Worth doing...? Gimme some feedback...

[crazeekillsall]

Any residents of TPL here may or may not remember my various comic attempts over the years...the dedicated TPL one actually turned out alright in the end, running for a couple of months. Well, I'm back with a new idea and all that jazz, new style, and I'd like some feedback.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m214/bkcomic/pic004.jpg

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m214/bkcomic/Earlywork1.jpg
Early concept work...be a little gentle, it's been a while since I've picked up the biro, and I'm happy with the improvement just between the two pics. Uh...and my scanner made the blue come out wierd...fuck it.

[crazeekillsall]

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m214/bkcomic/Strip1demo.jpg

Not at my funniest I'll grant you, I'll get back into the stride of it soon...

So...based on these, have I got something to work with? It's fairly time consuming...probably doesn't look it...so I'm still in two minds regarding really getting into it.

[CoreyBato]

I like it, just polish it up a bit and it'll rock.

[crazeekillsall]

Lawl at 'move vicious enemies'.

I should really spell check this shit...

[sarcaustic]

Permayhaps loike e'd say.

Yus. DOO EET.

[rejincx]

AHHH! is there anything you cant do besides.. fly and cook? argh! btw.. can you uh.. pm me the link to ur older comics.. would like to read em.
oh yeah which reminds me I need to finish ur story...

[CoreyBato]

^
What she said.

[RPG_Masterz]

With the theme you're going with, a minimal drawing style fits it better. Like, no attempts-at-being-highly-detailed. And, like your last panel, clearer text so we can actually read it. Lastly, are you doing the whole inside joke thing again? It was okay for a couple of strips but it kinda died down in the long run.

On a plus side, you seem to improved from what I remember of your TPL stuff.

[crazeekillsall]

I'd be worried if well over a year didn't improve me :p

I've learned my lesson from trying to make a forum based comic; it was neat, but was way too limiting. With this, I'm just looking to have some fun. Inside joke...? I don't believe so...if it is, I'm not in on it.

It's also a totally different approach artistically to the TPL stuff...it's minimalistic but my god if it doesn't take a way...all the shading is layers and layers and layers...I need to figure out a more efficient way ¬_¬

EDIT; yeah, before I sign off, just thought I'd mention that since I didn't have rotten fruit thrown at me, I'm inking up a second strip as I type...not literally as I type, I'm good but...anyway...uh...so...gonna run it for maybe half a dozen, see if I really connect with it...sound fair?

[rejincx]

yesh! cheering you on! yayeres.

[Vanity]

I've learned my lesson from trying to make a forum based comic; it was neat, but was way too limiting. With this, I'm just looking to have some fun. Inside joke...? I don't believe so...if it is, I'm not in on it.

He's talking about the short run of TPL comics that featured members as characters.

Your punchlines often involved inside jokes that outsiders wouldn't understand.

[sarcaustic]

It was a surprise attack i'll be ready with the fruit this time....:D

[hungrykirby]

ha ha i like it

[crazeekillsall]

Apologies for tempting you all with a new strip soon...and then failing...I was pretty close to finishing before I had to leave for my dads...check it some time tuesday.

[hungrykirby]

hope it sould be awsome

[crazeekillsall]

As promised...took me a couple of hours to get it finished today...uh, so enjoy. Gimme some thoughts about how easy it is to read, are the backgrounds too simple or would more complex ones just detract from the main thing...Enjoy.

EDIT; the working title for this is Friendly Fire, but that might change blahblahblah.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m214/bkcomic/Strip2.jpg

[Bluejinx]

As promised...took me a couple of hours to get it finished today...uh, so enjoy. Gimme some thoughts about how easy it is to read, are the backgrounds too simple or would more complex ones just detract from the main thing...Enjoy.

EDIT; the working title for this is Friendly Fire, but that might change blahblahblah.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m214/bkcomic/Strip2.jpg

:) Heh i found this comic to be somewhat amusing the drawings themselves werent bad either. Well it was definetly creative all in all not bad. But i would like to see how it would look if you used different colors besides blue that is.;)

[crazeekillsall]

http://friendlyfirecomic.deviantart.com/

Ooook, I have now set up a deviant art account to hold the strips as I make them...I'm not sure whether to keep putting them on here, or to put teaser pics on here to try and convince you to go to the site...

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m214/bkcomic/Strip3.jpg

[sarcaustic]

Heh. Nice titles. XD

[crazeekillsall]

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m214/bkcomic/Strip4581x800.jpg

Alright, I can only apologise for the quality of this strip...not the easiest week, as the last few posts here will make clear...

New style; both artwork, and computer work, looking at using text boxes which are the devils own invention.
Mikhile is very kindly working on a basic website for me, to host these in a more comic-based format, which will be good. I'll keep you posted on that (oh, if you like the banner I chucked together in about 20 mins (see sig) lemme know)

[RPG_Masterz]

There's no sig, Leo. :(

EDIT: Nevermind, saw it through your dA. Me likes.

