Wednesday Webcomic Weview

The Lowly Dregs

2009-03-25T23:41:00.002-07:00

All right, people. Enough is enough. Somewhere in this list there must be a comic that I won't really like and it needs to come up soonish. Every time I come across a comic on the list that I actually enjoy enough to read regularly I find myself struggling to find something to say beyond "This comic is good... and stuff. "

*sighs*

Yeah, yeah... I know what you're thinking - "Oh joy. Yet another freaking D&D comic." No, the genre isn't exactly hurting for entries, but this one is actually worth checking out so try to save some of that cynicism for the next two-guys-and-a-couch entry.

Let's start with the artwork, shall we? If you've taken a look at some of the other D&D inspired comics out there you might be noticing something new. I know it may be confusing, just take a deep breath and look it over. See the smooth line art, the subtle detailing, the vibrant coloring and consistent shading? That's talent. Nothing to be frightened of I assure you, with luck you'll get used to it. Am I being a bit flippant? Perhaps, but I contend it's not my fault. Being the D&D nerd I am I'm tired of seeing crappy comics piss all over the game. The Lowly Dregs does no pissing and it pleases me. The coloring of the comic perfectly fits the tone, it's merry and jovial without searing the eyeballs. Character designs are well rendered and consistent, fitting the personalities as presented without relying on overly obvious cues. Rounding out the praise are the detailed backgrounds and scene settings that manage visual complexity without overwhelming the characters or action.

Now on to the writing. The first obvious comparison you'll likely be inclined to make is to Goblins. Stop it. This is not Goblins, a Goblins rip-off, or even a Goblins tribute. Yes, both comics look at adventuring from the viewpoint of a typical D&D NPC, but that's where the comparison ends. The Lowly Dregs is a comedy. There are some action elements, but I've yet to have my heart broken into tiny shards by the mass of death and destruction. Death is incidental here, not impacting. I do very much appreciate the way all out farce is avoided as well. The plot is character driven and, while individual strips may depend on puns for a punchline, the vast majority of the humor comes from our knowledge of the characters and their relationships to one another. The pacing is wonderful, neither stressed nor drawn out, and the dialogue is very natural. They haven't quite yet reached the 100 mark, but they've passed the hurdle of plot staging and are moving steadily into development. Now's a great time to jump in and get caught up before things really start taking off.

Ready for my one and only criticism? Word bubbles. They seem a bit tacked on and out of place with the artwork, and are sometimes placed so that conversations seem out of turn. Early font issues were worked out relatively quickly though, so I've no doubt that these issues will similarly disappear. I don't think the site would be hurt by the inclusion of About and Cast pages, but a thread for each in the Forum would work in a pinch.

Last little tidbit - for some goofy easter egg fun, click the apple in the Dregs logo at the top of the page. Spritely giggles are contained within.

Thanks for putting up with me these last two weeks, I'm still trying to get back in the swing of things. I know I'm still one review behind, but I'll have it up as soon as possible. See you soon!

Alaska Robotics

2009-03-25T23:37:00.001-07:00

Dear Alaska Robotics creators,

Please put your latest comic on the front page of your website. Ktnxbai!

There. With that out of the way we've completed my list of negative review items for Alaska Robotics. If you were here looking for flames, you can leave now. I also suggest you take a sincerely critical look at the thought process that brought you to my blog looking for flames.

Digression? You get that a lot around here. Flames? Not so much.

As I sat down and read through the Alaska Robotics archive to refresh my memory for the review I found myself chuckling and thinking "I'm really going to enjoy writing this review, it's always nice to review a comic I really like." Then I sat down to review the damn thing and found myself thinking "What the hell do I say about this completely random, yet thoroughly enjoyable, work?" Alaska Robotics is one of those webcomics that defies simple classification. For the most part, it's a single shot comic - you don't necessarily need to go through the archives as most strips are independant of previous strips. Okay, got that. Is it a humor comic? Yes... ish. While many of the strips are humor based, and the comedy is well written, there are a number of strips that are more fanciful explorations of poetry and art. Is it character based? Yes... ish. The same characters pop up time and again, but getting to know the individual characters isn't a requirement for understanding the strips. Is it plot based? Um... kind of. There are brief plot lines, (my favorite being the Robot Zombies story) and you do get the over-all impression that the characters work and/or live together. Is it about robots? Sometimes. Is it about Alaska? I think they live there... but I don't know that it matters.

You know how your brain goes a bit floppy after several hours without sleep and everything becomes kind of whimsical and humorous without really tying into anything solid? That's Alaska Robotics.

Well, assuming your brain is actually funny and maintains great timing in it's more addled states.

The artwork is mostly kooky and playful, making it an excellent match for the strip. The exceptions in style take place during the mini-stories within the comic, most noteably the Ocean City story line where backgrounds are rendered in a beautifully soft painted style. To get a really good look at the painting techniques, I heartily suggest taking advantage of the "Monster Sized" option included under each strip. I do wish there was an archive of some sort available on each page, but this is a minor issue as a drop down archive is included on the Comics page accessable by way of the main menu.

All-in-all, I really enjoy the strip. Whimsical really is the adjective that keeps coming to mind - it's a lighthearted, positive read that's at turns punny, topical, and almost restful. It also seems extremely marketable... but that's a review of a different sort entirely.

Next up - The Lowly Dregs

DON'T PANIC

2009-03-19T13:14:00.001-07:00

I know the review is late, and I managed to miss last week's review all together. I'll be all caught up, and beyond, by Monday. Promise!

t

Breathless

2009-03-04T23:59:00.001-07:00

Breathless is a (mostly) black and white fantasy adventure comic now in it's eighth chapter. Luckily, as the comic only updates twice a week, you still have time to hop and board and get current before the serious action begins... but I'd hurry if I were you, it doesn't seem far off.

I quite like the story so far, though I do believe the page size ruins the pacing a bit. A typical page runs only four or five panels, and while that might be adequate for other comics there's a great deal of action in breathless meaning that a single fight scene might take several pages - no problem if you're reading a print comic, but a bit drawn out when you consider that those five pages span more than two weeks time. I think the comic would be better served dropping to once-a-week updates and double-sizing each page, but the creator may have other reasons for presenting it as she does. Pacing aside, the dialogue does a wonderful job of distinguishing the cast and advancing the plot and the frequent dream sequences and flashbacks are very well done. At this point in the comic you have a clear understanding of where the plot is headed, as well as an understanding of where the main character is coming from. There are bits of his past that are shadowy, certainly, but I have full faith that we'll be filled in as the story progresses.

This is another one of those comics where the artwork started out good and got better with time, no train wrecks to be seen by clicking "first" with this one. The main difference between chapter one and chapter eight is in shading, which has transformed from a very well executed cross hatching to skillful gray tones. Both styles are pleasing to the eye and support the character designs, but I do think the gray tones help enhance the overall mood. Most importantly for this genre, the artwork captures the action well; clearly illustrating movement, force, and emotion. The character designs are at turns intense and endearing and the backgrounds are both well done and relevant - keeping the attention focused on the characters where it belongs while providing setting and ambiance. Most striking for me are the spirit scenes where the artists has easily captured an ethereal quality that instantly sets the tone.

