Well it’s the end of 2023 and now it’s time to look back on this month and the rest of the year.
Reviewing Review Reactions
The website had to make a few changes like updates to existing reviews for Mad Cave:
The Devil That Wears My Face
Under The Influence
Crusader
…Nature’s Labyrinth
Funnily enough I did not receive the trades for a few other Cave dwellers like Monomyth or You’ve Been Cancelled. Maybe they weren’t enthusiastic about getting good publicity since I didn’t share Nature’s Labyrinth. I read the former on GlobalComix just to see how it ends and honestly the plot got confusing. I feel like it didn’t need to be so complicated, especially with the magic system being a big part of the appeal. But there were so many different directions that I began to lose track of things. Not helping was how some of the art changed. Can’t imagine what stress the original artist went through. Maybe they weren’t confident about getting good publicity.
Because Deer Editor and Crusader came to my emails without worry. Those I like because going back to reading them is a joy.
Other reviews like The Ghost System feel like the start of something good from Broken Face Comics. Although it’s more of a set-up that doesn’t fully explore the tagline. Not complaining of course, I had similar reactions to my comic The Wire Fence.
But on a similar note, Finale (the comic) doesn’t fill me with the same enjoyment on rereading. Unlike the song by the same maker, I just couldn’t get into it. But to be honest, I don’t think I’m into reading the bleakness of post-apocalypses. Remember, I got bored with the first parts of The Walking Dead.
So when I got to finish watching Zom 100’s first season on Netflix after every hiatus, you cannot believe how relieved I was. I’m not against post-apocalypses, but I do not need to hear exposition dumps about how the world ended. Or sterile artwork that takes me out of the immersion on reread. I’m all for campy and memorable moments that Zom 100 thrives on, but I did not need to see what was basically a debate on Twitter near the end in Finale. Sorry, I’m just a little frustrated that I ended up breaking a few rules from past experiences.
Reviewing Review Practices
There are days that I miss being part of a group of people like
. Not just for more regular views compared to Gutternaut, but having good leadership. Matt Sardo was definitely a good leader but he had too much going on. I like to think I improved on my writing since he let me go. I can definitely see big differences in my writing between now and then. Not enough to feel embarrassed, but enough to know that sounding intelligent and Buffy speak are better off just being personality quirks for characters. It took me a long time to get laymen’s terms ready, sorry Matt. At least now I’m supporting Matt through Indie Creator Comic Con… as a backer and member of the Facebook group.All that in mind, I have to question some of what MFR told me in review etiquette. Not with how I lost my cool with how some writers lazily used cliches. I like to think I got a handle on constructive criticism with Finale. I even got the thick skin to deal with critics without overreacting or getting down on myself. That’s why I’m following up Wire Fence.
It’s the fact that I can’t help but think that people who hide bad reviews are just trying to secure access to free content. Like giving something good reviews just to try and drown out the dung heads’ opinions. But what about the constructive criticisms that only users seem to leave behind in reaction? No direction or unlike plot directions, quirky or mopey dialogue taking people out of the immersion, dragging characters through situations that overstay their welcome.
I’ll give MFR credit for sticking to stuff they actually like and not review junk for favors or attention. Previews can do that with less effort or stress. But I can’t help but notice that other review sites that give these glowing reviews aren’t delivering honesty. I know that everyone has their difference in opinions and tolerance. But when your opinions are just to get into a fight or you don’t bother to look to see if your words have weight; who exactly are you writing these reviews for? Again… Thanks Matt, you got away from that and I appreciate it.
I have a few other things I’d like to say but I can’t tell if not saying them is cowardly or if saying it out loud is bravado.
Hence why I had to ask Finale’s creator if he wanted a good review or an honest one. Not brave, not bold, just is. So with his consent, I gave my opinion on what I liked and how that wasn’t enough. He replied that it was too bad but he didn’t make a big deal out of it and thanked me for taking the time to look over everything.
Makes me wonder if I shouldn’t have to pay money to people to review my content if I can just ask. But I do stuff like they do without getting paid and I wanted them to feel like it was worth it.
Managing Money For Compensation
On that note, if some of the people who I subscribe to on this platform are wondering why I paused my paid subscriptions for 6 months, it’s not because of greed or anything. I just wanna save my money to pay for Wire Fence’s followup. But that’s going to be a while and I want to get all of the data together. Right now I just have an idea and an outline and I need to consider saving for that.
