The Ground Zero Strip
This is probably going to go up fairly late in the day, due to the fact that it is somewhat detailed, and I want it to look as good as I can get it. Check back after dinner!
EDIT: I’ve got a temporary black and white placeholder up for now, because it is getting late, but I don’t want to rush this, still. The colour version should be up after midnight, or tomorrow morning. Thanks for your patience! (I feel like a MMO server downtime message.)
Also, let me get this pseudo-rant out while it is still a bit fresh in my mind. And this isn’t me fishing for mixed compliments. These are facts.
For some reason, a hot topic around Aikida is the art. I’m not sure why this wasn’t a big deal before, and why it is now, but I have a theory. Art from the first five to six years was pretty bad, mostly awful, with some decent runs, so we just accepted that and let it be. Now it seems to be in a place where it is almost good, and new readers are coming along and pointing this out, like they’ve discovered some factoid that we’ve all missed in the past seven years.
Point one… I am not a natural artist. I have no training, none of this comes to me inherently, this is just natural evolution from a lot of work over a lot of years. The only reason I actually draw this myself, is that I’ve never found an artist to do it for me. I would much prefer just to write. To the wizard who claimed that Aikida’s art needed to “evolve”, well yeah, its kind of doing that. Unless you expect it to evolve over the course of an actual strip, these things take longer than a few months. If your comment was about the content in general, well… there’s no gun to your head here, sir.
Point two… and this is something Aaron gets on me about as well… there seems to be a lot of nitpicking about anatomy, and what goes where, and it gets to a point where I have to finally say, “Dude, you’re bitching about how Sydney’s breasts don’t look quite correct, when her eyes are the size of her fucking palm, and thats fine?” Let’s accept a few things. This is a cartoon. Allow for inconsistencies. Do people jump all over Gabe from Penny Arcade because the necks he draws are physically incapable of supporting a human head? I hope not.
This is pretty much going to be the last time I comment on my art, because personally, I think it is coming along well considering I’m not an artist. I’m not excusing poor work, but I understand for someone like me, change comes slowly. I know where my flaws are, I am trying to correct them. I mean, damn, do you remember how god awful the noses used to be? They were fucking shoehorns. I fixed it, for the most part.
Some people are helpful in their suggestions, and I appreciate it, some other people are obviously just trying to get a rise out of me. Well, this is going to be the last art related rise you get. The official word on Aikida artwork, from now on is going to be, “We’re doing alright.” As long as it is adequate enough to tell the story, let’s move on.
I dislike having to gripe at my readers, it honestly pains me to do it, even though the vast majority of you seem quite happy with the art. (As the wonderful donation support may suggest) So this will be the last time we speak on it. Much like the previously mentioned story, let’s move on.
We’re doing alright.
Let’s end on a funny note, to pick it up a bit!
See you Friday. Or later tonight? Friday!
August 13th, 2008 at 4:34 am
Seven years?!?
Hi I’m one of the “new readers” and I didn’t know that the comic was that old.
I thought that it was new from 2008. Where can I see the old ones. You don’t have an “Archive” button so it is not easy to find.
Thanks
François
August 13th, 2008 at 5:34 am
In before comic upload!
I like the art style of Aikida, its hand drawn, no nonsense and colourful. It tells the story well, and your ability to capture emotions far surpasses most other comics I read.
Also, its better than anything I could ever draw, so like most people, I can’t complain. Especially since I’m not paying you for the privilege of reading.
August 13th, 2008 at 5:47 am
Hey dude, your drawing is great how it looks like. Why would you need someone esle to draw it?
August 13th, 2008 at 5:55 am
Keep in mind, no matter what you do, be it music, art, writing, whatever, there are always going to be critics (read: “dickheads”). I personally enjoy your art, and I’ve read Aikida off and on for a couple of years. I can see a marked improvement over the course of time, but until you wrote that, I had no clue you weren’t an “artist.” The comic has always looked fine to me, and to the naysayers, might I make a suggestion? Tell ‘em to take a flying fuck at a rolling donut. As for you, just keep up the good work, both the writing and the art, and the rest of us will enjoy Aikida for as long as you produce it (hopefully for a LONG time).
