The Ask Jeph thread

[Akel]

Hello Jeph.

I like the stuff you compose a lot more than the stuff you actually listen to. I usually can't stand the metal genre, but all the songs I found in the mp3 section of your site are actually pretty awesome!

So, the questions:

What's the REAL genre of the Deathmole songs on that page? I tried looking around for 'melodic metal', but all I found was those insufferable death growls.

Or, if it doesn't fall in a genre, how can I find more songs of that kind? What should I search for? Or who should I search for?

[Zombiedude]

Are we ever gonna get this> emoticon back?

[cerement]

I tried looking around for 'melodic metal', but all I found was those insufferable death growls.

Haven't listened to the Deathmøle stuff (I know ::hangs head in shame:: ) but you could always try out "power metal" with bands like Dragonforce, or "symphonic metal" like Nightwish, and then to the extreme of van Canto (a capella metal - there's a couple albums posted in the mediaf!re thread) ...

[Zombiedude]

Dragonforce is a terrible recommendation.

[NotAFanOfFenders]

I tried looking around for 'melodic metal', but all I found was those insufferable death growls.

Dragonforce,

 

Edit: Try some NWOBHM.

[sean]

try like, pelican or isis maybe?

also trex smiely yesssssssssss

[jeph]

Jeph, would you be alright with me playing Deathmøle on the radio?

yes

So brand new here, and just got through the entire series over Thursday and Friday and (like everyone else apparently) I've got some question(s)
And of course if they've already been asked, I'm sure some will direct me to the answer, but I got tired after page 8.
First, I've noticed that  that all (or almost all) the characters with deep psychological problems are the girls; with Steve being the only guy with a (potentially) serious problem, his post relationship binges; was this intentional, or did it simply happen organically? And I'm not asking why are there crazy people I know, it's because crazy people make it easier to generate drama.
What is your favourite style of hat? Mine's a bowler
Who would win in a fight the Pope or the Dalai Lama?

'cause i like drawing girls better

cadet cap

nature

Hello Jeph.

I like the stuff you compose a lot more than the stuff you actually listen to. I usually can't stand the metal genre, but all the songs I found in the mp3 section of your site are actually pretty awesome!

So, the questions:

What's the REAL genre of the Deathmole songs on that page? I tried looking around for 'melodic metal', but all I found was those insufferable death growls.

Or, if it doesn't fall in a genre, how can I find more songs of that kind? What should I search for? Or who should I search for?

most of my stuff is essentially derivative of Pelican, Mogwai, Hum, Isis, and Wolves in the Throne room.  I wish I were more original, but oh well.

[edwinalink]

oh, By the way... ISIS and Wolves FUCKING OWNS!

[CanYouLetItOut?]

(Sorry if this has been asked before) Do you have any plans for the girl who was interested in Steve? From http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1430

[jeph]

yes

eventually

[Trollstormur]

JEPH DOES MARIGOLD HAVE CRAZY 70S BUSH I BET SHES GOT HELLA CRAZY 70S BUSH PICS OR IT NEVER HAPPENED

[bicostp]

Can your site backend work with 24 bit .PNGs?

Have you ever tried softening the shading? Here's the last panel of yesterday's comic with some Smart Blur as an example:


(Click for full size)

Just an idea. I kinda like it. *shrug*

Settings:
Radius: 2
Threshold: 50

[Escape Velocity]

Do you approach plot developments from a perspective of planning them out ("it would be an interesting arc if Faye and Sven got into a relationship that went south"), or do the characters mainly dictate their own behavior, and you're just a conduit for illustrating it?  i.e., how much control do you feel like you have over the events that unfold in the comic?

[LTK]

Oh, excuse me for missing the reply and then reposting.  

Anyway, if you do one of those ustream request pictures like they are on your lj some time in the future, I've got a request to make: I am curious as to how Marigold would look if she were to do something about the hair, skin, glasses, clothing et al, and generally being more feminine.

