Hello and welcome to the very first Digital Sentinel Edition of Weekly Webcomics. I'm glad that you could make it. Due to the switch over to this blog format, the Weekly Webcomics numbering shall be reset to #1. If you find yourself in the possession of one or more of the email issues, consider them vintage and hang on to them. You never know how much they're going to be worth.
To get The Digital Sentinel off to a good start, I've elected to review one of the most accessible and funniest webcomics out there. While most comics like to have the massive story lines that take months to fully publish and the clever jokes that refer to comics previously posted two years ago, others have found that the smaller, newspaper-style strips are the way to go. And still others have found that a single picture with thought-out dialog and text can bring down the house. This last variety is exactly what today's webcomic is all about. Weekly Webcomics proudly presents:
Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal
http://www.smbc-comics.com/
Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal is created by Zack Weiner and has been running in its current incarnation since September 2002, with the archives running back to May 2006 (the first 480 were recently removed). SMBC is, at its essence, a comic that normally takes average dialog and places quite the humorous twist to it. As the page is updated every day, there's always changes to the formula, but your average panel has an interesting situation completely thrown in a different direction by the text directly below it.
Due to the nature of the comic, there's really no way to provide a coherent summary as there isn't anything coherent about it. Each panel is completely self-enclosed, allowing for individual enjoyment of each new panel. In fact, the site actually has a "Random!" button in its navigation system, allowing for, obviously, random viewing of the comic panels. Though there are exceptions, the general rating of the jokes usually fall into the PG to PG-13 range, showing that vulgarity isn't required to have a hilarious comic.
And hilarious it is. You should be sure you're reading this comic somewhere you won't get in trouble for laughing, because you'll definitely do so more than once. SMBC is one of those comics that doesn't take long to read, gives a good laugh, and keeps you coming back every day for more. What more could anybody want from a comic? It easily fits into just about anyone's day - what, with the one-panel comics, and all - so there's absolutely no excuse for not reading it.
Once in the Archives at the main site, you'll find other comics posted there. I can not attest to their quality, as I haven't read over all of them. But it couldn't hurt to give them a once over, as well, so look if you've got the time.
Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal is updated every day, providing a good laugh every time you wake up. Definitely add this one to the growing bookmark list and don't forget to check back there regularly. Just don't miss the black text at the bottom of the panels!
Enjoy!
"Oh, and also, I hear Clark Kent is an amazing lover. Daily Planet. Clark Kent. Check it out."
- Superman's speeches all end the same way.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
The Beginning
Behold, for yet another blog now graces the Internet!
The Digital Sentinel is simply an area in which I can quickly and seamlessly upload my findings across the Web. It's also a very handy way to take a bit of the responsibility off informing you, the reader, of my discoveries. Now it's your responsibility to check up here and see what's new. Quite diabolical, huh?
As you may be wondering, The Weekly Webcomic will continue and will be posted here every week. I have a number of comics all lined up and ready to go, and there's always new ones popping up all the time. I'm still working on an organizational system for ease of reference, so keep an eye open for that. It was mainly the Special Edition email I sent out last week that got me thinking about a blog- instead of email-delivery system and I'm pretty sure that this is the best way to go about it. Well, the best for me anyway. I'd like to continue to be able to show you smaller things than the massive webcomics previously provided and this will give me the template needed to do just that.
I also spend a lot of time looking over various gaming and literary news, which occasionally chucks up something I think others should know about. I'd also like to provide game, movie, and book reviews as I move through them. Of course, I'm not exactly a massive publication and as such, these will probably be few and far between for now; just an idea.
Anyway, bookmark this blog so you can check up from time to time. And I don't know how that RSS feed stuff works, as I've never actually done it, but it sounds like a nifty idea so subscribe to this blog, too. I'll mention it again once I learn how it works.
So stop by in tomorrow for another Weekly Webcomic, leave comments, and help make The Digital Sentinel a success.
Cheers.
The Digital Sentinel is simply an area in which I can quickly and seamlessly upload my findings across the Web. It's also a very handy way to take a bit of the responsibility off informing you, the reader, of my discoveries. Now it's your responsibility to check up here and see what's new. Quite diabolical, huh?
