The Absolutely Indignant Strip
An odd thing happened last night. I was hoping to write out the next few strips, as I wanted most of this storyline plotted out so I knew where I was going with it. I ended up writing out every script from here until the beginning of March.
To be honest, this storyline (storyline, not setting. Some readers don’t seem to understand these terms… when I say storyline, I mean this chapter/episode) was quickly thought up, but not really well thought out. At the time I began it, I had an ending in mind, and that was it. My goal recently though has become to write something that resonates a bit more, that doesn’t feel like the writing is scrambling from strip to strip.
With that, I really wanted to get out of this storyline, but not to a point where I am hurting it. Be warned though… the next story arc is definitely heavier, more serious… a departure from standard Aikida formula. This is not to say the setting is being radically overhauled, quite the opposite. Depth is being added to it, and these characters, specifically our title character who has always lacked definition to me. I wanted to write a somewhat moving story, but that was still firmly rooted in the setting we’ve established. I hope this will be it.
But that story doesn’t start until the first week of February. I will complete this present story, because it too adds something to Aikida’s character. And this is her comic, after all.
When I mentioned my anime/manga influences in the last strip, I failed to mention the biggest one of them all, that being Masamune Shirow (of Appleseed/Ghost in the Shell/Dominion Tank Police fame). No one creator has influenced me more as both an artist and writer than Shirow. His artwork is self explanitory… do a Google search, and you’ll find tonnes of artwork that was (and still is) ahead of it’s time. As a writer, he mixes technical detail, humour and philosophy together with fantastic pacing. He was my Jack Kirby and Stan Lee all in one.
While I’ll always be inspired by Shirow’s writing, I can’t mimic it. At this point, fully produced (and I’ll admit my writing has been very very stunted of late), I do have my own style that really doesn’t follow any one person’s. Artwise, though, I had hit something I called the “dead zone”. The dead zone was a point where my art was bordering between cartoony and comic-book semi real, and was almost good, but since it was so in between genres, it seemed to be a huge point of contention for readers.
Though the art had been better than it had ever been, since it was so close to being good for once, but not quite there, it was strangely more criticised than it had ever been before in the past. More people complained about the art in the last few strips, than this one. If you’re me, that is insane, and incredibly frustrating to a point where you really don’t want to do your job consistently for, oh say, two to three months.
Then I had my “anime rush” and remembered where I came from. Shirow. Takahashi. Kishiro. Sonoda. Miyazaki. I am making comics because of these guys, and remembering that now has boosted me, and given me something of a solution to the deadzone. Shirow was a master of blending fantastically advanced artwork with traditional manga conventions. Things like the fanged teeth, speedlines, sweat drops, eye pops (like in today’s strip), and every other one you can think of. And so, I intend to do so as well. It has immediately put me back in a comfort zone, and the artwork will gradually shift into a more manga-style that maybe I am better of using. Cartoony, but semi-realistic at points.
Some readers may not like it. That is fine, I suppose. You’re free to go, but I can’t imagine too many people were here for the art style. If you were though, sorry, this is how it is now. Spare us all the indignant commentary, because I think I’ve had my limit of vindictive, faceless rants for now. I’ll draw how I want, thanks.
Also, concerning the eye-pop in the strip today that someone immediately bitched about, I point to this.
I have done this before. I will do it again!
You’ll note the black and white as well. I am a firm believer in colour, I love it, and it will always be something I use liberally, but I am going to stick with the B&W for this story at least to try and refine it. I think I’ll be experimenting with certain presentations a bit over the next few months.
I’ll be back Monday. Go Cards.
January 16th, 2009 at 8:09 am
What the fuck is this sudden Over-Anime’d thing going on at the first panel?
January 16th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Why is she upset?
Was he that bad in bed or did I miss something?
January 16th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Going alittle amime isnt bad, just beware the tenticles
January 16th, 2009 at 8:31 am
It seems like he’s been doing it quite a while now.. But I think it doesn’t affect very much to the story itself.
It’s cute but not TOO cute. Anyways I hope to see this story getting interesting, I just finished old Aikidas and I just loved them
January 16th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Fatso: they got it on at Halloween, and it’s now Christmas, and there was no contact between them in the meantime. In other words, he never called her.
