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New page! Akula squares off against Yarost while Topo and Rata prepare to take on the graceful and cunning Panpina! Well, ‘prepare’ is a bit of a strong word. ‘Topo annoys Rata until they get into a fight’ would be closer to the mark 😉
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Hmm… I would like to say that, I’m looking forward to the next few page’s. Definitely what Yarost is suggesting what they should do. But, I don’t want to get on that excitement rollercoaster just in case.
But on to a different topic. How are you Peter? Both, physically and emotionally. Do you still enjoy working on this comic or does it feel that your flame for it is dying out? The reason why I’m asking is that one of my comic creators that I follow said that he is going on a 3 or 4 mouth break. He said that he is having some emotional troubles with his family. So, I’m asking all the others that I follow how they are.
I’m okay. Thanks for asking 🙂 It can be tough sometimes as making comics takes up a LOT of time and it’s not exactly the most lucrative profession (I could earn more working a minimum wage job). Sometimes it can be hard if you lose Patrons and you fall in the charts or what have you or you get some negative feedback despite putting in 80 hour weeks (I work 7 days per week, 8am-1am-Although I do take breaks to socialise and watch stuff and do some hobby).
The thing that keeps you going is the love for what you do. That feeling of creativity and the enjoyment of making something you like (even if you know there are plenty of people out there that are better at it than you are).
I think the key to keeping going in the long term is to have a bit of variety, even if you’re a workaholic (like I may be) you’ve got to try to take a bit of time out each day to do other stuff. I spend time with the family and usually spend an hour or so watching something. I work on models and miniatures and I play a D&D game once per week (though I work while I’m playing) and I try to get a walk almost every day and I lift weights (I’m not exactly strong, but I’m at least no longer totally weak 🙂 ).
So yeah-The key to being able to keep doing this is to be passionate and work hard but don’t do it to the exlusion of all else or you may burn yourself out. Look after your body and take some time out for a hobby and for friends and family.
I can understand some creators needing to take a break or throwing in the towel. As I said, it can be tough sometimes. Some creators push themselves so hard that even a minor setback or a harsh critique or comment can break them. So try to be nice to web comic creators if you can be 🙂
Actually, slightly off topic but sort of related. Here’s a tip for the critics. We know we suck. You don’t need to smash us down and put us in our place. I’d be very surprised indeed to find any web comic creator strutting about thinking they’re great or superior in any way. Likewise we know our art or writing or whatever isn’t perfect. Occasionally we may create a piece we like, but we’ll start to see flaws in it within hours (maybe minutes). So-Critique if you must and give feedback if you think it’ll help, but don’t assume web comic creators are delusional or arrogant just because they publish a comic online. Trust me. We know we’re not perfect. We’re just doing our best to make something cool that hopefully some people will like 🙂
Well that’s good… You know just like so many people, I to would like to make a web-comic. Two actually, a sci-fi one and a steam/diesel punk one. But sadly I’m no artist and before you say anything. Yes, I have tried. From 8th grade straight to two years in art school. I just couldn’t to it. I would ask a artist. But I don’t have the money and I know they would be wanting a lot. Because they would be basically be doing what your doing. The only thing I would be helping with would be the ideas and the dialogue.
So, if you do get a little bit of criticism. Definitely if it’s from me, it’s mainly out of caring of wanting you to do better, to be better….. And maybe some jealousy too, I guess.
I don’t mind a bit of critisism. Sometimes it’s just a specific thing that a person wants to see more of, sometimes it’s pointing out something that could definitely be better and occasionally it’s just somebody that wants to hurt your feelings or knock you down a few pegs. The last one I think we could all do without. That’s the thing I mind. It’s not the critisism . It’s this strange belief some people (not you of course-I’m talking about a certain tiny minority here) have that web comic creators all think they’re basically gods and can do no wrong. I can’t speak for all of us of course, but I’d say the vast majority of web comic guys and gals really don’t think of ourselves as superior. Quite the opposite in a lot of cases. We are often stressed out, neurotic and full of self doubt 🙂
As to making your own comic-That’s a tough one if you can’t draw and if you can’t hire an artist. I suppose you could try to partner up with one if you could find someone that wanted a writer and was happy to team up and share any glory or profits with you rather than taking payment. I know a number of people that went through art school wanting to make comics and decided they’d rather write, although in their cases it was because they found out how much work goes into a comic page. Writing a page can take a few minutes. Storyboarding can take a few minutes more. Drawing the thing-That’s where the hard work begins.
Do you still draw at all? You should draw if you want to. And post it online if you’re not too self concious about it. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Having other people see your work and react to it is definitely a good motivator to keep working (vs just drawing away and never showing anyone). I don’t want to put any pressure on you. If you’re going to make a comic you really need to want to do it (it takes a lot of work) but I’d say at the very least have a go at it. Get a sketch pad and design a few characters and make a few notes (this is how I start a project) and see what happens 🙂
In addition to Peter’s advice, perhaps consider expanding your definition of what a webcomic is. I’ve seen numerous comics done entirely with posed 3d models, action figures, movie stills, etc. I mean, dinosaur comics uses the same graphics for every episode. This is off course easier for a comedy, and less fitting for an epic adventure. And you’ll need to be mindful of copyright law of course. Also, if you absolutely gave up on drawing, perhaps you should try just writing? It’s not an easy craft to master, but the learning curve is a little gentler. And sometimes it’s easier to write those thousand words than to draw the picture. Good luck!
