13.9.08

Quality Webcomics

With so many existing webcomics, how do we know which ones are worth the read? In this day and age, newpaper comics are practically involuble when so many talented artists compete for the same slot. As a result, the internet has become the breeding grounds for numerous comics for our viewing pleasure. Or displeasure.

I'll start by saying that the vast selection gaming webcomics, while occasionally tasteful, are not worth the average reader's time. If you aren't a familiar with games, or the gaming industry, most of the jokes will zoom uncaring over your head. So without further ado:

Wulffmorgenthaler: these guys are spectacular, their risqué humor and expressive artwork is laudable. Hailing from denmark, Mikael Wulff and Anders Morgenthaler really push the NSFW envelope with every sort of rude, controversial gag in the book. The site updates daily, so it's definitely worth a read.

Next is xkcd, a brilliant webcomic that almost seems to be tailored to my taste. Created by Randall Monroe, physics graduate and former NASA employee, his comic gives a skewed mathematical approach to our everyday lives. Love, work and leisure are delightfully treated with the customary nerdiness that comes with studying math, physics and programming.

I'll mention a webcomic that piqued my interest, Garfield minus Garfield, and why this comic is a unearthed gem is hard to explain. What the creator proposes is removing Garfield the cat from various Garfield comics by Jim Davis, and watching the lonely and pathetic Jon Arbuckle get on with his depressing life without the presence of his usual animal company. To quote: "It is a journey deep into the mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against loneliness and depression in a quiet American suburb." The results are hilarious.

A personal favorite, Married to the Sea is a joint effort from Drew and Natalie Dee. It seems they have taken old public domain images (Victorian or otherwise) and combined them with new captions. I guess it's just ridiculous to see these old images getting completely distorted out of recognition, with chuckleworthy conclusions.

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12.9.08

Animation for You

Today I have some tasty animation tidbits for you, if you are one of the select who appreciates the intricacies of character expression and meaninful narrative. Over the years I have dived into the internet sea of amateur animation on numerous occasions, and though the results have been discouraging at times, a little patience can help separate the wheat from the chaff.

First I'd like to mention John Kricfalusi and his blog, the creator of the classic "Ren & Stimpy" cartoon that aired on Nickelodeon from 1991 to 1996. I find his analysis of animation and facial expressions extremely enlightened and experienced, for he takes the time to reference opinions on old greats like Bob Clampett and Tex Avery from the Looney Toons and Hanna Barbara eras. Occasionally hilarious and usually darned right, he explains that contemporary animation is lazy and uninspired in terms of character design and expression, like the Powerpuff Girls and most other Cartoon Network toons. It makes a good read and I've learned quite a bit between the old and new styles of animation.

Moving on to what can be found on the World Wide Webz, I present SamBakZa, a group of three artists from Korea. I found their artstyle rather cliché, but the narrative of their series and animation of movement in particular is pretty amazing.

Next is Vinnie Veritas, from Mexico. Stop. Right now, and check it out. His animation, while lacking in the extreme detail we're used to on CN, is fantastic in it's artstyle, which could be described as raw. I humbly suggest this flash for starters, remembering that most of the art is mousedrawn and giving attention to the movement/music sychronization. Brilliant.

I saved the best for last, seriously, this is studio quality, high grade product. Adam Phillips and his series Brackenwood is a fine example of expertise in character design, complicated movement and simple yet enthralling narrative. The series is full of chuckleworthy moments with the element of humor always poking out of the larger more complex environment that is the Brackenwood Forest. The animation is absolutely flawless, keep updated on his homepage, where you'll find other morsels like 30 days: 30 shorts.

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8.9.08

Casino (Martin Scorsese)

Casino foi um filme que me fez pensar sobre a natureza humana, distorcidas e ironicas as nossas acções por coisas futeis. Há três personagens espectaculares, todos viciados em dinheiro, todos com maneiras diferentes de consegui-lo, e gastá-lo. Interessante é o simples facto de ninguem parecer ser inocente. Pelo menos à primeira vista, está tudo no jogo e no "business".

É incrivel a violência cometida e o Martin Scorsese consegue transmiti-lo arrepiantemente. Armas algo... experimentais e homicidio brutal sem remorsos. Aliás, com gosto.
Recomendo.

Casino made me think about human nature, distorted and ironic are our actions for futile things. There are three spectacular characters, all addicted to money, and all with different ways of getting hold of it and spending it. What is interesting is the simple fact that no one is innocent. At least at first glace, everyones' in the game, everyones' in "business".

The amount of on screen violence is incredible, and Martin Scorcese has made it quite compelling. Weapons that are almost... experimental and brutal murder without remorse. Actually, with pleasure.
Recommended.

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