2.42
June 20th, 2010
TESA wtf r u doin
I was really amused by the person who commented last page that she needed a hug XD They were correct. OKAY, SO, NEWS:
Remember Chapter 1? The story about the green-haired girl and her fat, drunk sidekick (kinda)? Well, thanks to my publisher 4DE, the comic is available for preorder! They are such a bargain compared to my self-printed ones. This fancy deal is only available until the comic is printed (they will be ready in July), since these preorders are funding the actual printing. After that the site will only have the non-written-in comics for sale. These comics also contain extra stuff compared to my self-printed ones… Some of the things you will find in the comic:
- re-edited pages with more details (some you will probably not notice… but I know they are there ohoho)
- entirely redone cover to make it match the interior art (I did the old one before I’d settled on the style I’m using now)
- an extra (and not online) minicomic about what the hell is up with Pinter in the first place
- some sketches and hideous production art and other things
So, if you would like a copy, or want to support The Meek somehow, or just like burning your money except your fire went out, consider ordering your copy and getting your money’s worth now 
I also would like to mention that we are selling ad space to be printed in the book… more info on that here.
In other news, this chapter will be concluded by next weekend. This is not a prediction, this is a fact. So please check back frequently this week, I have no idea when I will finish the next three pages but they are going online as soon as I do.
Okay, enough about me. The pimp for today is for the comic Sfeer Theory which I didn’t quite want to pimp yet because there are only 8 pages but they rock so hard that I felt like I should bend my rules a little. Also the main character is also Luca so again, a no brainer XD Excellent art and worldbuilding for so few pages, go take a look!
Hello, been watching The Meek since the beginning (got here from a referee link), so I’ll just say this first: you’re doing a fabulous job with the art, characters and overall story. The art is possibly the best I’ve seen on any comic so far.
Now a bit of WoT coming up
However, I am writing here because I’d like to point out something that I think hinders the potential of your comic. And that is: everything happens way too fast. You try to squeeze as much action as possible in a dozen pages, when the story demands for much more. Everything is very interesting, but there are tons of little details and things that could be told about each character and each particular episode, yet the next panel somehow just cuts abruptly to the chase.
If you want a quick example, the relationship between Luca and Phe is something that deserved way more pages: as it is now, even though you are struck by her death, the whole scene with Luca afterwords looks a bit forced, because we barely got the time to properly understand and believe his relationship with Phe. Even her death scene is so very short, it’s disorienting.
As I said, I’m saying this because I think the story and the characters are so very interesting, they simply deserve more pages. For me as a reader, it’s like someone would try to tell me the LoTR story in 15 minutes: it’s still immensely interesting, but I’m missing out most of the drama.
Cheers and if this doesn’t make any sense to you, please forgive my ramblings
I’m trying to figure out what WoT means w/o looking it up… wrath of teeth… wigs on trees
I am already planning on redrawing a few pages in this chapter because of pacing issues. The draft that I’m basing this chapter on also had too much of the start/stop kind of issues, and I’m afraid I didn’t correct enough for that. But also keep in mind that this is a loooong comic (estimating about 40 chapters) so there is a lot of time for more character development. The purpose of the beginning chapters is to lay the foundation on which I get to build the rest of the story!
Waste of Time? I don’t think so, but I’m absolutely stuck on the first thing I thought of that just fit the letters.
NO! Wall of Text!
ahhh yes XD That make sense
Wheel of Time, I believe, by James Oliver Rigney, Jr.
In one sense I agree with you. However, taken from another perspective, many stories try to pick up “at the beginning”. This takes on the effect of “everything started at the same time”, which of course is rarely true. Starting “in media res”, as this comic does, is more than just a way to catch the eye, generates the effect of the story being part of an actual timeline and history. This is only the second comic, and it’s practically a “first comic” given that all of its characters we’ve never seen before.
On the other hand, it does make the pacing a bit fast and it would be nice to see more of the characters we love. I’m not sure if it’s moving “too fast” (webcomics need to get moving, especially at the beginning, to retain readers), but it is moving a bit fast and maybe in later eps, once Meek’s storyline is better established, it can stretch out a little bit.
My turn for a WoT (waggle of titanium)
Different media have different paces; it’s something to accept – this isn’t a book, it’s a comic. That’s not to say that a comic can’t be as deep as a book, or that a book can’t be as intense as a comic, but they both necessarily approach pacing and dramatic rhythm in completely different ways.
To borrow your LotR analogy – it’s not like trying to tell LotR in 15 minutes; it’s trying to tell LotR in 9 hours…as they did with the movies.
I also found the progression in this chapter disorienting – fantastically, and deliciously so. I think that’s a great success – to so quickly and effectively hook us to one character (or relationship) and tear it away from us so soon and still have us care and feel it. I love it.
I guess roller coasters aren’t for everyone though. Just my $0.02
I could hear Lethy’s facepalm from here. ;;
Oddly, I’m not getting a sense of imminent doom from Luca’s expression in the last panel. In context, I would think a look of at least mild disdain would sort of be expected, no murderous thoughts required.
Phe would be so proud hearing him speak like that. I dearly hope that he’s not planning on an overreaction against evidence.
Though I would say Tesa needs not a hug, but a swat. I’d leave that one up to Lethy, though. XD
Omaigawd.
TESA, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!
I like the calm version of a “wtf, lady! get off of me!” look on Luca’s face in the last panel.
Tesa’s panic-induced stupidity might make things a bit hard on her, I bet.
Tesa is going to get a smack…
I am so expecting him to go crazy and crush her skull or do something equally violent. EEP!! Run girl run!
Agh, Tesa, for god’s sake. It’d usually be fairly easy for me to emphasize with someone in her situation, but at this point I’d probably kill her myself >>
I like that you build tension by not jumping to the first scenario that comes to mind, though.
glad im not the only one who noticed that, *ahem*, HIS HANDS ARE SMOKING
potential rival for Angora?
“i make things grow” -vs- “i burn stuff”
sooo…. creeEEEeepy
Whoooo-ho-ho-hoa, why did I read this page right before going to bed, again?
Yep.
Not going to be able to sleep tonight. :[
…Whups. For some reason the comment box has not caught up to the comic. >.>
Needless to say, previous post was a response to pg. 43, not 42.
Meep. ;3;
Luca: I am… This is a difficult time. I am asking you both please for your help.
*one page later*
Luca: That was wise.
So basically the “help” that the ambassadors will be giving him is basically to be victims to vent his anger/hatred on? Sweeeet.
That is a piss poor ambassador, if you ask me. Don’t know why they ever sent her.
I agree! Not the brightest bulb, is she?
That sir, was some awesome harsh shit. This comic has been the silver lining of waiting until my computer got hooked back up. In the meanwhile, I’ve been getting all of my friends addicted to your comic. Keep up the good work.
I absolutely LOVE Luca’s face in the second panel
Is it bad that I lol’ed?
He looks like a sad puppy that just got told there will be no more treats today xD
Works well with the context though