Comic Genesis Forums

Well, I think supernatural elements do work, but only if they're handled in a fashion that makes them believable. Your world has to make sense.
But most comic authours just get bored and toss them in for kicks, then later attempt (and fail) to reason out the wackiness.

If you want to write a fantasy comic do it in a fantasy world...

Thanks CW on the back loading suggestion. I'll try and get some more up.

-David

I like what you've done so far, and would like to see more. I like the simple style you've got going. I honestly think too much detail can take away from a comedy strip, because backgrounds get all cluttery and the attention tends to be drawn away from the characters. But that's just me. Anyway, good start.

AsterAzul wrote:Well, I think supernatural elements do work, but only if they're handled in a fashion that makes them believable. Your world has to make sense.

Yes, I've read some strips where drawn animals suddenly come to life without explanation and left just as that... another where the hero turns into a werewolf and left just as that... it destroys the suspension of disbelief. If supernatural occurs, then it has to be given appropriate exposure: put it in the center of the plot when it happens, after all, it is supernatural.

And making yourself appear as a guest appearance can be okay, once. If you do it again and again for "comical effect", it gets frustrating (I remember Bob & George...).

There is a limit to wackiness.

Prince Amethyst wrote: Yes, I've read some strips where drawn animals suddenly come to life without explanation and left just as that... another where the hero turns into a werewolf and left just as that... it destroys the suspension of disbelief.

Hey! I just hope you`re not talking about my comic, because you are allowed to do anything you want in the name of Random Nonsense.

Nutcracker wrote:

Prince Amethyst wrote: Yes, I've read some strips where drawn animals suddenly come to life without explanation and left just as that... another where the hero turns into a werewolf and left just as that... it destroys the suspension of disbelief.

Hey! I just hope you`re not talking about my comic, because you are allowed to do anything you want in the name of Random Nonsense.

Nooo... I saw the drawn animals in another forgot-its-name strip and the werewolf trick comes from furwillfly... I wouldn't say anything about yours because it is still a young strip...

davidleetoon wrote:Thanks CW on the back loading suggestion. I'll try and get some more up.

-David

when you gunna make a new one?

munch wrote:

davidleetoon wrote:Thanks CW on the back loading suggestion. I'll try and get some more up.

-David

when you gunna make a new one?

I'm currently on vacation so it'll be Tuesdays, till I get home and get some more up.

I see a lot of potential in this strip. The humor and art are kind of basic, but it works (the only critiques I could make would be nit-picky). What's been said about supernatural elements and fourth-wall breaking is mostly true. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. It depends on the author and the strip. Bob and George is, for instance, the only strip I know that can break the fourth wall well.
Keep drawing.

Well, my opinion is, if you wanna break the fourth wall, or put random supernatural stuff or whatever in your comic, it's YOUR comic, so do it! I mean, if I were in a band, and someone told me they didn't like a certain bass line in it, that wouldn't make me change it. It's my song right? So, I do whatever I think works in my comic, because I like it. If someone isn't going to read a comic because a ghost suddenly comes outta nowhere and talks to your main character and never did before, then they just don't have to read it, right? Of course, I don't have any supernatural elements in mine(which isn't up yet I might add), but that doesn't mean I haven't considered it.

Just FYI: I've listed "Malcolm" on The Webcomic List. Once anyone's read enough to base an opinion, you can add your comments there.

The Link is:

http://www.thewebcomiclist.com/p/3237/malcolm

Thanks again for all the advice from everyone.

-David

I think it's fun, wish there were more though. and it's good to get on a schedule to keep up drawing now, in a couple years you'll rock.

I'm glad so many people like it. Does anybody have any ideas of how to spread the word more?

Thanks,
David

You might want to take a look at this topic.

I think the art style is somewhat reminiscent of Peanuts, but not the writing unforunately. Keep it up though

Man, taking care of some kids is a really tough job... This strip reflects this well. Kids have somewhat a suicidal tendency, they know it's dangerous but still goes for it saying "WOO-HOO!!!".

I actually interpret that strip as the kids die from the fall. I know it's not what was intended but that's how I see it... although I guess they could fall into a lake and drown instead.

Anyway I think it would really help if you'd update more frequently. I don't wanna be bossy but you're 15 and it's summer... c'mon. I really don't think it's too much to ask for updates three times a week or more.

About June 7th's comic. You really need to work on matching the facial expressions with how the character feels. The third panel Malcolm is scared and betrayed, but he looks happy. To get the right look you should A) add eyebrows that are in the... frightened/sad position (hard to describe eyebrows =p ) B) add some lines around the eyes C) turn that smile upside down!! Same thing for the 4th panel. Also in the 3rd panel it seems that Malcolm is speaking to the reader.The general rule is that having the characters speak to the audience is bad, so that's a no-no. Although it'd be fine if you're trying to take the comic in that direction (of a boy showing his world to the readers). Lastly the timing is off. The first and second panels should be merged, turning it into a 3-panel comic instead of a 4-panel.

Anyway, yeah, just being nitpicky ...

Hey, your comic seems to be off to a good start! If there's anything I've found with internet produced art it's that it gets rapidly better as it goes along... If you stick with this for a bit, I'm sure you'll find yourself amazed at how far you've come! Good luck to you!

LibertyCabbage wrote: Anyway I think it would really help if you'd update more frequently. I don't wanna be bossy but you're 15 and it's summer... c'mon. I really don't think it's too much to ask for updates three times a week or more.

What I'm trying to do is build up enough during the summer so that when school starts I'll be able to keep up to schedule. However I do plan to add Thursday's when I feel I have a good enough buffer. I certainly don't want to commit to more that I can do and fall behind schedule.

This probably isn't the place to put this question but I donno where else to put it. It has to do with all this mess with the name change. I can see that I can change the domain to one of the various choices but what if I chose (for example) toonspace, and then they (they being the Keenspace overlords) choose comicgenesis? Then do I have to change it again? So basically what I'm asking is, is there any point in changing my domain till it's set in stone and I have to? Personally, I think this mess should be forgoten altogether and we should just keep the name we got now. But nobody asked my opinion.