Post by the1truesushiboy on Jan 1, 2011 2:25:20 GMT -5
I wrote this elsewhere, so it's a slightly edited copy-paste, but these forums need use and this seems like a good place to put this too. These are the reasons why I love CTV:
1.) CTV is a rich and detailed world filled with an extensive cast of drastically varying characters, which maintains my interest by eliminating needless monotony caused by the limitations of focusing on fewer characters and allows for a much wider range of possible dynamics between them. Some say there are too many, but I can't see why you'd want less. There can be so many more subplots and interconnected stories. There's more of a story to work with when you have more characters and much more personality when you have more personalities to begin with. The larger cast isn't difficult to keep track of either when they all play memorable roles.
2.) On a similar note to the cast, of which, all the characters, I find intriguing, the story and mythology itself is astounding. I absolutely love mythology of all types and am delighted to have learned as much as I have from you about preexisting ones, of course, the most obvious one being the alp. In fact, learning about the alp from you was the gateway to finding about my personal favorite creature, the draugr, which you may remember from a comment or two about it. Anyway, the accuracy of your interpretation of the creature makes me smile. I won't go off on a tangent, but to exemplify the type of reinterpretation that disappoints me... Twilight. Of course, reinterpreting mythology can be a good thing, but it has to be done with great care. Your own representations of the creatures you use fulfill my standard and the creatures and magic you yourself have created are thoroughly fascinating. The thought and backstory of this world seems almost incommensurate to the likelihood of one mind, but I, none the less, find myself experiencing a deep world filled with wonder that unceasingly captivates.
3.) The types of humor you use are varied throughout the comic, but the silly puns, the black humor, and occasional double entendre, all, I find humorous. And to make me laugh out loud as oft as you do is quite a feat. Humor these days has, for the most part, and in my opinion at least, deteriorated beyond the point of even being recognized as an attempt at humor. Granted, there are a few exceptions, but they are few and far between. The type of humor that makes me laugh is that which is truly clever. Wit is nigh completely gone from society and it's been replaced with crude obscenities and vulgarity that lacks any imagination whatsoever. I could carry on about it, but the point is that your sense of humor is one I find clever in all the ways you choose to express it. Even those double entendres aren't used in an explicitly offensive way, but for genuinely humorous purposes, rather than cheap laughs from a more easily amused audience. And the variety in all the aspects of your work is what keeps me enthused and that balance between the various jokes is analogous to my own preferences in humor. Even the comedy that does amuse me these days barely, if ever, gets a chuckle from me, but I am endlessly struck with awe by the unbridled laughter you can bring.
4.) The story itself, though much is still unknown, is spellbinding. The actions and motives of your characters range from passive and apathetic to brave and selfless to malicious and twisted. And again, it is this variety and change that keeps me riveted. I'm on the edge of my seat so much, I may as well just stand up. The interconnectedness, as well, of all the characters and events make for an enthralling tale that is unified, despite the many details that it entails. In fact, the fullness of the story is one of the most prominently alluring qualities. The difficulty, though, with having so much to work with would be logically connecting it all, which you have done beautifully. The story arcs that are already over(though may be brought back to take part in newer arcs) were thoroughly enjoyable and as I've said before, some were quite evocative. Death is serious business, but you masterfully use it both as a means of comedy and as a truly heart wrenching story telling tool. I think the only story arc I didn't care for was the "Mystery Friends" arc, but that's merely because I really never cared for Scooby-Doo. I'd likely have enjoyed the arc much more if I had no clue what it was a parody of. I'd not be able to compare it to something I have an aversion to that way.
5.) The detail that you put into your work is astonishing. "It is the small and subtle details that color our fondest memories." In CTV, you add so many tiny details that may, at first thought, seem insignificant, but they really make it a much more real experience. The real world is full of detail and that you put in in your comic makes it much more vivid. If not for having a slow computer, I'd probably forget I were actually reading a comic. Now, by "detail", I not only mean visual backgrounds and such, but the quirks of your characters, background information, cultural references, and the like.