As you may be wondering, The Weekly Webcomic will continue and will be posted here every week. I have a number of comics all lined up and ready to go, and there's always new ones popping up all the time. I'm still working on an organizational system for ease of reference, so keep an eye open for that. It was mainly the Special Edition email I sent out last week that got me thinking about a blog- instead of email-delivery system and I'm pretty sure that this is the best way to go about it. Well, the best for me anyway. I'd like to continue to be able to show you smaller things than the massive webcomics previously provided and this will give me the template needed to do just that.
I also spend a lot of time looking over various gaming and literary news, which occasionally chucks up something I think others should know about. I'd also like to provide game, movie, and book reviews as I move through them. Of course, I'm not exactly a massive publication and as such, these will probably be few and far between for now; just an idea.
Anyway, bookmark this blog so you can check up from time to time. And I don't know how that RSS feed stuff works, as I've never actually done it, but it sounds like a nifty idea so subscribe to this blog, too. I'll mention it again once I learn how it works.
So stop by in tomorrow for another Weekly Webcomic, leave comments, and help make The Digital Sentinel a success.
Cheers.
Webcomics Past
The Digital Sentinel was born from the Weekly Webcomic email service, which highlighted those webcomics which I felt deserved to be read by a large audience. In my opinion, these are the webcomics that should be looked upon as having raised the standard and the prestige of this particular genre of sequential art. Usually costing absolutely nothing and having images created using exceptional artistic ability, these show that comics are no longer regulated to the monthly paper issues put out by the big names.
Thus far, most of the comics I have emailed out do, in fact, already contain large, dedicated audiences that stay involved and follow the doings of the respective authors. These are what I consider the Heavy Hitters in the industry and most of the authors have been able to make a living off of their creative works alone. These are talented individuals that are able to dedicate all of their time to their work and it truly shows. As such, what follows is a recap of some of the more popular comics that you definitely should be following.
Gaming Comics
As the age of the those who grew up with video and computer games increases, many come to the Internet to display the jokes they came up with which you won't get unless you've played the game in question. They are also perhaps one of the easiest and the hardest webcomics to operate from a creative standpoint, as all they really require is a funny snip concerning a certain game. This is both this sub-genre's blessing and curse. Many can come up with clever Mario jokes, but it takes true skill to keep your readers coming back. What if the reader didn't get your obscure joke about the Japanese version of Dragon Quest? You need the joke to still be funny enough to get them to return again the next time.
This is where the following gaming comics excel. Though they have since engaged themselves in deeper character development and story arcs sometimes having nothing to do with games at all, they still remain some of the best gaming comics out there. Here is a short review of each, provided in alphabetical order:
CTRL+ALT+DEL:
Tim Buckley's CTRL+ALT+DEL is a relative newcomer as compared to the other two gaming comics presented here, having started back in October of 2002. The main story arcs follow the lives of a number of gamers all living under the same roof and the various antics they get themselves in. These are occasionally offset by one-shop pages involving parodies of various games that sweep the board from the computer to the Wii, as well as shots at the various system platforms, themselves. There is generally a good pacing throughout each of the four-panel pages and, even during the various story arcs, each page almost always has a self-contained joke.
Furthermore, the jokes are generally easy to understand, even if you haven't played the particular game in question. The characters are likable and you can usually find someone you relate to, even if they aren't on display for very long (if you happen to relate to Chef Brian, let me know). In short, CAD is a good comic that provides a quick laugh. You may hear others - professional critics and other webcomic authors, alike - complain about the thing. Here's the thing: it's a comic. People need to lighten up and stop arguing over these things so much. If you like it, read it. If you don't, don't. Different people find different things funny and that's their right. Sorry, just a little side note there.
CAD is updated every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Go check it out.
PENNY ARCADE:
Penny Arcade is one of the oldest game comics still running and there's definitely a reason for it. That reason would be that it's exceptionally funny and exceptionally well drawn (get through the first couple and it gets better, I promise). Starting back in 1998, Penny Arcade has continued to deliver funny comics all these years. Though you may have to think back to some of those now-old games if you're just starting to read it now, as some of the jokes found therein are fairly specific, you'll find that Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik really know their stuff. It follows the lives of two individuals (and a medley of supporting characters) as they...well, play games.
