Looking for reader feedback, please reply.

Dennis K · Post by **Dennis K** » Wed Feb 21, 2001 9:11 am

Hey all, as of late I've been getting a lot of ideas and I thought I oughta bounce em off you, the fans, all 8 of them. B)First off just let me say that I want everyone to reply to this post, everyone that reads this message. It can pertain to what follows or it can just be what you think of the strip so far, what you liked what you didn't like and any other comments you'd like to add. So let's get started.As of recently I've been thinking about the Keencon at the San Deigo ComicCon this year. I will be going for all four days and it suddenly dawned on me, I need to promote the hell out of my sites (yeah, Dragonstar too) while I'm there. So here's some ideas I've come up with:FLYERS: Pure and simple, and a whole damn lot of 'em. Just have some art on it and the two adresses, maybe a few full strips too.CARDS: A lot of interaction will be going on with complete strangers so I figure, I meet someone, give them a card with the websites on them. Spread the word.PROMOTION: Just out of curiosity, would any of you be willing to *chuckle* PAY for some limited edition signed comic-con only
drawings?ONLINE CONTESTS: Speaking of original art, how about a few contests with art prizes like "Name the college" or something?OTHER STUFF: Hey I'm open to ideas.And now, THE COMIC ITSELF:As of these past few weeks FOGClub went from a in-joke fest to a romantic sometimes serious comedy. Do you like that, or do you miss the original zaniness of the first month?I get a lot of ideas too, here's a few I'm willing to share, keep in mind, NONE of these are set in stone, so they're hardly plot spoilers...-Get Kevin his own girl and end the (now much more undertoned) fued between him and Scott over Annamae.
-Have more classroom interaction, introducing more secondary characters.
-Make it much more serious with only a few jokes here and there (kinda like lately).
-Eliminate seriousness and have it full blown joke style
-Make it less realistic while keeping the current story style. (super powers, vigilantes, more comic/anime style then the after school special world it's in)
-I can't think of anything else, but keeping in track with the last idea, I've been seriously considering a new plot tangent...I can't give it away persay, but I'll give you a hint...would you like to read this? <IMG SRC="http://fogclub.keenspace.com/junk/tri-fan.gif"> A very small few of you know what this means, so don't spoil it.Again, please respond, I wan't to know what you guys think.Later!------------------
Dennis K.
<A HREF="http://fogclub.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>Fanboy Otaku Gamers Club</A>
<A HREF="http://dragonstarcomics.8m.com" TARGET=_blank>Dragonstar Comics</A>
"I'll try anything twice, once to see if I like it and once again to see if I did it wrong the first time"-The Great Gatsby

XXXenophile · Post by **XXXenophile** » Wed Feb 21, 2001 9:30 am

It all sucks man! Plain and simple! <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/smile.g ... EvanBut seriously, it probably could all work. Do each thing one at a time.

SuperJoe · Post by **SuperJoe** » Thu Feb 22, 2001 3:52 am

I like your comic the way it is, but you could make it a little more realistic. Yep, yep. Everybody loves realism. That's why I try to keep my comic as true to my own life as possible.
Oh, and another thing... If you get secondary characters, make sure one of them is Megs dressed as the Violinist of Hameln.
That was a neat game too.
Yeah... that's the ticket.
And if you really want to hype, then glue things about you sites to the back of everybody's shirt, when they aren't looking.
Yeah, yeah. And then have a giant robot in your comic... yeah.
And, and... umm... help out with the ANIME 2 story line I might have, but won't be drawing.... or writing, if I can get away with it...
Yeah, and add Mega Man.
And throw posters of your comic (URL attached) out off an airplane, over large cities...
I'm not getting carried away, am I?
Then paint your URL on the moon.
Or use a laser.------------------
Pip, pip.
It's <A HREF="http://jwalkin.keenspace.com/" TARGET=_blank>J-Walkin'</A>!
Also you can read <A HREF="http://comicollage.keenspace.com/" TARGET=_blank>Comicollage</A>
But you can't read Spoon on High, as it's not out yet.

