View Full Version : Um...what exactly is going on here? (my comic)
iglidante
10-05-2009, 11:47 AM
So, I write/draw a comic called "Flying Man and Friends (http://www.flyingmanandfriends.com)." I've been doing it for a couple of months or so. Three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) without fail. I have a backlog, so I'm not going to let the schedule slip. The characters are...different. The dialog is unusual. The situations are surreal. And the humor is offbeat. Sometimes incomprehensible.
Here is an older strip (it was the fourth one I did) for an example. The background art has improved considerably since the early ones, though. Take a little trip through the archives and you'll see what I mean.
http://www.flyingmanandfriends.com/comics/2009-08-21-ketchup-party.jpg
It's like a kids' comic.
The characters are completely static. Can't you animate them a little bit?
They're really not funny at all, though. I think "incomprehensible humour" would be better stated as "no humour whatsoever".
One thing I do like are the random little graphics around. They look really professional. The ketchup bottle, for example.
I like it, a good start actually. Like abbey said, maybe move flying man around a little bit, apart from that i like the humour.
Also, you should try adding another character and break the forth wall a little less, it gets kind of tired.
iglidante
10-05-2009, 2:46 PM
I do like making the little props (like the ketchup bottle). I use a lot of them (bottles, a guitar, pots and pans, hats, etc.) depending on what the strip calls for.
I do gradually integrate more "poses" and whatnot into the strip, but never really "animation," in that they always stay in relatively the same pose. But there are new settings, and things to interact with. If you check the site, there are 23 strips in the archives so far. I've got 12 more written and drawn, waiting for their turn.
Oh, and there are more characters. A third one is introduced soon. Maybe a few strips away from the current one. As for the fourth-wall breaking - well, I don't always do it as much as the worst offenders, but I don't know that I ever leave it completely intact. The comic is being presented as a show, and the characters are interacting with the audience.
And in retrospect, I wish I had known it would break the h-scroll on the forums - I thought I was safe.
iglidante
10-05-2009, 2:49 PM
This is the current strip as of today (Monday, October 5), for reference. The ketchup strip, I posted because I liked the joke and the writing, but the panels are pretty static.
http://www.flyingmanandfriends.com/comics/2009-10-05-be-very-very-quiet.jpg
The_Solipsist
10-05-2009, 3:22 PM
There isn't any humor. It just seems like a failed attempt at being random.
I do gradually integrate more "poses" and whatnot into the strip, but never really "animation," in that they always stay in relatively the same pose. But there are new settings, and things to interact with. If you check the site, there are 23 strips in the archives so far. I've got 12 more written and drawn, waiting for their turn.
I went through and read all of your comics before commenting. I definitely think animation would improve your comics. Right now, it seems like all you do is copy and paste, and occasionally resize or rotate. It's boring.
I realize that they're all based on the dialogue of Flying Man, but without context, it's so uninteresting.
Try new things. Experiment. More people might find it intriguing.
Um this comic is terrible. I mean god awful.
I actually kinda like the art. But it seems like you're trying way too hard to seem random and absurd instead of just letting a joke come naturally.
Metalhead636
10-05-2009, 10:07 PM
The art it well drawn, except for the fact that they just stand there.
The jokes are lacking, they seem to lead to a brick wall of misery.
Savaril
10-05-2009, 11:21 PM
Awful comic. Aside from the sample you posted in the thread, it's all unfunny and bland.
I read your whole archive and you really need to make the characters move because it is some boring crap to look at.
Those two characters are also pretty damned boring. You need to add more "Friends".
Maybe those friends can bring some funny to this mostly unfunny comic.
I do think you can fix it unlike most fanart fags who come through here.
VerminScum
10-06-2009, 1:43 AM
This comic is so bad its good.
This makes Cyanide and Happiness look good.
iglidante
10-06-2009, 5:19 AM
This makes Cyanide and Happiness look good.
C&H is so variable that it's never really one thing or another. But still, this surprised me, because I figured people in the C&H forum liked it. Should have known better, since plenty of people in the PA forum don't like PA.
Oh, and the characters most certainly are copy-paste. I have a master file for each one, and I reuse it.
