The Daemon Brethren: Advent of Chaos is by Jeff Cerica another comic in Zuda April. It got 3/5 stars from me for a few reasons. Here is the synopsis:The Daemon Brethren are mere mortals but their bloodline has since existed for thousands of years. Their magic lies within the weapons they forge. With all the arsenal of weapons they possess none compare to the Daemons, the God like guardian beings they summon to aide them in battle. For centuries power ravenous beings have persistently tried to obtain the Daemons. It is for this reason that the Daemons are both a blessing and a curse for the five brothers, Landon Creo, Davian Creo, Jackson Rhey, Ethan Daniels and Leian Thompson. The brethren have faced and defeated countless foes but when Davian gets possessed by a mysterious being, the brethren turns to Ethan Daniels sister Alyra for help. When Alyra was born her late father swore that he would keep her out of the burdens that came with carrying the Daemons. So he requested for her to have a normal life. His request was granted and since then she lived her life not knowing her heritage. When Alyra witnessed her brother’s tragic death by Davian, the Daemon Brethren had no choice but to tell her everything. Luckily prior to his death Ethan secretly passed on his Daemons to Alyra. The Daemon Brethren must now teach her how to control her Daemons and let her embrace the secret that lies within her. She might be the only one that can save Davian and defeat the mysterious beings that call themselves the Sins of Chaos.
The character count of the title along leads to foreboding
It's already been commented on, but the title is too long. It just doesn't sound like a comic, it's like a video game. It's not my go to genre of choice, and the art and story wasn't the kind of read I can get into. The story seems over the top with actually too much information in the synopsis. Normally I'm all about the extra wordage, but not in this case. The art and writing isn't BAD, but it's not the kind of comic that's going to grab my interest. Not everything is for everyone, this comic takes more after a Anime cartoon. The characters when they're not involved in a fight with some demon creature look very stiff and uninterested in the problems their facing - large font screams doesn't equal into real emotion. Normally artists have problems doing involving fight scenes so this comic is just the opposite with very fluid fight scenes. Every page a fight scene would have gotten old, but at least you would have been playing to your strength. The story suffers from a common affliction in fiction stories with otherworldly elements, you need a lexicon to really understand what in the hell characters are talking about. The coloring goes from okay to impressive a C to a B, so it didn't hurt you it helped you. The letters were readable just a really small font. Except for the title lettering on screen 8 that wasn't good.
We control the horizontal, we control the vertical, except when we have technique difficulties...
Jeff mentioned on the Zuda message boards he sent back in the wrongly edited art work, a submit button screw up has happened before, and it's regrettable. The are some real stand out scenes throughout the comic though. I freaking loved screen 1. Nice establishing shot, loved the art here on the city scape (letters too small), but not too much of the text box thought balloons. The panel layout for the fight scenes was really impressive to me, my genre or not my genre. I was also intrigued by the pure blood Atlantean comment, and enjoyed the landscape in the background. The dialogue didn't have as much impact as it should have because I kept thinking Day-mon or, D-mon in my head. Along with the fact too much comic world specific lingo means you spend a good bit of your reading time trying to figure out what is going on. Screen 3 had a really nice layout, love the invisible effect, but the two brothers on here didn't seem that different to me. Maybe that was the point? The worst scenes are after the fight, when the characters looked so stiff, and the dialogue didn't help portray the emotion I would have expected in these scenes. Ending with a babe in a towel, not a bad idea for Zuda at all... Jeff should focus on the fight scenes that's where all the awesome is.
Some nifty examples from the comic to show you what I mean
Screens 3, 4, 5, and 6 the fight scenes have an awesome layout. The action really flows and one of the brothers powers (invisibility), is just handled so well it does draw you in more and more as you read on. The magical weapons is RPG videogame all the way, but it makes for some intense fight scenes. You get a nice design on the d-mon not day-mon bad guy they fight, and changing up the word balloons to show possession is expected, but you handled it well. Don't go too crazy on the creepy voice font, and the creator didn't. Jeff really kept me as the reader clicking through these awesome pages, until a vortex went off and that whoosh sound effect you didn't read was the best part of the story being sucked away.
