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.

Bardsworth

2007-08-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

I was first introduced to Bardsworth in a popular webcomic forum artist Peter Tarkulich and I are both members of. Five strips in I was hooked, and I've been a fan ever since.

Though the light humor and cute character design certainly helped catch my attention, it was the realistic relationships that really won my affections. Perhaps it's an extended quality of the natural dialogue, or an aspect of the casual pacing... regardless of it's cause, the relationships are almost instantaneously endearing. So much so that I hesitate to say the story is character driven as much as relationship driven. It's a refreshing change of pace, especially considering that, at it's base, Bardsworth is a fantasy comic.

Yes, I almost hesitate to mention that this falls firmly in the fantasy genre. It's been done poorly so often that a simple mention is enough to turn some people away. This one is a bit different though - yes, there are fairies and elven girls present and the concept is riddled with magic and burgeoning power... but Bardsworth isn't cloying. Stylistically the comic is more reminiscent of coming of age stories than typical fantasy, and I suppose I prefer to think of it that way. The fantastical elements of the comic offer humor and plot, of course, but they also advance the story and provide insight into the characters.

The artwork started out as a clean black and white, only to transform into a brilliant full color strip over time. Appropriate use of light and shadow bring the characters forward into center regardless of the backgrounds, and the use of rich colors in clothing and other textiles more than makes up for the necessarily monotone castle walls. Accurate body postures and proportions, combined with detailed clothing, rounds out the character designs and gives a sense of movement and fullness. Backgrounds are sparse on occasion, but never at a detriment to the individual strip. The character's expressions are absolutely delightful in their simplicity and range.

The website itself is quite nice, with easy navigation and clear menu items. There's a wonderful blog space under the comic serving up the latest news as well as a paragraph or two featuring the current Spotlight Comic - webcomic's the creator feels are worth another look. A Twitter box, Chat widget, and forum round out the communicative aspects, giving the website it's own friendly feel. The About page offers not only information about the comic and it's creator, but also a declaration of intent titled The Bardsworth Manifesto. Quite worthy of respect, indeed.

Bardsworth is one of the few comics I read I don't hesitate to share with my kids. Not because it's childish, but because of it's good natured appeal and quality story telling. Updating thrice weekly, I look forward to following this story through to conclusion.

Bear and Kitten

2007-08-22T09:25:00.001-07:00

Before I start this week's webcomic review of Bear and Kitten let me say this to the writer, Andy - Naruto has also eaten a great deal of my life, regardless of the fact that I too find it less than remarkable.

Now, down to business.

Bear and Kitten, though it sounds cute and cuddly, is quite a quirky little disturbing romp. The premise is simple enough - an anthropomorphic slice-of-life, the comic follows the day to day adventures of two unlikely room mates. Fairly new to the webcomic scene, it began in April of 2007 and has updated on a mostly consistent twice weekly schedule. Each strip is a quick read as even the most verbose consist of only one or two sentences a panel. Thanks to this stylistic brevity it doesn't take long to plow through the archives, and I certainly suggest you do.

Before anyone assumes the succinct nature of the comic points to poor writing, let me assure you this isn't the case. There is a simplicity to the writing, certainly, but simplicity shouldn't be mistaken for poor form. As most comic aficionados are aware, a great deal of the writing takes place beyond the scope of dialogue - it's the totality of the scene that tells these short stories and it takes the skill of both writer and artist to pull off a mostly silent script.

It's this skilled teamwork that makes Bear and Kitten such a joy to read. The artwork is a soft comfort that lulls the reader into a mindset that makes the disturbing aspects of the comic even more so. Just as a cold ice cube down the shorts is more shocking on a hot summer day, the relatively mild violence and uneasy concepts come across as much more tantalizing when everything else is so warm and fuzzy. It's an excellent blend. It's dainty meets deleterious, antipathetic adoration, eerie enchantment. Okay, okay... it's late, give me a break.

I like the comic. I like gazing at the first panel and knowing that before the story ends something odd and possibly horrific will have happened. I like feeling as though I'm getting a virtual hug from something delightfully wrong. The comic isn't twisted - in fact, I suspect that if you took any of the scripts and drew them in a realistic fashion they would loose not only their charm, but also their punch. It's the mix that makes the comic work, the parts aren't all that spectacular when taken alone, but the sum of those parts makes for a great read.

The website is simple and easy to navigate. I rather enjoy the picture used for the About page, though I wish it were simply featured off to one side rather than panelled as a full background - I had to highlight the text in order to be able to read it. The Forum appears to be popping along quite nicely, and there's a great poster for sale in the Store along with the opportunity to buy prints of any comic. There's also a promise of shirts eventually... a promise I hope they keep. Baby dolls, if at all possible, please. T-shirts make me look boxy. *grins*

Chris and Smith

2007-08-15T21:52:00.001-07:00

I've always suspected it. There have been hints and clues along the way, even one or two personal experiences. This week, my suspicions were confirmed. Canadians are freakin' nuts. The final nail in the loony coffin? Chris and Smith.

Probably best described as a gag-a-day comic, this thing is all over the place in a zany, completely insane way. It's not entirely nonsensical, the characters have distinct personalities and the environment is basically stable, but complete consistency of plot is clearly not the goal here.

In a nutshell - take every bizarre, caffeine and/or alcohol fueled conversation you've ever had with your friends after a day long geek inspired movie fest and throw it in a blender. Add some pigment, a maple leaf, a touch of political commentary, and a communion wafer and you've got Chris and Smith. Aside from it's random humor, Chris and Smith is also an excellent educational tool. For example, I now know that JFK was, in fact, assassinated by a large purple triangle and that Bronson Pinchot knows the only way out of hell.

A proper reflection of reality isn't intended in the art any more than it is in the writing, leading to an appropriately cartoonish style. Though somewhat static, the artwork conveys both emotion and tone, providing a suitable base for the dry humor. Taking a look at the first strip and the latest strip side-by-side the first clear improvement lies in the addition of backgrounds. A closer look reveals a number of more subtle improvements including more pleasing line work, panel design, and composition. The text bubbles and lettering have also become blessedly clear over the years, leading to a much more polished look over-all.

It is my understanding that the website is currently undergoing some changes, so please take the following with a grain of salt:

For most of the comic's history, navigation buttons were absent... now they're there but are a bit of a mess. The First button brought me either to the current or the latest comic, but the others work as expected, at least where they're available. There is a nearly complete archive, but each comic opens as a stand alone image, which leaves you hitting the back button after every archived comic. Adding to the archive difficulties is the lack of change when a link has already been followed, forcing you to try and remember which number you were on. The Links button doesn't seem to be functional either. Other than that, *coughs*, the website design is clean and the comic takes center stage.

Updating Sundays and Thursdays, Chris and Smith offers more than just an odd-day webcomic read. It offers an odd experience, and more than a few "what the...?" chuckle moments. You're clearly a weird man, Mike Thomas, keep up the good work.

Lifelike

2007-08-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today's webcomic, Lifelike, presents me with a challenge due to a unique and masterfully executed format - one very talented writer, and many very talented artists. To be truly fair, each of these comic stories ought to be reviewed separately. Unfortunately, I can't justify dedicating that much time to a single webcomic when so many others are waiting for review. So, forgive my awkward brevity, and trust that the comic speaks very clearly for itself.

A series of succinct independent stories, Lifelike is everything the dramatic slice-of-life genre ought to be. Each vignette is a snapshot in time, some moments little more than a mist of touching memory, others a tortured exercise in penance. There is no central theme beyond life, and it's presented here with a varied richness that I greatly enjoy. Fans of realistic fiction won't be disappointed.

The author, Dara Naraghi, births each character mid stride and carefully completes each profile before the story's end. By giving each character a distinct voice, Mr. Naraghi allows for a sense of familiarity beyond the artwork, and for him this is especially important. As I mentioned earlier, Lifelike utilizes the talents of many artists. In fact, each story is illustrated by a different artist, in their own distinct style. This ads yet another layer of perspective as each story comes together in a blend of creative voice and artistic expression.

