Astute readers will know that I learned of Greg Erskine when he posted a short, but calm and intelligent comment about why he didn't like Multiplex over at Metafilter a while back. (Don't hold that against him.)

He had done some customer service related strips — here — and they were pretty good, so I challenged him to do a Multiplex strip. And here you go.

Since he didn't like my own comics, I'm not sure if it's a compliment or an insult to say that I feel like this is one I could have written myself, even though I probably wouldn't have written the Blogger's dialogue quite so ornately. (That was before he'd read all of them in order to do this guest strip — but I didn't ask if his opinion changed, because… well, frankly, I don't care.)

great strip - his Olive Garden strips are pretty sweet, too.

Sometimes it's better to work with someone critical of you than a fan - apparently that was why U2 chose Brian Eno to produce them... not doing a guest strip is exactly working with him - but I feel like he got your characters pretty well, especially, um, whatshisname... (btw he's not on the cast page)

Jamal. And he's on it now, although there isn't much on his entry. :1

Great strip. Yes sometimes critics can be the biggest fanboys. I can say that I have had that customer many times working in concessions. Hated them all. Yes I will help you kill yourself faster. The soy butter they use actually eats away the soles of your shoes. So sure have some more.

Yay the blogger! Not that I like the blogger, but I enjoy seeing familiar faces

I like Jamal's just-doin'-my-job attitude. It makes for a funny contrast with the Blogger's expectation that everyone wants recognition for everything.

It's a good guest strip. He does a good job of capturing the characters and building on the oft-strained relationship between customers and employees. And say what you want about blogger-guy, but he's got principals.

Hi, all! Just popping in to say that I very much appreciate Mr. McAlpin giving me the opportunity to work on his comic after I talked smack about it on the internets. It was quite the gracious, trusting, and kind-hearted approach to take. Cheers!

Now if you'll all excuse me, I'm gonna go slag on True Blood for a while, in hopes that Alan Ball sees it and lets me write an episode where Godric and Lafayette play racquetball together.

For the benefit of the forum-goers:

As I explained to Greg in our e-mail exchange, he had well-stated criticisms, some of which I agree with, a few I didn't, and most importantly, he didn't act like I had raped his entire family simply because I created a comic strip that he didn't fall in love with.

That's a rarity on the internet, where people think speculating that I'm "a fag or a woman" (yes, seriously) or simply using the word "sucks" or "FAIL" for the fiftieth time that day constitutes worthwhile commentary.

Anyway, thanks for being an intelligent person, Greg. And thanks again for the guest strip!

Am I the only one that imagines that the Blogger sounds something like the comic book store guy from the Simpsons?

***edit***
Oh and, Gordon, I think that the Blogger's shirt would be an awesome one for the online store. Just sayin'.

You may be joking but I would totally watch and re-watch that episode.

With the Chase Sequence lightning bolt? (That's what it is; Chase Sequence is my official business name, and that's part of the logo.) If I can find purple ringer tees, I'll consider them.

Y'know, I could've sworn you had those available in the Spreadshirt store. Guess I remembered wrong!