Dennis K · Post by **Dennis K** » Thu Feb 22, 2001 5:14 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by SuperJoe:
If you get secondary characters, make sure one of them is Megs <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>WHAT!?! WHO TOLD YOU?!?........um,...I mean, thanks for the input...uh okay....
------------------
Dennis K.
<A HREF="http://fogclub.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>Fanboy Otaku Gamers Club</A>
<A HREF="http://dragonstarcomics.8m.com" TARGET=_blank>Dragonstar Comics</A>
"I'll try anything twice, once to see if I like it and once again to see if I did it wrong the first time"-The Great Gatsby[This message has been edited by Dennis K (edited 02-22-2001).]

Sarcazmo69 · Post by **Sarcazmo69** » Thu Feb 22, 2001 6:25 am

Keep the laughs coming, with a dash of seriouness.

Dennis K · Post by **Dennis K** » Thu Feb 22, 2001 9:44 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Godai:
unless your going to have a table at the con<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>...As near as I can tell I'm slated to appear at the Keenspot booth, at least according to the webiste...I'll have to see just what will be hapining there.------------------
Dennis K.
<A HREF="http://fogclub.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>Fanboy Otaku Gamers Club</A>
<A HREF="http://dragonstarcomics.8m.com" TARGET=_blank>Dragonstar Comics</A>
"I'll try anything twice, once to see if I like it and once again to see if I did it wrong the first time"-The Great Gatsby

NotoriousMEQ · Post by **NotoriousMEQ** » Thu Feb 22, 2001 10:05 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Dennis K:
 WHAT!?! WHO TOLD YOU?!?........um,...I mean, thanks for the input...uh okay....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
umm... okaaaay.... hey, if you put me as Hamel in your comic, you're going to have to include some *HYA with <A HREF="http://www.genjitsu.net/katsu2k1" TARGET=_blank>j-rock singers in drag</A>!-megs
(*hot yaoi action) *evil laugh* what? he was a guy cosplaying as a guy who dresses like a girl and i was a girl cosplaying as a guy! and i didn't know what he was doing behind me until i saw the tape! honest! >.<;;------------------
-Meaghan
<A HREF="http://eattheroses.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>Eat The Roses</A> is my comic.
Now with more Special Sauce!
It's mighty bold! In fact, it's too bold for human consumption!

NotoriousMEQ · Post by **NotoriousMEQ** » Thu Feb 22, 2001 10:06 am

Woo!! nice T... *cough* you know what it is, i know what it is, and it rocks!um.. feedback... i don't know much about that kind of promotion. flyers seem to be the way to go. they can get shoved in bags and back-pockets and are a great way to display art and address. maybe try mini-flyers (four or six to a printed page) to conserve on paper.ah, don't give kevin his own girl until he earns it. like scott and anime haven't earned each other yet so it makes sense for them to be all queasy and doubting and in denial right now. ^^ i'd like ot see kevin be more of a player for right now, but that's jsut my take on his character. ^^i like the way you've been doing it- mostly humorous hijinks with occasional character-development-seriousness. i'd keep with the funny for now.as for more unrealism? um.. the base seems to be set in reality of college world, but the dream sequences add a nice touch... don't break what you've already set up, but dun be afraid to move in different directions.and as the guy who draws nosferatu told me and the neobaka lads last weekend- "bad stuff has to happen to your characters" esp esp esp when the characters are based on yourself. unless you're like me and know you're a jerk and base your character off that jerk-ness. ^_^secondary characters? now seems okay to be introducing more characters. we know our main three pretty well now so it wouldn't be confusing.hope this is helpful!
------------------
-Meaghan
<A HREF="http://eattheroses.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>Eat The Roses</A> is my comic.
Now with more Special Sauce!
It's mighty bold! In fact, it's too bold for human consumption!