And even though it wasn't meant to be a good thing, the phrase "brick wall of misery" makes me laugh. I might even make a brick wall of misery for a future strip. No, I'm definitely going to.
Really, my aim is this: cute characters and settings, with bright colors. Absurd situations that may or may not have a punchline. But if you think about them, maybe you'll laugh. Or smile. But regardless, it's cute. Definitely random. For me, that's part of the charm. But maybe that doesn't work for most people.
abbey
10-06-2009, 11:15 AM
Oh, and the characters most certainly are copy-paste. I have a master file for each one, and I reuse it.
WELL, STOP IT
iglidante
10-06-2009, 11:20 AM
WELL, STOP IT
Those fuzzy lines do not come easily, friend. I'd rather find interesting ways to work with "stock poses" (as in, a bunch of pre-made ones, rather than just the two I currently have) than reinvent them every time. Consistency may not be as interesting as a fresh character drawing every panel, but I really do want him to look the same. Every. Time.
But having said that, like I said, I want more poses. I have standing and sitting. But there will be others, as I get more comfortable with the strip and think of new ideas.
Do people actually follow your comic? Cause personally I see nothing of interest. I read about 7 comics and each one failed to lure me to the next. That's not a good thing.
DoctorButt
10-06-2009, 5:13 PM
Yeah, these are actually kinda bad. You aren't funny.
Stealth Prawn
10-06-2009, 9:21 PM
I read through them all, and found myself laughing, despite there being no punch line or joke in any of these. I really don't know how you do it, but I'm enjoying these.
Tyler_Legrand
10-07-2009, 3:34 AM
Oh great... Now he'll have a justification to latch onto.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 5:05 AM
Oh great... Now he'll have a justification to latch onto.
No, you see, this is totally the response I'm getting. I do have followers, and there are people who tell me they love the comic. And then there are people who hate it. Absolutely loathe it. It's either one or the other. I'm trying to make it better to raise the ratio of love to hate.
I really don't see the attraction. I could only read about 4 of them, and i didn't smile at one.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 5:26 AM
I really don't see the attraction. I could only read about 4 of them, and i didn't smile at one.
Which ones did you read?
Quadros
10-07-2009, 7:09 AM
They all look and read like they were written by a four year old with a terminal case of unfunny. Fun fact; 'random' does not mean 'funny'. In fact it's dick wads like you and your obsession with 'random lolol' that's destroying any humour the bizarre and unexpected might have. You're not just making a shitty web comic, you're helping to wipe out an entire area of humour forever. Stop it.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 8:23 AM
They all look and read like they were written by a four year old with a terminal case of unfunny. Fun fact; 'random' does not mean 'funny'. In fact it's dick wads like you and your obsession with 'random lolol' that's destroying any humour the bizarre and unexpected might have. You're not just making a shitty web comic, you're helping to wipe out an entire area of humour forever. Stop it.
Harsh words, man, but no single form of humor is going to displace another. Things come and go. And for some people, random does mean funny. And some people like dry British humor. Or intellectual humor. Some people like dick jokes. I like whatever makes me laugh.
For 'random' to be funny it has to be truly unexpected, not part of a played formula.
I won't comment on your comics cause I haven't read them, just thought I'd interject though.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 8:42 AM
For 'random' to be funny it has to be truly unexpected, not part of a played formula.
I won't comment on your comics cause I haven't read them, just thought I'd interject though.
Agreed. It's just that the "you're ruining humor, GTFO" argument is baseless. You can't ruin humor. It either happens or it doesn't. And more importantly, it happens in the mind of the reader. It's subjective.
Well, I wouldn't go that far. The standards of humour, and specifically humour relying on the unexpected, have dropped fucking low as shit in the last decade or so. So really every failed attempt is another nail in the coffin.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 9:29 AM
Well, I wouldn't go that far. The standards of humor, and specifically humor relying on the unexpected, have dropped fucking low as shit in the last decade or so. So really every failed attempt is another nail in the coffin.