Those are some good tips. There’s always a way with enough determination 🙂 Determination is the most important component I think 🙂
Hello!
Big fan of this comic, your art style, and the whole plot overall! Despite it’s sexual nature, I appreciate you for not restricting yourself because of others critiques / condemnation. You have an awesome talent, and I encourage you to continue your growth as an artist Peter.
Also, I have never used Patreon before, and am wary about how exactly donations would work. If I decided to donate some money, would 100% of my donation go to you, or would you be withheld some of the amount? I would be very grateful if someone (preferably the author) could answer this question.
Again, keep on being your epic, authentic self, big fan, much love and peace.
Good vibes
Thanks a lot for the kind words 🙂
Yes, I think the sexy stuff puts off some people. Although ‘sex sells’ I think if you really want to do well (monetarily) you’re better off making something family friendly. That said, there’s already a ton of that stuff out there. Perhaps that’s why some people are so quickly put off by sexy stuff? They’re so used to things being sanitised and safe that any hint of nudity or the erotic causes them to flee in terror. Exreme violence and gore is okay, but just don’t show a naked breast or have a character in a revealing costume, right? 😉
A web comic is a place where you can go crazy and do something more niche or out there without some executive worrying about how certain demographics might react. Kind of like a modern day version of the underground comix of the past.
I had hoped that society might be heading more my way when I started this comic (sex being less taboo in story telling) but it seems like the opposite might be true in recent times with the mainstream comics of the west becoming more puritanical under the banner of female empowerment and gender equality. I’m actually in favour of those things(gender equality etc)-I just don’t see the need to make comics bland and flavourless in the process. It seems like they’re so frightened of offending somebody that they make something that is inoffensive but also quite devoid of anything interesting or exciting.
Ah well-I was never a big Marvel and DC guy so I can’t really complain (and I probably lack the knowledge to-I’m just going on what I’ve heard), and I expect there are people who do like the current wave of mainstream comics. More power to them as far as I’m concerned 🙂 I had hoped that people would be able to read a sexy comic and also enjoy the story and the jokes and the action. Some people can, but it seems like a lot of people cannot. Ah well. Maybe one day we can move past this aversion to sexy bodies 😀
If you’d like to back me on Patreon I’d be very grateful (every dollar helps!). Patreon does take a small cut (I think it’s 5%), which is fair enough as they couldn’t exist without some money coming in. Up until Patreon arrived I didn’t make a cent from this, so I won’t be complaining about them taking a small cut of the donations I recieve 🙂
I’ll try to keep things going in an authentic way. I tend just to do what I think is the most interesting and fun thing with the comic rather than trying to guess what people may or may not like. I’m not exactly a megastar but I’m at least having a good time. I don’t often open up like this as I try to focus on the comic rather than wittering on about how I’m doing (people have problems of their own and don’t really need to hear about mine), but it’s okay to let people know how things are going every now and then I suppose 🙂
Thanks again for the kind words 🙂
Okay with the one page where Varotto was wondering which of Vascarl’s friends she got the succubus powers from I’d like to put forward my personal theory of Yarost being the one she got them from.
1. We don’t know Yarost’s full parentage. We know his father is Varnack but nothing about his mother.
2. Depending on the lore Succubi/Incubi need to absorb that energy like vampires need blood, they can ingest food and water like normal but it won’t sate that need. It could explain Yarost’s
insatiable
hunger and the pain he feels when he goes too long without food. His partial mortal physiology allows him to put off the possible side effects by replacing it with mortal food.
3. Yarost’s base form changed after the fight with the Undead Poet’s Society, and it did so into a more sexually attractive form. Many Succubi/Incubi can shape shift in just that manner to entice
victims.
4. Yarost is also the only one of the three that is sexually inexperienced. There’s no way I’d believe Rata and Topo haven’t been with anyone and wouldn’t be aware of those abilities.
That’s just my personal theory of course, I could be wrong. With the way things are going we may find out next page anyhow.
Yeah I have been trying to puzzle this together myself. I didnt think of Yarost but I was trying to focus on our shorter friends here. Both have some signs of some magic and Topo is clearly more open to this but Rata does still leave me with suspicion. For Yarost I will just say I will keep an open mind about this dilemma and not rule out anything yet. I think it could be kinda funny how the least sexually active character here (Not taking the new gals into account as we need to see more of them~) is under suspicion for having a Succubi part of his heritage ^^
Those are some well thought out points 🙂
I like how straight up Topo just has ice cream powers now. Not even gonna bother figuring out how or why, she just does ^^ She is also being a lot more lewd now, I guess Vascarl kinda brought it out of her huh? Poor Yarost though doesnt seem very excited now to have to be fighting, I bet he would just rather have a snack and hang out ^^
She got those ice cream powers from the outfit she’s wearing from that Ring of Costumes. Just like Rata has fire powers from the fact that her costume is Bowser from Super Mario.
Is that actually the case? If so I gotta get a ring like that.
Yeah I think it was Vascarl who told them the ring would give them powers specific to whichever costume they used. In Topo’s case it was to create ice cream treats at will.
That’s right. I made a sexy version of the ‘Scoops Ahoy’ costume from ‘Stranger Things’. Hence the ice cream powers 😉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sDUIM_qqjo
Well , i’m not a lot in sharks but she’s cute
She’s a shark , Yarost : she needs water . You have just to dry her (as Vascarl is surely doing with Varo) =^_^=
Varo is only getting wetter ;P