More Daily Tests
I've just posted more daily tests with commentary here.
If you'd like to leave any comments about these samples, or about the Adams Experiment as a whole, I'd welcome your opinions.
If you'd like to leave any comments about these samples, or about the Adams Experiment as a whole, I'd welcome your opinions.
posted by Scott Meyer at Friday, August 24, 2007
107 Comments:
That last "how to make things X-treme" is hilarious. Going through and keeping the top three of four seems to work really well. While the text is a heck of a lot smaller and a bit harder to read, I don't think it's far off from many other syndicated strips.
Thanks for talking about the process.
I've been reading your comics since Scott Adams mentioned them and I like them a lot.
About the last format, I like it a lot. I prefer the strip format and I think these are very good.
Of course, I don't live in the US, so my opinion probably doesn't count as much, but I've subscribed via RSS and I will continue that way.
The new format works well. I think I just laughed up a lung reading about getting to work on time. The image seems slightly blurry, but it could just be me (it's still early).
The last 3 experimental strips showed a great improvement over your first attempt (no surprise, but it ought to make you feel good). In my office we actually talk like the main character in your third strip -- that's just how we roll.
Sorry about that.
I've gone back and read the entire archives, and got a few friends of mine hooked on it as well. I think your work is fantastic. While I personally prefer your traditional four panels in a box approach, I understand the realities of getting published in newspapers and the three panel approach works nicely as well.
-rev_matt_y
I think these are some of your most syndication-worthy comics yet. The 4-panel square works well for you and is funny, but I do think this horizontal layout flows a little more easily for the average reader.
I'd rather you keep your 4-panel layout than try to do it this way and have it come out forced, but if you can keep up the excellent comics in this 3-panel, newspaper-fitting layout, I think you may have a syndication-winner on your hands.
Looking back, I think the 3 of 4 approach would work well with a lot of your archives, too. Yes, we'd miss a laugh here or there, but 3 jokes on the topic is more than most comics get, and if people find even 2 of the 3 funny, they'll become fans rather quickly.
These are great! I love the first and last. Seems like this technique is pretty effective. I agree with the posters so far - this works and doesn't dilute your humour. Good job!
OK, the black bar at the top is much better than the first panel being just a black box.
I don't think the text is too small. But I guess I'm not the elderly, near-sighted newspaper reader that Adams talks about.
And I liked the one with the discussion with the boss. Especially the "Hard to live up to your ..." ...Example?" Maybe that should have been last panel.
i like the 3 panel format,
but i love more the 4 panel one, im not sure how pursing the (possibly) dying newspaper-comic age is good, id rather u keep it online. i read all my (also on newspaper) comics online :P
I laughed out loud at the last one. Overall, I guess I agree with the consensus: the big square strips on the web are better for reading on the web. But if I'm asked to choose between a morning paper without Basic Instructions, and one with it (in the newspaper-friendly format), I'll take the one with it, and count myself lucky.
I think the new strips are fantastic. They retain the 'wordy' approach which is your strength and is more 'syndication' friendly. Hope you keep it going...and yes, you are on my RSS list..
Vijay
These three were a noticeable improvement over your original 'daily' tries. The "How to be Xtreme" was hilarious! If you can continue to polish the 'daily' look, it'll definitely open up more syndication opportunities.
Best of luck!
As soon as Scott Adams started talking about Basic Instructions I added the RSS feed. I think the 4 panel structure is the best, both for the extra joke and easier to read. But this latest style is second place. If your process is to create the four panels then cut it down to three, you might consider posting both styles on your website. Then you have the 3 panel style for newspapers and those that go to your website get a little bonus and an easier to read format.
I wonder if you could make the text slightly bigger and easier to read if you got rid of the word balloons and used some other method to tell who is thinking what.
Different type faces? Different indentation levels? Just let the reader guess that the speaker changes when you start a new line?
The problem with all this is that you use the balloons to indicate timing, and the timing really shovels extra comedy value in there. You probably can't get rid of them easily.
I don't have trouble reading it now, but possibly another typeface would be easier to read without losing the whimsy that you have now.
I have been reading your comics since the start of this project. I have to say that the strips posted today are the best I've seen so far. They are clean, to the point and (most importantly) very funny. Keep up the great work.
The "you can't fire our customers because they've quit" made me laugh hard! I'd like to see the four-panel version of this.
