Sunday Morning Funnies: Ride 'em
by Amanda Miller 
May 16th 2010 at 12:00PM
This week we have an ocean adventure, a suspicious "murder," a shrewd case of blackmail, and much more. In related news, my WiFi troubles have cleared up! Big thanks to Kelly Aarons for filling in last week.
This week's discussion topic, should you choose to accept it, is:
Leave a comment about your opinions on artwork in a comic that might get overlooked by many readers. Tell us why you think it's awesome, unique, quirky, or otherwise floats your boat - or your ocean rider 3000, for that matter.
This week's topic was inspired by last week's discussion that resulted from some not-so-constructive criticism left by a commenter. Trolls are inevitable, of course, but the incident reminded me that we see a lot of comments about the super popular comics, and less about the rest, even though there are plenty of positive things to say.
Onward!
- Torment of the Week: Czar Scallion was missing last week because it was put up late. The latest comic, if you've already read last week's, is Not So Fast.
- Coffin Comics: Smoking PSA. Totally read the blurb underneath!
- GRATS! Speaking About Voice. The creator had the following to say about it: Today I talk about voice actors and the rise in quality voice acting in video games today. Included are some clips from last year's BlizzCon where Metzen hosted a live panel of Blizzard's voice talents!
- The Daily Blink: Ultra Indie Warcraft Theater. Also: The Daily Blink Classifieds and And There's a Giant Spider in the Third Act.
- Tales from the Crossroads: Boxers or Briefs? Also: Dancin' with Mom (Mother's Day Art!) and Do You Know the Way to Booty Bay?
- Beyond the Tree: Goblin Speak. Also: Smaller Fish Unfried and Drunk with Revelation.
- LFG #355 and #356.
- AFR: Elementary Education.
- Equinox and Yonder.
- NPC: Shifty. Also: What's it Gonna Be. Then: Now You Know. Also: They Meet Again and Shrewd Move.
- WoW,eh: Bad Neighbours. The site is back up! It's a little bare, but I hear that it's getting spiffed up soon.
- Byron, the Tauren Rogue!
- Teh Gladiators: The New Face of Blackrock Mountain (Part 1/2). Remember to click through to part two!
- Slash AFK: Nerds Rock. Also: Liquified. I'm loving the new clean layout!
- The latest from Guilded Age.
- DLC: Ocean Rider 3000.
- Complex Actions: How do You Define Insanity Again?
- The Warcraft Hero in Meet the Parents (Part 1).
- K's Grab Bag: Messing with Natural Selection.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Comics, Sunday Morning Funnies
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ikatsu May 16th 2010 12:08PM
Hum.. Tales of Azeroth.
http://toazeroth.withme.us/gallery/Tales-of-Azeroth/To-Azeroth/Death-Knights-pic_16.htm
zetathran May 16th 2010 12:32PM
Dunno if it's just me, but I always find the Equinox comics to be the perfect essence of a webcomic in its elegance.
Skarlette May 16th 2010 2:50PM
My love for the Equinox series knows no bounds.
Azarizotza May 16th 2010 12:59PM
Yes, I was late last week, but for anybody who cares, I have this week's comic, finished ahead of time. So the only way it won't be up on tuesday is if I die...wait I set it to automatically update...nevermind, it'll be up no matter what.
Tokkar May 16th 2010 1:07PM
On this week's topic, and possibly continuing from last week (I didn't see last week's as I was involved in yet another project (grin) :
Some of the comics that are featured here are quite radical departures from the norm. As a result, they aren't:
1) readily understood
2) immediately appreciated
3) perceived to be "funny" or "serious", etc.
We have sort of grown to accept what is of a particular genre within the world of Azeroth. When something comes along that is different and/or challenges that perception, it takes some time to get accustomed to, I think.
The Warcraft Hero and Slash AFK are two such comics. When I first started reading them, I didn't "get" them.
With The Warcraft Hero, the art is minimalist and the humor is from the perspective of the character, who is relatively naive and is an innocent. Both of these are departures from the previously established norms and as a result, it is difficult to grasp at first.