6.) The art is something I am absolutely blown away by. Granted, the art started out terrible, but the fact that I'm able to see the transition and advancement of your skill is perhaps the most endearing quality of the comic. And the lower quality of the early art is more amusing than distracting, but that has more to do with the change over time. I won't lie; I've been turned away from comics that lacked in artistic value that, otherwise, had a good story concept. Art quality can very easily detract from the whole thing, but even as your earlier pages are nowhere near what you do now, the humor and everything else more than compensated for it, not to mention the far better pirate days and various other pages scattered amongst them. The art, as is, is incredible and here is where the visual detail comes into play. Again, the details you put in may at first seem unimportant, but for somebody with a near obsessive attention to detail as I, it makes me smile to see what you put into your work. In fact when I miss something and only notice it later or somebody else points it out, it goes to show how well you make those details fit. But not just those details make your art so incredible. Another notable aspect is your colors. Yes, colors. I don't know how often people comment on it, but I love the variety and vividness of the colors that you use. And then there's the obvious artistic style, that is certainly all your own. Your influences are fairly evident in the earlier pages, but as your drawing style changed and became more unique I found that it became almost difficult to see those influences, because of how much your own it is, but I do occasionally find myself going "Oh, there's definitely an example of ______'s influence, there." And yes, I am aware of who is and isn't an influence to you.
7.) The personal aspect of CTV as a whole experience that is brought by your decision to communicate with us is something very rare and I am extremely grateful for it. There's just something so comforting about the knowledge that you care about our individual opinions. Furthermore, the fact that CTV isn't a super famous web comic has an almost familial feeling. Kind of like listening to an awesome band nobody's ever heard of, ya know? It's awesome to know of this comic and in a way have it "all my own", but that isn't to say I hide it from anybody. I've introduced a few people to it, one of whom is not a commenter. :D
8.) The kid friendly nature of the comic is, at least by me, much appreciated. I have a severe disdain for shows like Family Guy and Southpark, because they're just vulgar... Utterly vulgar. I already made remarks on the subject, but I'm glad to see there are others who care enough to keep things clean; it makes the story itself much more engaging, not having to worry about the distracting nature of such things. I've actually only said the F word once in my entire life... ever. And I regret it, because now I can't take it back. I'm a severe prude, fyi. But not only does the absence of profanity make it much more pleasant, but the replacement words, such as "fink" are quite amusing. Charby's "explicit gesture", as another example, was pretty funny. And the use of that type of humor in a serious situation is another example of the contrast you use that makes CTV so enchanting.
9.) The script. Now this one's a bit difficult to explain, but it has to do with the fact that you so successfully make your characters as distinct and unique as possible, through vocabulary and speech patterns.It also has to do with vocabular in general. I love words and am often told I use "big words" by friends and coworkers, but I'm not ashamed to admit I had to look up more than a few words you've used. And I love it. And its not so much that you're using rare or grandiloquent words, but I learn new words all the time from many sources. I just happened to learn all of these in a short amount of time because I squeezed all that dialogue into such a short amount of time... if that makes sense. And not just the lexicon, but the choice of wording can be even poetic at times. And of course, the word play. Oh, how I do love that word play. "De-feeted" *dies laughing* "Assaulty Pretzel" *is resurrected by the need to continue laughing*... Whew... gets me every time.
10.) Just being there is worthy of mention. I've gone through some terrifyingly depressing times. You've put a smile on my face throughout this last year and throughout an extremely turbulent time in my life. Things got better, but I'm glad I had something to look forward to back then. I've actually sat down at my computer crying and left feeling more than content with life, all thanks to you. So thanks for doing what you do and thank you for sharing your ideas with the world.