One of the Stan Lee Sunday Comics presented on Komikwerks, Lifelike updates twice weekly and will soon be available as a Graphic Novel thanks to IDW Publishing. (Pre-orders are being taken at a 32% discount through Amazon.com now.) A full list of contributing artists, along with biographies, can be found on the Lifelike main page.

Geek Blather

2007-08-01T06:49:00.001-07:00

What I remember of High School is that I wasn't very good at it - academically or socially. Of course, my High School was nothing like Eyrie High, and the students there were nothing like the cast of Geek Blather. Had they been, I would have at least been far more entertained.

Populated almost entirely by High School students, there are those that won't give the comic the chance it deserves. Add to the cast a sprinkling of homosexuality and the potential readership probably drops a touch more. I doubt that creators Quinn Gillespie and Kara O'Brien will notice their absence, however, as the comic seems angled toward an abundant demographic. Set in the present, Geek Blather is a shiny slice of life comic with a definite middle-class feel. This isn't to say that the comic's setting is a fun filled wonderland like the ones foisted on us by those bubble-headed tween flicks - Bullying, drugs, and even casual prostitution rear their heads here. Happily, these issues are artfully handled with a realistic sense of the frustrating nonchalance that permeates their real-life mirrors rather than with angst riddled stereotypical behavior.

From my perspective, the characters seem older than the plot dictates - though it's quite possible this seeming discrepancy is due to a simple generational gap. Regional differences, writer's prerogative, and the fact that the characters existed in RPG form before hitting webcomic fame may also play a part in this apparent time warping. Interestingly, I don't believe I would balk if the characters were portrayed as college students - apparently a couple of years makes all the difference for me.

The artwork is similarly realistic and very well done, especially considering the update schedule. The backgrounds lack detail, but one would have to drag their attention away from the characters to notice and they deserve the focus. Accurate body postures, complex facial expressions, graceful hands, and rich clothing designs overlayed with appropriate shading and highlights testify to the artist's talent. In fact, the artwork is so natural it may not be fully appreciated - take the time to really look it over once you've worked your way through the archives. I'm especially fond of her ability to clearly depict the characters in a realistic style without making them appear forced.

Various web goodies include a step-by-step "making of" tutorial followed by a spiffy video that allows you to see the process in action. A visit to the Glossary is mandatory, if only to finally name that horribly undeniable urge to draw or write something regardless of what you ought to be doing. Also, speaking of being distracted from what you ought to be doing, there's a lovely little paper doll flash that ate a good 20 minutes out of my review time.

Regular story lines update Tuesdays and Thursdays, with grab-bag strips thrown in for good measure on Saturdays... though to be perfectly honest I would love to see the Saturday strips evolve into their own stand alone slice-of-life. Come on gals, what do you say?

The Nineteenth Century Industrialist

2007-07-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Nineteenth Century Industrialist is... different. Half story comic, half gag-a-day, the strip seems to relish defying both convention and definition. The premise is simple enough, factory owner Hiram Thorpe is in the wrong century - but rather than conforming to the times, he continues to live as though he were still in his own. A century not exactly known for it's human rights and environmental championing.

Don't mistake the premise for a story line though - it's more of a launching point, a stage prop even. The comic itself is pointless... but pointless by design. It's not as though the creator set out to write a cohesive story and simply failed, the chaos is clearly intentional and actually well done. Each of the characters has a fairly straight forward and easily discerned personality and that offers enough consistency to tie each individual strip to the others.

The humor isn't exactly dry... it's sort of laced with an inherent sadness. A sense of entitlement that clashes with our current cultural norms in such a way that a humorous skin is formed. I do realize how unflattering that sounds, but I do enjoy the comic. It's not a laugh out loud frolic, but it's general mood alone makes it worth reading.

The artwork is a zany simplicity. Stylistically sketchy, the line work lends an added dimension to the anatomy bending physiology of the character designs and the sparse yet appropriate backgrounds. Slave Labor Graphics fans are likely to notice what seems to be the creator's primary influence as quickly as I did, in fact, I'd be shocked to learn my initial impressions were incorrect.

The comic is hosted on Comic Genesis and utilizes OhNoRobot for easy archive searching. The web design is sparse, but easy to navigate and devoid of distraction. I would be appreciate a bit of information in the form of an About page, but I suppose I can live with the mystery for now. The Nineteenth Century Industrialist updates Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Jump on in, the century is fine.

Questionable Content

2007-07-18T20:26:00.000-07:00

In a recent interview I was asked what webcomics I read and how they influenced me. In my answer I included my webcomic trinity, the first three slice-of-life webcomics that I really related to - Devil's Panties, Something Positive, and today's comic Questionable Content. Does that make me biased? Hell yes, but it's my damn review and I'll do with it as I please.

Before I get into the meat of the review I just want to say this - kudos for improvement. Granted, most webcomics that run for more than 900 strips show marked improvement, but QC has shown improvement in all categories from character design to writing and that at least deserves a mention. Early strips were hardly Paint induced scribbles, of course, but a quick glance at the first strip followed by a glance at the latest strip should serve as encouragement to even the most amateur of webcomic creators.

QC is, at it's most basic, a 20 something's slice-of-life. Dramatic story lines and personal growth certainly have their place, but this isn't a drama - soap opera or otherwise. Liberal outpourings of sarcasm and good natured self-depreciation clearly identify this as a comedy, and those that insist on forcing it into another genre do both themselves and the comic a disservice. No it's not slapstick nonsense, it's that day to day humor that we all appreciate in our friends and family. It's a humor that endears you to the characters - you're laughing with them, not at them, and that's a damn good thing. I relate to these characters, I recognize their reflections in people I know, and hear their lines in familiar voices. As such, I'd probably be defensive and pissy if they were simply puppets to laugh at.

This minor revelation brings me to a little factoid that absolutely tickles me - according to Jeph Jacques, the creator, none of his characters are based on real people. This just tells me that I'd find a day in Jacques' head absolutely entertaining. His easy writing style combined with only a handful of panels each strip lend themselves so well to the "snapshots in time" method that his characters are absolutely believable. You're definitely given the impression that when you're not watching the gang is pretty damn boring. Oddly enough, I mean that in a good way. Characters that feel as though their always on a stage become pat, their reality constantly stifled by a laugh track. It's important to note, however, that Jacques hasn't allowed this writing style to hurry the pacing with longer story lines, and has allowed it to provide occasional relief from slower plot advancements.

The artwork is done in a casually detailed black outline style with minimal line variation. Filled color with layered shading and highlights round out the look providing depth. Slightly over sized eyes, especially on the women folk, give the characters a bit of Manga feel but it isn't over done. Body postures range from slouchy to awkward, providing more support for personality than biology, and I very much appreciate the way one can tell how the character feels merely by looking at them. Delving into finer details, look for subtle clues that extend beyond the droop of a shoulder - the slight forward tilt of the head, for example, that signifies Faye's general disgust or the lines under Hannalore's eyes that deepen along with her mania.

The site design is simple and easy to navigate. Jacques ability to keep up with his cast page is a skill I deeply covet, and his QC Tutorial of Doom is very nicely done. The About, FAQ, and Contact pages are succinct but effective and the Music Picks page reads like an indie lovers wet dream. Also on board is a fairly active Forum, which even includes a thread to pimp your own comic - assuming you have one to pimp. QC updates 5 days a week, Monday through Friday and is certainly worth the daily read.

(Apologies all around for the lateness of this review - I gathered some sort of crud at the office and spent the last two days either sleeping or in a "gods I wish I was still asleep" coma-like haze. My only real hope is that this thing actually makes sense and I didn't do a huge injustice to a comic I really do love. *oi*)

A Pessimistic Sense of Inadequacy

2007-07-11T05:43:00.000-07:00

I'm tempted to say that anyone familiar with younger webcomics is familiar with today's artist - Fesworks, and his webcomic A Pessimistic Sense of Inadequacy. A solid year old this month, P.S.I. has not only been a consistently well written comic, it has also served as a springboard for some very enjoyable crossover efforts; and it's those efforts that so often have Fesworks in the spotlight.

