The Dreadful -- Chapter 12: James

[MSperoni]

243 (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2013/11/01/the-dreadful-243/)


This was formerly the Halloween Special but after some changes it became the opening scene to Chapter 12.


Now you all probably know why I needed to change the style and make it so Liz didn't look like an anime 12 year old.

[phil_]

Well, that was different. I'm not sure it would've made a good Halloween special, but it should make an interesting story.

[MSperoni]

I tried coming up with a typical Halloween Special, but I couldn't think of anything that didn't come across as filler or a stupid parody.

Also The Dreadful is full of undead horrors and demons and whatever else anyway, so there's not much to do to it that would make the Halloween Special stand out, at least not in the way people expect thanks to the modern idea of the holiday.

So I looked up a bunch of information about the origins of Halloween traditions, and went from there. Lighting of candles, eating little soulcakes, talking about lost/dead family members, etc.

This scene here is probably more like what Halloween actually means than the previous one, really.

[epcharles]

In the middle of the last line for Liz, it is distinctly missing a "no" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XXgE9Preu8).

[MSperoni]

I actually had that written in the script and then I took it out because I realized how tone-killing it was :)

[SaltyKracka]

I go trick-or-treating at one of my favorite webcomics, and all I get is feels and reveals?

What a gyp!

[MSperoni]

I actually think it turned out pretty well, personally :P

It was a lot better than some of the other stuff I had, and I didn't want to do a comic that felt like filler.

(also remember this is Chapter 12, not a Halloween Special, and so it might be setting up for crazier stuff to come)

[phil_]

(also remember this is Chapter 12, not a Halloween Special, and so it might be setting up for crazier stuff to come)You write that like all the specials aren't canon. We know better, Speroni.

[MSperoni]

Yeah, I guess that's true.

I suppose the difference between this and the others is that this is an actual start of a chapter and is going to segue into the main story, rather than being a short aside.

[epcharles]

Tone killing depends on what happens next... A holster-wearing, fast-talking, ghost-killing Venkman with a thing for Pinkies wouldn't be too out of place in this universe. ;- )

[MSperoni]

I have a number of ideas where this scene could go, but I don't know how long I should keep focused on a flashback.

Do you all like extended flashbacks or do you prefer your stories to stick to the present and keep moving forward?

I don't read enough books/comics to know what's popular in that regard. I wanna do a good job with the story, but I also want to make it entertaining for readers.

[SaltyKracka]

Speaking pacing-wise, I generally prefer my flashbacks to be either brief interludes (1-2 pages at most) or entire chapters (not of backstory. Flashbacks are at their best when they're used for dramatic irony or reveals)

[Taioko]

As someone who reads this comic and happens to usually enjoy it, I'd like to say that the last page was excellent. And, I'm glad you removed the "no" from the last line, but maybe that's just because I wanted to take the moment seriously. It definitely packed a lot more punch without the "no" to snap me out of it. To be quite honest, I didn't even realize the reference 'til seeing it pointed out here.

And I think that's a good thing!

So, yeah, this was good. I don't like Poe's face in the third-to-last panel, as it kind of bugs me in ways I am unable to put into words, but I think I understand what it was intended as either way.

Thanks for the comic! I'll continue looking forward to more.

[MSperoni]

Speaking pacing-wise, I generally prefer my flashbacks to be either brief interludes (1-2 pages at most) or entire chapters (not of backstory. Flashbacks are at their best when they're used for dramatic irony or reveals)

Fortunately for you, this one is a little of all of that!



Thanks for the comic! I'll continue looking forward to more.

Good! Glad you like it! Dunno why Poe's face looks weird in that panel.

[tacticslion]

Dunno why Poe's face looks weird in that panel.

If you want some art analysis: it's too round (or seems too round to me), compared to the previous panels.

Previously her face was a little more... I dunno the word, but it was a little narrower and while "angular" is the wrong word, it was closer to being angular than the last panel.

I actually didn't notice the discrepancy until someone else pointed it out, but upon examining it, that's what it seems to be.

That extra bit of roundness combined with her hair makes it look a little too ball-like, I think.

But I could be wrong. :)

Regardless, you're doing a good job, man. Enjoy.

(Oh, and I hope you don't mind, but, in the name of non-Italian food puns on your name: "Ma~tt Peroni, the San Fransisco treat! Ding-ding!")

EDIT: for those unaware, it was from this thread (http://www.nuklearforums.com/showthread.php?p=1236018#post1236018) that food-puns came up. And, you know, I'm not actually altering his name this time! And he gets a catchy theme song! Go him!

And if he wants other non-food-pun-jokes:
~ He must be a boy with no arms and no legs in front of a door!
~ How much is a Matt? 'Cause we get one for each Japanese evil spirit!
~ I don't remember what the "S" stands for!
~ I'm really earning that "Dreadful" tag up there in multiple ways tonight!

(Serious: I really, really hope this doesn't bother you, Matt. If it does for real, just tell me to knock it off, and I will - I'll be glad to, in fact. And I'll be glad to edit and delete this stuff. Mostly, I'm just playing around in what's supposed to be a friendly way.)

[Red Mage Black]

For some reason, I thought Poe was Kit in the first few panels. Then I remembered that Kit keeps her hair a certain way that should make her easily distinguishable from her sister.

I also did a google search earlier and apparently The Dreadful has it's own TVTropes page. I'm unsure of whether or not this is a good thing. Someone is also keeping it up, because they have up to the point before 'this' particular page in what they're pointing out.

[epcharles]

Speaking only for myself... so far the flashback seems like it is relevant to the current plot... or at least certain key aspects of the current plot: tension between Kit and Liz, Poe as protector of Kit's feelings, lead up to Kit getting shot, etc. As long as that is the case, it just seems like more story, and not filler, which means it can be as long as it needs to.

Also, the pacing within the pages is very good, which makes it more engaging.

---------- Post added at 10:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:48 PM ----------

P.S. Relative to earlier comments about Poe's face:

http://charlespsychology.com/downloads/PoeFace.gif

[MSperoni]

I also did a google search earlier and apparently The Dreadful has it's own TVTropes page. I'm unsure of whether or not this is a good thing. Someone is also keeping it up, because they have up to the point before 'this' particular page in what they're pointing out.

Yup, I'm aware of the TVtropes page, I actually contribute in the forums! (I go by the name ExMile)




Serious: I really, really hope this doesn't bother you, Matt.

I don't mind being made fun of because most everyone gets made fun of. I hate the Italian food puns because they're not just insulting to me, but they're insulting to Italians. Which is to say, my Dad, my Grandpa, my Grandma, etc.

Imagine if we called a Mexican member on NPF "Roberto Burrito" or "Miguel Taco" or "Rosalita Chimichanga" etc.

It's dumb and I hate it and I'm tired of hearing it from people.