So, while there may be some who change their opinions, I assure you I never will, and I can assert this with total certainty, because my tastes have not changed since I can remember. The only thing that's changed is that I'm now better able to describe what those tastes are. Even at a very young age, I very much disliked the shows I was supposed to be enjoying because I felt them to be too childish. And if CTV is written for kids, like some may claim, those must be some AWESOME kids! XD I actually learned to read by reading Calvin and Hobbes because the books I was meant to be reading, I refused to, because even then, I found them to be too simple. And in highschool, the books we were made to read, I held no interest for. So I may be stubborn or just stuck at one age, but I know I never grew up, because I've not changed since I was younger. Even as a young child, I tried to be rational and philosophical, but I was also a silly child, acting on curiosity and a need to quell any hint of boredom. I'm exactly the same, so I VERY much doubt I'll ever grow out of CTV. It shall always hold a special place in my heart and I think even if you were to take a year long break from it, I'd still be checking in every week. Of course, I'd never want to have to wait that long, but if I had to, I would. And this brings up a subtopic that I've been hesitant to talk about before, but I figure I'll put it out there anyway. Simply put, I'm torn between my desire for more frequent CTV updates and my desire for the art that is what you truly want it to be. I'd rather be reading what you, yourself, want to create and see the beautiful and detailed art that is your work than have more frequent, but less true-to-your-potential pages. Don't change a thing. It's just that I find it difficult to say I wish there were more CTV without sounding like I'm complaining or begging. Anyway, back to the subject of never growing out of CTV, it was an instant favorite. I've commented on occasion, less oft than I'd like, but I've decided only to comment when I won't merely be rephrasing "Great page/ great art", since I've pretty much run out of ways to do that anyway. But the complexity of the story is perfect for me, since I, myself, am a complex person, to say the least. I enjoy thinking and hold human thought in high regard, and any story that makes me think or raises philosophical questions is one that I may enjoy, although that is but one of many factors. To put it one way, what I like in a story makes a square hole and I've only ever been given rhombuses and trapezoids, only some of which would fit, but left an empty space, or would only fit if I cut a piece off. CTV is the square peg I've been waiting for. it has an unexplainable charm that, even after writing down a list, is not sufficiently quantifiable and I myself don't even get why I'm so drawn to it. But I am, so who cares. Er... well I guess you might. Anyway... I think the only thing that disappoints me is that I've not been a long term fan. I know those who've been here longer hold more weight in their opinions, because you've made a stronger connection with them, but believe me, I'm as obsessed as the most avid original reader. :) I know I'll be reading CTV for as long as you continue to write it. Ya know... I think that if I'd been born a few years earlier and in a different location, you'd have been a good friend growing up. For however awkward that may sound, I do mean it in a humble "chummy" sort of way.
Yup, so there it is. CTV is inexplicably very dear to me.
1.) CTV is a rich and detailed world filled with an extensive cast of drastically varying characters, which maintains my interest by eliminating needless monotony caused by the limitations of focusing on fewer characters and allows for a much wider range of possible dynamics between them. Some say there are too many, but I can't see why you'd want less. There can be so many more subplots and interconnected stories. There's more of a story to work with when you have more characters and much more personality when you have more personalities to begin with. The larger cast isn't difficult to keep track of either when they all play memorable roles.
2.) On a similar note to the cast, of which, all the characters, I find intriguing, the story and mythology itself is astounding. I absolutely love mythology of all types and am delighted to have learned as much as I have from you about preexisting ones, of course, the most obvious one being the alp. In fact, learning about the alp from you was the gateway to finding about my personal favorite creature, the draugr, which you may remember from a comment or two about it. Anyway, the accuracy of your interpretation of the creature makes me smile. I won't go off on a tangent, but to exemplify the type of reinterpretation that disappoints me... Twilight. Of course, reinterpreting mythology can be a good thing, but it has to be done with great care. Your own representations of the creatures you use fulfill my standard and the creatures and magic you yourself have created are thoroughly fascinating. The thought and backstory of this world seems almost incommensurate to the likelihood of one mind, but I, none the less, find myself experiencing a deep world filled with wonder that unceasingly captivates.
3.) The types of humor you use are varied throughout the comic, but the silly puns, the black humor, and occasional double entendre, all, I find humorous. And to make me laugh out loud as oft as you do is quite a feat. Humor these days has, for the most part, and in my opinion at least, deteriorated beyond the point of even being recognized as an attempt at humor. Granted, there are a few exceptions, but they are few and far between. The type of humor that makes me laugh is that which is truly clever. Wit is nigh completely gone from society and it's been replaced with crude obscenities and vulgarity that lacks any imagination whatsoever. I could carry on about it, but the point is that your sense of humor is one I find clever in all the ways you choose to express it. Even those double entendres aren't used in an explicitly offensive way, but for genuinely humorous purposes, rather than cheap laughs from a more easily amused audience. And the variety in all the aspects of your work is what keeps me enthused and that balance between the various jokes is analogous to my own preferences in humor. Even the comedy that does amuse me these days barely, if ever, gets a chuckle from me, but I am endlessly struck with awe by the unbridled laughter you can bring.
