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!)
ZeroVX at 7:10AM, June 13, 2007
....how in the nine circles of hell do the two look even the slightest bit alike? Seriously! Your art is WAY better than JTHM. P.S. Cute glasses.
Cthulhu at 7:02AM, June 13, 2007
Calvin and Hobbes!
ecchi_kitty at 6:56AM, June 13, 2007
"OMGWTF!!1! YouR ComIk has liTle poeple wit biG rouNd h3ads just liek 'Peanuts'! Doez Schulz no U copy hIm?!' ....okay, that was painful to write, let alone to read. Anycase, while I can see some similarities between CTV and JTHM, it's no more then can be drawn between any two comics. I'm sorry to hear that people keep being stupid about this. But think about it this way; some time in the future, after CTV: The Motion Picture has been a blockbuster hit, these same idiots are going to be ranting about how Jhonen is such a hack for copying you...
telruya at 6:55AM, June 13, 2007
Didn't rate for some reason.
telruya at 6:55AM, June 13, 2007
It is quite obviously Manga stlye Their are resemblance between manga and jhonen vasquez style however manga has exsisted for a good 60 years now so its more like he's coping your style than vice versa.
zoopzoopzoopzoop987 at 6:45AM, June 13, 2007
How could someone even THINK to compare your style to THAT?! All lines and no details?! Never!!
Mannick_Maniac at 6:42AM, June 13, 2007
oh yea, and, *steals calvin's transmographier* YAY I LOVE U CALVIN BUT MOSTLY HOBBES *hugs Hobbes*
Mannick_Maniac at 6:41AM, June 13, 2007
JTHM is a dumb comic, i dunno how the heeeeck it got popular. it sucks. and zim scares me. seriously.
Mannick_Maniac at 6:39AM, June 13, 2007
and kali u shut ur face
Watlende at 6:39AM, June 13, 2007
Amy try not to let these comments irritate you. I understand it is frustrating for you, but I think it is more of an indictment on the posters lack of experience/exposure than a genuine reflection of your work. I took a look at JTHM last time you had this little rant, and I honestly could not see any relationship between his style and your own. You work is unique, and is truly a reflection of the hard work and dedication you put in to your comics. I have looked at several other popular comics on Drunk Duck, and I have to say that your comics are the only ones that consistently draw me in. While other comics may provide some passing fancy, it is CTV & UIU that I consistently crave more of. Thank you for giving us these wonderful comics.
Mannick_Maniac at 6:36AM, June 13, 2007
*slaps all of the people who dont read the authors notes* ...tupid blockheads... just for the record, i read ur authors notes a few times. lol sorry for sucking up, its a habit... lolness
makisstyle at 6:32AM, June 13, 2007
ive read lots of JTHM and Squee, heck i even own zim on dvd, but ive never seen even the slightest resemblence in your styles. the people that claim such things are probably the obsessed type of fans of JV that even try to get blood samples in hopes of having their own clone of him. now if youll excuse me, i have to go vomit out that last thought
Deraymou at 6:24AM, June 13, 2007
Amy, dear, your artist's note is longer than the comic! *hugs* Ya know the furthest I go in comparing someone's art to someone else is going "its like a classic action comic" "its anime-ish," or, like yours, it seems completely original It's times liek these that we realize just how much we need devices to stab each other through the internet
ImTohot at 5:47AM, June 13, 2007
Sneak up behind Wolfer with a Dagger and puts Wolfer in a head lock. Slowly drags off in to the shadows. "Amelius your comic looks nothing like JTHM regardless what some people think." Finishes dragging Wolfer completely in to the shadows and a loud girlish scream followed by silence comes later.
artdude2002 at 5:39AM, June 13, 2007
I've never had anyone compare my comic to another artist's style, but I have suffered through several "you didn't draw that" comments in my life. Some of them were good natured jibes, and others were from people who didn't know better. I suppose a few could have been fueled by jealousy. Those I could easily discount because I think as an artist, I'm about average. Don't let these comparisons get to you. You are an excellent artist, quite capable of creating your own style. Personally, I don't see any more similarity of CTV to JTHM than I do between Beetle Bailey and Blondie. Both are comics. That's just about it. This page you've done states your case in text and artwork. Everyone can compare the two styles side-by-side. By the way, I much prefer yours
Ndraxian Zero at 5:35AM, June 13, 2007
I have to agree with both Adden and (before I read this page) Hex. I hadn't heard of the comic before. And Thats Not funny Wolfer.