I would like to see the occasional missed comic message and holiday page taken out of the archive. While I don't mind their inclusion in single shot strips, they really serve no purpose in a story comic beyond yanking the audience out of the fantasy the creator has so carefully crafted. Also, while scanning a couple of the accompanying blog posts I noticed something odd - several of them actually contained a retelling of the displayed comic page. My first thought was that I had missed something and that the retelling was giving details that the art wasn't able to convey. Upon further review, however, I found that not to be the case. I can't speak to the creator's motivations here, but the retelling isn't necessary, the artwork is more than adequate to convey even the more nuanced aspects of the story.

All in all, I'm really enjoying Breathless and hope to someday see this is print form. I'm looking forward to seeing the foreshadowing unfold and the many mysteries solved. As I said before, I'd hop on this one now, I feel there are big events coming.

See you all next week when I review Alaska Robotics

Autumn Lake

2009-02-26T12:35:00.001-07:00

Let's start with full disclosure, shall we?

When I first placed Autumn Lake on the review list it's creator, Mark Savary, and I had only crossed paths on a couple of webcomic related forums. Since that time Mark has become a fellow co-host on The Webcomic Beacon and I count him among my virtual friends. Now, granted, I'm not much of a pissy reviewer to begin with and no one is going to be surprised to read yet another mostly positive review. Still, I didn't want to be charged with being biased without first coming forward and openly stating that I'm biased.

I'd also like to mention that I think Savary is incredibly sexy... but that isn't really related to the comic or the review. It's just something I wanted to mention. You know... because I can.

Anywho...

I'm going to do something a little out of place and start out by calling your attention first, not to the comic itself, but to the very first blog post beneath the very first comic. Go read it. Did you catch all the professionalism? All that "Hey, I actually care about my comic so I'm going to go ahead and act like it"? That attitude right there is a minimum requirement for anyone even hoping to make a living off their webcomic. You don't necessarily need it right off the bat, some of us are a little more scattered than others, but eventually you're going to have to pull your head out of your ass and act like you care.

Just sayin'... and on we go...

When I first took a gander at Autumn Lake I rather expected that I'd find it a bit boring. Fashioned not only in format but also in style after newspaper comics, I assumed there just wouldn't be anything there to hold my frankly crude attentions. Imagine my surprise when I consumed the first year in a single sitting and found myself chuckling aloud more than once. The comic is, quite simply, good. The introductory awkwardness that accompanies lesser newspaper style strips is quickly and easily overcome, and new characters are brought in with the same quirky effortlessness. The jokes are simple, sometimes punny, but they don't fall flat or overreach. Savary is clearly comfortable with the format, effortlessly traveling from simplistic jokes to the exploration of larger philosophical concepts in the space of three or four panels much like Bill Watterson. Also reminiscent of Watterson is Savary's ability to expand the comic to accommodate more abstract concepts, be it watercolor backed quotations or poetry. More often than not he tosses these strips off as filler - but they don't feel like filler, they feel like a special treat. Nice trick, that.

The artwork for Autumn Lake matches the feel of the comic perfectly, which should be the goal of any comic artist. The character designs are clean, consistent, and individually appropriate. The backgrounds range from non-existent to eye catching as needed, yet another nod to Savary's ability. I very much enjoy the occasional water color caveats and spot color strips and don't feel they interrupt the flow of the comic any more than the longer Sunday and special strips do. He clearly enjoys what he's doing with the strip and it comes through. Most of the time grey tones grace your weekdays and newsprint color graces your weekend and Savary does both equally well. What I've gone on for three paragraphs (so far) to say is that Autumn Lake is damned professional. Had I learned that it originally appeared in print only later to be relegated to the web as newspaper after newspaper went under I wouldn't have been surprised. Savary could hang with the big boys, and if he isn't, I think he should.

My one and only criticism: the depreciation of the main character, Mark, weighs a little heavier on me than I'd like. I do understand the Charlie Brown like nature of the character, but Charlie Brown's issues were those of a child - they were never that complex, never that... relatable. I like Mark. I like his philosophical charm, I like his gentle romantic tendencies, I like his sense of humor and whimsy, and because I like him I wind up feeling protective and maternal where I realize, intellectually, I'm supposed to be chuckling as life once again craps on the poor fellow. I want desperately for him to be loved, to be honored, appreciated, and just to feel good about himself. Maybe this is what Savary wants from me. Maybe I'm over-analyzing. Maybe I'm projecting...

Maybe I'll kidnap Mark and bring him over to BetaPwned for a break.

Zap!

2009-02-19T14:00:00.001-07:00

Funny thing... it isn't enough to write the review on a Wednesday, you actually have to post the damn thing too. Yeesh.

I digress.

One of the first 10 webcomics I ever followed, Zap! is a brilliant little space adventure with a bit of something for everyone. You want action? We've got telekinetic bad guys and an amnesic hero suffering from a case of bad history. Romance? Here's a quintessential ball room scene to sweep you off your feet. Comedy? Three words - smart ass robot. Pull it all together in an engaging plot bundle, wrap it up with sharp and shiny pacing ribbons and you've got Zap!

What I appreciate most about Zap! is that, being strongly character driven, each aspect of the story is as well written as the others. If it were presented situationally I simply wouldn't care to click because, situationally, Zap! is fairly formulaic. Boy with a dark past meets girl with a broken heart, yada, yada, yada... What keeps me clicking is that I like the characters. I care about what happens to them, I'm anxious about the challenges they face, and I'm rooting them on. When something horrid happens to a character I don't feel it as an intellectual surprise, I feel it as an emotional impact; a feat which is much more difficult to write and worlds more rewarding to read. The writer is skillful enough to pull you in emotionally and then use those emotions to obscure the plot twists - if you were thinking, rather than feeling, you'd see it coming. The brilliance of this approach is that it completely avoids the ridiculous "shocker" scenes so often abused by less talented writers while achieving the same result.

Newbie writers would do well to take note - you don't have to hide the knife to throw your readers for a loop. Intellectual surprise, that jump and squeel that accompanies slasher flicks, only lasts a second - to really go for the gut, you need to make your readers feel the knife strike home... and you do that by making them love the characters.

The artwork...

Do me a favor, right now, before you read the rest of the review take a look at the first Zap! cover. Now take a look at the most recent cover. Do it again. Hell, open each one up in a different window and set them up side by side on your monitor. THIS is why I beg webcomic creators to keep their old stuff online and not delete comics they no longer feel cut muster. Newbie creators - doesn't looking at those two images side by side just make you all warm and fuzzy? Five years of work - that's all that stands between the two images. To be fair, Zap! started with strong character designs and a good grasp on overall drawing mechanics so the progression is really from "pretty good" to "really good" rather than from "awful" to "really good", but I can assure you the artist had an "awful" stage - everyone does. The striking thing about the art progression with Zap! is that it progressed in all aspects equally well - perspective, line work, expression, body mechanics, color, shading, highlighting, backgrounds, composition... everything improved over time.

