#476 – Cramp
Posted on April 1, 2008 at 12:00 am by Chris
For anyone not here on the 1st the comments below the comic won’t make sense. Click here to see what the page looked like at the time. I blocked all of the comments coming from people that figured out the joke. I’ve now let them through so a lot of them will seem strange mixed in with all the others. Keep in mind most of these people read the comments and saw that nobody had figured out the joke and so they thought they were the first one to post about it. I guess I kind played a prank on both groups. 🙂
———-original post———-
I usually get started on a project right away when I arrive at work. I’ll be there for a few hours before taking my first break. I’ll walk up to the mirror in the bathroom and realize that I have a blob of toothpaste in the corner of my mouth or a big chunk of hair sticking out in a weird direction. I then have to playback the morning in my head trying to remember how many people I had talked to in person what the expression was on their face.
I only have 4 of the bonus sketches left for the book 2 pre-order. Thanks again for everyone that has pre-ordered the book! I wouldn’t be able to make these books without you.
Biff’s eyebrows! What’s happened?!?!
The Duck Has Spoken.
maybe the same thing that happened to his arm. except worse.
Nah, certianly Biff is getting an art update. Those eyebrows has annoyed the heck out of me for too darn long. Good riddance, I say.
Yeah I had been getting a lot of complaints lately about Biff’s eyebrows getting out of control so I decided to pull them back in a bit. I’m going to redraw the face on the recent comics over the next few weeks to bring them more in line with this improved look.
Whoa! Why did Biff’s eyebrows and mouth shrink? That was what gave Biff character, and to see them gone smaller makes him look odd. I would say bring them back, as it was part of his character appeal and his style.
Just my $.02
i don’t buy it. nice try, though.
but the eyebrows were unique! They were your style! The crazier the better I say and to hell with everyone who says otherwise
nooo.
the holy eyebrows must not be desecrated. would you return us to the era of the short eyebrow biff? bring upon us a new dark age of biffdom?
He’s just not Biff anymore without the eyebrows. He was always an odd guy doing odd things, which was part of the appeal. Now he seems like just a normal guy.
Well you guys should have spoken up sooner. I seriously get emails everyday from people complaining. I’m just trying to give you what you want.
I see what you did there.
Agreed that the eyebrows are part of what makes Biff Biffy.
I hearts the eyebrows.
What kind of crazy people are complaining about the eyebrows?
And you’re moderating as to not ruin the fun, eh? Good work I must say.
The eyebrows and mouth are what make Biff, well, Biff. I’ll put my money on this being an April Fool’s thing though…
Wow, I’d never imagine anyone would complain about his eyebrows or mouth. I mean, they made Biff.. Biff. Aside from his near insanity and seemingly indestructibility. Take it from someone who actually has thebookofbiff as their homepage, leave the eyebrows!
Also, I love how I can always relate to your little comment-type thing under the comic. I guess it’s just interesting hearing something so human, y’know?
But now I feel the need to check a mirror in case I have something on my face. Argh.
This had better be an april fools day thing otherwise I’ll I’ll. . . actually I’ll probably just continue life as I always had only slightly more dissapointed
To quote everyone else, “Nooooo!”
The eyebrows make Biff Biff. I love them, he looks weird without them… We’ve known him like this from the start, so it’s going to be new readers that go “WTF?” and send you emails to make him more realistic. I know when I showed people the book and when I wear my Biff shirt people always say “what’s with the eyebrows?” Do you listen to the emails or comments of people who say “There’s no such thing as invisible green cars, stop being so silly”?
Almost got me, then I looked at the date.
Haha, I get it. I almost missed it, but that’s just great.
I was initially turned off by the brow, but I have grown to really like it. That said, you do want to attract new readers, naturally. So, I understand.
Also, I figured Biff could do anything with one hand tied behind his back.
I’ll admit that the brow turned me off at first, but I’ve grown to really like it.
That said, I understand. You are trying to appeal to your readership, and potentially attract new readers, and judging by said emails and my original misgivings, the unkempt brow might be a hinderance.
Also, I thought Biff would be able to do anything better with one hand “tied” behind his back.
Lol, now that’s a bad arm day o_o
Oh and btw, happy april fools everyone =)
cheers~
Im gonna hazard a guess about the eyebrows….
Considering todays date is April 1st…
Aww, biff just isn’t the same like this… *wink*
Check your computer date and time.
I have to agree. The eyebrows and mouth are part of what make Biff who he is.
The eyebrows must stay! We love them.
Awww, biffs eyebrows and mouth are almost gone..
I agree with james, it was part of his charecter look and design.
The face is just an April fools joke. Don’t worry guys.
why do the cords look like his eye brows. he looks so naked without thim is sad.
its sorry i sliped on the t.
Happeh April Fools Day to you too!
Aaah, but you’ll find people are fast to complain and slow to compliment… I agree with the majority of other posters here… The eyebrows and mouth are what make Biff, Biff… I nearly fell off my chair when I say this comic, it looks incomplete!
-Jimbo
I’ve been reading and enjoying your comic for a long time now. I’m only posting now to say that no matter what you do with Biffs eyebrows some people WILL be unhappy and complain about it. I say you should make them the way you want them. You cannot possibly please everybody, be true to yourself.
What if Biff were a real person? According to this comic, he’d be asian.
Chris, perhaps you could hold Biff’s original style for ransom. Perhaps you could state that you’ll only change it back if a hundred people post photos of themselves punching themselves in the face as hard as possible.
Then you could do a comic with Biff, arms spread out in awe, facing a wall consisting of those pictures, with the caption ‘Biff realizes that this must be what it’s like to be God.’
4-11 lol
i know hoow he can pull that look off paint him blue.
Warning! Challenger approaching!
I have been reading Biff for a few months now, and this would be my first post. Just wanted to say hi.
*coughaprilfool’sdaycough*
……Is this an April Fools joke?
April’s fools, I think. Hope.
Never posted here before, but the change in his mouth and eyebrows can’t go without comment.
I have to agree that the old style was a large part of Biff’s character, part of what made The Book of Biff unique. They threw me off at first, but quickly grew on me (not literally, I don’t think that’s humanly possible).
Frankly, if you’re going to complain about things being wacky and out of control, Biff’s mouth and eyebrows are probably some of the more normal things about him.
XD Not even for April Fools is it okay to desecrate THE EYEBROWS. A sin has been committed here. It will bring on the Apocalypse.
*pokes the date*
😉
How many emails do you get?
Compare it to your amount of hits.
What’s the percentage? Usually only people who have issues voice them, not people who are happy with it as is.
Like this, there just is no character at all, just this bald, really white guy.
Eyebrows? Clearly an April Fool joke.
You’ve… you’ve de-Biffed him!
Is this a April fools joke or is Biffs eyebrows really going?
I can explain this abnormality with two simple words:
APRIL FOOL’S.
Goodnight, everyone.
The Duck Has Spoken.
aww… We should’ve spoken up sooner, but we seemingly did not know about all those emails. how would we? we weren’t the ones sending them (at least I wasn’t). Anyway, I agree that we should keep biff’s eyebrows all long and cool. It makes the comics funnier. And I offer my condolences for your suffering. It’s hard to keep people happy. But you seem to be doing a really good job, just don’t work yourself too hard.
People, check your calendars, I believe the answer to this abnormality is clear 😉
The Duck Has Spoken.
I agree, the eyebrows must stay! They’re the best part. 🙂
I, too, tend to find the eyebrows… distracting… but looking at this comic makes me realize that Biff wouldn’t be Biff without them.
Perhaps a happy medium could be obtained where the eyebrows are foot-long instead of yard-long.
Is this, like, an April 1st thing?
I always assumed the eyebrows/mouth were an integral part of Biff’s character. I couldn’t imagine Biff without his crazy over-the-top eyebrows and mouth. Not to mention his squinty eyes.
but were they the people who actually read the comic?
