Comments on: The Quarterly Taxes Strip

By: Lord_Modred

Lord_Modred — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:08:18 +0000

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.

By: Incrediblefiction

Incrediblefiction — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:49:36 +0000

Man, I can’t believe I missed that Greg Behrendt joke. I’m so ashamed at myself.

By: Maura

Maura — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:03:32 +0000

The Greg Behrendt reference made my day!
Splendid comic, as always.

By: WarCry

WarCry — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 14:48:44 +0000

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….

By: Prozzak6616

Prozzak6616 — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:08:08 +0000

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.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:15:19 +0000

Also, I had the dreamiest double prime rib burger last night… bacon, cheese, mushrooms. So damn good.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:37:46 +0000

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.

By: Moose

Moose — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:54:09 +0000

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!

By: Dwight

Dwight — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:48:34 +0000

@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.

By: CiSTM K0nFLiqT

CiSTM K0nFLiqT — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:08:17 +0000

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.