JesIdres · Post by **JesIdres** » Fri Feb 23, 2001 10:13 am

I've liked where you've taken the comic so far-I think I'll like what ever you put out next. Yes, folks, I live a life not unlike the one portrayed in F.O.G.C. Except I'm the techie who knows to much at the comic book shop.
AHHHHH! I swear there are subliminal messages in Trigun; it's popping waaaay to often in comics nowadays.
I guess I'm an old-school fan: I'm currently playing with the Manmachine Interface Solid Box. Shirow sensei is god! And I'm tryin to "arrange" for Ah My Goddess! movie merchendaise to be reserved early.
My balance has kicked the bucket. *Sigh* guess I've have no books next semester...Gosh darn it, visit my comic- keenspace hasn't finish my account! *SOB*------------------
Jess Idres<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/yinyangonline/" TARGET=_blank> Yin ang Yang: the online comic </A> which makes you afraid of your neighbors.

Crazeyal · Post by **Crazeyal** » Sat Feb 24, 2001 6:35 am

Okay..FIRST and FOREMOST...I'm JEALOUS.The artwork is great, wish I had the talent.As for generating more hits, you should work on two levels of this effort, online and personal attempts. The personal parts are things like the flyers or cards. Personally I only make the effort to look at things that actualy complete something, that make it worth the effort. If the flyers show something other than the comic, like a puzzle, half of a comic, or just the PROMISE of something, then my curiosity drives me to get online and see it.If you are simply looking for comic book fans, handing out flyers at sci-fi conventions, comic book stores, ect... Then you will have it easier. If you are handing them out at places like the mall, or putting up posters, you have to target an audience or have some sort of universal appeal to the ad.But that's just me flapping my gums....As far as the comic goes, I like the tension. It might be a bit MUCH for Anime going for BEING IN LOVE already (but that's a woman for ya... <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/smile.gif"> hope the wife don't see this...)You've established the characters, set up a main storyline, and set some long range plotlines going. Do you have any Nemisis planned? Is the comic situational or only character driven? Are you going to introduce 4th wall situations or is the comic going to stay the way it is?I'd think that even though the characters are good enough to drive storylines for a long time the way they are, you'd need some more support players or situations to derive plots from. Being from the west, most of us wouldn't recognize anime Kareoke, but I'm sadly a fellow geek ("Hi my name is Ray and I've got a comic book Monkey on my back" HI RAY!! )If you are going to make the comic appeal to outsiders to the comic book and Anime field, then you might consider adding a character who is a COMPLETE NEWBIE to Anime, Manga, Sci-fi conventions and the like, and is dragged KICKING AND SCREAMING into the lifestyle (only to secretly LOVE it )That way you make a built in excuse to explain and debate the things you obviously love, and people who HAVEN'T seen movies like Akira or Macross (or even Legend of the Overfiend.. he he he) will GET the comics.Just a few ideas from the Opinionated one...------------------
The Best Defense is a Good Offense. The Best Offense is usually when the other guy isn't looking.

Dennis K · Post by **Dennis K** » Sat Feb 24, 2001 7:14 am

Great feedback so far!Some of you have made suggestions I really like, and others have mentioned stuff I've all ready thought about. But I'm slowly learning I give away too much sometimes on this board. B)Keep the feedback coming and hopefully I'll keep you all entertained!------------------
Dennis K.
<A HREF="http://fogclub.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>Fanboy Otaku Gamers Club</A>
<A HREF="http://dragonstarcomics.8m.com" TARGET=_blank>Dragonstar Comics</A>
"I'll try anything twice, once to see if I like it and once again to see if I did it wrong the first time"-The Great Gatsby

Crazeyal · Post by **Crazeyal** » Sat Feb 24, 2001 11:01 am

Oh...
and by the way..Since you mentioned online contests, one REALLY good way to combine your art with self promotion is people's egos.The prize of immortalizing someone in your comic is something that ANY comicbook fanboy will pull eye TEETH out to get.Set up a message board with either an IP checker or some sort of Email verification and the person who causes the most people to log in get's drawn into a comic!------------------
The Best Defense is a Good Offense. The Best Offense is usually when the other guy isn't looking.

