as Blackett says, "the lava lamp has burnt out."

"The lava lamp became a symbol in m@b as a time and space for my character to say or think something poignant," writes Blackett in a letter sent to m@b's various supporters. "The fact that I haven't replaced the light bulb in my real-life lava lamp metaphorically speaks volumes about what kind of importance the comic has in my life nowadays."

Blackett, a prominent Toronto comic artist, writer and indie publisher (he's also the creative/art director at Spacing Magazine, a local public space advocacy publication, has been drawing m@b for almost nine years.

But the creative spark behind the loveable joe-schmo character has fizzled out.

"The spark of inspiration (I got) when I saw someone do something insane or say something off-kilter has dulled and rarely (happens) these days," he writes. "I'd rather play Tetris on my cellphone than try to eavesdrop on the people sitting in front of me on the streetcar."

For loyal fans, all is not lost. Blackett still plans to release that graphic novel he's been promising.

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