Bob Stevenson (rstevenson) says:

 

1. Written by Guest, on 25-03-2005 16:20
OK, so there is a full-color, full size Yirmumah comic available for $2.99. I'm a moron  
'cause I ignore banner ads and didn't realize it was an inhouse ad at the top of their page.  
 
So if you're into the strip, go buy the thing. I know I'll be buying a copy. 
 
It's at:  
 
http://www.comixpress.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=159 
 
-Bob Stevenson

 

2. Written by Guest, on 25-03-2005 17:27
Another screw-up pointed out. I asked Yirmumah if they'd be interested in a review. They did not submit the strip to me. I have on two other occasions asked creators if they minded a review. These included Websnark and Butternut Squash. 
 
In the case of Yirmumah, I think I wrote to let them know I liked and linked the strip. In the email, I mentioned this comic-blog and asked if I could have the boys take a shot at the strip. 
 
The story with Butternut Squash is almost exactly the same. 
 
With Websnark, the story is a little different. At the time I was hoping to start expanding reviews to other media, movies, music etc. To kick off the concept, I thought it would be neat to take a look at something other than a comic, but still related to comics. I came up with Websnark and asked Eric if he'd mind. He said go for it. I was not all that happy with the result. It was less a review and more of an airing of my tastes. 
 
Most reviewers have no contact with the creators of things they review. I've taken a decidedly different tack here for better or worse. I did contact one other creator, and, for a couple of reasons, decided not to go through with the review even though I had something of a blessing.  
 
I contacted the three creators discussed above at a time when I had very few strips coming in for review, er, none actually (just before I drew strip number 50). I remember it because I had a discussion with my wife about ending the whole thing with number 50. Instead, I decided to take a more proactive approach to the concept, posting the review offer on a couple of boards (I got banned from one for mentioning the concept in an art theory forum) and sending out a couple of requests for review of strips I really enjoy. 
 
Maybe it was inappropriate. I don't know. I'm interested in community and discussion more than following some unwritten rules of the review world. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. 
 
There, I think that pretty much qualifies as full disclosure. Sorry if I've mislead anyone.

 

3. surrealu
Written by Guest, on 25-03-2005 19:03
hey, bud, never knew you reviewed me! And of coarse I do still need to get your fanart actually showing on my page. Right now, it 's living on my blog, but I'm trying to revamp the gallery with no internet connection. I'll get it there eventually

 

4. Written by Guest, on 25-03-2005 19:48
DJ Coffman here--- Hey, I only mentioned that you asked because I didnt want it to soound like I was begging for attention. 
 
With that being said-- We are begging for attention, and THANK YOU for the great write up! 
 
You should let me know the strip you didnt like too!

 

5. Written by Guest, on 25-03-2005 20:30
Quote:

 

Hey, I only mentioned that you asked because I didnt want it to sound like I was begging for attention.  
 
I'm glad you mentioned it though. I never mind being upfront about that kind of stuff and it was my mistake in the post. 
 
Funny, there was just an ad on the radio for Fresh Air or some other talk program and the clip was about how Dali wasn't taken seriously by some of the art world because he was a shameless self-promoter. I prefer to think of him as just part of the act. I wonder what those same critics thought about Warhol. I'm thinking it's all part of the beast. To some degree, we've already blown any sense of detachment from interest in the success of our work through the decision to buy a website and share with the world. I don't see how taking a few more steps in that direction adds anything to that. 
 
I sort of want this site to be a decent method of driving attention towards webcomic sites, good or bad. By dealing with only one strip at a time, the webcomics world seems more manageable and interesting than it does through the lens of the massive lists of strips or updates that are a staple of the community. 
 
As for the one strip that ended up being offensive in my book, it's related to my own hang-up with people throwing around the words gay et al. I figure there about a thousand different ways to make fun of someone, yet the 'homo-' vein seems to get the lion's share and I'm not just talking in comics. Mostly I got sick of hearing it in the high school hallway where there are a sizeable bunch of very insecure kids trying to understand and deal with their own sexuality. And that was my point. The reason people are going to be offended by anything in Yirmumah is going to be some mixture of their own experiences because I do think the strip generally walks that blurry line very well. 
 
I think I even read a post or strip about some flak you received over a New Year's strip a year ago? I'm guessing it wasn't five hundred people who wrote but a small group who would have prefered caution out of some personal experiences and convictions. I could imagine people being offended by some of the Pope stuff or feeding tube strip. They didn't offend me, but I can see where they might offend an ardent Catholic or someone who'd recently gone through a battle over life support decisions. That's why I didn't bother mentioning the specific strip in the first place. It had at least as much to do with me as with the strip. 
 
Keep walking the line though. I enjoy it.  
 
Clay (Surreal U) - Back in December, I don't think I was letting creators know when theirs ran. The theory at the time was people would check back constantly, wondering when theirs would run. I decided that was a little crual so as soon as I know when each review will run, I let the creator know. Looking back at it, I really wasn't doing much of a review back then. Also, no worries about the fan art. I had fun doing it.

 

6. Written by Guest, on 25-03-2005 22:23
DJ Here again: (because I dont know how to sign up)  
 
Thanks man. You know what--about the word Gay.. I definitly knew it's a touchy word when I used it. It seems like such a part of the language now, and I try to stick with how the characters would talk. -- I actually think my friend and collaborator Bob is semi homophobic, but can also turn and joke about he himself being gay and it doesnt bother him. -- (my wife thinks he's in the closet gay) :) 
 
I know the word has been used in a derogative manner towards gay people. Almost becoming the "G" word if you know what I mean.  
 
