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!)
LuchaCoffee at 8:12AM, June 18, 2007
screw the people who say your stuff looks like Vasquez's work. your stuff is way better
CabbageisEVIL at 2:36PM, June 17, 2007
My God I LOVE Calvin and Hobbes!
legendkiller13 at 8:36AM, June 17, 2007
awsome rant u should do this more often, i loved it !!!
Byakko at 8:07AM, June 17, 2007
Very clever! The only incident like this that I can think of was when Kali was compared to the Inu-Yasha style because it has a wolf in it. People can be so annoying when they think they're right...
Sage of Cancer at 5:27AM, June 16, 2007
Yeesh.. Amelius, I'm truly sorry that you're STILL getting hounded about this. It's been really long since I checked in, and.. just, wow. Charby is a beautifully illustrated and well-composed comic, the ones badgering you should just learn to keep quiet.. you're doing this for free, after all. How discourteous! >
reidavidson at 9:03PM, June 15, 2007
I keep such comparisons and contrasts to myself, seeing as nothing is original, just a new spin on old takes and similiarities are bound to happen anywhere to anything. That being said: WTF? This comic looks nothing like JTHM. The hairstyle is somewhat similar and I think it may have vaguely crossed my mind at one point, but not enough for me to remember it very well.
Zakku at 7:27PM, June 15, 2007
what Hazgarn said.
Hazgarn at 6:50PM, June 15, 2007
I can't say I read any of the author's note -this- time, though I usually do. This was very well spoken, Ame. I'm a fan of JTHM and Zim, but it's retarded that people have labled you for the sake of a friggen HAIRSTYLE. Because anyone who has read Vasquez's comics could easily see that yours is nothing similar.
starkitty at 3:14PM, June 15, 2007
Everyone says i based my comic sacred sisters after charmed even though i created this story ten years ago, a full two years before charmed first aired so i hear ya!!
starkitty at 3:13PM, June 15, 2007
Everyone says i based my comic sacred sisters after charmed even though i created this story ten years ago, a full two years before charmed first aired
Thirdperiodlunch at 2:48PM, June 15, 2007
Haha. I didn't JTHM style in your artwork~
Molly Loves the KLF at 1:06PM, June 15, 2007
Haha damn straight about the JTHM thang.
slushy at 10:17AM, June 15, 2007
that has to be the longest comment type thing i have ever read in my life. oh and before i ferget..this comic is my all time favorite comic out on the net at this moment. keep up the good work ^,.,0
HyperrrMouse at 9:19AM, June 15, 2007
Lovely explanation, and very well done :) *applauds* To the point and eloquent. I'm sorry you have had to deal with non-readers or drama-llamas, I always felt your characters were unique and VERY well designed. The characters and art is why I keep coming back. Both are so well done!
b4k4chan at 8:50AM, June 15, 2007
*hugs* I so prefer your style... And I love your demon hand XD Lots and lots of love for one of my favourite comic artists ever
Kali at 8:09AM, June 15, 2007
Amy/Amelius: K, me forgives you. But you have to remember on the internet, NOTHING is original any more. angelexperiment: I too love random violence, my favourites consist of it.
angelexperiment at 7:52AM, June 15, 2007
Amy, I liked the random violence :-( please go back to it! For you cult members? -.- Did I say that again? i meant friend and fans. ^^ Don't let stupid people, with no life, stop you doing something you love, and we love reading ^.~
Celest Lunara at 6:56AM, June 15, 2007
Yeah I don't see how in the world that your style looks like johhny the homicidal maniac...and besides, its your style. Saying it looks like something else, i see how that is a huge insult.
Rancid Rainbow at 11:23PM, June 14, 2007
See, I have read every page up to now and I STILL dont see how this comic is at all like JTHM, style or otherwise.
Metal Raven at 10:05PM, June 14, 2007
I've been reading this comic for a few moths now, and I've never commented before. I actually just made a DD account so I could do this. *hugs Amelius* You both needed and deserved that.
Awakened1 at 8:28PM, June 14, 2007
Amelius: Don't let their brainless criticism control your art. You and your fans know the truth and to hell with what the others say. Don't get me wrong, I like what you got now, but I liked what you had before to, part of what got me hooked was the humor and craziness, and if you want to go back to that style at any time, either in this one, UIU,or another comic altogether there is nothing stopping you except a bunch of 30 year old trolls bleating in cyberspace from their mommies basement. And your zombie hordes (fans) will happily eat their brains out when they rear their ugly heads to bait you.
Empty Brooke at 8:12PM, June 14, 2007
I'll be honest with you. When I first saw Hexavier he did, indeed, remind me of Nny. But I knew that you couldn't have stolen the hair. You're so above that! Besides, where's the fun in doing comics if you've taken everything from somone else? LOL. I wasn't surprised when you put this page up. Frankly, I might have done it a lot sooner but, coodos on being able to supress this long!!
Insizwa at 7:32PM, June 14, 2007
Holy friggin' comments. Eh, what's one more gonna hurt? I'm a fan of both you and JV and the only real similarity I see is shiny eyes, which is in about a zillion other comics and shows as well. So in summation anyone who says Amelius is stealing is a dum-dum. And sweet comic as usual.
Omega _Zero at 6:49PM, June 14, 2007
Remember kids dont assume things, ask for the answer (imagine me jumping with the words "the more you know")
crazyninny at 6:43PM, June 14, 2007
Hhrrmm, I never even heard of that comic in the frist place, but as I can see, your art is wwwaaaaayyy off from being the same as that other comics art.