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The Layer Method
Our top Secret time-saving technique for creating and merging balloons and tails in Illustrator.
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Tuesday, September 7, 2010
CWN and the Grand Finale!
I'm poking my head in the door again for one last post. Robin got this to me just after we closed down, but I've been neglectful about getting it posted. I apologize mostly to Robin about that.
So if this pops up on your RSS reader, enjoy this one last farewell to CWN. I surely did.
--Michael
All good things MUST etc etc…
I’m sorry … really? Must they?
It is in this columnist’s humble opinion that all good things do not necessarily come to an end. Obviously I’m not insinuating that there actually exists some sort of Holy Grail of Immortality that will protect us from the final unchallengeable footnote of life, but rather that some good things remain, despite all evidence to the contrary.
Let us take the medium of comic books as an extant example. There currently rages (and has raged), among certain web-based fraternities, an intellectual conflict of comic ideals. On the one hand, the ever-present rewarding format of a comic book in paper guise is held aloft as a pure aesthetic, an untouchable cornerstone of the perfect presentation of the art. On the other is the progressive form of bit torrent sharing and web-based comics – representing both those materials published initially in the traditional form and those produced exclusively for the web. It’s not a fresh battle but it’s one that ignites quite strong reactions from the entrenched. Could digital sharing end the beloved comic book, as it currently exists? Will it kneecap the struggling artists and writers who slave to produce these oft-overlooked pages of artistic joy? Will the international industry crumble around the power of web-comics?
In a word…no.
All good things, in this case, will continue. There were those who felt the Internet would kill the sale of books, and yet if anything the past ten years have seen an increase in fiction and non-fiction sales. There were those that felt the Internet would reduce social interaction to mere typed correspondence but people’s connectivity has lead to countless successful relationships…and probably a fair number of failures. Sure, I for one still don’t have a My Space or Face Book account but the point is still valid!
The ever-changing world of graphic art, as superbly demonstrated by the multi-media genius of the Gorillaz, is one that absorbs all presentation, but destroys none. It should utilize the best relevant facets of technology, but it will never succumb. The comic book will survive and survive in style.
Why? How can I be so sure?
Simple: people like flicking backwards and forwards. Fact. The act, and feel, of turning a page at speed is unique. Currently impossible to digitally replicate. And even if it were possible, it would cost so much you might as well go back to printing.
CWN likewise may be disappearing but the good at its core will carry on. All established reviewers and contributors are relocating, taking their wealth of fun and knowledge to new homes. Their talents are by no means exhausted, and the pleasure they give to countless readers will carry forwards to new ground, where hopefully it will be as well received as here, at the glorious CWN.
Here endeth the lesson.
I’ve loved my short stint as part of this family, and my only regret is that I’ve submitted fewer columns than I hoped - although every delayed article WAS caused by a comic deadline! The best excuse ever!
I currently have no plans to search out another home for my rambling graphic euro-centric musings, but will keep Michael May informed of all my project bits and pieces over at Newsarama. There’s plenty of excitement in the pipeline, including projects with DreamWorks, The Guardian Newspaper and the Random House book group so keep your eyes peeled folks!
In the meantime I’ll bid you all a heartfelt Au Revoir, and close with a final thought from the talented mind of English Poet dramatist, John gay:
“We only part to meet again.”
Actually … no. I’m going to end with a quote from that sage amongst sages, the irrepressible Ferris Bueller.
“You're still here? It's over. Go home. Go!”
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Robin Etherington from Blink Twice Studios (Malcolm Magic) focuses on a variety of aspects of the European comics industry, from the greatest comic book store in Europe, to why animals will always be funnier than people. He'll also introduce you to titles from all over Europe that you may not have even heard of.
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Friday, February 8, 2008
• The End.
So long. Farewell. Auf Wiedersehen. Good night.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
• Closing time
You don't have to go home...
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
• Oni resurrects letters columns
Resurrection series features letter-writing contest
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
• And... we're back
With Red 5 info
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
• Happy Thanksgiving!
From aka Comics and Comic World News
• Happy Birthday, COMICRAFT!
Lettering powerhouse and CWN sponsor turns 15
Monday, November 19, 2007
• Surrogates movie ready to start production
Bruce Willis to star
More >>
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February 4, 2008:
November 20, 2006:
A Comic-Con without the Captain