And before someone says "You're white you don't have room to get offended", I'll comment that when my great grandparents immigrated to this country and moved to where I live now, being Italian didn't put you on equal footing with a "white" person. It was a lot easier than being black, for sure, but the KKK would go after Italians/Catholics as well around here.

But apart from lame Italian food jokes...I'm okay with most anything else. I can ignore things that bother me pretty well. I'd probably ignore the Italian stuff too if not for the fact I frequent NPF like I do.


P.S. Relative to earlier comments about Poe's face:

http://charlespsychology.com/downloads/PoeFace.gif

Yeah she looks a bit different there. *shrugs*. Guess I was just in a hurry :)

[Taioko]

So, here's an idea: Try reading the last scene with the idea of Freud's id, ego and super-ego in mind.

I stopped and thought, "hey, it kind of works out well if you think of Kit as id, Liz as ego and Poe as superego." I'm not sure if those roles are necessarily well-poised to be extended into the comic at large, (or rather I do not believe they are able to be,) but for the duration of that page I think the roles work remarkably well.

Was this intentional?

Think about it! Kit comes in with a probably-alcoholic drink, is loud and boisterous as always, (id works well for Kit outside of this page really) and earlier is reported as... wellp, generally basic and instinctual, as always/usual.

Poe spends most of the page referring to the internalization of cultural rules, (something that wikipedia cites as important for the superego, and even though wikipedia shouldn't be used as much other than a springboard in a scholarly sense, for this I believe it is appropriate,) and she also spends time talking about parental units and spiritual topics and so forth, which are another few things important for the superego, while mentioning conflict with Liz (the id,) and acting as a somewhat caring and tender (somewhat parental) unit herself.

Liz, on the other hand, happens to be down-to-earth on this page and generally realistic, while moving between speaking with Poe (the superego,) and Liz, (the id,) briefly forcing herself to reconcile Liz's (the id's) desires with reality, (Jeanne's demanded plan,) and forcing them to work together for greater payoff in the longer run. (In the form of a successful heist.) And she speaks to both parties in the page, while Kit and Poe aren't shown having any dialogue. (thusly, the only relation between the two devilkin stated or shown upon the page is conflict, which suits our requirements as we could say that Liz is plausibly a mediator of sorts between the two of them, carrying Poe's spiritual message with her as she speaks to Kit.)

So yeah, I think this is kind of an interesting lens to view the page through, even if it's not flawless or academically perfect.

Cool, right?
I think it's cool.

[MSperoni]

So yeah, I think this is kind of an interesting lens to view the page through, even if it's not flawless or academically perfect.



I'm all for people looking at this comic through lenses and analyzing it! :)

[MSperoni]

244! (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2013/11/08/the-dreadful-244/)

Not convoluted in the slightest.

[Loyal]

I see intimate relationships with a dragon-god and a steady diet of rat tail soup have done wonderful things for her sanity over the years.

[MSperoni]

Glad you picked up on that :)

[Gillsing]

Interesting plot. And after rereading this latest update I realised/remembered that the shew stone is the same one that El Sabueso is using. That was so many updates ago. Like, five or so. My memories melt like ice cream in the desert. So I guess this is the introduction for this Kana woman whose job it is to do what needs to be done and never reveal to anyone why she's doing it, not even to the one who instructed her to do it? Fascinating. (Sounds like a great opportunity to be completely insufferable, whether she gloats or maintains her manners. Strangle, strangle, strangle...)

[MSperoni]

Kana has something to do with stuff later, but this scene is mostly concerned with fleshing out Umami's backstory a little bit. Why she came to America in search of the shew stone (which Sabueso has now) and stuff.

I have no idea what to call "Fantasy America" in The Dreadful. I hate coming up with fantasy names for places... Like, I just wanna call Texas "Texas" or Japan "Japan".

[tacticslion]

I don't mind being made fun of because most everyone gets made fun of.

Cool. So long as I'm not being offensive!

I'm not actually mocking you, so much as attempting to amuse you.

Other stuff.

Understood entirely.

[epcharles]

Huh... I didn't expect a return to the main plot line so quickly...

[Arhra]

Future-sight schemes are the best schemes.

Kana has something to do with stuff later, but this scene is mostly concerned with fleshing out Umami's backstory a little bit. Why she came to America in search of the shew stone (which Sabueso has now) and stuff.

I have no idea what to call "Fantasy America" in The Dreadful. I hate coming up with fantasy names for places... Like, I just wanna call Texas "Texas" or Japan "Japan".

AMERIMAGICA

[Intern Nin]

Could always just call it "Eagleland" or "Star Spanglia" or "Turtle Island" or simply "Western". Lady Toyama did say that James is a Westerner's name.

[tacticslion]

I'm totally okay with just "America" or "Japan".

Or, if you want to ape promote Pathfinder, you could say "Andoran" and "Tian-Xia"!

... that might not be entirely legal, though.

[MSperoni]

I actually thought about using Tianxia for "China" but I had no idea it was already used in Pathfinder.

I doubt the use of it would be illegal since it's a thing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianxia).

Though really I'd prefer to just use "China" for China. Perhaps go the Rockstar route and keep the name of the country/states but have the towns and cities be imaginary.

Like in Grand Theft Auto. It takes place in "America" but it's "Liberty City" instead of New York. Or Los Santos instead of Los Angeles. Etc.

[rpgdemon]

Honestly, I think you're fine setting it in the "real" world. It's America, but there are Devikin and zombies and what have you, right? Why not just call it America, but there are Devikin and zombies and what have you there.

[tacticslion]

Honestly, I think you're fine setting it in the "real" world. It's America, but there are Devikin and zombies and what have you, right? Why not just call it America, but there are Devikin and zombies and what have you there.

That was what I felt as well.

The other idea was just if you didn't want to do that.

Also, I meant more "Andoran" than the "Tian-Xia" on the potentially illegal infringement thing. I've never heard of Andoran outside of Pathfinder.

[MSperoni]

Well, I'm convinced, and since it's what I've been wanting to do this entire time, I'll simply call the country Kit lives in "The United States of America" and leave it at that.

Plus it'll be a lot easier doing spoofs. Because now I can have Right Wing crazies in the comic talk about the "Godless Chinese" or whatever and not have to trip myself up with captions trying to explain what race of people I'm referencing.

Though I've already mentioned a "Freedonia" in the comic (in the Big Eagle Beer advertisement), which is the name I had given to a city in fantasy Texas.

[MelodionxXx]

Just popping in to say how much I'm enjoying this. The story gets deeper and more interesting. How on Earth your going to tie this up boggles my mind =)

[Krylo]

Though I've already mentioned a "Freedonia" in the comic (in the Big Eagle Beer advertisement), which is the name I had given to a city in fantasy Texas.