You do have a very good point Chris, but you’ve got to remember the saying “squeaky wheel gets the oil”. Only the upset/annoyed people post. I loved the eyebrows… it just added to the almost always ridiculous nature of Biff. You’ll probably be getting a *LOT* of feedback on the change in his eyebrows, but in the end, it’s not up to us, it’s up to you. All of us who liked the eyebrows just sat back and enjoyed it.
I’m sure that there are a lot of people who are sorry about not speaking up sooner… Maybe there could be a poll? “Oldschool Biff eyebrows vs. shorter, newer, more streamlined eyebrows”
I was kinda going to tell you a bunch of junk about personality and character as well…
But i remembered the date~
Most people that were content with the eyebrows were probably completely unaware that people were complaining so much. I suppose that could be what they get for reading only the comic and nothing else on the site though.
If I may add my two cents on the matter though, I have this to say: Who is the freak in today’s comic and why is he called Biff?
…that can’t be Biff. I dub him Steve. Who’s with me?
…wait… it all makes sense now… I see what you did… but I’ll stay quiet.
…I’m still calling him Steve though.
Happy april fools?
i agree, i’ve been enjoying biff for a long time, and its all about the eyebrows with him. i think i died a little on the inside.
Yeah, holy cow that weirded me out. I thought maybe it was April Fool Shenanigans in line with the three comic URL swap going on with QC, xkcd, and that other one.
Dude, if you want to change the eyebrows, it’s cool. I thought they were what made Biff Biff, and also they supply amusements and more room for facial expression, but hey. The comic is the funny thing, really, not the eyebrows.
i think ppl are just quieter when they have what they want. and i think the ppl who like to complain tend to be loud. i also think the long eyebrows were pretty cool. but hey – that’s my €.02
I agree with most of the others who have posted.. the eyebrows ARE Biff.. there’s no messin’ with those!! It kind of made me sad to see a slightly ‘normalized’ Biff… Please don’t give in to the pressure, Chris!!
i think ppl are quieter when they have what they want. i also think that the ppl who like to complain tend to be louder. but hey – that’s just my €0.02
We never spoke sooner because there was no reason, Biff always was his unique self with his pointy nose, his squimpy eyes and overgrown mouth and eyebrows, eyebrows that never really changed in style only in length. But now he looks too human almost incapable of all the unique things he did, with fully readable expressions! what is next to stop his off-worldly handeling and make him just a regular human.
Bad arm day?!
What happened to Biff’s eyebrows?!
Biff ain’t Biff without those brows!
I’ve never posted before, but I’ve read all the comics.
Please….
PLEASE do not take his eyebrows and mouth out.
It’s what Made Biff, Biff!
Well, I believe what Chris is doing. There’s nothing special about today which would make me not believe that Biff is losing his eyebrows.
Nope, nothing special about today at all.
Ah, common!
You cannot do a Biff with small eyebrows. What are the complaints than? I’m perfectly sure they can easily be ignored…
a little off the topic, but I have an idea for you, Chris.
I have blue tacked a small mirror on the side of my moniter at work. This way it looks like I’m absent-mindedly run my hands through my hair, looking at the screen- when I’m actually carefully styling my hair.
And I can check my teeth, makeup, etc., discreetly- the possibilities are endless!
April’s Fools much? Well played…
Seriously, do not listen to the people who dislike the eyebrows. I love the eyebrows, but to be honest I didn’t realise they were gone until someone mentioned it, but I did notice that he looked different somehow. The eyebrows were awesome, a weird quirky touch that just added an extra sparkle. What exactly do people complain about anyway? I can’t imagine someone getting so enraged over eyebrows that they’d email about it.
the question is… will the eyebrows regrow? such dynamic changes to appearance might be useful – some will like the long eyebrow strips, the others- the no-eyebrow strips
I don’t know, Chris. I think his eyebrows were an essentialpart of Biffs comic appeal. I’d much rather they stayed… This is an April fool’s joke, right?
Hi, this the first time I make a comment, but I watched all biff comics.
I just wanted to say your comics are great Chris, but please dont remove Biffs eyebrows thats one of the coolest parts about Biff.
Btw I think people didnt spoke up sooner because they didnt know others where complaining about his eyebrows.
Another vote in favour of the eyebrows! They’re what gives him his superhero(ish) powers of oddness, surely?
Seriously guys here’s an example of the complaints I get:
———-
Dear Biff drawer guy,
I do are sometimes finding of the funny your comic. I wish to be purchasing your book but I can not. The eyebrows are the distraction that is preventing this happen.
Yours sincierly,
Lord Thurston Tibbington III
———-
So guys, if I don’t listen to the people that aren’t buying my books then I’m never going to be successful.
Come on, do you see the spelling and grammar mistakes in that email? You can’t take something like that seriously.
*cough* aprilfoolscoughcough cough…. quite
Aren’t we buying? OK, I am not buying your book, but that’s because of money issues.
A look at today’s happenings in my mind:
…daily comics…sinfest… heh, funny… biff… BIFF! HAS! A FACE!… Eewwwwww, get it off!…yuck, who is this and where is Biff?
Now then. Listening to people who don’t buy your stuff is BAD. What happened if rappers listened to metalheads’ advice and vice versa? That’s right – fanbase lost, new one missing.
I think it’s time for a new look for Biff. The crazy eyebrows had their day in the sun, and it’s time for Chris to evolve his style. Me? I didn’t even notice the eyebrows were gone!
Long time reader, first time commenter. I have to say, GREAT change! The eyebrows look much better now. No more of that wild hippy crap going on here. Biff has a job and it’s about time he got on with the rest of the world and lined up like everyone else. No more barefoot doobie-smoking sillyness for him now, no sir. He’s on the road to becoming a responsible member of society now!
=)
Anyway, since this is my first comment, I just have to say that I love the comic. Pure gold, man.
Biff’s eyebrows were a part of him, and you have to take it away. this is awesome, but im poor, so i cant buy your book 🙁
Har Har. Nice April Fools’.
At least I hope it is >.>
I agree, the eyebrows were what made him Biff. Now he’s the guy from Powder. What’s next, Chris? Psychic powers? Or maybe you’ll introduce Jeff Goldblum to the series now.
(But then again, I’m not a pay customer, so…)
Sorry if this sounds harsh, I’m trying to come off sarcastic, but I do believe Biff should retain his trademark and not look like the dude from Powder.
Hmm…maybe more facetious than sarcastic.
Has anyone noticed the date? I’m pretty sure the lack of eyebrows is an april fools joke
Funny, Webcomics weekly just talkles about (well, I’m catching up, so it was a while ago) about changing characters all at once…
The eyebrows used to disturb me, but then they grew on me. I even grow my own eyebrows to be like that! Ok, not really, but I think they are awesome now.
Imagine, if someone just can’t possibly put up with the eyebrows, how the heck do they put up with all the other crazy stuff Biff does?
What if, Hey, Superman, I don’t like you S, or hey Batman, I don’t like your Bat, or hey Flash, I got a better symbol, it’s the guy with a trenchcoat and… you get the idea.
At least I know why there was over 40 comments this early.
Put the eyebrows back. That is my $0.03 (So many posts that inflation caused me to have to spend more by the time I posted this.)
NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Before reading the comic, I thought maybe you took up the suggestion to do a comic with Biff’s brother, Buff…..
But…. no…. you ….. removed…. the…. eyebrows….??????????
Sheesh, guys, look at the date, then read Chris’ posts again and get a clue XD
We are going to look back at this tomorrow and laugh 😀
Excellent April Fools, Chris! You played it out amazingly!
I remember the time when you honestly trimmed Biff’s eyebrows and the outcry against it. They slowly grew back. 🙂
With the fool acknowledged, I’ll continue along to state my allegiance to the pro-eyebrow clique: I love Biff as much for the eyebrows as for wild situations he finds himself in.
Keep up the great work! This is one comic I never tire of!
