1.19
Another page!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yesss
also, clams
First of all, thank you so much to both Phoenix Requiem and Johnny Wander for linking me this week, that is amazing. They are amazing. Seriously, you should read both (or already be reading them).
I’d also like to take a second to pimp for my friend Sheana, who started her webcomic Team DUDE just this week! She’s been working on it a while, so if you like cartoony-expressive stuff like mine (but probably a tad more humorous) you can jump on the bandwagon. And as ever I need to throw Evil Diva out there cuz I love it.
Now for more srs bsns. Probably due to increased traffic I’ve gotten a small increase in incensed comments. Like people getting pissed about nudity, the suggestion of attempted rape, etc. Just to make it clear, sometimes bad things happen in real life. This comic is set in a real world, and there are, accordingly, real things in it. For example, attempted rape. There’s nudity, bleeding, mosquito bites on the eyelid, alcoholism, unhappy endings, etc. Later on when things get heavy there is going to be genocide. I’m not an unfeeling bastard, the world makes me sad sometimes. I feel better about it by making comics. If you’d rather read a comic about pressing social issues like fart jokes or catgirls, I’m sure there are a million for you to choose from. In the meantime, I’m going to continue writing about this stuff because it is important to me. If you don’t like my interpretations (now or in the future) you are more than free not to stick around.
You’re also free to voice your opinion! I am relatively communicative and I don’t mind having a structured conversation about differing viewpoints. You can always post a complaint or criticism here, or on the LJ if you like discussing things with others. Or email me, if you want to say something privately. Or even just not read the comic! Where I live, its a thankfully free country. All I ask is that you refrain from repeatedly shouting “PENIS” like the kids in my classes did yesterday.
Anyways, thanks for sitting through my small rant. As ever, I really appreciate all of your comments (both the positive and negative) and your support!
ReallyfastlinktoFacebookandTwitterkthxbai
Have a good weekend!
*edit*
Daaaamn guys thats a lot of comments! I’m sure half of them are mine, but still. Thanks so much for your overwhelming support… I can’t respond to all of them right now, cuz I gots work/ comics to do, but I’ll try to reply when I have a chance! Again, you folks really make me feel like I’m not wasting my time with this project, which means a lot to me!
his mooooooobs @____@
lulz
yay for updates!
I think what you’re doing is wonderful, many people need to realize that a story told through artwork can be just as serious (or funny) as one told through words.
The story sounds like it’s going to be really good, I can’t wait to see it unfold.
Why are people throwing such a big fit? I think it’s remarkable that someone is finally putting out a serious webcomic that isn’t gamer jokes and blatant fanservice all the damn time. I love love LOVE when fantasy stories take the serious route like this, and manage to balance it with a healthy dose of humor and action, like The Meek does.
If people are pissing and moaning about it, why do they read it? It’s your story, not theirs. If they can’t take a bit of realism, this isn’t the comic for them.
ANYWAY UM Pinter is love.
I’m lovin’ the colors in this scene, and the moobs just make it that much better. xD
Also, I have to say, Pinter’s fingers are really awesomely drawn. I guess he eliminated quite a few braincells after that fight, via fist-to-the-noggin or beer?
Haha, thank you for your comment. Though I guess some people would (creepily) argue the fanservice thing.
Eliminated cells/ is not in a healthy state of mind… he needs to clean up a bit!
Welcome to Pinter’s amazing world! Sleep once and twice the amount of time you spent sleeping is being erased from your memory. Which can be both relieving and stressing.
Free country, free internet. Which has its consequences. I wonder, though, whether you moderate the comments… because eventually people might show up here writing “penis” repeatedly?
I’ll later drop a comment on the LJ about the latter matter (haha) since discussing on this site which is meant for comments *only* might annoy people. So.
I like the page! It’s really neat how accurately you manage to define the light source inside of the tent. ♥
Haha, yeah I do moderate comments, but I basically let everything through that isn’t spam or someone telling me to eat a dick.