I guess I really just see it as "if it makes me laugh, or at least entertains me, I'm fine with it." Some of the dumbest shit can still be hilarious if it catches you at the right moment. It's an easy laugh, true, but it doesn't bother me. I know people are going to reference Adult Swim and Family Guy, because those two in particular make grabs at easy non-sequitors.
Really, I don't know the answer. I still laugh at dick and fart jokes. Not all of them, but sometimes that just does the trick. But I also like math jokes.
The_Solipsist
10-07-2009, 9:58 AM
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/3998/hyperbole.png
iglidante
10-07-2009, 10:15 AM
Alright, so you think that randomness can only be barely funny at best.
The_Solipsist
10-07-2009, 10:18 AM
It was a math joke. It's a hyperbole, get it?
Quadros
10-07-2009, 10:57 AM
Harsh words, man, but no single form of humor is going to displace another. Things come and go. And for some people, random does mean funny. And some people like dry British humor. Or intellectual humor. Some people like dick jokes. I like whatever makes me laugh.
No they weren't. They were accurate words. I never said 'displacing', I said 'destroying'. You're annihilating bizarre humour with your unfunny shittyness. The mistake you're making is that you automatically associate 'random' with 'funny', probably because you're 12, immature and/or retarded. The fact that random can be funny doesn't mean it automatically is. You need to have skill to make random shit funny, otherwise it's just a gay shitty attempt. Like your comic. Don't try to make up for the fact that you're an unhumourous turd by employing randomness in the place of jokes, you stupid twat.
Seriously, if this is what makes you laugh, you're mentally retarded. If you are in fact mentally retarded, then fair enough, but stick to drawing this shit on sugar paper with crayons. And don't even think of associating the British with these peices of shit. We don't deserve that. This shit isn't dry or witty, it's retarded and gay. In fact;
WE, THE BRITISH PEOPLE, COMPLETELY DETACH OURSELVES FROM THIS SHIT. IT WASN'T US. BLAME LITCHENSTEIN, OR SOMETHING.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 11:06 AM
The_Solipsist: Shit. I totally missed that. Head to table, right now.
Quadros: I never said FMAF was dry, witty, or British - I just said some people liked those things. I don't care for them much myself, so your last statement is something of an endorsement.
Quadros
10-07-2009, 11:45 AM
'Something of an endorsement'? Ok, if you're willing to take shit like that as an endorsement, how about this?;
IF YOUR BRAIN IS IN YOUR ASS AND YOU STILL THINK CARTOON NETWORK IS COOL, AND THAT YOU CAN REPLACE ACTUAL HUMOUR WITH RANDOM CRAP AND STILL BE FUNNY, THIS SHITTY COMIC IS THE COMIC FOR YOU! also: die.
I'm ok with you putting that as a banner ad at the top of your page by the way.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 11:55 AM
Mostly sarcasm.
Look, you obviously hate the comic. You hate everything about it. You hate that I even made it. That doesn't leave too much wiggle room. I'm pretty certain there's nothing I could do that you would like.
Quadros
10-07-2009, 12:25 PM
There's nothing you could do with it, full stop. You can't write off criticism because it's too harsh, I'm just not sugar coating it. Of all the people who replied, two liked your comic. TWO. Everyone else hated it. There's nothing to fix here, the fundamental basis is broken and crap. I'm sorry if I'm shitting on your dreams here, but you obviously aren't cut out to make a webcomic. Try something else.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 12:36 PM
I've actually gotten a good deal of positive feedback in other places. But negative feedback is much more valuable. I don't explicitly discount your criticism because it's harsh, but that doesn't mean I'm going to run home and cry in my alphabet soup either.
You think the fundamental concept is broken. Okay, fine. But some people also think the fundamental concept is cute, or funny. And more importantly to me, I enjoy it.
But you aren't giving any constructive criticism. "This blows, go home and do something else" accomplishes nothing. What can I possibly take away from that? Well, one thing, certainly: I guess I should stop doing this, because it's obviously a waste of my time.
Sorry, no dice.
pini16893
10-07-2009, 12:37 PM
I actually like it.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 1:01 PM
I actually like it.