Happy April 1st.
Looking forward to seeing Biff as normal tomorrow 🙂
I’m gonna go with the rest of the crowd here, and vote for biff to get his eyebrows back. I’ve been a longtime fan, they gave him character, this biff seems to generic. Its obvious you have a huge fan base that loved the eyebrows, so if your gonna please anyone it should be them, not the random person that can’t type sending you complaints.
aww 🙂 I miss the eyebrows, they’re what make him unique!
B-but… Eyebrows are what define Biff! That and no other seeable body hair.
Just chiming in to say I’m with the ‘keep the eyebrows’ crowd. If there is going to be a change in style, at least keep something closer to the long brows, or just shorten them a bit… making them normal just isnt the same.
To the guys who believe this is permanent, check the date.
Oh look – the first of april. Could that be.. *gasp* April Fools Day!
This is a sad day for webcomics. Whenever I get to talking about them with friends, yours comes up nearly first and there’s always someone who hasn’t heard of you. My default response is to write down your website and hand it to them. “Enjoy,” I say.
But now it’s going to be, “Read 1-475. After that, it’s just not worth reading.”
Honestly, are you doing this to entertain people or are you doing it to make money?
The label of “sell-out” comes to the forefront of my vocabulary.
What is this! With out the over-sized brows and mouth, it’s not even biff, It must be a imposter!
I’m shocked at all these comments defending Biff’s facial features. I never thought they stood out that much really. I always thought that his most defining feature was his left elbow.
I’m only commenting to support the original Biff look.
As a from me to you, I’m of the opinion that this is an April fools joke, or that Biff was touching up his eyebrows when his arm whipped around behind him, shearing them both off.
I won’t point out the obvious and ruin Chris’ fun today.
Has anyone noticed the date?
“You’ve… you’ve de-Biffed him!”
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Chord.
And he’s got actual eyes now?
I’m surprised that Chris says he got so many e-mails when I’ve only seen one person react happily to this…
People, look at the date… April 1st. Ring any bells, perchance?
Wow, Biff is so much sexier without the huge eyebrows!!! Please send me a picture of him naked, especially his left elbow!!!
Hehehehehehehehehehehe.
Awesome. I love how no-one picked it.
I have a definite preference on the ‘Biff’s eyebrows’ issue, but my opinion is not important. In fact, there is only one opinion that matters in all this, and Chris, that’s yours. Biff is your character, and you need to do with him what you will. Those who didn’t like the eyebrows as they were still read the comic despite their preferences, as will the other camp, should you choose to stay with the change. In either case, I will remain a loyal reader. And for what it’s worth, I apologize that this is where I make my first comment. I love reading Biff, I think it’s a great comic, and I should have said so long ago. Keep up the great work, Chris!
Wow! Busy comment day!
First – The eyebrows. That just ain’t right.
Second – The arm. I’m pretty flexible – I can shake hands with myself over my shoulder, behind my back. But sometimes, when I do that I get a horrible cramp. I don’t know why I continue to do that – I must be mental. When I get a cramp like that, it probably looks kinda like what Biff’s got going on. Except with a beard.
Third – I have a wife. She used to be an NCO. She doesn’t let me escape the house without a quick inspection, both from long-held NCO habits, and from a desire not to be humiliated by her clod of a husband. No stray toothpaste, no stained clothes, nor any of a hundred other possible grooming errors. Yay for me!
😀
Thank you Chris. I’m glad you finally came to your senses and I can stop sending the mass emails to stuff your inbox. Those extra long eyebrows are ruining today’s society. Children running around around with the craziness, not listening to their parents. “I don’t have to shave my eyebrows because Biff doesn’t!” Bah, it’s about time we have better positive wholesome role models in our webcomics. Ones with correctly proportioned eyebrows that we can all salute in the morning right after we enjoy a warm bowl of oatmeal and cold prune juice. Thank you again Chris for doing the right thing for America and our children.
Long time reader, first time poster.
I was truly hoping this was an April Fool’s gag, but I had to check the posts to make sure.
Changing Biff? You’re the artist and it’s up to you, but it should be what you want, not what others want. If you are listening to opinions though, let him keep his brows. They really are what makes Biff, Biff.
Hmmmm, it is April 1st, isn’t it?
So I just noticed it is April the first.
Please say that this is the only reason for such a dirty trick.
Long time reader first time poster, love your comic, blah blah blah… Biff looks terrible without his eyebrows blah blah blah…
Time to ruin your fun Chris. Its April 1st everyone! Man, he got you good.
Uh, guys. There is one thing I would like to point out, in case I missed it when glancing through the comments. I think the REAL reason for the face change has to do with today’s date. 😉
If this is the case, Congratulations Chris, you did a wonderful job getting a reaction and stumping many people! XD
To all the complainers, I hate to be the one to spoil it, but have you looked at today’s date?
I was wondering what was up with Biff…I thought it was his nose…Then I realized it was his eyebrows and mouthstasch!
I’m beginning to get the inkling that this may be a very subtle April Fool’s joke… or Chris has gone utterly mad.
Please put the eyebrows back.
Wouldn’t the easiest thing to do is hold a vote? That would tell you if more people like his exaggerated features or don’t. Then you could base the design off of that.
Besides, I’m here for the crazy ideas Biff comes up with.
Here’s my two cents.
I think that the mouth and eyebrows was unique to Biff’s… biffyness. But sometimes it was hard to see his expression because they may be TOO long or TOO exaggerated. But don’t cut them back so much they look normal. I personally REALLY liked the style with Biff’s mouth and eyebrows. I had no idea people were actually complaining about it.
But whatever you think is best, I’m fine with. Its not my comic. XD
So, bottom line, Biff is your character, not mine. Though I liked the unique style with his eyebrows, I just can’t see him changing in the middle of the series like that. I always pictured Biff as that crazy surreal guy with crazy eyebrows/mouth. To get rid of that is like changing the character himself. But, my opinion doesn’t matter. Do what you wanna do.
Damn you moderation! The people deserve to know the truth!
The originial wonky face of biff is his signature to comic awesomeness, with out it, he isnt much of a biff at all, more like, like a joe.
Chris, eyebrows or no, keep up the excellent work. I agree with many of the comments above saying that the eyebrows gave Biff character…it kept him from being just an ordinary dude. But what REALLY makes Biff Biff are the absurd situations he finds himself in, and I have a feeling that’ll continue no matter the length of his eyebrows.
Consider this a vote in favor of eyebrows, but a stronger vote for the one, the only Biff.
@Mr Pickles: I strongly agree. That’s exactly how I feel.
WE WANT THE EYEBROWS BACK!!!!!
….that look SUCKS! You might as well give him a new name while you’re at it! What’s next? A plot!?!
@TOwns – I don’t know. I’ve just spent the last few hours improving comics #400-475. It would be a shame to waste all that work and not upload the new versions.
Um… Did anyone look at today’s date?
Yay its bifftime! oh no!
Where are the eyebrows?
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
they outsourced Biff to asia.
The horror, the horror.
I dont think i have had an arm cramp but when i sleep on a an arm and wake up the arm is really sensitive and if it touches anything it is painful and i have to wait a few minutes for it to go away
Wow momma look at all dem posts! few!
…. wait a second…. did anyone look at what today is?
zany april fools prank?
I can’t tell who’s purple hazes or not, but…
Does everyone seriously not know it’s groovy potato?
Nuuu! I wants the eyebrows! I say make a poll, best trouble solver ever. Or maybe make a series of polls every morning with a simple question.
Oh, and if the conclusion says cut off brows, IT’S WRONG!!! >=(
Anywho, I’ve posted a few times already but still – awsome comics, it’s how I wake up =D
“So guys, if I don’t listen to the people that aren’t buying my books then I’m never going to be successful.”
This made my day. Thank you. ^_^
I’m in agreement with everyone else: Keep the eyebrows, their part of what makes Biff Biff.
