Hi all, I've been lurking for about a year and learning as much as possible from you guys. I just started my new comic, HijiNKS Ensue, a couple of months ago. So far my biggest issues are with character design, and character consistency. Each time I do a new comic I want to change something about the characters' appearance (which I guess is OK when you are starting out), but I also find it difficult to keep their features and appearance constant from panel to panel. I assume that as I get more familiar with these characters it will become easier, but any tips would be greatly appreciated. Here are a couple of my recent comics. The first one was part of a series about "LOST." Here are the characters from the "About" page. Comments, crits and ideas are welcomed.

Yes. All I can really say is that it would be nice to see more sketches of the characters outside of the context of the comic. Edit: It might be a good idea to post more (outside this thread, maybe outside AC too), otherwise it may look like you only signed up to plug your comic.

Yes. All I can really say is that it would be nice to see more sketches of the characters outside of the context of the comic. Edit: It might be a good idea to post more, otherwise it may look like you only signed up to plug your comic. Maybe thats what I'm missing. I only did a brief series of sketches before starting the first comic. I suppose doing more character analysis would help.

I've been lurking on this forum a while now, and just recently registered. I've seen a lot of crappy webcomics come through. (which is why I won't post mine : ) ) I have to say though man, that your comic is one of the best I've seen on this board in a while. Original looking characters, good likeness of the ones you are doing a parody of, and f***ing great dialogue. You definately shouldn't be hearing the usual "it's too Gabe-Like" junk on this one. Good work man. No real crits here... more shadows maybe.... and more cowbell..

Yes. All I can really say is that it would be nice to see more sketches of the characters outside of the context of the comic. Edit: It might be a good idea to post more (outside this thread, maybe outside AC too), otherwise it may look like you only signed up to plug your comic. Duly noted. While this is my first post, and it IS about my comic, I really just want some feedback. When you show these things to your friends, all you get is "That rocks! Awesome." Nothing too helpful about that other than a quick ego boost.

I've been lurking on this forum a while now, and just recently registered. I've seen a lot of crappy webcomics come through. (which is why I won't post mine : ) ) I have to say though man, that your comic is one of the best I've seen on this board in a while. Original looking characters, good likeness of the ones you are doing a parody of, and f***ing great dialogue. You definately shouldn't be hearing the usual "it's too Gabe-Like" junk on this one. Good work man. No real crits here... more shadows maybe.... and more cowbell.. Thanks! I really struggled with the idea of shadows and shading, etc before opting out pretty much entirely. The only reason was time constraints. I am fighting to get one of these out a week (more like a week and half) so extra stuff like shadows and depth were the first corner to be cut. I just learned a new coloring trick that saved me about 2 hours on the most recent one (posting later today), so as my style evolves I will try to work in some more graphic detail.

Nice, it's original...& funnny

yet another PA rip off. COME UP WITH YOUR OWN STYLE instead of just wanting to be gab...er...waaa? oh shit wait. sorry sorry. so used to saying that. i really dig it man. a lot. i really liked the lost one. keep it up

yet another PA rip off. COME UP WITH YOUR OWN STYLE instead of just wanting to be gab...er...waaa? oh shit wait. sorry sorry. so used to saying that. i really dig it man. a lot. i really liked the lost one. keep it up Ok, you seriously had me going there. You're used to saying it and Im used to reading it. I appreciate the feedback.

Nice, it's original...& funnny Thanks! If you check out the others and see any room for improvement, lay it on me.

100% italics is not easy to read. I'd also try and find a more readable font and make better use of your bubble space. If it's easier for me to read posts than your words you need to change something.

Needs work in quite a few places, but you have potential to get something damn good together. One thing I strongly recommend you work on is perspective. I really like that you're trying to have your characters occupy a 3D space, because a lot of run-of-the-mill starter webcomics don't bother with that at all, but the space you're creating needs some work. That last panel in the first comic looks pretty off because in real life, perspective doesn't work like that. When you look at a room, you NEVER see a bunch of perfectly horizontal and vertical lines connected by angled lines that are all perfectly parallel to each other. If you want to create a believable and dynamic space for your characters to inhabit, then you're going to have to learn how 3D spaces really look.

100% italics is not easy to read. I'd also try and find a more readable font and make better use of your bubble space. If it's easier for me to read posts than your words you need to change something. I agree. I started with comic sans (dodges rocks) then went to Blambot to search for something better. I am using Crimefighter BB (?) right now. Any suggestions? Of the free ones I found this was the most readable but I have never been happy with it.