Personally I think your strip would be better considered as something to be published on sundays. For me, most of the fun is in the exquisite details of the "photocartooning", which are lost on the smaller format.
Speaking in inches-by-inches, how much space would a three-panel take up, versus a classic-format four panel? (Assuming the 4-panel is printed large enough to see even the slightest details of the art, which make a lot of difference as far as the comic's appeal is concerned)
This is the funnies page of Argentina's largest newspaper, so you see a sample of art style and sizes.
Clarin:
http://www.clarin.com/diario/2007/08/24/humor.htm
La Nacion:
(Click "humor" menu bar)
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/edicionimpresa/index.asp
This is a cartoon published in another local newspaper.
Sundays:
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/anexos/imagen/07/655165.JPG
Normal:
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/anexos/imagen/07/707516.JPG
I just wanted to mirror what others have said. The 4 panel version is by far the funniest, but this works very well for syndication and whatnot. Perhaps the 4 panel could be a Sunday strip. This looks like it's the best work you've done so far as attempts at hitting the mainstream.
Like one of the other commenters said, I read my comics online and typically don't buy newspapers. However, syndication in print is what pays the bills. While the 4 panel, photocartooning idea is great, I'll continue to get an incredible amount out of your strip. I look forward to your first book.
Very nice like the new format as much as the old (maybe not as much but very close). I am a reader from Mr. Adams and have become a fan of yours.
This post has been removed by the author.
Echoing what most people said - of all the experiments, this latest is by far the most successful. It is an excellent strip and funnier then 99% of what is in the 'funnies' today. The four panel is good, too, but I think this 3-panel is just fine.
So I think this is by far the best result of your collaboration with Scott Adams.
"How to Answer the Unanswerable" was really funny and text wise just write to fit in a newspaper. "How to Get to Work on Time" almost worked. In the last panel eliminate the line "you're walking funny" entirely and replace "socks" with "underwear" and it goes from being funny to being hilarious. And it fits better in a syndicated format that way. "Being X-Treme" was the weakest, but still funny. The wordiness worked because thats what makes it funny...talking a lot about nothing.
The 3 panel format gives your comics almost a 1-2 punch. The first panel sets up the strip and jabs you with a little funny. The next two panels set up the rest.
If your method has been doing the 4 panels and dropping the weakest, it certainly works well!
I was reading Basic instructions before it was cool. Before Scott Adams said it was cool, anyway.
I just linked here from Blogger.com - You are a Blog of Note! WOW! I am envious of you and therefore will never read your awesome comic again out of pure spite.
You do have "skillz" though. Hopefully skillz to pay the billz.
Oh, and I like the Four Panels better, but if you are gonna make a gajillion dollars from getting syndicated, then do that. You can be funny in any format. I even liked the "Guy" cartoons.
The new format is fine, just as funny as the 4 panel format you usually use. If this 3-panel format gets you published in newspapers, go for it!
The three-panel format works really well. I think the process you have been through has really helped hone the content, and it definitely delivers for the newspaper format. I think the flow works, the text size works and you seem to be distilling the humour from 4 panels into 3. Good stuff.
I really like your comics.
And although I personally prefer the original format, I don't mind the new reduced strip version.
Meanwhile I started checking your page on a regular basis for new ones.
I love these -- I think they're every bit as funny as the "full-size" comics. There might still be a bit too much text in them, but these are still a huge step towards "commercialization".
The comics are really good, much better than the last two experiments. The one issue I have is that it seems like all the text is cramping the space in the comics. However, I don't think there is any way you could reduce the amount of text, so this is probably as good as it gets. Still, I would definitely love to see this in my syndicated comics.
I've given the Adams Experiment a go, and I can't say that I like it.
I prefer your existing 4 square format. It's nice, big, easy to read. The tempo of the 4 squares is nice and uncommon.
I love these new strips - one even made me laugh out loud while I was alone. Good job!
The new format works well because it preserves the parenthetical asides that are the humorous punch.
I stil like the indie feel of the 4 frame square, and I like how wordy it is. Its very college friendly.
I do like this drop the 4th panel one as well. I think these last strips are good, especially the 3rd. I thought it was crazy good, and that it brought it to that whole nother level.
Has your wife stopped wearing glasses?
Hey, maybe you could try taking the dropped frames and attempting to make separate strips with them. Collage comics. College comics, collage comics. See, I brought it right there, just now.