[giant_bug]

Who would win in a fight the Pope or the Dalai Lama?

The Dalai lama can reincarnate, and he's on his 14th continue, I think. So that should give him an advantage of lots of experience points.

The pope has supernatural allies, so he could theoretically tag team with members of the Trinity.

Sounds like a close match, actually.

[jeph]

Can your site backend work with 24 bit .PNGs?

Have you ever tried softening the shading? Here's the last panel of yesterday's comic with some Smart Blur as an example:


(Click for full size)

Just an idea. I kinda like it. *shrug*

Settings:
Radius: 2
Threshold: 50

Ugh that looks awful

also my site eats way too much bandwidth as it is. Using png-24 would probably quadruple it.

[jeph]

Do you approach plot developments from a perspective of planning them out ("it would be an interesting arc if Faye and Sven got into a relationship that went south"), or do the characters mainly dictate their own behavior, and you're just a conduit for illustrating it?  i.e., how much control do you feel like you have over the events that unfold in the comic?

I pretty much just let things happen

[Kugai]

Much like real life

[Aegir]

Who would win in a fight the Pope or the Dalai Lama?

The Dalai lama can reincarnate, and he's on his 14th continue, I think. So that should give him an advantage of lots of experience points.

The pope has supernatural allies, so he could theoretically tag team with members of the Trinity.

Sounds like a close match, actually.

I think the current Pope would win, but in general the Dalai Lama is more badass.

[Pypoli]

Who would win in a fight the Pope or the Dalai Lama?

The Dalai lama can reincarnate, and he's on his 14th continue, I think. So that should give him an advantage of lots of experience points.

The pope has supernatural allies, so he could theoretically tag team with members of the Trinity.

Sounds like a close match, actually.

I think the current Pope would win, but in general the Dalai Lama is more badass.

The dalai lama clearly has hidden boudhist monk super martial arts training and would kick everyone's ass.
Clearly.

[talihal]

Who would win in a fight the Pope or the Dalai Lama?

The Dalai lama can reincarnate, and he's on his 14th continue, I think. So that should give him an advantage of lots of experience points.

The pope has supernatural allies, so he could theoretically tag team with members of the Trinity.

Sounds like a close match, actually.

I think the current Pope would win, but in general the Dalai Lama is more badass.

The dalai lama clearly has hidden boudhist monk super martial arts training and would kick everyone's ass.
Clearly.

Dalai Lama would win because the current pope is a former Nazi and all Nazis suck balls.

[Jeans]

Hey now, I know we already associate the Nazis with killing a lot of people but there's no need to multiply that count by associating it with the Catholic church.

[NotAFanOfFenders]

*schnap*

[Kugai]

*schnap*

Goes good in Coffee

[Dliessmgg]

No, that's Schnaps. (Schnip-)Schnap is what the scissor does.

[Carl-E]

Who would win in a fight the Pope or the Dalai Lama?

The Dalai lama can reincarnate, and he's on his 14th continue, I think. So that should give him an advantage of lots of experience points.

The pope has supernatural allies, so he could theoretically tag team with members of the Trinity.

Sounds like a close match, actually.

I think the current Pope would win, but in general the Dalai Lama is more badass.

The Dalai Lama reincarnates.  He will be back, whether he wins this round or not.  The pope will be in heaven... or somewhere.  But he won't be here. 

So the Dalai Lama wins the game. 

[Blackjoker]

When you make the comics do you have set stories in advance or is it more of a freeflow thing when you make the comics?

[BeoPuppy]

Do you approach plot developments from a perspective of planning them out ("it would be an interesting arc if Faye and Sven got into a relationship that went south"), or do the characters mainly dictate their own behavior, and you're just a conduit for illustrating it?  i.e., how much control do you feel like you have over the events that unfold in the comic?

I pretty much just let things happen

[Zipperstuck]

Who would win in a fight the Pope or the Dalai Lama?

