A different kind of Stick Figure Comic.

[barteem]

Hey y’all.

I’m just popping by to ask if you could take a look at my art (and comic) and tell me what you think.
Most importantly I’m curious if the art concept, which is kind of 2D/3D amalgam, is easy to understand and enjoyable. My experiment is to discover if this type of stick figure in a semi three dimensional world is viable as an art style to tell a story.
I’m new at all of this and I’m afraid my writing and art shows it, but it’s something I’ve been itching to try for a while now.
So, let me know what you think please!
If you’d like to see more go to Sticknia.com (http://sticknia.com/index.php?id=1)

Stickman.

http://i29.tinypic.com/10nfjgx.jpg

http://i29.tinypic.com/2ufprud.jpg

http://i32.tinypic.com/qno5cl.jpg

http://i28.tinypic.com/jhftzt.jpg

[t_catt11]

I find the art interesting, and think that you could certainly tell stories with it. I'd like to see what sorts of stoires you have to tell.

Also, for the lazy among us (pretty much everyone), be sure to include a link (preferably in your sig).

Hmm. Maybe you should consider copying the navigation buttons (first, next, etc) to the bottom of the comic, as well. It's irritatign to scroll down to read, then back up to go to the next episode.

[barteem]

Noted and added!
Thanks for the comment.
I just read yours and I like it.
Feels like my sessions.

[t_catt11]

There ya go - kudos on the sig. Also, thanks for reading Loaded Dice.

Heh, I fixed my suggestion above... what the heck are "vanigaton buttons"? D'oh!

I'll defintiely be readying Sticknia to see what happens.

[mr_pathetic]

Very nice and clean work you have there... reminds me a bit of one of the guys who does an occassional bit on the weekly stickmata (sigged below). The only way you can figure out what works is to try a little of everything and improve on the stuff people respond to.

[barteem]

Thanks Mr.
I haven't had a lot of comments on most places I have asked for opinions.
It's nice to see some people taking a look.
:smallsmile:

[Surfing HalfOrc]

Quite good. And quite different. I'll be watching this one.

[t_catt11]

I've noticed that, for feedback, this board and thewebcomiclist forums seems to be pretty darned good.

[barteem]

Thanks all.
Keep a look out on the site.
I update every Wednesday.

[Weimann]

I tend to like stick figure comics, because I find it intriguing to see how expressive you can make a simple bunch of lines.

This comic might have the single most awesome stick figure art I can remember seeing. xkcd has nothing on it.

I will most certainly watch this comic.

[Weimann]

This comic severely lacks an RSS feed :/ Do they cost money to get? Otherwise, I'd really advice on it.

[t_catt11]

RSS feeds are free. If the OP needs help making one, I'd be happy to give him some source code.

[barteem]

Yep!
RSS is on the way.
I'm just putting the final polish on the rest of the site first.
One question about RSS...
Does it actually cause my metric software to register a hit on the site?
I don't want to miss out on unique hits because people are RSSing.
:smallbiggrin:

[t_catt11]

Depends. If you include the comic images themselves in the RSS, you won't see the hits. If not - if you use it just to let people know that there IS an update (you include title, description, etc), then peopel will still hit your site, and you'll still see the hits.

[barteem]

Good to know.
Also, comic should be updated early or right on time this week!

[t_catt11]

Very cool. Timely updates is what all the cool kids are into these days.

[Weimann]

Oooh, setup.

This could get interesting. I'd say pick flight over fight, however. We don't need to actualize the accusation.

[barteem]

New comic is up!
Hope you like it.

[barteem]

Comic 23 is up!
=)

[The Rose Dragon]

This may be the best stick figure comic I've ever read.

Although more backgrounds and a better way to tell the people apart from the rest of the lines would be nice.

[barteem]

Comments are now enabled for all published content.
Please comment when you read, I'll try to incorporate your suggestions. I'm working on background and detail separation in all new comics Rose, so hopefully you'll be able to understand them better as time goes on.

Comic #23 is up!

Also! Promo character shot!

http://sticknia.com/external/shamishsm.jpg

http://sticknia.com/external/whispersm.jpg

[mr_pathetic]

If you didn't have this comic and I saw your work I'd be getting ya to submit content for mine (Which I'm hoping you see yourself). :D Nice work as usual.

[barteem]

I have been watching your site, I try to keep up with all the stick art I can.
:smallwink:
I'd be happy to put some stuff together to post if you like.