The artwork fluctuates between penciled black and white to simpler black outlined block colors, and while the change ups may be a bit unusual each style has it's positive attributes - the thinner line work of the penciled style offer more detail, while the block colored strips offer more definition and a more eye catching appeal. In recent months a few animated strips have appeared as well, each one enhancing the writing by moving the plot forward without ruining the pacing. Aside from advancing the plot, the animated panels are a nice surprise for readers; especially as they're so nicely done.

The writing has had it's own evolutions, growing from something akin to a slice-of-life comic to more fantasy based plot lines. Of course, slice-of-life may have been a stretch to begin with as one of the two main characters is a large talking rat. Yes, this is an antrho comic - but a very well thought out anthro comic. The characters do notice their differences, and the subject of food has been nicely dealt with. Also tucked aside as a non-issue is the comics frequent tendency to break the fourth wall - Fes and Ernst are described as "webcomic aware". They understand that they are characters collaborating with their creator, and they also understand not all characters are similarly aware. This has created some interesting scenarios in the current crossover plot line - one I'm certainly curious to see concluded.

I think it's important to note that working your way through the P.S.I. archive will not only introduce you to Fesworks' well written and entertaining characters, it will also introduce you to a number of other webcomics. What's impressive about this is that the writing is so easily able to support this influx of new characters and situations. The plot moves along at a decent pace, and what little knowledge of other comic characters is needed to keep up is effortlessly provided along the way. The archive may not be terribly pretty, but it's nicely sectioned and functional so I'm not going to complain. The website itself is easy to navigate and contains a number of can't miss features including an audio webcomic review titled 2 Cents in 60 Seconds.

Congratulations Fes - here's to another year.

World's Worst Webcomic

2007-07-04T09:23:00.000-07:00

There's one glaring problem with The World's Worst Webcomic - it isn't. Okay, the artwork is as amateur as possible without losing all cohesive and recognizable qualities, but the writing... the writing is fucking hilarious.

In all honesty, the comic is a bit like an auto accident. You want to look away, but something compels you to turn your head and gawk, even knowing there's a possibility you may see something horrible... and deep inside knowing you may want to see something horrible. The World's Worst Webcomic is horrible. The plot lines are very basic, though not as basic as the artwork, and occasionally amble about like a drunken zombie. Sometimes the plot stumbles, falls face first, and lies there a while before finally getting to it's feet and starting off in a new direction. Other times it never gets up, and while you're staring at it's lifeless corpse a new plot ambles in from the distance, groaning.

Strange thing is... that doesn't matter. I still read it, and I still laugh.

One thing I absolutely adore is the archive system. There's the typical list of comics, a respectable 200 as of today, arranged by date and title - but some are also listed by plot, and that's where the genius comes in. The comics are typically done in strip format, and when you choose to go through the archive by plot you're given all of the comics in that plot line on a single page, saving you the trouble of clicking "next" every 40 seconds as you finish each comic. There's also the Airlock Series, which simply has to be viewed as a whole because the whole damn thing is animated weirdness. Don't get too excited though - you really should go through the archive one comic at a time because there are single shots in there that range from social commentary to complete idiocy.

Oddly enough, it's entirely possible that the best way to judge the comic's humor as a new comer is to skip reading the archive until you've read the rest of the site. Check out the FAQ first, then wander over to the About section. If you're mildly amused, head over the archives and read through a few. Think of it like being inoculated before heading into a pandemic zone.

The World's Worst Webcomic updates five days a week, though should you require notification, it's worth noting that The World's Worst RSS Feed is 13,003% larger than the competition. Yeah... there's just nothing else I can say about this... I need a brain wash.

Ardra

2007-06-27T05:39:00.000-07:00

These reviews aren't always going to have the best timing. I managed to hit There's Always Porn during a guest week, and I'm hitting Ardra during an entire guest month. This poses a bit of a challenge. Add to that the somewhat verified rumor that Ardra is in for some sort of change on the horizon, and I nearly cancelled the review. Cancelling would be the easy way out though, and what kind of fun is easy? Wait... don't answer that.

I'm quite amused by the basic premise of the comic. An atypical female scientist decides to embark on the greatest experiment of her life - truly logical parenting. The children display a few genetically engineered quirks - both Eileen and Lenore share their maternal provider's unusually high IQ, and Lenore has a dash of telekinesis thrown in just for kicks - but the writer manages to use these qualities as personality traits rather than as gimmicks.

Unfortunately, the comic's life has been somewhat tumultuous having changed artists more than once. Early comics were drawn by Ardra's writer, Jason Dunstan. Fans of the webcomic Least I Could Do may recognize the work of original artist Trevor Adams in later strips. Finally, Fesworks of the webcomic P.S.I. has taken over the artist's helm and he doesn't seem to be going anywhere soon. Jason has stuck through it all, though, even squeezing a number of guest comics from other creators to fill in the gaps between regular artists. That's a tenacity rarely found here on the web, where comics frequently come and go before they're even noticed.

Aside from all else, the humor is consistent. Intelligent without being pretentious, there's a good natured ring to even Eileen's pessimistic sarcasm. The harsher pokings are reserved for popular culture rather than specific individuals keeping the "family" focused as a tight knit unit without fostering animosity. Sarcasm is a subtle game, and Jason definitely has the knack.

The current artwork is a nice blend of Feswork's style and the already established character designs. The line work is smooth and sufficiently detailed to support the block coloring. The backgrounds consist mostly of layered color that seems to exist behind the actual frames, continuing it's patterns beyond the scope of a single panel. While this technique could be distracting, the tones used keep the colors from drawing your eyes away from the characters, which clearly deserve center stage.

Despite some bumps, Ardra seems to have hit a stride. With any luck, future bumps won't knock it off the road.

Sidgwick

2007-06-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

He's small. He's furry. He's orange.

Nope, wrong character. I'm talking about Sidgwick a character that, unlike that cat, rings with sarcastic political humor. He's a dry rub of current events presented as the creator's conversations with his imaginary friend.

Right off the bat I'm tempted to say that this comic won't amuse everyone. It is current event based, and often deals with American politics. I do believe there is enough popular content that the comic could appeal to readers from other countries, but a good deal of the content deals with news that didn't hit the evening networks. As such, people with little regard for those rather interesting political items that so tickle me may not see the point.

Aside from being intelligent and culturally relevant, Sidgwick is a comic I also find consistently funny. The humor is dry, not dark, mostly sarcastic but occasionally entering into the realm of sardonic. Falwell and Limbaugh fans should probably steer clear unless they're looking for something to bitch about, but there are a few gentle jabs aimed at the liberal crowd as well.

The artwork is cartoonish, as one would expect, but not amateurish. The expressions are endearing and clearly read, and the settings and perspective have a naturally casual feel. I appreciate the differentiation between the creator's voice and his creation within the comic - the creator's bubbles differ in both shape and shade, leaving a clear impression of origin.

The comic is currently hosted on MySpace, and while it's a passable solution because of it's timely nature, I would pretty much prefer that every comic hosted on MySpace found a more appropriate home. Assuming you have your own MySpace, subscribing to the blog would insure that you didn't miss any updates. Those of you without MySpace pages can either sign up for the RSS feed, or just check in every now and again. Regardless of how you get there, it's worth it.

Wapsi Square

2007-06-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today's comic is populated primarily by women, yet is written and drawn by a man.

Yes. I am aware of the images that conjures.

I did not, however, say that today's comic is populated primarily by dolls. These are women. They have real breasts - you know, the kind that come in different shapes and sizes - and they have the hips that go along with them. They have issues, yes, but they also have the intelligence and guts to tackle them - no matter how fantastical and frightening. They have flaws, sometimes even dark secrets, but their personalities shine though with strength of character - crystal clear and honest.

So before I get into the review of Wapsi Square, let me say this: Kudos to you, Paul Taylor. You've created characters that that feel like people, not fantasies. I'm proud to share this one with my daughter.

