Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007: another guest strip by Derrick Fish

[Steve the Pocket]

He's at it again!!!!

I like how the book he's reading is entitled Dungeons and Dragons.

So how long did it take to do that lettering, Derrick?

[Rooster]

Haha, that's a sweet one dude!

Noice one Derr

[Tom Flapwell]

I think both Llewellyn and Ozy are more expressive than usual.

Derrick, when I first encountered your comic, about a year into its online run, I didn't expect you'd get this good. Especially at an O&M substitute.

[Llewthepoet]

Again Derrick, NICE!

You should stay more often, I'm becoming a fan.

[NHJ BV]

Nicely done

[Kyler Thatch]

I actually like this better than the previous one. Especially the way Ozy looks.

[Derrick Fish]

Thanks again, everyone. I really enjoyed doing these and do hope I get invited back the next time there's a need.

So how long did it take to do that lettering, Derrick?

Entirely TOO long. I did, what, three whole lines and I was drained after doing it. D.C. deserves a flippin' EISNER for doing that type as often as he does. (Walt Kelly would be proud.) Of course, I also realized in the scripting stage that I just HAD to use the longest words possible just to torment myself further. Seriously, before now I don't think I've ever written the term: "Homeowners association" before in my LIFE.

I think both Llewellyn and Ozy are more expressive than usual.

Derrick, when I first encountered your comic, about a year into its online run, I didn't expect you'd get this good. Especially at an O&M substitute.

Thanks. Now, I will say that if you've ever read my OWN comic, I'm not exactly used to stoic, zen-inspired characters. Really, manic hyper-reactionary folks are more my speed and it was wicked hard to get these two as... mellow as I did without just making them look either robotic or sarcastic. I don't know HOW D.C. is able to skirt that line so perfectly but that kind of serenity is NOT in my DNA. lol

[gforce422]

!!!!


Great job again, Derrick!

[The MAZZTer]

Entirely TOO long. I did, what, three whole lines and I was drained after doing it. D.C. deserves a flippin' EISNER for doing that type as often as he does. (Walt Kelly would be proud.) Of course, I also realized in the scripting stage that I just HAD to use the longest words possible just to torment myself further. Seriously, before now I don't think I've ever written the term: "Homeowners association" before in my LIFE.

Well, he probably is used to writing out lines. From what I've read on your site you don't do it for Dandy and Co, so I'm assuming you don't for other projects either. DCS has written it all out since day one so he can probably do it in his sleep. I hear lots of things in that "art" process are like that. I wouldn't know. And just so you all won't be scared, I locked my inner muse up a long, long time ago. Right after it did that MSPaint atrocity that is.

I'm guessing that the very scarcity of "Homeowners' Association" in comic strips makes it very easy to turn into a gag for Llewellyn.

[gforce422]

I'm seeing a lot af avatars with art by Derrik...

[Mista_B]

Derrick, one day you gotta upload a page of just a whole bunch of different whacky expressions, I gotta learn how you do it so well. Seriously, it rocks my socks, and I value my socks pretty dang highly.

[Derrick Fish]

A good place to start is any of the animation books by Preston Blair. I got one when I went to the Kubert School in New Jersey and it was AMAZINGLY helpful in the regard of really learning how to get the most out of facial expressions. In fact, there was a single page with dozens of unique expressions drawn out on some cute, cartoon critter for similar refrence.

[Caoimhin]

I agree the expressions are excellent, I really like how you do them. Theres a smoothness to it.
(I have begun the Archive Journey).

[Muninn]

Now, I will say that if you've ever read my OWN comic, I'm not exactly used to stoic, zen-inspired characters. Really, manic hyper-reactionary folks are more my speed and it was wicked hard to get these two as... mellow as I did without just making them look either robotic or sarcastic. I don't know HOW D.C. is able to skirt that line so perfectly but that kind of serenity is NOT in my DNA. lol

I think that's largely how I'm conditioned to appreciate comics/movies/books/etc. I can't stand over-the-top, reactionary, crude and offensive characters. There are exceptions (like Calvin) but most of the time I don't like that sort of character.