It’s sad that people feel the need to get in a moral outrage over things like that. It’s just ridiculous in many ways; bad things happen quite often in real life, so why should a realistic story have to be entirely sunshine and butterflies? It’s life’s difficulties that make the triumphs so much sweeter.
On a better, more page-related note: Awww, Pinter, I love you. Don’t go changin’.
Pinter is rather mild-mannered, it’s sweet. Love how he doesn’t seem to remember he’s been fighting today, haha.
Well, I find the nudity in your comic just fine, not over the top at all, and I’m a pretty conservative gal. I do wonder how you learned to draw all the bits and pieces flopping while Angora’s running so well!
Don’t worry about those nasty comments. I love this story and your sense of humor…I can’t wait to see where it goes.
Haha, its extrapolation I swear! I don’t go around referencing flappy boobs or anything (OR DO I)
ORZ. Are people really complaining about the nudity? I always thought that was an upside! (Seriously, I’ve always found it to be tasteful. It’s part of who Angora is, and … it’s not sexual, geez. She’s just natural.)
Anyway, congrats on your pimps! And thank you for pimping me. <3 The thumbnail version of the comic was one of the best things I ever read on the interweb, so it’s kind of amazing how you continue to improve upon something I already found hella impressive. (For one, I didn’t like Pinter nearly as much as this time around!)
Yayyy I really fear for Pinter’s character in this version, I sacrificed the first scene with him to focus more on Angora, and I’m afraid he’s coming off the wrong way. I’m glad you like him more this time, otherwise I would probably DIE
And no problem, I try to pimp it whenever I have a reason!
ohlol, I don’t understand how people get mad at authors for including things that REALLY HAPPEN in their stories. Just because you write it doesn’t mean you support every act every character executes. I for one think you bring elements of real life to the plate in a way that is not morally condescending and preachy, which is something too many writers fall into, even the pro ones.
BUT getting back to this page, hahaha clams. Cute expression on Angora in the last panel.
Also, PENIS.
lol whatever, you know I am in 100% support of deathhands! And nudity and robbing old people.
PENIS!
or, alternately, BITCHES!
It’s not very often that one finds a dark, more adult-oriented webcomic on the internet. This is the second one I’ve found. The first was discontinued after awhile (Seamonster by Nathan Castle). I genuinely appreciate your artistic goals, and I wish there were more artists out there who thought the same. That’s not to say that I abhor sites like Penny Arcade and 8-Bit Theater, but I don’t read them. I’m not a fan of comedy for the sake of comedy. I am, however, a fan of artistic ventures which thematically emulate real life.
I’m more than anxious to see how you continue to carry the realistic social themes throughout The Meek.
On a side note, I’m also extremely happy with the twice weekly updates. That’s so rare to find anymore.
- Nayt
Thank you! I’m sort of like you, I enjoy reading those kinds of comics for entertainment, but they don’t really resonate with me.
I too am looking forward to dealing with the bigger issues. Religion is another big one that I’m scared of messing up too badly on! We’ll see, I guess.
Religion, huh? That’s a tough conflict to capture without alienating readers. Essentially taking Catholicism and renaming it–but keeping everything else the same–and painting it in a diabolical light will get under the skin of numerous readers. Religion and politics, sadly, are the two most controversial subjects in literature.
I look forward to seeing where you’ll go with that. Likewise, for the sake of a suggestion from one writer to another, making up religions usually goes well. A brand new religion with only a couple of few parallels with a real world religions (more than one, usually) painted in a negative light usually does not alienate readers, particularly because it requires an in depth reading to get that you’re making a comment about organized religion, and it’s not necessarily a favorable one.
I hope that helps a little!
This has been really good so far, really enjoying it.
As for people and nudity.. I don’t get it. I really don’t.
From what I can see in the comic so far, it has been tasteful, not really anything unpleasant about it what so ever.
I also agree, stuff can happen– people do get raped, but if people are getting upset about that, from what I can see on what I read– She was being chased, yes.