Wapsi Square is one of those rare comics that has it all. Brilliantly molded characters, strong story lines, steady pacing, and professional artwork. All that, and the creator manages to update five days a week, produce a steady stream of images for sale, maintain an online journal, appear at conventions, and help his wife raise their son.

Busy guy.

Taking place in a fictitious neighborhood in Minneapolis, Wapsi Square follows the life and times of Monica Villarreal - an anthropologist with a rather vivid connection to Aztec mythology. Beginning in September of 2001, Wapsi Square originally felt like a 3-4 panel punch-a-day type comic. Those early days, however, were actually the foundation for an incredibly engaging story. Rather than diving in to a complicated plot line, the author allows the reader to get to know the characters much as we get to know the people in our lives. People engage in small talk before they reveal their inner thoughts, and the plot evolves much like a personal relationship. By 2004 the small talk is over, and a dark intimacy takes its place. The writing never feels contrived or rushed, and though some might find the pacing a tad slow, I feel it contributes to the comic's realistic nature. Yes, this is a fantasy comic, but the characters are taken aback by the supernatural in their lives. This isn't a world where metaphorical unicorns are expected, but rather a world where, once confronted with them, the inhabitants are forced to accept, live with, and even attempt to control them. It's easy for me to find myself in these characters, not necessarily relating to one in particular, but instead recognizing bits of myself in their reflections. The intensity of emotion the author is able to elicit is testimony to that reflective nature. It's very easy to imagine myself in their shoes, and while I don't always like what I see of myself, I always enjoy the journey.

The artwork is simple and skillful, black outlines with hatch mark shading and sketchy detailing. The backgrounds are given a grey wash, allowing the characters to remain rightfully center stage at all times. Each character design is a clear match to it's personality, giving one the feeling that their physicality helped in molding their person; and let's be honest - that's more reality than fiction. My early teens were filled with groundless rumors of eating disorders due to an unusually high metabolism, the way people viewed me had an effect on the person I became. I'm sure tall/overweight/short/busty/etc kids were partially molded in the same way, and Paul's character designs flesh out that truth.

Masterful story telling and crisp artistry have made Wapsi Square one of my favorites. Don't take this one lightly - start at the beginning and work your way through as you would a novel. Once you're caught up, read it every weekday. Then, as each story line wraps up, go back to it's beginning and read it as a whole. The impact each strip makes on a daily basis is multiplied when reading them in blocks. I will own the compilations, and they will take their place on my nightstand to be read over and over again.

School Spirit

2007-06-06T00:47:00.000-07:00

I don't know a damned thing about cricket, and for the first time in my life, I'm actually sorry that I don't.

Don't worry, an understanding of the finer points of cricket is hardly a requirement for enjoying School Spirit, though it might help on occasion. For once, this review will not contain any warnings to younger readers. School Spirit is wholesome goodness for all. There is still a content warning, however - this comic contains Aussie speak. Not enough to throw most readers, though, just enough to add personality and charm to some truly endearing characters. Refreshingly, I find that charm to come from an easy balance between artistic style and writing - with neither competing for attention over the other.

Beginning with young Casper's first day at a new school, the reader is invited to join him and his new friends in nothing less than childhood. A bit on the spirit filled side from what I remember of my childhood, but the feel is familiar regardless. The writing is laid back and unassuming, in both narration and speech, bringing about a feeling of casual enjoyment. More a summer picnic than a roller coaster ride, and rightfully so. While technically story based, a number of the strips read like illustrated children's jokes and riddles. In other comics I've found such a format jarring, but placed in the context of a grammar school and constrained to speech the format works perfectly - adding to the good-natured, child-like feel the creator so eloquently maintains. Regularly placed recapitulations allow new readers to catch up without pouring through three years worth of archives. You'll also find a few history lessons sprinkled around the plot line, likely to enlighten the yanks more than the Aussies, but worth the read regardless.

The artwork is equally charming, with cleanly stylized characters and consistent backgrounds. Deftly avoiding the pitfalls of overly cute or tiny-but-adult child characters, the creator maintains a cartoonish feel without rounding the bend to wacky. I especially enjoy his use of silhouette and the occasional placement of what appear to be slightly altered photographs or paintings. Most of the strips are done in a three to four panel format, and in full color, though some are double that with the longer comics typically breaking slightly from the story line.

Navigation is simple, clean, and keeps to the theme of the comic quite nicely. The only thing I might add would be navigation at the top of the comic for those times when a quick turn through are called for; though the calendar navigation below the comic in addition to a complete archive does help in that regard. Other features include a a very interesting history page, a cast page, and a forum in which one may even ask the individual characters questions. (The art page, though included in the main menu, doesn't seem to lead anywhere currently.)

Updating dutifully three times a week - Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday - School Spirit is a playful romp well worth a try... and with hints of ghostly pasts on the horizon, this would be an excellent time to dive in.

Gypsy!

2007-05-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

This isn't something I'm going to do regularly. It makes a little piece of me sad... no, not sad... just less happy. Today's comic requires a tiny investment in order to read the entire archive. Stop where you are, no running away, no clicky. Clicky bad. Hear me out...

First of all, Gypsy! is a great comic that I'll be rambling about endlessly as soon as we clear the subscription hump. Secondly, you're getting full access to all the Girlamatic comics for a measly $2.95 a month. Less than three bucks, and as the current comic of every series is available for free, it would seem that subscription fee is only really necessary to get you through the archives. Personally, I think the price is well worth it.

Now, on with the comic.

Gypsy! is a black and white story based comic created by the prolific John Peters who "once delved into the deepest, darkest recesses of his own soul only to discover a half-used roll of paper towels and dozens of empty, rusted Dr. Pepper cans." If you're hip to the indie world, you may know John as the illustrator of Forty Winks, Pixie, or dozens of other things. I mean, damn.

Other works aside, Gypsy makes me uneasy. Or rather, the people that "care" for her make me uneasy. The plot is compelling enough to have hooked me for good within the first few pages, and it may very well have been the sense of unease that did the hooking. These people aren't right. They're not evil, they're just so pointedly apathetic toward Gypsy you ought to feel sorry for her, but they're so casual in their indifference that you don't. It's like indigenous nudity on TV - just a slight change in setting and you'd have a whole different set of feelings. I don't want to go into the plot too much here for two reasons: One, the story isn't over yet. Summarizing a few chapters is pointless. Two, The plot sounds ridiculous shoved into a brief paragraph. This one is meant to unfold slowly, pulling the reader from event to event along a winding path. As the story opens, Gypsy is presented in a catatonic state. Seven chapters in, she hasn't shifted from that state. I don't get the feeling she'll be doing so soon. Oddly enough, that hasn't stopped her from engaging in an adventure.

The writing here is as absolutely solid as the artwork. The dialogue supports the characters as well as advancing the plot without overpowering the artwork, allowing for multifaceted character expression. Quirky remarks and minor sidelines are presented and allowed to fade away without distracting from the plot. The artwork is clean, but certainly not without detail, and the shading defines both light and perspective quite well. John clearly has no difficulty with body postures and movement, and the overall character design fits the story perfectly. Though it's not something that's often mentioned in reviews - the panel work here is brilliant. While there is never any difficulty following the progression, they're rarely staged in a typical format. Frequently, bordered panels appear over top a single borderless panel; a technique that actually seems to inject a sense of drama, environment, and even time. Another aspect seldom discussed bears witness to it's importance here - the text style itself assists the flow and emotion of the dialogue, often granting the characters tone that could not be portrayed otherwise.

Currently in the midst of the seventh chapter, Gypsy! updates Sundays and will most assuredly be available in book form once complete. Website wise, I find the current page background distracting and I wish there were small directional buttons at the top of each comic to compliment those at the bottom. Certainly not deal breakers by any means. He makes up for it with a really charming Cast page. Consider yourself warned, however, there are spoilers in them thair descriptions.

I suggest this - go to the site. Read the freebies. If you're even mildly interested, cough up the three bucks and read the rest. You'd be supporting deserving artists, and you'd be well rewarded for it.

