Herman the Manatee began four years ago as a joke among friends. It has, of course, remained a joke among friends, but there are now many more of them. Still just the one joke, though. I had no idea I would be drawing it for this long; in my mind, I’ve always been six months away from ending the strip.

The sixth month has finally arrived. I’m sad to say goodbye to Herman but relieved as well – he has always made it difficult when I want to work on new things. I have more stories I’m excited to tell and I’m looking forward to having the time and space to draw them.

I am so grateful for all of you. Thank you for  reading, for laughing at Herman’s misfortune, and for loving the poor guy. Thank you for supporting my efforts and challenging me to continue. I have met so many kind and interesting people and made some very good friends. I’ve grown as a cartoonist and as a person and I couldn’t have done it without you.

I’ll be at SPX in Bethesda, MD Sept 16 & 17, tabling with Cara Bean, Sally Carson, and Corinne Mucha. And in a couple weeks I’ll be at MICE at home in Boston. If I don’t see you, I hope you’ll stay with me for future comics! Follow my Twitter or Tumblr – the best is yet to come. Really!