Before we continue....
Amelius on June 12, 2007
My deepest apologies to all, but this seems to be needed. I want this off my chest and if I type it in my notes, the people who need to read it, WON'T. That, is abundantly clear. I have the next page in progress, expect that very soon. This isn't really filler, just a badly needed announcement that happens to be interrupting the story I want to tell. If people listen this time, I promise it won't happen again. Now, on to my rant.
That's right, read my notes before you put your foot in your mouth my friends. I've said it…COUNTLESS times. I mean come on, have I not been honest with you all? Was I not baring my very soul, this same time last year, over my heartbreak? I have nothing to hide from you, and why would I lie to you anyway, especially about this?
Do I have to post that truly embarrassing collage I did before DD crashed just to show you that picture of Hex's hair on another character that belonged to me, that I drew when I was 11?
I'm really frustrated that I am having this issue STILL! I mean, it's truly, really obvious that some people refuse to read these notes! I know it seems that these aren't important most of the time, but if I didn't feel that communicating with you was important for our relationship, I wouldn't write anything there at all. You're missing all the links I put up to other great comics (not to mention the crossover links, I have seen a lot of befuddled “why is this arc so weird?” comments, It's because you're missing the other half completely!) Part of the reason I'm doing these cameos is to not only thank people who have been there for me, but to show you there are other fantastic comics on this site, and you shouldn't miss out on them.
And you're missing answers to questions that I'm sure you will undoubtedly ask, and have asked I have an FAQ for that in the forum now too though) and most important of all, you're missing every instance I have typed out that I don't take being accused of style-copying as a compliment. Yes, I realize to some of you, being compared to a popular, successful comic is a compliment. But I've said it before: I'm trying to make a name for myself, not Jhonen. And please realize there are OTHER styles of art out there, other dark humored stories, other curly grins that were there before JTHM, Squee, Zim or any of his other works came to be known. He is not the progenitor of all things slightly resembling “goth”, nor did he invent dark humor, revenge, gore, even random humor (CTV is NOT a “random humor” comic anyway)
And look at what I drew here…his style is a major pain to draw! I could hardly keep it up! Why would I want to copy that? I'm NOT dissing his style, so don't get defensive. I didn't put it down last time either. I like his works but golly geez people would you listen to me for once? I can draw as many vague comparisons to Star Trek to CTV as I could to JTHM. And need I post all 300 or more Beck the Ferret pages, in their tattered horror, all done in the ‘90s, to show you that I didn’t need Jhonen's help to draw something violent and twisted involving a cute character?
And I'll repeat what I said in a recent rant too: Show me more than 2 curly-grins in all of JV's work and I'll eat my hat. Find some bloody curly capes there whilst you're at it too!
Really, I'm not trying to yell at anyone here. I just feel very hurt that some people can't take my word for something. Even when I explain myself, I get this “Maybe you were subconsciously influenced” nonsense. I believe that can happen yes, when you actually have SEEN the thing to be influenced by. But I didn't.
And I am obsessively cognizant of my art, sorry to say. I let the things I want to influence me do just that, and I am rather selective, honestly. If you ask me who influences me, I will tell you. If you say “this reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes” or “Chuck Jones” or “Dr. Suess” or what have you, I'll take that as a compliment, and it attests to your keen observation.
But “This looks like JTHM” only comes off as “JTHM is the only gothy comic I've ever read, therefore all gothy comics look the same to me” or that you love that comic so much, you're projecting that onto mine to find connections where there aren't any.
Sorry to pop your balloon, but he is not one of my influences.
He's a unique artist and I'll give him credit for doing good work, but he is just not one of the people I've found to make an impact on the way I draw or write my comic. I know other people who're sick of getting this treatment too.
To give you an idea, I'd just rather hear you say you think the comic stinks than accuse me of taking ideas from other people. At least I can be original and fail, instead of succeed at being someone else.
Just a word of advice for the future, some artists may well bite your head off if you say the same thing to them. While this does top my list of pet peeves, I hope you can see I'm not blowing up at you and yelling in anger. I'm just frustrated.