Needs work in quite a few places, but you have potential to get something damn good together. One thing I strongly recommend you work on is perspective. I really like that you're trying to have your characters occupy a 3D space, because a lot of run-of-the-mill starter webcomics don't bother with that at all, but the space you're creating needs some work. That last panel in the first comic looks pretty off because in real life, perspective doesn't work like that. When you look at a room, you NEVER see a bunch of perfectly horizontal and vertical lines connected by angled lines that are all perfectly parallel to each other. If you want to create a believable and dynamic space for your characters to inhabit, then you're going to have to learn how 3D spaces really look. Very true! I am a 3D space slacker. I've found the size of the panels (after shrinking to 760) to be too small to create the spaces that I want to, So I've been rushing through them. I think its also because I draw the characters first, then go back and do the backgrounds. Maybe some better planning would pay off. Thanks!

I am probably now reading your comic on a regular basis.

I am probably now reading your comic on a regular basis. Thanks! I appreciate the support. The newest one will be up tonight.

I like your drawing style alot. What program do you use to draw? I use Flash and it sucks monkeys, cuz everything thats done in flash.... looks like its done in flash.... no matter what. Even if you have an original style, that varying lineweight crap ruins it. But, I'm cheap and can't afford photoshop at the moment.... what the hell am i ranting for in your post? Anyways, I like the art, the colors, and the stories. And the Johnny Depp "I'm not that high" thing was great.

The art could use a bit of work but certainly isn't bad. And the jokes are funny and original so it makes up for it. Also, from your site: We watch Buffy, Battlestar, and Lost in groups just to hear each others quips and comments. Its like homemade DVD commentary. We’re silent during Firefly. Some things are still sacred. So, you win in my books!

I like your drawing style alot. What program do you use to draw? I use Flash and it sucks monkeys, cuz everything thats done in flash.... looks like its done in flash.... no matter what. Even if you have an original style, that varying lineweight crap ruins it. But, I'm cheap and can't afford photoshop at the moment.... what the hell am i ranting for in your post? Anyways, I like the art, the colors, and the stories. And the Johnny Depp "I'm not that high" thing was great. #1 Release the butterflies! ................Okay, whose job was it to feed the butterflies? #2 Photoshop plain and simple. I do the rough sketch on the bottom layer in photoshop. I was scanning pencil drawings but I erase A LOT and PS made that much easier to deal with. I ink over that with a Wacom Intuos tablet. Then I color on a layer below the inks. My final PSD files are about 50mb with 30 - 40 layers. I use a lot of Shape layers for walls and carpet and such. Im sure there are better techniques, but this is was I've figured out from tutorials and trial and error.

The art could use a bit of work but certainly isn't bad. And the jokes are funny and original so it makes up for it. Also, from your site: So, you win in my books! I'm really searching for a style right now. I think the art gets better with each one but definitely needs improvement. So I win in your book as in BOOKS, or book as in Afro-Ponytailed Space Preacher?

I really like how you pulled off the Johnny Depp and Keith Richards strip, a lot. The only criticism I have is that on the first two panels of the Pirates strip, their poses look really weird. Also, considering the amount of detail you put into the comic, your backgrounds are really dull.

It seems like all of the comics can be condensed down to 3 or even 2 panels and still have the same effect without all the "forced funny" at the end. And it looks like you're trying to improve the art style so I'll save you that blurb. I did like the "Hey, internets! Youtube a podcast or something."

In three words, I like it. In five words, I like it very much. In 35 words, I like it very much, but as Stealth said, it can be condensed a bit better. There's no THS, lots of different angles, and over time I'm sure your technique will improve on its own. As you make more comics, make sure to enhance the personalities of your characters. This will lead to even more plots and interesting interactions. Best of luck to you!

I really like how you pulled off the Johnny Depp and Keith Richards strip, a lot. The only criticism I have is that on the first two panels of the Pirates strip, their poses look really weird. Also, considering the amount of detail you put into the comic, your backgrounds are really dull. Yeah I was trying to make it look like they were contorting all over the place playing Wii Sports. As for the backgrounds, its more of a time (lasziness) issue. By the time I get to them I am ready to move on. Im also worried that any detail I do in the BG will get lost once I shrink the image. Thanks for replying!

It seems like all of the comics can be condensed down to 3 or even 2 panels and still have the same effect without all the "forced funny" at the end. And it looks like you're trying to improve the art style so I'll save you that blurb. I did like the "Hey, internets! Youtube a podcast or something." I would love to condense these. I feel like I am trying to go "too big" and creating more work for myself. When I come up with the story they seem to lend themselves to this format. I'd rather do smaller strips more often but I dont want to sacrifice any of the elements that I think further the idea or joke. I grew up with Calvin and Hobbes. Bill Watterson used to add a throw away panel to the beginning and end of each strip so the papers that gave him less space could still run the comic. I probably have a few throw away panels too. Thanks!