Malcolm

Davidleetoon · Post by **Davidleetoon** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 9:48 am

I've been drawing my comic "Malcolm" for five years now. I just recently joined Keenspace and released my comic to the world. I'll admit, I'm certainly not the greatest artist, but Malcolm is funny just the same. Though I'm only 15, I think I've got a general idea of how to do a comic. I'm a long time fan of the comics, yet did not like the fact that 9 out of 10 of the comics in the papers, just weren't funny. Also, I think my age is useful in writing a strip about kids, considering I am one. Please, feel free to add comments your (good or bad). Also if you know of any comics similar to mine, that you think I might be able to do a link exchange with artist, let me know.

Enjoy.

Click Here to Read Malcolm

Specterz · Post by **Specterz** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 10:11 am

*Have an archive of comics before plugging. You don't want us judging you on a tiny body of work. It won't be fair to us, seeing as you just wasted our time, or to you, as we'll always remember you for not having much at your site. At least fifteen would be acceptable, thirty would be better, but you can plug with less. Just remember that the more the better. This means no teasers without the comics to back it up. And by comics, that means a page featuring either a visual story or gag in the sequential multipanel persuasion, or some innovation of it.

LibertyCabbage · Post by **LibertyCabbage** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 10:21 am

Yeah you need to have a decent amount of comics posted before you pitch. So, I wasn't really able to judge the comic because there's not enough of it to see. However, one thing you're doing is wrong is you draw Malcolm's hair the same way when you do a front view as when you do a side view. He's got weird hair so just sketch him at different angles and focus on the hair and you should be alright. Also, the comic so far reminds me of Calvin & Hobbes, and maybe too much. I know everyone loves C&H but your comic has to have its own identity.

And one more thing, Malcolm seems to be pretty young so when you draw him next to his mom, he has to be significantly shorter than her.

Davidleetoon · Post by **Davidleetoon** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 12:20 pm

I greatly apologize for the lack of comics. I am a complete newbie to the webcomic scene.
As for the hair, I've tried to figure out a way to draw it differently from the side, but have never figured out a way that didn't look awful. I also should have made him shorter compared to his mom.
In the area of character development, I've actually already well developed my characters, in the years I've been drawing my strip. I'm just trying to figure out the best way to do this again for everyone else who hasn't ever has read Malcolm.

Again, I am deeply sorry for my lack of comics.

Specterz · Post by **Specterz** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 12:31 pm

Don't worry, it's no big deal. An honest mistake.

Maybe you could try scanning in some of your older comics, where the characters are more fleshed out, and start the comic from there...

Davidleetoon · Post by **Davidleetoon** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 12:34 pm

Thanks for understanding.

I thought about putting in some of my older ones but my style of drawing, materials, format, and everything else, have drastically changed since I started out. What I'm doing is redrawing my old ones and uploading them.

-David

Dutch! · Post by **Dutch!** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:17 pm

Doesn't seem to be too much really wrong with it yet, champ. I found the first one reminded me more of Peanuts than Calvin, but you've gotta start somewhere, eh?

I'd suggest thinking about giving the young feller a bigger forehead, especially when he faces the front. Otherwise, not too bad at the moment for three strips. I'll have a closer looksy when you get a coupla dozen more up.

Cheers.

Davidleetoon · Post by **Davidleetoon** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:36 pm

Hey, if anybody has an idea of how to draw Malcolm's front view better, feel free to send it to me, and I'll be happy to steal it if it's good.

davidleetoon@gmail.com

Just make sure the attachment isn't too big. I only have 2224 MB on gmail.

-David

Meep the Greek · Post by **Meep the Greek** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 8:27 pm

However, one thing you're doing is wrong is you draw Malcolm's hair the same way when you do a front view as when you do a side view.

Actually, this isn't always a bad thing. If it's used right, it establishes a strong, easily recognizable silhouette. Mickey Mouse - easily one of the most recognizable cartoon characters in the world - is almost always drawn with his ears facing forward no matter what direction his head is pointing. And if you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. If they made his profile realistic, when Mickey's looking off to the side all you'd see is this big old horn-shape sticking out of the top of his head (and Disney gets in enough trouble with the imagined phallic symbols already).