Anytime I hear of a place that ends in donia, I can't help but think of this music video. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_sBOsh-vyI)

[MSperoni]

Page 245! (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2013/11/13/the-dreadful-245/)

I think this situation is going to get really complicated. The main question is: How did Sabueso get ahold of the shew stone?

Also there's the matter with Dewbreen and the Dryads and the knights.

And the range war.

And the zombie apocalypse.

And of course Kit vs Jeanne



Anytime I hear of a place that ends in donia, I can't help but think of this music video. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_sBOsh-vyI)

That's a cool video. I like that song too, though I gotta admit my first taste of it was via Guitar Hero. So I'm really not a very cool person.

[SaltyKracka]

Anytime I hear of a place that ends in donia, I can't help but think of this music video. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_sBOsh-vyI)It's hard to forget clever kung-fu cowboys.

Also, that lady is crazy...

...Manipulative.

[Gillsing]

Knights of Cydonia is awesome. :dance:

Because now I can have Right Wing crazies in the comic talk about the "Godless Chinese" or whatever and not have to trip myself up with captions trying to explain what race of people I'm referencing.
Back in those days, wasn't it mainly the left-wingers who were anti-Chinese, since workers did like the competition for jobs? :raise:

[MSperoni]

Yeah, the political ideology of the two main United States parties was sorta flipped back then.

Kind of. It's not something I've spent a lot of time researching actually.

[epcharles]

Re politics "Conservative" should mean, keeping whatever is already there, and "Progressive" should mean moving forward. Hence, before there is social security, that is a progressive idea that the conservatives don't like. Once there has been social security for a sufficient amount of time, leaving it alone is a conservative idea, and changing/reforming it is a progressive idea. Ditto anything else in politics.

(I'll leave Liberal out of it, cause that's a whole different can of worms.)

---------- Post added at 07:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:04 PM ----------

Re Dreadful:
You know, if I could see the future, and do things to change it based on what I had seen, and my sole purpose was to stop a small object from being stolen... I really would like to think I'd be better at not getting it stolen.

Just sayin'
.

[MSperoni]

Re Dreadful:
You know, if I could see the future, and do things to change it based on what I had seen, and my sole purpose was to stop a small object from being stolen... I really would like to think I'd be better at not getting it stolen.



You'd think...

[MSperoni]

246! (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2013/11/27/the-dreadful-246/)

Who's overreacting?

[SaltyKracka]

Yes. Kill the your connection to the law enforcement group in a fit of pique.

That's sure to show Kit.

[Spinell]

Is that in the last panel the robot of the child rescue story? Guess someone else is out for revenge too. :D

[MSperoni]

Yup, somehow the Robo Kid survived and is out for...something.

He also appeared briefly (sorta) on page 227 (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2013/07/10/the-dreadful-227/).

[MSperoni]

247! (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2013/12/04/the-dreadful-247/)

The plot thickens. Then again, this entire comic is nothing but plot. Even if it doesn't seem like it right away.

[epcharles]

Damn right the plot thickens... Who the hell is that horse he's riding?!?

.

[MSperoni]

It's the horse the JDA guy had before Sabueso killed him. It doesn't have a name though. It's just some regular horse, though it looks a little worn out and annoyed.

I always try to give the horses character.

[tacticslion]

It's the horse the JDA guy had before Sabueso killed him. It doesn't have a name though. It's just some regular horse, though it looks a little worn out and annoyed.

I always try to give the horses character.

So you're saying that he's been through the desert on a horse with no name (http://youtu.be/zSAJ0l4OBHM?t=2m50s)?

[SaltyKracka]

Reveals!

[MSperoni]

Indeed! I'm trying to get the comic moving a long a bit more, or at least feeling that way. It's hard though. I started a lot of stuff thinking the comic would become some big cool thing on the interwebs and it'd last for years n' years n' years (like 8-bit). Wishful thinking, for sure.

Anyway, looking back on things I probably should've paid less attention to making it famous* and focused more on keeping the story nice and simple. I've dug a bunch of holes and it seems most of my script work these days involves me digging my way out of them.

Interest in the comic doesn't seem very high, and I'm not really in the mood to fight it anymore. I'm mainly working right now to "finish" the comic as strongly as possible. It'll be easier to walk away from it then!

It's definitely been a learning experience.

*Like, I'd always think "Will readers like this? Should I do this instead?" and end up overcompensating and doing things I may not have done otherwise. I've always tried to do as good of a job as possible, but I'm definitely way too influenced by what people say (or don't say). Gonna try to change that.

[Krylo]

Yeah, ignore what the audience says and make the story you want to make how you want to make it.

Trying to cater to the masses usually just ends up making something that feels lacking in both direction and passion. While writing the story you have a passion to tell allows people to share in that passion.

If that makes sense.

I mean I'm not a professional author or anything, but it's what I've seen and what I've felt in what amateur hour shit I have done.

Edit: Also I'm a bit surprised that I haven't heard about it anywhere else, as the Dreadful is very good. I'd rank it up there with a lot of the other webcomics that people tend to gravitate towards, though it's hard to make direct comparisons between artistic works and their quality as it's all very subjective. I mean, I can't say it has the same je ne sais quois of Gunnerkrigg Court or the adorableness of Cucumber Quest, but it does have fantastic art, a solid western story, and great characters, and, I'd say, is at least as good as, if not better than (personally, I like it much better, but trying to stay as objective as possible), things like Order of the Stick and Erfworld that the internet seems to love so much.

[Arhra]

Really? That's a shame, it feels like things are really starting to come together for the Dreadful.

[MSperoni]

Well I'm not going to end it right this second or anything. It'll be awhile yet. I don't want things to feel rushed or forced.

And who knows? If it looks like it's gonna end up being a big hit and/or I can make money off of it I might keep it going. I'll do that on its own website though. I think that would benefit it a lot.

No matter how good it is, while it's here, it will never get out of the shadow of 8-bit.


Trying to cater to the masses usually just ends up making something that feels lacking in both direction and passion.

Yeah. I feel like I'm trying to do it all. Like I want to do it my way, but I want everyone to enjoy it, and I want it to be popular, but I want it to be super unique and stuff. So I end up throwing in a little of this and a little of that and next thing I know I'm 10 pages into a tangent and I have to do 10 more pages to get myself out of it.

[Gillsing]

:aaa: ARRGH!!! Why does Kit keep getting sidetracked?!

So that's why... Well, Red Mage would explain it as Kit needing the XP from side quests to be able to beat Jeanne Noelle. :dance:

I'm pretty sure that trying to cater to everyone is what mainstream media is already doing, and that sounds like a tough beast to compete with. Certainly seems much better to stick to your own guns and hope that people will like your stuff. It might not work out, but the chance should be a lot higher than trying to do big media stuff with a tiny budget.