The one about dishes being dirty in the street made me laugh out loud. I see you've fixed the bagging/bragging typo (print-o?).
It seems more people prefer the recent iteration of The Experiment, but I actually liked the previous ones, from the 10th and 17th (I think it was). What worked for me was the clarity -- a panel devoted to the set-up, and one or two to the punch, each clearly written. Trying to shrink the-best-three-of-four into a normal strip, with some exposition and dialog in each panel, makes it too jumbled.
You don't have to keep everything from that first idea: don't think of them as one instruction split into four when each can be a great "mini"-instruction in itself (even if several strips come from one idea), and don't make it all about marriage, 'cause, well, all of your stuff is funny. But I think it's worth trying again, keeping the cleaner layout.
Or don't give in to convention and keep your four-panelers if that works best. Aim weekly -- think Life in Hell and This Modern World. Whatever best puts your ideas on the page.
Or do both. Can't see why you can't produce dailies and the occasional four-panel. Send them to my "hometown paper," the Funny Times. Seriously. It's a good paper. Funnytimes.com. I'd love to see your work there.
Just wanted to show my support for your efforts. I think I argree with many people here that I would like to see the 4 panel version online and the 3 panel one's tried for syndication. That being said however, this latest batch of 3 panel strips is definately the best so far in this format. When you are trying for syndication do make sure to show them both though!
In the last strip you forgot to mention that you were "HARDCORE"
I think all 3 of those were excellent and worked well in 3-panel format! I would recommend continuing to experiment with the 3-panel strip and don't worry excessively about wordiness. (people who like your work are going to be among the brighter and more psychologically minded)
After you got mentioned on Scott Adam's blog, I came over here and read all of your comics. The funny factor is very consistent. The comic is great.
That said, I think that these three-panel, drop the-weakest-link, strips are really awesome. They are better than the previous four panel strips by far.
You're getting there, man!
Like chanie, I've been checking out your comics since Scott Adams mentioned it.
I feel the 3-of-4 idea works very well for the strips you posted.
Looking forward to more experiments!
These were great. The 3 out of four rule works so far.
These new ones are hilarious! They are much more readable than Zippy the Pinhead, by the way.
I've been reading your comic since the beginning and was highly skeptical about you changing your format. The first "newspaper style" comics really deepened that skepticism, but these three have totally assuaged any fears I had. They feel a lot more like your original style and the text, while small, is still totally readable. Thanks for giving us the chance to give feedback on the process.
If you are going to try and get this syndicated, then I'd make your selling point "I'll draw in new readers for the newspapers." Your brand of humor really goes with the younger internet generation, and I'd probably actually pick up a paper for the funnies if they were full of comics like yours.
I actually liked the last three dailies, and I was among the people who were afraid that this effort would severely detract from the humor of your strip (to the point where I was going to suggest you do a comic about this whole Adams experiment entitled "How to Sellout") but the last three have been terribly humorous, and would really be a refreshing change next to Garfield.
It's pretty wordy, and I understand why you think they look like legal print with tiny illustrations on either side. They do. But I don't mind. They're hilarious all the same, and let's face it, your humor never came from the artwork. Though they might be a little harder to read, I doubt that your work ever appealed to the over-70 crowd that needs the large print. They can keep reading Family Circus. You found a way to keep your work as humorous as ever in a format that newspapers can use. I think you've just taken a huge step toward getting syndicated. Congrats.
These are the best so far for syndication because the content is so similar to the 4-panel, but I agree that the text is overwhelming. I think the 4 panel works so well because the black border ties the panels together and allows a little overlap between panels with the balloons and illustration. With the second 3 panel you did this and it gives a bit more space and flow. I'm wondering if you could make more use of the margin space between the panels to spread out the text more, or add a different background gradient like you do in some of the 4 panels to distinguish the balloon text from the top instruction text.
Out of this batch of three 3-panel strips, one made me laugh out loud*, which is as good a percentage as your large-format cartoons. None of your 4-panel strip experiments made me LOL*. So the feedback from here is, looks like the 3-panel strip could work.
Thanks for all the laughs!
*I do mean actually literally laugh out loud, not just reflexively type 'lol' like Kids These Days seem to.
Is there any way you can do _both_ the 3 and 4 panel comics? The 3 panel for the newspapers and the 4 for the web? The 3 panel ones work, but the 4 panel ones really shine. They seem to give more opportunity for penultimate punchlines and thought development.