A beautiful example of a collaboration that actually works, writer Chris Layfield and co-writer/artist Pascalle Lepas have created in Zap! a compelling, entertaining, and gorgeous comic that I very much recommend.

See you next week when I review Autumn Lake!

A Large Panda

2009-02-11T21:15:00.006-07:00

I don't get it. I'm going to get that out of the way right off the bat. If you read A Large Panda, and you get it, ignore this review. Find somewhere else to be. I can tell you what I think of it, but only with the firm understanding that I, Tanya Higgins, don't get this comic. The humor seems to exist just barely within my peripheral vision, occasionally ducking into a blind spot just when I think I might be able to get a good look at it.

I started, like a good little review whore, at the first comic and read my way through to the point where Al Gore addressed some kind of strike team regarding the escaped Large Panda who was somehow determined to be responsible for global warming after a photo surfaced of him riding a raft made from dead seals back lit by an explosion caused by something to do with time travel, an anthropomorphic "ghetto" Freud action figure, and the ghost of Salman Rushdie. It was at that point that I skipped ahead a little. Honestly, I feel like I don't need to say any more. My confusion should be palpable.

The thing is, I don't get it, but I don't think it's a bad comic. I appreciate the creativity behind the art choices - which mostly consist of heavily warped photo backgrounds, simple shapes, and clipped figures. The contrast between the characters and backgrounds improves over time, as does the basic composition within each frame. The comic won't be winning any art awards, as it relies almost entirely on cut-and-paste techniques, but the artwork does support the writing and compliments the general theme quite well... a sort of tangled chaos of references and loose plot. The most recent comics border on complete abstraction at times, and I find them quite visually appealing. Occasionally the vocabulary seems a bit lofty for the tone of the comic, Latin might be a tad much for blatant silliness, but I think the writing works... I'm pretty sure it does... yes... I think it must - after all, I did understand what was going on and the writing moved me from one event to the next without loosing me... I just don't know what drugs I need to ingest to really understand why it's funny.

It is funny, by the way... at least I think it is... yes.... yes, it is.

I would love to be able to tell you when A Large Panda updates, or really anything else about it... but the site is somewhat lacking in the details. If the comments at the bottom of the comic reflect the update schedule, the best I can say is that there really isn't one... and that the comic may not have updated since August. Hopefully the creator hasn't simply tossed in the towel, it'd be a shame to see another little piece of weirdness die.

Be sure to tune in next week when I review Zap!

Naivety Incarnate

2008-01-23T23:50:00.000-07:00

Today's comic, Naivety Incarnate, is a beautiful example of what a dramatic comic can be. Touching, culturally relevant, and instantly relatable it raises the genre far beyond the exaggerated teen soap operas often found online. Learning that the comic is written strip by strip only added to my admiration of the writing, there's nothing that suggests the comic is flying by the seat of the creator's pants - likely due to the fact that the comic is based loosely on the author's own childhood.

The archive is by no means insurmountable by this point, I read through them in one sitting, but the story is far enough along to draw you in. The plot unfolds through the eyes of Antonio, a young student in a new school, as he navigates through the uncertain waters of a dysfunctional family and intolerant society. The comic in no way feels heavy, however - touched as it is by Antonio's innocence.

The artwork is realistic, and the expressions carry the emotion of each scene well. Most strips are in full color, though occasionally blue-grey tones are used to create a sense of evening hush. Presented in comic page format, the pacing is controlled nicely in both writing and with panel presentation. We're occasionally reminded that some dialogue is translated from Spanish, but as it's indicated by " < framing > " I don't think such reminders are necessary and seem to pull the reader away from the story a bit. Backgrounds are well integrated and show a good understanding of perspective and depth.

Over all, Naivety Incarnate is one of the best dramatic comics I've come across. I look forward to watching it develop and hope there will be a book in the works

Templar, Arizona

2008-01-17T08:40:00.000-07:00

Before we begin, let's just get this out of the way - Templar, Arizona doesn't have anything to do with a particular geographic location. This isn't the story of a town, it's a story of some very interesting characters, location aside. Might as well be Las Vegas, Nevada... only those backgrounds would be a serious bitch to draw. I mean, damn.

Now, on to more substantive things.

There's no question that Templar, Arizona is character driven. Replace any one personality with another and the entire story would fall to bits, instantaneously creating another comic entirely. That the creator has written such a tight tapesty with such dynamic characters is a testament to her skill. Occassionally I find myself thinking "I believe I'm supposed to like this person, but gods help me... I can't stand them". I'm not offering that insight as a criticism, however, but rather as a compliment - the characters are so real that they are liked and disliked according to personal taste, regardless of the creator's intent, or one's personal opinion of the general story line.

The artwork is simply exceptional. Both realistic and recognizably styled, Spike floods each comic with a fluid and eye catching sense of movement and personality. The character designs exhude personality in every aspect - down to not only the clothing they wear, but how they wear it. Facial expressions work with the dialogue in such a manner that you're instantly given a sense of both tone and inflection. So much so that I even imagine the vocal quality of some characters to be grating - something my mind usually prevents against in lesser works. Every portion of the comic blends visually, from the backgrounds to the word bubbles.

Updating three times a week Templar, Arizona is a truely professional work and well worth the read.

Yes - I forgot to post again, and the review for Girls With Slingshots is still being written. Don't worry, I'll figure it all out this weekend.

Somewhere in San Francisco

2008-01-10T00:55:00.001-07:00

Described as a parody soap opera, Somewhere in San Francisco is a relatively new comic with just over 50 strips. I'm going to give this one a Web MA rating for language and adult situations, so no little eyes. At least none that can read.

Artistically, I love the watercolor feel of the strip. The outlines and details have a sketchy look to them, giving the comic a casual sense. The backgrounds are wonderful and set a nice stage for the characters, which are made the main focus. The word bubbles have an angular style to them that keeps them tight against the text, but they can sometimes give the dialogue an unintended angry slant.

The writing is a bit... chaotic. The plot moves in jumps and starts and the pace is much too fast to allow for any sort of connection with the characters. The character development is a bit, well, undeveloped. More often than not, characters are completely unfazed by happenings that would have devastated most individuals and their flippant demeanor in the face of these life altering challenges is a bit hard to take. Sex is likewise treated to this odd blend of chaos and flippancy.

Over all, I'm just not sure how I feel about the comic. I understand that it's a play on soap operas... what I don't understand is if it's meant to be taken dramatically or humorously... or both. If it's meant to be humorous, I'm missing the joke; and if it's meant to be taken dramatically, I'm missing the connection. One way or another, I'm missing it. Having said all that, however, I think one simple recommendation would do wonders for the story - [i]slow down[/i]. That's it. Just take it easy a bit. There's no need to have a plot twist in every comic. In fact, each of those plot twists would pack the punch of a dozen if only we were given the time to really care about the characters.