PA is that comic which people claim all others are simply poor imitations of. Holkins and Krahulik are both able make a living from their comic, which is a testament to their popularity. Indeed, though I haven't looked up any actual statistics, it is claimed that Penny Arcade experiences over two million page views per day, making it one of the most popular webcomics in existance. Not the small task by any means.
The fellows at Penny Arcade also sponsor their own gaming convention as well as a charity which runs toy drives for children's hospitals. They are truly a testament to what a web comic can become. They update every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Go, read.
PvP:
Last but not least is Scott Kurtz's PvP. It first presented itself around six months before Penny Arcade, which, I suppose, makes it the oldest popular gaming webcomic still in operation, as far as I know. It's definitely one of the best. PvP follows the office antics of the employees and owner of the fictional PvP Gaming Magazine. As with Penny Arcade, you're probably going to need to bone up on some of your older computer and video games if you're going to want to get every joke presented in the earlier comic strips.
Though definitely classifiable as a gaming comic, PvP distinguishes itself with its long, involved story arcs that go a long way toward providing character development. Though some criticize the fact that there may not be a mention of a game for weeks (something Kurtz often humorously responses to), I believe that it helps in building a strong, dedicated viewer base. After reading a few week's worth of story, you begin to feel like you really know these characters and have an invested interest in seeing what happens to them next. That's something that's usually regulated to 32-page paper comics or even novels. Though all falling into the classic clichés, the characters are quite noteworthy for their marked personality and backstory.
The style is also quite nice, with each page usually black & white line art with the occasional colored one. Though each respective page may not be quite as long as others, Kurtz updates every day, which is absolutely fantastic for those of us who look forward to these things. PvP is definitely one of the best webcomics out there so go and have a look.
Other Web Comics
While gaming comics are definitely popular, you'll always be able to find other comics that fit into just about every genre imaginable. Fantasy, science fiction, historical, super hero, and romance comics can all be found floating on the Web and people seem to jump at the chance to make a new one. With the relative ease of running a website nowadays, everyone is starting to get out there that story they've been dying to tell.
The following webcomics are two that I just felt like rehashing from previous email releases. I'm more than aware that there are others that can be considered "heavy hitters." More than likely, I simply haven't talked about them in Weekly Webcomic yet. As you'll recall, this is simply a review of those already looked at. So without further ado:
8-bit Theater:
I feel that Brian Clevinger's 8-bit Theater is a good comic to talk about next because it could technically be considered a gaming comic, though not of the same variety as the others. This is because 8-bit is a sprite comic based off of the original Final Fantasy game; obviously using sprites from the game. Sprite comics are usually looked down upon in the webcomic world as they usually lack originality and skill. However, they do play an important roll in allowing those who don't have the greatest of artistic skill to present the story that they wish to present. 8-Bit Theater is the pinnacle of sprite comics and it has become an artform unto itself. Clevinger has mastered the manipulation, posing, and scale of each sprite so perfectly that it's pretty easy to forget that you're looking at ten-year-old sprites.
Like the others listed above, 8-Bit Theater is one of the most popular webcomics out there with quite the dedicated fan base. Like all of the others, Clevinger is able to make a living off both 8-Bit Theater and his book, Nuklear Age (which I'll be reading eventually - watch for the review!). Because 8-Bit Theater is episodic in nature, you're going to have to start at #1 and groove through the almost 900 comics currently created. But don't worry, you'll love every minute of the journey.
8-Bit Theater is good fun and it doesn't matter if you've even played the Final Fantasy games (though I suppose it would help). I'm sure you'll enjoy every minute of it. You just have to tell me your favorite character.
No Need For Bushido:
No Need For Bushido by Alex Kolesar and Joe Kovell first started in April 2002 and currently boasts around 300 pages. This may not seem like a terribly large amount for a comic that's been around for five years, but looks can be deceiving. Unlike most other webcomics (8-Bit above excluded), NNFB provides full-page comics that would fit in perfectly in the paper comic world. It follows the tale of an interesting group of people moving through feudal Japan in the onset of all-out war between the various clans. As there's very little to distinguish this from your regular comic book, the art is impeccable and only gets better, while the dialog plays out perfectly to move the story along. And as it is a continuing story, you need to start from the beginning and keep on trucking from there.
