send this message to any surviving BT fans taking refuge among the stars: We are here… we are waiting.
All the best wishes Jason, personal life and family absolutely before anything else. We shall wait for your return.
Contrary to the Latin proverb, art does not always outlast life.
I’ll miss Jason right along with everyone else, but at least Terragard will be marginally safer for us innocent bystanders for a time…
Aw, that’s a real shame. But David is right: real life takes priority over art. We’ll miss you, Jason.
I’ll be fine with holding off on the current tale until Jason returns. Barwench is his baby, after all.
I sense this is a good time for using Barwench’s day to feature guest art and strips, though. Tally-ho!
Is this the link? :3
http://legendofbill.com/2010/02/25/bill-finds-culture/
WOW,
Honestly the support is just overwhelming to me! i thank you all for reading this comic and enjoying it! i will return as soon as i can feel that i can provide you all with the comic you deserve! thank you all and i will be around, someone has to keep David Don and Kevin in line!!!!!
This is where you’re supposed to laugh evilly
Don’t worry Jason we’ll keep the light on for ya’ and your seat in the corner booth at the Wet Gill is reserved for when you have time to pick up your pencil and help us take over the world of webcomics one reader at a time!
Until then Jason, my friend, I will share with you one of my favorite quotes that comes from Babylon 5:
“May God stand between you and harm in all the empty places where you must walk.”
Jason,
We will miss the adventures of Sarah and company, but understand that life must come first. Wishing you the best in your future endeavors.
If Jason feels he will be getting back to the comic, I would much rather see a continuation of his vision and wait for it. Darn real life for intruding on our musings, and bless it for providing the wellspring of our creativity. Best of luck Jason!
Jason,
You’ve created characters we’ve bonded with and storylines that have kept us eagerly awaiting the next installment; you have a lot to be proud of here! Life does have its way of asserting what we NEED to do over what we WANT to do, though, and you can have that pride in doing a great job for your family and other aspects of your life as well. I know we’d all like to see the current story arc to its conclusion–Dirk wounded, Sarah a secret assassin on the run, the General revealing secrets and a dark-hooded figure pulling the strings–who wouldn’t be caught up in a story like that! But life and loved ones come first; if you ever find a way to continue the story, I know we’ll be glad to see it, and if not, thanks for the great entertainment you’ve provided thus far!
Jason – I’ve come to enjoy and look forward to Barwench Tales every bit as much as Legend of Bill (Don’t tell David that!). All my best hopes that you will be able to come back and continue them some day. If you’re able, once in a random while, to toss a rough concept sketch or somesuch fanart our way, it would help to ease the pain of waiting … but, really, only do that more for you if your situation and mood permit.
I’m something of an expert on life kicking you in the head, so no need on your part for any explanations or apologies. Just, thank you so much for what you’ve given us. The best news I could want to hear would be you reporting in once in a while in the comments and just being able to say “Things don’t suck too much today. Things are improving.”
I hope to see our favorite Jester pop in once in a while, so please don’t vanish.
@David – would you mind making a small update to the Bio page where you could add links to any websites your co-conspirators hang their shingle? I know Jason has one … but I’ve misplaced it and it’d be nice to track folks down and maybe try to send business their way, should opportunity present itself.
And, a hearty Thank You! for helping to introduce us to Jason’s work, as well as Kevin’s & Don’s. It is very generous of you to loan out the Billverse a little bit to help others build their portfolio and presence.
Sorry to hear about this Jason. I completely understand family taking priority. That’s the way it should be, but hopefully it doesn’t keep you away from here too long.
I enjoy your work and look forward to seeing you continue with the strip.
Again,
THANK YOU for all your support and understanding. And YES i will be back to finish this story arc. i think its a good story, and want to finish it. THANK YOU TO DAVIS DON AND KEVIN FOR THEIR SUPPORT, AND INSPIRATION, AND TO ALL THE FANS!….I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE YOU GUYS ACTUALLY ENJOY THIS COMIC…..MAKES MY DAY!!!!!
right on, jason! you are making a good choice to focus on family, and we have appreciated your bar wench tales so much..that it is really nice to be able to look forward to their return with you at the helm, at some future point, when you are able!
Well jason, I’m sorry I was Tardy to the Party but want to add in my support and the knowledge that we want you back. So take care of your bidness and come back well rested and clear of mind, We’ll be here
jayson = i will miss your burlesque comedy of buxom sarah and her crew.
A true pity. Personally I find Barwench Tales as some of the best of LoB, so they will be truly missed.
Take care, Jason. And thanks for all the fish… or was it octopus sushi?
*sniff*
*sniff*
***WWWWWAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!*
*sniff*
The withdrawals are too much…
So how much do we have to raise to get Jason separated from real life and tied to his drawing tools to keep us supplied with at least semi occasional Sarah badness?