Tom the Fanboy · Post by **Tom the Fanboy** » Sat Feb 24, 2001 11:36 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Dennis K:
Hey all, as of late I've been getting a lot of ideas and I thought I oughta bounce em off you, the fans, all 8 of them. B)
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>OK, I suppose I should respond before I read everyone's ideas so I can be unbiased. After all, I can always edit my post. <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/smile.gif"> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
CARDS: A lot of interaction will be going on with complete strangers so I figure, I meet someone, give them a card with the websites on them. Spread the word.PROMOTION: Just out of curiosity, would any of you be willing to *chuckle* PAY for some limited edition signed comic-con only
drawings?ONLINE CONTESTS: Speaking of original art, how about a few contests with art prizes like "Name the college" or something?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I gotta say go with the cards because I collect business cards. One of my many hobbies. I figure if I'm going to put EFFORT into collecting, I should collect something "useful" and cheap.I'd be willing to pay if I had money, which I don't. When I when the lotto I'll let you know.I'm way up for contests man! Especially things like "Name the school". That'd be great fun. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
Do you like that, or do you miss the original zaniness of the first month?-Have more classroom interaction, introducing more secondary characters.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I like an even mix, that's why I left these ideas in. I think it's good to have one "taken" and one single. It can lead to lots of interesting plot twists, awkward situations, and plenty of one shot characters to be blind dates(cross over anyone?)! I'm a huge fan of secondary characters (Grand Moff Munkres of the Cult of Piett reporting!) and I love seeing familiar faces return when least expected. I loved Gilliam on Outlaw Star, Yamcha on DBZ, Admiral Piett in Star Wars, Roy Fokker in Robotech..... Definitely need more secondary characters you did already allude to other club members, I noticed you haven't touched on gaming much yet. Perhaps we can be introduced to their GM when they take Anime to their weekly gaming session (what would the guys play? D&D? BGC? Cyberpunk? VtM? Rifts?). Maybe a proffessor or RA or something as well to add a sense of variation. .....and ya can't go wrong with a stupid antagonistic jock.Also, I think you should try and keep the comic as realistic as possible. Many comics out there include supernatural or fantastic characters and creatures, especially webcomics. I suggest using dream sequences (which you've already proved adept at) to exercise any wild story/art ideas such as below..... 
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
<IMG SRC="http://fogclub.keenspace.com/junk/tri-fan.gif"> A very small few of you know what this means, so don't spoil it.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Well, I wasn't sure until I read the image's title. but I must say,
BY ALL THAT IS GOD AND HOLY, YES!!!!
Not only does this image kick ass but I imagine it'd be a great thing to do.
I just wish I could actually see/read the series......------------------
Tom the Fanboy <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/tee-moss" TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/tee-moss</A>
The House of Tee-Moss, home of Billberg University and the Pop Subversion League.About that edit.....I'll follow the example and suggest one of the secondary characters be a guy named Mark Dutton who is never shown except for an arm or briefcase poking in from out of frame. Oooh! He could be the uber-mysterious GM! Heh heh, just the main characters sitting in fron of Game Screen at the edge of the frame. Heh heh heh....[This message has been edited by Tom the Fanboy (edited 02-24-2001).]