Sure, that's more work for you and all...but might be an interesting experiment. You might get your (future) newspaper readers to subscribe to your rss feed and vice versa, just to see and think about the differences.
For what it's worth, I think your second funniest strip I've read is in the new daily strip newspapery sort of thing format.
The "How to Get to Work on Time". Compare that to your funniest one, the "how to tell someone about a movie" one.
I like your comics alot, and they are one of only two I read regularly now - I hope you feel in good company with XKCD.
I like Scott's blog, and I read it sort of regularly, but I don't even read dilbert regularly anymore.
I think the two styles that have worked well are the strip dailies and your older 4 panel page format. You were right about the splitting one idea into four strips licked testicles thing. Perhaps you didn't phrase it quite like that.
Great work man - I'm sharing your comic with everyone I know - precisely because it's not too geeky - everyone can get a laugh out of it.
Oh - and yes, I found out about you on Scott's blog.
I think the "drop the weakest panel" approach may really work. All three were funny to begin with but were improved by losing what had to be the hardest panel to perfect.
I build multiple choice exams for a living (A. some living, B. you do what? C. do you take bribes?, or D. all of the above). Finding a fourth choice is always the hardest but losing the worst of four choices is easy.
The third one made me laugh out loud - I think this format is working well.
This format seems to work. The "How To Be Xtreme" comic was hilarious. Good job.
I just wonder if you'll have enough good ideas to make this a daily comic.
Still seems to me that the original "big square" format is superior - the strip isn't /as/ good in the new format ... but it's still very good.
I think if you do wind up submitting the new format for syndication you should also show them the original format so they can make an informed decision.
Maybe the "big square" format would be viable as a Sunday strip?
Not bad. Maybe offer papers the 3-pannel or (director's cut) 4-pannel version.
Now to see if a strip-a-day crushes your spirit!
Great! I love them either way. I don't think the format matters as much as you and Scott think. The point is the comics are funny. I think that is 99% of it. The rest is getting lucky with a syndicator I am guessing. And with Scott's stamp of approval - that's almost a given.
Congrats Man!
I went back through the archive, consistently very, very funny. I laughed at all 3 of the current set and out loud on the last one.
I don't know how long you were thinking about experimenting but I think you are ready.
Good luck.
I've loved your strip ever since I saw the "how to barbecue" strip.
When reading about the attempts to get syndicated, and the current 4 panel block vs the strip format, I have to say that I like the current block format better.
I am reminded of the old "Life in Hell" comic by Matt Groening.
That appeared in a lot of those alternative weeklies around the country back in the 80s and 90s. LA Weekly, SF Weekly, etc. For all I know, it still does.
I suppose those alternative weeklies are more open to giving more space to comics.
This may be a naive question, but why not submit your strip to the editors of all those alternative weeklies?
A fan
I too like the "draw 4, pick 3" strips. If I hadn't known, I would have assumed you INTENDED to draw 3 panels with this round of updates. Very nice!
When Scott A first referred to you I spent my Saturday going through your archives. Not much makes me laugh out loud, but your comics did. I prefer the 4 panel approach, but maybe that's because you're more comfortable with it. I would like to see a daily.
I've been reading BI for a few months now and I've actually laughed out loud at several of the 4-panel strips. Haven't done that with any of the 3-panel strips, but the latest batch have been noticeably better than the previous attempts.
Here's my big question which hasn't been answered yet: Why are the two of you treating this like you only get one shot at syndication? Submit it with the four panel layout which you like, and if they don't go for it, resubmit it with the more traditional layout. Bill Watterson originally submitted a strip that focused on the entire family. The syndicates suggested he focus more on the kid, so he tried again, and Calvin and Hobbes was born. If they see the quality of the writing but don't think the four panel layout will work, they should be very receptive to resubmitting it in a more traditional format. If they don't see the quality of the writing in the four panel layout, the traditional format isn't going to change their mind. Go with what you like first, then adjust based on their feedback if you need to. Right now you're preemptively changing it to something you like less and you don't know that that's even necessary yet.
Is it as good as your normal format? I don't know. Is it better than a lot of widely-syndicated strips? Hell, yeah.
Three of four works great. Considering you already have a fan base, I'm guessing it won't be too hard to get syndicated. The big question is whether you can keep up the pace of a strip a day. I hope you can, because I love your comic.