GingerDead

2007-05-15T23:41:00.001-07:00

I'll never eat another gingerbread man.

You see, I have empathy for the little guys now. I can quite vividly, for example, imagine their terror at the prospect of a glass of milk. See their bloodied bodies left dismembered on a plate. Pity their joy at being digested.

Thanks a lot, GingerDead. Christmas will never be the same... though Halloween just might become another reason to bake.

Yes, yes... it's time for another rambling late night review. This time, I take on my favorite macabre cookie, GingerDead. Written with a dark slant, the comic manages a Gothic edge without the blatant effort of other works. Yes, the title is a bit punny, but the writing is not. Instead, it's a mixture of haiku, quiet contemplation and gentle humor. The writing itself feels of winter, even without visual aid, a feat I quite admire.

The art is simple, dramatic splashes of red where appropriate, backed by shades of black and grey. Line work is purposely rough, but certainly not sloppy, a technique that compliments the feel of both artwork and writing. The characters quite easily manage to be both disturbing and cute. GingerDead and Lenore have a familiar warmth, despite the former's habit of being eaten and the latter's utter lack of flesh. I would love to see Lenoir in doll form, preferably munching on some flowers.

Easy enough to navigate, though a button leading to the first comic would be a nice addition, the site is minimalistic in design. The archive can be found in both date and title formats, a few icons and desktops are available, and it would also appear the creator has some stock in Second Life. GingerDead is not a laugh riot. It's not intended to be. It is, however, charming, quite amusing, and well worth the read.

Achewood

2007-05-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

I seriously thought about starting and ending this review by simply stating that Achewood is like Winnie the Pooh on anti-depressant laced crack. Fin.

Then I changed my mind.

The comparison, oddly enough, is rather apt. The characters of Achewood do have a very "based on stuffed animals" kind of charm, and if the About section is in any way indicative of reality, they are. Of course, in this version Pooh only wears bling and a thong and piglet is some sort of... I don't know... otter perhaps? Okay, the art isn't stellar. No one cares. We read Achewood because it's seriously crazy funny. Also, it's amazingly educational - did you know that you're presented with a 1982 Subaru Brat when you enter hell? That shit has got to be important.

Unfortunately for stressed out reviewers, Achewood doesn't exactly present itself in such a way that you can outline the content in four or five neat paragraphs. Though there are clear plot lines, there's also this callous and unrelenting disregard for sanity. In the midst of a storyline regarding Philippe's bid for the presidency, for example, Ray finds a talking shoe with a dysfunctional family and a penchant for stocks. I mean, damn... the whole storyline was wacky hilarity, but how do you summarize that? Clearly, there's just no point in trying.

Achewood has been running for nearly 6 years now, having launched October 1st of 2001. Though there doesn't seem to be a firm update schedule, a new comic does appear 3-5 times a week and an RSS feed is available for instant update notification. Actually, there are a number of things available: Dork Resources, Desktops, Pictures of girls in underwear winning contests having nothing to do with Achewood, character blogs, Radio Achewood, a huge and varied store, the ability to purchase a signed print of any comic... you name it, Achewood's got it. One of my favorite extra features is the Current Toddler Status in which creator Chris Onstad posts various parental observations. Achewood also sports a subscription only version which promises a "huge archive of rare, multi-format Achewood content", but I'm poor so I have absolutely no idea what that might look like. Actually, the subscription is only $12 so I'm apparently more lazy than poor. It's important to note, however, that it's not a lack of love for the comic that has keep me from subscribing and I'm sure I will at some point. If for no other reason, I'll do it to get my hands on the entire Nate Small novella. There's no reason for Beef to keep those goods to himself.

I have one last thing to say for Achewood. It's fucking addictive. This review took me 4 hours to write. 4 fucking hours. It's not even a good review. It's aimless and rambling. It is, however, well researched. Yes - you got a crappy review because I spent 4 hours reading through the archives. Archives I've already read. Twice.

If that's not a recommendation, I don't know what is.

There's Always Porn

2007-04-27T05:50:00.000-07:00

A simple truism identifies this week's webcomic - There's Always Porn. (NSFW) Yes, it's yet another adult oriented comic, so I recommend the kiddos run off and read Mr. Moo's Day Out. It has pretty colors, aliens, you actually get to turn the pages just like a print comic, and I like it quite a bit.

Written by the prolific and talented, Wiz Rollins, and drawn by the mysterious Bob Sugar, There's Always Porn isn't exactly a newbie effort. Rollins' credits would take up more space than the review and a perusal of his ComicSpace page is certainly worth the time. Sugar however, won't pop up on a search beyond this project, though there are certainly rumors that he's a known artist working under an alias. I'll not be a monger, though, and instead will allow you to draw your own conclusions. No, that's not a hint for the conspiracy nits.

The comic is fairly new, having started in January this year, but it's off to a good start. They did manage to time a stint of guest strips to coincide with this review - but the talent they attracted is a good indication of the comic's jovial quality. &bnsp;
It's true, the premise hasn't been new since the 70's, but TAP brings forth scenarios Oscar and Felix would have never explored.

Possibly the first thing that should be mentioned is that the comic itself is not, in fact, porn. Porn is discussed, porn is depicted, but porn is not created with the comic. &nbps;In the comic, yes, but not with it. Also, while content may occasionally be shocking to some, it's clearly not intended as a shock-a-day gross out. I'll admit that I may be ill suited to making such judgements, but I've not run across anything in the comic I wasn't previously aware of and okay with. No, they're angling for laughs not gasps, and they get those laughs by presenting their material in such a casual fashion. The vernacular isn't annoyingly cloy, nor is it medically cold, it's comfortable - and that's important to maintaining a realistic feel.

The artwork is stylistic and cartoonish, pairing nicely with the writing. &bnsp;Body postures and angles are accurately portrayed, and with this comic that must be a bit of a challenge from time to time. Facial expressions are varied and carry emotion well, as does the coloring where mood is sometimes expressed rather subtly in the backgrounds and shading. I especially enjoy the details in clothing, backgrounds and props.

Certainly for mature audiences, and not exactly safe for work, There's Always Porn is a crowd pleaser. Favorite line - "I'm pretty sure that would turn my vagina into an almost impossibly dense singularity."

Raymondo Person

2007-04-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Where else could one possibly go for AIDS weilding cheese and oppressed tampons? I dare so nowhere but Chicken Nation, home of this week's comic - Raymondo Person. This is another Web MA - so the young ones should be off to read something entertaining and age appropriate like Able and Baker.

I need to start out by saying that creator Patrick Alexander is clearly disturbed. Not just a little bit, either. He's quite profoundly distrubed. If perusing the Raymondo Person archives doesn't convince you of that, have a look at Cunt!, his 24 hour comic submission for 2005. The man clearly needs help, but he's funny so we'll let him free to roam.

*coughs* Anyway...

At first glance the artwork may seem less than impressive, especially as most of the characters are little more than stylized stick figures, but take the time to look a bit more closely. The backgrounds, shading, character expression and basic composition are really quite good; leaving one with the impression that the artwork is really a matter of style, and not mearly a crutch. A quick glance at his commission work firms up that impression rather nicely. He also draws a really mean penis, which has to be some kind of accomplishment.

The dialogue is the clincher here - alternating between something that vaguely smacks of a plot and shear unadulterated offense, I never know what I'm going to find when I click that link. Will Satan stop by Raymondo's house again? To what perverted depth might Mabel plunge? Will there be shit explosions? For sweet mercy's sake - will someone wind up drinking it??? On more than one occasion I've found myself reading the comic, staring in horror, moving on to something else, then coming back, reading it again and finally chuckling. It's often a bit like a slap to the brain with the remnants of a wet dream. (There's an ad worthy quote....)

The website design is sparce, but reasonably easy to navigate. If there is a fixed update schedule, I haven't been able to figure it out, but you can choose to be notified of updates through Live Journal, RSS or ATOM. As mentioned before, Patrick Alexander does accept commission work and I agree with him that his work would make outstanding gifts for your more twisted friends and family.