You need to pull a Stuart Smiley and take a seat in front of a mirror
It wasn't my kind of story, but it has it's good points though. Jeff seemed to be maybe a little two hard on his self over on the Zuda message boards. Getting on Zuda is an accomplishment in and of its self. Do the comic you really want to do, so no matter where it ends up, you end up at least a little bit happy. With work on a shorter title, an easier to understand world (I'm not sure 8 screens is enough to set-up a world like this well), bigger fonts, and maybe even more pages of fight scenes, I don't doubt Jeff could make his way back on Zuda.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The rise and fall of the Penguin Zuda review/ Secret life of the Penguins
The rise and fall of the Penguin is another April Zuda comic done by Harry Pujols, who also did My Pet Human for Zuda. It got 3/5 stars from me, and I like the story and art better than his last comic. Here is the synopsis: These days, we know everything about celebrities. What they had for breakfast, who are they dating, what color of socks they wore last night. Yet, one celebrity has eluded this scrutiny: The penguin. Star of many animated flicks and award-winning documentaries. That's until now. This shocking exposé will reveal the truth behind the penguin and his not-so-family-oriented life.
Self gratification doesn't always involve masturbation
The story starts off inoffensively enough, then we find out Pen is an ex-pat Christmas critter. their have been some 'I'm offended' comment's on the comic, but I'm guessing Harry self censored all the Penguin/ hooker sex, because it wouldn't get past TPTB, and it's more funny if readers minds fill in the blanks. It is over the top with a nod to the Disneyland memorial orgy. Just keep all the Penguin movies in mind, and think this is what happened behind the scenes, it move's a little beyond the sex/drugs/humor genre. Considering what happened the last time Harry was in the contest, along with this latest subject matter I don't think he expects to win. I do think Harry wanted to give the Zuda readers something different and expand out Zuda's offerings. Harry draws the way he draws (rough) like it, don't like it, that's just the way it is. I actually like and appreciate his approach, doing his own thing. The black, white, and gray tones was a really good choice on the part of the creator in making it stand out from the rest. The whole work does look far more polished than My Pet Human from story to art. It never hurts that the letters are all easy to read.
A bird so full of shit... and booze... and drugs... -it can't fly
The rise of the Penguin is begun by a successful Hollywood musical on global warming. Since I don't believe in man made global warming, but also don't doubt a movie like this has been pitched at least a million times in real life, it's already off to a good start with me. After hitting the big time Penguin and his body guard/flunky decide to party with booze, drugs, and hookers. Expect even more [censored] [bleep] moments to follow. Screen 6 is pretty funny depravity and the red colored redaction's do stand out, along with the fact Penguin rides the white horse. If it wasn't for a lawsuit it would have been fun to see Disney's Bambi make a guest appearance -maybe giving out BJ's for salt rocks-, as it is I wonder if any other animal characters will make an appearance. of course all the [censored] stuff is way over the top, but it just adds to the effect. Panel 1 on screen 7 shows Penguin in full own coked up orgy mode, and was a stand out. No this comic ain't for everybody. Amongst all the over the top elements, don't lose sight of the good design, or poking some fun at the way the news is done today.
Some nifty examples from the comic to show you what I mean
I really like to way we still got some backgrounds in the panels on screens 4, 2, and 1. In the second panel of screen 1 stick hockey player actually takes a shot. I liked this better than just splashing some color around filter all style.
Two reporters were talking about twenty soldiers died today, but let's go to more important news: the Penguins number one movie at the box office, this was a funny line. It was also a spot on condemnation of the way TV news does things every night, it was funny, sad, and true. The comic ends with Penguin talking to someone who looks like Jay Leno, on a set that looks like the Tonight Show. Penguin is asked how he feels about being named the sexiest man alive? His response: I'm not a man, I'm a [bleep!] penguin! Screens 6 and 7 are proof enough of that.