I think your latest attempts at a 3-panel strip format are much, much better. That said, I do think your artwork (which is an important part of what makes the strip funny) has been diluted too much. Nothing you can do about that if you want to keep the strip format, but I think its a shame to dilute your work to accommodate an obsolete form of communication like newspapers.
I'd be curious about the results of a survey asking where people read dilbert, and where they would perfer to read your strip. I haven't read a newspaper in years (CNN.com, CBC.ca, BBC.com, etc. for news) and I just check dilbert.com to read my favorite strip from the late 90's. It was his blogging about you that lead me here, and I plan to follow your strip now as well, as I think its hilarious. Thus, to me, formatting it to fit in newspapers is of no value to me. If I am in the minority on that front, then these comments don't mean much. If I am not however, then sticking to an internet format, and finding ways to popularize your strip (maybe find a way to associate it with big news websites, in a sort of digital newspaper way?) would be the best way to go.
Good luck!
Richard N
Collaborating with Adams is obviously a process which involves hiccups
But this 3 panel thing is, in a word, great.
How do people think the 4 panel is easier to read? My eyes have no natural place to go - half the time down, half the time to the right.
Anyway given Adams is probably the best person in the world to work with on the topic I'm very jealous of you
Your comics are much funnier than the normal daily ones in my city... and the new experiment is so funny.
Be wary of the negative advice that you get because Adams has a LOT of people who contradict him for any reason whatsoever, just to give him grief. Just read back through his other posts and you will see....
Matt.
I really liked the original squares, but the new comics are great. They would make the comics page worth opening on their own. Best of luck getting syndicated.
I'm yet another reader introduced through Scott Adams' blog, but I've really gotten hooked on your humour.
Reguarding the format, I think it's less important than the jokes themselves. Honestly, your jokes are working just fine in both formats.
As for the "Best 3 of 4" idea, it's worth pursuing even independently from the newspaper format. Most writers come up with their best work when they're forced to cut their work down - it makes them consider what the essence of their writing really is, and trim away the extra fat.
One thing to consider would be to do the 3 panel version and, if you ever get the chance to publish a book of your work, put it in the 4 panel version as a sort of "special edition" or something to bump up the price :)
It's funny, and removing the weakest panel does help.
Still good jokes.
The problem is that your back and forth dialog takes up a lot of space, but with such small real-estate to work with it's very crowded and busy.
Not sure how that can be fixed though.
My suggestion over at Scott Adams' blog had this as one of the eventual options. These "newspaper style" strips keep the {set-up and punchline} in each panel like your four-panel comics, but just reduce the number of words and drop one panel. For me, this preserves what is good in your existing work.
There may be times when you find yourself without a "least funny" of the four. In my opinion, that's great, because I like the four-panel ones. Save those for Sunday, when there's typically more room.
These are much better than the first ones. I like your work too, and of course prefer the original format, but if I was coming new to you and saw these strips, I'd be happy.
My suggestion is to consider editing more. For example, in strip 1 panel 1, the 'Do I have to pick one' is, IMHO, superfluous. Perhaps 'Well...' would have done, and cut down on the overall word count. That one is my fave though :)
I like the write-4-drop-1. It looks to be working, you get the most powerful effect in your limited space, and you could always post the 4-panel on your website to give people an extra bonus for visiting. I'm always a bit disapponted when I see dilbert in print and see the same thing on the website (though it makes sense)
The last one was great, and the second one was good.
I really like your blog! In fact, I like it so much that I have added a post telling people to have a look, and I put two of my favourite strips in the post too.
As for the number of panels, I think you should have four panels if it works, but take one away if it is weak. Personally, I don't think it matters if you have a continuing comic strip either, as long as each individual strip is a story in itself.
keep up the good work! Rob
Hey Scott(s), why don't just you spread each "How To" on 2 strips?
Each how-to has enough material to spread into 2 strips, all that needs to be done is to work a punch line into the end of strip1 of each. It's almost there already anyway.
Scott:
I'll echo the others: your work rocks, whether it's in 3 panels or 50 panels. Can't believe your stuff hasn't been snapped up by some savvy syndicator.
Best wishes.