4.) The story itself, though much is still unknown, is spellbinding. The actions and motives of your characters range from passive and apathetic to brave and selfless to malicious and twisted. And again, it is this variety and change that keeps me riveted. I'm on the edge of my seat so much, I may as well just stand up. The interconnectedness, as well, of all the characters and events make for an enthralling tale that is unified, despite the many details that it entails. In fact, the fullness of the story is one of the most prominently alluring qualities. The difficulty, though, with having so much to work with would be logically connecting it all, which you have done beautifully. The story arcs that are already over(though may be brought back to take part in newer arcs) were thoroughly enjoyable and as I've said before, some were quite evocative. Death is serious business, but you masterfully use it both as a means of comedy and as a truly heart wrenching story telling tool. I think the only story arc I didn't care for was the "Mystery Friends" arc, but that's merely because I really never cared for Scooby-Doo. I'd likely have enjoyed the arc much more if I had no clue what it was a parody of. I'd not be able to compare it to something I have an aversion to that way.
5.) The detail that you put into your work is astonishing. "It is the small and subtle details that color our fondest memories." In CTV, you add so many tiny details that may, at first thought, seem insignificant, but they really make it a much more real experience. The real world is full of detail and that you put in in your comic makes it much more vivid. If not for having a slow computer, I'd probably forget I were actually reading a comic. Now, by "detail", I not only mean visual backgrounds and such, but the quirks of your characters, background information, cultural references, and the like.
6.) The art is something I am absolutely blown away by. Granted, the art started out terrible, but the fact that I'm able to see the transition and advancement of your skill is perhaps the most endearing quality of the comic. And the lower quality of the early art is more amusing than distracting, but that has more to do with the change over time. I won't lie; I've been turned away from comics that lacked in artistic value that, otherwise, had a good story concept. Art quality can very easily detract from the whole thing, but even as your earlier pages are nowhere near what you do now, the humor and everything else more than compensated for it, not to mention the far better pirate days and various other pages scattered amongst them. The art, as is, is incredible and here is where the visual detail comes into play. Again, the details you put in may at first seem unimportant, but for somebody with a near obsessive attention to detail as I, it makes me smile to see what you put into your work. In fact when I miss something and only notice it later or somebody else points it out, it goes to show how well you make those details fit. But not just those details make your art so incredible. Another notable aspect is your colors. Yes, colors. I don't know how often people comment on it, but I love the variety and vividness of the colors that you use. And then there's the obvious artistic style, that is certainly all your own. Your influences are fairly evident in the earlier pages, but as your drawing style changed and became more unique I found that it became almost difficult to see those influences, because of how much your own it is, but I do occasionally find myself going "Oh, there's definitely an example of ______'s influence, there." And yes, I am aware of who is and isn't an influence to you.
7.) The personal aspect of CTV as a whole experience that is brought by your decision to communicate with us is something very rare and I am extremely grateful for it. There's just something so comforting about the knowledge that you care about our individual opinions. Furthermore, the fact that CTV isn't a super famous web comic has an almost familial feeling. Kind of like listening to an awesome band nobody's ever heard of, ya know? It's awesome to know of this comic and in a way have it "all my own", but that isn't to say I hide it from anybody. I've introduced a few people to it, one of whom is not a commenter. :D
8.) The kid friendly nature of the comic is, at least by me, much appreciated. I have a severe disdain for shows like Family Guy and Southpark, because they're just vulgar... Utterly vulgar. I already made remarks on the subject, but I'm glad to see there are others who care enough to keep things clean; it makes the story itself much more engaging, not having to worry about the distracting nature of such things. I've actually only said the F word once in my entire life... ever. And I regret it, because now I can't take it back. I'm a severe prude, fyi. But not only does the absence of profanity make it much more pleasant, but the replacement words, such as "fink" are quite amusing. Charby's "explicit gesture", as another example, was pretty funny. And the use of that type of humor in a serious situation is another example of the contrast you use that makes CTV so enchanting.