Lost in a sea of the's
Why do Zuda creator's keep putting the word 'the' in the title of their comic. You know how hard it can be to find comics now on site, and the ton of 'the' comics your going to have to get in line with? If it was with the R's it would be later in the alphabet, but easier to find. Again this comic is not for everyone at Zuda and doesn't have to be. Do a comic you really enjoy doing, and hope you find a fan base out there. If you finish at the bottom of the pack you still did what you wanted to do. So congrats to Harry Pujols for not making it a zombie penguin in hopes of having a better chance to win. What the fuck! [see it is funnier bleeped], I changed my grade here to 4/5 stars and a fav, just for the fact I would read this reguarly if it won.
Self gratification doesn't always involve masturbation
The story starts off inoffensively enough, then we find out Pen is an ex-pat Christmas critter. their have been some 'I'm offended' comment's on the comic, but I'm guessing Harry self censored all the Penguin/ hooker sex, because it wouldn't get past TPTB, and it's more funny if readers minds fill in the blanks. It is over the top with a nod to the Disneyland memorial orgy. Just keep all the Penguin movies in mind, and think this is what happened behind the scenes, it move's a little beyond the sex/drugs/humor genre. Considering what happened the last time Harry was in the contest, along with this latest subject matter I don't think he expects to win. I do think Harry wanted to give the Zuda readers something different and expand out Zuda's offerings. Harry draws the way he draws (rough) like it, don't like it, that's just the way it is. I actually like and appreciate his approach, doing his own thing. The black, white, and gray tones was a really good choice on the part of the creator in making it stand out from the rest. The whole work does look far more polished than My Pet Human from story to art. It never hurts that the letters are all easy to read.
A bird so full of shit... and booze... and drugs... -it can't fly
The rise of the Penguin is begun by a successful Hollywood musical on global warming. Since I don't believe in man made global warming, but also don't doubt a movie like this has been pitched at least a million times in real life, it's already off to a good start with me. After hitting the big time Penguin and his body guard/flunky decide to party with booze, drugs, and hookers. Expect even more [censored] [bleep] moments to follow. Screen 6 is pretty funny depravity and the red colored redaction's do stand out, along with the fact Penguin rides the white horse. If it wasn't for a lawsuit it would have been fun to see Disney's Bambi make a guest appearance -maybe giving out BJ's for salt rocks-, as it is I wonder if any other animal characters will make an appearance. of course all the [censored] stuff is way over the top, but it just adds to the effect. Panel 1 on screen 7 shows Penguin in full own coked up orgy mode, and was a stand out. No this comic ain't for everybody. Amongst all the over the top elements, don't lose sight of the good design, or poking some fun at the way the news is done today.
Some nifty examples from the comic to show you what I mean
I really like to way we still got some backgrounds in the panels on screens 4, 2, and 1. In the second panel of screen 1 stick hockey player actually takes a shot. I liked this better than just splashing some color around filter all style.
Two reporters were talking about twenty soldiers died today, but let's go to more important news: the Penguins number one movie at the box office, this was a funny line. It was also a spot on condemnation of the way TV news does things every night, it was funny, sad, and true. The comic ends with Penguin talking to someone who looks like Jay Leno, on a set that looks like the Tonight Show. Penguin is asked how he feels about being named the sexiest man alive? His response: I'm not a man, I'm a [bleep!] penguin! Screens 6 and 7 are proof enough of that.
Lost in a sea of the's
Why do Zuda creator's keep putting the word 'the' in the title of their comic. You know how hard it can be to find comics now on site, and the ton of 'the' comics your going to have to get in line with? If it was with the R's it would be later in the alphabet, but easier to find. Again this comic is not for everyone at Zuda and doesn't have to be. Do a comic you really enjoy doing, and hope you find a fan base out there. If you finish at the bottom of the pack you still did what you wanted to do. So congrats to Harry Pujols for not making it a zombie penguin in hopes of having a better chance to win. What the fuck! [see it is funnier bleeped], I changed my grade here to 4/5 stars and a fav, just for the fact I would read this reguarly if it won.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Intergalactic Law: Grey Squad Zuda review/ Pink Raygun goes ZZZAAPPP!
