#587: "Thirsty. Tired. Die."

[Kurosen]

The panel layout for this one was much easier to construct in my head than on the screen. I think it came together rather well in the end, especially considering how the word bubbles came out on the first pass.

Basically, when I make an episode of 8BT, I start by writing the script. I've been doing this long enough that I can generally shape the script to the layout I have in mind or come up with a layout based on the script. Usually it's a little of both.

Anyway, once the script is done I'll paste the lines of dialogue onto a blank page. That's where I format them for the word bubbles and get a more precise idea about how the page's space will be used. Once all the lines of dialogue are pasted, shaped, and arranged, I go back through and give them their white balloons so they're easier to see against the backgrounds of the panels that will be going in next. This also helps to give an even clearer picture of how the page's space will be used since the bubbles themselves are slightly bigger than the lines of dialogue.

The first run of the dialogue in this comic was hell. See, occasionally, the "perfect" wording for a line makes an ass-ugly word bubble. I can fix it by changing the wording a bit. This comic was the first one where every line of dialogue made an ugly word bubble. Luckily, I'd gotten an idea of how the whole page flowed at the white-balloon stage, so that made it much easier to change each line of dialogue without losing the intended meaning. Really, I think several lines were strengthened by the changes.

And all of this might make a little more sense in 30 minutes when the comic updates.

[The Fifth Power]

What an interesting probe into the making of 8 bit.

[Loyal]

What DOES RM mean by the constant use of "probing"? o_O;;

At any rate, all that needs to be explained now is why Ranger and Berserker aren't doing their absolute damndest to destroy the Light Warriors, having seen the newspaper article that CLEARLY shows the LWs as the true destroyers of Dwarfland... Hmm...

[PsychicKid]

Berserker's random spouts of 3-worded strings of slightly offensive words are always great. The comic didn't have me laughing out loud like the last one (ENGAGE AND ROLLOUT!), but it gave me a good chuckle.

Sounds like you went through hell making the wording or whatever it is you were talking about. Heh.

[Carnivore]

The light warriors don't have beards, whereas the guys in the article clearly do.

[MetalPsycho]

I'm afraid I don't understand quite clearly what BM ment by "hasn't happened yet". I'm pretty sure dwarfland was infact destroyed before that event.

If someone could explain it, I'd apreciate it.

[phil_]

Metal, there's a smaller article on the page that mentions a real-estate scam involving ocean-front property and a desert. That'd be what BM is talking about.

Also, Brian, you know we want to know what else is on that page. Hook us up so that we may probe the dwafland media.

[MetalPsycho]

Oh, sorry. I didn't see that. I appreciate it.

I'm pretty sure this "probe" fixation of Red Mages is the result of Thief's mind games again. He's so sneaky. =P

[Waterfall_robot]

I usually don't bother myself with being nice enough to post only positive content with pure praise, but I really enjoyed this comic for various reasons that I really couldn't be bothered to specify, although I do know what they are, specifically.

[Kurosen]

The double secret joke of this comic is the mini-article already mentioned. See, you'd have to really probe the comic to see it.

They need to just put me in jail where I can't hurt anyone.

'Cept I'd be probed there too!

ZING!

[PyrosNine]

You don't need to 'probe' to see the humor in this one. Though odds are we'll beat this horse dead quite quickly...

Wow, so that's how you make a kickass comic. Sometimes I wish I had the monetaries to have photoshop. And then some natural art talent, which I lack like the Dwarfland Desert lacks an ocean.

[Lumpy]

Metal, there's a smaller article on the page that mentions a real-estate scam involving ocean-front property and a desert. That'd be what BM is talking about.

Also, Brian, you know we want to know what else is on that page. Hook us up so that we may probe the dwafland media.

Why do the jokes have to be so subtle? Aw well, I'll check more closely next time.

[Tebor]

Good Lord, Black Mage's comment pointing out the factual error of the writer is PRICELESS. The probe jokes fell flat with me, but I was rolling around with that "Haven't happened yet" comment. GENIUS!!!

[videogamerz2000]

I just hope for future sake, the word 'Probe' from RM's vocab and the words 'Kill.Poop.Rape' from Berserkers are never put in the same sentence.
As for BM's insight on Time anomolies with past deaths and future real-estate, I'm surprised RM's brain didn't a-splode.
Oh, and the elves are NEVER to be blamed.

[Trixbeat]

But the dwarves blame the elves for everything! Which is strange when both Ranger and Berserker manages to keep together as a team.
I'm sure the news article probably means SOMETHING, but it's too blurred to read. I can only make out "Regardless of boundaries and regulations of what may become..."