Kinsman · Post by **Kinsman** » Sun Feb 25, 2001 3:42 am

Hi been reading your stip for a while and thought i might suggest some ideas cence u asked us to...
Hmm the good or the bad first...well firstly i have to say that although you have everything set down for a good comic here i haven't yet seen its errr stile yet...Some comics you know them just by there stile alone, some are serirus, some are wierd, some are just down strange...but so far i cant quite place your comic(no offence) BUT its early yet and you have yet to develop the stile of your comic(or you wouledn't be asking us for some ideas :'p ...
...Hmm ok the stip is based around the FOG Club ;'p and its members...Hmmm ok you can go as suggested into the sureal...But cence this is an anime apreceation club the explots they would get up to would or should be based in anime....i.e. big mad stoming robotic spiders and such...ORYou can go with the seriues side...about the club(and its members) and there interaction in the collage or school or whatever the place is(could be an insilem for all i know)...Hmmm so far you have the sureal...which adds lots to the plot and could be quite fun to lead down but has the problem of getting out of hand(superman sindrom)...and then theres the serieus side which if done properly can come out quite nice but if goes wrong you could end up making the stip...borning...
Hmmm you could go with the bought of them...i.e. sticking charters in a sureal envirement and having them act out like the FOG clubmembers would in real life(this means no superpowers for them, they have to use there wits)...this would provide you with the "zanie" plot runs but leaving you enuf seriusnus to involve your charters with...
Hmmm but one thing that it all comes down to is...with do you have experience with...i.e. have experenced al lot of anime....(sureal side i mean how much anima you have experenced not how meany giant robotic spiders you have fought :'p ) or the seriunus side......But the final thing that decides what your strip should be about is what the hell you want the strip to do :'D cos its realy bad drawing and running a stirp if u hate doing it...it'll drive you insane...
Hmmm one thing is whats happening between scoth and anime is that it did go a tad bit to fast but if padded out can be an ok start for them...and remember the bit between them starting to "date" or getting together is far more interesting than when they get together....hmm add some extra charters even if its just some red shurts just to add some variaty and plot lines...i.e. who do they speck to when the other 2 are off somewhere...?
Sorry this is all i can comment on as i have no expernce on any of the other stuff...well i will wright if i come up with anything more or if I forgot somthing...
p.s. sorry for the spelling....thingy problem with it :'/
p.p.s. heres a little idea for u to do...make 1 or 2 week scripts based on what stiles you choise to go down(i.e. sureal or serius)...(advise 2-3 or more stiles)...and send them to some ppl who will give you an unbiest opion OR just do'em to see how each would fold out and see if you like the way they would fold out...p.p.p.s. if u do make the scripts for the love of god don't publish them on the forums err well till that script is run :') i hate spolling surpriese's

Wolfman1066 · Post by **Wolfman1066** » Sun Feb 25, 2001 4:50 am

I came, I saw, I posted!!!------------------
==========
The city of stone.
http://www.cityofstone.com

TatewakiKunoAge17 · Post by **TatewakiKunoAge17** » Sun Feb 25, 2001 4:52 am

A few things.I really like the current mix of seriousness and comedy, which seems to be the prevailing opinion. I also think that "superpowers" shouldn't be involved, but the fact that these two are major kendoists certainly establishes them as athletic and able to fight, and I think that should be used at some point in the future, perhaps in an anime-esque storyline. I think we need a few more secondary characters, perhaps the idea someone had about a newbie, who would in essence be Mr. Exposition, a title only Gourry had before. As for the romantic side, I got kinda worried regarding the Valentine's Day storyline, but I'm glad to see you've toned it down. As regards to Kevin's romantic status, here's my idea. Have Annamae's friend, the one who said he was cute (girls LOVE the Kojiro/James look), go out with him. Make her rather more aggressive than Annamae in this regard. Scott, seeing how happy Kevin is in this relationship, decides maybe he should ask Annamae out. Right before he calls her up, Kevin walks into the dorm room, crushed at being dumped, because the girl realized she didn't like anything about him but how he looked. This would be a good way to inject some seriousness into Kevin, and at the same time stretch the relationship between Annamae and Scott out even longer. And the idea about a feud between Annamae and Scott's PSX was CLASSIC. Do it. Anything that's a Trigun spin-off is instant gold, you can't go wrong there. But I think the primary thing right now would be to give us a few more cast members.------------------
I am the undefeated captain of this school's Kendo Club. The rising new star of the high school fencing world. The sound of my voice strikes fear into the hearts of my enemies. My peers call me the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High! Tatewaki Kuno, Age 17.

DracMonster · Post by **DracMonster** » Sun Feb 25, 2001 4:59 am

I won't comment on the advertizing, but I'd like to say the Scott the Stampede sounds too great for words to describe. However, why limit yourself to just Trigun (even if you are in love with it.) You could have them in every series out there. If you do, I'd keep have the parody bit as its own separate comic, so as not to interfere with the main storyline.Damn, I've only been able to get the first two Trigun DVDs. Suncoast, you better come through for me soon...