Another April Zuda review: Intergalactic Law: Grey Squad by Lisa Fray and John Dallaire , which is a spin off of their Intergalactic Law comic on Pink Raygun If you haven't checked out Pink Raygun WTF is wrong with you??? The two strips share a universe and are crossing over all month so you should check it out. John also works on BCB, and did Lasers, Dragons, and Lies with John Zakour A track record of impressive work this comic is no different. Here is the Synopsis: Detective Janet Moore from the elite Green Squad is transferred to Grey Squad: a sleepy, out of the way precinct where old cops wait to retire and the most notorious criminal is an unrepentant jaywalker. Most of the old timers of Grey Squad are suspicious of this hot, young, cybernetic whippersnapper in their midst and are openly hostile about her unwelcome presence. However, Moore is a professional and enforces the law to the best of her ability, despite her co-workers’ misgivings. While Moore adjusts to life in the low-tech squad room (filing cabinets filled with. . . paper!), the slower pace of her colleagues (spontaneous. . . naps!), and the selectively lenient law enforcement practiced by Grey Squad’s Captain, she uncovers a web of corruption that threatens the safety, the pensions, and digestive health of the entire department.
Mission Accomplished
It got 4/5 stars and a fav from me, I enjoyed the art/writing/letters/colors everything really, it's that good. I really appreciate the creators are very straight forward in how they see their comic updating. A screen a week, the 8 screens in this submission are set up as stand alone, but they still move the story forward. It's a fish out of water set-up for Janet which is a classic humor theme for a reason -it's funny. having the Head cop's mom arrested for being a drug dealer by a spider cop, Her son wanting to buy some heart pills as a prize for another of his agents, and Janet's reactions are all laugh out loud (how many times in your life have you seen someone type out LOL) funny. Lisa and John had an idea for the structure of their story and they pulled it off from screen 1 on. The script is spot on, and the art works so well for this story, reminds me of Steve 'The Dude' Rude's work on Nexus. Meaning alien life forms are believable and not too alien, good facial expressions so you get the sight gags aspect, and the art is clean and easy to follow. My favorite panel is panel 5 on Screen 2 -love the colors here. It's easy to read as can be, great call on the letters, -no letter by letter zooming needed- thank you, thank you, thank you! I also liked the glowing drawer as a Pulp Fiction/Repo Man style homage. I have a feeling what's in it will come up again. Got a mystery hook by screen 2, love the pacing on this story.
Not only humor but Pathos
It's not all laughs though, their are hints of some more serious issues in the story. Cyborg new breed cops replacing the old cops on the beat, and the ill feelings that breeds. The closing line on Screen 4: "Maybe Janet is just a good cop. Like we used to be." -was a stand out to me, really effective on Lisa's part. Course in the next screen Janet ends up looking over eager... Whatever direction this comic is going in is cool with me, but I wouldn't mind one bit if it came down with a case of Cerebus syndrome. Assuming the spider cop doesn't go crazy and try to eat everyone, that character is my favorite. I also like the green alien guy. The Captain talking to his drug dealing mother was funny, but made me wonder what kind of interpersonal family dynamic is going on there. The way the story ends both the Captain and Janet place each other under arrest, it showed real anger from the characters and was also a funny line. The synopsis also ends on a hint of more serious things to come and Janet being given the chance to really prove herself. The script did have so many funny moments that mixed well with the drama, and I'm a lot tougher on humor comics cause that ain't my go to genre of choice.
Some nifty examples from the comic to show you what I mean
"That's it! Bend over! I'm looking for a on/off switch!" said to robo-cop Janet.
