19th January 2012

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fatgoldwatch asked: I'm a little confused as to why you thought depicting a sexual assault in your 12/24 comic was funny. Do you think one of your 18-year-old first-year female peers at MICA would draw a comic like this, given that freshman girls are some of the most likely to be raped at any college? I guess I'm just missing the joke: "Baby, It's Cold Outside" sounds like a song about rape? Or it's funny for a college guy who has friends who rape people to draw a guy drugging a girl and then duct taping her mouth?

@FatGoldWatch and to whomever it may also concern,

      I don’t normally do this but I have received numerous messages about comic #134 so I am making a public response to address the situation since it presents itself appropriate.

      The comic posted on 12/24 dealt with suggested sexual assault/rape. This controversial subject is extremely serious and I in no which way or form promote the acts or disregard the subject’s severity. Sexual predators are sick, unhealthy individuals who need to be rightfully persecuted for their horrible acts.

      However, with that being said, the comic was not created in a malicious or belittling manner. Some of the best comedy is satirical towards very serious issues. (Cyanide & Happiness, Family Guy, and Sarah Silverman all stand as modern-day examples.) That being said, I noted the following I have so gratefully received and decided it was safe to risk controversial humor.

       The presented comic is a risky approach to humor that I don’t normally touch but I found the strip relatable enough that I posted it. I never wished to offend anyone and am truly sorry if I hurt anyone. While I can’t promise I won’t touch on any controversial issues in the future, I hope readers can read these comics understanding I don’t have hurtful intentions while creating them.

      My comics are made to entertain and amuse and I hope I can continue to do so. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope this clears up any concerns anyone has had.

Sincerely,
Ryan Selvy

Update: The word relatable is in reference to previous years when I have heard people joke about the meaning of the song. When I mentioned the idea of the comic to my peers prior to creating the comic I received many responses of people who had also noted the bizarre wording in the song.