Topic: WCT: September 21-25, 2009 (Read 75328 times)

Dliessmgg · « **Reply #50 on:** 21 Sep 2009, 14:06 »

Quote from: Twilightsign on 21 Sep 2009, 13:56

would pintsize complain about the ridiculous amount of fingers though...

He'd like it because he can scare people with it.

Do the faces of Marigold and Hanners in the last panel look a lot like Something*Positive or is it the expressions?

Binary · « **Reply #51 on:** 21 Sep 2009, 14:52 »

Jeph, the only thing unacceptable about this comic is that Momo is unhappy. When Momo is unhappy, I am unhappy.

Also, you demolish your own argument in the commentary. If you are "not even very good" at this comic, how is it that you have a "Popular Website"? How many unique hits a day does it get? We have you seriously, overwhelmingly outvoted as to the quality of your work!

Be well. Unfortunately cannot make SPX in Maryland, what with the whole being-on-a-different-continent thing...

Synchronicity strikes in the form of Scientific American's October Issue Alert in my mailbox. From the sidebar:

Web Exclusives
Depression's Evolutionary Roots
Two scientists suggest that depression is not a malfunction, but a mental adaptation that brings certain cognitive advantages
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=depressions-evolutionary

In essence the article (itself an abbreviated version of their full paper) hypothesises that depression is an adaptation for analysing complex problems. I was struck by this line: "Several studies have found that expressive writing promotes quicker resolution of depression...", so Jeph's observation that writing the comic acts as therapy may be more than anecdotal.

The authors stress that this is a hypothesis rather than a theory (no, Creationists, the words are not synonymous) so scepticism is in order - if anyone reads the article, please take the time to read the criticisms and counter-arguments in the comments section too - but I found it intriguing stuff. Full paper here: http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=search.displayRecord&uid=2009-10379-009

One comment refers to an alternative evolutionary hypothesis for depression but included a broken link - I tracked it down here: http://fmdrl.org/index.cfm?event=c.getAttachment&riid=1321

akronnick · « **Reply #52 on:** 21 Sep 2009, 15:12 »

Quote from: Theriandros on 21 Sep 2009, 14:02

Pineapple upside-down cake begs to answer your question.

I don't think pineapple upside-down cake is a good idea either! I mean really, is it so hard to serve cake right-side up?

daryljfontaine · « **Reply #53 on:** 21 Sep 2009, 15:22 »

Quote from: Twilightsign on 21 Sep 2009, 13:56

would pintsize complain about the ridiculous amount of fingers though...

Of course he wouldn't complain. More fingers = better able to grab the boobies.

This week will end with an orbital satellite channeling the power of the sun leveling Marigold's apartment building (and a seven-mile radius around it) in an effort to stop Momo's unchecked mutation.

D

matachin · « **Reply #54 on:** 21 Sep 2009, 15:25 »

Damn, the firmware updates from hell...bane of modern electronic devices and examples of why QC on your code is a good thing.

See also: the blessed button of hard reset (which you never have an object small enough to push). the day the computer started acting like something out of The Exorcist, and "It was working just a minute ago" *pokepoke* *kZAP* "MOTHER(*#$Y*(&_(*!"

My .02 USD on the whole thing isn't the SAD (hell, you can get a taste of it even here in the southern US if you work indoors and aren't a outdoors hobby person) or the OCD bits. Jeph might just benefit from a bit of prioritization. I've found after years of being a plain obsessive person (with a minor in ahh, screw it tendencies) that some people will figure out what your buttons are & push them at just the wrong moments when you're overloaded with work & other concerns. Short of severe violence (or threats thereof, my favorite choice!) you can either build in a buffer the weather the bad or learn the say "Enough! Timeout!"

Back up, look at the last few years, repeat the Litany Against Fear a few times. Rinse, repeat, do not emulate Hanners vs. the Public Works Dept.

Kazukagii · « **Reply #55 on:** 21 Sep 2009, 15:29 »

I Like Hanner's face in panel 2. Don't know why, I just like how it looks.

Shit though, this comic actually scared me. Fucking feel sorry for Momo.

