Welcome to the August issue of PopImage.

This is likely the last time you'll see me typing these words, as of today I'm no longer Editor In Chief here at PopImage.

Given the somewhat… tumultuous… history of the site, you might immediately think that at San Diego Scottie and I got into some huge knock-down, drag-out fistfight over the future of the site and I left in a huff. Or perhaps Ed has staged a coup, and forced me out under threat of death. Well, neither is true. I just really need a break.

I took over as EIC in June of 2000 and it's now been just about 13 months since that time. Barring a skip month or two, it's been a hell of a year and I think that's enough time-in for now. PopImage has frequently been one of the most rewarding experiences of my adult life. I'm involved at pretty much every level of the comic industry because of it, I've met tons of great people through it, and in the end it's caused me to lose a lot of sleep. While every step of the way wasn't happiness and sunshine, it has been a wholly rewarding experience, and a positive one.

I really just want to thank the staff I worked with here, as well as some of the people who made my job that much easier and more fun. PopImage is operating on zero capital, everyone is involved because they love comics, and I don't know that I could ever thank them enough, but here goes.

Thanks.

First off, to the Editorial Staff from June 2000. Paul Hanna, Joe Szilagyi, Brad Collins, and Chad Riden. I'm glad to count you as friends still, and you made the transition between the sites not only bearable, but easy. Though your priorities have shifted away from the haughty aspiration of comics journalism, you'll exist forever in that point in time. Thanks for taking jobs that most people in their right minds wouldn't.

To the current staff; Alex Bernstein, Brian J. Domingoes, Benjamin Russell, and Zack Smith. Be nice to Ed. It was great working with you, and I'm sorry I wasn't more on-the-ball these past few months.

To Matt Fogel, who brilliantly goes above and beyond the call of duty pretty much whenever I ask him too. The look of the site comes down to him, and he doesn't often get the credit he should for it his web-work. I owe him a lot. Thanks Matt.

To Jon Ellis, who has been here since day one, and with workmanlike frequency provides solid, always unique interviews. One of these days, you'll learn how to share. ;)

To absent friends, Andrew, Alasdair, Antony, Arni, and Marc, for helping me get here in the first place.

To everyone who ever wrote for the site, but particularly Greg Dickens, Francis Lord, David Dodd, Matt Singer, and Adrian Reynolds who all turned out brilliant work during my tenure. With your writing you elevated the site to newer and better heights (and much lower thanks to Matt…). All of our writers are working here out of love and respect, and they really deserve all the thanks I can accord them. Thanks.

To Steve Stegelin who rarely missed a deadline, and was always around to be a friend.

To Brian Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming, who were kind enough to let us run the POWERS weekly strips at PopImage, which firmly entrenched us as "players". I can't count the number of times I was asked "How they hell did YOU get the Powers strips?", to which I could only reply: "Because Bendis rules."

To Warren Ellis. I won't blame you for any of this, but I gotta say, you did your part. ;)

To James Lucas Jones who kept me interested at 3am coding this thing, and listened to me bitch about it, and set me up with more content than I knew what to do with, and to Jamie S. Rich who helped me start my first month off with a real bang (I'm waiting for the "thematic sequel", Jamie…), and for giving my underwear-clad ass space on his floor. Oni Press are the best publishers out there, bar none, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.

To the readers, who gave us much needed hits, and support, and thanks. I've said, I'm often doing this thing in a vacuum, and getting feedback, particularly positive feedback, is all that keeps me going a lot of the time.

To Ed Mathews, for giving me the opportunity to take a break.

To Scott O. Brown, for giving me two really good reasons too.

To Scottie for everything.