Q: Are CuteThing and The Smash married? Amorous?
A: No! They do live in a superhero lair with an intelligent penguin butler, and frequently threaten one another's well-being/life.

Q: How do you draw the comic?
A: Usually sitting down, but sometimes I draw it while lying in bed sipping cognac.

Q: How do you come up with the storyline?
A: There's a storyline? In all seriousness:

Generally, all of our planning is done on instant messenger, as otherwise, we'd be too busy making animal noises, or otherwise hilariating one another to concentrate. Even without the face to face distractions of silly voices, and other physical humor, it takes a while to settle into "work mode" and come up with a plot. We may or may not pause to eat, or shower, or both (hopefully not at the same time. Bagels aren't made to shower -- except in creamcheese).

1. Come up with a basic storyline:
CT: I'm drawing zombies.
TS: Are we going to fight zombies in our comic?
CT: Perhaps. I'm just drawing some right now. ... i think our first comic should be about a zombie attack.
TS: Agreed! Maybe our first few. Like, a story arc!
CT: i think it would be funnier as just a one time, oh by the way, there's a horde of zombies outside.
TS: >sigh< If you think B2 can save the world from a zombie menace in 3-12 panels, so be it.
CT: i think it should appear that they're zombies at first. and then have it revealed that they're actually some sort of political group protesting. and then have it suggested that that might actually be the same thing as a horde of zombies
TS: Dude, if I wind up sleeping with some political activist in the bathtub, i'm gonna feel mighty cheated. Out of my half-zombie brood.
CT: and i'll consider you most unclean for fraternizing with a political activist
TS: I didn't realize this comic was going to be such a scathing social commentary, Alex. I thought it was just going to involve zombies and antics.
CT: fine, fine. it can be ... concert goers or something. ravers.
TS: Girl scouts.
CT: girl scouts!

2. Flesh out the strip:
This is where we imagine the dialogue and events that would occur in the strip. It's generally very detailed, and extremely heavy on the dialogue. A LOT gets cut in the final script phase, which The Smash does in a text editor. He then runs the script by me, and I tell him whether I like it or not, and we fight. The victor chooses which version goes into the comic.

3. 3x5 Cards:
The Smash writes a basic panel by panel script, e.g.:
Panel 1: (background wailing)
Smash: The paper cuts slowed them down, but there's only ONE way to stop a zombie: B2, my KILLING STICK!
etc.

For each panel, I create a 3x5 card, on the lined side, I write out the dialoge for the panel, and on the blank side, a draw a quick sketch of what will happen in the panel. This is generally when I determine how many panels there will actually be, and how they'll be arranged.

4. Then comes the arduous task of making The Smash look presentable, aka, the Art Stage.

Q. Is there a fan club?
A. As a matter of fact, there is! Thanks to Mork, there is now a Stumble Upon fan club for this webcomic, with its own forum where you can ask questions and discuss the comic with other members. Click here.

Q. Is there any ToH merchandise?
A. Not yet, and as much fun as CafePress is, I haven't heard good things about the quality of their products. Furthermore, we wouldn't cut a profit from it, and we'd still be ripping you off -- the base prices CP charges are absurd.

Q. Is the comic always going to be black and white?
A. Probably. There will be splashes of color added here and there, but the comic itself will probably never be full color, for several reasons. One, coloring is time consuming, and while I have other things to do, I like posting comics on a schedule -- if there's a lot of coloring to do, it will delay the whole process. Two, I like the comics in black and white. I think they look better, and splashes of color add emphasis and drama to a panel. Three, I'm lousy at coloring.

Q. I could color the comic for you
A. Please don't. Even if you're really talented at coloring comics -- my, your mother must be proud -- I don't want you coloring mine.

Q. My Question isn't in the FAQ, how do I find the answer I so desperately seek?
A. You could always email us. That's actually the best way to get in touch.

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