It's certainly possible that this just isn't my kind of comic. Perhaps if I had actually watched a soap opera since sitting at my grandmother's feet during her "programs" I would feel more connected with the plot. Regardless, head over and check it out - you just might find that you like it.

The Flowfield Unity

2008-01-10T00:54:00.001-07:00

Readily reminiscent of repetitive pop art, The Flowfield Unity is one of my favorite comics. Introspective without being cold, intelligent without being pretentious, this simple black and write strip captivated me immediately.

The artwork is simplistic but more than adequate to carry the intent of each strip and looks as though it's completed entirely with black Sharpie markers. No small feat for some of the darker strips when the absence of black creates the outlines of objects within the panel. While the artwork isn't amazing, it's really the artistic nature of the layout and composition that makes the strip visually appealing.

More than the art, of course, is the writing. Typically rhythmic, sometimes even to the point of rhyming verse, the writing has a ponderous nature. Occasionally the strip runs on highly intellectual puns, more often than not it's fueled by introspection, memory, and imagination. I often find myself reading over the archives and allowing my mind to wander with each strip, using them as springboards for my own wandering mind.

The Store seems to be down, though the creator is kind enough to offer scribbled in books for sale to anyone that contacts him. The Extras Page is unfortunately similarly bare, though more freebies are promised and requests are kindly solicited. Um... okay, the links page is also blank; though there are a number of links in the Friends section. I have full faith, however, that the state of web site affairs is temporary and only due to a pending redesign. Admittedly, I'm biased.

Mr. Gregory also has two animations available through YouTube: The Corporate Machine and My Black Dog. Both animations are worth watching and I hope he'll produce more in the future.

Without a doubt I believe The Flowfield Unity is one of the best webcomic finds on the net. Of course, that could just be because I'm a huge nerd.

Gothbunnies

2007-12-19T21:56:00.000-07:00

Before I start anything in earnest, I'd like to say that when I first sat down to read through Gothbunnies I was expecting something far different. Now, as the writer of a slice-of-life comic with a gamer comic name, I'm not going to criticize - I just want to make it known that though the comic may sound like an anthropomorphic gag-a-day emo comic, it's not. Rather, Gothbunnies is a lighthearted fantasy story with dozens of well blended elements and a lot of promise.

I must admit, however, that 100 strips in to this fairly fast paced magical mystery and I'm still a little confused. I understand the basics of the story, but I'm a bit ambivalent about the direction. The three main characters have been explored with some depth, but it seems as though the other characters are only just now coming in view, leaving the identity of the antagonist, or antagonists, completely unknown and the direction somewhat fuzzy. Until a dozen or so strips ago, it wasn't even terribly clear that there would be an identifiable antagonist. A bit of attempted drowning and some magical aggression points to the existence of a villain, or at the very least a larger conflict, you're just not quite what flavor.

Now, I'm more than willing to entertain the notion that I'm just being impatient. I'm sure it won't be long until a few pieces slide into place and my confusion evaporates, but a little taste of clarity a few strips back would have eased some of my anxiety. All of that aside, I do like the feel of the story so far. The dialogue is well rounded and the characters feed off one another nicely, each one adding a new dimension to the story. There are touches of humor and hints of drama, and all-in-all, the writing is quite convincing.

Artistically, Gothbunnies is quite impressive. The character designs carry a nice blend of realism and style, with postures and clothing choices doing a great deal to accentuate their very different personalities. Done entirely in black and white, the line art is crisp and very professional. Backgrounds are simple and well integrated, and a quick scan of the archive shows how the artist has grown over time. Anyone curious for a look behind the scenes would do well to take a look at the Tutorial section which is a welcome addition and very easy to follow.

The website itself is pretty bare, but adequate. The cast page isn't quite complete, but does cover the main characters and doesn't give away the plot. The About page is definitely worth the read, but be aware that it's not so much about the comic as it is the history of the artist as it relates to the comic.

Overall, I give Gothbunnies a thumbs up. The story is progressing nicely, it's skillfully done, and I've high hopes for its future.

Kaspall

2007-11-28T23:50:00.001-07:00

Those of you paying an inordinate amount of attention may have noticed that I did a bit of shuffling with the review list. Why doesn't much matter, I had my reasons, but the end result is that this week I will be reviewing a comic that's mostly new to me - Kaspall

It's always a treat for me when I get to take a first look at a comic, especially one for which I haven't been inundated with ridiculous hype. My first impressions are actually my own and that's rather pleasant. Unfortunately, my first impressions of Kaspall were rather confused. However, what started out as bits and pieces of something I wasn't quite sure about transformed into an engaging murder mystery about 45 pages in and I was hooked. A handful of pages later and another puzzle piece was locked in place, instantly converting my earlier confusion into a firm sense of foreshadowing. Further puzzle pieces were instantly recognized as such, pulling me happily along. Yes, I'm a bit excited - it's been a while since I found a new bit of fiction I really enjoyed, let alone one in comic format. I readily admit I cursed aloud when I reached the current page - it's a bit like getting knee deep in a novel and then finding a "to be continued" page half way through. Quite upsetting.

You know what else? I'm not going to tell you what it's about. Go read it, damn it. It's engaging, it's good, and it's beautifully done.

Though it may be a rarity in the webcomic world, Kaspall is both wonderfully written and skillfully drawn. Done in highly detailed black and white, the artistry is just as creative and enveloping as the writing. Rich in variety of textures and environments, the comic has such a natural feel that the alien forms of some characters are immediately comfortable and nothing feels out of place. Body postures, even unfamiliar ones, have a wonderful sense of flow and character and both clothing an scene give a steady impression of distinct cultures. Facial expressions are so well defined that one can even tell when a character is lying. Certainly the framing and pacing assist in such subtle feats, but it's still quite an accomplishment. Structurally, I enjoy some of the panel layouts nearly as much as I enjoy the artwork itself. They're used not only to move the story along as expected, but also do a great deal to create an overall mood and control the pacing.

The website is simple but functional and integrated well enough to be passable. The Cast page is quite complete, and includes the first appearance of each character. The About page is brief, but as with other story comics, I still feel it gives away too much to be read before the comic itself. The Blog feature beneath the comic is typically more about the artist than the comic, and a nice insight it is. A guestbook has recently been added, though I do wonder why the creator didn't take the extra step and install a forum. The archive is nicely arranged by chapter and page, and there is an RSS feed available for those that might forget to check in every Monday when the comic updates.

I know I won't forget.

Beaver and Steve

2007-11-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the holidays I bring to you Beaver and Steve, a comic suitable for the whole family. Well, suitable in that there aren't any naughty bits. It's still mildly insane and likely to be considered confusing by the average eight-year-old. The confusion isn't caused by metaphorical explorations of cultural and linguistic themes, however. No, it's caused by funny wrapped in nonsense. Pure. Comical. Nonsense.