I can't honestly say that you're all going to like this one, but I certainly do. It's not too terribly far in, so start with the first one and work your way through. You've got nothing to lose but your greater sense of well being. *grins*

Toy Division

2007-04-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

If you're under the age of 18, go read Beaver and Steve it's a wonderful comic that I very much enjoy; there is nothing here for you now. Shoo. Wait a minute! Get back here! If you're under 18, what the hell are you doing reading BetaPwned? Kids these days, just begging for a whacking I tell you....

Speaking of a well deserved whacking, today I'm serving up another one of my top-ten favorites - Toy Division. It's almost a shame I love this comic as much as I do because this review is just plain hard to write. The characters are the Nazi equivalent of Chibi, fetish laden cupie dolls, adorable abominations, and highly entertaining.

It's not often I come across a work that could be described as both scandalous and charming, let alone a work swimming in BDSM references and casual violence. The creator's ability to be interesting and arousing without being blatant is wonderfully refreshing, the talent punctuated by the brazenness of the content. The artwork is mostly tone on tone, though color comics are sprinkled about, as are some very spiffy interactive flash works. I especially enjoyed playing dress up - who knew you could accessorize with a speculum?

My only real complaint is the update schedule, mainly that there doesn't seem to be one. I suppose I could just chalk it up to well trained dominance - we're rewarded when the master sees fit, not on a schedule. *grins*

I was once told that erotica is the thinking man's porn, a statement I think Toy Division illustrates quite nicely. Do not mistake my brevity for disinterest, I love Toy Division. I love it for it's uniqueness, for it's elegant and engaging artwork, and for it's brilliantly charming dialogue. It's just so damn hard for me to describe without doing it a horrible disservice. Be you of proper age and inclination, please take a look through the Toy Division Archives. You won't be disappointed.

The Thinking Ape Blues

2007-04-04T06:01:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start this off simply - The Thinking Ape Blues isn't for everyone. It's an intellectual and opinionated sarcasm, a sometimes brutally honest view through the eyes of a pragmatic realist fraught with iconic references and philosophical ravings. Then again, it's not all collegiate fodder... while one strip may contain references to the Dali Lama, Hunter S. Thompson, Cher, Paul Stanley, the Keebler Elves, and Ronnie James Dio, another may be nothing more than an elaborate poop joke.

The creator, Mark Poutenis, originally published The Thinking Ape Blues solely in print; gracing the pages of no less than nine publication including The Boston Weekly Dig and the New York Waste where it can still be found. While initially challenged by the differences between print and web publication, Mark has clearly hit a more comfortable stride; evidenced by both a prolific marketing campaign and a new series of single panel voting incentives. A nearly complete archive, picturesque navigation, a brilliant About Page, and a product line that includes the ability to place any archived comic on a T-shirt testifies to his professionalism almost as much as his artwork.

Speaking of his artwork, my only real criticism is that he frequently seems to dislike it. Reading the blog posts often leaves me wondering just who's comic he's commenting on. Mind you, I believe the self-depreciation is genuine, it simply isn't deserved. Almost exclusively drawn in black and white, the artwork is consistent, detailed, creative, and expressive. Any cultural icons appearing in the strip are accurately and stylistically portrayed, allowing for both easy recognition and comedic effect. The backgrounds are supportive, interesting, and drawn with distinct attention to accurate perspective. The character's body postures and facial expressions easily convey both tone and mood without script competition. There is quite literally nothing to complain about here, it's just damn good.

The writing is equally impressive, delivering necessary complexity without being overly verbose. Though occasionally crossing the boundary from thoughtful sarcasm into sardonic ranting, the overall feel of the comic is strangely and pleasantly neutral, neither inciting nor depressing. It should be noted, however, that it appears Mark and I fall on roughly the same end of the political, religious, and philosophical spectrum and that may be why he has failed to draw my ire.

The character concept is clever and well constructed, especially considering it's a main cast of only three. The Progress Brothers - Abe, Ben, and Carl seem to represent three aspects of our very humanity. If Ben is described as "being stuck between the heavens and a hole in the ground", Carl must be heaven and Abe must be the hole. Perhaps meant to symbolize the three divisions of the Freudian psyche, the stages between primal urge and profound logic, or some other philosophical or psychological classifications I'm simply not intelligent enough to pontificate on, the characters are engaging and complete. This seemingly simply set up allows for a nearly casual introspection on any number of topics. I especially admire his ability to discuss difficult, emotionally charged subjects with both honesty and compassion.

Ape Shit, the creator's single panel comic which serves as the weekly voting incentive, allows for more gag oriented expression, but they're equally subject to cultural examination and are certainly worth the vote.

Mark Poutenis is the Samuel Clemens of webcomics. To be both poignant and witty is a rare gift indeed. The Thinking Ape Blues updates every Tuesday, and compilations are available here. (These are coffee table companions if I've ever seen 'em. They're practically guaranteed to spark discussion.) Ape Shit is made available every Friday, and past panels are available in their own archive.

Geek Tragedy

2007-03-27T22:48:00.000-07:00

Today I'm reviewing another one of my top ten webcomics. Unfortunately, it's a bit difficult to give a decent description of Geek Tragedy without presenting at least one major spoiler. Luckily, it's a spoiler that's revealed in the first two strips, so... go back to the beginning, then read the second one, then come back.

Okay, now we can begin properly.

Greek Tragedy has to be the only webcomic I've ever read that starts with the death of a main character. Despite it's titular beginning, it's also one of the most habitually funny comics I read. Each of the characters has a clear voice, and it's that voice that keeps me smiling. Every joke becomes an inside joke between friends, a heartwarming display of character, and occasionally a twist of the knife. The plot lines are varied and interesting, easily conjuring emotion from the reader. I'd almost classify it as a dramatic comedy, if it weren't for all the action. Even with that wide a range, the comic never seems scattered, nor do you get the impression that the creator has simply lost direction.

While the larger story lines are often punctuated with shorter, gag oriented strips, there's never enough of a lull to lose the plot and the character development continues to progress throughout. A good thing too, because while much of the comic is situational, it's clearly character driven. Yes, these are ordinary geeks - the perv, the techy, the couch potato, and the... well... ghost, but who they are as individuals is important. Their actions don't come from a blind, you know them, and expect them to react to events in a certain way. When they surprise you, as they sometimes do, it's always in a welcomed way and never comes off as trite or unbelievable.

The art has also progressed; though stylized and professional from the start it now has a great deal more depth and the coloring is simply fantastic. Shading, highlights, textures, body mechanics, expression, it's all a pleasure to study and supports the writing style perfectly. I especially envy his ability to use rich colors without blinding the reader, something I certainly haven't mastered yet. (It must have something to do with the gradients and highlights... hrm...) I also greatly appreciate his use of frames; they're not simply content holding boxes, they're clear perspective guides that occasionally even appear as background behind a character. He expresses mood wonderfully - the art, framing and composition all flowing with a natural ease.

As for the site - it's clutter free and the navigation is easy. For extras there's an active forum, one in which the creator actually contributes, and a very small store. The archives are arranged according to year, with both date and comic title as guides. Also of note - alternate strips, guest strips, and fan art are given their own space in the archives so new readers won't have to compete with them while working their way up to the latest comic. The cast pages aren't currently accessible, but I have a sneaking suspicion they're simply being updated with new artwork and additional characters, so a bit of downtime is perfectly acceptable. Also inaccessible from the website is the creator's contact information - though he's readily available though both his MySpace and ComicSpace accounts. He's damn nice too. *smiles*

So - looking for a character driven story that has humor, drama, tension, action, and truly professional art? Check out Geek Tragedy. You won't be sorry.

The Elsewhere

2007-03-21T05:44:00.000-07:00

Before I begin the more formal aspects of this review, I need to mention one remarkable thing about the highly recommended webcomic Elsewhere: creator Stephen Waller draws this strip on the train as he commutes to work. Heaven help the rest of our rankings should he actually do his work from a stationary location. I can only imagine such work would be brilliant beyond tolerance, as the jostled commuter artwork is quite professional.

