Taking a break this week from the little ongoing story we have about Hodge losing his book deal! I’m torn between taking the story in one of two directions, one being the road less traveled by doing an ongoing story that’s outside the comics normal premise, or getting back to what most readers expect of this comic, gag a strip simplicity (I like simplicity too!) So whilst I toil and foil over this fork in the road, enjoy Hodges take on death panels!
Haha! Great strip today. With regards to your current dilemma, I think most readers enjoy (or at least forgive) a strip exploring a different direction every now and again. If you make subtle changes, you’ll get the best of both worlds. It can be a very satisfying way of putting out a comic, especially if you plan ahead to a big, preferably unexpected, conclusion. I, for one, am enjoying Hodge’s storyline and, with your cast of supporting characters, I feel you could really do something quite special. I’m looking forward to seeing what you choose to do.
I’m looking forward to seeing what I choose to do as well Spencey-LOL! Thanks for the feedback, much-much appreciated!
Even though you took a break, I like the attempts at sprucing up the panels to keep it fresh looking. Personally I happen to look the current storyline and I think story arcs for comics work when done right and you can throw in some gag a days after each arc is done etc.
When Hodge is writing, there really aren’t to many different ways you can show him sitting at his desk before some sort of redundancy sets in. Usually, it’s less about the art in these pieces and more about his content! However, freshening up perspective now and again with these pieces can never hurt! Thanks for noticing!
Nice! I also like the 3-D effect you do with your comic. It really works well.
Thanks! I wanted to try something that would attempt to make the comic feel somewhat visually unique, glad to hear it’s working! Feedback can be as elusive as an honest politician…rare, but it happens!! *grin*
Heh homicidal maniacs…! Regarding your break from the story, feel free to do this often. I do it every week, much to the detriment of my storyline.
Yeah, but in your case, we all know that Thursdays are “shorts” day! So we EXPECT Monday’s to be your story flow days!
Hahaha! You’re a funny guy, J! The art’s looking fantastic lately, too. Nice work!
Thanks G! All I’ve been doing w/ the art is blurring it up a bit!
Is that an Apple computer or a Cherry computer?
Yes!
I am all for storylines. A strip has to be REALLY funny to hook me up if it doesn’t have a story to it, but that doesn’t mean that you cannot interrupt it whenever you deem it apropriate to do so. Even real life has ‘interruptions’, doesn’t it?
Just don’t break all of Hodge’s bones one day only to have him fully recovered the next, please… Tha’t one of the things I DON’T like about gag-a-day strips.
Hodge never recovers quickly from anything… he has to be zinged to death first! Remember the vasectomy round1?!? *grin*
It seems that the health care debate is too big to not comment on! There’s no reason you couldn’t alternate between stories and gag-a- strip.
Commenting on the big news of the day IS Hodges bread and butter, so the healthcare saga certainly demanded his expert commentary!
Story time resumes next week! One more Bunny Wiggins fly by before he disappears into the sunset! (Literally!!) *grin*
Poor Grandpa! Looking forward to your extra updates this week! (7800)