Wowsers. This would be easier with less nonsense. It wouldn't be as funny... but I'm not really sure how to categorize writing that ranges from cereal munching panda infestations to Quiche vanquished daemons. The writing is good, clearly, because within this nonsense is enjoyment. Oh, so much enjoyment. It's like play-time for your brain. The story lines are generally brief, and often include completely unexpected twists and turns. Occasionally science laced, I certainly wouldn't consider the comic educational in any way - more "geek friendly". Most punch lines are a clever combination of slapstick and one liners, very few of which are groan worthy.

The artwork is as whimsical as the writing. Fluid outlines and bright colors abound, but the hues are tame enough to avoid being obnoxious. Most strips could be considered full comic pages, though they do very in size. I'm fairly sure that no other art style would support the writing as well as the one creator James Turner has developed here. A quick look at the first comic will show you just how far that style has come in the three years the comic has been running.

The site is great visually, and my only real complaint is the lack of an About page and navigation links at the top of each comic. Granted, the navigation beneath the comic is more than adequate, and the archive is nicely arranged by comic title and date, so I won't complain too much. The blog section is a must read, offering both humor and news. There's also the ability to post any comic on your own site, send a comic to a friend through email, and sign up for the newsletter and RSS feed.

Honestly - I'd be amazed if there was a single one of you that wasn't well aware of Beaver and Steve long before this farce of a review. If, for some bizarre reason, you haven't read it in a while - go do so now.

Cat and Girl

2007-11-14T16:02:00.000-07:00

Unlike last week's comic, Cat and Girl is tame enough for a child to read. Assuming, of course, the child in question is a prodigy with a finely tuned interest in sociopolitical trends.

Let's just start off by being honest - not everyone is going to get it. Like most forms of intellectualism, Cat and Girl is destined for a niche audience. That being said, the comic isn't typically linguistically challenging, nor is it peppered with higher mathematics or other forms of exclusionary collegiate knowledge. Mostly philosophical in nature, it's the references that are likely to throw some potential readers. Be they political, literary, musical, or otherwise; these references often form both the set up and the punch line and are left, necessarily, unexplained. I don't find the writing elitist by any means; but if you have to be coached through it, you probably wouldn't find it terribly funny anyway. Happily, the subject matter is eclectic enough that you'll probably have better luck with the next one.

While the titular figures aren't the sole population of the universe, they often carry the comic and are the most deeply explored characters. Girl's bitterly sardonic views are often juxtaposed with Cat's heady optimism; giving the comic a playfully oscillating feel. The black and white artwork is clean and supports both characters and tone quite nicely. The visual flow compliments the pacing well, spacing what could have easily been an overly verbose strip into progressive bites with skillful ease. Body postures and facial expressions are constructed in such a way that the overall mood of each comic could be readily determined without script, without being so prominent as to be distracting.

The website itself is clean and functional, though I'm ambivalent about the use of an all white background. Sometimes I feel it's too sterile, other times I feel it's actually complimentary. In addition to the navigation buttons beneath the comic, a Random Comic link is nestled in the main menu - a feature I love in stand alone comics.

In closing (wow... how pretentious is that?) Cat and Girl may not be for everyone, but I feel as though it ought to be. There just isn't enough thought on these here internets; and it heartens me to see comics like this one filling that void.

Debasement NSFW

2007-11-07T23:36:00.000-07:00

This week's comic Debasement is Not Safe For Work. As an intellectual look at Internet based culture, particularly porn, its premise alone is NSFW. Unless you work in the adult entertainment industry - then have at it.

Yes, I said an intellectual look at Internet based culture, specifically porn. It is, in fact, possible to have an intellectual discussion of such things in an entertaining fashion; though I may not have believed it if Debasement weren't on my regular reading list. Reading through the archives is far more likely to stimulate your brain than your genitals. Or, at the very least, it's likely to stimulate both.

I fear we've actually stumbled upon something new. Breaking it down to simple visual elements I suppose the comic could be described as a photo-based-sprite comic with an excellent sense of composition and balance. The writing could be described as philosophical and nuanced. All of those things are true - but they ring hollow here. Debasement (and its related comic - Aarin's Desk) seems to me more than a sum of its parts. Personally, I consider each episode more a launching point for thought and discussion than a neat little finished package. My own fascination with the psychology of language and sexuality begs me to dwell on each offering, happily picking it apart and inserting my own opinions. It's important to note, however, that the comic isn't wholly collegiate in nature - peppered with humor and resplendent with 1337 speak, there's something in here for just about everyone.

Well, everyone not offended by base humanity of course.

The flow and stature of the writing is really what makes this a comic worth reading and the complexity of the overall universe allows for a full exploration of the writer's skill. Though the plot is probably best understood by newcomers through a study of the Characters page, the comic is only on it's 91 single panel episode so there's really no excuse for not starting at the beginning. If that doesn't appeal to you, however, click the Modes link under the current comic and you'll be taken to a fancy little archive that's arranged by individual story arc - a very good idea as the story arcs don't run sequentially. Another brilliant aspect of the Mode structure is that the comic links work within the chosen Mode - they'll take you to the next comic in that Mode rather than the next one in sequence. Also, the chosen Mode is clearly displayed in both the title graphic and at the top of the comic to help avoid confusion.

Yeesh. Its hard to describe, but really nice to use.

Among the Bonus Goodies you'll find a spiffy little Glossary (though if your troubles are in deciphering Hax0r text you'll need to Google up a translator) and the Blog section is a must read. My only real disappointment with the site came when, having thoroughly enjoyed myself reading through the blog, I headed over to the Short Stories link only to find it "Down for edits". Extreme sadness followed - Aarin Edwards is a damn good writer. Honest and thoughtful, I'd love to have an actual book to page through but I couldn't find anything resembling a store. Hopefully I'm wrong.

The review doesn't do the thing justice. I'm captivated. Go read it - from home or some other place where the occasional glimpse of digitized boobies isn't going to create a scene.

Mob Ties

2007-10-31T23:00:00.000-07:00

Just in time for Halloween, I present to you Mob Ties! Mind you, I originally felt that line was going to be a complete farce. After all, there isn't anything terribly terrifying about most Manga and with only a passing knowledge of the comic before I sat down to read through the archives I had no reason to believe this one would be any different. There's plenty of tension here though, and now I'm hooked on the damn thing. Yeesh.

Mob Ties starts off a bit slowly, but once the main plot is established it takes off at an engaging pace. A large part of the story is tied up in the reveal of various twists and turns so I'm not going to say much about it - no point in spoiling it for the sake of a review. I will say that the writing is a balanced blend of light and darkness that keeps you clicking on the next link. It seems awfully tempting for Manga writers to bog their plots down with so much overly emotional trauma that the entire story sinks in a mire of angst; happily, this is a temptation the creator avoids by utilizing a zany sense of humor to meter the punch of more dramatic moments. Another temptation that was happily avoided - displaying the comic in traditional Japanese Manga format. Writing a comic in English assumes the comic will be read by a primarily English speaking audience. As such, it should be written left to right and top to bottom. Yes, it may seem authentic to write it right to left and bottom to top - but you're far more likely to confuse your intended audience than intrigue them. No such confusion here - saving the creator a tongue lashing. Oooo... scary.