Kali at 5:22AM, June 13, 2007
PLEASE CAN WE STOP WITH THE JTHM DISCUSSION!? IT'S GETTING OLD!
ReaperEX at 4:59AM, June 13, 2007
You tell 'em Amelius. And Wolfer, she just said she's NOT influenced by the comics, gawd pay attention will you? If that is JTHM's style, then no wonder he's well known, that style sucks. Yours is much better Amelius.
doomedd44 at 4:57AM, June 13, 2007
haha,,, really? interesting. I've never heard of JTHM, not until I saw something on your deviant art profile about it, didn't bother to check it out. seriously anybody who is going to make a comment about how one comic might look similar to another really needs to get a grip, otherwise they'll start going on about how t.v. shows are all the same or something stupid like that. anyhow, im sure like all of your fans here i could rant on and on about other's idiocy, but instead I'd like to add i love when he threatens to use his necklace and it floats and glows
Wolfer at 4:32AM, June 13, 2007
Your comics look really much like JTHM. Are you perchance influenced by those comics?
Grater at 4:31AM, June 13, 2007
I don't entirely understand why you get defensive about this, the comparisons are so clearly erroneous. I'm not sure if I've said this before, but I personally think your art is the best I've ever seen. The vibrance, the detail, the fact you clearly put an unholy amount of effort into every comic - I feel guilty that I often don't take enough time to notice even half the fine detail - lighting, reflections, shadows, highlights, sparkles... it looks fantastic at a glance and even better close. That's what I think. Your art is the best, not the best in some genre, or of some style, but the best, period, and you remain committed to improving rather than getting complacent. When someone compares your art with another, well, it honors them greatly yet they are unworthy. That is just my humble opinion, but I say, don't doubt yourself Amy! It seems a little silly to spend effort defending yourself against accusations into which very little thought went. Anyone with eyes and a brain will recognize the distinctly unique quality of your art. On a random note: cognizant?! I had to look it up to be sure it meant "aware". An expanded vocabulary is quite the reward for reading that authors note :D.
magickmaker at 4:24AM, June 13, 2007
I personally don't get it. You earlier style looked vaguely like his. Your current looks nothing like his. People are weird.
Tim the Enchanter at 4:01AM, June 13, 2007
People can be very rude indeed, even when they don't mean to. Not that I have any problems of this sort, I still can relate to what you say.. This may sound childish but don't let it get to you! One can't judge the book by it's cover, as they say. Especially when they don't read the author's notes. I think nowadays, YOU'RE the one who the monkeys see (and then they do..) This comic makes nicotine look like shit. :)
Lawnie at 3:51AM, June 13, 2007
Wow, that was one heck of an author's note! *laughs* I much prefer your normal style to the JTHM style. Your style is more my thing, more detailed and spiffy. In my opinion. >.> Just imagine sticking red-hot needles in their eyes and yell at your PC screen before linking them to this page. It might work eventually XD
Spyonline6000 at 3:22AM, June 13, 2007
Oh that's what you call those blog things under the comics... author's notes! I've never read JTHM either and I don't intend to, but I can certainly see how being compared to anything that had nothing to do with your style can be frustrating. I like your style, I found your comic through that crossover you did and got instantly hooked! Your style is quite unique, and I think people who say it's based on anything else are merely doing that to look smart rather than really meaning it. We're in the age of faux art commentary now, where 13 year olds act like they've got arts degrees and waffle on about line width and shading. Anyway, my point is: don't let the 13 year-olds get ya down, and if people STILL say it... just link them to this page now >=D