Looking for criticism

[Takingnotes]

http://takingnotes.comicgenesis.com/

I think I've about finished the layout, any suggestions / things I missed? (Read 'About' before posting)

Any criticism on the comic is welcome too

-Andy

[Boozeathon4billion]

I think it is pretty cool to have a minimalistic comic if you do it well, but you really have to work on your writing (like actual handwriting and not scripting) to make this comic work better. There were several times where I had to lean in towards my screen, squinting as hard as possible to make out words which looked like they had been erased and rewritten multiple times. With something so simply drawn you could at least redraw/write it in those instances. It couldn't take you that much longer and would make the comic more worth while. The last thing you want is to frustrate your possible audience.

Other than that, just work on the navigation and title bar. On my screen the title took up almost the whole page once the add and links loaded. That means I had to scroll down to read the comic. I think one thing you really want to do is minimize the effort that possible readers have to do in order to see your work. I try to make my stuff visible on the first load so it is just right there and ready to read. I think your comic could really benefit from that kind of layout as well.

Also, it was weird that the menu wasn't on side pages. I would try to make a header and link bar which could be universal so there is more consistency to the site.

[Xwhy]

I like the layout. It fits the comic perfectly.

I have to agree about the lettering. A couple of times, it was just hard to read with these 40-year-old eyes.

[Takingnotes]

Alright, I started using scrap paper and making the comics larger on paper. Should I resize the images? They're at a width of 700 pixels, or is it probably fine to keep it that way. Thanks for the replies

[EvilFlea]

Width 700 is fine.

Again on the layout, get your banner onto the dailytemplate, remind people what the site is called while they read the comics.

Very very strong start to the comic - the first two comics are very very good, and your gag writing is generally good. Again, make sure people can read them - keep your scruffy style but you need a slightly more controlled scruffy at times. Some of the humour is very specific - I'm happy if I just don't get a comic because it's about something I know nothing about, but try to make the next comic something everyone will get. So someone flicking through won't give up.

Keep it up.

[Metruis]

I like the look of the comic with the background, it all matches well. I'd suggest having the buttons and everything on a transparent background because the corkboard block distracts me a bit... if I were to design it, what I'd do is have buttons that looked like they were tacked on, and then the background as a cordboard...

The size of the comics look good. I really like the background on your layout for some reason... it's funny. I like your panel borders on the most recent comic too. ^_^

As for lettering... you have to handletter for this, there's no question about it, but that means you have to neaten up your work. I can't remember which book it was that gave the directions, so... well, I used to handletter and I did pretty good, I just switched for speed over here.

Treat each letter like a picture. DRAW each letter, don't write. I want you to get a scrap paper and write out the alphabet. Don't scribble it, but treat each letter like the art that they are. You want to keep it relatively straight and quite possibly in all caps. Practice doing this repeatedly. You need your punchlines to be readable.

It's a cute, indy looking comic and well done for the minimalistic scribbly approach. It's just the lettering turns me off, it's a bit tricky to read. Make it bigger and don't squish things together. OH YEAH. Also, write your dialogue before drawing in the speech bubble. If you have to erase it several times, redraw the comic or use whiteout for legability. Hope that helps!

Looks good so far, anyway!

[Montyandwoolley]

Not really my type of comic im afraid, i do have something against stick figures... - But to be helpful, the layout is good and the content is also good! - My only comment is similar to everyone elses, your handwriting is very hard to decifer in places - Work on that and think you're set!