August 13th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Fuck that and fuck them, man. Your style is damned original, and a hell of a lot more proportional and realistic than most of even the best webcomics out there. Huge kudos just for being completely self taught and getting this good, man. Keep it up, you have mostly silent loyal masses who cried tears of blood and woe when the site died for like a year.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:34 am
if you get too many complaints about the art institute stick figure week.
the whole “you bitch and you get less” policy really helps cut down on the complaints
August 13th, 2008 at 8:32 am
right on. thanks for saying it. hope they read your words and kick their ol’ thought maker up a level. keep on, and nothing but good.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Story, character development, art.
In that order.
Maybe its because im a shitty artist (stick fiqures for life!) but ive never had a problem with the aikida art style, i kinda enjoy it.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Fenris (josh) isn’t an artist, and has come up with his own style. it works for him, it works for me. I’ve always liked the art… especially when it’s terrible.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Josh, I like what Nero said, about the order of importance of what goes into a comic. I’ll tell you this, I consider myself an artist, and I currently couldn’t do what you do, producing artwork every month in a serialized fashion and putting your work out there for everyone to enjoy, on a regular basis. I never saw your original Aikida, unfortunately, so I can’t see how your style has changed, but you’re absolutely right, evolution of artistry comes as you work at it.
Something the creator of PVP said is important to keep in mind too. Critics often think that the things they “point out” to an artist should automatically hold weight with them, as if critics and artists work together to create a strip. They DON’T. Artists’ creativity and drive are DAMAGED by negative critiques more than helped by them.
And critics, much like the news, LOVE to be negative. People who feel positively about a comic RARELY speak up, as well, so unfortunately artists see a lot more negativity than is actually representative of their total audience. I say, the SECOND you realize that a post has a negative bent, you skip over it. ignore it. NOTHING it has to say will help you to make a better comic, and the people writing it DO NOT represent your core readership!! Don’t let the negative minority ruin your efforts for the respectful and loving majority!
Aikida is a good comic that’s getting better all the time, and you already know this. Your fans do too. and we thank you for it.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Did that other person (mer was it?) ever come back anyway? Oh well.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Personally, I love the art. It’s a nice mix of traditional and anime styles, so kudos!
August 13th, 2008 at 10:31 am
I have always liked the artwork, especially Aikida’s huge boobies :D Oh and I keep meaning to ask, will the Whiteboy White desktop ever see the light of day again? I had that as a desktop for ages and it was awesome but when my pc died it took it with it :( RIP Whiteboy White desktop
August 13th, 2008 at 11:28 am
I’ve always enjoyed your art style. Heck, I’m probably still reading because I want to see more pictures of Sydney. Not everything is going to appeal to everyone
August 13th, 2008 at 11:39 am
New reader.
Just chiming in with an I-like-the-artwork as well. It’s a nice cross of American classic and anime.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Just one response, especially for the newer readers… I don’t want to come off as being negative to people who have just started reading Aikida; quite the opposite in fact. My point was merely that newer readers haven’t had the opportunity to see just how bad the art here used to be, so maybe they have less of a feel for the changes that have been made. If you want to see the old archives, for some reason, they’re in the “About” section.
Still inking.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I like the art. I used to call myself an artist until one day I just said fuck it. I can never get the image in my head on paper. Mainly because it’s always changing/moving. I probably have OCD or something. ANYWAY your work is good and has come a long way. You have made steady improvements over the years. Especially during the Fantasy arc. That stuff was amazing. I wouldn’t have even tried to pull something off like that. And besides everyone has their own art style. Penny Arcade has people with 3 fingers for example. If the style was supposed to be photo realistic then yeah I guess you could complain about some anatomy. But since this is not the art style the complaints are stupid. I say big boobs and pretty face on skinny bodies is fucking awesome.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I’m a new reader (started reading last month), and I’ve read through the old comics; while the noses were laughable at times (EVERYONE had those noses! lol. The noses looked like the pink dudes’ on “Raccoons” if you bent their noses the other way and shortened them), the art was still very well done, purely 2-D or not. Any detractors need only to draw a better comic than you, and stfu, becoming your artist if “they can do it better”.
The only time I’ve never liked your writing was the whole “Fantasy” storyline, with Wade becoming “Mick” and all of that… Did not like that arc at all :/. Kudos on the new arc / comic, though!
