Monthly Archives: April 2011

Metapost: I’m back!

Aside

5

I’m back!  And with a new mask.

The awesome thing about taking a vacation where there’s a strong Latino community is that there are vendors hawking super-cheap luchador masks everywhere.  Though I’m a little disappointed that 80% of their stock seems to be Rey Mysterio now, with 15% being Nacho Libre.  Heck, when I came home, my brother-in-law was all, “Why didn’t you get a Nacho Libre mask?”  Oh, but my rage was straining to be contained that day.

So, of course, I came home with a brand new mask for my collection. One that will HOPEFULLY get people to stop going, “Hey, how come you by El Santo and you wear a Blue Demon mask?  SO… although I may not be the only El Santo posting on the internet, I’m pretty sure I’m the only one posting with an El Santo mask.

Now all I gotta do is modify the illustrations in my banners and headers. Sigh… I just redid those, too.

But back to the reviews!  While I did have a couple comics I was going to tackle before the break, they’re going to have to take a backseat to another Webcomic Overlook tradition: reviews of all the Eisner nominees, run them through the patented Sugarshock-o-meter (currently batting at 0.667), and predicting this year’s winner.  Fortunately, I already reviewed two of them: The Abominable Charles Christopher and Lackadaisy. Only three to go!  

Even if I don’t get the winner right, reading through all the comics has been incredibly rewarding. Last year, I uncovered a wonderful gem in Bayou, which I felt was the best comic out of the bunch. Sadly, most readers of the Webcomic Overlook can no longer read this comic for free now that Zuda has up and folded.  Still, without the Eisners, would most of us have even heard of Bayou? Or even Bodyworld?

Anyway, glad to see y’all again, and thanks for sticking around in time to get down to serious business. The serious business of webcomics.

Poll: Is Hyperbole and A Half a webcomic?

Aside

17

I’m still on break, though right now I’m in the more “trying to catch up with reviews” phase than the “kicking back and soaking in the rays” phase. So, I thought I’d hit y’all up with a miniature interactive update. A while ago, a co-worker and I got to talking about webcomics. (Webcomic discussion in a non-internet setting? Inconceivable!) Anyway, among his recommendations was the extremely popular Hyperbole and A Half. The minute I clicked on the site, I knew I’d seen it before … but I hadn’t considered it a webcomic. It doesn’t look like one in a traditional sense. Which begs the question: is my rigid definition of what is and what isn’t a webcomic wrong and out-of-date?

Metapost: Spring Break Adventura Fantastica!

Aside

5

Long times readers know that the Webcomic Overlook usually goes dark this month for Spring Break, and this year is no different. As I head out of town to parts unknown, the blog follows suit: few updates, if any, next month. This should give me enough time to catch up on a couple of webcomics I’d planned to review, but had fairly long archives.

So, for your reading pleasure while I’m out, here’s a few webcomic review sites that might interest you:

  • After a bit of a hiatus, Zhi is back reviewing webcomics.
  • John Allie is doing some webcomic reviews, too, at Circuit Reader.
  • Don’t forget the webcomic tag at io9, which includes frequent contributions by Storming The Tower‘s Lauren Davis.
  • Born from the ashes of xkcd sucks is webcomics.me, where the target has expanded to video game comics and there’s a legit interview with good webcomic creators every now and then. Wait… their tagline is “We’re serious about comics.” COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT!
  • Finally, find out which webcomics are cool at The Cool Web Comic List.

And there’s also a bunch of links I have posted on the right side of the main page. Happy webcomic reading!

One more thing I’d like to share: a couple of months ago, Borden on the Something Awful Comic Strip Thread put together an amazing video consisting of a bunch of animated gifs he made. The result is a dance party consisting of many representatives of the US newspaper comic scene… though technically James Kochalka’s American Elf, Lily and Bud from Oh, Brother!, and Weapon Brown are techically webcomics with strong newspaper comic ties.

It basically all started with an edit of the Spider-Man newspaper comic strip, where Wolverine stands in the back while Spidey prances around. The video went on to include a lot of running gags introduced in the thread. (Wondering why the mom from Family Circus is dancing half-naked? It stems from a running gag about how a skimply dressed Thel Keane would be the only way to ever make Family Circus interesting.) Even if you don’t know the in-jokes, the video is still very funny and very catchy.

Do I wish someone would do something like this for webcomics? Do you even have to ask?

Catch up with y’all later in a month!

Exclusive “Dick Wolfs” Apparel now available!

Posted on
5

Are you the kind of person who likes to flirt with controversy? The Webcomic Overlook is offering an exclusive line of apparel that will make your friends say, “Time to lay down the LAW, because this guy (or girl) is out of ORDER!”

That’s right. For the first time ever, The Webcomic Overlook is offering an exclusive line of apparel. Hey, webcomic creators aren’t the world’s only T-shirt salesmen… and this site is up for a domain name re-registration in 2012, you know what I’m sayin’?

For those who have forgotten: a very contentious controversy erupted some time the middle of last year. It was a problem that, for some reason, no one was willing to let go. People said things that could not be taken back. Arguments erupted with wanton viciousness.

And, in the end, critics were given the lamest apology possible: the same show, but this time set in Los Angeles.

I’m speaking of course, about NBC’s decision to cancel Law & Order short of its landmark 21st season, thus denying the series the chance to become the longest running televised drama since Gunsmoke.  Why was NBC so disrepectful to a series that spawn no less than four spin-offs, one of which was exactly the same as the original recipe only the judges wear the funny British wigs and another of which dealt with the ethical dilemma of cloning dinosaur DNA?  The Webcomic Overlook is especially disappointed that former funnyman Anthony Anderson was allowed so little time to display his newly discovered prowess in dramatic acting. Will he forever be known as the dude that was in Kangaroo Jack? Time will tell… but yes. He’s totally the guy from Kangaroo Jack.

Hence, we stand with Dick Wolf, the creator of Law & Order. Our site has adopted a new mascot in his honor, like a garden-variety collegiate sports team. If you’re on Team Webcomic Overlook, you’re on Team Dick Wolfs.

The Webcomic Overlook believes in taking a firm stand on the issue and backing up that opinion with solid evidence, just like Dick Wolf.  The Webcomic Overlook stands for fairness, justice, hard-work, and integrity, just like Dick Wolf.  His respect for the craft of storytelling and his unflagging devotion toward his series’ longevity is truly an inspiration to everyone in the entertainment field, no matter what the genre.  Also he gave us the late, great Jerry Orbach as Lenny BriscOWNS.  Rather than being shamed over your allegiance to a now-defunct series, be loud and proud!

Show your pride by styling the all-new “Webcomic Overlook Dick Wolfs” T-shirts!

Shirts are available in both Men’s and Women’s sizes.  Guys, get something for you and your ladyfriends!  Girls, you do the same, but opposite!  Non-traditional couples, do the opposite of the opposite!  Shirts are being offered at the low, low price of $16!  How can you pass that up?  I mean, seriously, we’re undercutting Hipster Hitler by 30% here.

But wait, there’s more!  The Webcomic Overlook is currently stocking a full line of apparel: from caps and beanies to thongs and boxers!  Is this perhaps a little immature on my part?  Perhaps.  But when we’re shovel fed L&O: Los Angeles — Law & Order’s dorky kid brother who hangs around with CSI: Miami in the Pokemon Club after school — well, desperate measures have to be taken.

Order your “Webcomic Overlook Dick Wolfs” swag TODAY!!!