I always thought Biff’s facial… irregularities were quite funny. And you could always post them in the forums just for giggles and “So THAT’S what it’d look like”s.
You know, this IS April First. This may be Chris’s idea of a joke.
Awesome Joke Chris, both of them 😛
I am in complete agreement with Chris’s choice to alter Biff.
Granted It helps that I was sending an Email every day for the last 2 months to ask Chris to kill the eyebrows.
Thanks to everyone who helped me annoy Chris into submission!
You see, we CAN make a difference when we stand together!
Good gravy, I love April fool’s day!
🙂
I was hoping at least SOME webcomics would do something special for my birthday… and here we have a Biif that only lacks a regular skin tone to look as real as you or me. Best. Present. Ever.
Am I the only one thinking that the “new look” is probably related to April Fool’s day?
The new eyebrows are a lie… it must not be this way!
I’m probably a little late, but I would just like to say that I enjoyed the eyebrows as well.
Is this an April’s fool joke?
I am a new reader, spent the last few days reading over all your comics, and I must say this is a fantastic strip. I just wanted to post that this is an April Fool’s joke.
Anyway, keep up the fantastic work Chris, you make the start of each day a bit easier to wake up to.
Here are my thoughts. Leave this comic as an example to the new readers why we _don’t_ want Biff to every shave his eyebrows again. 😛
That way those complaining can get a feel for what the “boring looking” biff looks like.
For me it was like seeing an old friend again right after he shaved his head. Sure, I can get used to it after awhile but it’s…..weird….
Please, please don’t upload the fakes!
Do NOT listen to the naysayers. THE EYEBROWS NEED TO STAY!!
Seriously, his previous look was what made him endearing. It was what made him unique and charming.
Removing those eyebrows and the mouth make him far too GENERIC.
You don’t want that Chris, because you KNOW that Biff is ANYTHING but generic.
Restore the glory my good man… restore it. We know you want to.
Also, giving Biff eyeballs is something else you don’t need to do. Part of the awesomeness of Biff was that we just kind of KNOW what he’s giving attention to. Having eyeballs kind of detracts from his wackiness. And if there is one thing Biff IS, it’s wacky. Which is why we LOVE HIM JUST THE WAY HE WAS!!
OMG!!! WAIT!! THIS IS AN APRIL FOOL’S!!!
HOLY CRAP YOU GOT ME!!!
OMG THIS IS AN APRIL FOOL’S!
HOLY CRAP YOU GOT ME!
Well played… well played indeed, sir.
Alright…I just figured it out. This is an April Fool’s joke and he fooled all of us. Damn.
I think people are missing the real joke of the day. Very subtle Chris, nice work. 😉
Does anyone else think the new eyebrows are a subtle April Fools joke? I find it hard to believe I’m the only one.
Not to sound like a broken record, but I too loved Biff’s unique facial features. Like everyone says, it made him Biff. It’s honestly what made this comic stick out to me and got me interested in reading it. I’m a hardcore Biffer now and I really think they should stay. Even if they’re not as long, that’s ok. Bring us back our Biff-brows please!.
ok, my say…
biff looks scary. VERY scary. i dont see whats not to like about his eyebrows (or at least, how they were). its just silly, asking to make them short. its like asking to make elephants’ ears smaller, because they’re too big; they want to take away his uniqueness. if someone wants to draw biff for some strange reason, they wont be able to, because without his bizzare brows, he looks like anyone else.
Also, on the forums, the smileys all have biffbrows. what would be the point if biffs eyebrows werent really liike that?
Anyway, even with my view, it is totally up to Chris to decide whether he has long brows. either way, it’d still be one of my favourite webcomics.
@ Jekai: ok, short eyebrows i can just about understand, only just, and on a brief exposure to drugs, but you sound as if you want biff to stop doing the sort of things he does. that would make this comic boring. with stuff like “biff made a presentation after being told to by his boss.” biff is not a conformist or whatever the word is. do you not understand this?
sorry about the essay, but i wanted my veiws heard. ta ta!
oh, and whats all this stuff about “giving my 2 cents”?
NOOOOOOOOO. no no no no no.
No new Biff, Bring back Biff classic!
This is as bad as Coke Classic! Bring back Biff’s Feelers!
You guys must have gone to a different business school than I did. The only way I’m going to expand my market share is if I bend to the wishes of people that don’t read my comic. I think I’m doing the right thing here in the long run.
Heh, it’s very likely this is an April Fools joke ya know 😛
@Chris: LOL
I don’t know if I’m the first to notice this, but, isn’t it April Fools day…
I would like to think that the drastic change in style is partially to do with the date, if not, I would like to state that I adored the eyebrows and crazy mouth, and wish for them to return. 🙂
@BiggerJ- I love his idea, I would be happy to punch my self in the face for biff.
@Draco Advigilat- Yes, his name shall be Steve, seems like a good name fo some on as normal looking as him.
Well I say bring back the eyebows it was the first thing I saw when the page loaded. I was like WTFBBQ.. who’s in biff’s comic!! Well the choice is up to you Chris but im waring you if you don’t fix biff i’ll blow up pluto because it seems that know one cares about poor pluto. Zulu
You know Chris, you are right. Just forget the people who only read your comic and post all the time on your comments and side with the MAN who only cares about money money money money. I quit. I’m never reading Biff again. This sucks.
Sorry if I’m spoiling your fun Chris.. but I just had to say..
Funniest. April Fools. EVER!
Question: Do you stop the April fools jokes at midday where you are? I have to commend you, it’s the only one I fell for all day 😀
I had read through about half of the comments to see what the deal was with the eyebrows when it dawned on me that it’s April 1st.
Well played, Chris.
Like everyone else has commented, woah, eyebrow change! Maybe Biff’s having a bad eyebrow day too.
Also, Biff is evidently left-handed. Or at least he has to be today, making it an even worse arm day.
After a good night’s sleep, I’m still not sure how to react to this.
People changing so drastically can be hard to adjust to.
Removing Biff’s eyebrows is no small change, either!
I wonder how many people complained…
Looks like we’ll just have to get used to Biff’s new look.
For who are we to judge the opinions and choices of others?
Our thoughts cannot sway the thoughts of others.
Only they can decide what they think.
Looks like we’ll just have to get used to the new Biff.
Sucks, though.
Clearly everyone has forgotten what day it is today…
Perhaps this is one of those April Fools things…maybe…I hope. My favorite comic is the one with biff in the car with his brows straight back.
“You guys must have gone to a different business school than I did. The only way I’m going to expand my market share is if I bend to the wishes of people that don’t read my comic. I think I’m doing the right thing here in the long run.”
That is the exact same thing that TSR thought when they revised D&D to make it more PC. They experienced a remarkable downturn in sales and interest in response to homogenizing their product. You’re pandering to the people who don’t like your product, and alienating the ones who do. From a purely business standpoint, that’s a bad idea.
I disagree with the change from an artistic standpoint as well. It cheapens a creative outlet when the creator compromises his vision by allowing others to determine its direction.
Out of curiosity, what is the magnitude of the messages against the traditional Biff? Are they a couple, or are they in the hundreds?
You guys do realize today is April Fool’s right?
@Jake – At least 3 in the past 2 years.
Oh my god, it’s Biff’s evil half-identical-twin-clone-third-cousin!
HAPPY APRIL FOOL’S DAY BIFF
Heh and thanks for preventing me from posting this!!!
Chris. Is this an April Fool’s joke? Because if so it’s an excellent one – you seem to have tricked about 80 people.
HOWEVER, if this isn’t really an April Fool’s i must ask you to please bring back the ‘brows. I’ll always love Biff, and i won’t stop coming here, and i know that he is your character, and yours to change as you see fit… but i still think he’s better with those beautiful wavy eyebrows.