Dennis K · Post by **Dennis K** » Sun Feb 25, 2001 6:22 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by DracMonster:
You could have them in every series out there. If you do, I'd keep have the parody bit as its own separate comic, so as not to interfere with the main storyline.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Oh I all ready know how I can do all that and keep it part of the storyline, yes....
*evil grin*------------------
Dennis K.
<A HREF="http://fogclub.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>Fanboy Otaku Gamers Club</A>
<A HREF="http://dragonstarcomics.8m.com" TARGET=_blank>Dragonstar Comics</A>
"I'll try anything twice, once to see if I like it and once again to see if I did it wrong the first time"-The Great Gatsby

TatewakiKunoAge17 · Post by **TatewakiKunoAge17** » Sun Feb 25, 2001 9:05 am

One thing I forgot to mention. As regards to the "Gamers" portion of the FOG club, it seems to me that Heroes Unlimited would be the ideal game for them to play.------------------
I am the undefeated captain of this school's Kendo Club. The rising new star of the high school fencing world. The sound of my voice strikes fear into the hearts of my enemies. My peers call me the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High! Tatewaki Kuno, Age 17.

Hysteria · Post by **Hysteria** » Sun Feb 25, 2001 10:24 am

Okay, let's see...I honestly don't know that much about promotion. I go to comic sites mostly because they have great contests, I visit comic sites based on one of two things:1.) The art draws me into it, or the tagline2.) The comic does a crossover with another comic I read, and I get hooked from there.That being said, I'll go into what I think of FOGclub, and then maybe tie in some promotional ideas.First, the good part is that I like the storyline. There's romantic tension, a cute girl who happens to be more than able to hold her own against the boys, the introverted, "normal" type, the slightly outrageous type, and at this point, all of the characters have easily accessible personalities, but have also displayed enough depth that I'm interested as to where they will go next. It also helps that you seem to be taking a look at the foibles of the "typical" oktaku, ones which I am all-too familiar with. <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/smile.gif"> While I'm listing the positive about the comic, I should probably also mention the art. Overall, it's not bad. I won't say that I read the comic for the artwork, but as I said in an earlier post, you've done a decent job in conveying the characters and their personalities, and you are also not afraid to experiment a bit. And of course, your artwork is improving. If you want, I'll be happy to dive into what I think works and doesn't work later on, but the main point is that the artwork is a strength, not a weakness, of the comic. Okay, now that I've inflated your ego up, here comes some criticism. First, and actually the only thing to date, is the fact that the storylines are a bit melodramatic. The main one I'm thinking of is the whole Scott/Annamae deal on the 14th. I admit I did like it (and what fanboy hasn't wanted that to happen at least once?), but "Anime"'s reaction, followed by her sudden discovery that she likes Scott, kind of arose almost out of nowhere. That and Scott sounded, well, kind of whiny there on the roof. I think there needs to be more in the way of character development and pacing in the strip, and this is stuff which has to be learned by practice.To sum up my critique, seeing as how you haven't been at this long in relation to other webcomics out there, I think you're off to a great start. There are some definite rough edges, but still, I have high hopes for where this comic will be by say, next January.As far as your asking where to go, I like the mix you have right now. It's a good blend between zany and serious, and I think going in one direction or the other would ultimately lead to a creative dead end. With the current mix, you can go in either direction without making a definite "commitment". Of course with commitments, when you add superpowers into the mix, that's a pretty hefty commitment in itself. I personally like the fact that FOGclub is closer to real life, and I don't really think superpowers would mix well with it. On the other hand, a little bit of "animeness" could be fun, and here I am thinking of a hammerspace for "Anime". <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/biggrin.gif"> Something subtle, but not the main focus. Of course, I wouldn't be averse to an anime-dream series or two, like you might be doing with Trigun. <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/smile.gif">Well, that's my feedback. I hope it helps!Chris