She is nude, yes–
…
But I didn’t see any hands going in the wrong places. Perhaps we all know that is what they really wanted too do, but hey, its not in your face right there, so I don’t see why people got upset.
I guess sadly the American public, and some other majorities, believe that any form of nudity, even artistically done, is somehow, hmmm– sexual.
Which is rather sad, because the way I see it, the human body itself is a piece of artwork and there is nothing disgusting about it.
Anyhow, keep up the work, cause I really want to know who her grandfather was– why she seems to, perhaps, understand animals, and why she doesn’t seem quiet like the normal human…
Yeah, I get a lot of that. Especially with the nudity. Some people have said its porn, which sort of bothers me… there’s not going to be very much sex other than implied sex in this comic, so it bugs me that someone thinks that just because there are boobs that I am drawing some kind of sexy thing. Ah well, I guess I have to assume that a lot of the readership is going to be of a not extremely mature level…
And thanks, all your questions will be answered by the end of the chapter!
Very good, your comic is super.
How can people be mad about nudity in a comic? And people need to stop complaining, it’s not like they’re paying for this. If you don’t like it, then don’t read it!
I think your comic is great and you shouldn’t change anything about it.
The first time I got linked this comic all I could do was laugh. The little monkey was so funny. Ahhh… Well to tell you the truth it got better each page. Hopefully though the monkey will get its revenge on the foresters, they crushed his fruit!
Man I like Pinter alot, even though the memory loss, well, its quite peculiar. Maybe its the nasty water stuff he drinks… or is it something else…
Well this is a sweet comic, and I fully intend to stay along (bookmark) XD
Yes, its the nasty stuff he drinks… alcoholics can blackout and do things they’re not aware of doing during the blackouts. I’m guessing he’s far enough along to have those, unfortunately!
And thanks so much for reading and sticking around, hehe!
Woot! FInally! I was so happy when I found out that you were finally webcomic-ing this. Like Brinson, the thumbnail comic was one of the best things I’ve ever read on teh nets- I kept thinking about it and never forgot it, really. o-o I can’t wait for the other characters to begin appearing. So great <3
First off, I have to say that I adore your comic. How could people get mad about such trivial things? The world is a sucky and I love to see it portrayed that way instead of a “super kawaii” happy land. You’re comic has characters that are flawed, real, and interesting to read about. Keep up the good work.
And by the way, Pinter is so my favorite character.
I love this comic, it’s great… especcially since i don’t have to pay to look at it. I’ve read all the rough and I like how it’s turning out. My own comics are hideous, but then again i’ve never taken anything very seriuosly and i’m a lot less experienced. keep up da good work. (Psst… not like I wanna be rude or anything but when does Luca show up…
?
Ahahahahahhahahhahahahhaaaa *rolllllls*
I’m sorry I just find that so ridiculously amusing. Sorry kids that’s life. I like a happy ending as much as the next person but ummmmm…Unhappy endings happen sometimes. and sometimes the world is a bastard/bitch. I actually admire any artist who has the gonads to be realistic in their comic. F’r instance Pinter’s memory loss. Completely in tune with heavy alcohol abuse. What, people were expecting that being an alcoholic is all about ” HIC LARLARRR IMMA HAPPY ALKIE COMIC RELIEF LOL ” with no consequences whatsoever? Lol whatevs. Also Angora’s nude, that’s who she is, don’t complain about. it’s tasteful and not skanky. Those guys most likely would have raped her because they have the mindset of ” NAKED = EASY ” It’s logical
The loudest boos come from the free seats >:/
lol yeah, I was upset I didn’t think to include drinking-induced blackouts in the sketch version. Thankfully I have a list of things I wanted to change, otherwise I might have forgotten… and thanks. Most of the rude comments have been more on the lines of “this sucks I hate you” and such… I dunno, as long as you can justify it, I don’t mind hearing it. I guess justification is too much to ask from the internet, haha.
You tell ‘em!
Seriously people it’s a human body, what you don’t look in the mirror when you dress? It’s not like the nudity is blaring in your face anyway, it’s very subtle.
