Today is Raghead the Fiendly Terrorist’s first birthday!
(Pause for trumpet roll)
A year ago, on the 21st of July 2012, when I sat down to draw this strip as a gag, I never imagined I’d still be drawing it a year later. Nor did I expect the enthusiastic response it got when I posted it on the following day, the 22nd, on Multiply and Blogspot. As time went by, I began to find it an outlet – not just for my frustration with the way things are in the world, but also creatively; last autumn, when I was almost crippled by spinal nerve compression and tendinitis, I couldn’t write but I could still draw.
And over time, the strip ceased to become just something to do as a spare-time thing, and became serious work. At first, Raghead appeared alone, and spoke through the fourth wall. But other characters began joining the strip steadily, with few of them falling by the wayside (the one exception is Killary Klingon, whose exit I do not regret).
As the months passed, the characters filled out, almost of their own volition, and – especially in the case of Raghead and everyone’s favourite, Towelhead – developed personalities in their own right. This also had effects on how I began to draw the strip, adding background and multi-strip storylines, such as Raghead’s epic confrontation with Jihadhead. As time went on, Raghead’s personality softened steadily, and this had a drastic effect on how I drew him.
Compare what Raghead looked like when he first appeared:
To what he looks like now:
In some ways, I’m no longer in full control of the strip. Used to be that I planned two days’ worth of strips in advance, but these days so many unexpected things keep happening that I’ve had to scrap that. In fact I’m spoiled for choice about what to draw, and constrained for time when to draw it.
At this time, I have absolutely no idea where the strip will head in future. But I will tell you this. Terrorism won’t vanish, and as long as it exists, there will be a place for the Ragheads of this world.
Thank you, from Raghead and all the crew, for your support and enthusiasm.
Ironic though it may sound,
Peace.
Copyright B Purkayastha 2013
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