August 13th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Yeah– new reader, saw the old. Once again, gotta agree with everyone else: it’s a helluva lot better than anything I could ever do, so I don’t see what all the complaints are about. Maybe it’s not the best I’ve seen, but does that take away from the enjoyment factor? No. So there’s no reason to complain.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I’ve said it in another post but it bares repeating here; for someone who claims not to be an artist, your artwork has improved significantly in the last 5 years. So congrats on the hard work man, I know from experience that isn’t an easy trick to pull off.
August 13th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Been reading for a very long while and I can say that you sir have improved and evolved dramatically in your time drawing. Whoever expects art to change overnight has no clue how the process works. I look forward to see your continual evolution, as long as it takes. Your current art is more then adequate to tell the story and I dare say a pleasure to view.
August 13th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I like the artwork on Aikida, no it ain’t the best, but it’s so far from being the worst I see no point in ragging on it. It’s not ultra-realistic, but then it’s a damn comic, why should it be? It’s visually engaging, and does the job of conveying the characters well, add in good writing and the whole thing reads and looks good. Damn the whiners, damn them to the pits of their black souls…
August 13th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Dude — if you can draw like that, that makes you an artist in my book :-)
August 13th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
We’re doing alright!
August 13th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Seriously as a regular comic your art is most excellent. Most webcomics seem to be black and white and in far less detail than yours. As a home grown artist I think you’ve got nothing to worry about, just keep doing what you’re doing cause it’s working great for me.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
WOO! ASS SLAP.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
hey i’d only be satisfied with a proxy artist if he or she were to imitate you in the first place. i like the style of it, even if people say it’s technically off–heck that could be a reason i’m fond of it. i come back explicitly to see this stuff, not just the funnies and the stories!
August 13th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
“Art” is in the eye of the beholder. Comics are just as much about the “Artist’s” personal style and less about specifications. If every artist drew according to an “ideal” style then it would no longer be art. Comics are the fusion of artistic style, story, and characters. These qualities are what make the reading of comic art enjoyable. I enjoy your style and as most artists in the world as you draw more your style will develop and grow as it needs to or you want it to. Keep up the good work and know that this fan enjoys the fruits or your efforts!
August 14th, 2008 at 12:07 am
New reader here, after looking though the older comic for this run I love the art.
It’s detailed, constantly impressive, in colour and knowing you’re not trained, well, hats off to you sir! You have some natural talent there.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:46 am
Love the little Aikida-devil in that business suit! :D
August 14th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Well for the people that are complaining about your art… Can we see their original and funny webcomics? Im one of the “tears of blood and woe” (quote Justin) gang. Keep the good stuff rolling dude!
August 14th, 2008 at 2:22 am
the art is as awesome as ever. it was never the problem. the problem was the hiatus button when stuff started getting good! jerk factory
August 14th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Aikida is doing alright.
oh yes it is, I’m not a long time reader but Aikida flew to the top3 of my list of favorite webcomics like it were nothing and it impressed me enough to donate, so I’d say it’s doing more then ok, it’s doing great.
August 14th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I have to say I would pay to see that ass slap :D
August 14th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I like your art. I particularly liked panel 3 today. When you look back through the archives, you’ve progressed by leaps and bounds! Don’t worry about it too much.
August 15th, 2008 at 2:26 am
Yeah, uh, I’m a shiny new reader here as well but honestly I couldn’t care if this was a sprite comic so long as it has good dialogue (on that not I don’t think I can spell dialogue properly anyways). Mind you there’s also the fact that the devil has a suit which is classy! I mean, who wouldn’t listen to a girl like that? Alright maybe someone who has a soul but that’s really not very many people around here. Am I right? Finally, I also like this comic as it has a black guy as one of the main(ish) characters, not that I’m being racist but think about it, how many comics have you seen with solely white lead characters? More than you realise… spoooky.
August 15th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Dude, i’ve liked your art from the start. it’s got better but it was NEVER bad. i said it when u stopped the old stuff, it got me cos i really started to care about aikida, all that stuff between her and wade, i got into the characters, art comes second and u can really write emotional stuff that gets me caring about ur characters. keep doing that and i’ll keep coming back.