I love this comic, thanks for the update!
whups sorry to edit ” Those guys most likely would have raped her because they have the mindset of ” NAKED = EASY ” It’s logical that they would think that way. Not saying it’s right. But it just stands to reason that’s what would happen ”
there we are
good points in the comics but there is always someone whom takes offense to things none of their business
Thats true! I actually don’t mind if they do, I just want them to explain themselves instead of leaving some quick stupid message, haha.
I’d just like to say a massive “good on you” for everything you’ve said. The world can be a really shitty place and tiptoeing around that isn’t going to help.
So thanks for running a great webcomic, attempted rape, nudity and all.
Yay updates! And Boo stupid people! Sorry you’ve been getting retarded feed back from some people. I love this comic and your drawing style and I look forward to seeing this story progress. <3
Aahhh, that’s so stupid. I can’t believe that people are getting their panties in a bunch over stuff like that. I really love your comic because it’s realistic and not just happy puppies and rainbows and unicorns all over the place.
I like Angora’s nudity, too. I find it really refreshing. Also, because I wish people didn’t make stupid social conventions (most of the time) like clothing ’cause being naked is really nice. xD; Bras are uncomfortable sometimes!
Oh snap, wasn’t expecting a link so soon. Thanks for that!
Haha, as much as I like to lose myself in flights of fantasy, sorry kids, that’s how the real world works. Complaining about something not because it’s poorly written or drawn, but because it’s NOT NICE AHH? T’ain’t logical.
man i freaking dig the meek, serious issues are part of the reason why. i think they add depth to a comic, to allude to you know. REAL WORLD problems.
and i have a serious soft spot for well-meaning alcoholics, so i am way glad to see pinter in the past couple pages.
linked you on my comic, though it’s small-time. YOUR NAME, SHE’S GETTIN ‘ROUND.
Haha, I think Pinter needs to lay off that everclear for a while :p
I blame Youtube for the disturbing rise in meritless criticism. A lot of people have simply turned “huh huh, this sux” into a default response to everything they see. You just have to accept the fact that a vast majority of the world’s population isn’t smart enough to communicate why they like or dislike something. So they resort to looking to the few smart or popular people of the world to help them form their opinions, like the sheep they are.
It’s almost enough to give you a god complex.
Almost?? *hurls lightning*
This uh, page you call it – so page it is! Pointed out how young Angora is, I hadn’t noticed too much before, I think the change is she looks a bit smaller compared to Pinter now – looking back, yeah there is a bit of a difference to back in the logging village and now – and I didn’t think the tent was that big to allow for much perspective
Wow can I stop picking on you, sheesh I’m even annoying myself – she’s supposed to be young, so you’ve fixed the problem, naktarr shuts up now.
And my other half has lost his tan from working indoors too much and his hair is too long to look like Pinter anymore *flails* Nuuuuu!
lolll damn someone noticed! Yeah my tent perspective has always been a huge problem, unfortunately. I can never get the right angles I want so I sort of flub it. Hopefully people will just assume Angora likes to drift around in space a lot… or something…
I hadn’t noticed the size either, maybe cuz she’s scrunched up? When they’re back to standing mode maybe it’ll be better. Or maybe if I stop drawing these at 3 in the morning it will be better, hahaha.
I noticed the comments over at Phoenix Requiem and was glad to see such a talented artist noticing your equally talented work. I was originally directed here by Michael of Dawn of Time who began posting his comic a few months ago.
It’s sad that you keep getting negative feedback about the nudity and attempted rape. The nudity is (as pretty much everyone here points out) very subtle and non-sexual. And even the attempted rape wasn’t so explicit as to run a risk of seeming to be encouraged. Sure, it made me uncomfortable to recognize what the loggers were up to, but art needs to make people uncomfortable sometimes. It’s how society grows!
So, to sum up: love your comic, glad to see you getting recognition from your peers, keep up the good work!