The Dalai lama can reincarnate, and he's on his 14th continue, I think. So that should give him an advantage of lots of experience points.

The pope has supernatural allies, so he could theoretically tag team with members of the Trinity.

Sounds like a close match, actually.

I think the current Pope would win, but in general the Dalai Lama is more badass.

The Dalai Lama reincarnates.  He will be back, whether he wins this round or not.  The pope will be in heaven... or somewhere.  But he won't be here. 

So the Dalai Lama wins the game. 

That would only be true if no pope gets elected after the last one. Granted, not the same soul, but the idea of a pope doesn't stop existing at all.

[jonarus_drakus]

Hey Jephster! (do you mind being called 'Jephster'?) I already braught this up in the apropriate WCT thread, but since you dont seem to look at EVERY SINGLE THREAD (why would you? You have better things to do) i though i re-iterate it here.

Basicaly, I'm an Aussie, and i figured I'd send you a packet of tim-tams to help you celebrate the whole anniversary thing, but i dont know WHERE to send them (i could just consume a packet in your name if its easier).
But, yeah, serious offer, even on my budget i can swing ONE pack as a gift...

[jonarus_drakus]

Normaly i frow on the whole double-posting thing (and it will get stone-cold shot on the Tamriel Rebuilt forum - but enough mod plugging, though once i get to the question you might get the conection).

This question has been bugging me since the first day i started reading QC. In strip 868 pannel 2, is Pintsize's quote actualy supposed to be an Elder Scrolls reference?

[NotAFanOfFenders]

Lovecraft reference.

[edwinalink]

I notice every little while that your drawings are getting more and more realistic...

how long before fully rendered Rockwellian masterpieces are used to tell this story?

[Dollface]

Hi mr Jeph

I wanted to ask, is character named Dora named after the German 80 cm K (E) railway gun?

cause in ww2 there was railway gun named dora.

Linkity link

[jonarus_drakus]

Dora the personification of a Nazi attilery piece? She can be blunt at times, but not THAT blunt...

[talihal]

Hey Jeph, I am re-reading QC and on page 76, you posted that you wanted that zombie monkey mug. If I were to make a zombie monkey on Deviantart and set it to be able to be sold as a mug, would you but one?

[Jeans]

I dunno about Jeph but I sure wouldn't buy a mug with my own artwork on it, from someone who has doen nothing but copy the artwork.

[talihal]

I wouldn't get any money from it unless alot of people bought it, Deviantart doesn't pay you until you reach $20 worth of commission and you don't get much commission from one mug...

[Zombiedude]

Deviantart wouldn't be the best thing to use.

[Malsies]

Hi Jeph.

I'm a long-time reader.  It's been a pleasure to see your comic progress, both artistically and plot-wise.  I don't have any complaints.  I also have to say that, since becoming a reader, my musical tastes have broadened dramatically.

My question is concerning Faye, and I'm sorry if it sounds stupid.  She's always been my favorite character (couldn't tell you why; she's my total opposite).  I had always thought of her as pretty (at least as far as cartoon characters go), and she was always included as one of the "hot chicks" that Marten hung around with.  More recently, though, (and I really hate to say this, it sounds like I'm complaining, but I promise I'm not) she seems to have lost some of her...uh..."hot factor".  I would even go so far as to say that she looks kinda butch.  And not in the cute way that Tai looks butch.

Anywho, I'm curious if this was a conscious change on your part, or if she just evolved that way as you envisioned her?  Also, would you say that your attitude toward her, as a character, has changed over the course of the story line?

Thank you for creating an awesome comic!

[jeph]

I notice every little while that your drawings are getting more and more realistic...

how long before fully rendered Rockwellian masterpieces are used to tell this story?

augh never

Hi mr Jeph

I wanted to ask, is character named Dora named after the German 80 cm K (E) railway gun?

cause in ww2 there was railway gun named dora.