Besides after all of the Kickstarters to Bad Idea, I’ve never been more conscious of having my money ready. And I spend most of my time trying to get stuff down for some kind of plan to do things I’ve hoarded. Like Netflix, my Steam Library, and the many comics I read. After all of the money I’ve spent, I gotta spend some spare time. Because writing that script is what will take my time away.
Back To Gutternaut
Of course, I gotta consider which stuff is worth it. That Archies movie in India got me to write about something I’m glad I don’t need to try and pronounce called Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. You know that a movie is great when you read the plot synopsis and can’t help but be immersed by it. Especially since the Archies is very… vanilla. Nothing to write home about other than get a like by the fan club of one actress’ father on BlueSky.
One thing I got to do on BlueSky is something I never got to do. My adaptation review of Wonder Woman Historia got me a brief interaction with the writer Kelly Sue DeConnick. Going into my own development with comic script writing, her style from the extras in this series got me inspired to really write in pictures. Giving the gratitude to somebody you admire on how much of an influence they have on you feels pretty good.
Web3 on Comics
Now let’s go into how going into the future might look like for comics. I recently did a theory (no trademark) on the indie project using Augmented Reality, comic books, and (energy efficient) cryptocurrency End of the World Pizza. By combining video games with out-of-the-box thinking, the interactions between comics and reactions can really push the physical medium forward. Best of all I got to share it with the creator Rob Shields on the Discord. He loved it and provided some much needed feedback before the official release.
On a related note, I’ve been following the new publisher DSTLRY. And so far, their own digital collectibles (they’re slightly different from NFTs) open up new possibilities to comic collecting. Like showing up early to get them cheap for just a dollar, potentially exchan… ugh… no talking about speculator marketing!
Let’s just say that there are some benefits to having these like discounts, special offers, and other stuff. But that depends on developments down the line. And given how the Metaverse is on hold, maybe the casuals should hold off before jumping in.
Shipping and Handling
Take this for example. I’ve been getting into blitmap, a comic project I might’ve… talked about before. Since I couldn’t find the newest issue in my LCS, I had to buy it off a store and ship to my place. Compared to the first issue, it was worth it to actually see some action and character growth compared to more set up.
That’s not the only one, I ordered the second issue of Tribal Force from Machine Comix. With the shipping and handling this cost about the same price. But is it worth it? Haven’t read it yet, but I can tell you that the first issue is a must-have for a set-up. It sets up a lot of expectations for this long awaited follow-up. But I’m going to keep supporting this series no matter what.
I just wish it was more convenient. Because I sent a copy of my comic where I paid for the shipping and handling to make use of the Venmo account I have. I hope Mr. McKnight likes it enough. Good service is expensive.
Prepping for The Long Term
As for reads and things to both enjoy and make content for, those can be at odds with each other. Like how I wait till near the end of the month for Hoopla comics. I wanted to find stuff that was worth it. So one popular title I got out of it was The Last Ronin: Lost Years. Because after immersing myself in the original book on Comixology Unlimited, I thought I would enjoy something. Everything else like Human Target, Danger Street, and One-Star Squadron are all for business.
Doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them. The Human Target and One-Star Squadron are particularly great stuff. There are complexities in characters in the former and very relatable satire in the latter. Even if some people are going to complain about character assassination. Same with the first half of Danger Street… based on one influencer’s take that’s among problems with the second half.
But I’m doing it anyway for a future post. Because somebody needs to say something about how DC Comics look at C-D list characters. …But that’s going to be a long while.
So I don’t really know what’s going to happen next month. Except for how scans push comics to try something new to compete with.
As for reading. After going through Hack/Slash omnibuses, I’m gonna read more GlobalComix paid content like Spawn. Looks like I need to stash some Ghost Energy.
Maybe even play more games on my ASUS Ally after Psychonauts 2 which gave my playlist this:
Now that Project Kat and A Short Hike gave me something to look forward, the Frog Detective trilogy will take some of my other times.
Everything in moderation I suppose. Compared to the near breakdowns in previous highlights.
Plus I’m finally getting to finish the drafts that’ve been collecting dust on my Substack home:
But the fanfics and other stuff might be a while. It’s a lot easier to make comments on stuff you’ve got an attachment to. But maybe I’m better off commenting on the things I like on social media. Or at least attempts at getting people to look at my content links without ending up in spam.
I like to think that’s why the subscriber numbers got a bit better.
So thanks for coming on board Gutternaut Crew!
Have a Happy New Year Everyone!