It’s (likely) the final episode of Digital Strips of 2011 and we’re going out with a bang! Or… at the very least, another episode, one that isn’t bad. Or even terrible. Sadly, it’s been a while since we’ve podcasted, so we’re spending a good amount of our time working on getting back to a plateau of consistency. Our news topics this time around certainly help us in that regard.
- (6:25) Gareb Shamus can’t laugh at himself, gets canned
- (8:23) Paul Southworth leaving Not Invented Here, Jeff Zugale in as artist
- (10:23) Scott Kurtz, Brad Guigar offer services to assist struggling syndicates (EDITORIAL)
Comics mentioned in our news discussion:
- (4:00) Corporate Skull
- (4:18) Twilight Monk
- (7:18) Gutters
- (8:28) Not Invented Here
- (11:06) Diesel Sweeties
- (13:14) D.J. Coffman
- (13:15) Aaron Diaz
- (15:14) Penny Arcade
Now that Steve has guided me in the ways of the fancy tool that allows for dynamic changes in the audio, you can enjoy some outtakes while rocking out to Turbopop’s “Adeste fideles” (15:58). It’s a Christmas miracle!
Our final review of the year is a comic that Herman Cain would gladly steal ideas from. Monster Pulse (by Magnolia Porter, 19:20) borrows bits from collect-them-all franchises like Pokémon and Digimon and tosses in dashes of properties like Pan’s Labrinyth and Where The Wild Things Are. Steve’s got some strong opinions about the comic, and all-in-all we turn in a lively discussion, involving these comics as well…
- (24:28) Octopus Pie
- (25:37) Order of the Stick
- (25:37) xkcd
Other random topics to toss in the ol’ Rambletron: Law and Order: The Entity, the funerals that we hope to someday (no time soon) have, selling our services for money (in Steve’s words, “Call us up, bro. We’re not expensive mofos”), and the hilarity that is a urinary tract infection. Enjoy and thanks for listening in 2011! Here’s hoping we can do something to make 2012 the best year of Digital Strips ever!
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Thanks for the review! It’s great to hear thoughtful criticism. I do find myself struggling a little with conveying the background of the story and setting, while trying to keep the plot moving. It’s hard to know what amount of explanation is just enough, and keeping away from overexplaining…. i agree that i err on the side of “not enough explanation” too often. I do intend to go into everything eventually and I hope I can do it in a way that’s clear and organic.
I have answers for a lot of the smaller points but if they didn’t come across in the comic, it does’t matter! Just have to try harder with it next time.
Thanks again!
I mean I think a lot of the critiques about the comic are kind of null because it’s still in its beginning stages. A lot of plot points haven’t been explained yet so it’s understandably confusing. But I feel like it will be explained eventually so it doesn’t bother me.
Correction, Brad Guigar is also a dick, just not in public like Scott. Who the hell in the corporate world would want to listen to a guy who’s doing cartooning part-time? Just because they are knowledgeable doesn’t mean they can help save syndicates. How long has Webcomics.com been out? How many “success” stories have come out of that group listening to all of their glorious advice?
I sure haven’t seen any in the comic news. They should just shut up and do their own thing and stop acting so holier than thou.
Ryan Sohmer was right on twitter when he said let Brad and Scott take three features that aren’t theirs and make them successful, and then they can talk about consulting and have facts to back it up. Even then, three isn’t really enough to say you know what you’re doing. Hell, the guy who runs the Oatmeal could probably offer better advice.
Magnolia – Glad you like the review. I hope I didn’t sound too harsh. I totally understand how hard it is to have all the answers in your head and not know how to present it to the reader. Like you said, just keep trying, Web comics are all about growing. Can’t wait to see what you have in store.
Best of luck and thanks for stopping by.
Angelina – I agree, there’s a real danger in judging something too early. I don’t feel in this case it’s too early to point out I’m confused. But it’s deffinatly too early to say the comic is bad.
With a serial medium like Web comics where you have to make people not only turn a page but wait days for that page to exist, it’s always better to make sure people know whats going on as soon as possible. A couple shows ago (episode 263), we reviewed Muktuk Wolfsbreath Hard-Boilded Shaman. The pacing is something we really liked. It’s a great example of getting the important stuff out there and letting the story build on itself.
You also are probably more like Jason, and are more patient with mysteries than I. I’m sort of a jerk that way.
Haterz – Guigar may be a dick, but he’s never been one to me or anyone I know so I’ll give him the benifit of the doubt until he takes it away from me. Plus I don’t think Scott’s as bad as Jason does, but I don’t have the same history.
How many success stories does Web comics have? That’s a hard question since everyone defines success differently. I could be a total wanker and say anyone who has fun is a success but that wouldn’t help the conversation any. By whatever standard you judge though, it would be hard not to call Kurtz a success.
While you and Sohmer are right, no one at HalfPixel have successfully built up anyone elses comic professionally, I don’t know of anyone else who has beside Robert Khoo. They did write a book that many creators have found helpful. And run a successful Web comics advice Web site. For an “industry” with no real experts, they’re about as close as it gets.
That being said, I get what you mean. It is frustrating to see people lash out when a more subdued approuch would be better for all involved.
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