Recently I wrote a throwaway character for my comic based on a real-life friend of mine. In short, he’s a loveable misanthrope. And because he’s based on a real human being, I felt like I owed the character something: he won’t grow, or change, or become a ...

No Hugging, No Learning
HippieVan at 12:00AM, Nov. 18, 2016When Death Comes…
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Nov. 12, 2016
No matter what the genre, plot and general tone of your comic, death always is absolute.
Or alternatively, death is used as a very efficient comedy device (if anyone remembers the numerous ways Dirk dies in Dragon’s Layer). Unsurprisingly so, I think, since real comedy is based on tragedy ...
Merging, Lane Changes, and Unprotected Turns
kawaiidaigakusei at 12:00AM, Nov. 7, 2016
During the October season, I wanted to write a horror article about the things that really scare me, but I was sidetracked with deadlines, longer work hours, and lack of sleep. Halloween is now one week behind us and the Winter cold has drawn us closer into his tight embrace ...
Comicking your feelings
HippieVan at 12:00AM, Nov. 4, 2016
I’ve been going through a bit of a rough patch lately in terms of my mental health. I don’t talk about it that often, but I don’t keep it a secret that I’ve always struggled with anxiety. Recently I started on medication for it for the ...
Character and subtext in horror
Banes at 12:00AM, Oct. 20, 2016
The Drunk Duck Awards, 2016 are underway! Check 'em out here:
http://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Drunk_Duck_Awards_2016/
In the movie “The Innkeepers”, two clerks in an allegedly haunted hotel work on the last night before the place closes down. They deal with some odd final guests, both human and otherwise (maybe ...
On Calling It Quits
HippieVan at 12:00AM, Sept. 30, 2016
This newspost was inspired by a milestone of sorts sent to me by awsome owl 98, so I suppose I ought to start with that! His comic Powell and Derry has just wrapped up after five years and 374 pages. He’s also written a long post in the forums ...
Surprise and Suspense courtesy of the Master
Banes at 12:00AM, Sept. 29, 2016—
Sorry for the lack of picture! Computer is not cooperating. I'll add one today if I can!
—
You may already know of Alfred Hitchcock's take on surprise and suspense. Here it is:
“There is a distinct difference between “suspense” and “surprise,” and yet many pictures continually confuse the ...