[tacticslion]

I... you... wha-... HUH?!?!

[MSperoni]

Page 248! (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2013/12/11/the-dreadful-248/)

Enter Shichiko and Hachiko.

Don't fuck with them.

[Kalbelgarion]

I'm beginning to question the plausibility of some things in this comic.

[MSperoni]

Was there ever anything plausible about this comic?

[epcharles]

I was just wondering... Can we get some more high-powered villains? There really aren't enough high-powered villains.

[MSperoni]

Kit and crew have their hands full, for sure.

[tacticslion]

I responded to your comic before you posted about it! For the record, my response stands:

I... you... wha-... HUH?!?!

[Gillsing]

Enter Shichiko and Hachiko.

Don't fuck with them.
Why not? They don't seem to discriminate between people fucking with them and people not fucking with them. I say, don't be anywhere near them. :eek:

[MSperoni]

Yeah, it's probably not a good idea to talk to or look at those two.

Though I think between the two, Hachiko (Selphie) would be the more approachable.

[SaltyKracka]

You gave fucking Yuffie laser beam eyes.

What has Authorship wrought?!

[BigDemonicBunny]

They really need to work on their people skills.
Well, obviously not their people murder skills, but definitely the rest of them.

[Lord-of-Filing]

She's right though. In America, especially in the Midwest, people fall and their heads just come right off. It's an epidemic.

Here in Indianapolis we have a branch of the sanitation department that is devoted to just sweeping up heads with push brooms.

[epcharles]

They really need to work on their people skills.
Well, obviously not their people murder skills, but definitely the rest of them.

I beg to differ. Given their clear level of people murdering skills, they probably have little need to work on improving any of the others. ;- )

[Moosh]

I have to say I was enjoying the comic up until the introduction of ninjas. Then it was iffy until the two super-ninjas showed up. So much for the western motif? Going full-on DBZ now with the villains it seems.

Where is this comic going? The plot seems pretty incoherent.

Not trying to just bash on it, genuinely mystified where this train is headed. Not in a "I can't wait to find out what happens next" way either. More of a "not sure if I should keep reading this" feeling.

[MSperoni]

Keep reading! It'll all tie up in the end. Trust me! The way the comic is updated makes it seem like we're spending a lot more time on one aspect of the story than we really are. The ninja have only been around for a handful of pages, so to say they've taken over the comic and hijacked the genre isn't really true.


Also what part of what's going on is incoherent? Maybe I can smooth things over.

[Moosh]

It starts out well enough. You have Kit seeking revenge on Jeanne for (maybe?) having her shot, then getting involved with Liz against Burke, which sets the general tone of the comic (Western theme combined with DnD elements). The Dreadful is displayed, raising the mystery of who/what Kit actually is. Boozeloaf enters as an amusing supporting character, and Erin gives Liz a reason to go after Jeanne as well. Add the contention between Kit and Liz over Poe, and the mystery of what Jeanne is actually up to, and you have the start of an excellent and interesting story.

But then it seems like new ingredients keep getting added to the soup ad nauseum.

Erin is resurrected by what was throwaway gag about fairies in bottles. The Angel Arm Dreadful is shown to cause its victims to turn into monstrous zombie-like creatures. Jeanne turns out to have DBZ-like fighting abilities (complete with Freiza Finger Lasers). Sabueso ends up being more than just a joke character in one of the advertisements. Boozeloaf is revealed to be some kind of secret agent working for a group of knights. Kit gets captured by people working for some spriggans from Skyrim. Sabueso's horse is sapient, and an assassin. Then Ayane from Dead or Alive shows up, heralding the introduction of ninjas. A mysterious entity named "Dewbreen" is alluded to. Then we're treated to Sabueso's backstory with a Marvel/DC-esque parody superhero team. Ayane's horse is that one guy from Naruto. Kit is summoned by a random group of cultists, who happen to be about to kill one of the knights Boozeloaf is working for. Then the Shew Stone gets a backstory, complete with a confusing chronology. Then the robot (or a robot very much like the one) from Sabueso's backstory shows up mysteriously. And then more ninjas show up, with the ability to smack the skeleton right out of a person, and shoot lasers from their eyes.

There's not much sign of continuity for anything that gets introduced. It seems like new elements are constantly being added without really fleshing out the story potential of any one thread. Additionally, the theme of the story has kind of exploded into a "everything that is 'awesome'" rather than being focused on a western fantasy theme. The comic is a combination of action, a little drama, and comedy, but it's become difficult to take any one of these aspects of the comic seriously. The action went from gun-slingy to DBZ/Naruto pretty abruptly. The importance of the drama of Kit and Poe's relationship and hard lives is lost amid all the insane stuff that keeps happening. The comedy is becoming less apparent as the comic becomes more about super-powered violence.

It seems like the comic doesn't know what it wants to be, and is trying to be a whole lot of different things at the same time. Or maybe it started out knowing what it was, but has since been distracted from that goal, or simply didn't know how to get there and started exploring a lot of diversions. What I know is, as a reader, I was lured into the comic by the idea of a western fantasy, but am being turned off by the expansion into superheroes, ninjas, and the general devolvement into villains being superpowered murder machines.

In a western, you want a gun with plain old bullets to actually mean something, you know?

[MSperoni]

Gun and plain ol' bullets still mean something!

There is a lot of stuff that happens in this comic for sure. It's hard for me to focus on one thing because...I dunno, I guess that's just my nature.

I have a plan for everything though. It's just a matter of getting there. I have recently made a change to the way the story is structured, and that ought to keep it more focused.

Thanks for the feedback though! Hopefully you'll stick with the comic for a bit longer. :)

[Masterof7s]

I have to say I was enjoying the comic up until the introduction of ninjas. Then it was iffy until the two super-ninjas showed up. So much for the western motif?

Not sure I understand the problem. Do other cultures cease to exist in a western setting or something? I'm pretty sure there were plenty of Chinese immigrants in the old west (someone had to build those railroads) who brought there culture with them. Japanese and Korean immigrants followed soon after and I doubt they left their culture at home.

Same thing here. I see no reason why magic, DBZ powers, supernatural elements, and other things can't exist in the same place. The western motif is just a stage.

[MSperoni]

Japanese immigration to Texas was actually a thing in the early 1900s. They were trying to make money growing rice since the climate there was favorable for it. This was near Houston. Little communities sprang up and such.

If you look up Seito Saibara and Kichimatsu Kishi you will learn moooore!

[Moosh]

Not sure I understand the problem. Do other cultures cease to exist in a western setting or something? I'm pretty sure there were plenty of Chinese immigrants in the old west (someone had to build those railroads) who brought there culture with them. Japanese and Korean immigrants followed soon after and I doubt they left their culture at home.