Linkity link

no

Hey Jeph, I am re-reading QC and on page 76, you posted that you wanted that zombie monkey mug. If I were to make a zombie monkey on Deviantart and set it to be able to be sold as a mug, would you but one?

no

Hi Jeph.

I'm a long-time reader.  It's been a pleasure to see your comic progress, both artistically and plot-wise.  I don't have any complaints.  I also have to say that, since becoming a reader, my musical tastes have broadened dramatically.

My question is concerning Faye, and I'm sorry if it sounds stupid.  She's always been my favorite character (couldn't tell you why; she's my total opposite).  I had always thought of her as pretty (at least as far as cartoon characters go), and she was always included as one of the "hot chicks" that Marten hung around with.  More recently, though, (and I really hate to say this, it sounds like I'm complaining, but I promise I'm not) she seems to have lost some of her...uh..."hot factor".  I would even go so far as to say that she looks kinda butch.  And not in the cute way that Tai looks butch.

Anywho, I'm curious if this was a conscious change on your part, or if she just evolved that way as you envisioned her?  Also, would you say that your attitude toward her, as a character, has changed over the course of the story line?

Thank you for creating an awesome comic!

I don't really see what you're talking about, but whatever

My attitude towards her is still pretty much the same

[brazen]

Hi Jeph,

I've been playing around with drawing some of your characters lately, and they are a hoot to sketch. Do you have a process to your character design? Or do you just draw what comes naturally? Is there a character you're especially proud of?

On another subject, I notice when you use a filler comic it's generally from an established artist or by yourself (a la indietits). I'm wondering what your feelings about having newer, unknown cartoonists supply guest strips and what the process might be to audition.

Thanks for the great comics and all the inspiration!

[LTK]

Hi Jeph,

I've been playing around with drawing some of your characters lately, and they are a hoot to sketch. Do you have a process to your character design? Or do you just draw what comes naturally? Is there a character you're especially proud of?

On another subject, I notice when you use a filler comic it's generally from an established artist or by yourself (a la indietits). I'm wondering what your feelings about having newer, unknown cartoonists supply guest strips and what the process might be to audition.

Thanks for the great comics and all the inspiration!

You could watch the ustream, it started just now, so you can catch it if you're quick.

[brazen]

Sorry, I wasn't asking about his drawing process. I've kind of followed that before. I meant to ask Jeph about how he decides what a character should look like. Like why Hannelore has bedhead or Marigold has acne. He does a really good job of connecting personality with look. I'd love to know if he had a trick for it.

[edwinalink]

I totally don't get the ending of 1506... did her dad have sex with a computer? do people fantasize about sex with computers? was it just something one doesn't talk to their parents about?

or is Hanners a PC human hybrid?

Methinks its the last one.

[doombilly]

do people fantasize about sex with computers?

If it exists (COMPUTERS) there's porn for it.

So I'm guessing "Yea."

[jeph]

Sorry, I wasn't asking about his drawing process. I've kind of followed that before. I meant to ask Jeph about how he decides what a character should look like. Like why Hannelore has bedhead or Marigold has acne. He does a really good job of connecting personality with look. I'd love to know if he had a trick for it.

It evolves over time. Took a while with Hanners before I really hit on the right look for her. Marigold was easy, she's basically an Anglicized version of Konata from Lucky Star.

[UTAlan]

Jeph - My wife and I are planning on dressing up as Marten and Dora for a costume party in a few months. I'm not guessing there's any way you could add a t-shirt that Dora wears to the Topatoco store in the near future, eh? We want to buy it from you instead of making it ourselves or whatever, for quality reasons and for the principle of it.

[Jace]

What are your opinions on rolled up jeans when its not quite cool outside enough to wear your jeans down?

[bicostp]

Will there ever be an "ASCII Face" coffee mug set in the store?

EDIT: Oh hello there Mr Pagebreak, fancy meeting you here.

You sneaky mods.