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AND NOW, A WORD (OR MANY STRUNG TOGETHER):

They say all good things must come to an end – and in the case of this storyline… it ends.

When I first introduce this little plot, I had two specific things in mind – introduce a new character (our buddy Terrance!) and introduce Joy’s alter-ego Silver Belle.

As the strip has been developing – I’ve felt like I’ve been trying things out and walking the line between “Slice of Life, Humor, Child Imagination” and “Zany Superhero/Darkwing Ducky”. With this storyline I started going deeper into the “Darkwing Duck” side of things and felt a bit off (I think it was when I made them go to Washington DC).

So I’m trying to bring it back in the other direction. My favorite part of the comic is the interaction between Joy and Heropotamus (I hope you like it too) with “everyday” type activities- with the occasional zaniness in the form of Ninjadiles and our favorite Master of Procrastination, Villainocerous.

So now I ask – what do you think? Feel free to comment or email as I greatly appreciate the feedback with this spontaneous experiment.


Discussion (14) ¬

  1. darrell

    I agree, I liked the storyline but I think the strip is better as you say, focusing on the “everyday” type activities.

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    josh Reply:

    Good to know – thanks Darrell!

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  2. J.P. Keslensky

    I can really relate to your question. One of the most difficult challenges of doing a comic strip with a story is trying to balance the daily strip’s need to deliver a smile and at the same time develop and move the story along. Too much story detail and the strips lose their charm and too little story detail and the plot just seems to endlessly drag on.

    My favorite part of your comic is the fine line between what’s real and what’s just Joy’s imagination. And like most kids where imagination is involved they don’t stay in one place for long before they go in a totally different direction, so I think you are safe to avoid long complex story lines and just let things follow more along a child’s moment to moment stream of consciousness.

    [Reply]

    josh Reply:

    It’s such a balancing act – thanks for the feedback!

    [Reply]

  3. Drew Pocza

    I think there is more magic in the everyday life ideas. But now that she is aware of it more, you can always visit it again in time of need! But the common, everyday life of a superhero.. comic gold.

    [Reply]

    josh Reply:

    I think so to – we’ll see what happens!

    [Reply]

  4. caanan

    I think one of the biggest dangers with new concepts in comic strips is little can be developed further than “they get together and have adventures”. Ak! So lazy.

    That said, Heropotamus is not in that category at all. I read through all these again from start to finish, and the one thing that jumped out at me the most is the fine line you’re running between whether or not Heropotamus is real. (As I just noticed, J.P already said up there.) It’s almost Calvin & Hobbes-like in that way. It’s probably rude to ask whether you see him as real or not. We should be figuring that out on our own, right? ;o)

    In that regard, I didn’t see much difference between the long plot or the short day-to-day situations. I still saw that exact same ideal behind every strip. As long as you don’t lose sight of that, I say give us both! :o)

    [Reply]

    josh Reply:

    Thanks Caanan! And you’re right – I haven’t said whether or not Heropotamus is real or not 😉 It’s not rude to ask – but I don’t have to answer 😀 (yet)

    I appreciate the input greatly!

    [Reply]

  5. Erick

    I’m fine with everyday things, but I really think you should finish this story before returning to that. Overall, it’s a great comic strip.

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    josh Reply:

    Thanks Erick! Well, Villainocerous will always be an ongoing story…. just this particular one comes to a close.

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  6. motheralex

    How about a tribute strip for Bill Watterson, have Joy tackle the hippo straight out of the garage, and then claim “sidekick challenge #1 – completed”. Love the strip!

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    josh Reply:

    What a fun idea!

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  7. Bo Lumpkin

    Whichever direction you take it is always great. Sometimes I get my strip off on a tangent and have to figure out how to bring it back. Right now I have no Idea except to go off on another tangent.

    [Reply]

    josh Reply:

    Thanks – yeah, I like playing this a little loose and generally have an outline…

    [Reply]

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