A good story takes time to unfold

July 16, 2010 3:32 PM

Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life, a philosophically meandering webcomic, has been updated after a long hiatus. Previously

The pseudonymous Kit Roebuck promises nearly a year's worth of updates every other week. 20 more comics to go until Chris and Ben's adventures wrap up.

From the beginning
An interview

posted by dubusadus (14 comments total)

Whoops. Previously. First timer mistake. :(
posted by dubusadus at 3:34 PM on July 16, 2010

Whoops. Previously. First timer mistake. :(

As far as I'm concerned, you're okay. That post was in '04, and the comic had been stalled (or barely updated) for ages. I know that I hung around for a while, but have stopped checking on it. I liked it, and I'm glad to hear that he's committed to finishing up.
posted by .kobayashi. at 3:37 PM on July 16, 2010 [2 favorites]

So, which planet is the ninth?
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 3:40 PM on July 16, 2010

Did we kill it already?
posted by never used baby shoes at 3:41 PM on July 16, 2010

So, which planet is the ninth?

Clearly they are counting both Eris and Pluto.
posted by Artw at 4:05 PM on July 16, 2010

/clicks again

That site is very stubbornly dead, isn't it?
posted by Artw at 4:31 PM on July 16, 2010

/clicks again

That site is very stubbornly dead, isn't it?

It's working for me though it takes a second or two to load. Here's the direct link if it helps.
posted by dubusadus at 4:34 PM on July 16, 2010

Nope. Will try again from home.
posted by Artw at 4:35 PM on July 16, 2010

The fact that the link is broken makes me want to see it even more!
posted by jeoc at 4:43 PM on July 16, 2010

I think the bohemian drive has short-circuited.
posted by warbaby at 4:45 PM on July 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

Wow. I hadn't thought much about that webcomic in years. I have read up to a very abrupt ending several times through the years - each time hoping there might be more... which there never was.

It seemed to be a decent allegory. I dug the characters, thought the premise was fantastic, and really wished for more. I remember checking back after seeing idiocracy thinking - fantastic - someone has read NPWIL and they've given a good twist on the thought of a future failed society.

Then I saw Wall-E and was like - wow - this was covered in NPWIL... but hey - not a bad twist on it.

This has been my gold standard for end of the world scenarios... the whole not with a bang but a whimper future of mankind... but hey - its sort of a happy whimper.

Hell, its either NPWIL, Idiocracy or The Road Warrior. I have little faith left for Star Trek or something uplifting...
posted by Nanukthedog at 4:55 PM on July 16, 2010

DED
posted by waitingtoderail at 7:59 PM on July 16, 2010

Well, I faved this and hopefully it'll come back online. Yeah the fact that I can't see it now makes me want to see it even more. Bastards.
posted by delmoi at 11:05 PM on July 16, 2010

I think the bohemian drive has short-circuited.
posted by warbaby at 5:45 PM on July 16

Perhaps it will attend my salon if I leave a message for it with the barman in Montmartre.
posted by Barry B. Palindromer at 1:32 AM on July 17, 2010