Lots of Love
P.S. I hope this is an April Fools…
Yeah, I liked Biff’s crazy eyebrows. Alas, statistically, people are more likely to take the initiative when they have a negative opinion (as opposed to a postive one) to voice, so it’s understandable that people have sent more e-mails complaining than complimenting. =(
I love the new Biff will you draw him again next April Fools day? it is just great how human he looks now and I am surprised no one or hardly anyone noticed his eyes nose and mouth also changed in style… and that so many forgot it was april the first… including me at first!
So you’re going with the Powder look because of 3 people? Well, you better start practicing your Jeff Goldblum art now, dude. You’ll need it.
You know, I was just in the middle of typing a second post when it hit me. I think I’m on the same page as you are, now, Chris, and I can’t help but laugh.
After this, I feel compelled more than ever to purchase one of your books. I think I’ll write that down on my arm to make sure I don’t forget.
So… am I the only one who knows what the date is today?
Hello, all. First time i’ve posted on here, but I had to say a few things. A. I do prefer “old-school” Biff. B. Is it just me, or do you think, with today being April first, Chris is screwing with us?
I PITY THE APRIL FOOLS
I pity the april fools.
@Sarah – “I disagree with the change from an artistic standpoint as well. It cheapens a creative outlet when the creator compromises his vision by allowing others to determine its direction.” – I totally agree. I suppose it doesn’t matter in the end though, nothing we say will change it. I’ll still be here everyday to see Biff’s wacky adventures. They just won’t be quite as wacky now that he’s normal…
It’s April fool’s.
Guys, the eyebrows will be back tomorrow. As you can see by one of the tower ads, they’re on loan to some guy named Trent.
Don’t let it through, but I’ve got it! How was I so stupid to not notice it until just now. It’s the first ^__^
I just thought he took off the eyebrows to plug in his mouse and keyboard.
Well, you haven’t let my comment be posted, so i can only assume one thing. I was right. It was an April Fool’s day joke.
I have one thing to say to you Chris…
Nice one!
You really pulled it off, judging by the number of comments
Lots of Love
P.S. Do the people who guessed (I’m sure I’m not the only one0 get a special prize or a special mention? :p I sure hope so…
P.P.S. i really need to start saying everything i want BEFORE i end the message
P.P.P.S. sorry for such a long message…
Has no one else noticed what day it is? If nothing else, the absurdity of Chris’s comments should have made ya’ll wonder. Jeez.
Biff’s new look..
APRIL FOOLS, AM I RIGHT?
Am I the ONLY one who knows that is probaly an April Fool’s joke?
bring back biff!!
Okay people…… since nobody seems to be catching this.
Lol.
Calm down, and take a look at what day it is. Yeah. You guys have been had.
Enjoy.
Eyebrows fools day
you can’t muck around with his eyebrows!! They r an institution of there own!!
There’s an ad on the side of the screen with a guy named Trent with Biff’s eyebrows. Although that might be random. ;P But they are his. “Trent discovers that the cockroach-feeler-eyebrow-look can be hard to pull off.”
So, April Fools, maybe?
Like the majority of people who have already posted today, I have been following Biff’s misadventures for a long time, and I thoroughly enjoyed Biff’s Neverending Eyebrows, and his mouthstache. I have never posted before, but as many people have pointed out, people are more inclined to complain than they are to speak up when they are satisfied. And, like many have already noted (Sarah in particular), it’s not a good idea to either alienate your established fanbase, or to let others influence/control your art (unless it is commission-based, of course).
You’re in charge here, Chris, so follow your own lead. Biff is your creation, and in the end it doesn’t matter that the Eyebrow Advocates clearly outnumber the Quibblers. If you think three complaints in two years is a sign that you need to redesign Biff, then so be it.
As for me, I’ll retreat back into the shadows now. I will continue to follow Biff’s misadventures….
…and hope fervently that all this talk of redesigning Biff’s defining characteristics is nothing but an April Fool’s Day joke.
hey guys, do you know what today is?
huh?
any reason about today why Biff might be different? hmmmm?
*cough* april fool’s *cough cough*
sorry to spoil it all for you, but this has gone long enough!
Chris, pardon me.
Second time posting, first was ~50 comments up.
Today is April 1st! Is everyone going along with a joke, or you actually think this is real?
oooooh. I get it. It’s April 1st. I always forget
Ooooooh. I get it. I can never remember when that time of year.
I can’t believe this. Not that the eyebrows are changing, but because of the number of people commenting about it. People, look at todays date! Duh!
Biff readers can’t be THAT gullible…can they?
~Alexor~
What, no april fools joke?
Bring back the eyebrows! The eyebrows of doom!
(I’m gonna keep hoping this is an April fool’s day joke. Mwahaha!)
um…..has it occurred to ANY of you that this one just happened to be posted on april fools day?
Oh noes! Trent stoled Biff’s eyebrows!
Has anyone else thought that MAYBE this is just a joke?
Bring back the eyebrows of doom!
(I’m gonna just assume this is an April Fool’s day joke here. :D)
Whoa! I never thought I would get worked up about the eyebrows on a webcomic character, but I was about to be a little sad…until I realized what today is! 😉 I hope the eyebrows return tomorrow!
…I see what ya did there.
Chris: I wholeheartedly agree that this is the best possible business decision you could have made. I think the average person will now be able to relate to Biff better, and good relation breeds good sales. I think the reason that some of my fellow readers are having trouble coping with the change is that they are not currently having a bad arm day and cannot relate with this particular topic (most of the people that can relate ARE having a bad arm day and can’t navigate to the comments in order to commend you).
I’m sure if you redo all of your old comic in this new style (and destroy all copies of the old style) that each person will be able to find one that they can relate to and continue to admire all of your work.
Don’t ditch the eyebrow!!! but if you INSIST, at least give him a unicorn horn to replace the void!!
Hey Chris,
Long time reader, posted a couple of times.
And here’s my large number of pennies, to go with the flow:
Again, sounding like a battered, beaten and spat on record,
I agree with practically everyone here.
The eyebrows gave biff something different.
Imagine this webcomic as a sort of kingdom with you as king,
and one peasant sends you a letter going “I don’t like you wearing that colour robe, change it or I’m not paying my taxes this year” but everyone else loves you for it. Are you going to change it and make many more upset or are you gunna behead the man for treason?
I’m sorry, that was a really bad metaphor,
My point is that you shouldn’t just change him because a couple of people dislike how he is. You’ll never please EVERYONE.
Oh and to quote you before “I’ve just spent the last few hours improving comics #400-475” ‘Improving’? If you remove the eyebrows, you remove part of biff, quite litterially.
I really enjoy your comics, and biff being.. well, being biff; and I think his eyebrows should stay 🙂
[/rant]
Keep up the good work 🙂
Noodles x
Believe it or not, Chris, I appreciate your censorship for the sake of keeping the joke alive. I just couldn’t resist, because most of the comments remind me of people taking Stephen Colbert seriously.
Don’t worry, the one isn’t Biff. It can’t be Biff. He hasn’t got the eyebrows nor mouth. Biff took a rest.
hey what day is it today? 😉
Crap…
You got me, Chris!
XD Excuse me while I go kick myself.
Chris Says:
April 1st, 2008 at 12:11 am
Yeah I had been getting a lot of complaints lately about Biff’s eyebrows getting out of control so I decided to pull them back in a bit. I’m going to redraw the face on the recent comics over the next few weeks to bring them more in line with this improved look.
——————————————————
I can’t believe I’m the first to say this (only just looked at the comic), but is this an April Fools joke? If so it’s a good’un!
lemme guess… April Fools Joke Chris?
Has no one noticed it is April Fools Day?
Wait a second! That man in the border ad has stolen his brows!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Does anyone look at the calender anymore?
This is gold. 🙂
OHHHHHHHHHHH MYLANTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s April Fool’s day and WE ALL FELL FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel really DUMB NOW!
I think the reason Biff’s eyebrows were removed was to be an April Fools joke.
^ ^
__/
I bet Chris is just sitting there reading the comments and laughing his butt off….