Thanks! I wish I could fast forward to the part where the lewd chasing is somewhat explained, but that would ruin the mood a bit, hehe. And thanks for alerting me to the DoT link, I hadn’t realized I’d been linked! That was kind of both artists for sure.
I LOVE THIS COMIC!
Sorry, I just came in, and after reading the first 19 pages, I can tell it’s gonna be EPIC! I is excited!
I’m especially impressed by your art style. It reminds me of something… Maybe old-school Nicktoons? Whatever it is, it’s definitely refreshing compared to all the comics out there done in generic anime-style, where everything somehow looks freakishly… uniform. You’ve got a great range of facial and bodily design; your characters don’t all look the same.
Awesome.
Thank you! I’m glad its looking freakishly uniform to you, lol, much better than it just looking plain old freakish!
….. moobs? lawl! eeeewww
awesome! I loved it so did my lil’sis we thought it was so funny I’m gonna get my other sis to read this to cause she loves cute funny thing’s like this! ^_^
P.S that squirrel/monkey thingy at the start, SO CUTE!! XD
I love how people complain about a harmless comic like this when they’re probably reading comics from overseas that are completely dedicated to those subjects. I can’t even comprehend that and I hope you take all these comments with a grain of salt. Don’t let their opinions change what you’re doing because it’s fabulous just the way it is.
Ahaha, right… I’ve seen some manga at the library (of all places) that were basically sequential pics of panty shots/ cleavage shots. It was pretty horrific.
And thanks! I couldn’t change or stop at this point even if I wanted to, probably!
Lovely page, as usual. The sketchcomic was awesome, and this is even better! If I’m liking PINTER this much more in the real comic, how much will I love LUCA when we get to his chapter?!?… 030
Quick question–what is that green scarf thing Pinter’s wearing around his neck? I just noticed it, and now I’m curious. Is it a religious thing like the skullcap, or just a strange fashion statement?
Gorgeous as always. I can’t wait to see the rest unfold!
Haha, its just a scarf! Like a loopy little scarf, vs a strip of fabric. All the Northerners wear it (since its cold up there and the air quality isn’t very good) but its sort of strange for Pinter to have one seeing as he’s in the middle of sweatland.
Oh noes–Pinter, don’t you know that the fashion police are watching?
HOW DARE YOU TRY TO PORTRAY A WORLD REALISTICALLY, GEEZ. DON’T YOU KNOW HAVING BAD THINGS IN COMICS IS ILLEGAL ON THE INTERNET.
>|
Oh wait it’s not. My bad. Carry on as you were.
ILLEGAL! Oh noes, someone better call the internet police…
I hear a chinchilla tipped the internet police about this comic already! D:
I have a crush on Pinter. D:
Oh, and I love this comic. Boo to the people too immature to love it too.
There are BAD things in the world?! WHY DO YOU SPOIL MY DREAMS, ALEXDS1?!?!
:giggle:
Yay more Meek! <3
wuhhhht! the naked thing is tastefully done. i mean it’s not the sort of naked that makes people feel awkward y’know? and not a lot of artists can pull that off, so kudos to you alexds1.
anyway, wow, i’m really liking this pinter character! aside from the drinking problem, he’s totally decent for not leering at angora (yet?). and the clams advice made me lol! does that expression already exist or did you just come up with that? hahaha
i think your comic is gold. there are a whole bunch of webcomics out there that are excessively violent and obscene, but yours is FINE. the story is so unique! some comics jump straight to like, gory battle scenes or kissing scenes within the first few pages just to keep readers interested, but then there’s no build up and the story appears to be lacking.
with the meek, i don’t know how you do it, but there’s like this huge anticipation thing! like people are dying for the next update.
okay.. so bottom line – great work! haha, sorry for the long comment.
Don’t let the shortsightedness of our fellow humans get you down. People like them would rather sweep all the dirt under the carpet rather than talk about it.
I believe this is a tastefully done comic and I don’t see the reason why people are giving you flak about it. Maybe they should learn to accept the fact that a naked body is just that, naked, and completely natural.
I, for one, say worry about real issues and stop bickering about petty things. Everyone wins that way.
