Man, I don't even know where to start. First off, the comic page itself.
Wow, this one was brutal. But beyond the shocking violence in this page (and believe me, it's only going to get worse) there's a couple revelations here. First, Black Blackness and Alpha Female were a couple, and Two, Dan didn't really get his powers from “Superman”. What all this means and it's significance will be explained later in another story.
Okay, as for the real-world stuff:
I've pretty much written BGH to it's conclusion, and the art for this page was done nearly two weeks ago. But for the longest time I just sat on it, because I worried it was pushing things just too far. Not only is it incredibly violent, but the violence is framed with a racist comment. And even though the comment is more a joke at the expense of film, and not really derogatory towards black people…the fact that it's said while a white character is violently killing a black character makes it obviously really sensitive. I wasn't sure if I could really go through with putting it up.
But eventually I decided to go ahead with it. I do want to say though, as cheesy as it sounds, that I don't intend to offend anyone. And if anyone is offended, I apologize in advance.
I think you're pretty much in the clear with the "race issue" especially since it's very apparent that you were making a jab at horror films (and said so in the text).
As for the violence, I would have to say that your art style actually downplays the effect a bit, and makes it more acceptable than full on gore (the blood seems more like rounded goop or gak than spraying blood). I still think your Green Avenger freak-out scene in Crossoverlord was the most graphic and downright creepy piece of artwork you've done. Your faces have an incredible amount of detail with regards to emotion in them, which has developed quite a bit over the years.
As for the wedding, I was really glad that you and Lauren could make it out. I knew that having everyone else there could potentially be uncomfortable, but not inviting people just wasn't an option. You know how I am - I was too far removed from that whole falling out to take sides or even really want to try. I do appreciate the fact that all of you were able to take it in stride for the wedding. It meant a lot to me that you all were there, although it would have been nice to spend a bit more time with you (and everyone in general).
We might be moving up to Columbia this summer though, which would make it much easier to get together, even if it's still a long drive.
@Product Placement: I actually thought of that page discrepancy, but the thing is that Purple Flashlight specifically is the one who knows about the battery entity and is trying to talk Dan down. She's also sidelined from the fighting. I suppose I should have left SensatiaGal out of the frame, but I just like drawing those two together. They're gal pals.
@M_Northstar: I want to be cautious about the race issue, but I don't apologize for the violence in a general sense. BGH has always been a kind of dark story behind the humor, and personally I always found it ridiculous how "Super-heroes" who can bend steel in their hands always get into inconsequential fights. In real life when two normal people fight people can get seriously hurt. It's ridiculous to think super humans would only scuffle and scratch each other.
@gsquared: The reason "Devoid" seems so much more evil than Paradox (though Paradox IS pretty evil, just more in control) is because Paradox is no longer influenced by Tisiphone by the time we first saw him. Exactly why that is will be really obvious by the time we get to that part in the story.....dum dum DUM!!!
Is it just me or is "Devoid" way more evil than Paradox or whatever the name of Superdan's evil future self was?
Well; maybe not "way more" but future-dan at least tries to justify himself, Devoid is just full on monster.
Usually the couples who make out or are naked are the first ones to die?
arent superheroes able to fight until the end with their burning spirits ergo no need for a heart until the match is over luckily the purple ring was not stolen but´probably is now with low reserves of power
Anyway
I dont mind the violence, dc & marvel comic kinda super bloody lately (one of the reasons I prefer dragon ball) I hope there´s a survivor
About the page: Ugh, I'm very conflicted about this page; on the one hand, I want the story to take its natural course and go where ever it's going without reservations, on the other hand, I really, really hate gore fests, plus I don't think there's any way back from this for Dan.
About the wedding: I'm sorry to hear you didn't enjoy yourself. I don't know anything about the situation, but you sound like you'd like to put it behind you, and besides, the kind of acrimony you describe is very unhealthy, as it will block and redirect your energies from more worthy endeavours, such as making comics for me ;-)
You may well run into these people again, in professional, or even worse, private life, so how about acting to resolve the situation? You alreday wanted to do that at the wedding, right? So rather than wait to meet them at some other mutual friend's function, you might try sending them a letter or something. Extend an olive branch, as it were. That would be my advice, from the point of view of someone speaking generally, without knowing any specifics.
The transition between this page and the last one seems to be bit off to me. In the last frame on page 452, the Camaraderie were about to attack Superdan but in this page they're still talking to him.
It's a darn good page, none the less. I just think it would have made a bit more sense if the heroes were fighting Dan, while they were talking to him.
Woof. Well worth the wait!
Wouldn't worry. It emphasizes the sheer nastiness that SD has become here. It's a nice little kick in the balls.
Speaking of balls, it sounds like you were the adult at the wedding. My hat's off to you, sir.
This is ugly... and they're gonna get uglier? Ouch!
Ouch about the crud about the wedding, too. But kudos to you for not doing anything to fan the flames of drama.
Welcome back Dan. Sounds like you had a bit of a hectic time there.
Onto the page. First off, it's really nice seeing an update. I've seen a couple different webcomics die in the past few months, and was beginning to worry about this one. My one complaint about this update is that there seems to be an artifact cutting through one of the text boxes. I'm not sure if its the page itself, or just my browser screwing it up somehow.