Well hey, thanks for letting me know. :)
Quadros
10-07-2009, 1:51 PM
I've actually gotten a good deal of positive feedback in other places. But negative feedback is much more valuable. I don't explicitly discount your criticism because it's harsh, but that doesn't mean I'm going to run home and cry in my alphabet soup either.
You think the fundamental concept is broken. Okay, fine. But some people also think the fundamental concept is cute, or funny. And more importantly to me, I enjoy it.
But you aren't giving any constructive criticism. "This blows, go home and do something else" accomplishes nothing. What can I possibly take away from that? Well, one thing, certainly: I guess I should stop doing this, because it's obviously a waste of my time.
Sorry, no dice.
Unfortunately your comic's completely one dimensional so when I criticise the one thing that makes it up, there's nothing left to keep. Is that my fault? Do you genuinely want me to not criticise it because I can't see anything good about it at all? Because if that's the case; The comic with the hats was the least shite. Keep the pimp hat, or something. opinion; validated.
Think about it; Maybe the reason you've received decent opinions elsewhere is that elsewhere the people you asked had something to lose by saying it was shit, or cared enough about you to not hurt your feelings? I have no such compunction. If you bring something good to the table, I'll say it's good. Bring dog shit up, I'll identify it as dog shit. (And possibly then eat it. To protect the public from it. Yeah.)
HappyPalooza
10-07-2009, 1:57 PM
You've got merchandise for this?
iglidante
10-07-2009, 2:02 PM
Quadros: It goes without saying that my friends at least attempt to stroke my ego. I was referring to other forums. People I don't know. They volunteered that they liked it. They got nothing in return.
HappyPalooza: Sure, why not?
Quadros
10-07-2009, 2:02 PM
How the fuck do you have merchandise for this shit? How many shirts have you sold?
iglidante
10-07-2009, 2:06 PM
I just put that up recently, and I don't think I've sold any yet. Cafepress has bad price points anyway, and I didn't do it as a way to rake in the dough - just to offer them if anyone was interested. When I get serious I'll probably look into something else.
HappyPalooza
10-07-2009, 2:09 PM
Alright man, just hoping you're not spending money to get this shit made and have it in some fucking warehouse or something.
Quadros
10-07-2009, 2:09 PM
So none? Not even to your family or friends?
iglidante
10-07-2009, 2:17 PM
I haven't pushed them on anyone. Why would I even ask my family and friends to buy an overpriced shirt or coffee mug of mine? They aren't walking billboards. I created the designs, put them up, and have done nothing to promote them. Plenty of my friends create things I enjoy, and I don't buy their merchandise (and some do have it).
Anyway, like I said, Cafepress isn't a good deal. If you look at my store, everything has a $2 markup on it. That means they're charging $19 base price for a black shirt. I really don't expect to do much business at those prices. It's just there in case.
pini16893
10-07-2009, 2:26 PM
i wish I had a visa to donate some money. really, I like it. the gold one made me laugh
and the ketchup party t-shirt is cool
iglidante
10-07-2009, 2:28 PM
Alright man, just hoping you're not spending money to get this shit made and have it in some fucking warehouse or something.
No, this is all POD, and I don't have anything to do with production. Now, if I knew there were an interest, and I had people committed to buying, I would definitely be able to charge less. But I don't have any money to sink into shirts I probably won't sell. I'm too poor for that.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 2:30 PM
i wish I had a visa to donate some money. really, I like it. the gold one made me laugh
and the ketchup party t-shirt is cool
I really appreciate that you took the time to say that, because it means a lot to me. Especially when the thread is primarily negative. Thanks, Pini.
pini16893
10-07-2009, 2:30 PM
No, this is all POD, and I don't have anything to do with production. Now, if I knew there were an interest, and I had people committed to buying, I would definitely be able to charge less. But I don't have any money to sink into shirts I probably won't sell. I'm too poor for that.
too bad. give it time.
VerminScum
10-07-2009, 3:48 PM
Start creating messages directed at children and remain humorless.
Antisaint
10-07-2009, 3:49 PM
God dammit no this is not funny. At all. If you think it is, you'll eventually realize that none of your friends actually think you're funny, the just laugh out of pity. Or they are laughing at your pathetic ass, not the jokes. And the fuzzy lines look like shit, get rid of them.