Personally, I don't really see how Malcolm would necessarily benefit from having his hair drawn differently from a different angle. It's not like this is a particularly realistic style. Instead, I'd suggest lowering his nose a bit, so silhouette-wise, it looks less like an ear.

Davidleetoon · Post by **Davidleetoon** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 6:23 am

That makes perfect sense. Thanks so much.

-David

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 7:59 am

David...I like your work. Sure, it's not the best art style out there, but your character is immediately recognizable and unique. Your strip is technically clean, and the writing is actually kind of funny at times. It looks like you've actually put some effort into making it look good, which helps overcome any shortcomings of style. I think I see a strong influence from Peanuts here...am I right?
Well done. I'll read more....

Nutcracker · Post by **Nutcracker** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:00 am

The comic is pretty cute so far. If you are looking for inspiration, you can check out Big Nate cause Nate and Malcolm have very similar appearance.

Every cell of my body hates Mickey Mouse and his freekin earrrz!!

Davidleetoon · Post by **Davidleetoon** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 2:38 pm

Dominic wrote: I think I see a strong influence from Peanuts here...am I right?

I suppose it has had an influence without my realizing it, though any resemblance is not intentional. I just write whatever seems funny to me. I've always read Peanuts, yet I never tried to mimic it.

======

Nutcracker wrote:If you are looking for inspiration, you can check out Big Nate cause Nate and Malcolm have very similar appearance.

That was actually kind of funny. I just recently moved a few months ago, and we started getting the Washington Post, which prints Big Nate. I was shocked at the similarity between the two, because I had never heard of or seen Big Nate before.

Thanks again, and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
-David

Jaybob81 · Post by **Jaybob81** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 11:33 pm

Looks cute so far! I'll be happy to check back when you've got a few more done.

Munch · Post by **Munch** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 2:51 am

I'VE BEEN DRAWING MY COMIC..
tomothy and pals for seven years

malcom is so funny!!!

where do you get a site for web comics, with the date and stuff?

Licantro · Post by **Licantro** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 7:27 am

Great start...nice character, and for your age you have done a nice work , keep it up and in a few year I bet you'll have a great strip.

Specterz · Post by **Specterz** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 8:15 am

munch wrote:I'VE BEEN DRAWING MY COMIC..
tomothy and pals for seven years

malcom is so funny!!!

where do you get a site for web comics, with the date and stuff?

why, http://www.keenspace.com of course!

Bring a sample comic and a lot of patience!
Any other questions in the help forum please, and good luck.

Prince Amethyst · Post by **Prince Amethyst** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:40 am

Well, one thing that you need to spare from readers is:
- too much supernatural elements that come out from the blue (mythical monsters, angels, werewolves...)
- many references to anime and video game titles
- frequently breaking the fourth wall
- toilet humor
There are too much webcomics that love to get into this because it is fun for the authors... but it gets uncredible and tiresome to the reader... well, that's just me.

http://www.somethingawful.com/articles.php?a=53

Christwriter · Post by **Christwriter** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 10:53 am

The "You have too few comics" thing has been said, so I won't.

It IS a bit like Calvin and Hobbes...a bit TOO much in the "and-you-wonder-why-my-teacher-hates-her-job" strip. That is not a bad thing. That is not a good thing. That is an "I don't know where this is going" thing.

Something I noticed nobody suggesting (shame on you!) is that if you have a LOT of comics already finished, you could back-date them and load, oh, say twenty of them in there. Back dating is easy (if I wanted a comic for the june of 03, I'd type 20030609, say, instead of 20050609. It'll stick the comic at the beginning of my archives, as the earliest date I've got is 20040401) and you can replace the current comics with the later ones you want just by renaming them for the current dates (replace a picture named 20050609 with another one named 20050609 and the computer won't know the difference). You are not limited to having to just do one strip a day. And it would solve the you-dont-have-enough-comics thing.

CW

Dutch! · Post by **Dutch!** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 1:05 pm

Prince Amethyst wrote:Well, one thing that you need to spare from readers is:
- too much supernatural elements that come out from the blue (mythical monsters, angels, werewolves...)
- many references to anime and video game titles
- frequently breaking the fourth wall
- toilet humor
There are too much webcomics that love to get into this because it is fun for the authors... but it gets uncredible and tiresome to the reader... well, that's just me.

Nup, it's not just you. I agree. Glad others think the same.

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