Same thing here. I see no reason why magic, DBZ powers, supernatural elements, and other things can't exist in the same place. The western motif is just a stage.

Well, what you're saying is it makes sense, or rather it isn't unreasonable, for all of these things to be in the story. And that's not the argument I'm making. It's a work of fiction, and the creator can include whatever elements they want; there doesn't need to be justification for the inclusion of any given element other than the author's desire to include them.

Whether or not the inclusion of a given element is good for the narrative or overall quality of a story is another matter. A good story can be defined just as much by what it doesn't have as what it does have. Knowing the limitations of a character, or of a situation, allow for genuine tension to be built. When you make it clear that basically anything and everything could happen, it's difficult to create suspense or encourage the reader to become invested in a given character's predicament. There's a lot of potential for Deus Ex Machina if elements aren't handled carefully.

This is one of the reasons powerful characters are difficult to write for. A story about them resolving their conflicts with their naturally powerful abilities isn't particularly exciting, and tends to lead to an arms race with the villains. When your character can handle "mundane" problems like baddies with guns like its nothing to worry about, you're forced to send superpowered villains after them to present them a challenge. At that point it's very easy for the story to stop being about the characters and just turn into a "who's stronger" contest. There's not a lot of depth to be had in that kind of story, which can be unsatisfying, particularly when the narrative started out differently.

[Glabrezu]

@MSperoni: Without meaning disrespect to Moosh, I don't think you need to listen too much to what he said. He basically just restated what you've been saying several times in this thread, so he is being a mirror of what you already thought about.

By the way it's worth noting that when you say something about yourself or what you do, people are likely to take it at face value and agree, especially if it seems to put words on their intuitive perception.

Anyway since the concerns Moosh expresses are actually yours they ARE valuable up to a point, but I personally disagree completely, just like Masterof7s it seems, and certainly many others. I would guess that it's a matter of taste but also of how the reader first boarded the story.


I would take the opposite stance: I am glad and even grateful that The Dreadful's universe cannot be put in a defined category and is so unpredictable and mysterious. The comic is best read without preconceptions as it enables us to discover and understand an unusual but coherent universe as the story unrolls. That trait is shared with all of the all-times best pieces of fantasy and sci-fi, by the way. It brings pleasure beyond normal storytelling.

If you are having doubts and stuff regarding the value of your work, well, there is good in doubt, but it is just as important to pin down one's strengths and embrace them :)

[Moosh]

@MSperoni: Without meaning disrespect to Moosh, I don't think you need to listen too much to what he said. He basically just restated what you've been saying several times in this thread, so he is being a mirror of what you already thought about.

By the way it's worth noting that when you say something about yourself or what you do, people are likely to take it at face value and agree, especially if it seems to put words on their intuitive perception.

I have not read any of the previous contents of the thread, and am not influenced by anything MSperoni has said about his work. I entered only to express my own perspective. If my concerns line up with things MSperoni has expressed before, there may be something to them.

Anyway since the concerns Moosh expresses are actually yours they ARE valuable up to a point...

I suspect you didn't mean it this way, but it sounds like you're saying concerns about a given work are only valuable if they match those of the creator. That's a little echo-chambery.

I would take the opposite stance: I am glad and even grateful that The Dreadful's universe cannot be put in a defined category and is so unpredictable and mysterious.

The comic is best read without preconceptions as it enables us to discover and understand its universe as the story unrolls, as opposed to having a genre up front. (a trait shared with all of the all-times best pieces of fantasy and sci-fi, btw)

Unpredictable I can agree with, but not necessarily mysterious. The comic pulls from a wide variety of genres, and it's not so much a matter of mystery as you don't know what rules from what genres the comic will follow. It's not that the comic can't be put in a category; it puts itself into several at once. It's a little like playing with a standard deck of cards; you know all the cards that are out there, but you don't know which card is going to show up at any given moment. Unpredictable, but not particularly mysterious. If someone were to suddenly play the Commissar of Cubes, then things might start to get more interesting.

If you are having doubts and stuff regarding the value of your work, well, there is good in doubt, but it is just as important to pin down one's strengths and embrace them :)

The fact my criticism has a negative edge to it shouldn't worry you. MSperoni is obviously a very talented artist, and its clear he takes his work seriously. I'm just a writer expressing my thoughts about narrative; I'm probably harder to please than some readers because of my vocation. That said, it's unnecessary for you to tell him to "not listen" to what I say. He is capable of determining if any given bit of feedback he receives is useful to him. If you are concerned with the artist's motivation to work, I can understand that, but it seems like you're attempting to shield him from negative criticism. As a writer, I can tell you that this is one of the least helpful things a person can do for us.

[Glabrezu]

From: Moosh
If you are concerned with the artist's motivation to work, I can understand that, but it seems like
No buts and we're good.

From: Moosh
It's not that the comic can't be put in a category; it puts itself into several at once.
Just like any work said to have no category at all. In reality such work doesn't exist: You can't be influenced by nothing, and even if that was possible the minds of the readers can't be either, so they inevitably find comparison points. Worth noting again that the genre-setting pieces of fantasy and sci-fi that are now seen as "all-times best" fell into one or several categories at once on release, because that's impossible not to. Whenever you describe something unusual, you have to compare it to something that exists. I really doubt that Jeanne has much to do with DBZ. Every single thing you cited can be turned around to fit my stance, so this discussion is ultimately pointless.

What is "pointful" is our two stances and the balance of feedback.


From: Moosh
If my concerns line up with things MSperoni has expressed before, there may be something to them.
I said there is. It's a lens you can use to view The Dreadful, and it appears to be a lens that Matt is paying careful attention to as far as I can tell. That's why I emphasis that he needn't add any more weight to your arguments than he already does. I try to provide a different lens that he hasn't worded before in this thread (probably out of humility, because he must have thought about it on his own).

The goal is to balance out feedback because ultimately, even though your lens is worth acknowledging, I disagree completely with it. Provided the universe remains consistent and coherent, what you see as a problem is one of the comics' most interesting aspects to me; i.e. original, unpredictable, yet sound. The reader has to figure out the world.

And it is crafted well enough that I would be pleased to read unrelated stories in this same universe just like I would with the Forgotten Realms, Tolkien's stuff and some others. I rarely say that of a fictional universe, honestly.

In the end I think Matt already decided to embrace this aspect of The Dreadful while being extra careful about what you (and he) expressed here.

So what remains is preserving high motivation and happiness in work, which is the reason I posted after you. I'm pretty sure my points already crossed his mind and I said nothing new technically.

(It's fun how words can be used to convey something completely different from what they are actually saying ;) )

[epcharles]

For the record, I am still enjoying the comic, but I broadly agree with Moosh's comments. Though I liked the more straight-western flavored theme we started with (even the fantasy elements were clearly tweaked to fit the western environment), I don't mind the mixed genera mode that has developed.