9.) The script. Now this one's a bit difficult to explain, but it has to do with the fact that you so successfully make your characters as distinct and unique as possible, through vocabulary and speech patterns.It also has to do with vocabular in general. I love words and am often told I use "big words" by friends and coworkers, but I'm not ashamed to admit I had to look up more than a few words you've used. And I love it. And its not so much that you're using rare or grandiloquent words, but I learn new words all the time from many sources. I just happened to learn all of these in a short amount of time because I squeezed all that dialogue into such a short amount of time... if that makes sense. And not just the lexicon, but the choice of wording can be even poetic at times. And of course, the word play. Oh, how I do love that word play. "De-feeted" *dies laughing* "Assaulty Pretzel" *is resurrected by the need to continue laughing*... Whew... gets me every time.
10.) Just being there is worthy of mention. I've gone through some terrifyingly depressing times. You've put a smile on my face throughout this last year and throughout an extremely turbulent time in my life. Things got better, but I'm glad I had something to look forward to back then. I've actually sat down at my computer crying and left feeling more than content with life, all thanks to you. So thanks for doing what you do and thank you for sharing your ideas with the world.
So, while there may be some who change their opinions, I assure you I never will, and I can assert this with total certainty, because my tastes have not changed since I can remember. The only thing that's changed is that I'm now better able to describe what those tastes are. Even at a very young age, I very much disliked the shows I was supposed to be enjoying because I felt them to be too childish. And if CTV is written for kids, like some may claim, those must be some AWESOME kids! XD I actually learned to read by reading Calvin and Hobbes because the books I was meant to be reading, I refused to, because even then, I found them to be too simple. And in highschool, the books we were made to read, I held no interest for. So I may be stubborn or just stuck at one age, but I know I never grew up, because I've not changed since I was younger. Even as a young child, I tried to be rational and philosophical, but I was also a silly child, acting on curiosity and a need to quell any hint of boredom. I'm exactly the same, so I VERY much doubt I'll ever grow out of CTV. It shall always hold a special place in my heart and I think even if you were to take a year long break from it, I'd still be checking in every week. Of course, I'd never want to have to wait that long, but if I had to, I would. And this brings up a subtopic that I've been hesitant to talk about before, but I figure I'll put it out there anyway. Simply put, I'm torn between my desire for more frequent CTV updates and my desire for the art that is what you truly want it to be. I'd rather be reading what you, yourself, want to create and see the beautiful and detailed art that is your work than have more frequent, but less true-to-your-potential pages. Don't change a thing. It's just that I find it difficult to say I wish there were more CTV without sounding like I'm complaining or begging. Anyway, back to the subject of never growing out of CTV, it was an instant favorite. I've commented on occasion, less oft than I'd like, but I've decided only to comment when I won't merely be rephrasing "Great page/ great art", since I've pretty much run out of ways to do that anyway. But the complexity of the story is perfect for me, since I, myself, am a complex person, to say the least. I enjoy thinking and hold human thought in high regard, and any story that makes me think or raises philosophical questions is one that I may enjoy, although that is but one of many factors. To put it one way, what I like in a story makes a square hole and I've only ever been given rhombuses and trapezoids, only some of which would fit, but left an empty space, or would only fit if I cut a piece off. CTV is the square peg I've been waiting for. it has an unexplainable charm that, even after writing down a list, is not sufficiently quantifiable and I myself don't even get why I'm so drawn to it. But I am, so who cares. Er... well I guess you might. Anyway... I think the only thing that disappoints me is that I've not been a long term fan. I know those who've been here longer hold more weight in their opinions, because you've made a stronger connection with them, but believe me, I'm as obsessed as the most avid original reader. :) I know I'll be reading CTV for as long as you continue to write it. Ya know... I think that if I'd been born a few years earlier and in a different location, you'd have been a good friend growing up. For however awkward that may sound, I do mean it in a humble "chummy" sort of way.
Yup, so there it is. CTV is inexplicably very dear to me.