Dacada
10-07-2009, 4:38 PM
1. Did the other forums you showed these to make comics as awful as this one
2. Quaddy is right. There's nothing to salvage. The fact that you refuse to even redraw characters differently to make it less boring shows you won't consider the criticism even when it IS constructive. Why is it always the shitty people who refuse to change or try something else? :(
iglidante
10-07-2009, 5:16 PM
Antisaint: I happen to like the fuzzy lines. Quite a bit, actually.
Dacada: No, the other forums were for mainstream webcomics.
And I'm not refusing to redraw characters differently, but I haven't gotten to that point yet. This is a progression. If you look at the archives, you'll see the strip is slowly evolving in art style and complexity. Believe me, I can't do it EXACTLY the same for years.
HappyPalooza
10-07-2009, 6:55 PM
Why is it always the shitty people who refuse to change or try something else? :(
That's exactly why they're shitty.
Quadros
10-07-2009, 6:56 PM
You mean like this one? (http://comicpress.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2896&sid=5ae6268d396283bb3a758f10651b5704) One reply! Nice.
You got an awesome response here. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=cts095fu6bz74d4i6y3p3tb7&page=1)
Also found the facebook, (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Flying-Man-and-Friends/254714230407) 110 fans is pretty impressive. SHAME LIKE 90% OF THEM ARE CATS. Do you sell cat merchandise? I would seriously consider it.
Elipses
10-07-2009, 7:06 PM
Your characters look like shit, can't you even draw a fucking stick figure (http://xkcd.com)?
iglidante
10-07-2009, 7:08 PM
You mean like this one? (http://comicpress.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2896&sid=5ae6268d396283bb3a758f10651b5704) One reply! Nice.
You got an awesome response here. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=cts095fu6bz74d4i6y3p3tb7&page=1)
Dude, dead forums. The Comicpress one doesn't get many hits in showcase. And the TVT thread didn't take off at all because people obviously use that section for discussions, not "check out my stuff."
EDIT: I can only add facebook fans who are on my friends list, and most people ignore group invites. I'm not running advertising on FB.
Quadros
10-07-2009, 7:11 PM
They were the only forums I found your comic on. It might be because all the ones you got loads of rave reviews on are made out of pretend.
Seriously though, 90% cats. Someone's artificially increasing their perceived fan base...
iglidante
10-07-2009, 7:12 PM
Seriously though, 90% cats. Someone's artificially increasing their perceived fan base...
The Facebook page is just a way to notify my friends who happen to be on it when a strip is posted. And, it's there, so I can use it whenever I need to.
Quadros
10-07-2009, 7:14 PM
Do you update it in english or just purrs and meows?
Basically what you're saying is that you use the facebook for your friends and that a bunch of actual cats created actual facebook accounts and just decided to become fans of your webcomic. Even if that's true, you must have at one point noticed that your fan base had shifted from majority human to majority feline, and that you had gained a cult following from small fluffy animals, and only them. What I want to know is this; did you hang your head in shame at that point?
HappyPalooza
10-07-2009, 7:16 PM
Hey wait, cats don't type on computers!
Do you update it in english or just purrs and meows?
HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Antisaint
10-07-2009, 7:19 PM
Antisaint: I happen to like the fuzzy lines. Quite a bit, actually.
Nobody cares what you like, it's what we (your audience) likes that matters. Otherwise it's just ego masturbation.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 7:19 PM
Mostly purrs, with the occasional meow when the mood strikes me.
http://www.rigelvii.com/images/wtfman.jpg
Dacada
10-07-2009, 7:22 PM
Stop using the word "simply". And "splended".
iglidante
10-07-2009, 7:23 PM
Stop using the word "simply". And "splended".
How about "marvelous" and "wonderful?" Those do the trick for you? I simply must know.
hey I made a fan comic
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p102/yoiamdaruler/sonboi.png
Dacada
10-07-2009, 7:25 PM
HAHAH
iglidante
10-07-2009, 7:26 PM
Oh my fucking word. I am seriously laughing so hard I'm crying. I'm going to share this on my site.