Moxie · « **Reply #56 on:** 21 Sep 2009, 17:19 »

Quote from: daryljfontaine on 21 Sep 2009, 15:22

Quote from: Twilightsign on 21 Sep 2009, 13:56
would pintsize complain about the ridiculous amount of fingers though...
Of course he wouldn't complain. More fingers = better able to grab the boobies.

QFT

Dickbutt · « **Reply #57 on:** 21 Sep 2009, 18:08 »

I honestly didn't think Momo had it that bad (kinda freaky but its not like she was dying right then and there) until I read the title and remembered Akira, and then I barfed in my mouth a little.

caelae · « **Reply #58 on:** 21 Sep 2009, 18:17 »

Akira reference yes!

Jeff7 · « **Reply #59 on:** 21 Sep 2009, 20:41 »

This must be a bad sign: I saw Momo in the last panel, and the first thing that came to mind was "tentacles."

Ruh roh.

RainbowPony · « **Reply #60 on:** 21 Sep 2009, 22:15 »

I can't be the only one who thought of this :

~~Kinda crappy~~ Super shitty because I only have paint on my computer at the moment

Kugai · « **Reply #61 on:** 21 Sep 2009, 22:39 »

I think the programme installing those has looped itself

Poor Momo

Binary · « **Reply #62 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 00:07 »

Quote from: RainbowPony on 21 Sep 2009, 22:15

I can't be the only one who thought of this :

Yes, you probably are!

Myself, I was expecting boobs...

lhasafi · « **Reply #63 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 00:08 »

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Pintsize had done a few "tweaks" to Momo's update...

I have faith on Marigold sussing it out in no time, though - she's that much of a haxxor with Anthro-PC's.

jonarus_drakus · « **Reply #64 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 01:40 »

Damn man. Jeph, i know how ya feel, sometimes the whole 'tidal-wave of depression' rolls in and ruins the beach party. The worst thing about it for me is that there doesn't seem to be a trigger AT ALL, it just happens some times and just makes everything seem way more sucky than it really is.

Look at it this way, as bad as things may seem at times like this, it could still be worse... You could be an Emo...

scarred · « **Reply #65 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 01:56 »

Comic hasn't gone up yet, is it bad that I'm worried about Jeph, someone I have never met?

Is it cold in here? · « **Reply #66 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 02:04 »

It means you've reached a good stage of moral development.

scarred · « **Reply #67 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 02:20 »

Switchblade · « **Reply #68 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 03:39 »

comic's up!

Liking the extra effort that's gone into the art for today. Well done Jeph!

evilbobthebob · « **Reply #69 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 03:43 »

Yeah, the art's really coming along! I like the direction this is going in

akronnick · « **Reply #70 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 03:44 »

It's like watching QC in HD!

Still no anchovies though.

BlakeJustBlake · « **Reply #71 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 04:32 »

The last two strips have looked great, the second panel in today's is very good. Maybe the whole tortured artist thing is working its charm.

Is it cold in here? · « **Reply #72 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 04:39 »

Favorite parts included the subtle, like Dora standing with her hand on the couch, as well as the obvious like hugging Faye.

(No, honest, I did not stay up all night waiting for the comic. I had epic insomnia and got out of bed to do things more constructive and fun than lying in the dark wondering why I'm not falling asleep).

lhasafi · « **Reply #73 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 04:41 »

[finds his lower jaw from the floor and clicks it back into place]

The new look is seventeen different shades of pure awesome. A small traditionalist part of me is trying to find something to gripe about, but can't think of a damn thing to say. As someone recovering from depression, I am even more blown away by how on Earth someone can do something this brilliant while fighting with an attack of depression. Jeph, you're the man!

jonarus_drakus · « **Reply #74 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 05:36 »

Maybe i need my eyes checked but i cant really pick any specific differences in art, its just better in general somehow...

Very nice work as always Jeph, you put my pathetic scriblings to shame...

littlefox · « **Reply #75 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 05:43 »

Ditto to what the others are saying: the art looks really amazing in this. Nice job.

workingrobbie · « **Reply #76 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 06:03 »

Liking the art too

especially the front on of Dora in the second panel.
Are their eyes slightly smaller, or am I just used to large eyed Hanners?

