Ctrl+Alt+Del
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| Ctrl+Alt+Del | |
|---|---|
 The cover of the DVD release of the first season of the series. |
|
| Author(s) | Tim Buckley |
| Website | http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com |
| Current status / schedule | Updates every Monday, Wednesday, Friday (Saturday updates suspended for May 2008)[1][2] |
| Launch date | October 23, 2002 |
| Genre(s) | Video games, Humor |
Ctrl+Alt+Del (CAD) is a gaming-related webcomic and animated series written by Tim Buckley. The name of the comic refers to the Windows command Control-Alt-Delete. It premiered on October 23, 2002, and is currently updated every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, although Tim Buckley has put Saturday updates on hiatus starting May 10. The comic's focus has gradually shifted away from single strip gags towards longer story arcs and greater continuity. As of 2005, Ctrl+Alt+Del attracted more than 300,000 readers to its website each day.[3]
Contents |
Main characters
Ethan (2002-present)
Ethan Ryan MacManus, a 25-year-old of Irish descent[4], is a game fanatic, a recovering Everquest addict, and an amateur artist. His often nonsensical, off-beat, or even moronic antics are the focus of the comic and the source of many of its plotlines. Ethan currently works at GameHaven, a video game store, as a clerk.
Ethan is also the creator of Winter-een-mas, a seven-day celebration of video games[5], and founder of the Church of Gaming.
Lucas (2002-present)
At 26 years of age, Lucas Davidowicz is more level-headed and down to earth than Ethan. He is something of a slacker, prepared to enjoy a good video game over actual work. Cynical and sarcastic, Lucas is a programmer and works at a computer store, where he offers technical assistance.
Lilah (2003-present)
Lilah Monroe defied Ethan's preconceived notion that girls (or at least, cute ones) don't play video games [6], after which they began dating. Lilah is 25 and formerly worked as a secretary, but is now working as a professional gamer. She is currently engaged to Ethan, and was pregnant with his child, but miscarried after three and a half months.[7]
Zeke (2003-present)
Zeke (short for Ezekiel), formerly known as the "Xbot", is a creation of Ethan's - a sentient, Xbox/Xbox 360-based android.
CAD Premium
In late 2005, CAD Premium was announced. For a monthly or yearly fee, fans are able to access exclusive "members only" content, such as wallpapers and strips, as well as the flagship of CAD Premium: Ctrl+Alt+Del: The Animated Series, which made its debut in February 2006.
While CAD Premium is a subscription service, Buckley has made it clear that the comic will remain free, and that although the episodes have now come to DVD, they are being offered at a discount to subscribers.
Ctrl+Alt+Del: The Animated Series
Episodes are released at the beginning of each month. All 12 Episode from the first season have been released. Among the extras on the DVD release is an FAQ session with the artist.
In January 2008, it was announced that the Animated Series would return for a second season of 12 episodes, beginning in March of the same year. [8]
Books
Collections
- Insert Coin: Ctrl+Alt+Del Volume One
- Press Start: Ctrl+Alt+Del Volume Two
- Critical System Failure: Ctrl+Alt+Del Volume Three
These books feature comics found online, along with commentary and bonus material exclusive to the book.
Analog and D+Pad
Analog and D+Pad is a comic book written by Tim Buckley with art by Zack Finfrock based on the Ctrl+Alt+Del characters, but set in a parallel universe where Ethan and Lucas are the superheroes Analog and D+Pad, respectively. [9][10]
Events, Interviews and Public Appearances
Digital Overload is a yearly LAN party hosted by Ctrl+Alt+Del. It is held in Providence, Rhode Island, and running since 2006[11]. It is jointly organised by Ni Networks.[12]
Some readers celebrate Winter-een-mas, a video game holiday introduced in the comic itself that falls in the last week of January.[13]. The holiday has two symbols, a crown made to resemble a D-pad, and a staff capped with an Xbox controller.
There was an interview with Tim Buckley on CBSNews.com.[14]
In October of 2006, Tim Buckley gave a lecture at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute[15][16] in Troy, New York.
Other publishing
Ctrl+Alt+Del is a featured comic on Game Revolution [17]
Twelve issues of the City of Heroes comic book featured a comic strip by Ctrl+Alt+Del creator Tim Buckley, called Underwear On The Outside [18][19]
EQuinox, the official Everquest 2 magazine, includes Ctrl+Alt+Del comic strips [20]
In 2007, Ctrl+Alt+Del partnered with 2K Games/Firaxis Games to produce a series of comics for Sid Meier's Civilization Daydreams [21][22][23]
References
- ^ http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/news.php?i=1622
- ^ http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/news.php?i=1623
- ^ (December 18, 2005). "Business People". The Union Leader Pg. D10
- ^ Ctrl+Alt+Del "Well Done"
- ^ Mertes, Micah (January 29, 2008). "Happy Winter-een-mas! OK, get back to playing". Lincoln Journal Star Pg. 1D
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ http://cad-comic.com/news.php?i=1254
- ^ http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/index.php/issue1cover
- ^ Alex Billington (March 14, 2006). Welcome to Digital Overload!. ThinkComputers. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
- ^ Digital Overload - info. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
- ^ Winter-Een-Mas. Tim Buckley (January 2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
- ^ [4]
- ^ [5]
- ^ [6]
- ^ http://www.gamerevolution.com/comic/index.php?comic=ctrl_alt_del
- ^ City of Heroes comic book
- ^ http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/news.php?i=563
- ^ http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/news.php?i=1503
- ^ http://www.civilization.com/daydreams/
- ^ http://www.cad-comic.com/news.php?i=1447
- ^ http://planetcivilization.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Articles.Detail&id=31
Bibliography
- Buckley, Tim (2004). Insert Coin: Ctrl+Alt+Del Volume 1. Ctrl+Alt+Del Productions. ISBN 0-9764678-0-1.
- Buckley, Tim (2005). Press Start: Ctrl+Alt+Del Volume 2. Ctrl+Alt+Del Productions. ISBN 0-9764678-1-X.
- Buckley, Tim (2006). Critical System Failure: Ctrl+Alt+Del Volume 3. Ctrl+Alt+Del Productions. ISBN Unknown.
External links