Please, please just let this be a bad April fools joke.
Guys, guys, relax. Are you forgetting that it’s April fool’s day?
wow awesome april fool’s day joke
Soooo many think you really will change him :-p
April Fools?
Hmm. I wonder what day it is… I can’t seem to remember. I think it’s March 31st maybe.
You guys are stupid. This is an april fools joke. DUH!
Hey, Biff lost his eye brows! WHY?! They were one of the major characteristics that made biff!
DEAR GOD TELL ME THIS IS AN APRIL FOOLS JOKE!
…..I really do hope everyone here is not serious… I mean, I woke up today EXPECTING things like this…
My $0.02? Eyebrow change & mention of changing it to be like that permanently = April Fools Days joke. Has to be.
Ah, the first of April. Wait Chris, what did you do to Biff’s right elbow? It now matches his left elbow! What are you trying to pull?
🙂 Happy April Fool’s Day
I laugh at those that do not recognise this day as April fools day.
Good show!
WOW!!! I already posted a comment on this saying I support biff’s old eyebrows, but I just had a horrible thought… what would happen to the comic where biff discovers that he dislikes helicopters? they cut off his eyebrows, and if there’s no eyebrows to cut off, what happens then? I actually agree with chris in what he’s done, but I still don’t like it. It’s not as bad for me, because I have a new girlfriend to distract me, but it’s still… ergh.
NOO!!!!!! BIff isn’t Biff anymore!
Now Chris,
I have bought both books and I need the eyebrows!!!!!!!!! Biff isn’t without them. Please………………..return the brows to their former glory, please
to Batdan: Who on earth shaves their eyebrows?! I’ve heard of girl’s plucking them, but I’ve never done anything to mine. You’re such a jerk. If you don’t like Biff you don’t have to insult him!
Hey Chris,
long time reader, haven’t commented much. but
Biff was awesome, and if people don’t like the eyebrows how about a compromise? you could draw his eyebrows like, long but not as long as they were before! half as long!
@Diane – that’s what I’m talking about. You already bought the books so I don’t need to worry about you. I’m making these improvements to impress people that will never come back to the website to see that they have happened. My book sales are going to triple by tomorrow!
APRIL FOOLS
Didn’t anyone notice that Biff’s eybrows disappeared on April Fools?
>_
And Chris,
While his left elbow is thing of beauty, and I am sure that many songs have been sung about it, his eyebrows are what make him Biff. Please do not remove them from older comics, we brow-fans have to have someplace to go to see our old friends and not just this new, brow less freak of a Biff impostor.
Anyone ever think that this may be an April fool’s joke?
…I hope this is an April fool’s joke.
…is it just me, or does anybody else smell an early April Fools? I mean, I know this was uploaded yesterday, but it’s not anything new to do it early… and with today being April Fools, I wouldn’t be surprised if we had the good Biff back next week. I mean, even some of the comments sound ridiculously… ridiculous.
ANYWHO, I do the same thing all the time at school, usually right after I get a haircut… problem is, I don’t notice it until the end of the day, so there’s not much I can do about. Heh, then again, everybody does stuff like this once in a while, so we’re all a little bit even.
Oh wait, there is just a comments delay… (hadn’t seen that before)
And here was me getting paranoid that the April Fools truth was being blocked from getting out…
*embarrased*
Wow, all the way down the page, and not a single mention of the day it is…
Haha, that’s amazing, and makes the reactions all the better.
Love your comic!
I’m going to go with “April Fools!” with this one.
Wait, seriously, I’m the only one who caught this? Do I get a prize pack or something?
*Taps glass with fork* Everybody! Everybody! Settle down now! Has no one checked the date? What says that Mr. Chris here can’t keep an April Fool’s Day joke going for this long? And thus I’ve deduced that this is all a prank! You’ll never get away with this, Chris! How come no one figured it out yet?
Baka.
Truely, this is a wonderful day for webcomics everywhere. If only some people could realize the truth.
I can’t believe no-one has noticed the date yet…
Bad arm day, bad eyebrow (Bad eyebrows! BAD!) day too. It’s obvious the batteries went dead in Biff’s cordless mouse and keyboard so he had to use the closest conductive thing.
Heh, webcomicists just love April Fool’s jokes. 😉
Woah, they burned off again?
Chris,
I have only been reading your strip for a short time, and must say I love it, found it by way of PvP. If I am wrong on this then I agree I say keep the brows. That being said I’m thinking everyone might want to remember what day it is.
Heh. As I expected. Nice one, Chris!
This… May take some getting used to. I liked the crazy brows and the crazy mouth. Anything to please the masses, I suppose.
anybody else notice Biffs face changed on APRIL FOOLS DAY?
Ahh, finally Biff is tolerable to look at. Kudos to you Chris, it takes nads to do something like this. All for the better!
APRIL FOOLS! Nice one dude.
Chris,
I love-ed you eyebrows. I love-ed you. T_T
Keep the eyebrows. Biff isn’t the same without them. The few times that Biff has lost his eyebrows (I’m thinking it was a few. I know it happened at least once) there was a real good reason why they were lost. I’m sure that it involved a huge fire. KEEP THE EYEBROWS!! They are what make’s Biff ‘Biff’. If you want to stop drawing the eyebrows for a while I’m sure you can come up with a fantastic Biff themed idea to do so.
The Halfcat loves the comic. ^_^
😮 April Fool’s?
I’m hoping this is an April Fool’s Day joke…
…That is not Biff. I don’t care what you say! D:
-runs off faliling and crying-
@ Draco Advigilat
Agreed.
Hey has anybody else considered this may be a April Fools Day joke I just can’t see Chris make such a drastic change to Biff’s design for such a weird reason
“La gasp! What is this madness?! Where are Biff’s eyebrows?!” Is what I thought as soon as I realized that Biffs eyebrows were missing, not because of some “Biff-ish” accident, but because Biff had a makeover. I understand that you are doing this to please the mass of Biff Eyebrow and mouth haters, but Come on!! Not the eyebrows!! *Sigh…* I guess I’ll have to adjust to the lack of crazy eyebrows v_v . . .
Wow… I used to love to read the Biff comic, and one of my favorite parts was Chris’ commentary on them. I loved that I got to know Chris a little bit, as well as laugh at the funny incidents that relate to the wonderful comic of the day. Whether or not Biff is Biff w/o the eyebrows is almost a non-issue. (granted, Biff ISN’T Biff w/o them) This is because the integrity and creative insight I saw in Chris, is now crushed. I used to respect him, but the comments he is leaving to support his actions, are very disappointing to say the least. It seems as though Biff’s own creator has less stock in him than his readers. Biff is no longer a quirky product of creativity, he is a monetary product alone. I will no longer read Biff. Even if the eyebrows go back, I simply no longer have any respect for Chris. You let me down.
Ah ha! Maybe this is an April Fool’s joke . . . Hopefully. . . maybe . . .
Besides! How ironic and sad is it that the day the eyebrows are removed, the ad for the t-n-t comic is a reference to none other than BIFF’S EYEBROWS. It doesn’t even make sense.
Not one commenter mentioned that today is April Fools’ Day?
Hahaha! I won’t ruin your fun Chris! I’ll just be sitting here with my popcorn and watching the people who don’t get it yet. 😀
Ha.
Does no one else realize what today is? APRIL FOOL’S DAY!
And don’t the denizens of the internet have a terrible propensity towards making the poor, gullible, unsuspecting masses writhe in confusion and despair on this very day? I mean, Google merging with Virgin to form Project Virgle, the first permanent colony on Mars?
*blank stare*
Erm… I’m a bit shocked that so many people have failed to realize that today is in fact april 1st….. you may also know this day by its other name…. April Fools day! I am hoping that maybe Chris is going through deleting comments in order to keep the gag alive a bit longer, as I find it unlikely that I am the only one to realize the gag. However april 1st is waining now, perhaps it is time to let them in on the joke?