(And it's giving me Freudian nightmares so cut it out!)
TwinFin at 7:52PM, Sept. 4, 2011
Ive never heard of JTHM and probably never would have if I hadn't noticed it so much in your authors notes xD but I checked it out and don't see much similarities, I like your style better between the two :D
the1truesushiboy at 5:05AM, Dec. 10, 2010
Oh, would you look at that... I had already left a comment... I guess I'll be checking for that, since now I've, apparently, reached the point in the comic where I started leaving comments.
the1truesushiboy at 5:02AM, Dec. 10, 2010
Yup. :)
NightReflection at 11:45AM, Sept. 12, 2010
If they bring it up again, and they will, this is about as good a place to refer them to as you get. Everyone has a specific bugbear, although I can see how comparisons can be pretty painful, especially when you've worked so hard to create your own image, and when people dismiss parts of the style close to you heart for years as someone elses. It's also worth noting that, no matter how blatantly wrong it is, people can only take a certain amount of crit before it starts getting to them. Thanks for sticking with it Ame.
Cpixie at 6:49PM, Sept. 2, 2010
Gremlin582 has already said what I wanted to say so I will just add that I absolutely adore CTV. Also I have now gotten my big, little bro hooked as well great job Amelius ^.^
Gremlin582 at 11:23PM, Aug. 11, 2010
May I just say, your comic is not at all like JTHM. I have read JTHM and while yes, both this comic and Mr. Vasquez's have dark humour, they are not the same type of dark humour. Also, I really do like both , but for different reasons. :)
Canuovea at 11:40PM, July 29, 2010
Only similarities are some open concepts such as dark humour and the odd over the top character yelling from time to time. These attributes are not, I repeat not, strictly limited to JTHM or Charby. On a side note I find it hilarious that something so violent can be inspired in some way by Calvin and Hobbes. But, yet, there are similarities. I think it's great!
the1truesushiboy at 3:44PM, May 10, 2010
The comparison to JTHM never occurred to me. I've read it, and don't see any significant similarities. Not even the type of dark humor is the same. I enjoy this comic because it's unique. And, while this was kind of annoying to have in the middle of the main comic, it made me smile.
Zenny at 12:35PM, Jan. 10, 2010
Never read JTHM but if i was i wouldn't make the link... im not smart like that
RazorD9 at 11:30AM, Jan. 4, 2010
If it helps, never thought you were coping JTHM, hell, til I read this I didn't know about JTHM. Yeah, not really helpful.... Though on a different, though similar, Have tortured myself in reading through the archives (what I do when I find a new coic to read) and sure you get this alot, am loving it.
_Sound_ at 9:17PM, Sept. 24, 2009
Hmmm, I never thought you copied, and to be honest, the second I saw Hex I thought of that kid from Invader Zim. I have no clue why, I looked back on it about an hour ago and thought "Where did I see a resemblance again?" The hair does have a slight resemblence, but not enought for it to be considered copying. In short, I believe you, 100%
insane w0lf at 4:32AM, Sept. 4, 2009
I'm sorry I didn't mean to compare I do admit that I like your drawing style a lot better but I am a fan of JTHM to and I really didn't think that you based hex off of him and I do know he didn't start dark humor, its actually been around for far longer... I like Hex more he's got more personality then Johnny, I just liked his hair do and noticed the similarity but did notice the difference to and Hex's is better but I like making connections so I'm sorry bout that... plus I kinda like your approach on the humor and I find your characters have more personality... plus you got cool things like vampires and were-wolves and demons some of my more favored subjects... sorry again for previous comments on the hair I admit it I did compare at first but I find that when I look a Hex now I don't even think Johnny.
Kanidasha at 4:08PM, June 14, 2009
Preach it Ms. Amelius! YOU ARE ORIGINAL! Say it with me people! XD I love you're artistic style anyway, much more then Jhonen Vasquez.
Caus_I_can at 12:18AM, June 5, 2009
I've never heard of JTHM before...