[Cybren]

i was hoping I could have wittly mentioned the very thing BM did, suprising everyone with my keen observation.
Oh well, it seems I was beaten to the punch.
Or, to keep with the pattern, beaten to the probe

[CraC17]

But the dwarves blame the elves for everything! Which is strange when both Ranger and Berserker manages to keep together as a team.
I'm sure the news article probably means SOMETHING, but it's too blurred to read. I can only make out "Regardless of boundaries and regulations of what may become..."

Very good point: Why would a dwarf (Beserker) and an Elf (Ranger) ever team together for any reason other than to accompany the ringbearer to Mount Doom?

[Skyshot]

Thank god I wasn't drinking something when I read that last line. Although I knew it was coming from the strip title.

Best part was probably the quote in the thread title, though.

Incidentally, Ranger's a half-elf. That had to help somehow.

[Argonreality]

I'm interested in the caption for the picture in the paper. All I can make out is:

"Artist's rendition of the serial arsonists by -------- --------
Thank ------ he didn't fill the whole page up with nothing but ----
cocks. He is obsessed with man-genitals."


At least, I THINK that's what it says. Anyone else?

[shiney]

Scott(something) Ramsoomair. Probably edited to be more dwarfy.
The second blank is that dwarf god, I can't remember the name. Moria or something similar. Third blank no idea.

Edit: I was close!

[Kurosen]

Scottforge Ramsoobeard, actually. And Moridin.

[ZAKtheGeek]

Why DOES RM not stop with all the probing? Was it all just a large setup for a corny joke?

[Argonreality]

I thought his art style was familiar. He's responsible for "Vacation 2003: #3 Requiem for a Black Mage" (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=030827). My only guess for the last word would be "guy", as that first letter looks like a "G", and it would fit with the rest. Too bad the rest of the word is obscured by the panel with the Other Wariors.

On a semi related note, is the end result resolution the comic is in what Brian works with, or is there a higher resolution version only he has access to?


It seems I'm probing for secrets too... Scary...

[shiney]

There is a much higher res he works in, it gets small like that mostly due to compression. Though the quality difference isn't too disgusting in the end, he does a good job of keeping it presentable.

[Kurosen]

Well, it's not "high-res" so much as it is going from a PSD file (millions of colors) to a PNG file (couple hundred colors, maybe). Since most of the images in my comics come from a limited and shared color pallete the only things that really get "obscured" are the backgrounds. The newspaper is unreadable in PSD format as well, if that's what you were asking after.

[Argonreality]

That's exactly it, actually. It's lke you probed my mind. If only you could probe our pocketbooks by dangling a paid, high res version of 8-Bit Theatre in front us...


...And yes, that was an excuse to use more probe jokes (as was this).

[Red Fighter 1073]

did Scott do a panel for you?? because that drawing style with the newspaper is obviously his..

wow, RM is starting to get a little too sexual for me. still funny though. wow, i used to be innocent! if i had read that comic a while ago i wouldnt have known the meaning of the usage of "probe" in the comic, but now i know..Brian has messed with my mind! AHH!!!!! by the way, GTA made me do it..

[netrider6]

I loved this comic.

A) The reuse of the tshirt designs.
and
B) The miniscule detail of the the newspaper atricle that you just HAVE to go back and look at when BM mentions it.

[unumplurum]

What I can make out in the main article:

Recommendations on boundaries and regulations for what might become...will be in the hands of (random people) and the...by the end of March.

There are some other fragments, but it obviously has nothing to do with the title of the article. ;)

[PCD]

Very good point: Why would a dwarf (Beserker) and an Elf (Ranger) ever team together for any reason other than to accompany the ringbearer to Mount Doom?
As has been mentioned, Ranger is half elf. Also, Berserker is determined to be three dimentional, and therefore ditched the stereotypical dwarven characteristic of elven hate for a personality.

As for the comic, It was funny, but it took me several read-overs to get it, so sadly laughter was avoided. But I did love the re-use of the t-shirt designs and further Rogue-in-action.

Thirsty. Tired. Die.

[henke37]

Anybody that actualy can read the article about our belowed murder troup?
I can't, but realy would like too! So can somebody please post it as text?

[netrider6]

Anybody that actualy can read the article about our belowed murder troup?
I can't, but realy would like too! So can somebody please post it as text?
The caption is Brian thanking Scott from Vgcats for the pic.

[talse]

"real estate scame bankrupts dozens! cheap beachfront lots are actually desert wasteland!" thats what's below the picture, no ones mentioned it, i just felt like saying it.

do you get the feeling that all the guys rouge knows are himself?

[henke37]

The text I was talking about is the one not posted here(that one about our troup). But thanks for posting everything else.(not sarcasm)

[invinible]

I wonder if the 1 or more writers for that newspaper are time travelers or if the bench front desert sceme was being pulled for some time there.