"Oh and bring my mother in from the cage." The Captain about his drug dealing mom.
"What's a code two?" -from Janet to Tulla- "unscooped dog poop."
"I'll be out in time for bridge right." Drug dealing mom strikes again.
Damn funny and you have 8 screens worth of that.
Avengers roll call: their was a reason for it
Small criticism: I would have liked a run down of all the characters names and maybe a short description in the Synopsis -just to make it easier to know who I'm talking about. I know most everybody got a mention in the script, -but I like lists. I would also like to see some other aspects of the station, if not other locations, if the comic continues.
Read this comic you interstellar piker
The creators did a really impressive job, I laughed at a humor comic which doesn't happen often, and you had some great character development in the 8 screens. Art and story worked together seamlessly which is another rare thing that when seen should be appreciated.
Mission Accomplished
It got 4/5 stars and a fav from me, I enjoyed the art/writing/letters/colors everything really, it's that good. I really appreciate the creators are very straight forward in how they see their comic updating. A screen a week, the 8 screens in this submission are set up as stand alone, but they still move the story forward. It's a fish out of water set-up for Janet which is a classic humor theme for a reason -it's funny. having the Head cop's mom arrested for being a drug dealer by a spider cop, Her son wanting to buy some heart pills as a prize for another of his agents, and Janet's reactions are all laugh out loud (how many times in your life have you seen someone type out LOL) funny. Lisa and John had an idea for the structure of their story and they pulled it off from screen 1 on. The script is spot on, and the art works so well for this story, reminds me of Steve 'The Dude' Rude's work on Nexus. Meaning alien life forms are believable and not too alien, good facial expressions so you get the sight gags aspect, and the art is clean and easy to follow. My favorite panel is panel 5 on Screen 2 -love the colors here. It's easy to read as can be, great call on the letters, -no letter by letter zooming needed- thank you, thank you, thank you! I also liked the glowing drawer as a Pulp Fiction/Repo Man style homage. I have a feeling what's in it will come up again. Got a mystery hook by screen 2, love the pacing on this story.
Not only humor but Pathos
It's not all laughs though, their are hints of some more serious issues in the story. Cyborg new breed cops replacing the old cops on the beat, and the ill feelings that breeds. The closing line on Screen 4: "Maybe Janet is just a good cop. Like we used to be." -was a stand out to me, really effective on Lisa's part. Course in the next screen Janet ends up looking over eager... Whatever direction this comic is going in is cool with me, but I wouldn't mind one bit if it came down with a case of Cerebus syndrome. Assuming the spider cop doesn't go crazy and try to eat everyone, that character is my favorite. I also like the green alien guy. The Captain talking to his drug dealing mother was funny, but made me wonder what kind of interpersonal family dynamic is going on there. The way the story ends both the Captain and Janet place each other under arrest, it showed real anger from the characters and was also a funny line. The synopsis also ends on a hint of more serious things to come and Janet being given the chance to really prove herself. The script did have so many funny moments that mixed well with the drama, and I'm a lot tougher on humor comics cause that ain't my go to genre of choice.
Some nifty examples from the comic to show you what I mean
"That's it! Bend over! I'm looking for a on/off switch!" said to robo-cop Janet.
"Oh and bring my mother in from the cage." The Captain about his drug dealing mom.
"What's a code two?" -from Janet to Tulla- "unscooped dog poop."
"I'll be out in time for bridge right." Drug dealing mom strikes again.
Damn funny and you have 8 screens worth of that.
Avengers roll call: their was a reason for it
Small criticism: I would have liked a run down of all the characters names and maybe a short description in the Synopsis -just to make it easier to know who I'm talking about. I know most everybody got a mention in the script, -but I like lists. I would also like to see some other aspects of the station, if not other locations, if the comic continues.