January 16th, 2009 at 9:20 am
These black and white strips, artistically, are the best you’ve ever done, I reckon. I love all the cross-hatching, and the manga-style eyes are pretty cool as well. Either way, I don’t come READ Aikida for the art, I love the characters and the storylines (except maybe that fantasy reboot…). Draw the comic how YOU wanna do it, dude, but don’t go away again!
January 16th, 2009 at 10:07 am
As much as I’m not a big manga/anime fan, I’ve always loved these characters. Even in the odd fantasy reboot, I was all over it. The art does contribute to the story, and can take away from it, but I don’t think that will happen here, as the stories have always been good enough on their own. Also, make sure you like what you are doing first. Others will come around :) Just try to update semi-regularly please!
January 16th, 2009 at 11:42 am
If you wanna know, I personnaly think that you’ve never draw nicer than now. Well, I admit that I personnaly admire manga-like styles, but if I start reading Aikida, that was for the head that was writing the dialogue, thoses ones who makes me laugh for long when I first come here, thanks to BTC. You’re definitely getting better and better at what you’re doing, the art showing a more mature control each time I come. I must say I was a little surprise when I saw your first manga strip, and I must say that it suits the comic very well. I hoped you don’t get impress with the ones bitching, those who need to stay will stay, and I personnaly think that if you like it this way, and think that you’ve find what you like, well, you should keep the work!
(But still don’t forget to uptade)
January 16th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Honestly, I don’t understand people bitching about artstyle of a free webcomic, hell look at the quality of newspaper comics. It’s not so much as drawing it ‘pretty’ its about drawing so you understand what’s going on. I can’t tell you the number of manga artists who draw with in that wispy sketchy shoujo-style that drive me up the wall because I can’t figure out what the characters are doing. So art, you’re good. However I think you need a writer to help keep you focused.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
So wait are we allowed to comment honestly or not? Am i allowed to voice disagreement in a constructive way or are pats on the back the only thing permitted? Until i get a clear definition then I’m going to continue with the honest route.
Didn’t like panel 1 at all, too anime-y. Luvin the hand drawn shading tho. Keep that up.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Criticism is tolerated. Flipping out and being a dick for the sake of being a dick, saying things most people wouldn’t have the balls to say to my face, (lol@internet) I’m tired of.
The manga-style is here to stay though (it’s not animated, so it’s not anime). Like it or not.
January 16th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Hey guys Anime style is gone, i decided to take a 4 month break to play WOW,
when i come back i’ll have a completely new comic for you, not aikida but something else,
don’t worry though, it will only run for 4 comics before i decide to quit again so i can play WOW,
feel free to keep sending money though, because this is my job and all, oh man all this writing is making me want to leave and play WOW.
January 16th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Because I’ve played WoW so much in the past month.
Tremendous insight, random gutless person.
January 16th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Aikida I’ve always liked for the humor: “Aikida, you were supposed to wear a costume to the MMORPG convention!” “My T-Shirt is buffed.” or “Tell me how the X-Box died.” “I will tell you how it lived.” That’s the writing I appreciate. The deep dark storylines can be dark, but they retain that humor — it’s part of Fenris, I suppose.
What I liked most about this strip was Fenris’s write-up. It had that esoteric “I’m an artist and I feel that this is the way my art is going right now and it may change or it may not but this is how I’m feeling it for the moment so it may become pretty dark and very different but then it might be similar to what you’ve been seeing too who knows where my feelings will take me” artsy vibe. And that’s why I like the Aikida strip — good things always come up, because art is only part planning. Keep up the good work.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Could always go with semi color scences, i’d pop out some examples but non come to mind off hand anyway. like colored eyes but the rest of the strip is b&w or a wide scence shot where color may display things in a fuller view..ectect. :p what’ever i’m just talking at this point, i’m all about the manga style. now Wade just need’s 5 girls all over him.
January 16th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Wow, Fonris, you sound different all of a sudden. Oh wait, that’s an ‘o’ instead of an ‘e’, how silly of me. Dumbass guy, whomever that Fonris fellow was.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Don’t like the manga-style. Fenris, you proofed in the past that you can “draw emotions”, mimics and expressions damn good without resorting to manga-style. I’d say stick with the old style. That’s one of the things which makes Aikida special.
January 17th, 2009 at 4:34 am
I dig it.
