Ok, by popular demand, I’m posting the creative notes and writing out the summary for this strip, so if you’re not into that, turn back now.
This strip features a bit of an unusual framing device, and a musical score! (That’s what that was supposed to be, does it come across ok?) The first four frames are “camera view” and the first two frames are are the establishing shot of the TV show, followed up by a dramatic close up! Then we’re introduced to: THE NEW CHARACTER! Johnny Sanderson! (he views nature from a whole different angle. I don’t know if you guys were aware of that.) The final two shots involve Johnny filming his show “Nature: The Creeping Menace” and the kids, or at least Fred, viewing from afar. Meanwhile, Adam and Serial are building something.
Now, a few thoughts on Johnny. Johnny started because I used to watch too much TV. I watched Jeff Corwin a lot. I thought it would be hilarious if Jeff Corwin secretly hated animals. I was going to create Johnny as a Jeff Corwin, but then I realized that joke has limited potential. Then it got me thinking… In the future, TV will only get weirder. With that in mind, how would a nature host separate himself from the pack? At first I just planned on making him a little person who hated nature… But then I was drawing him, and I decided I was sick of drawing legs on characters. Now he’s got a wheel. A nature hating nature show host with a wheel… That has comedic potential.
Drawing-wise: The second panel sucks. It just looks bad. Other than that, I’m ok with this one. As ok as I am with any of them. Must push art and writing… NEED MORE HOURS IN DAY!
And Finally: HERE IS THE EXPLANATION OF WHAT I WAS ATTEMPTING TO DO WITH THE JOKE, IF YOU DON’T WANT TO READ IT, DON’T.
As far as where I think the humor comes from, I think it has three points:
A: A nature show where the host hates nature is funny. (not sure if it comes across that it’s a nature show or not. That’s why he’s wearing the hat!)
B: The fact that serial may or may not be somehow waging a war against civilization is funny.
C: Johnny Sanderson is poking poop with a stick. I didn’t say everything here had to be intellectual
Oh, and I forgot to post it… Check out The Panel Mammals. It’s freakin’ awesome. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check the comic (or lack there of) before this one.
I haven’t a clue what to say. I think my brain is temporarly shut down.
Also: POKE, POKE!
I say “poke, poke” when i poke people.
This comic make me feel one of those nice feeling who’s name I cannot remember.
Will post more when brain is working properly.
Hi JIm,
Firstly, the 2nd panel looks fine to me – don’t need to worry on that!
I love Johnny’s wheel – it just seems ‘natural’ for the strip – also the idea that Johnny hates nature – totally the right thing ! I like the kind of disheartened ‘poke-poke’, it looks more like he’s been doing a job he hates for 20 years.
The scene with the boys takes the strip (for me) in a much broader dimension – theyr’e buildiung a go-kart or something which indicates that their observation of Johnny has obviously taken place while they were busy doing other things – having their own direction in the strip, and that we the audience have been treated to Johhny’s TV show, as well as a 3rd person view whch lets us into the idea of ‘what lurks beneath’ – he hates nature/his job etc. This really fleshes this particular strip out – it seems very ‘full’ as you have 2 or 3 things going on at the same tiume although we’re only let into them one at a time.
This is one of your best Jim – don’t stop there! Sorry for all the ‘quotation’ marks ! – I need help!
All the best,
Jan
Jim: This one is great, but I agree, panel 2 needs more detail. Also, I would have liked to see some sort of show title “on screen”. Now to be really picky, I think Johnny’s wheel is a little too flat. The robotic camera was a nice touch. I’m glad to see Serial making an appearance….the hard hat was perfect.
I have a suggestion concerning the nature-hating TV presenter. The wheel is a fine idea, but what if it had some pointy spikes or something like that (tank-like?)? In my imagination I can see him (the presenter) riding through nature and ripping innocent flowers into bits with his wheel.
No need to take me too seriously
).
There you go, explainin’ yer jokes again. Bad cartoonist *smack* BAD BAD CARTOONIST. Seriously, man. Let your jokes do the talking. They’re speaking loud and clear. This is a well-written strip…You should expand on the nature host character a little bit. Bring him back from time to time as a bit of a story arc separator or something.
I think Panel 2 is a good contrast because it’s minimal and compliments the busier frames.
By Panel 3 I got that it was a television show being filmed. A simple circle with record in each frame would have worked also.
This is a very clean strip. And I like clean. You seem to have control of the cintiq and it’s begining to show. Very nice on the eyes.
Panel 2 does look a tad sketchy but whatever, 99% of the population couldn’t give a lick.
Did you like Witmer spanking you? Scott liked envisioning it.
Can we keep the spanking to a minimum, please. Unless, of course, there is a giant tuna involved.
I listened to the interview on comics coast to coast again, primarily the part about the Cintiq. I am still doing it old school, pencil/ink/scan. This works best for me because I need the practice, and inking allows me to correct the little things I am not happy with. I am envious of your use of the Cintiq, and one day hope to use one. I have a wacom tablet, but I still don’t feel comfortable with it. What about everyone else?
I have a wacom and I did the grand total of one strip with it. It actually turned out pretty good for the first time. I havent done it since…but I tell ya…I’m going to start practicing becuase the amount of time I spend sketching, pencilling, printing, inking, scanning, opening the files, resizing…BRUTAL WASTE OF TIME.
