For those who like their comics digital (or maybe on a budget) I’ve created pdfs of Chapters 1-5 to buy too. You can get all five chapters for £2.50 (about US$4/€3). What’s the difference between these and the webcomic? They’re formatted to read as the print version and have all the extra pages of world-building material not available on the website: articles, features and other fun stuff. Warning: it’s a big file to download (450Mb) if your network speed is a concern. I’ve tested the system and it seems to work, but if anyone finds anything buggy, then let me know.

I hope all Tozo readers (regardless of format) have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year and will sign off with this bit of news about how Klikker appears to be moving ever closer to becoming a reality very soon…

Dear Tozo readers and friends,

You’ll see the little yellow box with THE END so dramatically displayed at the bottom of this strip. And yes, this is the end for Chapter 5 and the end for Tozo – The Public Servant. However, it is not the end of Tozo’s story.

For the past five years, Tozo has been a major part of my weekly routine and I’ve loved every second of it. I never thought I would actually make it this far! I’ve enjoyed telling the story and bringing Tozo’s world to life. I’ve been thrilled that there are readers who have wanted to read the tale and have kept with it over the years, in spite of its sedate pace and the occasional irregular postings. I’ve treasured the comments and emails, and meeting readers at conventions. Thank you all so much for your kind words, patience and just plain friendliness.

But, like Tozo, I’m in need of a break. A chance to recharge, practice my craft, and do other, different things. I’ve been fortunate that – through some of the people I’ve met from drawing comics like Tozo – I’ve found myself with some opportunities that I’d like to explore. Not comics, necessarily, but other creative endeavours. And so I’m going to put Tozo to one side for a while: the end of this arc feels like a sensible, timely place, without leaving Tozo, or the reader, in too much limbo.

I’m not going to use the dreaded ‘hiatus’ word that has developed such a sense of finality about it when applied to webcomics. Tozo’s story is one I’ve had with me for years and I am determined to tell it. So I invite you to join me again after a-year-and-a-bit of holiday for the start of Tozo – the Empire of the Spider.  It all kicks off on Wednesday September 4th 2013.

The website will stay up, although I will be giving it the long-needed overhaul at some stage. I’ll also be posting when the print version of Chapter 5 becomes available (early autumn), as well as the collected edition, so do add Tozo to your RSS feeds if you haven’t already. If you like, send an email to tozocomic at gmail dot com with the subject ‘mailing list’ and I’ll send out an email reminder when the time comes. If you’d like to keep in touch with what I’m up to in the meantime, feel free to follow my blog at http://scribblehound.com.

Thank you once again for reading and I hope to see you back here in a year’s time.

With very best wishes,

David

Thanks so much for the kind words and patience about the recent update failure. It was much appreciated. Next week: finale.

A little late on the update – apologies. This is the only appearance Borello has made in Chapter 5, and a teeny one at that! He was last seen here.

We’re very near the end of Chapter 5 now. A couple of announcements soon.

Never one to give up, that lady.

My friend Garen Ewing has just started selling the third and final part of his epic adventure comic The Rainbow Orchid from his website. Go there now to get a copy with a sketch of the character of your choice!

Can mecha-golems see ghosts?

Not an easy bit of the comic to draw. I hate giving Tozo a hard time – poor chap!