Comic:Treading Ground

Treading Ground

Artist:	Nick Wright
Writer:	Nick Wright
Characters:	Nate Ashborne, Rose Crowley, Steve Adams, Derek Wilkins, Purvous Foster, Tracy Winters, Arne Torran
Updates:	Mondays
Began:	October 13, 2003
Ended:
Art style:	Full color, cel-shaded manga-influenced comic strip
Rating:	Web-MA for Adult Language and Sexuality
Website	Website

Overview

Ever notice how easy it is to find comics about college students and their wacky hijinks? What about the rest of us? Treading Ground is life, work and love (lust) for anyone stuck in a dead end job before the age of 25.

The name "Treading Ground," comes from the idea of treading water, and it's a metaphor for the main character Nate Ashborne's life at this moment -- he's moving around, but he's not really going anywhere. Having gone back to his old job at a supermarket just to get away from living at his mother's house, he's not exactly the best example of a successful 21-year-old.

But there's obviously something to Nate, because he's attracted the attention of one Rose Crowley, who Nate's new roommates have referred to as the 'neighborhood slut.' Nate might be able to work out his issues with the whole slut reputation, but as he finds out, there's one more problem... Rose is only 16 years old!

The comic is drawn in full cel-shaded color in an original, evolving, manga-influenced style.

Rated MA for strong language and sexual situations. Content not suitable for all readers.

Current Status

Treading Ground has moved off of ComicGenesis and on to its new home at http://www.treadingground.com, where it updates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Cast

The Home Crew

Character	Age	Height	Eyes	Hair	Bio/description
Nate Ashborne	21	5'11"	Blue-Gray	Brown	Stuck in a shitty job with no future to speak of and fumbling around aimlessly in matters of life and love, Nate lacks direction and perceives bullshit encroaching all around him.
Rose Crowley	16	5'7"	Blue	Dark Red	A high school girl with an attraction to Nate, who can't legally reciprocate those feelings due to the age difference. Rose has a reputation for basically being a little slut, but according to her, it's only partially deserved. She also enjoys movies, and has demonstrated that she is rather intelligent, despite her extracurricular activities. She and Nate have had a few interesting encounters. While there is obviously still attraction between the two, they are currently pursuing a friendship, at least until Rose turns 18.
Steve Adams	20	5'9"	Brown	Dark Brown	Nate's roommate, presently employed at Wal-Mart. His bastarditude is well-documented. Nate and Steve have known each other for years, and are close friends despite outward appearances.
Derek Wilkins	19	6'2"	Blue	Blonde	Nate's other roommate. Freelance web designer and fat, lazy video game enthusiast. Derek and Nate attended the same Home Ec class in high school. Derek has a tendency towards extreme emotions, both positive and negative. He has also been found with yaoi anime in his possession. Make of that what you will.
Aiyana "Aya" Wilder	16	5'9"	Green	Black	Rose's best friend and occasional unwitting partner in crime.

The Work Crew

Character	Age	Height	Eyes	Hair	Bio/description
Bill Schneider	28	5'10"	Brown	Black, Receding	Store Manager of the Food Baron, the supermarket Nate works at.
Arne Torran	35	6'2"	Green	Black	Assistant Store Manager. Second in command of the store. Pervert, asshole, and occasionally dickhead.
Purvous Foster	20	5'4"	Brown	Black	Food Baron's 'special needs' bagger. Purvous's name is an intentionally misspelled form of Pervis.
Tracy Winters	29	5'6"	Brown	Brown	Customer Service Manager and Nate's immediate supervisor. Harlot, according to Nate anyway.
Jimi Felder	25	5'11"	Brown	Black	Frozen Food guy.