A Skewed Critique

[AspComics]

How witty. Heya all! I've had A Skewed Paradise (http://aspcomics.comicgenesis.com/) up and running for nearly seven months now, and I figure I may want to seek feedback other than my own.

I apologize in advance for the long post-- I'll try to make it bearable to read!

Any and all comments, complaints, death threats, etc. about either the site or the comic, I'd love to hear. I promise to be mature and not stubbornly defend myself. In the end, after all, it's up to me to decide whether or not to take the advice of others.


My own thoughts:

The Site
- Site Layout: I prefer "less is more." My main goal is to make the site simple, appealing to the eye, and easy to navigate.
- The "FAQ/Contact" page... should I put up a little blurb to give answers to questions readers may have whilst perusing my comic, or just toss it out altogether?
- The "Art" page... There are currently only two random pieces of art up. Should I leave it up, or make it inactive until there's more content?
- Any other additions/subtractions?
- Let me know if anything seems wrong, or doesn't show up right for you.

The Comic
- First thing's first... yes, the artwork evolves really... really... really fast. I have reasons, but that's another explanation altogether.
- The dialog started out pretty stiff and unnatural. Hopefully the speech seemed more believable as the comic progressed.
- If there's anything you think I should put some more effort into, just say the word!

Even if you don't have much to comment about, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about ASP, life, and the universe. Post, Email, PM, 'tis all good.

~Mattdennis

[Koad]

I like the layout, it's intuitive and user-friendly. You weren't kidding about the artwork evolving really fast, personally I like the latest style (in Curiosity) the best. The only suggestion I have is maybe increase the contrast for the night-time scenes, right now on my computer they are a little hard to see.

Good work I look forward to reading new updates.

[Guildmaster Van]

When it comes to the site, you actually have a very good design that accommodates your comic well. I think the cast page and the links page are due for a facelift, however.

Artistically, your comic has a good look to it. There is the odd pose here and there (Like the giraffing necks in this strip) and some homogeneity amongst the character designs, but these things are naturally improved by time. My only real complaint is the way you draw hair. The hair falls into the shapeless anime hair stereotype. It feels like their hair is more like blobs stuck on their head than actual hair. The girls aren't so bad because they have longer hair (Which tends to be more "blobby" anyway), but the hair on these guys is ridiculous. I know this is a stylistic thing, but it's kind of a put off.

Here's a scan from my Wizards Basic Training book detailing the flow of hair from the crown which may be of benefice to you.

[AspComics]

Hey, I didn't think anyone would respond by now!

The only suggestion I have is maybe increase the contrast for the night-time scenes

It's no longer night now, but I'll make sure to find a way to do that. I guess my computer showed it just fine, but others, especially Macs, have problems like yours did... or I could just avoid night.

I think the cast page and the links page are due for a facelift, however.

Definitely. Those were made when the site was born and since a new main character has been introduced, I'd love to redo the cast page once I get the time. The links page is boring and text-heavy. Not sure how yet, but I'll make sure it gets some attention.

As for the hair, I definitely understand where you're coming from Van. Nick's hair (blue) has been driving me nuts lately, and a friend of mine told me there's just something not right with it (worded nicer, but yeah). The good news is he is absent from the comic for a while, so I can play around with his hair and make it more bearable for his return. Jim (black), on the other hand, his hair just kept getting poofier... I don't know how to make it over without a drastic change. Hmmm.

In any case, I'll be taking your advice. My style doesn't really exaggerate human features to a noticeable extent, and I guess the hair seems to have broken that rule pretty badly. It looks like my newest endeavor will be studying hair to make the characters heads look a bit less crazy.

Thank you so much for the input!

[Guildmaster Van]

Jim (black), on the other hand, his hair just kept getting poofier... I don't know how to make it over without a drastic change. Hmmm.

Getting his hair cut would get it drastically changed. But then you'd need a plot device forcing him to get his hair cut, like something getting stuck in it

[AspComics]

Actually not long after that response, I thought of a way to do it. Strangely enough, not only does it fit absolutely perfectly into the storyline, but it even makes things easier for me at one point.

[Wendybird]

This isn't the first time I've gone over to read your comic, it's really fun. I like the site design, but when you asked for feedback I looked more closely and there is some white pixel fringe around those buttons on the side. Now that I've noticed it it really bothers me!

[AspComics]

Thanks Wendy, all fixed! Everything should look pretty and minus the white pixel fringes now.