ExPaladin at 1:07PM, Oct. 26, 2010
Oh no! :O
RedCast15 at 10:23AM, March 27, 2010
I know emotions were flowing but how is a guy missing his f***ing going to survive... seriously. (Cussing out of coolness of action not to be ahole)
alschroeder at 9:01AM, March 26, 2010
So he got his powers from Superboy-Prime perhaps? Dark page, but still very good.
RustyJefferson at 8:39PM, March 24, 2010
I think you're pretty much in the clear with the "race issue" especially since it's very apparent that you were making a jab at horror films (and said so in the text). As for the violence, I would have to say that your art style actually downplays the effect a bit, and makes it more acceptable than full on gore (the blood seems more like rounded goop or gak than spraying blood). I still think your Green Avenger freak-out scene in Crossoverlord was the most graphic and downright creepy piece of artwork you've done. Your faces have an incredible amount of detail with regards to emotion in them, which has developed quite a bit over the years. As for the wedding, I was really glad that you and Lauren could make it out. I knew that having everyone else there could potentially be uncomfortable, but not inviting people just wasn't an option. You know how I am - I was too far removed from that whole falling out to take sides or even really want to try. I do appreciate the fact that all of you were able to take it in stride for the wedding. It meant a lot to me that you all were there, although it would have been nice to spend a bit more time with you (and everyone in general). We might be moving up to Columbia this summer though, which would make it much easier to get together, even if it's still a long drive.
theRedDeath at 7:09PM, March 24, 2010
@Product Placement: I actually thought of that page discrepancy, but the thing is that Purple Flashlight specifically is the one who knows about the battery entity and is trying to talk Dan down. She's also sidelined from the fighting. I suppose I should have left SensatiaGal out of the frame, but I just like drawing those two together. They're gal pals. @M_Northstar: I want to be cautious about the race issue, but I don't apologize for the violence in a general sense. BGH has always been a kind of dark story behind the humor, and personally I always found it ridiculous how "Super-heroes" who can bend steel in their hands always get into inconsequential fights. In real life when two normal people fight people can get seriously hurt. It's ridiculous to think super humans would only scuffle and scratch each other. @gsquared: The reason "Devoid" seems so much more evil than Paradox (though Paradox IS pretty evil, just more in control) is because Paradox is no longer influenced by Tisiphone by the time we first saw him. Exactly why that is will be really obvious by the time we get to that part in the story.....dum dum DUM!!!
gsquared at 6:05PM, March 24, 2010
Is it just me or is "Devoid" way more evil than Paradox or whatever the name of Superdan's evil future self was? Well; maybe not "way more" but future-dan at least tries to justify himself, Devoid is just full on monster.
algeya at 4:59PM, March 24, 2010
Usually the couples who make out or are naked are the first ones to die? arent superheroes able to fight until the end with their burning spirits ergo no need for a heart until the match is over luckily the purple ring was not stolen but´probably is now with low reserves of power Anyway I dont mind the violence, dc & marvel comic kinda super bloody lately (one of the reasons I prefer dragon ball) I hope there´s a survivor
M_Northstar at 10:28AM, March 24, 2010
About the page: Ugh, I'm very conflicted about this page; on the one hand, I want the story to take its natural course and go where ever it's going without reservations, on the other hand, I really, really hate gore fests, plus I don't think there's any way back from this for Dan. About the wedding: I'm sorry to hear you didn't enjoy yourself. I don't know anything about the situation, but you sound like you'd like to put it behind you, and besides, the kind of acrimony you describe is very unhealthy, as it will block and redirect your energies from more worthy endeavours, such as making comics for me ;-) You may well run into these people again, in professional, or even worse, private life, so how about acting to resolve the situation? You alreday wanted to do that at the wedding, right? So rather than wait to meet them at some other mutual friend's function, you might try sending them a letter or something. Extend an olive branch, as it were. That would be my advice, from the point of view of someone speaking generally, without knowing any specifics.
Product Placement at 10:15AM, March 24, 2010
The transition between this page and the last one seems to be bit off to me. In the last frame on page 452, the Camaraderie were about to attack Superdan but in this page they're still talking to him. It's a darn good page, none the less. I just think it would have made a bit more sense if the heroes were fighting Dan, while they were talking to him.
Slash Wombat at 6:49AM, March 24, 2010
Woof. Well worth the wait! Wouldn't worry. It emphasizes the sheer nastiness that SD has become here. It's a nice little kick in the balls. Speaking of balls, it sounds like you were the adult at the wedding. My hat's off to you, sir.
Klytus at 3:13AM, March 24, 2010
This is ugly... and they're gonna get uglier? Ouch! Ouch about the crud about the wedding, too. But kudos to you for not doing anything to fan the flames of drama.
Xade at 12:27AM, March 24, 2010
cool, and i to am sorry to hear that
theRedDeath at 12:15AM, March 24, 2010
Yeah, I think it's your browser. I use firefox, and it looks fine on both my computers. Anyone else having a problem?
Hyp3rB14d3 at 11:57PM, March 23, 2010
Welcome back Dan. Sounds like you had a bit of a hectic time there. Onto the page. First off, it's really nice seeing an update. I've seen a couple different webcomics die in the past few months, and was beginning to worry about this one. My one complaint about this update is that there seems to be an artifact cutting through one of the text boxes. I'm not sure if its the page itself, or just my browser screwing it up somehow.
ghostrunner at 11:39PM, March 23, 2010
wow, sorry to hear about that
Mr Kaos at 11:03PM, March 23, 2010
Oh. damn.