Equations and Speed
In this comic, Adam and Serial finish building some sort of push-kart, and Fred (being the logical and forward thinking member of the group) steps in to offer commentary and generally be an intellectual wet blanket.
Creation Notes (if you don’t want to know what went into this comic, turn back now.)
I learned a few things while trying to create this comic:
1. Drawing mechanical things that you’re going to have to redraw isn’t a very good idea, because it’s tremendously boring.
2. Just because you can visualize exactly how you want your comic to look, doesn’t mean it’s not going to take that long to draw (seven hours on this one, for reasons I’ll go into.)
3. Drawing hands is really hard, and I’d save myself a lot of hassle if I would just get a mirror by my computer for reference.
This comic seemed to take me forever. Part of the reason, was that I could not figure out the last panel, and I couldn’t draw the monkey’s hand. I’m not even kidding on that last part… For some reason, I just couldn’t do it. I kept trying to draw it from a different angle that was completely unnatural, and I couldn’t figure out what the problem was. I finally just made a grabbing motion with my own hand and straightened it out.
I really like this layout. My only concern is that it might be a bit confusing. Let me know if anyone has problems following this comic. Also, this is part two of what is tentatively titled “The Johnny Sanderson Introduction.” There is one more part on the way, and it’ll be here on Thursday.
One more little side note… This may be the first ‘jetpacks’ comic in which I’ve drawn clouds.
August 21st, 2007 at 4:04 am
The transition from first to second panel made me pause for about a second and a half. Other than that, the flow was smooth. The first and last panels are excelent, so the seven hours were worth it, partially because it was not me drawing.
I question the half panel frame used in the third and fifth panels. Has that been done before? It works well in the layout, it just different to me. I don’t know if I like it or not. In a conventional layout, one row, I don’t think it would work.
August 21st, 2007 at 6:27 am
I love JP&TS.
I had no problem following the flow of this one.
Speaking only as a reader of comics, did you think about leaving the thought bubble out of the last panel? To me it is a sight gag, and a funny one, and is not improved by what seems to be a restatement of what was established in panel 4.
August 21st, 2007 at 7:06 am
A little confusing at first read. Maybe the first panel should of been smaller with the fourth larger. I felt drawn into reading the last panel. Cool layout though with the title in the center
August 21st, 2007 at 8:31 am
Thanks guys.
@ Kevin: The half panel is a pretty standard, and has been employed by others and I’ve used it before in a few comics. I had to use it in the fifth panel because I needed more black without drawing a background.
@ Eric: Thanks! I did leave the thought bubble out at first. At one point I also had fred speaking in panel five, then yelling in panel six, but I was having a hard time laying everything out. This is one of those comics I could have done either way. Tough to say which would be right.
@ MJ: I think part of it, is I should have boxed in panel one, and the title. That open space from panel one to the title and then panel five is acting as a side route for eyes… This layout would have worked better if I kept the frames closed and boxed in the title or made the title a black box with white letters. I still like it though.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:53 am
The layout didn’t bother me at all. I laughed at the fifth panel (”What does he mean nerds ta..”) That’s funny. Liked the last panel too.
Totally agree about drawing hands.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:58 am
Thanks scott. Regardless, I found the layout a little questionable, so the comic you see now is the revised version.
Curse the hands!
August 21st, 2007 at 10:48 am
Again, another clean comic…very nice. I enjoyed this one.
First time using the clouds…couldn’t tell. Gulp.
Why not try filled white letters in your center black square?
August 21st, 2007 at 11:48 am
I didn’t fill the letters with white only because I had originally had black letters with a white frame, but it was confusing the rest of the strip, so I made a quick change this morning. I should have used white letters and a black outline, but I was in a hurry. I’ll fix it later.
August 21st, 2007 at 1:51 pm
I like the layout, way you stop the box
in panel 1 at the top and bottom just great.
August 22nd, 2007 at 6:36 am
great job on this one. nice flow and writing
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:46 am
Hang on, I’m still processing what you were saying in this comic…
I loved the first panel - laughed out loud (well, more a muffled chortle). I don’t mind the layout, and found the whole thing flowed fairly well for me. I did Iike the use of half panel framing in the 3rd and 5th panels, and the larger first and last panels make for a good opening act and punchline. Yeah, maybe coulda done without Fred’s thoughts in the last panel, but then again…
I also loved the classic “leaving the the shoes and glasses behind” motif at the end. Gotta love the classics!
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:19 am
@Doug: Oh man… For one second I missed what you were saying there! Yeah, I too like the “being yanked out of your shoes” gag.
@Wit: Thanks.
@ MJ: Yeah, this second attempt at the layout worked out much better.