The Arbitrageur and the Shepherd

Today I went to 24-Hour Comics Day at Books with Pictures to support my friend Robin Feinman while she worked on drawing and inking a 24 page comic in 24 hours. Interestingly Pharoah Bolding (who used to work with me at Thetus) was also there for 24 Hour Comics Day. It was good to see him again.

At Robin’s urging, while I hung out with her I worked on making a short comic of my own. I arrived about 2:30 PM, and left about 9:45 PM. In that time I worked steadily on my comic (save for the occasional bathroom or stretching break). In a little over 7 hours I imagined, researched, planed out, penciled, and inked a three page comic. Not on pace for 24 pages in 24 hours, but I’m happy with my results all the same. I’ve scanned the results and posted them below for your enjoyment and amusement.

Page One, Arbitrageur: Hullo there. I say, what are you about? Shepherd: Watching sheep. Arbitrageur: Who owns this land here? Shepherd: No one owns it. 'Tis the commons.
Arbitrageur: Hullo there. I say, what are you about? Shepherd: Watching sheep. Arbitrageur: Who owns this land here? Shepherd: No one owns it. ‘Tis the commons.
Page two, Arbitrageur: What law governs here then? We've no need for laws or lawyers. We share it well enough. Arbitrageur: Free for all then? I'll have my men get their sod cutting tools. Shepherd: As you will.
Arbitrageur: What law governs here then? Shepherd: We’ve no need for laws or lawyers. We share it well enough. Arbitrageur: Free for all then? I’ll have my men get their sod cutting tools. Shepherd: As you will.
Page three, Two days later... Shepherd: I say, where has all the grass gone? What are my sheep to eat? Arbitrageur: The sod's been sent off to golf courses. As for your sheep–Not. My. Problem. Shepherd: But they'll starve. Arbitrageur: As is mete and just for using the commons inefficiently. Moral The commons is only a tragedy if you're too slow to exploit it before it's gone.
Two days later… Shepherd: I say, where has all the grass gone? What are my sheep to eat? Arbitrageur: The sod’s been sent off to golf courses. As for your sheep – Not. My. Problem. Shepherd: But they’ll starve. Arbitrageur: As is mete and just for using the commons inefficiently. Moral: The commons is only a tragedy if you’re too slow to exploit it before it’s gone.

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