And a good story it is. It definitely draws influence from manga and anime (most notably Rurouni Kenshin), including the humor and action that comes with each. Though most pages have the traditional joke that falls at the end of each page, NNFB is one large story, so some may not have much more than a sword fight. Though this isn't a problem, as it only serves to more you forward to the next page.
So like the others, go and have a look. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself.
And so ends my little look back at previous Weekly Webcomic issues. I hope you've enjoyed this little refresher. Check back later for more Weekly Webcomic and more Digital Sentinel.
Thus far, most of the comics I have emailed out do, in fact, already contain large, dedicated audiences that stay involved and follow the doings of the respective authors. These are what I consider the Heavy Hitters in the industry and most of the authors have been able to make a living off of their creative works alone. These are talented individuals that are able to dedicate all of their time to their work and it truly shows. As such, what follows is a recap of some of the more popular comics that you definitely should be following.
Gaming Comics
As the age of the those who grew up with video and computer games increases, many come to the Internet to display the jokes they came up with which you won't get unless you've played the game in question. They are also perhaps one of the easiest and the hardest webcomics to operate from a creative standpoint, as all they really require is a funny snip concerning a certain game. This is both this sub-genre's blessing and curse. Many can come up with clever Mario jokes, but it takes true skill to keep your readers coming back. What if the reader didn't get your obscure joke about the Japanese version of Dragon Quest? You need the joke to still be funny enough to get them to return again the next time.
This is where the following gaming comics excel. Though they have since engaged themselves in deeper character development and story arcs sometimes having nothing to do with games at all, they still remain some of the best gaming comics out there. Here is a short review of each, provided in alphabetical order:
CTRL+ALT+DEL:
Tim Buckley's CTRL+ALT+DEL is a relative newcomer as compared to the other two gaming comics presented here, having started back in October of 2002. The main story arcs follow the lives of a number of gamers all living under the same roof and the various antics they get themselves in. These are occasionally offset by one-shop pages involving parodies of various games that sweep the board from the computer to the Wii, as well as shots at the various system platforms, themselves. There is generally a good pacing throughout each of the four-panel pages and, even during the various story arcs, each page almost always has a self-contained joke.
Furthermore, the jokes are generally easy to understand, even if you haven't played the particular game in question. The characters are likable and you can usually find someone you relate to, even if they aren't on display for very long (if you happen to relate to Chef Brian, let me know). In short, CAD is a good comic that provides a quick laugh. You may hear others - professional critics and other webcomic authors, alike - complain about the thing. Here's the thing: it's a comic. People need to lighten up and stop arguing over these things so much. If you like it, read it. If you don't, don't. Different people find different things funny and that's their right. Sorry, just a little side note there.
CAD is updated every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Go check it out.
PENNY ARCADE:
Penny Arcade is one of the oldest game comics still running and there's definitely a reason for it. That reason would be that it's exceptionally funny and exceptionally well drawn (get through the first couple and it gets better, I promise). Starting back in 1998, Penny Arcade has continued to deliver funny comics all these years. Though you may have to think back to some of those now-old games if you're just starting to read it now, as some of the jokes found therein are fairly specific, you'll find that Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik really know their stuff. It follows the lives of two individuals (and a medley of supporting characters) as they...well, play games.
PA is that comic which people claim all others are simply poor imitations of. Holkins and Krahulik are both able make a living from their comic, which is a testament to their popularity. Indeed, though I haven't looked up any actual statistics, it is claimed that Penny Arcade experiences over two million page views per day, making it one of the most popular webcomics in existance. Not the small task by any means.
The fellows at Penny Arcade also sponsor their own gaming convention as well as a charity which runs toy drives for children's hospitals. They are truly a testament to what a web comic can become. They update every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Go, read.