Done entirely in black and white, Elsewhere may best be described as a fantastical slice-of-life akin to Ugly Hill. The circumstances are familiar, but the characters and reactions lie beyond reality in that place our imaginations wander. Occasionally disturbing, it's never overtly so, instead requiring the reader to ponder the strip rather than simply relying on a visceral reaction. It's unusual for short strip comics to attain an intellectual subtlety, but Elsewhere certainly does, whether by design or by the creators innate personality.

While the comic does not conform to a strict schedule, it updates frequently enough to maintain interest, sometimes several times a week, and as several comics are displayed at one time there's no need to click through to peruse comics you've not yet seen.

Fanciful, well written, visually pleasing, and certainly amusing, Elsewhere is a definite don't miss.

The Jellyfish Coddle

2007-03-14T05:45:00.000-07:00

The Jellyfish Coddle is another comic seemingly suited for print that has instead been adapted for the web. Sectioned into issues that are updated as complete works, one navigates the site much as one navigates a printed comic – by turning through page by page, thanks to a nicely written graphic script.

Each issue is presented in a color, full-page format which consists of a collection of smaller episode comics. The artwork is simplistic by design, but no expression is lost, giving the characters a charming feel. The content is quite varied, ranging from the animal humor of When Nature Goes Nuts, to the religious ponderings of The Misadventures of the Enlightened Ones. Despite venturing into territory that can sometimes be dangerous ground, the comic has a light hearted feel that repels offense. In addition to the main comics, there are also a couple of children's offerings and a History section that shouldn't be glossed over. The comic updates regularly, and the additional content that's added from time to time expands the site's focus beyond a simple frame for the latest issue. The Omniscient section, for example, houses How To articles and interviews with various webcomic artists. Also of note, merchandising has been arranged in such a manner that the reader can quickly find items from a favorite episode comic, rather than simply lumping them all together under one header.

All in all, The Jellyfish Coddle delivers a fun, colorful experience for readers. Issue number 12 is up now, check it out!

Akimbo Comics

2007-03-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

Akimbo is another comic I found through MySpace, and I've been pestering creator B. Patrick to publish them in print form ever since. Unlike most other web based comics, Akimbo is really a collection of independent stories; not unlike the pulp fiction and horror comics of the 50s. You're not going to find that same cheesy story telling here though; Akimbo is an edgy, realistic, and sometimes harsh collection that easily engages the reader with it's introspective narratives and frankly honest dialogue.

While the subjects vary, the vast majority fall into the adult slice-of-life category. While not often visually graphic, these are not comics for children. Highly character driven, the complexities in plot are typically psychological rather than situational. These are sensitive, personal, thought and emotion provoking stories. Occasionally shocking, one never gets the feeling the creator glories in shock value for its own sake. Often humorous, there is a biting wit that comes through both narrative and dialogue without the taint of undue bitterness left by lesser writers.

The artwork, mostly black and white, is perfect for the genre. Patrick's skillful portrayal of subtle emotion enhances the writing and never seems out of place. If a character is smiling on the outside and smirking contemptuously on the inside you know without being told. Some of the single shot comics in the Eat Shit and Die section are composed entirely of a single character's face and narrative, and even with that narrow of a scope, there is still a great deal of visual appeal.

The site itself is visually gorgeous, featuring several cover works and a graphic menu broken into two sections: Comics - three longer, in progress works, and Shorties – shorter works, five out of seven of which are completed. (Not including the previously mentioned "Eat Shit and Die" Shortie which is composed of single shot comics.) The site is updated with new work each Tuesday and Thursday, and each update is tagged for easy navigation. I absolutely recommend this one.

Jazz and Jess

2007-02-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

I'm about to do something I didn't really think I'd ever do. I'm going to start this review off with a criticism:

Until earlier this month, when the artist contacted me through MySpace, I didn't know this comic existed. This clearly suggests that their marketing department should be fired, with haste, because the comic itself is bloody brilliant.

Jazz and Jess seem to be your average young couple, living average young lives. Yes, they suffer from some unknown form of amnesia which is slowly fading with the help of some new found old friends. Yes, they share a sense of humor that is somewhat… violent; and yes, their favorite pastime involves the eradication of nocturnal zombies. Still, this is clearly a character driven, comedic slice-of-life with definite direction and impeccably dry humor. Now on its 30th strip, there honestly isn't a single thing I don't like. The writing is solid, and though it seemed to be moving a bit too fast the first few strips, the plot has happily settled into a nice pace for comedic story telling. Do not, my American brethren, allow the occasional use of UK slang to deter you. You can figure it out, I promise – that's what Google is there for. As an aside - "chauvinistic wank monkey" worked its way into my vernacular as though it were greased.

The artwork is perfect for the comic. The angular features and simple lines seem to work as a stage for the finer details and great sense of body mechanics. I'll be studying his character's hands alone for hours, I guarantee it. The backgrounds are similarly impressive – detailed without being obtrusive they even hold the occasional joke and plot point; something I began looking for in comics when I fell in love with Jhonen Vasquez but very rarely find. The color work and shading are both fantastic and set the mood nicely – none of that impossibly dark nonsense here. This is a bright, happy, kill fest.

Frequently the art and writing work together to deliver a double punch, and even when taking the rare plunge into webcomic danger zones like breaking the fourth wall and sidestepping the plot, the end result is absolutely entertaining. I'd place the comic pretty firmly in the Web14 arena, though in getting to know the artist just a bit I'd say he scores a firm WebMA, so I'm making no promises for future content.

All in all – I highly recommend this one. Start at the beginning and check it out.

Dominic Deegan

2007-02-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

I'm no stranger to the fantasy genre. I was reading Tolkien and C.S. Lewis in grade school (and yes, even at that young age I found the last book in the Narnia series abominable). I find it to be a powerful genre, unfortunately I've also found it to be a genre fraught with disappointment. I no longer remember how I came across the link to Dominic Deegan, and it took me an age before I finally sat down to work through the archives.

I was not disappointed.

In fact, I found myself tense and anxious when forced to quit reading for the day in the midst of an emotional story line. The next day I actually found myself swooning over a particularly tender romance. (Though it should be noted that I'll violently deny any such swooning.) The comic now rests rather securely in my top-ten.

Astonishingly, Dominic Deegan updates seven days a week. Granted, there are many comics that manage this feat, but very few manage to do it well and fewer still do it in an eight panel format framing an intricate plot. Drawn in detailed black and white Monday through Saturday and excellent color on Sunday the comic has a very natural feel to it. Because the writing seems so effortless I very quickly gained the sense that these are real people and the art supports that feeling flawlessly. The comic is believable. No pretension, no blatant fan service, no cloying gimmicks. There are injuries so grave that even the most experienced healer is powerless, there are evils that penetrate even blood bonds, there are acts of heroism that fail with shattering consequences, lives are lost. The character's circumstances are quite dramatically different than my own - but never do I get the impression that they are. The emotions are genuine, and the body postures and composition elegantly display their subtlety when words cannot.

While the archive may seem a daunting task to overcome, with well over a thousand strips, it's worth the time. The plot lines you'll find within are character driven, and the characters and well rounded and skillfully crafted. Dominic Deegan himself is an Oracle for Hire, and it's his power of second sight that often kicks off a story line. At Dominic's side is Luna Travoria, a powerful sorceress with a disturbing family history. Spark is Dominic's talking cat, and though often used for comic relief his character is charming and well defined. In Dominic's brothers you find both an optimistic and powerful healer in Gregory, and a ruthless necromancer in Jacob. There is a thorough cast section in wiki form linked on the main page - but do yourself a favor and get to know the characters on their own terms. Should you ignore my advice and head to the cast section be forewarned: There is a great deal of spoilage. In fact, the entire plot is nearly played out as it relates to each character. Pitiful way to enter such a beautiful story.

The comic isn't without humor, of course... though it often comes in the form of puns which are admittedly an acquired taste. I've been blessed/cursed with a partner who's particularly partial to his penchant for puns, so I find their inclusion rather charming.

