You’ll notice that today’s strip looks a little different. there’s a reason for that… I didn’t make it.

I’m a big fan of almost all modern art. I like the way it can be challenging, playful or just plain obscure. However, I can’t stand Damien Hirst.

It’s not because his half-a-cow and half-a-shark pieces are just pale imitations of what scientists have been doing for over a century, and it’s not because he has turned his art into a purely commercial venture. I can’t stand Damien Hirst because… he doesn’t make his art.

It’s not unusual for artists to do this – to let someone be their apprentice, let them do all the grunt work (in Hirst’s case, do everything) and then take the credit as a ‘visionary creator’. But I thought we were past that sort of pretentious rubbish. Of course, he calls them ‘Assistants’ – reminiscent of the way that people in care homes need ‘Assistance’.

This wouldn’t be so bad, but it’s not as if all the assistants get any recognition or credit. They might get paid… I don’t know, maybe he thinks the apprenticeship itself is payment enough. There are some notable exceptions to this, I admit. But there’s only one I can bring to mind.

And so, you can understand why I can take no credit at all for today’s strip; It is entirely, in concept and execution, the work of Mr Joseph Hewitt… it’s not fan art or guest art… it is part of The Flowfield Unity, just made by someone else.

Of course, Mr Hewitt is responsible for creating his own art too – the fabulous Ataraxia Theatre and the soon to be real-life book, The Vole That Dare Not Speak Its Name (I’ve seen it already, it’s very good).

As far as I see it, if I took any credit for the strip here, I might as well take credit for his comics too… and why stop there, why not take credit for all comics on the internet? That’s right, I make ALL the comics…

…or not. But still, I declare open season on taking credit for other people’s work. Help yourself to what you want… you don’t have to be involved in it in any way, hey you can even take credit for something you’ve never heard of, just so long as you let everyone know.

Thanks Joseph.