I didn’t think I would like the black and white, but it works really well. If the comic remains this clean, I wouldn’t mind if you kept using colors or not.
January 17th, 2009 at 8:56 am
I’m seriously trying to figure out why people continuously insist on bitching about your artwork.It’s your work and yours alone,and considering I’ve been reading the comic since late August you have improved with it greatly.However,this is not why I read Aikida,I come for the interesting way you make the story unfold and your wit to make the characters have depth,that is why I have this bookmarked in my web comics folder.
January 17th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
:(.
January 17th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Yikes, where the hell did all these people come from? What happened to the small handful of regular commentators? I don’t check the site for a day and now there are figg’en art style camps? Can’t we all just like the comic for what it is? Stop tearing this family apart! But really, I’m not seeing that much of an art difference. Sure you’ve got an over-exaggerated face or two in a total of one panel and some speed lines thrown in for good measure, but the character models are the same and dare I say still looking good. Nothing here has turned into MegaTokyo (thank Buddha!) so I guess I’m not seeing the need for the freak out and internet tough guy commentary. The comic is going strong again even with computer troubles and we get a new chapter in the story line. This is sounding like a win-win to me. Not to say that people can’t express their opinions about the comic or that only a few people are aloud to, but come on, let’s act like adults and just love that sexy red head.
January 17th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Hey Josh, I’m surprised by this change of heart, did my fan art have anything to do with it?
http://randommode.deviantart.com/art/Aikida-net-2-107995391
Hey dude don’t worry about it if some people don’t like what you’re doing, it won’t matter at all soon enough! :D I’ve got to go do that art stuff now, but listen, I am REALLY looking forward to what you make, you better believe I’m gonna be here everyday to see how it’s going man!
January 17th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Michael, that is some nifty artwork but I will admit this is the first time I have seen it. My reasons for this direction are exactly what I stated. My field of influence online is actually very limited. I’ll admit I actually read only a handful of webcomics, even from my own links. (Maybe 3 of them to be honest) So the danger of this becoming like Megatokyo is slim, as I’ve not even seen that comic in a good three years.
Nope, this is all pretty much the result of a two day marathon of Love Hina and Cowboy BeBop.
January 17th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
For the record I didn’t say the Megatokyo stuff Incrediblefiction did.
January 17th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Okay man, it’s cool. :D I’m glad to see whatever you make.
January 17th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
I was addressing multiple posts, buts thanks for the clarification.
January 18th, 2009 at 1:45 am
yeah I’m with a few other people. the reason why I’ve been a fan of aikida has been the characters. that and how those characters have been written. while I’m not really a fan of the overly emphasized anime style, its like if some busty red headed girl wanted to have sex with me. I’m not really a fan of red hair but the busty thing is the core. haha. hopefully my comment gets posted this time
January 18th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Be warned though… the next story arc is definitely heavier, more serious… a departure from standard Aikida formula
Go team drama!
You can draw whatever way you want , at least now that it’s anime-based your characters can have facial expressions. This will be a daring attempt.
But , before we are knee-deep in soap opera angst you may want to think that the reason behind Aikida’s success was the standart formula!
January 18th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I wasn’t aware that Aikida HAD a standard formula, what with all the reboots and everything.
January 18th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Now back to the matter at hand. Awesome comic Josh. Wish I didn’t have to use a friends computer to keep up with the story but eh…after the events of the first month of 2009, I know you’ll understand. Now…as to Fenris playing WoW…being in his guild I can say that Josh has not let his time in Azaeroth get in the way of the strip. But just something I thought I would point out…and yes..I know its late for me to add this…but I’m just catching up myself anyway…Who in the blue bloody f@#$ are you jackasses (and I’m referring to Fonris and the other ASCII Hat who threw his opinion about like it was worth more than the dog crap it was) to act like Josh is under any obligation to you. This is HIS baby. And if he wants to take a little time off to unwind and do something ELSE that he enjoys….more power to him. To everyone who spoke up in Josh’s defense, thank you. True fans are an awesome thing to have and I’m glad that Josh has a HELLUVA lot more of you than those two craptastic examples of failed evolution.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:05 am
Artistic criticism means your content is worthy of criticism, take it as the veiled compliment it is. Your shit rocks, keep the story flowing, and don’t stop with the awesome. Anime/manga style is fun. Follow your roots, expand upon your foundation, we will still follow.