I agree with the others who have said this is definitely the best new format attempt yet. I really think it is almost almost there! I'm glad you've kept going. I hate changing, myself, so this is very impressive to me. NOT that I don't love the original format -- I do. I'm just saying it's exciting that you've forged ahead trying a different format even though it's been hard and lots of people said it was no good.
Oh, also the people on the other Scott's blog who are saying you don't need the narrative are nuts. They don't seem to get that it's part of the humor that it's repetitive and goofy and perfect.
I already commented on (the other) Scott's post... but anyway, I think these are great. I did NOT like the first experiment (with "relationships"), but these ones are more-or-less equal to your 4-panel format.
The 1st and 3rd are downright hilarious, and the 2nd one is pretty good (although I found only the 1st panel really funny).
Why not make a few more in this style, and submit them to newspapers?
The "3 best of 4" format is working nicely. Both "how to make things xtreme" and "getting to work on time" were up to your four-panel standards of hilarity while keeping it in the three-box daily format.
I think I still prefer your old format, but I realize said format will not allow you to take your "skillz" to a newspapaer near me.
Bring it!
I read your comic on ocassion, I'm not really one for non-canonized comics, but that's just me. Best of luck moving to newspaper comics, maybe you can remove the comedy black hole that is Garfield from my local newspapers.
Everyone's already said what I wanted to say but just to reiterate: best 3 of 4 horizontally is your best newspaper-friendly effort yet. And these were really funny too :) (From now on I'm doing _all_ my dishes old skool )
I really like this cartoon and check for new ones several times a week. I would consider buying a book of them (but maybe not if I've already seen them all)
Format: the original is probably my favourite, but the latest pick 3 of 4 cartoons are approaching it.
I cam here from Dilbert - that Scott Adams has some leverage
These were a lot better than the last dailies we saw. The first two strips are good, but the third is hilarious. I laughed for several minutes -- way longer than I do at any of the comic strips published around here (here being Central Ohio).
You're excellent -- hope your experiment succeeds!
You know, Scott Adams thought "Unfit" was funny. He still thinks "Dilbert" is funny. What the hell does he know about funny?
Your strip was good before he started messing around with it (and you.) Yeah, the exposure is great, but take the advice with the truckload of salt it deserves.
Man, you're getting good. You had me laughing out-loud right at the first panel of "How to Quit Drinking Coffee".
Funny stuff...
Like the latest 3-panel format. I would mention that because of the small format you could try reducing the explanatory text at the top of each panel, or at least having some sort of dividing line so it doesn't all run together.
For example, I wonder if you could cut the following text pieces as they are redundant and/or give away punchlines:
"Be sure to mention your skillz"
"Also, mention repeatedly that you brought it"
"While doing the activity" (actually I think that panel is definitely funnier if you leave that out -- then it's just about all bragging, all the time!)
"After the fact, continue bragging" --> personally I'd have gone with something like "Even if you fail, continue bragging... more vigorously than before!"
I do think your text adds a lot to your comics and that you're a tremendously funny fellow... I just think you have the same problem I have... sometimes you say things one time too many or use a few too many words.
Keep 'em coming, and good luck!
Long time S.A. reader, new convert to you (and advocate within my little circle).
I thought How to Quit Drinking Caffeine (IMHO) would end with a bigger bang without the fourth panel. Different things appeal to different funny bones though.
Well done to open yourself up to so much discussion of your creations. It's more than I could invite so I congratulate you. Love your work. Hope you make it big.
PS. I'll be putting my money where my mouth is as soon as I can pick a favourite thing in your shop.
A) I love your comic more than Jesus.
B) The Adams Experiment is great, and I'm sure it will turn out awesomely for you.
C) Your original 4-panel style is still funnier.
D) The "Yes, repeatedly" line about "bringing it" was atrociously funny.
peace,
Matt
I'm afraid I'm in the "Scott Adams writes Dilbert, why are you listening to him? Would you listen to Bill Keane's advice? Dilbert is the next Garfield" camp, as well as the "I don't care if you use 3 panels or 30 panels, your work is amazing and I love it" group. Of course, if syndication is what you REALLY want, then I can understand wanting to work with Adams. He should know lots more about it than you; plus you're obviously gaining fans from his publicity. That's all well and good, but looking at the funnies page these days makes me question why any webcartoonist would want syndication. It is a sad place, and online favorites like pvponline and penny-arcade are proving that you do not need the support of newspapers to become a huge success.