Read this comic you interstellar piker
The creators did a really impressive job, I laughed at a humor comic which doesn't happen often, and you had some great character development in the 8 screens. Art and story worked together seamlessly which is another rare thing that when seen should be appreciated.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Myth Zuda review/ Out of the Bayou into the Dogwoods
The first April review is for the comic I'm voting for: Myth by Michael Loniewski, Marcom, and E.T. Dollman. I faved it, 5/5 stars, and voted for it (for keeps) the first day of the contest. In other words get ready for lots and lots of fawning praise. You do like fawning don't you?
Here is the synopsis: After years of battling a wicked headmistress, young Sam has escaped his orphanage for a life far from adults. What he finds instead is a fallen kingdom of fantasy hidden in a nearby forest. Within the bizarre landscape Sam finds the perfect sidekick for justice in a solitary giant. Armed with his massive new friend, Sam heads out to rescue his fellow orphans and punish their cruel headmistress once and for all. But when the town’s children begin to disappear, the boy and his giant must battle something far more sinister.
So their is this poor child who wanders into a fantasy kingdom...
Bayou is about a young girl in a horrible situation, Myth is about a young boy in a horrible situation. Bayou is in 'cool as hell' color, Myth is in 'cool as hell' black and white and gray. Bayou deals with racism along with other themes, Myth seems to be dealing with child abuse in general, it's too early yet to gauge to rest of the themes in the comic. My comment: I like Batman and Moon-Knight. In other words two stories in the same genre can go in radically different directions, I hope Myth wins so I can read for myself what direction it goes in.
The idea the creators thought about coloring this comic scares the shit out of me!
I love the artwork as is!!! It is the first thing that drew me to the story the layout's reminded me of Frank Miller. Myth's creators gave a fantasy story a bit of a noir look which worked so damn well. From the first panel on the first screen they set the mood with the art and the words. Making full use of the B&W&G again in the first panel of screen 3, so very impressive. Normally I'm the one yelling color your comic, it's a rare case when not coloring is the better way to get my vote. This is one of those exceptional reads that proves the rule. Color would have diminished the impact of the scenes for me. The stark white backdrops is more dread inducing for me than any kind of scary forest colors you might have came up with. The art reminds me some of Dan Thompson or Sunday funnies style (think Little Orphan Annie) comic artists as well. You also have to give the writer credit for his excellent pacing in the 8 screens he had to work with. They talk about 'the woods' on screen 2 and our young hero Sam is trekking off into the undiscovered country by screen 3. In some of the writing styles on Zuda in the past we wouldn't have seen 'the woods' by screen 9. Meaning of course we the readers wouldn't have gotten even the tiniest bit of payoff by the end of the comic. It's like someone wrote a book about all the things not to do with your 8 screen submission, and the Myth gang didn't make a misstep, not once. The arts great, and after the bold you can read how good the writing is, but the letters are very good too. E.T. did a fine job making them easy to read in any screen mode, and a font that didn't distract from the story.
P.S. I love silhouettes, and big scary monsters so that was the cherry on top for me.
Some nifty examples from the comic to show you what I mean
You've already read plenty of praise for the art, but how about some praise for the script/ and the letters. Everyone who's read just about any of my comments know I hate text boxes. I especially hate thought balloons that try to pass themselves off as text boxes. The only exceptions are when it fits the story, is very well written, and isn't over done. Case in point the text on screen's 3 and 4 were particularly well written. The reader gets hints (everybody loves foreshadowing) at more supernatural elements to come with the line "other than the weird lines on those rocks".
I have no idea what the line "Babies" was in reference to though???
E.T. did a great job with Chewbacca's new more masculine wookie Growl. I also liked the question mark and other thought punctuations used for Sam. Macrom of course did a great design job on the monster.
Where this comic really shines is the pacing: panels 6, 7, and 8, are fantastic in building the suspense of the story into a cliff-hanger ending. The creators really did well in mixing up the panel count/screen layout for the most impact to grab a reader. Michael did a fantastic job (and marcom & E.T.) of making the script a perfect fit for the Zuda format. To end with a P.O.V. shot from Chewie's perspective was just icing on the cake, extra sprinkles for the ice cream, and all other complimentary cliches are fitting, and deserved.