That said, there are so many bloody tangents here, and they take up so much space (not individually, but in combination), that I'm not really sure what the story is at this point. Were this a comic not trying to have a plot, but merely plodding around an interesting world, that would be fine.... but I'm pretty sure this is a comic trying to have a plot, or at least it started out that way.

I'm also worried about the overpoweredness. Overpowered people fighting overpowered people is fun once in a while, but it sure doesn't make a deep story. I'm not sure why normal people exist in this world at all, when half the characters we have seen are A) super powered, and B) neutral to enthusiastic about killing random people.

Now, I'm happy to maintain faith that all this stuff is headed somewhere and, as I said, I am still enjoying quite a bit, but I can also understand if other people are getting a bit forlorn, especially if they don't read the forum.

[MSperoni]

I don't really get why people are saying characters have "DBZ" over powered powers in this. They have whacky awesome abilities, but they can't fly around and do *anything*.

Jeanne and Kit are the only ones so far with super-standard abilities apart from basic magic use, but people using magic in a fantasy story is part of the genre, isn't it?

Jeanne and Kit aren't juggernauts. Kit's really durable against normal weapons, but if she was shot in the head with a silver bullet it would kill her. Jeanne is super fast and physically strong, but she's not Superman. Shoot her enough and she will eventually fall (think Wesker from Resident Evil 5).

Or if you wanna go DnD...think of Jeanne as a very very high level Monk. (or Black Belt from Final Fantasy!)

Umami, Hachiko and Shichiko have ninja abilities, true, but Hachiko's magic stick and Shichiko's eyebeams aren't going to withstand a shotgun blast to the face. Umami also ninja-teleported away when she was fighting Sabueso because the JDA agent pulled a gun on her.

(I kinda figure Shichiko's eyebeams are similar to one of the various rays in DnD. Only instead of coming from her finger tips it comes from her eyes. )

Same with Charsi. Her glaive is super sharp and can slice a demon in half, but two dudes with rifles held her up because she's not bulletproof.

So I dunno, none of this really screams "blow up a planet with a Kamehameha" to me...

Well...except for maybe Judge Catherine but I'm not gonna get into her right now. ;)


As for everything else that's been said regarding the tangents and the design of the comic and what my intentions are... I think I'll let you all keep discussing that on your own. It's very interesting for me to read!

[Moosh]

There is no standard unit of measure of "power level" of characters in fiction, and it is largely a matter of perspective and preference. If people say a given character seems overpowered, there's no real objective way to "prove" it. The more people point it out, though, the more likely it is to be the case.

One of the things that stands out is it's pretty clear a standard human being is essentially fodder in this comic. That alone wouldn't be an issue, except none of the "norms" seem to know it. They tote their guns around like they actually pose a threat. And they can! Off screen. When its convenient to the plot. And it's largely because guns being a threat in this comic quickly became an "informed ability."

It didn't start out that way. Early on we see some actual believable gunfighting between Liz and Erin. This is, frankly, the most tense part of the comic so far, because it seems to be the only time any main character is actually worried about being shot. When the gang of gunmen come and threaten Boozloaf, we don't get any sense of Kit being concerned for even a moment. She shoots everyone's thumbs/guns, then trickshots the only guy there that could feasibly pose a threat (because he has kryptonite silver bullets) without batting an eye.

You point out that characters aren't "bulletproof," but after the gunfight between Liz and Erin, it seems everyone might as well be. Kit literally is bulletproof, aside from silver bullets. Jeanne holds guns in such contempt she goes fisticuffs vs. them. Even when Kit herself, who has proven to basically be a gun goddess, has a gun pointed point blank at the back of Jeanne's head, Jeanne is still too fast to shoot. And now that ninjas are around, they're all too ninja to shoot.

The problem with this is, once you establish a character's reaction/relationship to guns, it will make any future altercations involving guns seem a little ridiculous. If suddenly guns are successful in taking down someone who didn't even blink at them before, it will feel inconsistent and a little dishonest. Once you establish that guns are easily circumvented, there's no reason for the reader to take them seriously, which dramatically lessens the "western" feel of the story.

If you'll excuse the expression, I think you shot yourself in the foot when you made Kit in particular highly resistant to normal bullets. That establishes right away that she can (and does) basically ignore most mundane weaponry, which kick starts the arms race against her as a character. This eliminates any given mundane gunslinger as a threat. The addition of silver bullets doesn't really help the situation, as it creates a "Superman and Kryptonite" scenario. On the one hand they're screwed if they don't have silver, and on the other they're not even going to get a chance to fire them off anyway (because maybe they have a penchant for tossing their gun around like an idiot.)

And the arms race has been kicked into high gear with ninjas appearing on the scene, which introduced themselves by demonstrating their ability to kill you with little more than a sneeze. When you have characters play such high value cards when they first arrive (laser eyes to kill a bunny rabbit), you set the bar really high for yourself right from the get go, and you run the risk of either writing yourself into a corner, or simply pulling a DBZ, where power levels snowball out of control to the point where it anything -not- imbued with absurdly superhuman abilities becomes meaningless (Like guns).

[MSperoni]

You left out the part where Kit puked lightning and electrocuted Erin and killed a bunch of monkey men with an AK-47 and a giant sword made out of a feather. ;)

(after having crashed into their base riding a giant fire-breathing eagle)

What can I say? I like Saints Row more than GTA. I dislike Game of Thrones. I like Star Wars more than Star Trek (I've only watched like three episodes of Trek ever). I think Sengoku Basara is great (where the guy dual wields electric chainsaws for swords). I'm a huge fan of the Resident Evil movies. I like One Piece, Metal Slug, Adventure Time, and DBZ :D

(for awhile I liked Naruto but I got out of it when Sasuke's bro showed up)

(my biggest complaint is that a lot of these are way too male-centric. I like lady characters better than dude characters. Hence the female:male ratio in The Dreadful).

Some people prefer things super realistic and reserved though. I'm not gonna tell 'em what to like. I do prefer Batman more than Superman, mainly because of the villains. Though I wish comics like that would stop taking themselves so goddamn seriously.

(but I like Marvel more than DC)

I dunno, maybe what's happening character power wise in The Dreadful isn't working, but it seems to be working for me, so go figure. I don't think it's gotten out of hand anymore than I intended, but then again I'm the writer and I can see further into the comic's future than the rest of ya :)

My main issue with my comic is I start things because I want each update to have a punch and I'm overly desperate for attention. Sometimes I'll put in crazy shit just for the sake of crazy shit, and I'll start little sub-plots, and then forget to finish them because my attention span isn't very

Hey I watched this Final Fantasy IV speed run the other day, it was super hilarious and I'm really looking forward to AGDQ2014 and

So that's why Doom is the best FPS series ever.

