The Quarterly Taxes Strip
Not too much to say today. Artwise, I think I should have washed those background photos out a bit. Also I need to darken Pepper’s hair, and keep the noses uniform. (Old habits…) Still, it is coming along.
The next few strips are going to be on the wordy side, as I am closing out this storyline in the following five comics. I am very eager to get the next chapter started (after a one shot gag strip break).
I’m working on the February incentives, about half done a very cute Sydney wallpaper. Those should be up some time next week I guess.
Don’t forget to check out the new Twitter feature on the site. It is superfluous! Now you can have constant updates on my cheeseburger cravings.
Peace out.
EDIT: Forgot to mention the Greg Behrendt reference in the first panel and in the title of the strip. Click here to see the bit, it is pretty amusing.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:31 am
Wow awesome job on the tattoo wall background. It makes me feel like I’m in a tattoo shop =D I’ve been thinking about getting a twelve petal lotus in between my shoulder blades but I dunno…
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:02 am
Got some kanji tattooed my back about eight years ago. Looking back I could have thought of something a little more original, hurt like hell too. Ah well I still like it. I’m holding out that she’ll go through with it. Aikida looks good with some ink on her…oh christ did I just make a pun? God I hope not. Hm, Aikida kissing Pepper’s ass, I could see that as a good donation incentive for next month.
January 23rd, 2009 at 4:52 am
Cheeseburger cravings? hah, i had one last night. double 1/3 pound with bacon & jalepenos. :D
as i’m mostly still a newcomer. what did akidas tattoos look like?
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:04 am
I am really digging the slightly different style that is occurring at the moment. The perspective is really hitting the mark as well, also think the occasional use of real background is effective. Can’t wait to see you try things in colour.
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:08 am
I don’t wanna start complaining about the anime, and I am really happy that you’re updating properly of late, its great, thank you! But I have to ask, can you tone down the manga mouth just a bit? Its the sharp teeth more than anything. Your best talent as an artist in my opinion before this was capturing emotions in your characters’ faces and this anime influence is spoiling that quality.
I’m not saying you can’t have both, and you’ll probably settle into a compromise fairly quickly if you keep up this great pace of new comics, but at the minute its pretty jarring to see it do in your face.
Still though its your comic, draw it how you like, keep drawing it this fast and I’ll keep reading, no more complaints.
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:48 am
@Lee: Just check out the archives (found here => http://www.aikida.net/about/). Take some time and read through the old/ classic/ fantasy/ whatever strips and see for yourself what her tatoos looked like. :)
BTW, I like the black’n'white. Brings back a lot of memories from Pepperwood. Just make sure to throw in one in colour once in a while so we’re all reminded that Aikida is a redheaded halfbreed fury.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:54 am
I’m with CiSTM on the manga-mouth. I understand you’re going for a more expressive look, but it looks like you’re going overboard. With the fangs and button nose I keep expecting cat ears to pop out of her hat. On the other hand, if that’s what you’re going for then run with it, bring on the furry jokes!
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Of all the manga conventions, aside from eyes, I’ve used the “fangs” the most. You’ll see them all over. I could probably link ten examples of them being used in the past, or more. The bottom line is Aikida has ALWAYS used manga tricks, but since I actually said something, people have an elevated sense of awareness for the present, but seem to have forgotten the past.
This generally makes me think about why exactly people have such a distaste for the style, but I also have to acknowledge there is definitely a saturation of it, or was 5-6 years ago.
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Also, I had the dreamiest double prime rib burger last night… bacon, cheese, mushrooms. So damn good.
January 24th, 2009 at 2:08 am
I don’t know why people complain about the “fangs”, when people can have them that size >.>. If all the teeth were sharp like that, though, complain away :P.
January 24th, 2009 at 7:48 am
I read your strip religiously and check every day for updates (even if I know they won’t be there yet). I honestly am stunned that anyone would give you crap about the art. It’s your damn comic, son, so you do what you want. Art evolves like everything else, and that means trying new, daring things. Anyone who thinks they know what’s best, I would say “let’s see what YOU’VE got” before taking it to heart.
Don’t let ‘em get ya down…..you post the art, folks’ll show up to the part….
January 24th, 2009 at 10:03 am
The Greg Behrendt reference made my day!
Splendid comic, as always.
January 24th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Man, I can’t believe I missed that Greg Behrendt joke. I’m so ashamed at myself.
January 24th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Fenris, I know you’ve already gotten enough shit for this, and I’m sorry, but the new manga style just doesn’t feel like aikida any more.