Cool as hell is my highest form of praise
That's just what this comic is from start to finish. Normally I talk about the things I dislike too, but 5/5 stars and a vote on the first day/ first read through. Nothing critical for me to say about this comic. Your up there with The Crooked Man (longtime Zudites know how I feel about that comic) and Dual with me. If you don't win you will be on my Zuda Invitational 2009 list, assuming of course Zuda has that contest again, which they should. I always tell people who I'm voting for, so thanks guys for the Avatar to let people know who has my support before a word needs to be typed.
Here is the synopsis: After years of battling a wicked headmistress, young Sam has escaped his orphanage for a life far from adults. What he finds instead is a fallen kingdom of fantasy hidden in a nearby forest. Within the bizarre landscape Sam finds the perfect sidekick for justice in a solitary giant. Armed with his massive new friend, Sam heads out to rescue his fellow orphans and punish their cruel headmistress once and for all. But when the town’s children begin to disappear, the boy and his giant must battle something far more sinister.
So their is this poor child who wanders into a fantasy kingdom...
Bayou is about a young girl in a horrible situation, Myth is about a young boy in a horrible situation. Bayou is in 'cool as hell' color, Myth is in 'cool as hell' black and white and gray. Bayou deals with racism along with other themes, Myth seems to be dealing with child abuse in general, it's too early yet to gauge to rest of the themes in the comic. My comment: I like Batman and Moon-Knight. In other words two stories in the same genre can go in radically different directions, I hope Myth wins so I can read for myself what direction it goes in.
The idea the creators thought about coloring this comic scares the shit out of me!
I love the artwork as is!!! It is the first thing that drew me to the story the layout's reminded me of Frank Miller. Myth's creators gave a fantasy story a bit of a noir look which worked so damn well. From the first panel on the first screen they set the mood with the art and the words. Making full use of the B&W&G again in the first panel of screen 3, so very impressive. Normally I'm the one yelling color your comic, it's a rare case when not coloring is the better way to get my vote. This is one of those exceptional reads that proves the rule. Color would have diminished the impact of the scenes for me. The stark white backdrops is more dread inducing for me than any kind of scary forest colors you might have came up with. The art reminds me some of Dan Thompson or Sunday funnies style (think Little Orphan Annie) comic artists as well. You also have to give the writer credit for his excellent pacing in the 8 screens he had to work with. They talk about 'the woods' on screen 2 and our young hero Sam is trekking off into the undiscovered country by screen 3. In some of the writing styles on Zuda in the past we wouldn't have seen 'the woods' by screen 9. Meaning of course we the readers wouldn't have gotten even the tiniest bit of payoff by the end of the comic. It's like someone wrote a book about all the things not to do with your 8 screen submission, and the Myth gang didn't make a misstep, not once. The arts great, and after the bold you can read how good the writing is, but the letters are very good too. E.T. did a fine job making them easy to read in any screen mode, and a font that didn't distract from the story.
P.S. I love silhouettes, and big scary monsters so that was the cherry on top for me.
Some nifty examples from the comic to show you what I mean
You've already read plenty of praise for the art, but how about some praise for the script/ and the letters. Everyone who's read just about any of my comments know I hate text boxes. I especially hate thought balloons that try to pass themselves off as text boxes. The only exceptions are when it fits the story, is very well written, and isn't over done. Case in point the text on screen's 3 and 4 were particularly well written. The reader gets hints (everybody loves foreshadowing) at more supernatural elements to come with the line "other than the weird lines on those rocks".
I have no idea what the line "Babies" was in reference to though???
E.T. did a great job with Chewbacca's new more masculine wookie Growl. I also liked the question mark and other thought punctuations used for Sam. Macrom of course did a great design job on the monster.
