Fair enough, Aug.
But I think it is also fair to say that if the stuff he puts behind the pay-wall was being tossed out there as filler between actual strips, as it originally was, it would ameliorate the lack of updating that at this point HAS to be cutting into his ability to grow new readers that are then new merch-purchasers.
It is hard to get involved enough with an internet comic to the point where you would have loyalty to actually PAY for something if, after the archive binge there's nothing more to look at for weeks.
Because he did go through periods, not THIS bad, but long stretches where he didn't update the strip frequently but the free side stuff carried me through.
There still aren't that many people in the world who will pay for internet-only things unless they have a feeling of sweat-equity in their fandom.
The rise and possible fall of Achewood, it is an interest illustrative of this.
Though, of course, yes. That is only part of the problem.
Taking a strip that updated three times a week and ramping back to three times a month is a big chunk of it too.