 Digital Strips : Show 89 [8.28 MB] |
According to Phil I have no taste when it comes to web comics but I like to think I’m a good and healthy person. Here is a strip to make you laugh and remember the good old days when puns and mysteries meant something.In this episode we talk about:
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Hi Digital Strip Guys,
First of all, let me say thank you for noticing my comic “Detective Fork” and taking your time to review it. Secondly, let me say, “Ouch.”
There were lots of criticisms, some of which I’ve heard before and a few new ones. I figured I’d address a few of them here. You may not agree with me but at least maybe you’ll get some idea of where I’m coming from.
I don’t go far enough with the silverware theme: I agree with this and I’m consciously adding more of it. I just don’t want it to overwhelm the comic. BTW, the Nazis believe the master race of silverware are those made of the purest steel. I didn’t explain that in the comic yet. But I will, when the Nazis reappear. 🙂 The reasons the Nazis are there is a lead-up to World War 2 and Fork’s involvement in that.
Sometimes the comic feels like it takes place in the 1930s: other times it feels like the future: I like to mix past designs with futuristic ones. I figure since it’s forks, I can pretty much do what I want in their world. I also mix things from different decades, like Nazis and 1950’s biker gangs.
The comic panels should be bigger and the text is too big: I’ve heard this criticism the most and I just don’t care to change it. I prefer the comic be newspaper format but mainly it would take longer to draw bigger comics and it takes me long enough as it is.
The premise of the comic is humorous but the comic is serious. It doesn’t jive: Another thing I’m not changing. I guess it’s funny to me to see silverware acting out a serious crime drama. Another thing is that I actually am invested in the characters and have some serious stories to tell. I just hope that regular readers (the far, the few!) will eventually get over the “OMG, they’re silverware!” reaction. I gave up awhile ago on thinking “Detective Fork” has mass appeal. And I do put in jokes; they’re just not constant. Also, I cannot draw legs.
The plots are too simplistic, cliched and seem like they were written by an eight-year-old: I think the earlier stories were more simple because I had a limited amount of newspaper issues to fit them in. The newer, longer stories have some more depth, I feel. But only so much – “Detective Fork” is a mystery/adventure comic strip serial, not high literature. Detective Noir stories are pretty much a cliche, although a few stories like “Sin City” broke the mold. I’m trying to keep somewhat true to detective noir yet branch out. But I do slip into cliches sometimes. And come on, I write at least at a 12-year-old level.
The art is inconsistent and the text is hideous: Some people like the text, some don’t. I’ve had feedback from both ends. I could use digital font but I prefer to draw it by hand and try to improve. As for the inconsistent art, I’m just an inconsistent artist. But it’s also deliberate. I tend to draw what I think looks good in each frame instead of worrying about sticking 100 percent to a model. If distortion fits the mood and style, I let it go. “Ren & Stimpy” is an inspiration. I liked how those two characters would look smooth in regular shots but in close-ups you would see all this disgusting, exaggerated detail in their faces.
Once again, that’s for taking the time. There’s no such thing as bad publicity. Right? Right???
Det. Fork is a lot of fun. It’s definally an acquired taste and it’s not for everyone, but I really enjoy it.
Mark.