It doesnt even really make sense if you look at it. Saying "MAN, That is GAY!" -- You really don't mean it has anything to do with belittleing homosexuals in anyway.  
 
R. Crumb just did that sit down interview where he mentioned something about the racial issues in some of his work. He said it was funny how you can use a word like FUCK now and it's okl, but if you say Nigger, people gasp. -- The human mind is so weird. Even I find the N word offensive and I hesitate to even type it out because it dredges up so many bad thoughts.  
 
It's a fine line. Thats for sure. I'd actually like to take some more cracks at the gay thing in our strip. For one...Bob is CONSTANTLY wanting to call Dave, Way-GaY-Dave , which we did do one time.. and the real Dave isn't even close to gay. So, I thought, man, it might be interesting if we delve into homophobia a little. You know? It REALLY is a rampant thing people deal with. Especially with the, uh... red states running everything now. :) -- I find ignorance fascinating.

 

7. Written by Guest, on 25-03-2005 23:27
Now that's the way to deal with it. I mean, I get it - it's just not a turn of phrase I use or plan to have my own characters use, the ones I write, that is. You're right though: the word has taken a turn once again and I'm probably some kind of backwards, old-fashioned yokel for even having a problem with it (that's why I didn't in the original). I'd like to see you guys play with the concept and our obsession with some kinds of PC but not others. 
 
Thanks, 
 
Bob Stevenson 
 
Geez (oops - Lord's name in vain?). Has everyone else taken Good Friday off?

 

8. Written by Guest, on 26-03-2005 12:31
2 things: 
 
1.This may be the best thing I've seen you review yet. This is also the first thing that you reviewed that I had to bookmark. Great stuff...even if you did have to go trolling for it. :P 
(On that note, you mentioned your forum posting about gettting reviews...be careful. Acid Keg's OMG LOOK AT MY COMIC came across as kinda strange on my forum.) 
 
2.Why is is that in a majority of reviews (not just yours) a webcomic is somehow inevitably compared to PVP & Penny Arcade? Are these guys the best...or are they just the most popular? I've seen people (Websnark in particular) completely rant and rave about PvP....I always wonder: "Is that the best that it gets?" :sigh: Does having a large audience made you good or just a marketing/demographic genius? 
-Jared

 

9. Written by Guest, on 26-03-2005 15:12
I read PVP on a sometimes basis but Penny Arcade only rarely. I think PVP is a bit overrated in both art and story. Curiously, the day after I said as much in a post here, Websnark snarked it twice (I've wondered if it was done as a passive response, less so lately as he continues to snark PVP regularly). The strip is funny and popular and crisply drawn, so combined with the demographic thing it ends up seeming genuis. He manages to forward a story arc and bring the funny at the same time so I don't fault much, but I think you're right in implying that it isn't "the best it gets." There is better stuff starting to crop up, some old some new. Their genius is in the niche. I'd include: Bee Comix, Copper, The Perry Bible Fellowship, Cave Monster and Minions. None publish too regularly, but all are works of quiet genuis in my mind. (For quick access, they're all on my links page which contains only comics I have an interest in, though not always for art or story. It is not a link trade page though.) 
 
As for trolling or posting for reviews, I've solved this one: I'll continue to accept submissions, but I'm also going to start reviewing whatever the hell I feel like from time to time. Reviewers don't generally ask permission. I've only done it to try and keep the community aspect of each review alive, but as there's something of a regular community around these parts, I think there's no need. I will make sure to clearly distinguish the submissions from those I've chosen though.  
 
And on posting in forums, I think I've been very careful. It was just one post at a forum where I wanted to get a crit but posted accidentally in the wrong thread. The mod was particularly annoyed and banned me. It was a criticism thread, just not for whole sites, only art. The whole thing resolved itself and the mod appologized, but I was treated pretty poorly behind the scenes so I ran for the hills. 
 
-Bob Stevenson

 

10. Written by Guest, on 26-03-2005 15:20
Oh and I am no fan of Penny Arcade. The concept is profitable and strips are often funny, but the characters do nothing for me. Their lives are boring and pathetic. That said, it's a niche comic, to a much greater degree than PVP. The good thing for Gabe and Tycho is that it's a damn big niche that's wired heavy to the internet. You'll notice neither neither strip is included on my link page, mostly because I don't think there's much of a need to point either out. Their fans have found them and they are legion. 
 
-Bob Stevenson

 

11. Written by Guest, on 26-03-2005 16:07
I'm still amused how the occassional pictures of the people behind Penny Arcade circulate ever so often. The guy/gal behind Escape! went to the Penny Arcade booth and took said picture:The Real Tycho and Gabe 
Photoshop editorial comments aside, it's pretty funny. Then again drawing yourself in a strip is never a good idea somehow. Or so I've learned from ShortandHappy.com 
 
On a side note I've never seen Sluggy Freelance put on a pedestal despite it's crazy following and long update history. Then again I haven't looked at it for over a year so mayhaps something's happened. 
-Jared

 

12. Written by Guest, on 26-03-2005 21:36
Quote:

 

The Perry Bible Fellowship 
 
One of the better comics I found online last year, but a lot of the comics are really similar thematically(to its detriment, which isn't always the case. T-Rex's wacky ideas have been refuted many times and I've enjoyed each one), and I found my laughing was based around what I happened to see first, followed by a lesser sort of polite acknowledgment that the strip was well done rather than a genuine reaction and now I'm mostly curious of what I'll think of it when I check it out again in the future rather than looking forward to it.  Log In or Register to post a comment! It's free!

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