Also like the boob-squishy that Dora's giving Faye

Carl-E · « **Reply #77 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 06:13 »

Quote from: jonarus_drakus on 22 Sep 2009, 05:36

Maybe i need my eyes checked but i cant really pick any specific differences in art, its just better in general somehow...

Very nice work as always Jeph, you put my pathetic scriblings to shame...

Dora's upward eye-roll in panel 2. Faye's face in panel 3 (hell, Faye's face through the whole strip). There's a new level of realism here, not only is Jeph trying poses and angles he's never approached (well, not in a finished strip), he's pulling it off with an artistic sensibility that puts the finest comics to shame!

Damn, it's not like the characters weren't real enough already for us to care about them, now he goes and does this!

A while ago some people compared his artwork to anime/manga. But he's gone waaaay beyond anything like that!

Jeph, if you read these, props to you! :where's the thumbs up smiley?:

squishything · « **Reply #78 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 06:21 »

Ok, the direction the art is taking scares me exactly like the album cover to Revolver did when I was a kid (seriously, George Harrison's eyes still creep me out, I was only able to buy the album a few years ago because of them).

Nothing negative about it at all, it's a great leap forward in it's physical subtlety and demonstation of expresiveness, but my uncanny valley threshhold is pretty damn low, i guess.

I've noticed that the character's body proportions are a lot more realistic too. Does this mean that in like 3 weeks the strips will look like Garth Williams drawings?

maddness · « **Reply #79 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 06:45 »

Wow.

This new thing Jeph is doing with the art is AWESOME! I love the faces and for some reason the shading on Dora's hair, especially in panel 3, is making me look at it again and again.

Plus, not we know what Faye's answer to Sven was!

alienatedduck · « **Reply #80 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 07:25 »

Another 'I love the art development!' I think Faye in particular is looking extra snazzy today and give major props to Jeph!

Depression is bitch and I hope you feel a bit more awesome, jeph. My own last year has also been no fun. I actually started drawing more of my cartoons to combat it!

Webcomics Against Depression!

tinkerbell · « **Reply #81 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 07:45 »

I am not sure how to word it... it is just... better! I suppose if I were an artist I might know why. I find that I am focusing a lot more on Faye's eyes than I used to, and I can see why anyone would want to stare into those...

We all love you Jeph. Not like, creepy love. An appropriate amount of love.

innermoppet · « **Reply #82 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 07:46 »

Faye's face just looks amazing in this one. Jeph is really honing in on the subtleties of facial structure. Earlier on in his work, all this characters sort of resembled each other, but now he's really getting a handle on subtle ways to make them be individuals.

The first panel is my favorite, because Faye looks really adorable even while she is being cantankerous.

soonerdog · « **Reply #83 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 08:24 »

Quote from: Carl-E on 22 Sep 2009, 06:13

Quote from: jonarus_drakus on 22 Sep 2009, 05:36
Maybe i need my eyes checked but i cant really pick any specific differences in art, its just better in general somehow...

Very nice work as always Jeph, you put my pathetic scriblings to shame...

Dora's upward eye-roll in panel 2. Faye's face in panel 3 (hell, Faye's face through the whole strip). There's a new level of realism here, not only is Jeph trying poses and angles he's never approached (well, not in a finished strip), he's pulling it off with an artistic sensibility that puts the finest comics to shame!

Compare todays with http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1477 to see the changes with Dora, or http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1476 for Faye.

Panel three is my favorite, the tweaks in the art really help sell the expressions.

IanClark · « **Reply #84 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 08:24 »

My favourite part about the new style is how the characters look more real yet they don't lose their charm as is the case in many realist art pieces (or anything in HD). Usually when someone makes the transition into a more true-to-life depiction, it's the newly-revealed flaws which are most prominent, but here it just makes all the characters that much more loveable.

Kartoon Kween · « **Reply #85 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 08:33 »

Also dropping in to compliment the art. I always loved how the art perpetually and gradually evolved, so it's always a treat to see the art move to the next level.

Juniper Jade · « **Reply #86 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 08:37 »

And another! The art = orgasmic. I like where Jeph is taking it.

