Capes & Babes - an introduction

[Capesnbabes]

Hey everybody,

My name's Chris and I do a comic strip called Capes & Babes. It's about a strip mall, a comic book shop and one crazy werewolf that likes to hang out there. Next month (September 2008), I will be celebrating the one year anniversary that Capes was created. November 12th is my online debut anniversary.

Anyway, Capes & Babes takes a humorous look at the comic book industry, pop-culture, relationships and any other crazy stuff I can think of. For today's strip (8/15/08), I am spoofing the "classic" 1980's Calvin Klein jeans commercial with Brook Shields guest starring Poison Ivy in the place of Brooke. Here's a black and white preview image of Poison Ivy:



To see the full color version, check out my strip for today by clicking the link below:

http://www.capesnbabes.com

Thanks!

I also want to mention that I will have a table at the Baltimore Comic Con next month so if you plan on attending, please look for my Capes & Babes banner and stop by and say "hi".

-Chris

[RobertBr]

It's well drawn and nicely presented, good work. Though I have to admit I just didn't find many of the punch-lines funny, they feel a little laboured. Not sure how you would do that but I think that is what you need to work on.

Robert

[Capesnbabes]

Hey Robert,

Thanks for the kind words on the art of Capes & Babes.
If you don't mind, can I ask you which specific strips you found the punchlines a little laborious? I'm always looking to improve the writing of the strip so it would help me a great deal if I could get an idea of which ones you didn't think were all that great.

Of course, if you think ALL of the strips fit that category, I'll just have to strive to work harder on that aspect of the strip.



Again, in all seriousness though, your feedback is much appreciated. Thanks for at least checking the strip out and giving me your opinion.

-Chris

[Moder]

Personally I didnt find the jokes funny or original...
But the art Is great and promising! Congrats!

[Capesnbabes]

Hmmmm... well, it looks like I'm hitting 2-for-2 on the "Great art, uninspiring jokes".

Well, glad you guys like the art but it would be helpful if I knew if there were specific jokes you didn't like or if you think they are all the same. If I knew which ones didn't hit the mark, that would help me a lot in trying to figure out how to improve the writing or the joke making.

Again, not trying to be defensive here. Any kind of criticism or opinions are very helpful. That being said, Capes & Babes is not always a joke a day strip. Sometimes, it's just a bizarre, odd spin on the world of comic superheroes. If you're not into that sort of thing, then yeah, I can see where the jokes might not be hitting the mark for you. Also, since I'm an older comic book reader, it could also be that I'm not getting solid hits with you because you're not getting the original reference of the joke - like the Calvin Klein / Brook Shields spoof ad I did with Poison Ivy. If you're not old enough to remember that very old commercial, then yeah, I can see where someone might say "Huh? I don't get it...".

I'll strive to improve though.

-Chris

[Moder]

If you're not into that sort of thing, then yeah, I can see where the jokes might not be hitting the mark for you.

I think this Is probably the case!

I don't think an artist should "adjust" to people that don't get their work. Sure, criticism Is valuable and must be considered, but It shouldn't be your guide.

[Jjdoughty12]

I collected Marvel in the 80s and read every issue of ROM and the idea of him selling appliances and abusing STP fuel injector cleaner had me laughing really hard. Very well done.

[Capesnbabes]

Jjdoughty12, thanks for laughing at my very quirky superhero sense of humor. Glad you're appreciating this current story line. More zaniness will continue on Monday.



-Chris