Love the comic though Chris, keep up the offbeat enjoyable work.
I wonder how many people here looked at the date before complaining/gasping at the eyebrows thing. Or read the banner on the right. Or realized what day it is. Or glanced at a calendar. I can’t think of any other ways to say that today is a special day. Pag tem fa, patone?
Wow it’s astounding the number of people who have commented in all seriousness demanding Biff’s eyebrows back. Excellent comic Chris!
I especially love the several-paragraphs-long arguments. 🙂
wow…I’ve never seen so many comments.
*bursts out laughing*
This. Is. An. AWESOME April Fool’s joke!!
XD
Also, I agree with Draco Advigilat. We should call this one Steve.
(but then Marik would be able to contol his mind Oh noez!)
[Sorry for the weird reference]
I just realised what day it is. I hope this is an April Fool’s Joke…
NO!!! don’t get rid of the eyebrows! I’ll add my voice that the brows and mouth is what makes Biff. DO NOT GET RID OF THEM!
Chris:
You can’t always make everyone happy, I simply suggest you to do what you think is right, if you literally listened to everyone who has something to suggest and did what they want, you would simply end up ruining everything.
That’s why I insist. Do what you think is right.
🙂
EDIT: I ended up drawing in the eyebrows and mouth on my monitor, but now I have 3 squiggly lines in the middle of the screed. I shouldn’t have used the permanent marker I guess. you owe me a new monitor Chris, since it is your fault. 😛
K this time I will put it right out there for all to see….Today is April 1st(April Fools Day).. and I think Chris has done a great jod of pulling his prank good job man. Just read his own comments.
“I don’t need to worry about you. I’m making these improvements to impress people that will never come back to the website to see that they have happened. My book sales are going to triple by tomorrow!”
Impress people that will never be back to see it anyways ..ugh
and triple sales in one day lol
“@Jake – At least 3 in the past 2 years.”
3 people complained compared to all of us so Biff gets a makeover somebody better get the toastersnake off Chris cuz he’s out of oxegen.
Im calling Chris’ bluff and trusting eyebrows will be back in full glory tommorow
You may take the crazy eyebrows, but you can never take OUR FREEDOM!!!!!!!
(sorry i couldnt resist)
Great idea Chris! George Lucas would be proud of your newfound money-making prowess, especially the masterstroke of redoing your old strips to match the great new look! That’s what it’s all about! I salute you.
The eyebrows at least distracted us from the fact that he has an overly large cranium.
Psycho Duck for the first time in awhile haven’t said “The Duck has spoken” 0_0
That is not a good sign.
Chris, I have been silently reading your comic for about 6 months (or more) and I have truly enjoyed your own sense of creativity. Goodness, I’d be surprise if you are not already an internet celebrity.
However, what is up with bending your own creativity to satisfy few complaints over large number of supporter? Plus, it is not very business-like to disappoint large number of people over few complaints. If you truly want to make some business out of your creativity, thats fine, nothing wrong with that. Improving some artwork (nothing removed), thats fine too.
Unfortunately, removing one of the icon (I repeat, ICON) from this popular comic takes the uniqueness out of the comic itself. This by itself may send away some longtime and/or loyal costumers.
Although the eyebrow (and the mouth) have nothing to do with the actual intent of the story, it is there to add more fun-like bizarre atmosphere to the comic, and create a very unique physical trait to Biff. I mean how many bald, wide mouthed, foot long eyebrowed, invincible, pale character in this world? Not very many if any.
Chances are likely that I wouldn’t have written this had you only created the artwork out of your own creativity. However, now that I found your reason amidst all those comments, it isn’t the same. Having a favorite comic and someone’s unique form of style taken over by money is actually quite scary.
All I request here, Chris, is not to let few complaints and money fear control the epicness of this comic. If it does, I can guarantee you that any more art, made out of your creative range due to those two reasons stated, the comic would come to portray itself with false atmosphere.
Change only if YOU, and ONLY YOU like. Not by few complaints.
Of course Tanos, thank you for that ray of hope. Didn’t even occur to me
It wasn’t until I went to bed last night (err… early this morning) that I remembered what day it is.
Very cheeky.
odd this would happen today
I liked the eyebrows…i say keep them long!
do people not realise what the date is……April 1st, it’s gotta be a joke! and chris has just made fools out of a lot of people
seriously though, keep the old-school brows
After reading these comments, I have come to a conclusion.
Part of Biff is in those eyebrows, and taking them away is very BAD…
Really, if there were people here commenting all lot the time about his bad eyebrows I would understand, but they aren’t.
I think that taking away the eyebrows takes out a big chunk of his very Biffness.
Love is all I feel for them, and somehow I doubt that so many other people would feel differently.
Fine, it would attract more buyers, but it would alienate many of the people here who might buy a book in the future.
Oh sure, you get a few more buys now but a lot less later!
Operating the comic as a business is a bad idea anyway.
Losing longtime fans to a simple decision like this is also bad.
Seriously, the only good chose is to keep the eyebrows.
Lexor
*cough* Check the date *cough*
Guess what guys: this is April Fool’s Day.
What do you think are the chances that Chris would alienate his fans and change the character that he created and has been drawing for years? Why would he strip away the individuality of his beloved Biff? Why would he express no desire to return to the classic Biff style despite the overwhelming response he has received from his readers?
The answer is: he wouldn’t. Just analyze some of his replies to your comments. And here’s the most glaring response that I’m surprised didn’t give it away:
Jake: “Out of curiosity, what is the magnitude of the messages against the traditional Biff? Are they a couple, or are they in the hundreds?”
Chris’s reply: “@Jake – At least 3 in the past 2 years.”
His argument for changing the design is that he has received mail regarding Biff’s eyebrow length that led him to believe he would profit from changing the design. Wait, Chris has been drawing Biff for years, and now he suddenly cares about making a profit? And as he even said, he’s only received three such complaints in the past 2 years. He’s been dropping hints the entire time, and nobody seems to have realized that it’s APRIL FOOL’S DAY.
Oooh CRAP! Now I feel REALLY stupid!
*bangs head on desk over and over and over*
Good one, Chris. Good one.
How about a compromise? Keep one eyebrow long and have the other short. That way you will appeal to both the people who aren’t remotely interested in the comic and never read it, as well as those that do.
…oops.
…good one, Chris. I get it now. *slaps forehead*
Look at the date, peoples.
This is an April Fools, isn’t it?
@Chris
This is my first comment on your website.
I and many other readers have been highly turned off by the new change.
I was planning on buying The Book of Biff when I got a job, but if you start changing the artwork in it to conform to this new and (in my opinion) negative change, I don’t think I’ll want to buy it anymore.
Most of the arguments presented in this comment section have cited one of the following points: (A) only a few people requested this change, so it is not worth making, and (B) you are trying to sell out your artistic integrity.
I have two suggestions for what to do with Biff’s appearance.
1. Make two versions of the Book: one with the original look, and one with the new look. If you stop selling the Book with the original look, I’m just not going to buy it.
2. Have a poll with the following options: (A) I dislike the change, and I no longer want to buy the Book, (B) I dislike the change, but I still want to buy the Book, (C) I like the change, but it did not convince me to buy the Book, (D) I like the change, and now I want to buy the Book, (E) I like the change, but I already bought the Book in its original form, (F) I dislike the change, and I am glad that I already bought the Book in its original form. If more people answer “D” than all of the other choices combined, THEN AND ONLY THEN should you carry through with the change. (I am willing to bet that option “D” will actually receive the LEAST votes.)
What do you think, Chris? I hope you will at least seriously consider my suggestions.
your all crazy! ITS APRIL FOOLS! pay attention to the date sometimes… sheesh
What!?
you have Defaced.. well… more like De-Browed Biff!
Return him to normal at once!
…please?
Wow…
This… is the most totally awesome April Fool’s prank I’ve seen today! 😀
You sir, are a master!
