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!)
CrazyOldwizard at 3:12AM, June 13, 2007
maaaaaan that was the longest artist notes i ever read (i always read yours). hwhen you first posted the link tho jhonens comic i checked it out to see where all the misunderstandings and hartship came from. personally i find his comic gruwsome and ugly (no offense, personal taste dont hate me :P). Your art on the other hand is one of the most beautifull of all the webcomics i read. At some of the panals i can stare for long periods of time. (like that beautifull cameon of the red dog-like creature bathing in the punch. i never believed anyone stating CTV was influenced by that goth comic made by jhonen. And i always read your notes to check out new info, or hopig to find new comics in the links that are worth reading (i have quite high criteria ^^). Wow this must have been the longest post i ever did, sorry for bothering you with it. Keep up the sublime work. ow and thanx for not biting my head off, its appreciated. as always hoping for a new update, the crazy wiz.
Amelius at 3:03AM, June 13, 2007
@ozoneocean:ah, that is the problem, as frustrating as it is, they really meant no harm (except maybe one...)and I am open to opinions...not all of it is on DD however. I couldn't bring myself to even report very rude snipers! Pirogoth 00: I wouldn't say stupid, just not familiar with some of the finer things out there, things you can't purchase at the local Hot Topic. I'd have a fair guess that they weren't raised on horror flicks either. ^_^ @GiZmO: Aww, it's really not that bad! Just completely different from my own stuff. It's really an interesting read, it's just that it feels...unfinished? The only problem I have is that the artist seems to have a hatred of his fans...possibly because of all the slash-porn they make of his characters.... Flamen Tenebrarum: Thank you very much! I know a lot of people do indeed read them, what prompted me to go off was a page in my archive that had short & sweet notes telling folks plainly that I'm not copying JTHM. Right on that very page, a comment about the art looking like JTHM, paying no mind to what I just said. And then, I spent a night concocting this disasterpiece. ^_^ I have very mixed feelings right now though...the fact that it was intended as a compliment leaves a bad taste in my mouth for being upset about it. I don't want people to feel bad for saying something...I just want them to be informed.
Amelius at 2:51AM, June 13, 2007
@Awakened1: That's an interesting way to look at it, but these truly aren't people meaning any offense. Well, except the one person who stopped reading because he was convinced this was another "bloodbook" (they have a name for comics that copy JTHM...odd, huh?) A few I think were honestly meant as compliments, although misinformed they may appear to me. Plus, I've seen several plugs stating I'm "obviously influenced". That, is a cold shot there. And it's not meant to cut me down though...so I wrote this in the least angry tone I could for my frustration. I just wish they'd offer more base for comparison beyond "he killz people too!" @Blackmoon: Aye, it's been a while since I've drawn meself too. Plus, I've got glasses now. Hmm, I could never get the hang of his style...certain styles, especially stuff with a lot of angular lines like his, really give me trouble. I did fanart for a comic that was pretty angular and it was uber difficult for me. I kinda suppose I prefer drawing the "girlie" way eh? @NoOne: Actually, I wouldn't call it crappy...my attempt is yes, but the actual artist does a lot more crosshatching and he uses different pens then I do. I also did this in an hour just last night so I think it shows ^_^ But those are the basic proportions, the template if you will for the majority of his characters. In fact, I'd be a little chunky in JTHM drawn the way I am there...
Flamen Tenebrarum at 2:48AM, June 13, 2007
I did read your author's comments, Amy. And I'm sorry that people think this about your comic. whatever they say - don't listen. You know CTV is great and so do I and so do a great many other people here on DrunkDuck, that's why your comic is the most popular of them all. You will always have my support and the support of about ten hundred thousand million other people here who all read and love your comic. We love you, Amy. We love your comic. We believe you.
Asmodai at 2:48AM, June 13, 2007
I love that sentence: "At least I can be original and fail, instead of succeed at being someone else." I don't know why, but it warms the cockles of my heart.
GiZmO at 2:26AM, June 13, 2007
Okay, I know from know I WILL NEVER READ JTHM AS LONG AS I LIVE! Did everything just go blurry for a second?
Remiera at 1:24AM, June 13, 2007
^w^
MagickLorelai at 12:57AM, June 13, 2007
You've made your point very clearly here, Amelius. Anyone who doesn't get THIS hint is not smart enough to merit your anger, nor respectful enough to merit your attention. YAY!Calvin n' Hobbes reference! *hugs her collection of CnH comics* But you forgot to write the other various incarnations that box's had on the side...
shadowgiest at 12:48AM, June 13, 2007
fyi the way you draw yer self is totally hot * drooling*
shadowgiest at 12:47AM, June 13, 2007
hey we should make a repditive comparison meeting like the aa metings for drunk what do ya think guy lemme knoe if ya agree cause i could do some of the script hehehehehehe *evil laugh here* we can even make some rellly silly saying like" i was once a repeditive comarnisist" lol mhaw haha mwhaha , okay maybe i should shut it be for some one throughs the book at me
woodoo at 12:43AM, June 13, 2007
agree whit pirogoth....
Pirogoth_00 at 12:20AM, June 13, 2007
I say anyone who saies that your style and this one is completely stupid and should have their brain checked for damage. Besides that no one has a richt to lable someone elses style of art because each is different in its own right. Even if some work is simalare it is not the same and people should respect that.
SarahN at 12:19AM, June 13, 2007
I hate repetitive comparisons. XO
I hate Reality at 12:13AM, June 13, 2007
I like your art better! its nicer to look at
Friedenmann at 12:06AM, June 13, 2007
That just had to be stated once but clearly. Well done:)
rougey at 12:01AM, June 13, 2007
you tell um!
Adenn at 11:59PM, June 12, 2007
You know whats weird I havent even heard of JTHM till yesterday then I see this... how odd
animegal12 at 11:59PM, June 12, 2007
never read jthm, so i couldn't say... but i doubt your work was influenced by it, even if i did read the comic.
Ozoneocean at 11:48PM, June 12, 2007
You can always report the annoying comments and we'll just delete them ^_^
Adenn at 11:45PM, June 12, 2007
... long notes I SHALL READ THEM!
NoOne at 11:45PM, June 12, 2007
... Is JTHM really this crappy? I didn't want to check it out before, and now, I'd rather shoot myself in the head.
Blackmoon at 11:43PM, June 12, 2007
The way you draw yourself has changed, it looks like... but only slightly... a little more gaunt than before, I think. Maybe it's just me. Vasquez is easy to imitate, isn't he? Hella geometric, anorexic characters... still, you gotta like the style. But then, I draw manga [read: overimitated, consumer crap], so you can probably take what I say with a grain of salt. ...well, I suppose I could say something about my work being a "statement", but that would waste space and make me sound like an arthouse goon. Um... 5 for you!
Awakened1 at 11:39PM, June 12, 2007
Gimme a break! You know that they only say it to get your goat. If it is a different person each time saying it I'll bet what is happening is that someone is saying crap about your comic (because of jealousy issues) and then waits a little while and then makes a new handle and repeats the process all over again. You know it is crap, they know it is crap, and we know that it is crap. Don't let them get to you with transparently bogus accusations. There is no comparison, end of story. Cute comic by the way!
Ozoneocean at 11:32PM, June 12, 2007
Grr, spelling mistakes in my post... *thought, *Had, *old
Ozoneocean at 11:31PM, June 12, 2007
Hahahaha! Yeah, comparisons CAN be tiring. ;) Personally I've never through your comic hat JTHM in it, I always thought of Animaniacs and all the early olf cartoons that Animaniacs was based on. Still, love skill there at dipping in and out of styles!