[crazeekillsall]

Yeah, AT is being a bit gay about it...I'm gonna try again now. Glad you like it. It's just a basic one to keep my going for now.

EDIT; Well, my CP says I definitely have a sig... = /

[edelricluver]

I like it. Keep it up. :thumbs:

[crazeekillsall]

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m214/bkcomic/Strip5581x800.jpg

5. "Wishful thinking"

Alrighty, fresh off the press...I actually like this one. It might just be me...the writing finally found itself a little bit, I think the art looks pretty good and it's all feeling more comfortable.

Hope you like it, and remember that I love feedback of any variety. It makes me feel warm inside.

...

Not in a dirty way.

[sarcaustic]

I'm glad you cleared that up. From the head up he's impotent....? Oh ya cheese... XD :thumbs: Keep going.

[crazeekillsall]

6. "Squishy"

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m214/bkcomic/Strip6557x800.jpg

Yeah, well, I've been busy lately. And so starts the first real story I suppose, carrying on from strip #2 (yup, same creature, different perspective), it's not going to be very long, but will hopefully show I am just about capable of continuity.

Fuck it. The text came out way too small but meh. I'm sure you will manage to read it.

[crazeekillsall]

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m214/bkcomic/Strip7.jpg

Damn. I need to get my shit together. I skip a week and still produce complete crap. This is more for the sake of just continuing the storyline rather than being particularly good...meh, enjoy.

[hungrykirby]

:lmao: nice

[sarcaustic]

Is the name victor of the animal? :o

[hungrykirby]

i name it the littel big dude

[rejincx]

its my second fav next to the pillow one <333333

btw your last name is snook? awesomeness.

[Vanity]

I have to reread your comics, like, three times in order to understand the punchline.

-_-

[crazeekillsall]

Some of them haven't been as clear as I would like...but (with the exception of the dream sequence one) generally people seem to have gotten them. I am still working out kinks in the writing, but perhaps you just don't get my humour?

EDIT; It was early, so I'm going to expand on this point.

I take on board that the aim of a cartoonist (or anyone doing anything to entertain others) is to make their work accessible to everyone.

This is an unrealistic aim as people are just too different, so the true aim is to make their work as accessible to as many people as logistically possible.

I'm happy to admit that so far, I've fallen short on this. They're not as clear as they need to be, but it is a jump from doing a humour based comic about a fairly tight group of people, to this, where every comic is coming purely from my head. It's something I need to work on, and I do appreciate the input. I didn't want it to seem like I was snubbing you before, and would love it if you did persevere with reading the updates, just to see if I'm making any headway.

[hungrykirby]

ehh their still good better than what i can do

[rejincx]

sall you've definately improved from your first comic. and come a logn way. tis incredible. also.. ever think about using photoshop?

[sarcaustic]

Photoshop for what? Huh?

[rejincx]

for his comics.. I mean it would so much easier to cut and paste his characters.. and colors and omg so much. but.. hmm. -_-'

[sarcaustic]

Oh..yea. Um about my apparent slowness...let's just forget that shall we? :D But this is my favorite i already claim!!

[rejincx]

which one? the recent on? pfft I like teh pillowy one.. reminds me of Mr. Brown. <3

[sarcaustic]

Oh ya you have a point. Speaking of that where's manu?

[crazeekillsall]

I DO use (a version of) photoshop =p PaintShop Pro XI...I'm going to take it as a good sign you didn't even realise how much is copied and pasted, particularly in the latest =D

I am happy with the improvement comic to comic.

[Mikhile]

I don't use photoshop.

Fixed. I know Paint Shop Pro is a decent program (Sorariku use/d it, ask her for pointers if you need any), but it isn't Photoshop. Photoshop is Photoshop. Photoshop Elements is NOT Photoshop either.

The copy and pasting was so obvious in #6, but yes, it looks a lot more subtle in #7.

And the text is a little too small/cramped if anything, try using a thinner font and spacing it out a little.

And yeah, I'd probably be working on the website right now if it weren't for this massive (read: pretty weak, but distracting nonetheless) headache I'm having right now.

Edit: Oh jesus some bad typos here. Bolded edits.

[crazeekillsall]

In #6...his arm stopped about an inch short of the edge of the page...=/

With every one I do, I'm getting more comfortable with the program. Thanks for the feedback...and I thought you Aussies were meant to be tough :p

[sarcaustic]

Ohhh is that the stereotype these days? :D

[RPG_Masterz]

Have you looked at any tutorials, Leo?
I know you're just leaning into whateverprogram you're using but a few 'dedicated' tutorials/techniques/mechanics might just be what you need (and possibly only need). My estimate is that you draw your comics up on paper, then scan into computer, then edit by inputting text and maybe cropping bits and pieces and other misc. stuff. I was thinking of maybe you could add the step of making your work look digital after the scanning-in step. The overall result would be everything looking consistent and it'll look much sleeker.

[Vanity]

PROTIP: Crop with the lasso tool, not the rectangular marquee.

[RPG_Masterz]

This is what I mean. Half an hour's worth. Would've been 10-15, to be honest, if I didn't do my own freehand. In a nutshell, it's just tracing.