PvP:
Last but not least is Scott Kurtz's PvP. It first presented itself around six months before Penny Arcade, which, I suppose, makes it the oldest popular gaming webcomic still in operation, as far as I know. It's definitely one of the best. PvP follows the office antics of the employees and owner of the fictional PvP Gaming Magazine. As with Penny Arcade, you're probably going to need to bone up on some of your older computer and video games if you're going to want to get every joke presented in the earlier comic strips.
Though definitely classifiable as a gaming comic, PvP distinguishes itself with its long, involved story arcs that go a long way toward providing character development. Though some criticize the fact that there may not be a mention of a game for weeks (something Kurtz often humorously responses to), I believe that it helps in building a strong, dedicated viewer base. After reading a few week's worth of story, you begin to feel like you really know these characters and have an invested interest in seeing what happens to them next. That's something that's usually regulated to 32-page paper comics or even novels. Though all falling into the classic clichés, the characters are quite noteworthy for their marked personality and backstory.
The style is also quite nice, with each page usually black & white line art with the occasional colored one. Though each respective page may not be quite as long as others, Kurtz updates every day, which is absolutely fantastic for those of us who look forward to these things. PvP is definitely one of the best webcomics out there so go and have a look.
Other Web Comics
While gaming comics are definitely popular, you'll always be able to find other comics that fit into just about every genre imaginable. Fantasy, science fiction, historical, super hero, and romance comics can all be found floating on the Web and people seem to jump at the chance to make a new one. With the relative ease of running a website nowadays, everyone is starting to get out there that story they've been dying to tell.
The following webcomics are two that I just felt like rehashing from previous email releases. I'm more than aware that there are others that can be considered "heavy hitters." More than likely, I simply haven't talked about them in Weekly Webcomic yet. As you'll recall, this is simply a review of those already looked at. So without further ado:
8-bit Theater:
I feel that Brian Clevinger's 8-bit Theater is a good comic to talk about next because it could technically be considered a gaming comic, though not of the same variety as the others. This is because 8-bit is a sprite comic based off of the original Final Fantasy game; obviously using sprites from the game. Sprite comics are usually looked down upon in the webcomic world as they usually lack originality and skill. However, they do play an important roll in allowing those who don't have the greatest of artistic skill to present the story that they wish to present. 8-Bit Theater is the pinnacle of sprite comics and it has become an artform unto itself. Clevinger has mastered the manipulation, posing, and scale of each sprite so perfectly that it's pretty easy to forget that you're looking at ten-year-old sprites.
Like the others listed above, 8-Bit Theater is one of the most popular webcomics out there with quite the dedicated fan base. Like all of the others, Clevinger is able to make a living off both 8-Bit Theater and his book, Nuklear Age (which I'll be reading eventually - watch for the review!). Because 8-Bit Theater is episodic in nature, you're going to have to start at #1 and groove through the almost 900 comics currently created. But don't worry, you'll love every minute of the journey.
8-Bit Theater is good fun and it doesn't matter if you've even played the Final Fantasy games (though I suppose it would help). I'm sure you'll enjoy every minute of it. You just have to tell me your favorite character.
No Need For Bushido:
No Need For Bushido by Alex Kolesar and Joe Kovell first started in April 2002 and currently boasts around 300 pages. This may not seem like a terribly large amount for a comic that's been around for five years, but looks can be deceiving. Unlike most other webcomics (8-Bit above excluded), NNFB provides full-page comics that would fit in perfectly in the paper comic world. It follows the tale of an interesting group of people moving through feudal Japan in the onset of all-out war between the various clans. As there's very little to distinguish this from your regular comic book, the art is impeccable and only gets better, while the dialog plays out perfectly to move the story along. And as it is a continuing story, you need to start from the beginning and keep on trucking from there.
And a good story it is. It definitely draws influence from manga and anime (most notably Rurouni Kenshin), including the humor and action that comes with each. Though most pages have the traditional joke that falls at the end of each page, NNFB is one large story, so some may not have much more than a sword fight. Though this isn't a problem, as it only serves to more you forward to the next page.
So like the others, go and have a look. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself.
And so ends my little look back at previous Weekly Webcomic issues. I hope you've enjoyed this little refresher. Check back later for more Weekly Webcomic and more Digital Sentinel.
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