Is it working for you?

Reinder · Post by **Reinder** » Tue Dec 18, 2001 2:34 am

It won't be forever. I've got a definite minimum and maximum term in mind for the experiment. Under no circumstances will it end later than May 2, 2002. No earlier than Mid Februari 2002 either <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/smile.gif">------------------
Reinder Dijkhuis
<A HREF="http://www.rocr.net/" TARGET=_blank>Rogues of Clwyd-Rhan</A>, Humorous fantasy strip, updated Mon-Fri, and really rather good. <A HREF="http://www.rocr.net/d/20000701.html" TARGET=_blank>Read it from the first strip!</A><A HREF="http://whio.keenspace.com/" TARGET=_blank>White House in Orbit</A>

Trcomics · Post by **Trcomics** » Tue Dec 18, 2001 6:54 am

Hmm ... can't say I'm too "keen" on the new format. I find that even though there are only 3 panels, my eyes are constantly jumping between the text and the panels which makes for choppy reading. It feels more like an illustrated novel than a comic, and the pictures aren't as "alive" as they used to be. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind narrative text, and previously you've had days with one panel and lots of text, which has worked well -- probably, though, because they were different than usual, a break in the pattern as opposed to the norm.But then it might just feel "different" and take a bit of getting used to. Ever read Thieves and Kings? It took a bit of getting used to because of the mix of traditional panels with pages of text, but now I enjoy the format.Trevor

Maoh · Post by **Maoh** » Tue Dec 18, 2001 9:46 am

You know, it's interesting, kind of funny, BUT... it's not comics at all, but illustrated tales. I like it, but not forever.It rules (by the time)!

Reinder · Post by **Reinder** » Tue Dec 18, 2001 12:38 pm

So.... I'd like to hear from you people again. The new format, is is working for you? Tell me if it sucks or if it rules!------------------
Reinder Dijkhuis
<A HREF="http://www.rocr.net/" TARGET=_blank>Rogues of Clwyd-Rhan</A>, Humorous fantasy strip, updated Mon-Fri, and really rather good. <A HREF="http://www.rocr.net/d/20000701.html" TARGET=_blank>Read it from the first strip!</A><A HREF="http://whio.keenspace.com/" TARGET=_blank>White House in Orbit</A>

Bo Lindbergh · Post by **Bo Lindbergh** » Wed Dec 19, 2001 2:25 am

It feels sort of... Detached? Disconnected? Rather like the effect of using indirect speech instead of direct speech in a purely textual story.

Sinnerdragon · Post by **Sinnerdragon** » Wed Dec 19, 2001 6:06 am

I like it. It gives a more contemplative mood to the story (it would work not so good for action, but for a tale like that I think it's good). I'm used to it in some way. When I was a child, some comics were in that format, and I loved it...

Maoh · Post by **Maoh** » Mon Dec 24, 2001 9:32 am

Better reading now, R. Thanks.MERRY Xmas EVERYBODY!!!

ZOMBIE USER 7009 · Post by **ZOMBIE USER 7009** » Tue Dec 25, 2001 3:00 am

OK, but when are you going back to REAL comics? They're much easier to read.------------------
Niesche: "God is dead"
God: "Niesche is dead"

Metrobius · Post by **Metrobius** » Tue Dec 25, 2001 5:25 am

I think I like it.
I've always had trouble with your daily instalments of one long epic, which often seem to begin and end in odd places, as though they're itching to be together in a book, but are being forced to spread themselves out.
But these little story pages have definite ending- and beginning- places *and* they have funny stuff in the descriptions, which you can't get in a comic.
------------------
Timmerryn
Creator deity of <A HREF="http://pantheon.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>The Pantheon</A>
and Epic Poet for <A HREF="http://www.pewfell.com" TARGET=_blank>Pewfell Porfingles</A>.

Reinder · Post by **Reinder** » Tue Dec 25, 2001 5:51 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Nyerguds:
OK, but when are you going back to REAL comics? They're much easier to read.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I think these are real comics, but that is a definition question that I don't want to get into.I've set a minimum and maximum length for this experiment. It won't end before Feb 14, and not after May 2 (a date chosen with a special reason). I'm having a lot of fun doing this, but if I end up being the only one to have fun, I will cut the story short and go back to comics with balloons.I have to insist on a minimum length, or else the experiment won't have been worth doing. I have to give myself time to get good at working with this format (the examples I've had are among the best comics work to come out of the Netherlands, keeping generations of readers spellbound), and to allow you to get used to it as well (see <A HREF="http://www.bobbins.org/" TARGET=_blank>Bobbins</A> where changes in the style often start out unpopular until readers are used to the new style).------------------
Reinder Dijkhuis
<A HREF="http://www.rocr.net/" TARGET=_blank>Rogues of Clwyd-Rhan</A>, Humorous fantasy strip, updated Mon-Fri, and really rather good. <A HREF="http://www.rocr.net/d/20000701.html" TARGET=_blank>Read it from the first strip!</A><A HREF="http://whio.keenspace.com/" TARGET=_blank>White House in Orbit</A>

