Comics

Why do sandhill cranes dance?

Prozac laundry day.

Hazzanghoul breaks it to Ash that she doesn't have the mastery over magic to become a necromancer. Ash has a little news of her own for him, though.

Winter path through a cemetery in Prague.

A brief history lesson while the author of the strip enjoys her vacation.

The futility of gang warfare.

A mountain lion watches small children raptly at Micke Grove Zoo, California.

Although she told co-workers it was just a minor case of spontaneous human combustion, Zelda finally had to admit she wore too much perfume.

Vacation time! For the artist, not the characters. Oh, what the hell. Vacations all around...

The worst question you can hear from your sweetie ...

Ashlinne finally gets the tutoring in death magic that she needs to get accepted into the Academy of Dark Arts.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA.

Mrs. Gott trudged to fill her bird feeder every winter day, accompanied by her faithful kitty.

Whatever his reasons, at least Hazz has agreed to start tutoring Ashlinne in the arcane magics of the dark arts.

Shoes for pinheads, 2006

Hazz and Ash walk through the grounds of the Academy of Dark Arts while Hazzanghoul explains exactly why he will not tutor young Ashlinne in the arcane magics of necromancy.

Bad backyard birding tips: Mr. Smedley has found a way to attract the elusive ferruginous hawk to his yard.

Ashlinne has gone down to Hazz's dorm room at the Academy of Dark Arts to demand his help in learning death magic. Hazzanghoul doesn't want to waste his time. It's a battle of wills.

Although she knew it was wrong, Mr. Smith's secretary still often fantasized about him.

Ten years have passed. Ashlinne's a teen now, and Hazzanghoul's off at the Academy of Dark Arts, studying, er, diligently. But he's about to learn that even the thinnest of family bonds are difficult to get rid of.

Waves pounding a Pacific shore soften the lines of the landscape with mist.

A memory of summer's warmth reflected in the colors of a turk's cap lily.

Ashlinne and her little friend Byzantium bring their pets together to play, talking as young children do about their futures. Because growing up is hott.

On New Year's Eve, it's easy to make all kinds of resolutions. Two days later, though, it's much easier to take a nap.

After the holiday dinner, Madge is unfortunately reminded of the old adage, "You are what you eat."

Kwanzaa celebrates the richness of Pan-African family, community, and culture. Digital photograph of an oil painting (1985) by Sand Pilarski.

Under necromancer-in-training Hazzanghoul's supervision, young Ashlinne successfully reanimates Mr. Bear. Ah, youth.

Rattlesnake Christmas

Ashlinne studies diligently at reanimating Mr. Bear. Meanwhile, Hazzanghoul tries to explain exactly what went on with their parents that caused them to end up this way. If only everyone had known the safety word.

Castle Ruin on a crag, Slovakia.