All in all - this is my favorite dramatic/fantasy comic. It's never failed to hold my attention and I eagerly click the site link every day knowing that I'll be rewarded. The only thing that would please me more is to have it all in book form so I could snuggle in bed and page through it all over again from the beginning.

Zip and Li'l Bit

2007-02-14T20:41:00.000-07:00

Zip and Li'l Bit is described by the creator as "a 62 page comic starring a little boy, Zip, his sister, Elizabeth ('we call her Li'l Bit'), a friend of theirs, Officer John, and the semi-mysterious Upside-Down Me. Originally envisioned as a full-length printed comic book, it has been adapted for the Web and is presented here as a twice-weekly comic strip. Posting on Thursdays and Sundays."

The premise is simple, but revealed in such an endearing way I can't seem to bring myself to give it away in a simple description. The comic has an old-time feel to it, and an almost goofy innocence that I can't get enough of. It's presented artistically in full-page, color format with one added bonus I love – you can click on any of the individual comic panels for a full size version. Zip, and his upside-down counterpart, are perfect little trouble makers, everything I wish Dennis the Menace had actually been. Li'l Bit's dialogue is rather cleverly presented by other characters, with her either whispering or gesturing her thoughts and intent. Officer John readily brings to mind images of old Buster Keeton films, with just enough slapstick and pun laden quotes to illicit a chuckle rather than a groan. The occasional counting sheep and monkey wrench just add to the silly good-natured feel of it all. A good-natured feel that made this the first webcomic I introduced to my daughter, and something I would readily buy in print form.

Already on page 55, I can't bear the thought that the story will be coming to an end in a mere 7 pages. One can only hope that Zip and Li'l Bit will continue their adventures in another edition. I, for one, think it would be well worth the effort.

Minus

2007-01-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, campers. I'm beside myself with glee and lack of sleep. I'm at least 24 hours behind on Friday's comic and have 6 projects due on Saturday. Must be time to spend a half-hour on the Monday Webcomic Review! *weeeeee*

*coughs*

Right. Okay then. Where was I? Oh yes... I thought I'd expand on last week's theme and review another one of my nominee's for Outstanding Newcomer. The second slot goes to a comic described thusly by the artist: "Each minus strip is painted on a 15x20" piece of Illustration board. With this comic I am pretending I am making a comic strip for a newspaper in the early 20th century. A special newspaper that lets me use as much color as I want. I'm not much for comic strips so I don't know how long I'll be doing this one, so enjoy it while it lasts, I guess? It'll be updating every thursday until I suddenly stop! Making comics on giant paper is pretty neat though. Yeah."

Minus does an amazing job at fulfilling the artist's intentions. Sometimes funny, sometimes thought provoking, sometimes... well... odd, it's always beautifully done. I love the watercolor, and the web design is simple enough to showcase the softer colors of the artwork without being difficult to navigate. The artist's main site, Kiwis By Beat! offers even more to feast the eyes upon, including the black and white comic Socks and a smattering of illustrations I would gladly pay good money for. Okay, a couple of them disturb me in ways I don't like to think about... but oddly, those are the ones I like best. *grins*

All in all, I'm fascinated with the style, amused and interested in the content, and all around impressed. Here's hoping that Minus stays with us for a long time to come.

Home on the Strange

2007-01-08T21:28:00.000-07:00

The Web Comic Choice Awards kicked off in style today, and by an amazing and certainly not planned coincidence *coughs* so shall my weekly webcomic review. To fully celebrate this happy coincidence the first comic up for review is the very first comic I'm nominating in the very first category – for Outstanding Newcomer, I present to you Home on the Strange.

Home on the Strange is one of my favorite slice-of-life comics, and just barely squeaked into the newcomer category having started up in January of 2006. The synopsis the creators present on The Web Comic List reads: "Home on the Strange chronicles the adventures of Karla and Tom, two nerdy homeowners shepherding a bunch of single friends through life", which pretty accurately sums it up. Reading it is a lot like sitting around the house with my friends, and the fact that I can relate so easily probably accounts for my love of the comic. I'll never look at a blood covered bouncer in quite the same way, and I'm fairly sure they stole Izzy's review of Japanese inspired horror flicks from a secretly recorded conversation I had with Steven in the shower one morning. Damn it, they're nice people – something I managed to ascertain from a brief email conversation regarding advertising rates – but I wish they'd stop planting bugs in my shower, it's just creepy.

They get extra special kudos from me for doing something that many of the comics I used to love couldn't manage – they've updated on time, three times a week, every week since I began reading the comic several months ago. This makes for a happy Tanya, and a happy Tanya is a thing to behold. As an added bonus, the Home on the Strange writer also produces some exceptionally honest and hilarious things over at The Ferrett.com – writings of a deranged mammal which shouldn't be missed by anyone old enough to eschew parental permission.

So… what exactly are you waiting for? Go check out the comic!

Wednesday Webcomic Weview FAQ

2007-01-01T17:53:00.002-07:00

What's with the name?

Damn, you people are picky. The repetitive consonants are funny. Trust me.

Why haven't you reviewed my favorite webcomic yet? When are you going to?

There are a gazillion web comics out there, and more are springing up every day. There's no way in hell I could ever review them all. Use the search bar at the top of the blog to see if your comic has already been reviewed, or appears on the "To be reviewed" list to the right of the blog. For a full schedule of upcoming reviews, see the BetaPwned Calendar.

How do I get a webcomic on the review list?

First, you email me with the following information:

Your name.
Your contact information.
Your contribution, if any, to the webcomic. (Artist, writer, etc...)
The name of the webcomic.
The webcomic URL.
Anything special you'd like to tell me about the webcomic.

Secondly, you hunker down for a long wait - your comic will be placed at the bottom of the list.

That's obscene! Isn't there any way I could get reviewed sooner?

There are two ways that your webcomic can be bumped up the list:

1 - Webcomic Death: Should a webcomic already scheduled for review stop updating or otherwise shut down, the last webcomic on the schedule will be bumped up to take it's place.

2 - Reasonable Request: Should you have a convincing reason backing your request to bump your scheduled review date, email me and let me know. Reasonable requests might include wanting to use the review as publicity for an upcoming print release or knowledge that the webcomic will conclude before the scheduled review date. Not sure if your request is reasonable? It won't hurt to ask, I'm very nice.

Can I request a review for any webcomic, or does it have to be one I'm involved with?

I'll honor all requests, regardless of affiliation. Please keep in mind, however, that well-known/professional comics are limited to around one per month so you might have to wait a hell of a long time for a review of one of the big boys.

What do you consider "well-known/professional"?

It's a pretty subjective determination. Generally, if the creator is traveling out of state for more than one convention a year and/or their readership numbers in the hundreds of thousands, I consider them to be well-known/professional. Webcomics that have been picked up by industry publishers also count.

You're too damn nice. Do you ever give a bad review?

There are plenty of places to visit if you're looking to see someone's hard work torn to shreds, that's not what I'm about. That's not to say that my reviews aren't honest, however. I simply try to focus on those aspects I appreciate, as well as give an appraisal of the comic's building blocks and offer a comment here and there about what I would like to see improved.

How the hell am I supposed to know if you hated a comic then? Why not use a rating system?

There isn't much in this life I actually hate. If, however, my suggestions for improvement outnumber the other bits I've written about a comic you can safely assume that I didn't like it.

I dislike rating systems for a number of reasons - first and foremost being that unless directed at something formulaic, rating systems are completely subjective. It's my understanding that the purpose of a webcomic review is to give a potential reader some idea as to whether or not the comic might interest them. Knowing subjectively how I feel about something does nothing to aid an understanding of how another individual might feel about it.

Are there any types of webcomics that you will refuse to review?

So far I haven't been presented with a comic so bad, or so offensive, that I wouldn't review it. There have been a couple that would take a serious stretch of the mind to write something beyond "Oh gods... please make it stop", but I'd still give it a go. Obviously, I draw the line at anything criminal - no kiddy-porn, no overt threats to actual people, etc... comics in that realm will simply be reported.