ZOMBIE USER 7009 · Post by **ZOMBIE USER 7009** » Wed Dec 26, 2001 6:36 am

I'm not saying it's bad. It's just more like reading a book with pictures in it.
Well... I kinda like it. As you said, it's probably just a matter of getting used to it.
------------------
Niesche: "God is dead"
God: "Niesche is dead"

Niwi · Post by **Niwi** » Thu Dec 27, 2001 3:07 am

Compared to the balloon-comics this story progresses a bit slower I think (or at least it feels like it progressig slower).Of course the new format also has its charms, kinda fades the gap between comics and literature (Especially the way you write AND considering english is't your first language?)Hmm, the new style needs some time getting adjusted to, but I think it works for me.And balloons are for kids anyway...------------------
My own Keenspace is coming soon, be sure to check it out. Dr. Satyrplush & the curse of Maxitango!

Am · Post by Am » Fri Dec 28, 2001 5:05 am

I like the new format - but it'd be sad if the more typical cartoon strip style was never used again

Reinder · Post by **Reinder** » Mon Dec 31, 2001 2:47 am

Turns out I can't always easily split up the strip in a way that works with the text. Today's (Mon, December 31) is one such occasion. I do intend to do that whenever I can, though, but sometimes it just weakens the flow of the images too much.------------------
Reinder Dijkhuis
<A HREF="http://www.rocr.net/" TARGET=_blank>Rogues of Clwyd-Rhan</A>, Humorous fantasy strip, updated Mon-Fri, and really rather good. <A HREF="http://www.rocr.net/d/20000701.html" TARGET=_blank>Read it from the first strip!</A><A HREF="http://whio.keenspace.com/" TARGET=_blank>White House in Orbit</A>

Mcvos · Post by **Mcvos** » Tue Jan 01, 2002 10:54 am

Although I always liked this format of Marten Toonder's books, I just realised I've all but stopped reading RoCR since you started using it.
Perhaps because comics are easier and lighter to read than novels, which require a bit more commitment.------------------
mcv <><

Boc · Post by **Boc** » Tue Jan 08, 2002 4:27 am

In general, I feel that the new format works well with the recent (past two years) tone of the comic (the word comic is perhaps out of place now

). I still stand by my earlier comments about having to scroll up and down, though. I can see how the medium might be better suited to this kind of comic, as you argued before, but perhaps you need to take it a step further. Why do all the images in the strip have to be at the top of the page? Why not break out of the 'strip' format and mix text and images? You don't have to do that in a way that it will look like an illustrated story. You can still use the power of the combination of text and image. Consider using image backgrounds for the text, for instance. Use graphic borders or different colours to indicate a change of mood. Experiment more and do that in public (i.e. on this site) rather than just at home or at the studio. BTW, is the name Ta_n_lin a typo in today's episode?

Boc · Post by **Boc** » Tue Jan 08, 2002 4:33 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by boc:
Why do all the images in the strip have to be at the top of the page? Why not break out of the 'strip' format and mix text and images?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Oh wait, I just noticed that you have already been doing that for some time (blush). No wonder I managed to arrive at that brilliant idea myself.Anyhow, if anything in my last message is worth taking home, it would be the 'experiment more' bit (at this point (IMHO)).

Reinder · Post by **Reinder** » Wed Jan 09, 2002 1:09 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by boc:
BTW, is the name Ta_n_lin a typo in today's episode? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Uh yeah. Only the fifth I've had to fix since that episode went live, mind you.Thanks for the suggestions!------------------
Reinder Dijkhuis
<A HREF="http://www.rocr.net/" TARGET=_blank>Rogues of Clwyd-Rhan</A>, Humorous fantasy strip, updated Mon-Fri, and really rather good. <A HREF="http://www.rocr.net/d/20000701.html" TARGET=_blank>Read it from the first strip!</A><A HREF="http://whio.keenspace.com/" TARGET=_blank>White House in Orbit</A>

Awake98 · Post by **Awake98** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 3:00 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by reinder:
 Uh yeah. Only the fifth I've had to fix since that episode went live, mind you.Thanks for the suggestions!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Ha! Then incence will be 6?

d

Reinder · Post by **Reinder** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 7:52 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Awake98:
 Ha! Then incence will be 6?

d<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>No, cause that was in a different strip.------------------
Reinder Dijkhuis
<A HREF="http://www.rocr.net/" TARGET=_blank>Rogues of Clwyd-Rhan</A>, Humorous fantasy strip, updated Mon-Fri, and really rather good. <A HREF="http://www.rocr.net/d/20000701.html" TARGET=_blank>Read it from the first strip!</A><A HREF="http://whio.keenspace.com/" TARGET=_blank>White House in Orbit</A>