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!)
evil_incarnate at 11:15AM, June 13, 2007
gods, forgot to give you a 5...gomen..ill fix it now
evil_incarnate at 11:15AM, June 13, 2007
fix his hair, fix his hair....gods, how can anyone say you look like this JTHM stuff if thats what it looks like........i am kinda interested in how you are inspired by, or whatever, by the great Dr. Suess....
eyesoftheblackk at 11:09AM, June 13, 2007
ya you look nothing like JTHM style, its a good style and all but yours is very different
Darwin at 10:49AM, June 13, 2007
Dunno who dude is but I like your style much better than what you show as his style.... No comparison in my book... I had to ask the same question as Hex...Never heard of it!
Azaeziel at 10:38AM, June 13, 2007
(PS: Why is your left hand normal, but your right is a demonic claw? Just curious.)
Azaeziel at 10:37AM, June 13, 2007
Bummer that you had to do an entire comic just to explain your possition. I like Charby and have never even read JTHM (though I have seen Zim, I have no idea who does it). Keep up your style, I like it better that your parody of his, Ok? Thanks! You rawk!
Shiori Tsumi at 10:30AM, June 13, 2007
....Alright, I will admit, recently I've had a passing thought that Hex's hairstyle vaguely resembles Johnny the homicidal maniac's. But my mind conjures some peculiar thoughts, and if you say you have not copied Jhonen, then I believe you, Amy. Truly, I do.
Hijuda at 10:09AM, June 13, 2007
OH HAY U STOLE FROM CALVIN & HOBBZ! Oh, whoops. It says you borrowed it, nevermind. :P Anyway, I've never read JTHM- but I looked it up on Wikipedia five minutes ago. It looked pretty different from what you do- it's in black-and-white, for one.
Poki_rat at 10:03AM, June 13, 2007
I don't even know what that comic is.
shewolf51 at 9:53AM, June 13, 2007
Reading the gothic comic hurts my eyes >_
Willowanderer at 9:28AM, June 13, 2007
I never thought your comic looked like JTHM. Your art was always better in my opinion. but that arguement? Sounds alot like all the peopel who come up and ask if I do anyhitng but 'that anime stuff.' Infact, with a serach/replace function, that could be my rant. ^_^ Incidently? your ablity to mic other peole's styles? even if they're hard? Solid rock.
Archangel at 9:19AM, June 13, 2007
Heh I don't think they'll get it yet, but maybe ^_^
Elleestmort at 9:07AM, June 13, 2007
Y'know, it kinda looks like invader Zim. ^^ (Zim rule)
Crimson General at 9:06AM, June 13, 2007
XD I love dis show. I totally agree with you though, your style is completly differnt ^^
man in black at 8:55AM, June 13, 2007
yes, there is nothing like the other comic and yours, except for maybe the tone of black you use
sominous at 8:55AM, June 13, 2007
Honestly I never even thought of JTHM when I started reading this comic. This has become one of my favorites, love the story and the characters.
Razzy Jazz at 8:47AM, June 13, 2007
Just a few months ago, I started in on reading all of CTV. And here is how I found it: Have any of you read JP's "Max Ride" books? Well I was on the forum and in someone's sig., I saw a link for this place and fell in love with it even before the art got to where it is now. Another thing: I have grown up on Invader ZIM. I have been watching it since I was still the draw-pictures-in-sand-with-twigs age. I, like, am saving money for the boxed set of all 7 DVDs even now. And then: I never ONCE compared the two. Why?: 1: They are nothing alike. 2: I am not obsessive. Anyone who can compare the two so strongly that they resort to arguing with you, Ames--well, then it's rather clear they're a little too hooked and kinda sorta maybe need a life. I really don't want to offend, but I know I have. It's just...I know people like this, and they drive me insane. Really? Have you ever wanted to, like, pull someone's teeth out so they couldn't talk? Also, my sister is rushing me so I am sorry for an spelling screw-ups! Ciao! Rj
Elleestmort at 8:46AM, June 13, 2007
Hey, I reconize it! Now I know what that thingie was named! It's a cool comic, but yours is also cool, but on a different way with a different style. ^^ Me luv your comic! (How much comments in ONE day!!!! 0_0)
Ryjia at 8:36AM, June 13, 2007
People still do that? That is sooooooooooooooooooooooo stupid!! Jeez! They are nothing alike! DX
nrbonner at 8:35AM, June 13, 2007
...started in last post [sorry had to leave computer for a second] i think the whole copying JTHM idea comes from the earlier comics that have a single strip joke that revolves around killing people(like in "justice, served with butter" or "chicken Ripoff" among others). One thing that really sets CTV and JTHM apart is CTV actually has a plot and storyline and it's not just made up randomness as it goes along. Before anyone says that some artist is copying another, make sure to actually read both comics and look closely to the differences and similarities between the two comics.
nrbonner at 8:21AM, June 13, 2007
i do have to say comic has some things in common with JTHM but so do almost all comics/ manga even the not so dark ones. (irony, violence, vulgarity, and plain randomness are the elements that make the jokes in JTHM. Name one comic that doesn't have those). continued in next post...
ZeroVX at 8:17AM, June 13, 2007
Wolfer, would that be your attempt at humour? I hope it is.
frost at 8:12AM, June 13, 2007
Wow, So soon for a new page : ) I think i see "This is Phineus" in the secound set of subliminal block text. ...Star Trek?, that would be fun. Anyway nicely done, cant miss it... until you get new readers that don't want to bother reading this page before posting on your latest. See you around.
Rojado at 8:08AM, June 13, 2007
I just luv this.... you must continue your quest to make charby the ultimate comic...wich it already is...I at least you are doing that...or else^^ Just keep up the great work huh... I give it a 10^^
DragonChan at 7:23AM, June 13, 2007
While I'm pretty certain it won't do any good in shutting up the ignorant Jhonen Hell-Fan masses, I'm very glad you put this up. If ANYONE is obviously NOT blind, they will definitely be able to see the art style differences. And hey, even if they don't bother to look at the contrast, at least we can hope they actually sit down for a moment in logical thought and compare the story. CTV is appealing because it ISN'T all about the carnage and the cursing and the blood (Even though, I must admit, that adds quite a bit of fun to it.) There's a story there - a story with INDEPTH characters and fleshed out personality. You're a story teller Amy, where Mr. Vasquez - while still talented in his own way - is lacking. I admit that I'm a fan of his work, and there's no shame in that for me. But I will honestly say that if given the choice between an entire boxed set of Invader Zim, the full collection of JTHM and Squee Comics OR waiting a few days for the next update of Charby, I would happily take the latter. Charby is a joy to experience. And I'm sorry someone as talented as you has to suffer through idiotic accusation and blind stupidity. (And btw... that last panel of Hex, without his middle spike? That's disturbing O.o)