Today’s page exemplifies my struggle to find a balance between dialog and action. My biggest weakness as a cartoonist is my tendency to default to talking heads. Not (only) because I’m lazy, but because that’s the way I think and write. I have to actively remind myself that comics can communicate story and character through visual cues and action better than through dialog.
I think the dialog in today’s episode is fun (and important as we get to know these characters), but it used to go on even longer. The last panel is me stepping on the gas. And I’m in the process of completely redoing next week’s pages for the same reason. What used to be communicated via a long, three-page conversation is now done with visual gags and action.
Should I get out the Drama Button again?
Keep it handy.
Today’s page exemplifies my struggle to find a balance between dialog and action. My biggest weakness as a cartoonist is my tendency to default to talking heads. Not (only) because I’m lazy, but because that’s the way I think and write. I have to actively remind myself that comics can communicate story and character through visual cues and action better than through dialog.
I think the dialog in today’s episode is fun (and important as we get to know these characters), but it used to go on even longer. The last panel is me stepping on the gas. And I’m in the process of completely redoing next week’s pages for the same reason. What used to be communicated via a long, three-page conversation is now done with visual gags and action.
Is there a way we could see the long-dialog version?
I scrapped it before inking it. I do have an alternate version of Monday’s page, but it’s not radically different.
Love the gremlin. The gloves are classy.
Please, he’s a frog. And I must confess that those are not supposed to be gloves, but the fat cuffs of his nifty turtleneck.
A gremilin with strange, rubbery legs!
I’m afraid I accidentally wrote “He’s not gremlin” when I transcribed this comic.
You wrecked everything! (I’ll fix it.)
I just noticed you turned it into “He’s not a gremlin” when it says in the comic “He’s no gremlin.”
Oops. I’ve been on flu meds the last couple of days. I’ve done lots of dumb stuff.
You’ve clearly transcribed webcomics before. Which other ones have you done?
“I’ve been on flu meds the last couple of days.”
I don’t have that excuse. I’m naturally stupid.
“You’ve clearly transcribed webcomics before.”
I swear I haven’t. What makes you think so? I often struggle to explain what is going on in the panels.
“You’ve clearly transcribed webcomics before.”
Now that I think about it, were you being sarcastic?
@Tom: No sarcasm.