While using PA more current comics, can be a good measure (although, for me some of the comics weren't all that funny, because the dialogue got just a bit too abstract or the picture didn't convey enough of the funny), it isn't completely fair to expect that his comic should be at that level, now.

I mean, have you seen some of PA's earlier stuff? After reading Attack of the Bacon Robots (or whatever its called) I was seriously disappointed w/ some of their earlier stuff. Plus, I'm not always a fan of everything PA to begin w/, and I find them a bit more of a hit & miss.

As for Mirai use of toys, well that's a low blow. You might as well complain to Brian that he uses sprites. His use of toys is at least up there w/ Alien V. Pred, at least in the poses of the figures themselves. Yes, he could do w/ more props (and should learn to start living at the Dollar store, and at least visiting Wal-Mart's craft section), but props cost money, and for something that's a potential bottomless pit of spending, that's asking a bit much. Especially for something that hasn't even considered making a profit...

Frankly, the thing this comic needs most is experience. And that's something you can't just give, or borrow from elsewhere. It requires experimentation, and a few more comics under the belt. Mirai needs to settle on a pattern, and finish working out his main cast (because if you haven't noticed, he's still in the intro phase).

SWB

It's funny how I can try and defend myself, yet other people can put it in better words than I can.

Oh, I wasn't trying to say that you must be as good as Penny Arcade, right this fucking second!

Nothing of the sort!

Of course, most comics start out a little rough -- just look at some of Brian's earliest stuff! Of course developing the characters and just plain old experience will come in handy, and no, I don't expect you to be like PA right off the bat.

I was more just trying to give advice on what to shoot for. And I think there's nothing wrong with aiming to be as good as Tycho -- it's all about practice, really. Aiming to imitate isn't a good thing, nor is expecting to be that good off the bat, but there's nothing amiss about having that level of craftsmanship as a goal to work towards.

Fact is, practice matters more than innate talent, and always has, in most every domain of human endeavor (physical activities probably holding the most exceptions to this general rule). So, no, I'm not trying to hold you to some arbitrary and unreasonable standard, and I'm sorry if it came off that way -- I was just trying to maybe help provide some tips and framework that might aid you in your growth as a comic strip artist.

And as to PA -- I could have used 8bit, Least I Could Do, VG Cats, Questionable Content, Dr. McNinja, or any number of other funny-ass web comics. I just happened to use PA because I was already browsing their site at the time, and I had a few favorites that I thought were just good for illustrating my points. Obviously you want your comic to be distinct, and original -- I actually tried to keep my advice fairly general for that reason. Maybe I didn't do such a good job of that, but that's what I was going for.

Keep up the good work man -- It's only going to get better.

Theres also the fact that this comic has the same roommates feel as penny arcade (I forget whether you mentioned this in an early post, or whether this is my own thinking, too lazy to check) That will also lead to some similarities.

Which was very much the intent.

I'm trying to steer towards Penny Arcade, but have a little more character in the actual characters (as opposed to, say, CAD).

But, I mean, apparently Grimlock can spooge all over the keyboard. Physical practicality is a big gaping hole in my comic.

I see know problem with that. I mena, just becasue something is original, doesnt make it entertaining. Why not borrow successful ideas? As long as your not making a carbon copy, a clone, it seems prefectly fine. I could care less if he borrowed my ideas and used them, if it was funny, I really wouldnt mind all that much. If you have to, borrow, as long as its entertaining, it shouldnt matter.

Roomates can always be made funny.

Also, this isnt meant as inflamatory to people referencing the fact there are similarities to other things.

I wasn't saying it was a bad thing, I just was pointing out that I thought I remembered Mirai saying it would be similar. Penny Arcade is funny, so no arguement from me.

I didnt mena it in a angry way. I just figured Id say yhat borrowing ideas is okay. That want mena to be getting snippy at people refefncing the similarities, sorry for the misunderstandings I may have caused.

Buh. Sorry, but I'm not seeing it. Bumblebee & Grimlock's personalities just don't strike me as anything like Tycho & Gabe. Plus, while I'm no avid reader, but most of the comics seem to suggest that their living conditions don't matter much. I mean, I've never read a comic where rent was discussed, or they even talked to their landlord.

Their comic seems more of a vehicle for their various veiwpoints, rather than an integral part of the story.

I mean, I could see more of an influence from the Least I Could Do comics, or maybe The Odd Couple/Friends.

I think Mirai's earlier post about taking something of a similar approach as PA, was to state that BB & Grim would occasional offer viewpoints & such on events, much in same was as PA does. 'Cept with a tad less requirements for insider knowledge.

I do think some of you are reading too much in his PA comparison, and thinking that suddenly it has to equal PA, with toys.

Kevin

Honestly, with what I'm going for, I was seeing more similarities in Alien Loves Predator than anything else. I use ALP as source material for when I do the aesthetic touches on the comic, and I do have the same stream of thought as they do (Roommates that aren't human hanging out in a totally foreign environment, daily life and such things are normal despite this, etc).

The difference is, the appearance of actual background between Abe and Preston is as blurry as it gets; Grim and BB are slightly modified personalities, filtered through the lens of Crude Humor, and placed in a humorous setting. I really do address the whereabouts of all of the other Autobots and Decepticons, and it really is 'mainstream' continuity.

The only problem is trying to make the website look pretty enough to attract readers. Grim, BB, Knockoff, Megs, and the up-and-coming Hotrod practically write themselves. I'm also trying to find the right size of toy for generic humans.