I am going to practice again starting this weekend, it’s time.
Panel 3 cracks me up. How Johnny knows he’s out of camera range, I have no idea. But it doesn’t matter. It’s funny. The “dun dun dun” musical theme definitely comes through.
I agree with Wit. No need to explain the jokes. Explaining the process, how you came up with the idea is great–but not the jokes. Just my opinion. The jokes are funny and don’t need explanation.
Jeff Corwin rocks. He’s the American version of Steve Irwin. The idea of a nature host secretly hating animals is hilarious.
@#$$%$!
I’m seriously going to fight you guys. Didn’t we already go into the joke explanation? Ok, I edited the post, but I’m not stopping the explanations.
@ Kevin: No one is really that completely comfortable with the tablet at first. It just takes getting used to. Also, as for the flat wheel, I figure it’s like off-roading, where they lower the tire pressure to get over obstacles. Also, I think semi flat wheels are funnier.
@ Jan: That is excellent feedback on the writing and a detailed critique, Thanks!
Ok. Jim has taken some criticisms oover the past week or so about news postings, comment formatting, and now joke explaining. Well Jim…this last assault on you has made pushed me to attack also…so here it goes.
If you want to explain your jokes, it’s your site…what can we do? But I tell you, it does take something away from the world you spend so much time creating. It’s almost like you show us a great novel and then immediately show us the made for tv version of that novel.
I know you, and you are very die hard about your comic morals…what should be in a strip, what shouldn’t…so explaining your jokes seems very anti you actually. You gave me the gears for having mandy read a JP&TM comic strip collection becuase I think you thought it must make your comic seem not real…and you want it to be real. Well explaining the jokes basically rips the readers heads right off the page, and I know you are a comic guy who strives for his reader to be immersed.
I say stick to the tech/process talk and let people decide if it’s funny. And when they do, please tell them to email me so I can find one. ( Sorry, still mad at the whole Justice League thing )
That’s what nice about reader feedback. Take what you want and ignore the stuff you think is garbage. (as long as you don’t delete my posts!) I like the detail you go into in explaining the process of each comic. It’s always well written, interesting to read and shows how much thought goes into each strip. People need to know this–drawing comics isn’t as easy as it looks.
It wouldn’t be much of a nature show without the hat! You must story arc this character. Maybe with Adam and Fred guest-starring? Well not actually “guest-starring”, but appearing in the show.
I think you could have done more with this one, instead of using 3 panels to place the reader inside the setting.
Jeff Corwin is awesome, but he didn’t have that, “I’m gonna poke that tiger with a stick just for laughs, mate. Now watch while I, AAAAARG!!” kind of vibe that Steve Irwin had. Corwin was way more, how do you say, unstupid? Plus he was kinda hot…
Hey, jeff corwin is still a handsome man. He’s got a new show, “into Alaska with jeff corwin” or something like that. The guy cracks me up because he’s kinda dorky and he gets soooo excited all the time. Don’t worry, Johnny Sanderson ain’t done yet.
Jim –
I really enjoyed this one. And the character design, which is strong throughout thus far, rocks on Johnny. I enjoy the little details like the flattened tire. If you were to change him at all, perhaps follow what MISCHO suggested about a tank, like a little half-trac tread to give him stability and true nature wrecking power.
Definitely NOT “a steaming pile of nature”
Hey thanks. I like Johnny too, and I’ve got a bunch of potential jokes with him already. Half-trac, maybe studded tires will be under consideration.
I am back, and shall be making my insect-like presence felt.
Panel two cracked me up. In panel 5, the stick is still jammed squarely into the steaming pile of nature, isn’t it? That in and of itself is funny. Anyway, you should definitely make Mr. Sanderson his own little story arc. In addition to the studded wheel, I think that the go-cart Adam and Serial are building should make a prominent, high-speed appearance. Right through the middle of one of Johnny’s shots. I want to see his reaction to that.
Also, I find the descriptions of the humor humorous in and of themselves, for a multitude of reasons. Sue me. Just don’t step on me.
Dude, you know I didn’t just show that go-kart for no reason….
Outstanding! One of your best. Nice to see some more ‘future’ tech stuff.
I agree, I’ve been asking for more ‘future’ tech stuff from strip one. Do you think he listens to his brother? Nope…Stubborn, just like mom.
I like it, you don’t need to explain your jokes.
Yep, I am agreeing with Wit.
You tell him Ariana…
I agree that Johnny Sanderson should pop in often, great character.
hi i enjoyed the read
Another good one. Poop jokes ALWAYS work.
The camera-view panels are okay, but they would be better served if you rounded off the edges to make them camera-esque. Adding horizonal – perferably near-horizontal – lines over the image, set to about 25% opacity, wouldn’t hurt either. Pure design element though. Means nothing. Ultimately that sort of thing is purely your decision, and frankly it works fine the way it is.
The only true gripe I have is that the Nature Guy’s deflated wheel (which is a brilliant quirky sight-gag) doesn’t read well. At first I thought he was awkwardly crossing his feet, like someone leaning against a wall would do. Perhaps it might help if it was drawn larger? The compositional proportions on him are exaggerated enough that you’ve really got a lot of sizing-room to work with, if you tried that.