The artwork is mostly in simple black and white with the occasional use of full color panels or effect colors. Chapter titles are also done in color and serve to give the comic more of a print feel. Emotions are displayed in both facial expressions and in perspective and character size in classic Manga fashion and I admire the artist's ability to use those visual effects without relying on them for pacing. Each comic page has an easy flow, excepting, of course, those that are specifically created to give the feel of either confusion or jumbled memory. There's been a steady progression in artistic skill and staging; a clear indication that there are even better things to come.

Mob Ties is hosted on Drunk Duck... which means I would have critical things to say about the website if I actually knew what was in the creator's power to change. Though you do have the option to email individual comics to your friends and pin it to various services like Digg and Reddit, I'd love to see those elements I so love in self hosted comics. The author does do a decent job of communicating with the comic's audience in the blog beneath the comic, allowing the readers a peek into motivations and news. The archive exists as a drop down menu which lists issue and page - certainly not enough to go on if you're looking for a specific comic, but helpful if you're reading it issue by issue.

Personally, I suggest you start with issue number one. Now. Go.

Goblins

2007-10-24T23:00:00.000-07:00

A little question for the RPGers among you - ever feel sorry for the NPCs? I mean, seriously - ever felt a twinge of guilt as you walk through the blood of that kobold family you just slaughtered around their own hearth? Ever wonder if there was a family at home waiting for that wandering villager you just speared and relieved of his belongings? Ever wish you could give them a little of the power you hold? Watch them kick some ruthless newbs ass and steal his shit? Revel in your humanity, what shreds are left in your gamer soul, and head on over to Goblins.

Goblins is an epic tale of a small group of... well... Goblins that have declared themselves player characters. The premise may seem simplistic, but creator Tarol Hunt has written a deep and affecting plot that pulls the reader though the full range of emotions. A careful construction of character first plays on the reader's sense of empathy and justice while tying them to the individuals they'll follow throughout the story. There are certainly some touching moments along the way, but I've never found the comic cloying. The humor is genuine, the plot engaging, and the action easy to follow - in fact, I don't believe there's any writing aspect in which the comic falters.

Originally drawn in simple black-and-white outlines, the comic quickly progressed to full color. Characters are easily differentiated, and body postures and structures are consistent. The backgrounds are varied and quite complete, giving a full sense of scene without being over bearing. It's difficult to say if the colors are realistic, considering the completely fictional nature of most characters, but they are pleasant and easily accepted - not a single Muppet poser in play. Facial expressions display emotion and personality with ease even when accompanied by scars and other obstructions. Clothing has been styled with a variety of textures and matched nicely to each character.

The website has displayed an under construction banner for some time now, but it's still mostly functional. (Only the Languages and Creators links seem dead.) While there is a FAQ section I still feel the site could use some kind of about page as I couldn't readily find mention of an update schedule. There are a number of backgrounds available for fans, and a couple of items available for sale as well as links and additional artwork. An extra feature, Tempts Fate, is probably the most ingenious donation drive I've ever seen. Goblin adventurer Tempts Fate is faced with a new series of challenges each month. Written in D&D crawl style, each obstacle is linked to a donation amount - if the amount is reached, Tempts Fate clears the obstacle and comes closer to the dungeon reward. Should the donation goal fail to be met, Tempts Fate will die. A tribute to both creator and gimmick - he's still alive and going strong.

Though D&Ders may have a larger spot in their hearts for the comic, the overall plot isn't dependant on specific RPG knowledge and I highly recommend the read. Head on over and cheer for the underdog.

Plush and Blood Presents The Unstuffed

2007-10-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

Described as a graphic novel in electronic format, The Unstuffed is an action filled Science Fiction/Fantasy populated by living stuffed animals locked in an epic battle against a Hitleresque hamster.

Yes, I do know how silly that sounds. No, it doesn't come across as silly at all in it's actual telling.

There are a number of serious subjects lurking here, from the ethics of dictatorship to the nature and value of free will. Such subjects could easily become weighted to the point of burden, but when viewed through the lens of this lighthearted fantasy format they can be pondered as hypotheticals without losing their emotional impact. So far a great deal of the story has been action based, and being an individual that isn't typically fond of extensive action sequences, I was surprised by how eagerly I followed this one along. Of course, my interest can mostly be explained by the dialogue that accompanies many battles - I love the interplay between the characters that brings out their personalities as well as a touch of humor. Now on page 86, we've only just begun to delve into the fullness of the plot but I've enjoyed the story line thus far, and have been pleased by the manner in which it has been doled out. It would have been tempting to simply info-dump the necessary information, but the creator has instead wisely used a mixture of dialogue and flashback that runs seamlessly along with the unfolding events.

The artwork is quite good - detail varies with distance and the coloring has full range without being garish. History panels are given a soft look that simply feels like memory. Action lines are given a similar treatment, widened and stretched beyond the typical black slash, they give an impression of airflow rather than simply indicating the direction of movement. While this technique wouldn't work with all artistic styles, it works beautifully here. The creator employs interesting panel layouts that add to the over all look and flow of the comic and makes excellent use of "silent" action panels; using the artistic medium to it's full extent rather than simply having the action explained.

The web design is nicely integrated with the comic, wrapping it like a frame rather than crouching behind it. Extra features include the typical FAQs, About, and Links sections as well as a complete Cast section and an assortment of gallery works. Also included is a Story section that may actually be a bit too complete if read before the comic. The archive consists of thumbnail images of each comic page along with the chapter title; a layout that is certainly quite helpful when one is looking for a specific comic they've already seen. Because the comic is story based, and in graphic novel format, I would like to see the holiday and other special strips moved to their own section rather than having them in the archive where they tend to break the flow - but that may be a petty complaint considering the ease with which one can simply navigate to the next page. The Unstuffed updates Tuesdays and Fridays, and has only just begun. I suggest hopping on board now.

Something Positive

2007-10-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

I'll be damned if this isn't just one of the hardest reviews I've ever attempted to write. Something Positive was one of the very first webcomics I ever read, it's certainly the first one I read with any sense of regularity, and it's remained in the top five comics I check on a daily basis when time is short. It heads the webcomic trinity that gave me the inspiration to start my own little life draining webcomic adventure. I've read through the archives more than a few times. Hell, I've read through the FAQ section more than a few times. I've often found myself identifying with the lead character, Davan, and I've never had the inward decency to be ashamed of that fact. Never once has it forced me to roll my eyes and wonder if the creator had died and been replaced with a putz.

As a result, everything I write sounds like it's coming from a fluid soaked fan girl. Possibly one with cat ears, and that sort of thing just shouldn't be tolerated here.

