Style test/poll for upcoming fan-comic

[Mikemical]

So, long story short: I want to make a comic that covers one of the longest D&D campaigns I've played through. Problem is, I can't decide on what the faces for the characters should be like. Hence why I'm putting this up, to see which one people like more.

The "Yahtzee" faces are kind of based on the aforementioned reviewer's style, which is rather simplistic, but can still communicate some emotions.

The "Giant" style is similar to the one we all know and love from The Order of the Stick, though I have problems with drawing faces that are consistent and don't come off as uncanny valley sometimes.

So yeah, without further ado, here's what they look like:
https://i.imgur.com/e9JJoMA.png

Edit: Due to having to deal with some bureaucratic problems with getting my passport, I'll be pushing back the comic's start a week or two. Once I have my passport and can relax with my emigration process, I'll be uploading the Prologue. Keep an eye out!

[Shoreward]

You say it's a kind of account of one of your campaigns, right? If so, are character emotions going to be important, or is it more about the action? I know I've played in some games which which leaned against one more than the other.

If you need your readers to understand character emotions, then anything which aids in making those emotions read at a glance is a good idea, especially in a visual medium. I also think mouth movements help convey some expressions which are otherwise unavailable to a mouthless face; gasps, jaw drops, gritted teeth, etc. These can make for strong visual cues and gags without the need to report emotion.

If it doesn't matter - you might be making a humorous summary, for instance, rather than a full narrative commitment - then a less emotive face may not harm the quality at all, so long as you can compensate with clear action and dialogue.

As for consistency, the best teacher is experience. If you're using templates you can also keep a bank of expressions on hand to make things easier. I don't do this myself, but I've seen a lot of people who do and it seems to work well for them.

Whatever you choose, good luck on your journey! It's always fun to tell a story, and will luck you'll learn new skills to tell the next one as you go.

[Mikemical]

You say it's a kind of account of one of your campaigns, right? If so, are character emotions going to be important, or is it more about the action? I know I've played in some games which which leaned against one more than the other.

It had it's fair share of epic battles, as well as roleplaying/dialogue. It was fairly balanced, DM did a really good job making sure one wouldn't drown the other.

I also think mouth movements help convey some expressions which are otherwise unavailable to a mouthless face; gasps, jaw drops, gritted teeth, etc. These can make for strong visual cues and gags without the need to report emotion

Right, plenty of angry faces and yelling, so I guess mouths will be necessary. Yahtzee's cartoons benefit from his voiceover to help us get some cues about what he means when he says "the combat is complete bollocks".

If you're using templates you can also keep a bank of expressions on hand to make things easier. I don't do this myself, but I've seen a lot of people who do and it seems to work well for them.

That seems like a good idea.

Whatever you choose, good luck on your journey! It's always fun to tell a story, and with luck you'll learn new skills to tell the next one as you go.

Thanks dude, I appreciate the feedback.

[Honest Tiefling]

I'd lean to the mouths. Zero Punctuation isn't a webcomic, and I think some of the visual humor relies on the sheer badness of the art and the juxtaposition of the faceless characters and animated speaking style, as well as what would be 4th wall humor. If the comic was about a bunch of players being murderhoboes and unable to really roleplay, I'd go with no mouths but that really doesn't seem like what you are doing.

Your mouths are fine, just keep practicing.

If you have an issue with other humanoids...What other humanoids do you even need for the story? How close will it cleave to the setting/plot? You could try some designs to see what works and what doesn't.

[Mikemical]

I'd lean to the mouths. Zero Punctuation isn't a webcomic, and I think some of the visual humor relies on the sheer badness of the art and the juxtaposition of the faceless characters and animated speaking style, as well as what would be 4th wall humor. If the comic was about a bunch of players being murderhoboes and unable to really roleplay, I'd go with no mouths but that really doesn't seem like what you are doing.

Your mouths are fine, just keep practicing.

If you have an issue with other humanoids...What other humanoids do you even need for the story? How close will it cleave to the setting/plot? You could try some designs to see what works and what doesn't.

Hey, sorry, I totally forgot to check this topic again.

As for what other humanoids, I mean gnolls, kobolds, troglodytes, lizardfolk, catfolk, etc. The party got really interesting past level 8.

[Lector87]

Looks like your images have been Thanos-snapped out of existence. When they're back I'll weigh in. Sounds like a fun project!

[Mikemical]

Looks like your images have been Thanos-snapped out of existence. When they're back I'll weigh in. Sounds like a fun project!

Yeah, imgur started preventing people from inserting images into forums for no reason, so I decided to just put the link to it instead.

[Lector87]

Agree with above that your mouths are fine, and your faces look better with them. Good luck!

[Rico]

I admire you, you're done. I believe that such startups can only be done by talented people like you.Please write paper for me when everything is ready, I'll look forward to it.

[Honest Tiefling]

Haven't heard much about this project recently, are you still working on it? The style looked nice, so I was intending to try to read the result if at all possible.

[Mikemical]

Haven't heard much about this project recently, are you still working on it? The style looked nice, so I was intending to try to read the result if at all possible.

Yeah, currently working on the prologue. Been a tad slow lately cause I got the flu. I should have the first few strips up by August's first week. I wanna at least finish the introduction before starting a thread.

[KateHoll]

I follow your posts. if you need help with papers, I will be very glad to help you. My Service - homeworkfor.me . Feel free to contact me at any time.

[Enferna]

These links are broken? I cannot access to give an opinion xD

[Mikemical]

These links are broken? I cannot access to give an opinion xD

yeah, imgur are being d!cks about people hosting their images there and want to be tumblr 2.0 since the original is slowly dying.

Anyway, here's the link to the comparison: https://imgur.com/e9JJoMA

Also, since I know many haven't read the first post's edit, I'll repeat here. This project is currently on hold, since my primary focus is getting my emigration documents. Once that is done, I'll be able to more comfortably sit down and make MSPaint comics.

[dehitamum]

Thnaks Your are doing good

[kakbrus]

Thank you for posting such a great article! I found your website perfect for my needs. It contains wonderful and helpful posts. Keep up the good work!. Thank you for this wonderful Article!

[Earl_Moll]

Cool idea, thanks. I think Giant-style faces will look perfect in your comic so that readers understand the emotions of the characters. By the way, how are things with him, have you finished it? In any case, I wish you the best of luck.

[truemane]

Metamagic Mod: Thread necromancy is a forbidden art. See what I did there? Art? Get it? Tough crowd.