Page 39
Kristen Gudsnuk on Sept. 2, 2009
guhh…
idk why, I feel kinda shitty about this page. I showed it to my mom, like, “check out that cray-zay last panel, is it too cray-zay?” and she was like, “jesus Kristen what are you drawing this kind of stuff for.” And I explained that X happens and so this has to happen, and she was like, ‘well people read your comic for the art, not the story.’
whaaaaa??!! idk where she gets these inSANE ideas *wielding knife* what do you guys think??!!
Anyway, I showed it to my sister and she said it was good in a bad way, and showed a measured sort of apprehension toward me, as if I was a ticking time-bomb. Then I farted. How did she know? She did the tooth-baring smile!! AND BIT ME! NOW I HAVE RABIES. We are a mess. (OK she just hijacked my comp and changed everything I wrote. lol!)
Anyway, I've always felt self-conscious about sincere, dramatic moments- like, if I fail at those, it's so much more embarrassing because of all the clunky, wasted effort that's put into heightening the drama. That's why I generally offset them with some sort of winking gesture (it's like a nervous tick or something!). For instance, before, when the father is like “JADWIGA!” and she hides behind Kazimieras in a kind of comical way… I intentionally put that in to sort of make the moment less dramatic. I wish there was something I could do on this page to poke you poor, disturbed readers in the ribs. At the same time, I don't think it's possible to do this comic ‘right’ without any high-tension moments. So I've just gotta suck it up, swallow my pride, and maybe spit out some of my misconceptions. But be gentle to me about this part, because I am not very smart. (LOL KATHRYN'S WORD CHOICE NOT MINE!!!)
Lilac at 3:47PM, Sept. 3, 2009
I like how the page came out. I do think you overdid it a bit in the last panel but it's not like I'm going to stop reading this comic because of it. And I can assure you that plenty of people on this site read comics for the stories and not the art. The art is just a bonus. :D But your art is fine and I really enjoy your style so no worries. ^^
Bocaj at 2:35PM, Sept. 3, 2009
The last panel is good, but my favorite is the fourth!! That she would say that, changes his moral predicament so much. Also, I love the art, but your story [i]is[/i] good, too!! Like, i would read this comic just fro the art, but the story and setting are fabulous.
ttyler at 2:07PM, Sept. 3, 2009
you are extremely talented. This is the kind of stuff that this industry needs more of. Awesome!
der_vossi at 11:28AM, Sept. 3, 2009
for the last pages i would give you a 50!!!
trevoramueller at 11:07AM, Sept. 3, 2009
Congrats on the DD awards win, buddy!
Gillespie at 6:22AM, Sept. 3, 2009
There's a good amount of tension. The fasjha looks a little sad in the last panel. That's alright.
tref_h at 5:40AM, Sept. 3, 2009
The dynamics of a moment like this really don't translate too well to our sanitized ideas of 'acceptable behaviour'. If noone tackles issues like this then everyone would react like your Mom and want to pretend it wasn't there. For the record, if the story wasn't there, I'd have browsed the art and moved on. The story engages, it is integral and vital, and what helps set your work apart. Not that your art isn't good (it is!) but a comic is a package deal...
Hunchdebunch at 3:36AM, Sept. 3, 2009
I think you handled this page well, I find dramatic moments, especially if they involve blood, hard to draw because I'm a teeny bit sqeamish lol and I don't like seeing people get hurt, so things like drawing Kay after he was shot in The Door are difficult for me. I always feel slightly ill while I'm drawing that stuff lol
Lemniskate at 1:27AM, Sept. 3, 2009
Goosebumps.
dontworrybehappy at 12:11AM, Sept. 3, 2009
nop, i read it for the art and the story and congratz for your awards kirsten!!!!
Redemption at 10:56PM, Sept. 2, 2009
Despite mixed reaction from your Mother, I think you pulled off a high-tension moment very well in this page, both in structure and art. People love your art, but we wouldn't hang around if that was all there was to it. If it helps, you've got some quiet admirers around the place who think you do beautiful work. We're perhaps also a little more familiar with the language of comics when compared with your family. :]
Nicotine at 10:52PM, Sept. 2, 2009
Congrats on you DD Award win! It reminded me that I've got to catch up with this comic again. You've got really nice work, I see nothing wrong with this page o_o. Look how awesome the last panel is! :D
HyenaHell at 10:44PM, Sept. 2, 2009
CONGRATULATIONS! And, uh... sheesh. I kinda contradict the trauma/drama of the page with that joyous little burst. :(
usedbooks at 10:08PM, Sept. 2, 2009
It's hard for a kid to react. Hell, even adults can't step in and intervene in that kind of situation. Best he can do is pack a hobo bag and run away while Daddy is away at the police station.
theprettiestpony at 10:01PM, Sept. 2, 2009
FIRST i love this page and i dont care what anyone sez