So, to Mr. Milholland, I apologize. It's highly unlikely you'll garner anything useful from this review beyond the fleeting ego boost of knowing some chick thousands of miles away really likes your comic; and considering your typically sardonic views, you'll likely squash your own buzz by assuming I'm merely a stalker in training. Also, your review is late.

Here we go - take three.

Something Positive is a strongly character driven slice-of-life that began in December of 2001. It updates frequently, and the short bursts of inactivity that pepper it's nearly 6 year history haven't done any discernible damage to it's rather impressive readership - a fact that speaks quite loudly for the quality of the writing. My personal history with Something Positive came in the form of an email containing a link to the first strip. As my coworkers and I gathered around to read it a brilliant sociological event took place - only two of us laughed. We were then clearly identified by the others as freaks and eventually became best friends. It seems that not everyone is comfortable with their inner monsters. Pity, that.

Taken over all, I'm convinced the comic isn't nearly as edgy and shocking as some might have you believe; but bold moments have a way of sticking in the mind and overshadowing the more mundane. The humor is quite often dark, aggressive, or both, and it does tend to flirt with the razor edge of social taboo, but those are all things I adore. When presented with something reprehensible in a clearly fantasy setting we're free to explore those feelings without consequence. This isn't shockabilly bullshit though - it's a readily defined story with all the depth and complexity of real life. The affect of the writing is so great that some readers have apparently forgotten from time-to-time that the comic is, in fact, a work of fiction despite the presence of impossible characters and highly illegal plot lines. The creator states in the FAQ section that most characters are based on real people, either singularly or by amalgamation, and his writing skill is such that one couldn't easily determine which.

The artwork is full color, well rounded and genre appropriate. His background style integrates well with the character designs, adding to the feel of casual reality - they're not a stage for an act, simply depictions of every day surroundings. Character expressions are fluid and do a great deal in pushing forward their individual personalities and expressing the energy of each conversation. Body postures are accurate and allow for a sense of motion without resorting to action lines. Traditional panel layouts are occasionally interrupted by frameless scenes for effect, usually to highlight a single statement or moment in time. The artist's black and white works reveal that he isn't hiding flaws behind color as the varied outlines are quite capable of holding their own. That isn't to say that the color is superfluous; it adds depth, personality, and occasionally even comic relief.

The steady improvement in timing, plot construction, framing and artwork makes the archives a must read for any aspiring creator and the blog posts hold hidden gems as well. I don't know that I'm terribly fond of the formatting on some of the extras pages, which typically consist of punctuated lists of links, but they're still functional. It's also worth noting that Something Positive isn't Mr. Millholland's only strip, and links to his other works can be found near the title header on the main page.

The urge to wrap up with something pithy like "Something Positive rarely is" bears down on me like a ridiculous weight. I'm not sure why - maybe it's the sweet, sweet overdose of humiliating sarcasm bringing forth the need for falsely casual defenses. Hardly matters. Something Positive is by no means a one-size-fits-all laugh fest. It's a dry, sardonic, and intelligent look through a slightly warped glass that hedges between humor and tragedy. Dewey-eyed fan girl ravings aside, I recommend the comic for it's strong characters and engaging story lines. It's good stuff.

SuperFogeys

2007-10-10T01:54:00.000-07:00

* NOTE - Because of last week's glitch this week's Wednesday Webcomic Weview will feature two comics - the scheduled review of Something Positive will be posted later this evening. *

Where do Superheroes and Supervillians alike go to spend their golden years? Why, Valhalla of course - Home for the Supertired, and setting for today's comic The SuperFogeys.

SuperFogeys is one of those rare cases where the premise alone was enough to get me interested. I've read my share of superhero comics like most geeks, and I've worked as a nursing assistant in "adult care facilities" - how could I not relate to a combination of the two? I did have a slight fear, however, that the whole thing would be nothing but a slapstick mess. Happily, my fears were never realized. In many ways the writing reminds me of those earlier superhero comics; peppered with foreshadowing, character associations, and flashbacks; but with a much appreciated dose of humor. While many of the jokes are spurred by depreciating powers and advancing age, I never get the feeling that they're dependant on them. The punchlines are appropriate for the characters they frame and not at their expense.

SuperFogeys is only 70 strips in, which is early in the plot development stage for this one. It isn't dragging by any means, but the nature of the characters practically demanded that they be introduced before they played their parts for the collected audience. Atypical characters require set-up, a fact the creator clearly understood, and artfully executed. No boring bios here - you're introduced to the characters in a playful manner, allowing you to settle into the plot lightheartedly.

The artwork is absolutely enjoyable. It would have been easy for a lesser artist to over-emphasize the physical aspects of age for comedic effect, but just as the other potential pitfalls were avoided, this one was dodged as well. Line variation and subtle touches add depth to each panel without distracting the eye, and the colors chosen round out the feel of the comic rather nicely. Backgrounds are simple but more than adequate, giving a full sense of scene without pulling the eye from the characters. There's a great deal of variation between the characters - no chance of getting one character confused with another should they suddenly change hair styles. To quickly garner an appreciation for the artist's skill, take a look at the amazing detail of Comic 52, absolutely beautiful.

Created by Brock Heasley, The SuperFogeys was picked up as an exclusive earlier this year by Th3rdworld Studios. As such, I'm not terribly sure if he has any control over the website at all. Nevertheless, it bears mentioning that while the website is very clean and certainly functional, I just don't like it very much. There's a big numerical block in between the navigation buttons and the comic that stands as an archive, and the menu links all lead to th3rdworld items rather than anything specific to the comic you're actually trying to read. The strip is also available over at Pixelstrips, but it's much of the same there. Syndication is generally a good thing, especially in terms of marketing and reach, so a creative approach to offering those items fans look for is in order - adding an About Me, FAQ, and/or Extras section to the MySpace group for example would be a welcomed addition.

Petty spoiled bitching aside, head on in and smell the ointment. Now if I could just find one of those damn space pigs...

Muffin Time

2007-09-26T22:41:00.001-07:00

The comic I was originally scheduled to review today, Casual Notice, has gone on hiatus while the artist improves his craft. I wouldn't have felt quite right reviewing a comic that the artist is currently working on improving, just seems like a cheap shot, so I've switched the schedule around a bit. Casual Notice will now set for a December 26th review. Today? Today it's Muffin Time!

As my schedule is still a bit hectic (you may have noticed I'm a tad behind, see MySpace later this week for details), Steven (BetaPwned's John) has offered to do today's review:

"It's called Muffin Time and there are no muffins. That's stupid. The art is funny though."

Uh huh. Then again, maybe I should just take the time to do this myself. *coughs*

Actually, Steven has given me a perfect segue into the review in that his sense of humor is nearly identical to that of the comic. Almost completely nonsensical, occasionally punny, and intrinsically silly, Muffin Time is what I read when I'm done thinking; when I'm looking for a zany, rainbow filled escape from normality and all the horrible sanity that comes with it. It's a static Saturday Morning Cartoon for quasi-adults, and I love it.