I’m new to this site and came via P R. So far I like the story and it sounds like it’s going to get much better. keep up the awesomeness. I’ll be anxiously waiting to see how it unfolds.
Ohhh, I’ve been rambling a lot….
Haha, they’re talking under much more civil circumstances than in the sketches. Pinter didn’t have to get “kicked in the clams” himself this time XD. Loving the plot progression and the update speed (I can barely keep up with the new pages, lol). The new angle you’re telling it all from is no less intriguing than the first and I can’t wait to see what happens next
.
Aw, I don’t know how people could be offended by The Meek. The fact that it has any of those things you mentioned without them being gratuitous makes it a marvel among comics. It is VERY refreshing and unique as it is. Its realistic tone, the extremely human characters; all this is part of what makes the whole thing so enjoyable to read.
Congrats on the links!
It is one thing for people to be upset about the way a touchy subject matter is portrayed, it is another to be upset that the matter is portrayed or expressed at all. Suppression or avoidance of serious issues often causes more problems that the matter does in the first place—that is to say it is better to talk about an issue than to ignore it. By the same token, if people are up in arms about the way you are portraying such things, some consideration should be given to that.. I’m not familiar with the complaints, and I’m sure many of them are ridiculous, considering what I have read of the comic so far, but sometimes things one does do not seem or are not meant to be offensive, but upon looking with a different perspective can be appalling.. At any rate, I really love what you are doing so far with the comic and can’t wait for more heavy story lines to be lain out!
Keep up the good work and great art!
-Les
Nice rant.
Wandered over here from Phoenix Requiem, and was effectively snared by the artwork and riveting beginning. Don’t have any problem with nudity or violence or whatnot else. It’s a story. Keep it up!
(also, clams.)
i’ve been hanging around here for a while, i thought it was time to leave a comment now.
if you can’t handle mature subjects you’d better not go around surfing on the internet, that’s all i can say.
i’m 100% behind your ‘rant’
besides, the nudity in the comic is very tasteful. i wouldn’t feel ‘caught’ or anything when someone would see me reading this. as for the storyline: i prefer realism over fantasy any day, although realistic fantasy would of course be the best option – to my taste. i have great hopes the meek is going to be just that and i’m definitely looking forward to whatever will come next.
on a side note: i love how the pace of the story is much slower than you usually see. i t gives more time (and space) for details such as facial expressions, backgrounds etc.
It’s ludicrous that it’s perfectly acceptable for a comic to have graphic violence and gore, but having a character running around without clothing turns it into pornography in the eyes of some village idiots. The even more tragic thing is that you could have done the same exact storyline with Angora dressed in pants and a shirt and having girl-deprived workers chasing after her, and I bet you’d not have heard a single peep in complaint.
The comic looks interesting, is well drawn, and you do an effective job of covering up the nudity without making it look… blanking on the word. Basically your use of blocking is effective and natural. I look forward to seeing more of the storyline.
Rob H., who actually found the comic before your linkage at Phoenix Requiem
your comic rocks, don’t change a thing.
Why are people complaining about the nudity and potential rape in this comic when there is much more questionable stuff floating around the rest of the Internet? D: They need a good kick in the clams.
You’re doing an excellent job, keep it up 8D
People actually threw a hissy-fit about having REAL LIFE THINGS happening in The Meek? What rock have they been hiding under and why are they getting angry at you rather than the government?
But don’t stop with the nudity! When Pinter’s moobs go away all the light will leave my life D:
And CLAMS. Never, ever have I heard anyone call testicles “clams” and I fell a little big more in love with Pinter for it. <3 <3 Oh, you alcoholic sod.
I have to learn how to read slower, to make the pages last longer. This is like watching your favorite TV show in 30 second segments every week; sort of torturous, you know.
Good news is, I’m still coming back each week despite the torture. Can’t wait to see more!
Well, I for one like how realistic this comic is. Makes things more interesting and believable. Besides, it’s very tastefully done. Anywho, keep up the good work!