Anyway, I'm going to start focusing more on finishing what I start now. I've decided to structure the comic so it never cuts away from the perspective of either Kit or Poe, and that ought to help a little (that won't be evident till a few updates from now). I'm going to try really hard not to stress out over the lack of feedback and just go with what I think works for me rather than what I think works based on trends.

As for the power levels...uhhh...I dunno. I appreciate the feedback but I kinda like things on the nutty side. But I still don't think it's all that out of hand yet.

Compared to the comic I was working on before HIKYM (which you can see the main characters in my NPF banner), The Dreadful is extremely reserved :D

That comic pretty much was DBZ with women only with a lot of weird philosophical/theological babble and romantic drama added to it. So it was pretty great.

I wasn't good enough of a writer/artist at the time to handle it though. Maybe one of these days I'll try again...

[Glabrezu]

Sometimes I'll put in crazy shit just for the sake of crazy shit, and I'll start little sub-plots, and then forget to finish them because my attention span isn't very

Hey I watched this Final Fantasy IV speed run the other day, it was super hilarious and I'm really looking forward to AGDQ2014 and

So that's why Doom is the best FPS series ever.
Hahahaha xD


By the way we have quite a good example of crazy super powers that ended up successful on this very website: 8-bit ! But unlike you I really don't feel The Dreadful is heading this way.

But rather than going over the whole story to illustrate like you did (I'm lacking time, sorry), I'm going to say that it is something you can sense in the characters' personality and in the overall feeling of the comic. They are all vulnerable to many different kinds of deaths, wounds and containment, even Kit, and most likely even Jeanne. If you can't feel it, if you see them as DBZ characters or Superman clones, well, it's going to take a massive amount of text to convince you otherwise.

Finally I am also very tired of stupidly unbalanced powers, heroes that jump ten stories high and slay thousands of enemies without breaking a sweat, completely disconnected from the reality of their own universe, standing above everything, able to do anything, with only a handful of people being of their level. That's boring me unless very well done, like in Baldur's Gate 2.

So the fact that The Dreadful fits me so well does say something regarding your concern.


Edit: I also like the style of the comic, its personality. It's a crazy world that makes sense, feels real, is serious and yet goofs around a lot; all of this tightly bound together in a way that preserves dramaturgy and ambiance. The way both peasants just died is an illustration of this IMO, but you can find examples that better fit your tastes elsewhere.

My only complaint is that it was moving too slowly, but Matt acknowledged that and sped up the pace recently.

[epcharles]

I don't think it is going DBZ... I've just seen a lot of normal people killed without much thought or effort. Liz and Sabueso seem like the only humans worth taking seriously so far... which does mean that SOME humans must be taken seriously. Kit also get's mighty attentive when a gun is pointed at her, which does mean she can't just brush it off... blah, blah, blah.

Based on your comments, it seems like the "power" characters are much more endangered by normal interactions than we have seen. For example, you mention the power stick of the one ninja... but nothing about that interaction hints that it is an otherwise vulnerable person with a magic stick... it comes off like someone who needn't fear mortals, because they don't pose much threat, and she can just knock their skeletons out of them with anything she happens to pick up off the ground.

I guess in my mind, the desert is still being wandered by some undead spider that shits neigh-indestructible zombies... and there are people around who are like "oh, that's what happens when Kit uses the Dreadful", which means this happens on a semi-regular basis... and so I'm already a bit confused why there are so many people still alive... and then there are a bunch of other more brainy people, who are also evil, and could probably stop one of the zombies at least as well as Kit... and so I don't think we are going towards DBZ destroying worlds with a blast or anything like that... but I wonder why a random towns folk would ever mess with anyone, especially charge a pair of strangers in the middle of town with something as lame as an ax. It seems as if they are very likely to be charging someone who won't break a sweat killing them.

Again, I'm still enjoying it plenty... I'm just starting to get worried about where it is headed, and how it will get out of it. If I had a better sense that the characters were vulnerable, I probably wouldn't be so worried.

[MSperoni]

Hachiko's "needn't fear mortals" has something to do with her magic stick but also has a lot to do with the fact she's an arrogant psycho who thinks anyone who isn't Japanese is inferior to her. :D

But, she's only appeared in four pages, so we haven't gotten to spend a lot of time with her yet!

And there's not a single person who has appeared in this comic (except for Judge Catherine) that Liz couldn't take out if she had a mind to and was equipped with the right tools for the job. She may be a normal human, but she's very dangerous. Maybe a little like Solid Snake in that regard (and she smokes too!).

The Knights (the group Charsi and Boozloaf belong to) were created specifically to deal with zombies, ghosts, demons, etc. They specialize in the use of silver and magic weapons (both missile and melee) and so Kit can't strut about too confidently when an entire organization exists that could kill her :)

Maybe it's not all evident yet. I'll be the first to admit I plod along really slowly. I don't really know why that is. All the ideas are in my head, they just take a long time to come out :P

I'll get there eventually though! Hopefully the readers who stick with it will have an enjoyable fun ride!

[MSperoni]

There should be a new Dreadful soon, not sure if it'll be this week or sometime next week though.

Christmas stuff + massive editing + misc = delays.

EDIT: Also I got *super* sick on Christmas and have had the flu for the last few days. So I haven't been able to work on anything, even if I wanted to!

[Gillsing]

Well, there it is: The long awaited update. :)

Sabueso: Lucky, lucky liar.

Ogre: Not toughie enoughie.

[SaltyKracka]

Wait, Boozloaf is a Knight?

Anyways, Charsi sure is casual about all these cultists stinking up the place.

[MSperoni]

Charsi really enjoys hacking people up with her sword on a stick.

[Sithdarth]

Just thought I'd let you know that the Google Now app on my phone (basically google's answer to Siri) notified me that The Dreadful and been updated. So it seems that my phone knows that The Dreadful is something that is important to me. Though how it knew about the update and knew enough to put the comic number in the notification is a mystery I may never solve.

[MSperoni]

It's all thanks to Kit's Very Specialness.

[MSperoni]

Might be a delay this week due to XTREME WINTER WEATHERZ. I can't get to the house where my desktop is so I can't do some edits I need to do.

Hopefully things will clear up by the middle of this week though...So maybe there will be an update on Friday.

I'm getting super tired of all this time off! I haven't had a full week of Dreadful work since before Christmas >_<

EDIT: Turns out I might be able to get the page ready for Wednesday after all! But we'll see how things go.

[MSperoni]

250!! (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2014/01/08/the-dreadful-250/)

Freakin' knights.

[epcharles]

Putting back the Eagle and not asking for an autograph? Just rude.

[SaltyKracka]

Kit's sure got some strange reactions...

[MSperoni]

Putting back the Eagle and not asking for an autograph? Just rude.