Untitled-10.png

[rejincx]

awesomeness! I didnt know what you just said! but it sounded cool!
I <3 photoshop. :D

[crazeekillsall]

PROTIP: Crop with the lasso tool, not the rectangular marquee.
Messy without a Stylus. With 'multiple' selected on the properties element of a layer, I could select the entire damn page, and still be able to accurately erase what I wish from both layers.

I'm more than a little drunk right now, so could you expand slightly Kev on what you were highlighting?

Feedback rocks, thanks guys :) (I'm not being a sarcastic bitch for once)

[RPG_Masterz]

If you wanna think about making it look all digitalised. -points to my pic of your pic-

All I did was make a layer on top of your comic and traced. In my case, I used the Pen Tool. I'm not sure what the equivalent is in Paintshop Pro.

There are tutorials around the net that teach you how to do this and it's very common too. Just a proposal, that's all.

[rejincx]

wow..I'm looking forward to seeing what you'll do with more um.. tutorials in photoshop. too high expectations? prolly but Im confident you'll meet em. :D GO SALL!

[sarcaustic]

Whatever happened to that old pic you drew from way back when? o__O

Yea no pressure there jincx. Just do your best!!

[hungrykirby]

:lmao: i wanna see it.....what ever it is

[crazeekillsall]

Whatever happened to that old pic you drew from way back when?

Me?

Oh, and new comic...ummmm...let's say tuesday. :)

[sarcaustic]

>8( Well...i suppose i can wait that long. :D

[hungrykirby]

well looks like we got no other choice

[rejincx]

:) yay! cheering you on!

[crazeekillsall]

8. Now means NOW!

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m214/bkcomic/Strip8563x800.jpg

It's only...a week and a day after I promised :) Enjoy.

EDIT; oh yeah...so um, is it easier to read? I've standardized text font. Hopefully it makes sense, I'm still working on really getting across what I really want with the visuals, and already I can spot one flaw with this one...meh...gimme some feedback. :)

EDITEDIT; Oooh, yeah, and if everyone's really nice to Blair (Mikhile) I might have an actual site before too long...dammit, need to make a Paypal...must get on that.

[RPG_Masterz]

Lawl, yeah, what is that thing in the air behind the right dude's head and why has it defied gravity over 4 frames? =P

Also, the 3rd frame, you could link the two speech bubbles together, some people might think two seperate people said the dialogues. Yeah it's minor, but don't overestimate your reader's common sense. >_>

[crazeekillsall]

Also, the 3rd frame, you could link the two speech bubbles together, some people might think two seperate people said the dialogues. Yeah it's minor, but don't overestimate your reader's common sense. >_>

That was the flaw I spotted. I couldn't think of a neat way to link them, so...I'll just trust in the readers.

Lawl, yeah, what is that thing in the air behind the right dude's head and why has it defied gravity over 4 frames? =P

...it's a spaceship. No, really. XD I'll need to define them in future strips.

[rejincx]

I get it, have to say you've come a long way. and hey! XD couldnt wait to read this.

[Mikhile]

Bumping to see if Crazee is still working on this.

I've started to work a little on the webpage again, and I'm really not that far from something completely functional; all I've got to go is the admin control panel. It's missing a decent design, though, but that's not exactly something I can fix.

If you've ditched this, let me know so I can move on to something else.

[crazeekillsall]

Not ditched yet, but on hold. Work is pretty heavy school wise, but obviously the holidays are coming up. If I can get a new one up by the 20th, consider it back on?

[Mikhile]

The front-end is all done and works fine, layout needs tinkering with because I'm not really satisfied with it. Apart from that I just need to do do a little bit on the control panel.

Try to colour your comics such that a PNG will only take up around 200KB, because at the moment they take up 700KB with all the useless details (smudges, erasings, other random marks) and the general uncleanliness of the images.

But yeah, for now you can keep using JPEGs if you're okay with the artifacts.

If you want to get on MSN we can talk about the layout or something but I'm going to bed soon so whatever.

[crazeekillsall]

Big delay, huh? I got harrassed by some other fans to do a new one, so here it is...
Phew. Completely from scratch in about...ooh, 2 hours? 2 and a half? Not bad if I say so myself. Errm...slight changes to character design; I got bored of them wearing Wife Beaters (sleeveless tops) and it made no sense really in the context of fighting aliens, so they're now wearing a casual uniform/armour of sorts. Change in art, one that I might stick with for a while; much more like Broken Spirits style, but a little better I guess.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m214/bkcomic/Strip9541x800.jpg

Enjoy.

[rejincx]

wow, I'd have to say, a LOT LOT better than how you started from. nice.

and thank you! <3

[crazeekillsall]

*bumped*

What are the odds? Another comic! Erm, yes I'm lazy as fuck, but I thought the artwork is getting there. I actually redrew parts of it as my standards are, tragically, getting higher. I expect more of myself and all that shizzle.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m214/bkcomic/strip10541x800.jpg

Enjoy.