Slash AFK has an "art nouveau" feel to it - a stylized drawing that is again a radical departure, and the humor is subtle, at times what could be referred to as a "joke grenade" - give it a few seconds and it'll go off! :-)
Of course, humor is completely subjective as a whole. Some will find something funny that another won't, and for this reason, there are a wide variety of comics to choose from. Something doesn't tickle your funny bone? Simple solution: move on to the next one! I don't read "Family Circus", but I do read "Bloom County".
I am happy that we have such a wide variety of styles, both in art and humor, to choose from here!
Azarizotza May 16th 2010 1:23PM
You posted the same idea as I was typing mine. WE ARE SOULMATES!
RetPallyJil May 16th 2010 1:11PM
I always liked that "Equinox and ... " isn't afraid to use blank panels to imply thoughts or realistic pauses.
Azarizotza May 16th 2010 1:15PM
Also, since I missed last week's flamewar...er...discussion. I'd like to say I'm quite a fan of Slash AFK. The humor is unique and gets me laughing in a different way. Humor has many different shapes and forms and sometimes taking yourself out of your normal line of thinking and putting yourself in someone else's shoes makes something funny if you never thought it could be.
Someone once told me doing a web comic was a thankless job. I have great respect for everyone who spends the time putting their work out there for the entertainment of others, even if it doesn't appeal to me. I'm a fan of every comic above and many others.
Pocket, if you see read this, keep up the good work. I have the "Marshmellow Kitties" strip tacked on to my wall.
jordybones May 16th 2010 5:55PM
you neglect to mention when penny-arcade has a wow-themed comic!
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/5/10/
Mary Varn May 16th 2010 2:10PM
NPC gal here. Regarding Amanda's call for positive comments about artwork, I have to say I find the Guilded Age just fantastic looking. I don't know if it's overlooked exactly, but thought I'd shout give it a shout anyway. Their drawing and line quality is so slick, and the use of bright colors without being gaudy is beautiful. That first panel almost looks like stained glass.
And Amanda, thanks for the links as always. :)
KJP May 16th 2010 2:20PM
The Dopeslap Totem looks more like an engineering item, but if I could get one by rolling a shammy, I so would.
Skarlette May 16th 2010 2:46PM
That murloc kiss was awesome, in a horrifying kind of way. XD
Greg May 16th 2010 3:15PM
Thanks very much for the linkage Amanda! Really appreciate it.
You know if you're ever wanting to get updates on my stuff, you can follow me on Twitter *insert shameless twitter plug here*
@rackhamgreg
Greg May 16th 2010 3:20PM
Oh, I forgot to add to my comment: I am a HUGE fan of Guilded Age.
It truly shows each issue the sheer amount of effort and creativity that comes from the three creators. You have to truly appreciate the skill for the art style alone. Great use of texture and line!
Al May 16th 2010 4:10PM
I'm going to compliment Daily Quests for the artwork, especially since it's dropped off the list lately. Overlooked by the column, does that count as well?
http://daily-quests.com/comic/?p=670
Kia May 16th 2010 4:52PM
Where the heck has Daily Quests been? Easily one of the better comics on this list compared to a lot of this dreck (DLC, anyone?) and lovely art, but this isn't the first week you guys have ignored it. Not cool. =\
Azarizotza May 16th 2010 5:13PM
:-( ...I don't think DLC is dreck.
But I do wonder where Daily Quests has been.
Raeenith May 16th 2010 8:49PM
No offense, but choose your words carefully. :P Kind of an insult to the other artists who put so much effort into making comics. I did a guest comic for "WoW, eh?" and it was quite difficult (granted I probably could have done it easier than I did, but I'm new to the comic world). While DLC isn't the best drawn comic, it's easily one of the funniest, but that's my opinion and you are entitled to your own opinions as well. :)
Fyreuni has been updating her Twitter, but no clue on an update for the comic
Raeenith May 16th 2010 8:50PM
Wait, nevermind! She updated 2 days ago. :P
Tokkar May 16th 2010 9:29PM
And so quickly, people completely ignore the comments from last week and the topic today.
/sigh