[barteem]

New comic is up and it' something different this time.
Let me know what you think!

Link in mah sig!

[barteem]

Comic 26 is up!
Link in my sig.
Also a bonus character shot.
http://sticknia.com/external/Kainesm.jpg

[mr_pathetic]

Will the Yeti man fail his consciousness role? Find out next week on as the Wraith clubs.... :smallwink:

[barteem]

lol

:smallbiggrin:

[Flickerdart]

Did that ninja's skeleton just jump out of his body? Whoa.

[barteem]

Pretty much.
You'll find out more about that later in the series.

P.S.
New comic is up (http://sticknia.com)

[Renrik]

I love it. My first thought was "I would read the SH*T out of that!" Just don't go overboard with the costumes. Keep it simple and sticky.

[barteem]

Please do read the #$%! out of it!
haha.
Comic 28 is up.

[t_catt11]

Just wanted to check in and remind folks to read this comic - it is excellent!

[barteem]

Thanks Olan!
Comic #29 is up!
Link in sig!

[t_catt11]

You are quite welcome.

Also, I'm not certain that I trust the new guy in your comic.

[barteem]

:smallwink:

[Weimann]

Also, I'm not certain that I turst the new guy in your comic.I, on the other hand, think he will prove a big help. I don't know, but I get a good feel from him.

[t_catt11]

Well, it's not as if the protagonist has a lot of choice in the matter right now.

But I'd personally keep an eye on him.

[barteem]

Comic #30 is up and with it comes 10 weeks of on time updates. :smallbiggrin:
Enjoy!
(Link in Signature)

[t_catt11]

Congrats on the 10 week mark!

[barteem]

Thanks.
I'm glad to do it.
:smallsmile:

[Weimann]

Well blast it. Hopefully this little feud can be negotiated smoothly.

[someonenonotyou]

Holy crap that is awesome i love that comis
the art exspecaily
great job keep it up:smallbiggrin:

[barteem]

:smallwink:

[barteem]

Comic 31 is up! (http://sticknia.com)
It's extra long and full of combaty fun.
Don't forget to comment!

[Weimann]

Told you he'd be a good guy. He'll not kill you until AFTER he has saved you.

Flawless logic!

No, really, he's awesome.

[barteem]

Comic #32 is up.
Things are about to get bloody!
Look for some bonus panels with color through out the next week or two.
Thanks for reading.
Link in signature.

[t_catt11]

Heh... I knew I had a bad feeling for a reason. So the guy's not evil, just (slightly) insane... in a dangerous way.

[barteem]

Hey, some relationships start off rocky! What can you do? :smallbiggrin:

[barteem]

This week will be a colored bonus art week!
I'll be uploading a full color piece every day at a random time.
Check the site often to catch the latest one.
Let me know what you think.
As always, the Wednesday update will be live at noon, but not color.
http://sticknia.com

[t_catt11]

Very cool bonus art!

We did a bonus art of our own for today's Loaded Dice update.

[barteem]

Love it.
Your comic makes me happy.

[barteem]

Comic 33 is up.
More color panels in the works.
Link in sig.
Thanks for reading.
STICKNIA (http://sticknia.com)

[mr_pathetic]

Again you have done well... ups and downs seem to keep interrupting my schedule... nice job on color shots. :smallcool:

[barteem]

Thanks!
Also, comic 34 is up.
Enjoy.

[barteem]

Comic #35 is up.
Bonus panel will go up Christmas day.
Enjoy!

[Oooohaloophole]

Clap clap clap clap. How often does it update?

[barteem]

Wednesday at noon.
I need to add that to the site.

[Oooohaloophole]

It pretty cool, but the archive needs to get bigger before it becomes one of those comics you READ THE (I promised i wouldnt swear any more) out of.

[barteem]

Hahaha.
Well, thanks, and I'm growing the archive every week.

P.S.
Christmas panel up!

[barteem]

Comic 36 is up!
And hopefully the last late update you'll ever see.
Path of the Necromancer (http://sticknia.com)

[t_catt11]

Nice story progression. Keep up the good work!

[barteem]

Thanks again Olan.
:smallsmile:
Comic #37 is up.
Path of the Necromancer (http://sticknia.com)
Enjoy.

[someonenonotyou]

yah blood and gore just what this comic needed:smallbiggrin:

great comic agian

[t_catt11]

Nice.