Where this comic really shines is the pacing: panels 6, 7, and 8, are fantastic in building the suspense of the story into a cliff-hanger ending. The creators really did well in mixing up the panel count/screen layout for the most impact to grab a reader. Michael did a fantastic job (and marcom & E.T.) of making the script a perfect fit for the Zuda format. To end with a P.O.V. shot from Chewie's perspective was just icing on the cake, extra sprinkles for the ice cream, and all other complimentary cliches are fitting, and deserved.
Cool as hell is my highest form of praise
That's just what this comic is from start to finish. Normally I talk about the things I dislike too, but 5/5 stars and a vote on the first day/ first read through. Nothing critical for me to say about this comic. Your up there with The Crooked Man (longtime Zudites know how I feel about that comic) and Dual with me. If you don't win you will be on my Zuda Invitational 2009 list, assuming of course Zuda has that contest again, which they should. I always tell people who I'm voting for, so thanks guys for the Avatar to let people know who has my support before a word needs to be typed.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Zuda 52: Deadly/ Rock the Zuda vote!
Zuda 52 is a new blog feature that may or may not live past this post. Basically it's about what I hope to see from the next 52 screens of the latest winner of the contest. With Deadly by James Fosdike which I voted for it's pretty much a repeat of my early post about this comic, along with some general comments on the controversy which seems to envelope at least one comments section every month. My major complaint about the comic is still the same more panels per screen and better formatting to cut down on the blank black void. I have no doubt Fozzie will add to the panel count, and continue to kick ass with this comic. You often wonder when your reading the 8 screen pitch what comes next? The Foz had a very engrossing set-up apoco-wasteland genre, while it being set in Australia gives it a nice mysterious/foreign cache to readers in the States. I think from his comments the story is only going to build with the word count, and as the weeks go by the art will only become more impressive.
White stars shinning so bright
You have to be awed by the get out the vote campaign for both this comic and Children of Armegeddon. Of course at least one comic a month gets caught in a mini-fire storm, last month Deadly through no fault of its own also got that distinction. Their seem to be two worries in the main: 1. creators (and friends) voting more than once for a comic 2. Just how/who counts the votes anyway? I trust the Zuda folks more than some, so I have confidence they would catch any vote fraud done against the site. I also trust them to go by their secret formula whatever that may be in figuring out who a winner is.
Could the Wizard of OZ please show us some ankle
[no reference intended to the land down under] What I mean is I get for any number of reasons the Zuda folks don't want to make the vote counts public. I say keep standing behind the green curtain (not a green door hopefully), but just give us a peak inside maybe.The problem I have is I think the number of votes should decide the contest flat out. Never mind adding in stars/favs/number of comments/views and going through all the metrics -unless you need to go in search of a tie breaker. Keep things as simple as possible is generally the best way to go in any voting situation.
The legalease on the sight doesn't really let the light shine in, American English or everybody else's English with all those extra letters would be more helpful. I know legal probably insists it has to be worded just so, but goggle translate doesn't work on lawyer speak yet. I wish I knew it was just votes deciding this unless their is a tie, but their is going to be a veil around the voting process I think people will just need to deal with in one manner, or another. I don't blame the folks who are more dubious than I am either, everyone needs someone to hold their feet to the fire.
Have you ever... you know... done it.....
Talking about the feedback button here people. If you have any questions/concerns about view counts/ vote counts/ general Zuda questions/ concerns about the appropriateness of a post -click on a feedback button. In the early days some thought the Zuda Illuminati didn't even read those things. All this time after the start, I've had any number of responses from the Zuda folks to my feedback. You don't always get the answers your looking for, but it means something to know that do pay some attention to what fans are thinking/questioning. Before we go acting like Hercule Poirot in the big final denouncement scene in the comments section of someone else's comic, try the feedback button first.
In closing:
OZZIE OZZIE OZZIE OY OY OY
Or however it goes, looking forward to Deadly going live Foz.
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