Quadros
10-07-2009, 7:30 PM
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2870/comicku.png
Your fans are awesome.
Dacada
10-07-2009, 7:30 PM
How about "marvelous" and "wonderful?" Those do the trick for you? I simply must know.
Oh, so you do consciously recognize you're using pseudo classy-intellect words. You know the ones. I hate that shit.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 7:30 PM
Seriously. Scroll down past the comic. I linked it in my newspost (http://www.flyingmanandfriends.com/).
iglidante
10-07-2009, 7:31 PM
Oh, so you do consciously recognize you're using pseudo classy-intellect words. You know the ones. I hate that shit.
Yes, most definitely, yes. That's the character. He simply must speak that way. It is the only true way for a man such as himself. Why, is it not the case? Certainly you must see it?
Mum October 7, 2009 at 7:14 am
You’re a sick little man, my son.
Ian October 7, 2009 at 9:33 am
Why yes, I do have a cold.
what the hell.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 7:33 PM
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2870/comicku.png
Your fans are awesome.
Quadros, why the hell do you have 155 unread messages in your inbox?
Maybe because he's popular and he's getting laid and smoking pot with friends and not making shitty webcomics online?????
iglidante
10-07-2009, 7:34 PM
Mum October 7, 2009 at 7:14 am
You’re a sick little man, my son.
Ian October 7, 2009 at 9:33 am
Why yes, I do have a cold.
what the hell.
My mother, trying to be witty, but it came out all wrong. I do have a cold. But I don't know what was so sick about the gold comic. I think she just worded it wrong.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 7:35 PM
Maybe because he's popular and he's getting laid and smoking pot with friends and not making shitty webcomics online?????
Eh, I do this in my spare time. I do more than make the comic, you know. I also like to rock out (http://www.myspace.com/ianmarquis).
iglidante
10-07-2009, 7:38 PM
Nice nose hair.
Yeah man, I like to rock it. Stuff's hard to Photoshop out entirely, you know?
exetra
10-07-2009, 7:47 PM
Stick to music bro
This. I can't even force myself to like these comics.
Your comics have no jokes or storyline. They are just a sequence of panels where nothing happens. Like, your characters don't move and they don't have any expression. It's just the Flying brother saying shit like, 'I simply must rather splendid Mr Stinky' and that gets really annoying.
Obviously you have put a lot of effort into it with the whole website and everything but if you want some return on it, you're going to have to make a comic that actually appeals to people. At the moment the only audience you have are people that want to see the same picture drawn over and over. Which is nobody.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 7:48 PM
This. I can't even force myself to like these comics.
Eh, it's hard to get people to listen to new music, and I like to do a few things at once. The is just another WIP for me.
VerminScum
10-07-2009, 7:48 PM
You make wonderfully terrible comics iglidante.
Dacada
10-07-2009, 7:49 PM
Mum October 7, 2009 at 7:14 am
You’re a sick little man, my son.
Ian October 7, 2009 at 9:33 am
Why yes, I do have a cold.
what the hell.
I didn't realize that was from his mom. Oh. Aw.
iglidante
10-07-2009, 7:49 PM
Your comics have no jokes or storyline. They are just a sequence of panels where nothing happens. Like, your characters don't move and they don't have any expression. It's just the Flying brother saying shit like, 'I simply must rather splendid Mr Stinky' and that gets really annoying.
Obviously you have put a lot of effort into it with the whole website and everything but if you want some return on it, you're going to have to make a comic that actually appeals to people. At the moment the only audience you have are people that want to see the same picture drawn over and over. Which is nobody.
Like I've said, I am trying to make this better as I go. I'm reworking some new ideas now, before I start making new strips (I have 11 waiting, and anything past that isn't done yet).
iglidante
10-07-2009, 7:51 PM
I didn't realize that was from his mom. Oh. Aw.
Hence the "Mum" in the title. And the whole "my son" thing. I took down the comment because I don't even know why I had approved it. It was just too weird. And once I saw it here, I realized it was definitely wrong. I don't think she had any idea how strange it sounded.
Pachycephelosaurus
10-07-2009, 7:55 PM
Did you MAKE all those cat profiles?
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