So why not snap his neck? He just stabbed you, for crying out loud! Main character has an odd cose of personal honor...

[barteem]

Terren is no killer, he's just a well trained burglar.
He has sworn to never kill another sentient being.

[barteem]

Hey all.
Comic #38 is up.
Had some problems with my PC
and had to do it all without my rez. template.
Hope it's ok.
The site got a redesign.
Thanks for reading!
As always, link in signature.
Stickman.

[mr_pathetic]

Nicely done... you got the cliffhanger part down pretty nicely now. :smallcool:

[barteem]

Haha.
Thanks!
I'm trying.

[barteem]

Comic #39 is up.
Chapter one is almost over.
Terren is expiring in a puddle of his own blood.
Thank you for reading.
Link in Signature.

[barteem]

Comic 40 is up.
End of the chapter.
Thanks for reading.
Path of the Necromancer (http://sticknia.com)

[daecrist]

I like what you've done with the comic so far! I'm always interested in seeing people doing new things with stick figures. It's almost like a challenge to get the most possible out of a minimalist style.

This goes back to the first page of the thread, but if you're still worried about monitoring clickthrough via your RSS feed then you should look into adding Feedburner to your site. It's fairly easy to integrate with your site since you're using Wordpress.

[mr_pathetic]

That was hot. :smallwink:

[barteem]

Chapter Two is now open for business.
Check it out.
Path of the Necromancer (http://sticknia.com)

[someonenonotyou]

what? Where is he? hmm
anyway great as always

[barteem]

Where is he?
To be revealed!

[barteem]

Comic 42 is up.
The adventure continues.
Link in my signature.

[barteem]

Comic 43 is up.
Enjoy!
Path of the Necromancer (http://sticknia.com)

- Stickman.

[mr_pathetic]

I like the backgrounds for the first few of the new chapter, very appropriate for the mood.

[barteem]

Thanks Mr.P.
Comic 44 is up.
OMG.
http://sticknia.com

[barteem]

Hey all!

Good news!
Path of the Necromancer is back in action.
I had some great guest filler going on, and now we are back in action with the main story. Updates should be back to normal from now on.
Hope you go check it out.
Path of the Necromancer (http://www.sticknia.com/comic/)

[barteem]

Comic 48 is up! Please give it a read and let me know what you think!
Link in Sig!

-Stickman

[barteem]

Comic 49 is up.
If you like it, please leave a comment.
Thanks.
Path of the Necromancer (http://sticknia.com)

-Stickman

[barteem]

The big 5 OH is live today everyone.
Thank you for reading.
Link is in my signature.
Path of the Necromancer (http://sticknia.com)

-Stickman.

[mr_pathetic]

The more I see your work, the more I like it....
I may just have to recruit you to do some guest strips... :smallcool:

[t_catt11]

No doubt - I've thought the same thing, myself.

[barteem]

Thanks all for the compliments!
I'd be happy to do guest strips.
Just give me an email.
=)
Comic 51 is up as well.
Path of the Necromancer (http://sticknia.com)

[barteem]

Sorry for the absence!
Comics 52-56 are up!

[barteem]

Comic 57 is live.
Thanks for reading!
Path of the Necromancer (http://sticknia.com)

[barteem]

Comic 58 is live!
Thanks for reading.
Link in Signature.
http://sticknia.com

[Glass Mouse]

That is... AWESOME!

Seriously, best use of stick figures I've read, and it's been instantly added to my favorites. The characters are cool and very much alive, the setting is compelling, and the artwork is wonderful and... well, long story short, I'm entertained and impressed :smallsmile:

[barteem]

Thank you Mouse!
Also, Bonus Art!
Go see it now!

[t_catt11]

Congrats for the full year of sticky-awesomeness!

Also, do check out the bonus art for this occasion - is is quite impressive (love the use of color!).

If you are not reading this comic, the question begs itself: why not?

[barteem]

Thanks again Olan!
You are the best!
Also, comic 59 is up.
Read and comment please.

[Glass Mouse]

...wait, she knows as well? I wonder what their story is.

Nice update!

I noticed the way their bodies disappear in favour of things in front of them (does that make sense?). For a moment I thought someone had cut Lavender Girl (I don't remember her name, sorry) in half in the fourth panel :smallconfused:
Yeah, I'm not very observant.