How good of you to notice the Big Eagle Beer bottles!

I suppose that's kind of a ...hint of sorts.

About something.

[Gillsing]

I didn't pay close enough attention to those bottles. I was too busy staring at Kit's chest in the third to last panel. Mammaries – where do they come from?

[MSperoni]

Mammaries – where do they come from?


And where are they going?

[MSperoni]

Kit's bust is relatively ample, but it's not super enormous. I think what's making it look that way in this panel is the inner contour of her jacket seems like it's the outer contour of her breast.

Though I dunno. I usually am pretty consistent when it comes to proportions on that kinda thing, but maybe I had been playing too much Dead or Alive 5: Ultimate* when I drew that panel...



*It's a fun game to play! Hush (plus I love Ayane)

[Red Mage Black]

I come to look at the discussion after the page and I see comments on breasts and it didn't hit me to check. Maybe I just like the characters enough to not care about 'proportions' or shape? I'm just a fan of the fantasy/western mix.

I'm sure someone brought this up in the past, but I think the Devikin would equate to the Tieflings in D&D/PF? That or half-infernals. I was thinking of basing a tiefling(or half-infernal) gunslinger off Kit, but I'm not sure how well the class would do her justice. That or a chain-smoking human sharpshooter like Liz. Really, all of the characters have something about them I like that I want to transform to use in some games I play. Heck, even a preaching/punning minotaur that makes cow jokes.

Geez Matt, why do you have to be so inspirational?

[tacticslion]

I come to look at the discussion after the page and I see comments on breasts and it didn't hit me to check. Maybe I just like the characters enough to not care about 'proportions' or shape? I'm just a fan of the fantasy/western mix.

I'm sure someone brought this up in the past, but I think the Devikin would equate to the Tieflings in D&D/PF? That or half-infernals. I was thinking of basing a tiefling(or half-infernal) gunslinger off Kit, but I'm not sure how well the class would do her justice. That or a chain-smoking human sharpshooter like Liz. Really, all of the characters have something about them I like that I want to transform to use in some games I play. Heck, even a preaching/punning minotaur that makes cow jokes.

Geez Matt, why do you have to be so inspirational?

... if you get a really weird "message" for repping that post, it's because something really weird happened with my computer.

That said, I agree: this comic is a great inspiration for gaming. :)

[Red Mage Black]

... if you get a really weird "message" for repping that post, it's because something really weird happened with my computer.

That said, I agree: this comic is a great inspiration for gaming. :)

Doesn't say anything in the message, but thanks for the rep. Too bad I don't think I can rep either you or Matt again too soon.

[MSperoni]

The devikin are somewhat based on DnD tiefling, I was playing a lot of Neverwinter Nights 2 at the time, so Kit may have been inspired a bit by Neeshka.

But the first instance of "Kit" in a game was a character I made in Oblivion. I used the Construction Set to add my own custom race to the game, which was more human-like dremora but with light pink skin.

The girl looked like this (http://twitpic.com/dsd2ac).

(this was a long time ago, and I hadn't upgraded my computer's graphics card yet)

Glad the comic has been an inspiration!

[MSperoni]

251! (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2014/01/15/the-dreadful-251/)

Welcome to Graingrove!

Oh, hello Hachiko, didn't see you there.

[Gillsing]

She's got the high ground. They're done for.

[Loyal]

Something I've been meaning to ask, Matt... what resolution do you usually work at when you draw the comics, and what size/type brushes do you usually use for lineart?

Keep up the good work!

[BigDemonicBunny]

Ohhh. Kit's good...

*looks at Hachiko*

...and that's bad.

[MSperoni]

Something I've been meaning to ask, Matt... what resolution do you usually work at when you draw the comics, and what size/type brushes do you usually use for lineart?

Keep up the good work!

The pages start around 2800 by 4500 pixels (can't remember the exact number off the top of my head).

I divide up all the panels into selections and then Copy them and Paste them as separate, individual images. My computer is too old and junky to be able to draw an entire page all at once.

Since I also use a really old/crappy/worn out art tablet (the surface of it is so polished I can see my reflection in it), it is terribly imprecise when it comes to line work. So once my rough drawings are finished I have to blow the panels up by 200% so I can have the line work look decent. (I shrink 'em back down to regular size ones I'm finished).

One of these days I'll be able to afford an upgrade. My computer is nearly 10 years old and my art tablet is at least 5. It was a cheap "hobbyist" tablet too, not even a high-end one for "serious artists". I like it though.

I like my computer too, even though if the power goes off I can't be sure the old machine'll turn back on again...

(issues with the graphics card)

I'd probably get overwhelmed if I ever got Photoshop or some top of the line artist tablet (like an Intuous Whatever-or-Other). Maybe one of these days though!

[MSperoni]

252! (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2014/01/22/the-dreadful-252/)

Stirrin' up trouble.

[Loyal]

Extra-Sassy Variant:

Hachiko: The only problem with nights like this is that they make me feel so... incredibly lonely. What do you say?
Kin: Try getting a dog.
Hachiko: I was thinking more along different lines. How much do you usually go for?
Kin: Try getting a dog.
Hachiko: :mad:

with apologies to the dog.

[epcharles]

In Communist old west, the trouble is stirring for you!

[SaltyKracka]

Kitfaces intensify.

[MSperoni]

Someone should make a Kitface emoticon.

[SaltyKracka]

...It's funny, they're trying to send her after the one member of the gang she's not likely to shoot on sight.

Other than Poe, of course.

[MSperoni]

253!! (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2014/01/29/the-dreadful-253/)


It's a dialectical variation.

[phil_]

Pants first, then outside!

[Loyal]

"You can hardly turn a corner without encountering some violent criminal."

Well, you hardly need to tell Kit that.

[MSperoni]

Shichiko might fit the description as well!

[Hatake Kakashi]

Pants first, then outside!

Actually, I'm a fan. Pants suck.

[phil_]

But what will the neighbors think, Kakashi?

[Gillsing]

...It's funny, they're trying to send her after the one member of the gang she's not likely to shoot on sight.

Other than Poe, of course.
Still a rather clever plan, I think. :)

[MSperoni]

More like they're trying to point Kit in the direction of a gang-member in order to see what kinda trouble Kit will cause in general. If any. And if she and Liz do start something, they're curious who will come to stop them (dryads, Sabueso, JDA, Knights, Umami, etc).

Shichiko and Hachiko care little about what happens to the town.

[BigDemonicBunny]

But what will the neighbors think, Kakashi?

"Great view"? ;)

[MSperoni]

Shichiko actually wears pants normally, she was just stripped down a bit for bedtime.

EDIT: If I had nice legs and a nice butt and if it were socially acceptable for me to go around without pants on I probably would. I mean, who would wear pants if they didn't have to?