DevilLad at 5:59PM, May 21, 2009
Your style is 20x better than the other amy, dont worrie,
charby fan at 8:19PM, May 19, 2009
Hey Amelius, how did you convince calvin and Hobbes to let you borrow their transmogrifier box? Did you let them stay at Charby's house once instead of being watched by their "evil" baby-sitter Rosalyn? Anyway,could you ask them if I could borrow their "Cerebral enhance-o-tron" for an upcoming test?
CryForE at 2:31PM, March 28, 2009
Read 1/3 of the comments in the beginning... Then I gave up, yes I admit it! I simply gave up 'cause there's too much text! I've been trying to read both comic AND comments since I started somewhere in the start of February (that's soon 2 months ago!!!!) I've said it before, but I'm saying it again (or was it another comic I said that in? O.o ): It simply takes too long to read it all then... So wont read comments by the other peeps reading, just authors notes. And then I can hopefully finish this awesome comic and get on to other comics & games :S Stay strong in your spirit Amelius! I'd ripped the head off of those who critics, compare & complain for lesser insults. BTW: Sorry to put more text up peeps, but have to vote too :S
UndeadRomancing at 6:53AM, Feb. 27, 2009
frownz... i iz not goth... but love Jhonen... sigh.... P.P cannot protest with the others though... charby is better... much... much... much... ^.^ ... well who can compete with your lurvly characters?
F1R3 W1Z4RD at 2:01AM, Feb. 10, 2009
(LOL--IT'S 2 AM WHERE I AM! ^_^) Just Googled JTHM, and it looks really weeeeiiird. Anyways, I agree with Hex (pfft...no surprise that I'm agreeing with one of my fave. characters, eh?)--What are they THINKING? Your style is much better (to me, at least). Oh, and one more thing: I was showing this to two of my friends, and one of them pointed out that Charby looked like a bee, and then we read the comment (from cloudfish) that said "Charby looks like a bee." and we all started cracking up. Hmm...now it's 3 am...
konstan_tina99 at 10:59PM, Feb. 7, 2009
secound last panel: charby looks amazingly cute! JTHM? nope ctv kicks johnny's @ss!(ask my friend she has read both i've only read part of jthm)
cloudfish at 12:50PM, Jan. 16, 2009
Charby looks like a bee. You're style is WAY better.
anonymous at 12:42AM, Jan. 16, 2009
HEY! that`s amazing cuz tomorrow my friend is gonna show me that comic i told her to read urs! i`ll let u know if she likes urs better! (if not i`ll be mad at her)
Arxak at 2:58PM, Sept. 23, 2008
You tell 'em, Amy! Just started reading 'bout two weeks ago, love the series thus far! Meant to make an account here and at the forum once I was caught up, so I could subscribe and talk about things without making a fool of myself, but this was too good to pass up. Don't let these nubs get you down; I've had story ideas in the making for several years already. Apparently there's plenty of stuff already out there that's JUST like what I've got. Go figure, eh? Anywho... Do keep it up, Miss! 'Tis great work!
theillusivefish at 2:57AM, Aug. 19, 2008
*cough* it looks like JTHM *cough* . . . Nah just joshing...i've never even read it, tho i looks a hellava like Invader Zim or one of thos cartoons...is there a connection? i dunno Also, i swear i've done essay's shorter then that rant XD
lordlyhour at 11:17PM, July 3, 2008
*finishes read OBCENELY LONG RANT (i saw it coming though) and falls asleep (despite the FACT THERE IS BLARRING MUSIC OUT SIDE MY ROOM CAUSE THE LOCAL YEARLY TOURIST TRAP OF A SHOW IS ON and its not even good music IMEAN SOMEDAY? C'MON PEOPLE!!!!!!! NOOO)OO CRAPPPY MUSIC I LIVE ACROOSS THEEE ROOOOAAAADDD AND I DONT EVEN GET A FREE TICKET DOES THAT ANNOY ME YES IT DOES ITS BAD ENOUGH THAT MOLST OF THE TIME MY DAD IS UP TO THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING HAMMERING AT OUR BATHROOM BUT EVEN THEN I CAN SLEEP IN TIL 10 *yay holidays* sorry amelius and others but i needed a rant too