This better be some kind of April Fool’s joke…
*grins* Hasn’t anyone thought that this might be an April Fool’s joke?
Wait….. oh my, I forgot that today is April Fools. Its funny how all this happened on April Fools
Well, a couple hours after my posts here, my little 7 yo sister tries do a lame joke, she gives my mother a glass of hot water when ask to get her a drink, and she shouts “April Fools!” after that for some reason I immediately think of this comic and just started laughing! (And I didn’t have the heart to tell my sister I wasn’t laughing at her joke.) Wow Chris, you really had me going on this one! I still can’t stop chuckling to myself.
Oh. My. God.
永偉, let’s hope you’re right and Chris pulled a fast one on us 🙂 .
I am honestly suprised at how many people did not pick up on this, ever pause to check th date?
I dont know if this has been mentioned, i stoped reading the comments half way through, but u guys know its april the first right. Ide put my money on this as being a prank.
HAHAHAHA….. You guys….. XD XD XD XD XD XD XD
You guys……… don’t get it……….
Good one Chris!!!!
Biff without eyebrows?!?!?! No…
Just…no…
Ahahaha… Normally I don’t comment, but man, today was just classic! Man, I love all the people who put serious replies.
Kudos to Chris for the most well done joke I’ve seen today.
-Yee-Tvae Corinst
I was wondering how long it would take before someone realized that.
Nice one, Chris! XD
Hey, the prank must be over, that dude with the funny name mentioned it without his post getting removed! I did one earlier today, but mine was gone. I had to settle for posting April fools in the capitals. Great job on the April fools joke, Chris. I don’t know how many people did or didn’t fall for it, but it sure was funny. =P
@ 永偉 ; Actually, I checked back in to check and see if anyone else had come to that very same conclusion: That this is a subtle, and resoundingly successful, April Fool’s prank.
Chris, I salute you! Masterfully done, Sir!
Yea, half way through reading the comments it kind of dawned on me what day it was. Very surprising how serious this issue is though.
Wait…..isn’t today April Fool’s Day?
Do I win a prize?!
Has anyone noticed today’s date? It’s almost as if Chris is trying to *fool* us about the eyebrows, and the claim to many complaints about them.
WOW. LOTS OF COMMENTS
*Un-capslocks*
well, i like the change, but as long as its not permanent. I guess he just goes for annual eyebrow and mouth trims. now you should show them progressively growing back.
Okay, I’m a first time poster, been reading biff for ages now….Does anyone find it ironic that it’s April Fool’s Day? Am I the first one to notice this? Chris can’t be that stupid to take the eyebrows out of biff, just for a couple complaints about eyebrow length? He’d lose a lot of readers, and he never seemed like the kind of person (from what I’ve read in his little notes) who would do such a thing.
Has ANYONE noticed what’s REALLY going on here? I laughed more at the comments than the comic.
Awesome. One of the best things I have seen Today. And if I’m wrong and this has nothing to do with the date, then you’ll be getting another less-friendly comment tomorrow. 🙂
Ladies and Gents… you all realize that today is April Fools, aye? *nods upward* Though I agree with the “keep Biff’s long eyebrows and mouth” people, there is a possibility that this is a joke.
*thanks her pal CF for pointing this highly overlooked fact out*
Every year, 233 feet of eyebrows are shaven, waxed, or plucked.
Please…Save the eyebrows.
April Fools?
I am lazy, and normally take a rest before going to work on anything =p
>> I don’t think my message went through… if it did, well, sorry– here’s two for you.
Gang… I thank one of my friends for pointing out that today -is- April Fools Day, first day of April. So… posible hint here, everyone.
Biff’s brows are what makes him biff!
I’m not a huge fan of the change, but like several people have said it is your comic and your decision.
So, I saw the biff comic this morning, and laughed pretty hard. I thought it was weird that NO ONE realized it was april fools day-but it makes sense, since you blocked the comments! Probably one of the better april fools pranks played by a webcomic artist this year. grats, Chris 🙂
*cackles insanely* I just got back from school. Awesome joke. Sad to say, I don’t celebrate April’s fool and stayed home that day so I had no idea it was April’s fool day. So, understandably, I got pretty upset when there were no eyebrows. but still, I bow to you Chris, for the super-awesome-mega-fantastic-insanely-hilarious-time-consuming-but-worth-it joke. *applause*
Best
April
Fools
Joke
Ever
Outstanding prank Chris..my first post got through your web; however I didn’t know there was a web untill my more upfront post didn’t make it for a while…love the cloak n dagger stuff…now I see all came through and I wasn’t the first to spot the joke…love it and please keep up the good work.
0.0…. xD xD xD that is to funny. i knew today was april fools day. but i didnt think chris would do something like that. as i type this all i can say is OMG i cant believe he did that. *clap clap clap* Well played. ^_^
Heh, I started to realize it was an April Fools day joke as soon as I read that “Email” in the comments. Nice one Chris, this and the April Fools day joke on Dr. McNinja have to be the funniest ones I’ve seen in a long time! Two great April Fools day jokes in one day.
Awesome job, Chris, awesome job!
Kudos to Alex for being the only person not part of the two parties that actually posted the first thing saying that it was a April Fools Joke… I was wondering how NOONE saw or posted that they knew it was a joke… Though I did consider the possibility of some playing around, though I myself am no joker saddly.
Darn, I thought the his eyebrows fell off and that the cord connecting the mouse and keyboard was his eybrows. Why, oh why didn’t I read the comments?
Oh yeah.
Me = first person to comment saying it’s an April Fools joke 🙂
*gives self a cookie*
Gives everyone who figured out the joke but got their comments blocked XD
Once i saw that my comment wasn’t posted, i knew this was indeed an epic joke.On all of us =)
Happy april fools everyone.
Cheers~
ROFLMFAO!!!!::curled around the massive cramp in her stomach, tears streaming from her eyes and still can’t stop laughing:: OMG! I noticed it earlier when I first read it! I was so disappointed that my other regular comics didn’t do anything for the day that it made your comic stand out even more! Sad to say though, I never read the comments ’til just now and OMG!!!! This is just too hilarious! Though I did wonder why people kept repeating the same accusation ’til I realized that’s what you meant when you said you’d been holding some of the comments back; Best joke ever! ::continues laughing, her fiance looking at her as if she belongs in a mental ward~”You’re having too much fun with that.”:: Thank you Chris, I needed a good laugh ^^ Keep up the good work!
Lmao. Ten points for Chris. xD
Ah HA! I knew he was holding back comments 🙂
So I probably wasn’t the first, but oh well. *celebrates hollow victory anyway*
+1 Chris
I feel like a right nitwit. But looking at the things Biff does and has done, that somehow seems okay. =)
Had ’em all goin’ pretty good, eh?!
Did you hear that earlier today? The collective sigh of relief from the pro brow crowd. Ha! Ha!
Nice one.
What a difference a few little lines make!
Hehehe! I was distressed when I saw the eyebrows, but despite the fact that it was April 1st, it never crossed my mind that it could be an april fool’s joke. Now I feel ridiculous.
HEY! His eyebrows are back
(If U didn’t see this comic on April 1st, his eyebrows were gone
______
/
l >
thats A LOT of comments
I like the eyebrows. They’re what makes this comic good.
Well that and the fact that he seems to be made out of rubber for the amount of damage that happens to him. Or playdough.
No Chris, your sales will plumet! Beholst to the old Biff and his long eyebrows! He and his eyebrows are a part of nature! And you know what they say: LEAVE NATURE AS IT IS!
Heh. You, good sir, and EVIL.
I bow to thee.
Hopefully the people who got angry at you/lost respect for you/said they’d never read the comic again figured out the joke eventually…
By the by, where’s Biff’s seat, anyway?
@gwid
When you are having a bad arm day, see how well you can sit in a chair! Biff is kneeling.
Whoa, what the eyebrows?!