[barteem]

I believe Beroc is drawing them with the slices in the bodies to give a better sense of what is in front of what. I didn't do that when I was drawing it, and I think I like it.
I agree, when you first see it, it takes a second to figure out what's going on.
It works though. You really do start to get what's in the foreground and what's in the back.

Also, yes, Terren and Whisper have a "history". More on that later.

;)

[mr_pathetic]

Caught up once again... I don't have much time to do much online surfing with my job and various other activities, but I am never disappointed in your work. :smallcool:

[barteem]

Thanks Mr. I'm glad you like what you see.
We are working hard on getting this thing right.
=)
Comic 60 is up.
And as a special bonus anyone who logs in to the commenting section on the website and comments on any of the last 60 pages
will get sent a random custom stick avatar they can plug in to Gravatar!
Just post a comment and make sure to add your email to the posting in the email link section and look for your avatar in your email by this time next week!
Path of the Necromancer (http://sticknia.com)

[barteem]

I'm late letting you guys know this week.
Sorry about that.
Anyway, Path of the Necromancer #61 is live.
Hope you enjoy the gore.
Path of the Necromancer (http://sticknia.com)

[t_catt11]

Very nice fight scene, well done. I have always loved the style this comic is drawn in!

[Glass Mouse]

Poor Terren... He looks so shocked in the 5th panel.

[barteem]

Comic 62 is up.
Please let me know how you like the new art direction.
Path of the Necromancer (http://sticknia.com)

-Stickman

[Vargtass]

I like it! Very nice art, and some more appreciation of Mitzi's fighting ability.

[Zombimode]

If you are not reading this comic, the question begs itself: why not?

Well, since you asked:
The storyline and characterization appear to be in a typical (humorous) shōnen manga style. If you are into this kind of stuff, good for you. If you, like me, can barely tolerate those elements in Berserk, sticknia probably isnt the webcomic for you.

Because of this, for webcomics in this art style I will stick with OotS and xkcd.
YEEEEEHHAAAAAAAA!


Note: if you want to argue about the correctness of my usage of manga terminology, feel free to do so in another thread or per PM. I did not intened to derail this thread and have high respect for barteem and his creation.
I have read a bit of the comic, found it not to my liking and passed on.
The above explanation was done in retrorespect.

[t_catt11]

I don't get that impression at all, Zombimode, but to each his own.

I like the new art direction - makes the comic feel more gritty and real. Impressive for stick figures!

[barteem]

Thanks all for your comments.
Zombie, I'm sad you feel that way.
But to set the point straight, I've never read a single Manga comic is my life.
I was strictly a Marvel/DC/Darkhorse guy in my youth.
This comic was intended to be more in line with Sin City and Hellboy series, if I were to classify my primary influences, those books would be the ones.

[Welknair]

Huh. I've been reading Sticknia for about two weeks now and just saw this thread. You probably don't recognize my username, but I commented on comic 61...

Anyways, as I said there, I quite like the comic thusfar and check regularly for updates. I look forward to seeing where your story goes.

[t_catt11]

I have always loved this comic. As other fans may know, the comic went on hiatus... and now, the site is gone.

I cannot seem to find any way to contact the author (everything was through the sticknia.com domain name). If anyone has any sort of alternate communication method, please send it to me.

If Path of the Necromancer needs hosting, I will be happy to provide it for free. Even if the author has no plans to resume the comic, I would like to host the archive for posterity. I feel that this comic was unique, and brought a lot to the table. I hate to see it not only die, but fade away for good.

[whateverichoose]

I would like to read it.

[Welknair]

Just prior to the site going down, the author had said that they intended to restart the comic.

...

And now the site is gone entirely?

I quite liked Path of the Necromancer and would like to see it return. Stickman, if you read this, we admire your work. If it's too much to continue producing the strip, you should at least allow T_Catt to host the archive as he so generously offered. If the site went down due to a tragic incident that would prevent you from maintaining the site, then I am very sorry.

[t_catt11]

Update:

I finally got a response from Stickman via his facebook account. He says that he is not working on the comic these days, but would be glad to have me host the archive.

Heh, obviously, he isn't working on it... :P

Anyway, I'd call this good news. Hopefully, the time will come that life will allow him to resume the comic; I stand by my earlier assertation that this is one of the more unique comics out there. Regardless, it will be good that the archive will once again be available for everyoen to read.

[Vargtass]

Good news!

Make sure to link to the new site once you get it up!

[averagejoe]

The Mod They Call Me: Thread necromancy.