\

D'aaaaw at Dora and Faye hugging! I love it when they have those best friends moments.

TryScience · « **Reply #87 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 09:18 »

Wow. The second panel on this one is amazing. Faye and Dora's faces have gotten so distinct and realistic.

Moxie · « **Reply #88 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 10:06 »

Quote from: innermoppet on 22 Sep 2009, 07:46

Faye's face just looks amazing in this one. Jeph is really honing in on the subtleties of facial structure. Earlier on in his work, all this characters sort of resembled each other, but now he's really getting a handle on subtle ways to make them be individuals.

This is better worded than how I was able to say it. I do love the look, realistic, individualistic, and so on.

Aegir · « **Reply #89 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 11:42 »

I like it. Faye especially. She still has her classic facial expressions even with the added realism.

Headwoünd · « **Reply #90 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 12:05 »

Popping in to say that I dig the recent developments regarding the art style.
Can't back it up with terminological somersaults, but the characters feel much more in character now to me.

TwistedRemedy · « **Reply #91 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 12:43 »

Nice. Enjoying the new style.

Dliessmgg · « **Reply #92 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 13:34 »

Complaining first:
1. The upper lips sometimes look like beaks.
2. The pupils change their shape a bit much (especially Faye's left eye in the last panel).

But it's quite awesome.

nicoley · « **Reply #93 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 14:10 »

Damn, I just read the new strip and can't believe how good the artwork looks. Dora's face in panel 2, Faye's face in panel 3.... it really is like reading QC in HD! It's so life like and beautiful... blkafda;sadfsdf, I love it.

The Duke · « **Reply #94 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 14:37 »

I was comparing it to past comics, and I have two comments:

1. They look much more realistic.
2. This is a good thing.

Yes.

0kamisama · « **Reply #95 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 15:21 »

I hope the positive reviews on Jeph's artwork help lift him out of this funk he's been going through. A little nap might help too. We all send you good thoughts, Jeph! Most people I know would say "we send you our prayers", but personally, I'd prefer good thoughts over prayers...

I'm hoping to see many of the other characters in this new format as well; Marty should look good with a few loose strands here and there, and how long has it been since we've last seen Tai? I guess Pintsize and Winslow may not change much (why fix what ain't broke?) and who knows how our favorite indie secret government operative has been doing in the past few months/weeks/days/nanoseconds.

Keep it up, Jeph! We're all rooting for you, and you deserve at the very least some break time to unwind, if not outright relaxing on a beach as comic followers fan you with palm fronds.

Blackjoker · « **Reply #96 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 17:01 »

First off, I want to say the art for today looks very nice, very detailed and focused.

As for yesterday, that was delightfully unnerving, I can imagine a few visual running gags that could spawn from that, among them being momo-shoggoth or momo with giant hands. That and I could imagine pintsize trying to get the upgrade and meddlign with it.

Rikushix · « **Reply #97 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 17:31 »

Quote from: squishything on 22 Sep 2009, 06:21

Ok, the direction the art is taking scares me exactly like the album cover to Revolver did when I was a kid (seriously, George Harrison's eyes still creep me out, I was only able to buy the album a few years ago because of them).

Nothing negative about it at all, it's a great leap forward in it's physical subtlety and demonstation of expresiveness, but my uncanny valley threshhold is pretty damn low, i guess.

I've noticed that the character's body proportions are a lot more realistic too. Does this mean that in like 3 weeks the strips will look like Garth Williams drawings?

Exactly. Faye looks great but I don't quite think Dora looks realistic here, facially speaking.

SleeperCylon · « **Reply #98 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 17:57 »

I have a feeling Faye secretly wants to be friends with Sven again but is worried about the judgment of society.

Penquin47 · « **Reply #99 on:** 22 Sep 2009, 18:50 »

I think it's more that she's afraid that she won't be able to stop it from leading back to bed if Sven tried, so she's doing what she needs to do to make sure she gets enough distance but afraid that people will think she's just being a bitch.

When she really is being a bitch, she owns it, but when she's not being a bitch, she wants credit for not being a bitch. She's recognized in the past that she lets the bitchiness go too far.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: WCT: September 21-25, 2009 (Read 75328 times)