Though the comic began as something quite different stylistically, the humor has remained fairly constant. This isn't the type of writing you hone over time, that kind of approach would require you to take it far too seriously. The art, however, took a rather dramatic turn for the dynamic in 2006 and has become sharper and more fluid with time. The character designs are simple and reminiscent of those odd plastic type bendy animals you can buy to twist around pencils and such. The expressions are varied and attention grabbing and perfectly match the character personalities. The backgrounds are similarly dynamic, adding more backdrop than scene they allow the characters to pop forward in the frame.

The ability to change the "season" of the website ads an interesting bit of personalization as does the ability to easily tag a comic in the archive, effectively saving your place. This function is brilliant for those of us that find ourselves pouring through archives whenever we can find a snippet of time. There's also a rather funny little blog spot beneath the comic, saddled up next to a chat box, a few links, and a flicker spot. There are also some enticing items in the store, and a passable forum. The links page is a bit bare, and I'd love to see some information about the creator, but over all the site design is pretty complete. Especially of note is the Bonus Points page which, though a bit outdated, includes a snazzy how to section, a few desktop offerings, and a nice list of guest comics.

Come on. Where else are you going to find an anthropomorphic udder? Head over and take a break.

Ansem Retort

2007-09-19T17:49:00.000-07:00

(Today's scheduled comic was Indefensible Positions, however, this wonderful (and highly recommended) sci-fi/fantasy comic has come to an end. As I've made it fairly clear that I won't be reviewing any comics that have stopped updating, due to either neglect or completion, I will instead be reviewing the last comic on the schedule - Ansem Retort. See, there is hope for those of you scheduled in 2009.)

I found myself on a panel not too terribly long ago discussing how to launch a webcomic. In that panel I offered the following piece of advice: Just say no to sprites. See... the word "sprite" is just a fancy way of saying "using clip art taken from someone else's work". Using other people's work without permission, and possibly a release form, annoys lawyers.

Annoying lawyers is generally a bad idea.

Sprite comics also annoy some potential readers because the artwork is, by definition, repetitious and unoriginal. The images do help tell the story, but not as much as images that were specifically crafted for the script. Additionally, there's no point in critiquing it... so I'm just going to move on.

Ansem Retort is a satire of the modern trend in reality television, with popular game characters as the unlucky house mates. While some of the humor is dependant on a basic knowledge of the characters, readers unfamiliar with the game elements should be able to ascertain the point of most punch lines. Adding a bit of a twist, the reality show is produced by FOX and the house mates are regularly assaulted by enemies in order to keep the show interesting.

Pop culture, drug references, and cartoonish violence are the building blocks for most of the scripts but there are a few character based plot points floating around. I certainly wouldn't stretch to the point of referring to it as intelligent humor, but it isn't Bevis and Butthead ridiculous either. Appropriately, I wouldn't give the comic's contents higher than a PG rating, and I didn't come across anything I would hesitate in allowing my ten-year-old to read. The humor is likely spot on for it's target audience, and even managed to pull a few chuckles from me.

Thanks to the premise, the comic is conveniently portioned into individual "seasons" - meaning that it's not entirely necessary to start at the beginning to find a good entry point. The website is dedicated to more than one comic so I couldn't find any of the additional goodies associated with single comic sites, but the navigation is simple and the comic takes center stage. All-in-all, it's a fairly entertaining comic and certainly worth a look.

A Fine Example

2007-09-12T09:34:00.001-07:00

Napoleon is an ankle biter, but only during pledge week.

I really shouldn't have to say anything else. Every freak among you should be popping over to A Fine Example just for the sake of What The Fuck.

What the fuck was, by the way, my most prevalent reaction as I toured through the archives. A Fine Example is neither character driven, nor situational. It's driven by some sort of random insanity. It's a good insanity... the type that drives you to come back time and again just to see where the hell the creator is going to wander off to and who might come along for the ride. It might be a fancy feast eating... something-or-other. It might be a slogan wielding horde of "Undead Americans". It might even be, well, assorted body parts oddly joined at unnatural angles. Oddly enough at it's very base, deep down under layers of madness, A Fine Example is a family story. Dad, girlfriend, son. There are family dynamics at play, deep seated issues between a young boy and the woman that plays the role once held by his departed mother. The silent conflicts of the man that loves them both. Yes, deep down, this is the stuff that dramas are made of. Only it's not. It's an oddity, an oddity formed of excellent writing.

The artwork is also a bit of an oddity. Sketchy black outlines and cross-hatch shading seem to hover over the simple backgrounds, almost as if made of layered bits of torn paper. The drawings have the feel of newspaper lithographs with an added stylistic flare. The children of the comic are especially enthralling - faded as though lightly erased bringing them immediately into the foreground. The effect extends to the son's expressions which are muted and faint, and a vague white aura surrounds him. He seems isolated, intelligent, and acts as an anchoring force for the quirky and animated personalities that surround him.

The website is simple and functional, though not all the bits are up and running. The Store, for example, seems to be under construction and the Blog is somewhat neglected. (The last post was July 27th) The About page is flooded with the same humor that makes up the comic and is likewise worth the read. Though there was a bit of a hiatus, A Fine Example may well be back on track now - updating "Mondays, Thursdays and more".

Go on now... the parrot waits for no one.

The Devil's Panties

2007-09-05T21:17:00.000-07:00

Realizing that life quickly gets in the way of artistic endeavors, artist Jennie Breeden discovered a delightful way to force daily practice - she started a webcomic, The Devil's Panties, the second in my personal webcomic trinity.

If there is a Queen of the slice-of-life webcomic world, it must be Jennie Breeden. Aside from obvious elements of fantasy, the strip is often a word-for-word rendition of her real-life experiences. Armed with a tape recorder and an ear for snippets that will readily entertain others, Jennie captures those seemingly mundane moments that will resonate with the majority. The intimacy of the story telling would make it tempting to swamp the comic with inside jokes, but that's seldom the case here. In fact, on those rare occasions where an inside joke pushes it's way to the surface, the joke exists in the simple fact that, without context, the comment is almost completely nonsensical.

The artwork is mostly black-and-white with bright splashes of color acting almost as punctuation. Cross hatch and line shading gives a sense of tone, and the plentiful detail work is done in a simplistic style that compliments the casual feel. Many weekends, and the Portfolio page, bring an extra treat in the form of colorful portraits in various degrees of abstraction. (Don't miss the black-and-white artwork that appears beyond the first page of the Portfolio.)

The website is simple, but functional, and includes a number of fun side projects and giggle spots. Also present is an awesome FAQ section that is a must-read for new webcomic creator's hoping to turn their hobby into a full-time job. Speaking of making webcomics a full-time job, Ms. Breeden has done just that and you'll find a number of items in the online store that helps keep her going.

Above all - The Devil's Panties will always be special to me. It was one of the first truly slice-of-life comics I read, and one of the ones that made me feel as though I should give it a go myself. The whole thing has a friendly and casual feel, like a text-message from your friends. There's no pretension, no smarmy drama, just life presented in a fun and engaging way. Definitely worth the daily read.