No matter what you choose, I'll still wish the best for you (Found you off of Blogger, by the by). Good luck, man. I think you've got the chops to succeed in any format you choose.
I liked them.
I still prefer the 4 panel version, but it's your comic, and do with it as you wish.
I think these latest versions of the traditional format are better. I still like the square format because the instructions are more detailed - a result of more room to "instruct".
One thing to consider is to get some more poses when drawing yourself. I keep seeing the same pose where you are face left and have your right finger pointing out, in the "ah ha!" gesture. Seeing the same pose that looks like it's just copied and pasted (maybe it is?) get annoying, like I already saw this strip.
I've been on the side of "the four panels are much funnier" until these recent daily tests with the three panels--I really enjoyed those. I hope you get syndicated, because your comic is funnier than any in newspapers now.
Heard of you thanks to SA. I like your comic very much!
I think for a quick read four crowded panels are a little bit to much. The three panels read better!
I've been following this experiment off and on for the past couple of weeks. Here are my thoughts:
1. You have an excellent sense of what's funny,
2. Your artwork is satisfactory for the strip.
3. Your work was funny and interesting enough for Scott Adams to notice and become involved as a mentor.
4. Not all advice from a mentor is good.
5. If you want Scott Adams to produce your strip, then let him.
6. If you want to produce your own strip, consider his advice, then do what you want to do.
7. If Scott Adams can learn on his own how to do this, then so can you.
8. Be yourself!
Love the work - you are ready...
what you write is better than just about anything - the other scott included... it is a fresh wiff of damn snarky goodness...
Scott,
I'm a new reader, migrating over with the Dilbert crowd.
I think your latest 3 panel stips were excellent. Your 4 panel ones were better, but what can you do? I think someone else may have mentioned the idea that the 4 panel ones go online and the 3 panel versions go into print. When your book comes out and is wildly successful you'll be able to leverage your way into getting the 4 panel "old school" style in print.
I have added Basic Instructions to my favorites-personal list. It is third, after Dilbert.com and The Dibert Blog. You might go up to second if you start puttting out the strip daily. You have some great life observations. I've been through the archives and haven't found one I can't relate to. They make me laugh just thinking about them. Thanks for sharing your comics!
Yesterday's post on quiting coffee was absolutely hilarious and still fits into the "drop the weakest" scheme. You can shave off a little text by dropping the line "good point." in the first panel and then drop the last panel entirely.
Its not a weak joke, but the first three are hilarious and the third had me cracking up all day.
Hey, Scott.
Having seen every strip on your site,I have to say that the first time I saw your strip in the 3-panel format, it didn't seem to work for me. Despite myself, I found your latest 3-panels at least as good as the 4; I have no idea what it is you did differently so this is quite possibly the most pointless comment you'll get but keep it up. Once you know what it is.
Use uppercase letters like what Scott mentioned. The last several comics in the strip format have been very good: keep at it!
I think you've definitely got a hot thing going on. Sure, I LOVE the 4-panels, but the newspaper strip versions complete their purpose, all the same. You've definitely got what it takes! Good job!
I think "Write four panels and drop the weakest" works. I disagree with some of the comments saying you should remove the narration at the top - I feel it adds to the comedic flow and is essential to the overall humor of the strip.
I'm something like comment #99 so I'm apparently a bit late in getting around to commenting.
I have been following along since Scott A. recommended your strip and I have read every one that you have up. I loved them all and shared them with friends. I have to say that up till now, I haven't loved the changes you made in your experiment, but I read the last 3 test strips and I love it. The "drop the weakest" really works. They are all concise and hilarious. Keep it up.
I said this on Scott A.'s blog but will say it here: I think your success in newspapers and/or on the web is inevitable. The only thing that bugs me is that the font and panel frames are too similar to (or exactly the same as) Scott A's. Take suggestions and support from the man, sure - but begging comparisons to him is folly, I think.
It's been fun watching you navigate your way through this fortuitous turn of events. Keep up the good work.
I'm one of those people who prefer large font, it's just easier on my poor eyes... Having said that, the new format is probably the best way to make the strip syndicatable.
Have you tried a ONE pane format? You find a lot of that in British papers. Like The Far Side.
It's also really interesting to read about the process, hope to see more.
Btw, like your news blog, too. Maybe you could throw in a few more links where appropriate. E.g. where you refer to your own strips, or as a friendly wave to the first paper that published you ;)