With the recent closing out of the Avalon story in Josh's text posting, it seemed an appropriate thing to revive this thread, kind of like everyone telling "when I first met him" stories at some old Irish guy's wake.

I'd been meaning to post to this thread since I started reading Avalon, and what better time than now? So without further ado:
The ugly truth? Three simple words:
Bikeeni Summer 2002.
Or, more to the point,
Phoebe Bradley in a yellow bikini.
Yes, I'm that shallow.
For the longest time, the only webcomic I read was Sluggy, recommended by a friend. Then once when I was laid up for a couple of weeks after a surgery with only a TV and a laptop for entertainment when my wife was at work, I started exploring Keenspot and got positively hooked on Sinfest, and later started reading Clan of the Cats (which I've since dropped reading). I happened across a link to the Bikeeni pages a few months later, and was looking for whether 'Nique or Chelsea, etc., were in it. I noticed a link with the face of this really cute redhead, and accidentally clicked on the comic link next to it. Went back, clicked to see the image, and decided I needed to check out this comic if it had babes like that in it.
In reading the archive, I fell in love with Ceilidh right off, and got far too invested in all the angsty, twisty emotions of the story. Josh has a way of really making you *care* about the characters. I also found myself giggling uncontrollably at the humor ("sweet, sweet doughnuts" anyone?).
I was sad to learn that this strip I was growing to love was a three-years-only deal, and sadder still when it became clear that Josh might not ever get the strip finished. While I'd love to have seen all the story lines Josh described in his text posting drawn instead, I'm glad to at least know how it all ends, since I've been anxious to know that for 'bout a good year now.
Avalon is what led me to It's Walky!, too. Mention of the Power Booster Rod in the forums and in fanart with Nancy holding the PBR (which just confused the bejesus outta me at the time) led me over there (and now IW!'s ending too!) and IW!, through crossovers, led me to Melonpool (now also ended) and Fans (still going, but who knows for how much longer--I know T. Campbell had intended to end it, but has kept it going at least for now).
I have bad webcomic luck. They all seem to end soon after I start reading them!
So long story short, came for the hotties, stayed for the twistiness. Thanks for one of the finest webcomics ever, Josh.
Z.
I was planning on saying something evil and threatening, but I think my actions speak for themselves. --Head Alien